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Launch of Sputnik
The Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the first artificial satellite in the world. It was also the first man-made object to be sent into Earth's orbit. Not only was America worried about getting information about space but the deadly importance of what launched Sputnik: an R-7 intercontinental ballistic missile. It became very important for the U.S. to gain as much information as possible about the R-7 missile: a missle that could launch a nuclear warhead. -
Launch of Explorer I
The U.S. Army, with the help of rocket scientist Wernher von Baun, designed and launched Explorer I. A federal agency focused on space exploration, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), was created by President Dwight Eisenhower. Two other national security-oriented space programs were created by Eisenhower. One focused on the military potential of space. The other used satellites to gather information on the Soviet Union. -
Launch of Vostok 1
The Soviet Union sent Vostok 1 up into orbit in 1961, with a special passenger. The Soviets were able to claim the first person, Yuri Gagarin, to orbit the Earth. During this time, the U.S. was working on Project Mercury to send a man into space. They created a cone-shaped capsule that was smaller and lighter than Vostok. The capsule was tested with chimpanzees. The final test flight was in March 1961, just before the launch of Vostok. -
Launch of Mercury-Redstone 3
While the Soviets were the first to have a man orbit the moon, the U.S. responded less than a month later with Mercury-Redstone 3. Mercury-Redstone 3 was a smaller and lighter cone-shaped capsule than Vostok 1 that help Alan Shepard. Alan Shepard became the first man in space. -
Launch of Apollo 8
With a large NASA budget increase, employment increases, and simulation setbacks, the U.S. launched Apollo 8 in 1968. Apollo 8 launched close to Cape Canaveral, Florida, at Merritt Island where NASA houses a massive launch facility. Apollo 8 was the first manned space mission to orbit Earth's moon. -
Launch of Apollo 11
In 1969, the U.S. sent astronauts Neil Armstrong, Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, and Michael Collins to complete the first lunar landing in Apollo 11. Four days after their launch, Apollo 11 successfully landed on the moon. Armstrong and the U.S. claimed the first man to walk on the moon's surface. -
"Handshake in Space"
After a decline in lunar mission interest, three U.S. astronauts were sent into space by the joint Apollo-Soyuz mission. The Apollo spacecraft docked in orbit with a Soviet-made Soyuz vehicle. The handshake of the crafts' commanders greeted each other, their handshake symbolized the gradual improvement of U.S.-Soviet relations in the late Cold War-era.
