The Space Race was a competition between the US and the Soviet Union to achieve superior spaceflight capability. It included pioneering launches of satellites, robotic space probes, and human spaceflight, culminating in the US landing on the Moon in 1969. The competition led to advancements in technology and ultimately paved the way for international cooperation in space exploration.
The Royal Observatory Greenwich, the home of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and the Prime Meridian of the world, was established in 1675.
On March 16, 1926, American engineer, physicist, and inventor Robert Goddard successfully launched the first liquid-fueled rocket, earning him the title of 'Father of Modern Rocketry.' This significant achievement laid the foundation for future advancements in space exploration.
On October 3, 1942, Wernher von Braun successfully launched the first ballistic missile, the V-2 rocket, which he played a key role in developing for Germany during World War II.
Shortly after World War II ends, on September 29, 1945, Wernher von Braun arrives at Fort Bliss, Texas, along with six other German rocket scientists. He spends the next 15 years working with the U.S. Army on ballistic missile technology.
American test pilot Chuck Yeager breaks the sound barrier for the first time while piloting the Bell X-1 rocket plane known as the Glamorous Glennis above Rogers Dry Lake in Southern California.
Sputnik I was the world's first artificial satellite launched by the Soviet Union in 1954.
The Space Race began on August 2, 1955, when the Soviet Union responded to the US announcement of their intent to launch artificial satellites. It was a 20th Century struggle between the Soviet Union and the United States for the domination of space flight technologies.
The Soviet Union responds to the US announcement of launching artificial satellites by launching their own satellite, marking the beginning of the Space Race.
In 1956, the Soviet Union's launch of the Sputnik satellite shocked the NATO Allies into greater scientific cooperation, leading to more robust consultation and scientific cooperation within the Alliance.
The Soviet Union launched the first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, in 1957, sparking the space race between the Soviet Union and the United States.
The Soviet Union successfully launched the first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, into space in 1957, marking the beginning of the space age and the space race.
The USSR successfully launched the first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, into space, marking the beginning of the Space Race and initiating the era of space exploration.
On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the first artificial satellite, marking the beginning of the Space Race with the U.S.
The Soviet newspaper Pravda briefly mentions Sputnik, indicating the realization of the USSR that the Sputnik program is a powerful propaganda tool.
On November 3, 1957, the USSR successfully launches Sputnik 2, which carries a dog named Laika into space, making them the first nation to send a living organism into orbit.
On December 6, 1957, the United States attempted to launch Vanguard TV3 as an Earth orbiter, but the mission resulted in a launch failure, highlighting the challenges and competition in the early space exploration efforts.
Explorer 1, the first American satellite, enters orbit around Earth, showcasing the United States' participation in the Space Race.
On February 1, 1958, the first U.S. satellite, Explorer 1, was launched, marking the country's entry into the space race.
Pioneer 0, an Earth Orbiter, was launched on March 17, 1958.
President Dwight Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act, establishing NASA to compete with the Soviet space program. This marked the beginning of a national commitment to space exploration and dominance.
Luna 1958A was an attempted lunar orbit mission that ended in launch failure on August 17, 1958.
Pioneer 1 was an attempted lunar impact mission that ended in launch failure on September 23, 1958.
The U.S. Federal Government establishes the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on October 1, 1958.
Administrator T. Keith Glennan announces NASA's manned spaceflight program, Project Mercury, just days after the establishment of NASA in October 1958.
Luna 1958B was an attempted lunar orbit mission that ended in launch failure on October 11, 1958.
Pioneer 2 was an attempted lunar impact mission that ended in launch failure on October 12, 1958.
Luna 1958C was an attempted lunar orbit mission that ended in launch failure on November 8, 1958.
Pioneer 3 was an attempted lunar impact mission that ended in launch failure on December 4, 1958.
Pioneer 3, an American unmanned satellite, fails to reach the moon but discovers a second radiation belt around the Earth.
The US launched SCORE, the world's first communications satellite, which broadcast a pre-recorded Christmas message from US President Dwight D. Eisenhower, marking the first broadcast of a human voice from space.
