Tensions between the US and Soviet Union were high in the late 1950’s. Each nation was trying to better each other’s accomplishments in military and space technology. The Soviet Union launched the first earth-orbiting satellite, Sputnik I, on October 4, 1957, and this caused a crisis in the US. Previously, the US had believed they were the leaders in space exploration, but after the success of the Soviet’s Sputnik I, US citizens became fearful that the Soviet’s military technology was advancing past the US’. When the USSR launched Sputnik 2 a month later, this dealt another blow to the US citizens’ feelings of US superiority.
The US’ space program, the National Committee of Aeronautics (NACA), was quick to respond, and managed to launch a satellite called Explorer 1 into space four months later. This began the space exploration competition between the US and USSR. Soon after, President Eisenhower signed a bill creating the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on July 29, 1958, and this replaced the NACA. The US continued their internal progress by passing the National Defense Education Act (NDEA) in Sep. 1958, which greatly increased funding for education, so there would be a new generation of engineers who could potentially work towards advancing the US’ space technology.
On April 12, 1961, Yuri Gagarin of the USSR became the first man to go into space (in orbit around Earth). The US, not far behind, got Alan Shepard into space on May 5, 1961. However, the US was still displeased because they felt the world would perceive the US as lagging behind the Soviets. President Kennedy planned to get a man on the moon before the USSR, and thus, NASA embarked on the Apollo project, which involved sending probes and eventually people to the moon. On July 16, 1969, NASA launched Apollo 11, with Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, Edwin E. “Buzz” Aldrin on board – they became the first men to successfully complete the lunar mission. On July 20, 1969, the US made history by being the first nation to have astronauts touch down on the moon. From this point on, the “space race”, which started with the launching of Sputnik I, was considered to be at end, but this did not halt further advances in space technology to the present.
Written by: Derek O'Connor
