What Are The Long Term Effects Of The Space Race

The Space Race was a period of time in our history that most people today know very little about. Beginning in the mid-1950s and continuing into the 1970s, the fight for superiority between the United States and the Soviet Union found its way into space. The Space Race, while often thought of as a not so secret competition between these two powerhouses to get to the moon, was in fact a public forum where they could demonstrate who was more advanced in technology and military force, and in turn whose politics and economics were better. With the Soviet Union making notable advancements in science and technology, their early start in the race seemed as if it would lead to their inevitable win. The United States, however, was not to be counted out. Renewed by a sense of panic that the Soviets would become more powerful, funding for space-related projects was readily available and along with government and ample support on the home front, the United States would ultimately beat the Soviet Union to the finish line. Most historians agree that the Space Race officially began when the Soviet Union launched the first satellite into space. On October 4, 1957, Sputnik, which means “traveler” in Russian, became the first man-made
The idea of space exploration sparked curiosity and imagination in children of all ages. Soon after the news of Sputnik successfully being launched into space was made public, lawmakers began calling for a greater focus on math and science classes in the nation’s schools. More money was given to the educational system, making more of those crucial math and science classes available to students. In addition to the marvel and wonder that encouraged many to study the science behind what it would take to get us there, a new frontier was waiting to be explored. Yet despite having all this in their favor, the United States would not be the first nation to enter