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Sputnik 1
The Soviet Union launches Sputnik 1 into space which is a satellite only the size of a small beachball. This is important because this was the first sattelitte to be sent into space. -
Period: to
The Space Race
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Sputnik 2
Only a month later the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 2. This time they sent a dog named Laika with it. This is important because it proved that a living being could survive in space. -
Explorer 1
The U.S. is finally able to launch a satellite into space. This is important because it proved that the U.S. could catch up with the Soviet Union. -
Soviet Union, first man in space
The Soviet Union launches a shuttle carrying Yuri Gagarin. This is important because he becomes the first man to orbit Earth and the first man in space. -
Freedom 7
The U.S. launched Alan Shepard into space on Freedom 7, but he doesn't orbit Earth. This is important because it means the U.S. is catching up to the Soviet Union. -
Sending a Man to the Moon
President Kennedy annouces that before the decade was over they would send a man to walk on the moon. This is important becsause it gave the U.S. a reason to work faster with their technology so they wouldn't dissapoint all the people. -
First U.S. man in space
The U.S. sends John Glenn into space on Friendship 7. This is important because he is the first American to orbit Earth. -
Apollo 11
The U.S. launched Apollo 11 into space, which will eventually land on the moon. This is important because it put the U.S. ahead of the Soviet Union in the Space Race. -
Luna 15
The Soviet Union makes one last attempt to tie the Space Race by sending Luna 15 to the moon. It crashed on the moon's surface. This is important becasuse it showed that the Soviet Union could no longer keep up with the U.S. -
The End of the Space Race
The U.S. and the Soviet Union decide to work together. This is important because it marked the end of the Space Race.
