THE SPACE RACE
that began in the mid-1950s refers to the rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union for dominance in spaceflight capability and space exploration. As the race heated up, both countries set their sights on reaching the moon.
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Sputnik, Image Credit: NASA
On November 3, Sputnik 2 was launched carrying a dog, Laika, the first living animal to go into space. Laika did not survive the voyage.
1957
The “Space Race” begins after The Soviet Union launched the first satellite, Sputnik, into space on October 4.
1957
The “Space Race” begins after The Soviet Union launched the first satellite, Sputnik, into space on October 4.
Sputnik, Image Credit: NASA
On November 3, Sputnik 2 was launched carrying a dog, Laika, the first living animal to go into space. Laika did not survive the voyage.
Laika in a flight harness
Romanian stamp, 1959 "Laika, the first traveler in the cosmos"
President Dwight D. Eisenhower (center) appoints T. Keith Glennan (right) NASA's first administrator and Hugh L. Dryden its first deputy administrator. Image Credit: NASA
T. Keith Glennan shows LBJ aluminized mylar film used to make Echo I. Image Credit: NASA
1958
On October 7, NASA Administrator T. Keith Glennan publicly announces NASA's manned spaceflight program along with the formation of the Space Task Group, a panel of scientist and engineers from space-policy organizations absorbed by NASA. The announcement came just six days after NASA was founded.
1958
On October 7, NASA Administrator T. Keith Glennan publicly announces NASA's manned spaceflight program along with the formation of the Space Task Group, a panel of scientist and engineers from space-policy organizations absorbed by NASA. The announcement came just six days after NASA was founded.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower (center) appoints T. Keith Glennan (right) NASA's first administrator and Hugh L. Dryden its first deputy administrator. Image Credit: NASA
T. Keith Glennan shows LBJ aluminized mylar film used to make Echo I. Image Credit: NASA
Image Credit: NASA
Squirrel monkey, Baker, in bio-pack couch being readied for Jupiter (AM-18 flight) Photo Credit: NASA
1959
On May 28, The United States launches the first primates into space, Able and Baker, on a suborbital flight. The two animals were carried to a 300-mile altitude, and both were recovered unharmed. On Aug. 7, NASA's Explorer 6 launches and provides the first photographs of the Earth from space.
1959
On May 28, The United States launches the first primates into space, Able and Baker, on a suborbital flight. The two animals were carried to a 300-mile altitude, and both were recovered unharmed. On Aug. 7, NASA's Explorer 6 launches and provides the first photographs of the Earth from space.
Image Credit: NASA
Squirrel monkey, Baker, in bio-pack couch being readied for Jupiter (AM-18 flight) Photo Credit: NASA
1960
On August 19, the Soviet craft Sputnik 5 was launched, carrying the dogs Strelka and Belka. They became the first living beings to survive a trip into orbital space.
Belka
Strelka
1961
Alan Shepard climbs into his Mercury capsule. Image Credit: NASA
On April12, Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space. Less than one month later, on May 5, astronaut Alan Shepard became the first American in space. It was following this event, on May 25, when President Kennedy challenged the country to put a man on the moon by the end of the decade.
1961
On April12, Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space. Less than one month later, on May 5, astronaut Alan Shepard became the first American in space. It was following this event, on May 25, when President Kennedy challenged the country to put a man on the moon by the end of the decade.
Alan Shepard climbs into his Mercury capsule. Image Credit: NASA
John Glenn with Friendship 7 spacecraft. Image Credit: NASA
Tereshkova in March 2017
Postage stamp of Kyrgyzstan, 2013
1962
Astronaut John Glenn became the first American in orbit on February 20. Four months later, on June 16, Valentina Nikolayeva Tereshkova became the first woman in space.
1962
Astronaut John Glenn became the first American in orbit on February 20. Four months later, on June 16, Valentina Nikolayeva Tereshkova became the first woman in space.
John Glenn with Friendship 7 spacecraft. Image Credit: NASA
Tereshkova in March 2017
Postage stamp of Kyrgyzstan, 2013
1965
While tethered to his spacecraft, cosmonaut Alexi Leonov became the first man to walk in space on March 18. Three months later, on June 3, astronaut Ed White became the first American to walk in space. For 23 minutes, White floated and maneuvered himself around the Gemini spacecraft while logging 6,500 miles during his orbital stroll.
Ed White made the United States' first spacewalk during the Gemini 4 mission. Image Credit: NASA
1966
On February 3, the Russian spacecraft Luna 9 became the first spacecraft to land on the moon, followed by the U.S., on June 2, when the Surveyor 1 became the first American spacecraft to land on the moon. Surveyor 1 collected over 11,000 images, most during the first lunar day between landing and July 7. The spacecraft continued to operate until January 7, 1967. The Surveyor images demonstrated that the lunar surface was strong enough to support a landed vehicle or a human.
