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Launch of Sputnik 1
Nova TimelineThe launch of Sputnick 1 spurred the US to launch its
own satellites and begin space exploration in earnest.
It also marked the beginning of the competition
between the US and USSR to have dominance in
space. -
First Animal in Space
The first animal was a female dog named Laika sent
by the USSR to prove that animals can live in space
(and presumably humans) This reassured the people
that humans may be able to live in space. -
Spy Photos
The US developed a series of reconnaissance satellites
code named Corona, and the USSR lagged behind two
years with their own Zenit spy satellites.This was
significant because it showed things as small as passenger
cars. -
First American in Space
Alan B. Shepard becomes the first American in space.
This proved that Americans could make it to space and
were still in the space race. -
Space Challenge
President John F. Kennedy addresses Congress and
challenges the nation to go to the moon before the end of the
decade. This is significant because it also challenges
the USSR by saying that they will get on the moon before
them. -
The Astronauts
NASA selects the second group of astronauts. The
reason why this is important is because it shows that
they are getting closer to the final astronauts. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
Tensions rose when an American aircraft flew over
Cuba and photographed soviet nuclear sites 90 miles
from the US coast. The reason why this is significant
is because the US had a similar base at the Turkish-
Soviet border and if one country chose to strike, the other
could retaliate and start a war. -
Moon Landing
The first man on the moon was an American named Buzz
Aldrin. The significance of this was very large becuase it
showed that America was the dominant country with their
huge lead in the space race and moon landing. -
Space Weapons
Both sides, the US and USSR, had plans to send weapons
into space. The Soviet Union brought a 23-mm aircraft
cannon into space and it proved successfull by destroying a
target satellite. This was important because it showed what
the USSR could do to the US and vice versa. -
Apollo-Soyuz
This was the first United States and Soviet Union joint
mission. Astronauts and cosmonauts docked the last
Apollo spacecraft with the Soviet vessel Soyuz. The
importance of this was very large because it later led to
more collabortive space efforts including the international
space station.