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Space Race

Once the Nazi rocket technology was mastered, further space related development was inevitable.
             From 1947 to 1950 the Americans carried out numerous tests on the V2 rocket with the help of Von Braun, but it was the Russians that made the first major advance. On the 4th of October 1957 they launched a satellite called Sputnik 1 and on the 3rd of November 1957 they launched a second satellite containing a dog. In December 1957 the Americans first attempt of putting a satellite into orbit failed when the Vanguard rocket exploded. The Vanguard project was subsequently scrapped and full backing was switched to Von Braun. In January 1958 the Americans finally put a satellite into orbit, but it was far lighter than the Russian satellite. In 1960 John F Kennedy was elected. He realised the potential of the Space Race and used it to gain public support and to score propaganda points against the Russians. On the 12th of April 1961 Yuri Gagarin became the first man to orbit the Earth. A few weeks later the Americans put Alan Sheppard into space, but for less time. On the 25th of May 1961 Kennedy astonished the World by announcing that before the end of the decade America would put a man on the moon.
             Between 1945 and 1961 many international events were taking place, some of which helped to increase the tension between the Russians and Americans. These events included the Korean War in 1950, Cuba becoming communist, and the Russian invasion of Hungary.
             I think the most important factor resulting in the development of space technology was the Cold War. If it were not for the Cold War both nations would have had little motivation to develop their technology. As it was, the great rivalry between the two nations meant that development occurred rapidly. This was beneficial during the Cold War as the technology could be used for spying, weaponry and propaganda. Development was also necessary for the sake of national prestige.


Essays Related to Space Race

1. The Space Race

... to satellites, we as a population have progressed greatly in the world of technology. In a mere forty years, we have had more technological advances than the Industrial Revolution. The Space Race has affected our everyday lives; we use the same technology that the astronauts used during their missions for example digital clocks (Dismukes http://spaceflight.nasa.gov). Many industries have benefited ... , communication companies, industrial manufacturers, and the medical field. As a result of this technological revolution, the world has become smaller. With the technology gained from the S...

  • Word Count: 2774
  • Approx Pages: 11
  • Grade Level: High School

2. Space Exploration 2

... several months behind Soviet accomplishments. The United States had given the Soviet Union the opportunity to lead in the "space race." The Soviet Union had taken the lead in the "space race." With success in hand, the Soviets were determined to send a human being to space. Their plan was very methodical. Pressure from other countries became intense as media proclaimed that it waste of time ... and money for the Soviets. Finally, on April 12, 1961 their dream came true when the Vostok I space craft lifted Yuri Gagarin to orbit the earth (Shapiro). This single act changed the complexion ...

  • Word Count: 1348
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: High School

3. Space Exploration

... several months behind Soviet accomplishments. The United States had given the Soviet Union the opportunity to lead in the "space race." The Soviet Union had taken the lead in the "space race." With success in hand, the Soviets were determined to send a human being to space. Their plan was very methodical. Pressure from other countries became intense as media proclaimed that it waste of time ... and money for the Soviets. Finally, on April 12, 1961 their dream came true when the Vostok I space craft lifted Yuri Gagarin to orbit the earth (Shapiro). This single act changed the complexion ...

  • Word Count: 1356
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: High School

4. The Cost of Space Exploration

... understand what is beyond Earth, provide us with reasons of why and how we got here, and could lead to infinite resources. In 1957 the Soviet Union kicked off the Space Race by launching the very first satellite, Sputnik 1, into orbit. One year later the United States responded by launching Explorer 1, the first successful US satellite. According to National Geographic ... saving our children or our children's children, then I'd say it's a 'worthwhile' cause. Many people agree that space exploration is a viable cost and some are even willing to die for it. Since the days of the Spa...

  • Word Count: 2702
  • Approx Pages: 11
  • Has Bibliography

5. Space Colonization

... the powers that are now coming into our hands will be enough to reshape this solar system like we have already reshaped the Earth (Man and Space 153). In order to avoid extinction of the human race from cosmic catastrophes, mankind must use scientific knowledge to protect ourselves. For humans to sustain long-term survival, animal and plant and human populations must ... well as other solar systems will decrease the chances of the extinction of all of mankind (Catastrophes and Human 1-2). It is necessary to explore and colonize space to ensure long term survival of the human race. Space...

  • Word Count: 2356
  • Approx Pages: 9

6. The Space Race and Apollo 11

... ; started with the Sputnik satellite. The U.S. put a man on the moon to complete and finish this race to the moon. The Soviet Union initiated this "space race." The first step in sending a man to the moon was sending a satellite into space. History changed on October 4, 1957, when the Soviet Union effectively propelled Sputnik I. "The world's first artificial satellite was about the ... new political, military, technological, and scientific developments. While the Sputnik launch was a single event, it marked the start of the space age and the U.S.-U.S.S.R space race." (Garber Steve) For ...

  • Word Count: 993
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: High School

7. Film Analysis - 2001: A Space Odyssey

... movement tackling racial segregation, the assassination of Present Kennedy, and the continuation of the cold war, involving the 'space race' between the United States and Russia. 2001: A Space Odyssey began production in 1964, just after the assassination of President Kennedy. Just before he died, he made the ... unrest to a leap in future advancements. The trend encouraged the likely prediction of a leap in technology for the human race – the beginnings of the space age. The themes of 2001 are predominantly on human achievement and the evolution of man over millennia. Despite the...

  • Word Count: 2064
  • Approx Pages: 8
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

8. The Space Race

... , and carried a dog named Laika, along with some advanced scientific equipment. Laika survived the launch, and made it into space. She lived until her life support ran out. In 1958 the U.S. formed N.A.S.A., the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. With this, the United States' involvement in the Space Race became official. The Vanguard project was America's first program to develop rockets and to get into ... space. The Vanguard launch vehicle was actually designed in 1956 for the Navy, but due to lack of funding, the project ... forty years now and has traveled 5,723,157,131 ...

  • Word Count: 1305
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: High School

9. The Benefits of Space Exploration

... present during the occurrence. Landing on the moon was comparable to the first powered flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. After all, the Apollo 11 mission took place during the space race, a time when top nations were competing to be the first to put a human on the moon. Unlike today where most people would choose a movie or sporting event over any ... space exploration coverage, people paid very close attention to all advancements the space program made during the space race. Landing on the moon and other great accomplishments achieved in space gave Americans a sense of accomplishme...

  • Word Count: 2213
  • Approx Pages: 9

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