Question

Does anybody know just basic background information on the Space Race?

Answer 1

The space race was essentially a "race" that was between the US and the soviet union to who could get to the moon.

In the 1950's the soviet union launched Sputnik which started this space race. Throughout the years beginning in the late 1950's it became a very competitive field with each nation racing to be the more superior one.

With the Soviet Union launching there satelite sputnik in 1957 the US launched there own Explorer 1 which was designed by the US army in 1958.

In 1959 the soviet union took it a step further and launched Luna 2 which was the first probe to hit the moon and in 1961 Yuri Gagarin became the first person to orbit the earth.

After that John F Kennedy made his famous speech saying how the U.S would have a man on the moon before the end of the decade and in February of 1962 the U.S put the first American to orbit the earth.

Answer 2

I knew that.... I need very broad information, though.

Answer 3

@Dkace can you think of more broad facts?

Answer 4

Sure.

Answer 5

Some facts.
Between 1961- 1964 the budget of NASA increased almost 500%.

The launch of Sputnik in 1957 was essentially the start of the space race.

In 1969-1972 (around the time the U.S won the space race) the Soviet Union had 4 failed attempts launching a lunar landing craft, including one of which exploded on the landing pad.

Answer 6

ooo interesting. thanks. but the thing is, I'm writing a research paper and I have the hook and a good idea as to what my thesis is, but I'm just trying to think of what to say between the two. xp @Dkace

Answer 7

Something else you might want to look into is the "Handshake in space" that's a pretty interesting thing that you could include.

Answer 8

Okay... thank you! :) it just takes me awhile to get going when trying to be creative in writing essays or research papers XD again, thanks so much. Sorry for bothering you.