The Soviet Union launched Luna 1, a spacecraft that flew over the surface of the moon at an approximate distance of 5,000 kilometers two days after its launch.
The U.S. sends the unmanned Pioneer 4 to the moon in the first American lunar flyby.
The newly formed National Aeronautics and Space Administration presents the first seven astronauts to the public, instantly earning hero status without having performed any tasks.
The United States launches the first primates, Able and Baker, into space on a suborbital flight on May 28, 1959, as part of NASA's Project Mercury.
On June 16, 1959, an attempted lunar impact mission resulted in a launch failure for Luna 2.
The US launches Explorer 6, the world's first weather satellite and obtains the first pictures of Earth from space.
The USSR launches Luna 2 and accomplishes its mission of creating the first spacecraft to reach the surface of the Moon.
The USSR launches Luna 3 and succeeds in their mission of sending an object into orbit around the Moon and photographing the far side of the Moon.
On November 26, 1959, an attempted lunar orbiter mission resulted in a launch failure for Luna 1960A.
The Russians were the first to send an object into space, leading to increased paranoia and fear that they could easily bomb the US.
On April 15, 1960, an attempted lunar flyby resulted in a launch failure for Luna 1960B.
On August 19, 1960, the Soviet Union's Sputnik 5 successfully returned the first animals and plants alive from space, including two dogs named Belka and Strelka.
On January 31, 1961, Ham, a US chimpanzee, became the first hominid in space and the first to survive the landing, marking a significant milestone in space exploration.
Yuri Gagarin became the first person to travel to space and orbit the Earth during a one hour and forty-eight-minute flight, marking a monumental achievement for the Soviet space program.
Yuri Gagarin became the first human to travel to space aboard Vostok 1, a significant milestone in the space race between the US and the Soviet Union.
John Glenn becomes the first American to orbit the earth, marking a significant milestone in the Space Race.
Alan Shepard becomes the first American to travel into space aboard the Mercury-Redstone 3 spacecraft. Although he did not orbit the Earth, he flew 116 miles high and the flight lasted about 15 minutes.
President John F. Kennedy commits NASA to landing people on the moon before the end of the decade, marking a major turning point in the space race.
On May 25, 1961, President Kennedy delivers a televised speech outlining the ambitious goal of landing a man on the moon before the end of the decade, in response to the Soviet Union's advancements in space exploration.
American astronaut Gus Grissom's sub-orbital flight is marred when, after splashdown, the hatch of his capsule blows open and the capsule sinks. The blown hatch cannot be replicated later in hardware tests, but the emergency hatch detonator requires a strong hammer blow by the fist and Grissom doesn't show the bruise that would accompany such action. Despite scarce evidence for either theory about what happened, the press puts the blame squarely on the astronaut.
Gherman Titov, the backup pilot for Vostok 1, becomes the second man to orbit the Earth, spending over a day in space and contributing to the study of the effects of space on humans.
Sputnik 5, a Soviet craft, was launched on August 19, 1961, carrying the dogs Strelka and Belka. They became the first living beings to survive a trip into space.
On September 12, 1961, President John F. Kennedy delivered a historic speech to Congress, setting the ambitious goal of sending an American astronaut to the moon before the end of the decade. This speech marked the beginning of the intense space race between the United States and the Soviet Union.
On February 20, 1962, John Glenn, on Mercury-Atlas 6, became the first American to orbit the Earth, a significant milestone in the U.S. space program.
On February 20, 1962, NASA's Friendship 7 mission successfully orbits astronaut John Glenn around the Earth three times, showcasing American progress in space exploration during the Cold War.
President Kennedy delivers a historic speech at Rice University, expressing the ambitious goal of landing a man on the moon within the decade. His words emphasize the challenging nature of the endeavor and the determination of the United States to achieve this feat, setting the stage for the Apollo program.
On September 12, 1962, President John F. Kennedy delivered a speech at Rice Stadium in Houston, Texas, outlining an ambitious space exploration program that included missions to the Moon and the development of various space projects like communications and weather satellites. The famous line 'We choose to go to the Moon' became a tagline from this speech.
