Space Race

The space race between Soviet Union and the Unite State lasted over decade. Both countries, the United State and Soviet Union, wanted to prove their scientific superiority and to show their military strength.

In 1957, the Soviet Union launched the first artificial satellite, Sputnik. The successful launch of Sputnik represented the scientific superiority of the Soviet Union. In response, John F. Kennedy declared a goal, which is to land a man on the Moon before the Soviets.
In 1958, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is formed in the United States. In the same year, the United States launches its first satellite, Explorer I.
In 1959, The Soviet Union launched Luna 2. This was the first space probe to hit the moon.
In 1961, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first person to orbit the Earth. Also in 1961, American astronaut Alan Shepard traveled into space in Freedom 7.
In 1962, John Glenn, Jr. became the first American astronaut to orbit the Earth.

It seemed that the Soviet Union took the lead the space race; however, the United State surpassed Soviet Union by successfully sending the first man to the moon. In July 21st, 1969, Apollo 11 mission landed Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Buzz Aldrin on the moon. Armstrong became the first human to walk on the moon. The mission fulfilled President John F. Kennedy's goal, and the United States won the space race by reaching the moon first.