The 1960's: Space Race
Ryan Hockemeyer
Space Race by Deborah Cadbury
Apollo 11
The American Dream
Why Space...?
Well, after World War II drew to a close in the mid 20th century, a new conflict began. The worlds two greatest powered nations, democratic, capitalist United States, and the communist Soviet Union, were in a battle of nuclear and technological advances between each other.
Beginning in the 1950s, Space was becoming the next place both nations were headed, as both nations thrived to prove its superior technology and military firepower.
The Race Began
U.S. Reacts
On January 31, 1958, the United States Army launched their first satellite into space, the "Explorer I", and later that year, President Eisenhower signed a public order creating the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), which was a federal agency dedicated to space exploration.
Shortly following the launch of Explorer I, a non military group of scientists from the U.S. launched another satellite into space, the "Vanguard-1", making it the United States second successful satellite launch.
What the U.S had planned
So as this is a constant battle of advances with either nation, the U.S put loads of effort forth into sending a man to space. Not so much a man...
On May 1961, the Americans flew a chimpanzee out of Earths atmosphere and into orbit for test practices.
Later that May, President Kennedy made a promising point that the U.S. would land a man on the moon before the end of the decade. By the end of the year, the foundations for the Apollo missions were falling into place.
The Apollo's
On July 16, 1969 the Apollo 11 space mission launched from Kennedy Space Center carrying the U.S. astronauts, Neil Armstrong, Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, and Michael Collins, as they were headed to the moon for the first lunar landing attempt in history. Hoping to keep the promise that President Kennedy made to the nation.
The Crew
Middle: Michael Collins as Commander Module Pilot
Right: Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin as Lunar Module Pilot
Apollo 11
Eagle
Apollo 11's Logo
The First Lunar Landing
It wasn't until a day later on July 21 that Armstrong opened the hatch to begin his decent to the lunar surface. At 2:51, AM Armstrong planted his left foot on the surface of the Moon.
After Armstrong described the surface of the Moon as "very fine-grained" and "almost like a powder", he leaped of the Eagle and 6 hours after landing on the moon, said his famous line, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."
In the matter of seconds, everyone around the world was watching the first man ever to walk on the moon. The Americans won the race, and President Kennedy's promise was one that came true.
Returning Home
The Conclusion of the Race
The two superpowers had been battling for the past decade to try and prove to the world who was the most superior. Communism vs Capitalism. Other nations during this decade were choosing between the two superpower nations for who to follow, and the Space Race was a symbol for which system worked better. It was important to both nations that their side won, to show which political system worked, and which did not.
As a result of this, the American astronauts were viewed as Americas ultimate heroes, while the Soviets were stilled viewed as evil enemies, with their determination to surpass America and spread their word of a communist government.
Headlines/Current Events/News/
The Washington Post
New York Times
Family watching the broadcast from home
Interviews & Videos
Works Cited
Cadbury, Deborah. Space Race: The Epic Battle between America and the Soviet Union for Dominion of Space. New York: HarperCollins, 2006. Print.
First Step on Moon. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_11#/media/File:Apollo_11_first_step.jpg>.
Washington Post. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_11#/media/File:Land_on_the_Moon_7_21_1969-repair.jpg>.
"The Space Race." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 15 May 2015. <http://www.history.com/topics/space-race>.
"Neil Armstrong Interview, BBC 1970." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 15 May 2015.
Eagle. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_11#/media/File:Apollo_11_Lunar_Module_Eagle_in_landing_configuration_in_lunar_orbit_from_the_Command_and_Service_Module_Columbia.jpg>.
"Buzz Aldrin Remembers "Apollo 11" Landing, 40 Years Later." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 15 May 2015.
Earth from Atmosphere. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_11#/media/File:Earth_from_Apollo_11_after_translunar_injection.jpg>.
"NYT Men Walks on Moon." Nytimes.com. N.p., n.d. Web.
Apollo Crew. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_11#/media/File:Apollo_11.jpg>.
Apollo Blastoff. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_11#/media/File:Apollo_11_Launch2.jpg>.
"Michael Collins Honors Neil Armstrong." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 15 May 2015.
Buzz on the Moon. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_11#/media/File:Aldrin_Apollo_11_original.jpg>.
"Where Were You When Apollo 11 Landed On The Moon? - World Science Festival." World Science Festival. N.p., 17 July 2014. Web. 15 May 2015.
Apollo 11 Logo. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_11#/media/File:Apollo_11_insignia.png>.
Columbia. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_11#/media/File:Splashdown_3.jpg>.
PSEPE. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_11#/media/File:Aldrin_with_experiment.jpg>.
3 Days Out. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_11#/media/File:Apollo_11_Earth.jpg>.