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The Space which took place at the height of the cold war, represented a clash of two powerhouses. The USA and Soviet Union, and a battle of technological and ideological superiority.
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James C. Hagerty, president Dwight D. Eisenhower's press secretary, announced that the United States intended to launch "small Earth circling satellites" between 1 July 1957
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Four days later, at the Sixth Congress of International Astronautical Federation in Copenhagen, scientist Leonid I. Sedov spoke to international reporters at the Soviet embassy, and announced his country's intention to launch a satellite as well, in the "near future"
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The Soviet union launch the first satelite into space called sputnik 1
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The Soviet union launches Sputnik 2, which carried a small dog named Laika into orbit. Comes as a shattering moment for the USA as the Soviets are demonstarting their technological advancements
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Explorer 1, the first American satelite to reach orbit is launched.
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America launch Vanguard 1, it continues to function for 3 years. America are responding to what they feel is a growing communist revolution. Yet the Soviet Union is still ahead in the Space Race.
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The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is formed. Still is today one of the most significant organisations in helping mankind in breakthroughs in space.
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The Soviet Union launches Luna 1 into space, known as the first cosmic ship. Was the first spacecraft to reach the vicinity of the Moon.
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The Soviets continue with the Luna project and launch Luna 2. It impacts the moon on September 13 and becomes the first man made object to do so.
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The Soviet Union launch Luna 3, it orbits the moon and takes a photo of 70% of its surface.
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USA launch the first weather satelite. Was the start of many weather satelites as seen today.
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JFK elected as President. He was a massive supporter of the Space Program, and he also recongised the threat of a global communist revolution.
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The Soviet Union send Yuri Gagarin to become the first man to enter space. One his journey he orbits the earth once and arrives back to earth safely.
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Alan B. Shepard becomes the first American in space. This flight was designed to reach space but not enter orbit.
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President John F. Kennedy addresses Congress and challenges the nation to go to the Moon before the end of the decade.
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Gus Grissom is launched on a sub-orbital flight. His Liberty-Bell capsule is lost when it fills with water and sinks after splashdown.
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John Glenn orbits the Earth three times. USA a catching up in the Space Race as they are now able to have a man in space for an extended period.
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Walter Schirra orbits the Earth six times. USA have an improved Space Program under a Kennedy government.
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President Kennedy is assassinated in Dallas. He was a significant part in America's Space Project and had a clear understanding of the threat had by the "east" Photo is his funeral.
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Ranger 7 an American satelite transmits the first close range images of the Moon.
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Alexei Leonov spends 12 minutes outside of his Voskhod spacecraft performing the first spacewalk. Comes a harsh blow for US as they feel they were gaining head way in Space Race.
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The Russians send Luna 9 to the moon; the first satellite to land on the moon. They are even able to send back photos, but they’re intersepted by the British and are posted in a British newspaper before the Russians are able to receive them. This highlights the Soviets battle with the West.
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The Soviets launches Luna 10, the first satelite to orbit the moon. At this stage the Soviets are getting closer to sending a man on the moon.
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The USA send Lunar Orbiter 1 enters orbit around the Moon and takes the first picture of the Earth from that distance.
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During this period, there were many deaths that took place in the space mission. Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee are killed when a fire ignites in their Apollo 1 capsule while performing a test on the launch pad. Cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov is killed when the parachutes of his Soyuz 1 capsule fail to open properly following re-entry.Astronaut Edward Givens is killed in an automobile accident. Astronaut Clifton Williams is killed in a plane crash. 5 Americans were killed and 1 Russian.
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The Soviets launch Zond 5. It carried a biological payload (including two turtles) around the Moon and returned to Earth six days later.
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USA- the crew of Apollo 7 begin a 10 day mission to study the new spacecraft.
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Frank Borman, James Lovell, and William Anders begin the first manned journey from the Earth to the Moon. On Christmas Eve they take turns reading Genesis in a broadcast heard around the world. They did not leave the Space Craft and walk on the surface however.
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Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin become the first men to walk on the Moon while crewmate Michael Collins orbits around the Moon alone. This signifies America winning the Space Race and highlighting their technological prowess.