On June 16, 1963, Valentina Nikolayeva Tereshkova made history by becoming the first woman to travel to space. She orbited the Earth 48 times aboard the Vostok 6 spacecraft.
On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. This event had a significant impact on American history and the space race as Kennedy's vision for space exploration continued after his death.
On October 12, 1964, the U.S.S.R. launched the first multi-person spacecraft, Voskhod 1, with cosmonauts Vladimir Komarov, Konstantin Feoktistov, and Boris Yegorov, a significant advancement in space technology.
Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov successfully makes the first spacewalk while tethered to the Voskhod 2 orbiter.
Gus Grissom, an American astronaut, flies aboard the first crewed Gemini mission, Gemini 3, becoming the first man to venture to space twice.
Astronaut Ed White made history on June 3, 1965, by becoming the first American to perform a spacewalk during the Gemini 4 mission.
In July 1965, the spacecraft Mariner 4 successfully transmitted the first close-up pictures of Mars, providing valuable insights into the planet's surface and atmosphere.
Frank Borman and Jim Lovell set an endurance record by flying Gemini 7 for fourteen days, a feat unmatched until 1970.
On December 15, 1965, the U.S. conducted the first orbital rendezvous, a crucial achievement in space exploration, with Frank Borman and James Lovell on Gemini 7 and Walter Schirra and Thomas Stafford on Gemini 6.
January 14, 1966, marked the death of premier Soviet spacecraft designer Sergei Korolev, a significant loss to the Soviet space program.
Sergey Korolyov, a prominent Soviet rocket engineer known for his contributions to the success of the Sputnik and Vostok programs, passed away on January 16, 1966. His death posed a significant challenge to Soviet engineers as they had to navigate a lunar landing without his guidance.
On February 3, 1966, the Russian spacecraft Luna 9 achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first spacecraft to make a soft landing on the Moon, capturing and transmitting images of the lunar surface.
On March 16, 1966, the first docking in space took place, with Neil Armstrong and David Scott on Gemini 8 docking with an Agena target, a crucial advancement in space technology.
The Soviet Union launches Luna 10, an unmanned probe that achieves lunar orbit, becoming the first object to do so. It sends information about the moon back to Earth.
On April 3, 1966, the Soviet Union's Luna 10 spacecraft entered lunar orbit, becoming the first spacecraft to successfully orbit the Moon.
The unmanned American Surveyor 1 craft successfully lands on the moon and transmits photographs and other data back to Earth.
On June 2, 1966, the U.S. achieved the first soft landing on the Moon with the robotic lunar lander, Surveyor 1.
On October 22, 1966, the Soviet probe Luna 12 successfully returned the first images of the far side of the moon after entering lunar orbit three days post-launch. This achievement marked a significant advancement in lunar exploration.
On November 11-15, 1966, on the last Gemini flight, Jim Lovell and Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrin successfully docked with an Agena and Aldrin performed three spacewalks, demonstrating ease in performing physical tasks.
On January 27, 1967, astronauts Virgil Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee were killed in a fire during a launchpad test, leading to a delay in the Apollo program.
On April 23, 1967, cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov, on Soyuz 1, became the first spaceflight fatality, highlighting the risks and challenges of space exploration.
On September 28, 1967, an attempted lunar test flight of Surveyor 6 resulted in a launch failure.
On November 7, 1967, the lunar lander Zond 1967B was launched.
On November 22, 1967, an attempted lunar test flight of Surveyor 7 resulted in a launch failure.
On January 7, 1968, the lunar lander Luna 1968A was launched.
On February 7, 1968, an attempted lunar orbiter Zond 4 resulted in a launch failure.
On March 2, 1968, a test flight of Luna 14 took place.
On April 7, 1968, the lunar orbiter Zond 1968A was launched.
On April 23, 1968, an attempted lunar test flight of Zond 5 possibly resulted in a launch failure.
