Space Race Flashcards
What was the space race an age did it last till
It was between 1945-1970
Both sides competed over technological advances that put them further into space than the other side had achieved. To them this scientific and technological advancement into previous undiscovered areas that showed their superiority over the other side.
What did Ike Eisenhower announce in early 1955?
He announced a programme of specs exploration which marked the start of a fierce competition between both sides of the Cold War to our do each other.
What did the USSR do in 1957?
Engineers form all over the Soviet Union were called in to work on a top secret project.
On May 15th 1957 they began testing the worlds first Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICMB). It was this technology that later that year allowed the soviets to launch a missile into space and then bring it down on a target in the USA.
In 1957 what did the USSR beat USA at?
US plans to be the First Nation to develop a man made satellite were never achieved as the USSR launched on of their own satellites into space on an R-7 rocket in October 1957. It was called Sputnik.
In November of 1957 what did the USSR go on to do?
They launched a more advanced version of the satellite -Sputnik II. This satellite was larger and even carried a dog.
Once the USSR launched the first satellite into space what did America do?
The US were humiliated and lured billions of dollars into catching up with the USSR. Many new or nexts were established and funded at this time.
When did the USA launch their first satellite into space and when was NASA set up?
In January 1958. They launched the ‘Explorer I’ satellite into space. In July 1958 they established the National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA). This was set up in Florida and was government funded.
Which country was the first to reach the moon and when?
In September 1959 the soviet satellite, Luna II, reached the moon. The following month, the soviets pictured the other side of the moon using Luna III.
In 1961 what did the soviets do?
They sent the first man to space and when he came back he was hailed as a hero by the USSR and seen as a hero by the rest of the world.
How did the USA retaliate to the soviets sending the first human to space?
The responded under Kennedy with the Apollo manned space programme which ran from 1961-1975. The aim was to put a human on the moon. In May 1961 Alan Shepherd became the first American in space. The USSR then pushed back by being the first to put a woman in space Valentina Tereshkova in June 1963. Ed White became the first American to to a space walk.
What was the Apollo programme?
For the USA the Apollo programme was long and expensive programme. In July 1969, Apollo 11 landed Neil Armstrong in the surface if the moon. This worried the soviets as they were always smug and assumed they were always ahead of the USA.
How did the soviets react to America sending a man to the moon?
They were worried and claimed he was a fake. Their pride was damaged further when America was the first to achieve exploration of the moon in the early 1970s.
