space race timeline

First satellite in space by USA

Jan 31, 1957

It was called the explorer 1, launched by the United States when it was sent to space. a quick response response to the Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik 1 explorer 1's success marked the beginning of the U.S. Space Age.

First satilite in space by ussr

Oct 4, 1957

the launch came as a shock to experts and citizens in the U.S. who had hoped the u.s would accomplish the scientific advancement first.

First animal in space by USSR.

Nov 3, 1957

A stray dog named Laika made to orbit spaceflight around the earth. Aboard the Soviet spacecraft sputnik 2

Creation of NASA.

Jul 29, 1958

president eisenhower signed the national aeronautics and space act of 1958 into law, creating NASA.the agency opened for business on October 1st, 1958.

First chimpanzee used to perform tasks in space by USA

Jan 31, 1961

First man in space by USSR

Apr 1, 1961

Yuri Gagarin

First man in space by USA

May 5, 1961

JFK's speech of getting to the moon,

Sep 12, 1962

"we choose to go to the moon" officially titled the address at rice university on the nations space effort by United States president John F. kennedy to further inform the public about his plan to land a man on the moon.