The Space Race
The Space Race was a heated competition between the United States and the Soviet Union, as each side tried to match or better the other's accomplishments in exploring outer space. It involved the efforts of both powers to explore outer space with satellites and manned missions, and eventually to land a man on the moon.
The Space Race effectively began after the Soviet launch of Sputnik 1 on October 4, 1957. The world's first artificial satellite was about the size of a beach ball (58 cm.or 22.8 inches in diameter), weighed only 83.6 kg. or 183.9 pounds, and took about 98 minutes to orbit the Earth on its elliptical path. The term "Space Race" originated as an analogy to the arms race. The Space Race became an important part of the cultural, technological, and ideological rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
The Sputnik launch changed everything. As a technical achievement, Sputnik caught the world's attention and the American public off-guard. Its size was more impressive than the Vanguard's intended 3.5-pound payload. In addition, the public feared that the Soviets' ability to launch satellites also translated into the capability to launch ballistic missiles that could carry nuclear weapons from Europe to the U.S. Then the Soviets struck again; on November 3, Sputnik II was launched, carrying a much heavier payload, including a dog named Laika.
Immediately after the Sputnik I launch in October, the U.S. Defense Department responded to the political furor by approving funding for another U.S. satellite project. As a simultaneous alternative to Vanguard, Wernher von Braun and his Army Redstone Arsenal team began work on the Explorer project.
On January 31, 1958, the United States successfully launched Explorer I. This satellite carried a small scientific payload that eventually discovered the magnetic radiation belts around the Earth, named after principal investigator James Van Allen. The Explorer program continued as a successful series of lightweight, scientifically useful spacecraft, establishing the United States as a primary power in space.
After a series of space programs leading up to the Apollo program, the United States finally had the capability to land a man on the moon. The Apollo 11 mission landed Neil Armstrong on the moon on July 20, 1969. This effectively won the Space Race for the United States.
By: Derek Nielsen and Aston Sun
After a series of space programs leading up to the Apollo program, the United States finally had the capability to land a man on the moon. The Apollo 11 mission landed Neil Armstrong on the moon on July 20, 1969. This effectively won the Space Race for the United States.
By: Derek Nielsen and Aston Sun
I like your title, it was eye-catching
ReplyDeleteI didn't know the Space Race included only the US and the Soviet Union. In the first sentence of the second paragraph, though, you wrote "effectively" when maybe you were intending to put "officially." Overall, great job!
ReplyDeleteGood job, this was very factual and well-written. I liked the picture. You could have talked a little more about the background of rivalry between the US and the Soviet Union.
ReplyDeleteI really like your post! This is a very interesting topic, and I think you illistrated it very well! I did not know that the term "space race" came from the idea of an arms race, how cool!
ReplyDeleteGreat post!