The Soviet Union conducts an unmanned test of their circumlunar spacecraft by sending Zond 5 around the moon and back to Earth, marking a significant milestone in space exploration.
The Soviet spacecraft Zond 5 was launched and achieved the milestone of becoming the first spacecraft to orbit the moon and return to Earth.
The Soviet Union's Zond 5 spacecraft circled the Moon carrying the first living creatures to orbit another world, including worms, flies, and two Russian steppe tortoises.
On October 11, 1968, the U.S. launched the first flight of the Apollo program, Apollo 7, a crucial step in the U.S. lunar exploration efforts.
Apollo 8 marked the first successful crewed mission to orbit the moon, which had a pivotal impact on the Space Race. The photos taken during this mission were crucial for the preparation of the Apollo 11 moon landing.
On December 24, 1968, the first crewed flight around the Moon took place, with Frank Borman, James Lovell, and William Anders on Apollo 8, a historic achievement in space exploration.
The American Apollo 9 mission tests the Lunar Module for the first time in Earth orbit, a crucial step in the preparation for the moon landing.
Apollo 10 mission utilizes both the command-service module and the Lunar Module around the moon, with Americans Tom Stafford and Gene Cernan descending to within 50,000 feet of the moon's surface.
July 3, 1969, marked the explosion of the Soviet N1 Moon rocket, a setback in the Soviet Union's lunar exploration efforts.
On July 13, 1969, there was an attempted lunar landing mission, possibly involving the Lunar Orbiter and Apollo 11.
Apollo 11 begins its historic mission to the moon, marking a significant milestone in the Space Race and human space exploration.
NASA's Apollo 11 mission successfully landed the first humans, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, on the Moon, demonstrating American technological prowess and achieving a historic moment in space exploration.
Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on the Moon as part of the Apollo 11 mission, a historic achievement in the space race.
Apollo 11 returns to Earth safely after the historic moon landing mission.
On August 7, 1969, Cosmos 300 completed a lunar flyby and safely returned to Earth.
Cosmos 305 made an attempted lunar sample return on September 23, 1969.
On October 22, 1969, Apollo 12 made an attempted lunar sample return.
Apollo 12 lands on the moon with astronauts Pete Conrad and Alan Bean collecting lunar samples and parts of the unmanned Surveyor 3.
Eugene Cernan became the last person to walk on the Moon.
Luna 1970B faced a launch failure during an attempted lunar sample return on February 6, 1970.
Apollo 13 encountered a launch failure during an attempted lunar orbiter mission on February 19, 1970.
En route to the moon, oxygen tanks explode on Apollo 13's command-service module, leading to a dramatic survival situation for astronauts Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert, and Fred Haise.
On April 13, 1970, the Apollo 13 disaster took place, involving the explosion of an oxygen tank while three U.S. astronauts were near the Moon. The astronauts managed to move to the Lunar Module and successfully completed a challenging return trip to Earth.
Neil Armstrong and "Buzz" Aldrin achieved the historic feat of becoming the first men to set foot on the moon.
On September 2, 1970, NASA announced the cancellation of Apollo 18, 19, and 20 missions, marking Apollo 17 as the final scheduled mission of the program.
The Soviet craft Luna 16 was launched and accomplished the remarkable feat of becoming the first automatic spacecraft to return soil samples from the moon.
Alan Shepard, the first American in space, commands Apollo 14 for the third lunar landing, on February 5.
On April 19, 1971, the USSR launched the first space station, which later contributed core segments to the International Space Station (ISS) almost thirty years later in November 2000.
On April 21, 1971, the Soyuz 10 mission launches with the plan to become the first mission to board a space station. Although the crew docks safely with the Salyut 1, issues with the entry hatch prevent them from entering. Leaking toxic chemicals during their return cause one cosmonaut to pass out, but all three crew members ultimately survive.
Following the Moon landing, the Soviet Union successfully docked the Soyuz 11 spacecraft with the Salyut 1 space laboratory, marking a record 22-day stay and demonstrating the continuation of space exploration.
