Space Race Timeline

By Trevor20825245

  • Sputnik 1

    Sputnik 1
    The Soviets were the first to launch something into space. Sputnik 1 was the first thing to fully orbit earth. Sputnik 1 is credited to mark the start of the space race.

  • The Creation of NASA

    The Creation of NASA
    In retaliation of the launch of Sputnik, America created its own space exploration organization. NASA was aimed at beating the Soviets in the space race. The organization would is still working in America today.

  • NASA's launch on Ham

    NASA's launch on Ham
    NASA successfully launches Ham, the chimpanzee, into space. This was also the first time a living thing has been sent to space and came back to earth and survived. They were able to learn how space affected living creatures.

  • Yuri Gagarin goes to space

    Yuri Gagarin goes to space
    Yuri Gagarin would be the first person to ever orbit the earth. This would be a major advancement in the space race for the Soviets as they would be the first into space. Yuri would only orbit the earth and never actually go into space.

  • Mariner 4 is the first satellite to reach mars

    Mariner 4 is the first satellite to reach mars
    NASA is the first to launch a satellite to mars. This would be the first contact to mars. The satellite would be a major advancement in the space race as it would be the first satellite out of earth's orbit.

  • America lands on the moon

    America lands on the moon
    In 1969, NASA launches the Apollo 11 mission to the moon. The goal is to put the first man on the moon. The mission completes a big victory for the US as they are the first to the moon.

  • Soviets launch the first space station

    Soviets launch the first space station
    The soviets launch the first space station. Salyut's goal was to be operational for 6 months which was the longest time humans would ever be in space.

  • The first joint mission between the U.S. and U.S.S.R.

    The first joint mission between the U.S. and U.S.S.R.
    This would be the first meeting of the two superpowers ever in space during the cold war. This would majorly change how the Cold War would be seen as the two nations cooperate in space exploration instead of competing.