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Sputnik was launched
This is the date that the Sputnik satellite was launched. This was the first object launced into space from Earth, and caused the start of the Space Race. -
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Space Race
This was a time of scientific acceleration due to the compatition between the superpowers of the U.S.S.R and the U.S.A. -
U.S launches Explorer 1
In retaliation to the launch of Sputnik 1, the U.S launches Explorer 1 as the U.S's first artificial satelite. The U.S used the Explorer 1 to measure cosmic rays, and this led to further research and inventions. -
Luna 2 reaches the Moon
The Soviet Luna 2 reached the moon on this day. The Luna 2 was a space craft that reached the moon's surface. This raised the competitive bar of the Space Race, and raised the technology gained by the race. -
First person in Space.
This is the date that the first person, Yuri Gagarin, was launched into space. This put the Soviet union ahead in the Space Race, and inspires the U.S to counter them. -
First American in space
This was a large push forward for the U.S.A in the space race. This feat led to the sucess of the moon landing, and increased tensions between the U.S.A and U.S.S.R. -
First American orbits Earth
John Glenn Jr. was thefirst American to orbit in space. This caused the Space Race to accelerate, and eventually led to the moon landing. -
First woman in space
This date marks the launch of Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space. This event added more motivation to the Space Race to lead up to the moon landing. -
Mariner 4 flies past Mars
This event was the last push untill the Apollo 11 spacecraft landing, and influences the way spacecraft are manevered in space. -
Apollo 11 moon landing
This is one of the most well known event in the Space Race. This act guarentied the U.S's victory in the Space Race, and brought nationalism to the American people. -
Venera 7 lands on Venus
This is the date that U.S.S.R's Venera 7 landed on Venus. This was the first spacecraft to succesfully land on a planet and transmit back data. -
Mars 3 lands on Mars
This event , the landing of the Mars 3, was important due to it's goal to find life on Mars and the concept of observing a planet without actually being there. This llanding was afterthe climax of the Space Race, and introduced the idea of living on another planet to humanity. -
Pioneer 11 sent torward Jupiter
This event led to the desire to learn about the rest of the solar sytem. Pioneer 11 was an American space probe, and it was designed to explore Jupiter and other planets in the solar system to see if other life exists in the universe. -
U.S and U.S.S.R have first joint mission
This action was one of the breakthroughs for international cooperation, due to the bitter rivals united together for a common goal. The mission was one of the first to have interlocking air-tight doors, and to be international. This was the end of the space race.