On 7 June 1971, the Soyuz 11 spacecraft successfully docked with the Salyut 1 space laboratory and completed a record 22-day stay, demonstrating the Soviet Union's focus on building a space station.
The Apollo 15 rocket blasted off on July 26, 1971, during the Space Race, which was a period of competition between the Soviet Union and the United States over space exploration supremacy.
Soyuz L3 successfully landed on the moon with a crew on board.
Apollo 17's attempt to launch a lunar orbiter resulted in a launch failure.
Gene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt become the last men to walk on the moon in the twentieth century. They remain on the moon for three days (75 hours). Schmitt is the first scientist-astronaut to land on the moon.
The Apollo 17 mission took place between 11 and 14 December 1972, with Eugene Cernan as the Mission Commander. It was the last manned mission to the Moon and included the first geologist and astronaut, Harrison Schmitt, to walk on the lunar surface.
Pioneer 11 successfully deployed a rover on the moon for exploration.
Skylab conducted a successful flyby of Jupiter and Saturn for scientific exploration.
Explorer 49 (RAE-B) successfully orbited the Earth with a crew on board for scientific research.
Mars 4 conducted lunar orbiting and radio astronomy research.
Mars 5 attempted to orbit Mars but ended up conducting a flyby instead.
Mars 6 successfully entered orbit around Mars for scientific exploration.
The U.S. launched its first space station, Skylab, in May 1975.
A joint mission between the U.S. and the USSR is launched, symbolizing a symbolic end to the space race as both superpowers agree to cooperate in space.
The Space Race ends with the Apollo-Soyuz docking mission, marking humanity's first international space mission where U.S. astronauts and Soviet cosmonauts link up in Earth orbit and shake hands. The mission includes scientific experiments, technology demonstrations, and serves as a political demonstration of peace.
Kenneth Gatland's book 'Manned Spacecraft, Second Revision' was published in 1976. It provides detailed information about manned spacecraft and their advancements, offering valuable insights into space exploration history.
In September 1977, the American probe Viking 2 discovered water frost on the Martian surface.
Chuck Yeager and Leo Janos co-authored 'Yeager: An Autobiography' in 1985, providing an account of Chuck Yeager's experiences as a test pilot and his breaking of the sound barrier.
The United Nations accepted the dissolution of the USSR, marking the official end of the intense competition and rivalry between the Soviet Union and the United States in space exploration known as the Space Race.
The book 'Korolev: How One Man Masterminded the Soviet Drive to Beat America to the Moon' was published in 1997 by James J. Harford, focusing on the mastermind behind the Soviet drive to beat America to the moon.
On 29 October 1998, John Glenn, who was a US senator at the time, became the oldest person to fly in space at the age of 77.
Tom Wolfe's book 'The Right Stuff' was originally published in 1979 and reissued in 2001. It delves into the lives of the first seven astronauts selected for the Project Mercury space program.
Pamela Freni's book 'Space for Women: A History of Women With the Right Stuff' was published in 2002. It delves into the history of women's involvement in space exploration and their significant contributions.
A book titled 'Fallen Astronauts: Heroes Who Died Reaching for the Moon' was published in 2003 by Brugess, Colin; Kate Doolan; Bert Vis. It focuses on the stories of astronauts who tragically lost their lives in pursuit of reaching the moon.
Neal Thompson's book 'Light This Candle: The Life & Times of Alan Shepard—America's First Spaceman' was published in 2004, focusing on the life of Alan Shepard, the first American in space.
Vice President Mike Pence declares during the National Space Council meeting that the US is engaged in a new space race with China and Russia, emphasizing the importance of maintaining US leadership in space exploration for economic and national security reasons.
Actor Tom Cruise is scheduled to travel to the International Space Station in October 2021, marking a significant milestone in the burgeoning private spaceflight industry.
NASA's Artemis program aims to send the first batch of astronauts back to the Moon in more than 50 years by 2024, signifying a major advancement in space exploration.
A panel discussion on the documentary 'The Space Race' is scheduled to take place on March 28, 2024.