The Space The Space RaceRace

Why?Why?

The Cold War was going on The Cold War was going on between the Soviet Union and the between the Soviet Union and the United StatesUnited StatesEach country thought that if you Each country thought that if you could send a satellite into space could send a satellite into space then you could send weapons into then you could send weapons into space too.space too.

The Soviet Union’s Major The Soviet Union’s Major AchievementsAchievements

Sputnik I (Oct. 4, 1957) – first satelliteSputnik I (Oct. 4, 1957) – first satellite Sputnik II (1957) – first dog in space, Sputnik II (1957) – first dog in space,

named Laika.named Laika. Yuri Gagarin (Apr. 12, 1961) – became Yuri Gagarin (Apr. 12, 1961) – became

the first man to orbit the earththe first man to orbit the earth

The United States’ AnswerThe United States’ Answer Explorer I (1958) – first American Explorer I (1958) – first American

satellitesatellite MR 2 (Jan. 31, 1961) – first chimpanzee MR 2 (Jan. 31, 1961) – first chimpanzee

in space, named Hamin space, named Ham Freedom 7 ( May 5, 1961) – Alan Freedom 7 ( May 5, 1961) – Alan

Shepard is first American in space Shepard is first American in space (didn’t orbit though)(didn’t orbit though)

Friendship 7 (Feb. 20, 1962) – John Friendship 7 (Feb. 20, 1962) – John Glenn is first American to orbit earthGlenn is first American to orbit earth

Journey to the MoonJourney to the Moon

““I believe that this nation should I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, commit itself to achieving the goal,

before the decade is out, of landing a before the decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him man on the moon and returning him

safely to Earth.”safely to Earth.”

~President John F. Kennedy, 1961~President John F. Kennedy, 1961

The Apollo ProgramThe Apollo Program

Apollo 11, July 20, 1969 – Neil Apollo 11, July 20, 1969 – Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first 2 people to walk on the the first 2 people to walk on the moon. Michael Collins stayed in the moon. Michael Collins stayed in the ship orbiting the moonship orbiting the moon

Apollo 12, 14, 15, 16, 17 also landed Apollo 12, 14, 15, 16, 17 also landed on the moonon the moon

Danger in Space Travel!Danger in Space Travel!

Apollo 1 – January 27, 1967Apollo 1 – January 27, 1967During a test, a fire broke out in During a test, a fire broke out in

the command module, killing all the command module, killing all three astronauts inside.three astronauts inside.

Danger in Space Travel!Danger in Space Travel! Apollo 13, April 13, 1970 – a small Apollo 13, April 13, 1970 – a small

explosion caused a loss of oxygen and explosion caused a loss of oxygen and an electrical malfunction while in spacean electrical malfunction while in space

Astronauts survived by going into the Astronauts survived by going into the lunar modulelunar module

They made it back to earth safely, but They made it back to earth safely, but never landed on the moonnever landed on the moon

Danger in Space Travel!Danger in Space Travel!

Challenger, January 28, 1986 – Challenger, January 28, 1986 – 73 seconds after liftoff the space 73 seconds after liftoff the space shuttle disintegratedshuttle disintegrated

An O-ring in one of the rocket An O-ring in one of the rocket boosters failedboosters failed

Danger in Space Travel!Danger in Space Travel!

Columbia, February 1, 2003 – the Columbia, February 1, 2003 – the shuttle disintegrated over Texas shuttle disintegrated over Texas upon re-entry into the upon re-entry into the atmosphereatmosphere

Heat tiles on the bottom of the Heat tiles on the bottom of the shuttle were damaged during shuttle were damaged during the launch, causing the the launch, causing the explosionexplosion

Working TogetherWorking Together

The International Space Station (ISS) is The International Space Station (ISS) is a scientific research lab.a scientific research lab.

Work began on it in 1998 and planned Work began on it in 1998 and planned to be completed in 2011.to be completed in 2011.

This is a great example of how nations This is a great example of how nations from around the world can come from around the world can come together in solidarity.together in solidarity.