Space Race Timeline

  • Soviets launch Sputnik 1

    Soviets launch Sputnik 1
    The Soviet Union launched a satellite called Sputnik into orbit around Earth. This event caused the U.S. to fear, which intensifies the arms race. It also causes more tension between the U.S.S.R. and the U.S. during the Cold War.
  • N.A.S.A is created

    N.A.S.A is created
    NASA ( National, Aeronautics, Space, Administration) was created by the U.S. as a response to the Soviets launch of Sputnik 1. NASA was used for space exploration, technology, Earth and Space science, and others.
  • Americans successfully launch and return Ham, a chimpanzee

    Americans successfully launch and return Ham, a chimpanzee
    The U.S. launched Ham (a chimpanzee) into space. Ham successfully survived the mission and did all the tasks that the U.S. asked him to do. The U.S. became very accomplished after this event during the Space Race.
  • Yuri Gagarin becomes the first man in space

    Yuri Gagarin becomes the first man in space
    The Soviets launch the first human into space, Yuri Gagarin. This act pushed the Soviets ahead in the Space Race against the U.S. This led the U.S. to declare NASA would launch humans on the moon by 1970.
  • Mariner 4 becomes the first satellite to reach Mars

    Mariner 4 becomes the first satellite to reach Mars
    The Mariner 4 launched by NASA was used to take the first photos of another planet (Mars) in Space. This event was one of the biggest successes in the Space Age. Mariner 4 boosted the U.S. during the Cold War.
  • Americans land on the moon

    Americans land on the moon
    American astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin became the first people to land on the moon. Later Neil became the first person to walk on the moon. This event was the climax of space history and led the big U.S. achievement in the Space Race.
  • Soviets launch the first space station

    Soviets launch the first space station
    The Soviets launch the first space station in orbit. This station will become an important segment of the ISS. It will also give the Soviets the upper hand in the Space Race.
  • The first joint mission between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R.

    The first joint mission between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R.
    The U.S. and the U.S.S.R. launched the first joint mission to space. The Apollo-Soyuz Test Project was the first international human spaceflight. This event symbolically can be seen as the end of the Space Race.