The Space Race

Sputnik

Oct 4, 1957

Sputnik: First Man-made Satellite
The world's first artificial Earth satellite launched by the Russians.
This event drew the U.S. full throttle into the space race.
Launched by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957
Had 4 external radio antennas to broadcast radio pulses.

Sputnik 2

Nov 3, 1957

Launched by the Soviet Union
Sputnik 2 was the second spacecraft launched into Earth orbit, on November 3, 1957
The first spacecraft to carry a living animal, a dog named Laika, who died a few hours after the launch.

The Explorer

Jan 31, 1958

At last, on January 31, 1958, the United States succeeded in launching its first satellite, the Explorer. The Explorer was smaller than Sputnik.

The first american in space

1961

While Kennedy was president, Alan Shepard became the first American to enter space (1961).

First man in space

Apr 12, 1961

Now in Kennedy’s first year on April 12, 1961, Soviet cosmonaut, Yuri Gagarin became the first human being to orbit the Earth.

First american to orbit the earth

1962

Then in 1962, John Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth.