Chapter 13 Section 2: The Space Program What was the space race? What were the major events in human exploration of the moon?

The Space Race The “space race” began in the 1950s. This was during a “cold war” between the world’s greatest super-powers: Russia and the United States.

The Space Race Tensions accelerated on October 4, 1957 when the Russians put Sputnik 1 into orbit. Video clip Further tensions were created when the Russians sent the dog Laika into space in November, 1957.

NASA Because of the competition from the Russians, in 1958 the United States reorganized their space program under a civilian agency NASA (the National Aeronautic and Space Administration). Its goal was the peaceful exploration of space for the benefit of all humankind.

Firsts First human in space to return safely: Yuri Gagarin (Russian), April 1961 First American in space: Alan Shepard, May, 1961 First American to orbit Earth: John Glenn February, 1962 First men to land on the moon: Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, July 1969

The Mercury Program Initial single-manned flights into space Goal: to put a man into space and return safely Significant events: Alan Shepard, first American in space 5/61 John Glenn, first American to orbit Earth 2/62

The Gemini Program Dual manned space flights Goal: to prepare for a lunar landing Achievements: docking with other vehicles in space, extended orbital flights

The Apollo Program The American effort to land astronauts on the moon was named the Apollo program. Neil Armstrong was the first man to step foot on the moon – July 20, 1969

The Apollo Program Three person space capsule Goal: to land on the moon The space vehicle had three parts Command module, service module, lunar module

The Space Shuttle Program Using reusable vehicles Goal: continue to expand our knowledge of space; open space to international human expansion and commercial development Use of multiple crews: military, civilian, international

The International Space Station The International Space Station (ISS) provides a place for international cooperation in doing long-term observations and experiments in space. Construction began in the 1980s with 16 countries involved.

Click the Video button to watch a movie about the race for space.

End of Section 2: The Space Program