Between 1955 and 1975, much changed in the technology field.  Because of the competition between the U.S.S.R. and the United States, developments that in a normal situation would not have been thought of for several more years, or even decades, were put into motion.  Only being able to go so far in the arms race, both countries looked to the skies.  Neither of the nations wanted to be left behind in the “dark ages” of technology, and neither of them wanted to call it even. So when the Soviets launched Sputnik and pulled far ahead in the race, the U.S. fought back by becoming the first to land on the Moon.

            Unfortunately for the United States, many headline-making firsts were achieved by the Soviets—the first satellite, the first robotic spacecraft to the Moon, the first man in space, the first woman in space.

1957

1959

1961

1963

(“Space Race Timeline”)

 In the early years of the Space Race, the Soviets were indeed victorious, and things were looking grim for the United States.  The U.S.S.R.’s most famous first was undoubtedly the launch of “Sputnik”, the first satellite.  On October 4^th, 1957, the shiny basketball-sized sphere marked the beginning of the Space Age.  A month later, Sputnik II was launched, this time with a dog aboard, named Laika.   The Soviet’s Luna 2 became the first spacecraft to land on the moon’s surface nearly two years after the launch of Sputnik.  With so many accomplishments on the Soviet’s side, it was going to be incredibly difficult for the U.S. to catch up. (“Racing…”)

            After realizing that they were falling short, the United States hurried to catch up.  In 1957, the U.S. had in fact tried to launch a satellite, Vanguard, but it had ended in an embarrassing explosion.  Finally in 1958, the Army gained approval to attempt another launch, this time the satellite, Explorer I, was successful.  Though behind, the United States was in the race.  To help with future leaps and bounds in the Space Race, NASA and the Space Act were formed in 1958.  (“Pressure…”) Finally, America was gaining ground.  But then, in 1961, the Soviets launched the first man, Yuri Gagarin, into orbit.  The United States was, again, behind. But President Kennedy had a plan.  After Alan Shepard became the first American in orbit, Kennedy presented the country with a challenge that would ultimately place the United States as Supreme Champion in the Space Race. (Chaikin)

          “I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the Earth” (Stenger).  And so, with those words, President Kennedy set the country into motion.  He followed up by saying, “No single space project in this period will be more impressive to mankind, or more important for the long-range exploration of space; and none will be so difficult or expensive to accomplish”.  On July 2, 1969, the battle that had been waging for over a decade came to end, in most respects.  The ultimate goal of both countries was achieved by the underdog in the Space Race, the Americans. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were forever marked in the history books as being the first men to walk on the moon.  It became “…one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” (“Racing…”).

            Starting out, it looked as if the Soviets had the Space Race in the bag.  After all of their achievements, it definitely looked as if the United States would never have the chance to catch up and that this battle was just not one they were going to win.  But after President Kennedy’s speech, a speech some considered crazy, the country gave their all and successfully sent two men to the Moon, ending the Space Race in their favor.