The formation of NASA was the first concrete step of a national commitment to winning the Space Race. Opening of NASA: J-Concerned with the speed and success of the Soviet space program, President Dwight Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act, creating both a committee and agency that were focused on American space exploration and dominance. Explorer 1’s launch made international headlines but fell flat in comparison to the Soviet Union’s two satellites that were already in orbit. She died shortly after takeoff due to the stress of the launch.Įxplorer 1: JanuThe United States’ response to Sputnik 1 was only 80.75-inches long, but the entire setup (a Jupiter-C rocket used to send the diminutive satellite into orbit) stood 71.25-feet tall on the launchpad. Unfortunately, Laika’s trip was designed to be one way. The Soviets launched Sputnik II less than a month after its predecessor to learn about the effects of space on animals and the conditions under which they could survive. Sputnik 2: NovemLaika, the dog from the USSR, made history by becoming the first live organism launched into space. Laika the Dog, the first earthling to be launched into space. Sputnik is largely considered to be the “starting point” of the Space Race because of its effect on both countries’ national agendas. The world had never seen this technology, and the possibilities and dangers were endless, sparking fear across the globe. Sputnik was the first artificial satellite to enter the atmosphere and passed over the United States multiple times daily. Sputnik 1: Octo-The Soviet Union’s first spacecraft launch changed the world overnight. Space became the final frontier for the United States and Soviet Union to compete to prove their status as sole superpower. From the beginning, the Space Race was an extension of this ideological battle between the two nations. Dominance in the skies was far more important than land battles it was a way to prove unchallenged superiority to the entire world. National leaders from both countries recognized the opportunity of space exploration from a political perspective and began heavily funding missions.

Space became another avenue of competition because of the prospect of atmospheric control and the undeniable message it sent to the international community.

By 1960, the battles extended beyond Earth’s gravity. The Cold War constituted nearly fifty years of physical battles, technological advancements, and diplomatic engagements. Following World War II, the Soviet Union and the United States engaged in a struggle to prove their superiority.

Effects of space warfare