Surveyor 1 gathered data in preparation for NASA's Apollo missions. Image Credit: NASA
1967
Both the United States and the Soviet Union endured tragedies in their quest to reach the moon. During a preflight test at Cape Kennedy on January 27, U.S. astronauts Virgil “Gus” Grissom, Edward White and Roger Chaffee lost their lives when a fire swept through the command module. Their mission, later designated as Apollo 1, was to be the first crewed flight of Apollo, and was scheduled to launch Feb. 21. On April 24, cosmonaut Vladimir M. Komarov was killed in a crash when the parachute on his Soyuz 1 spacecraft failed to deploy.
In June 1966, the Apollo 1 crew practices water egress procedures with a full-scale boilerplate model of the spacecraft. Image Credit: NASA
Astronauts, from the left, Gus Grissom, Ed White II and Roger Chaffee in January 1967. Image Credit: NASA
Apollo 7 lifts off. Image Credit: NASA
Left: Still photograph from the first live TV broadcast from an American spacecraft. Right: Mission Control during the TV broadcast. Image Credit: NASA
1968
The Soviet spacecraft Zond 5 was launched on September 15 and later became the first spacecraft to orbit the moon and return to Earth. The United States launched Apollo 7 on Oct. 11 as the first crewed Apollo space mission and became the first to send a live television broadcast from space. Although a source of debate, the decision to carry a 4.5-pound video camera was made just before the mission and the crew held the first of seven TV broadcasts on Flight Day 4. On December 21, the country followed that mission with Apollo 8, and her crew members became the first men to orbit the moon.
1968
The Soviet spacecraft Zond 5 was launched on September 15 and later became the first spacecraft to orbit the moon and return to Earth. The United States launched Apollo 7 on Oct. 11 as the first crewed Apollo space mission and became the first to send a live television broadcast from space. Although a source of debate, the decision to carry a 4.5-pound video camera was made just before the mission and the crew held the first of seven TV broadcasts on Flight Day 4. On December 21, the country followed that mission with Apollo 8, and her crew members became the first men to orbit the moon.
Left: Still photograph from the first live TV broadcast from an American spacecraft. Right: Mission Control during the TV broadcast. Image Credit: NASA
Apollo 7 lifts off. Image Credit: NASA
Astronauts (left to right) Aldrin, Armstrong, and Collins pose for reporters on Jan. 10, 1969. Image Credit: NASA
Aldrin salutes U.S. Flag. Image Credit: NASA
1969
Six years after U.S. President John F. Kennedy's assassination, Neil Armstrong and "Buzz" Aldrin became the first men to walk on the moon. Apollo 11 landed on the moon on July 20, fulfilling Kennedy’s promise to put an American there by the end of the decade and return him safely to Earth.
1969
Six years after U.S. President John F. Kennedy's assassination, Neil Armstrong and "Buzz" Aldrin became the first men to walk on the moon. Apollo 11 landed on the moon on July 20, fulfilling Kennedy’s promise to put an American there by the end of the decade and return him safely to Earth.
Astronauts (left to right) Aldrin, Armstrong, and Collins pose for reporters on Jan. 10, 1969. Image Credit: NASA
Aldrin salutes U.S. Flag. Image Credit: NASA
THE SPACE RACE IN HAMPTON ROADS
THE SPACE RACE IN HAMPTON ROADS
In Hampton, NASA Langley's system analysis and concepts, found a way to take complex engineering ideas to help people visualize what new ideas might look like. They enlisted animators and visual artists to make it happen and here you can see the merger between art and engineering.
A conversation with NASA Langley pioneer Katherine Johnson
Final Descent: NASA Langley's contributions to the Apollo mission and the first lunar landing
Cosmic Creations: NASA and AMA Studios
In Hampton, NASA Langley's system analysis and concepts, found a way to take complex engineering ideas to help people visualize what new ideas might look like. They enlisted animators and visual artists to make it happen and here you can see the merger between art and engineering.
A conversation with NASA Langley pioneer Katherine Johnson
Final Descent: NASA Langley's contributions to the Apollo mission and the first lunar landing
THE FUTURE
Audio Programs On-Demand
Video Programs On-Demand
Coming Up on WHRV 89.5 FM
- July 17, 1pm: Race and the Space Race
- July 24, 1pm: How We Saw It: One Giant Leap for Man
- July 31, 1pm: Rocket Girls
An Astronaut's Journey to Space Story Time
July 13, 2-3 pm at Slover Library
Join us in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the moon landing with a reading of My Journey to the Stars, written by Astronaut Scott Kelley, and take a selfie with a life size model of Buzz Aldrin. Special Guest: Walt Englelund, NASA Langley Research Center Director for Space Technology and Exploration Stay after the reading for a fun activity. Suggested ages 5-8. Supported by the American Experience PBS series, "Chasing the Moon."
An Astronaut's Journey to Space Story Time
Join us in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the moon landing with a reading of My Journey to the Stars, written by Astronaut Scott Kelley, and take a selfie with a life size model of Buzz Aldrin. Special Guest: Walt Englelund, NASA Langley Research Center Director for Space Technology and Exploration Stay after the reading for a fun activity. Suggested ages 5-8. Supported by the American Experience PBS series, "Chasing the Moon."