4.2 Why was there a space race? Flashcards
(9 cards)
When did the Soviets launch the first mandated satellite and what was it called
Sputnik, launched 4 October 1957
How was the launching of Sputnik seen
huge victory for communism, especially as the usa seemed one step ahead in technology
Who sent the first animal in orbit and when
- the Soviets
- Laika was sent in space on 3 November 1957
Who was the first man sent to space and when
- Yuri Gagarin
- 12 April 1961
How did the Americans react to the Soviets achieving so many firsts
1961: JFK promised that by the end of the decade, the USA would put a man on the moon
Who was the first man on the moon and when
Neil Armstrong, 1969
Why was there a space race
- propaganda (wanted to show their system of government was superior)
- America feared Soviets could launch nuclear missiles in the same way as rockets
- ICBMs could be carried thousands of miles to their target by rockets
What do ICBMs stand for
Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles
How was space chose to symbolise détente in the 1970s
In 1975, the Apollo—Soyuz project was the first joint Soviet-American space flight and is recognised by historians as the end of the space race
