Hey all! The part where you’ve been waiting for! For this post, we’ll tell you all about the Space Race and how it affected the Cold War between USSR and USA.

The Space Race was a crucial factor of the Cold War, its impact on the escalation of the Cold War also very important. Both the superpowers, USA and USSR, felt that the victor of the Space Race would eventually be able to monopolize in space, and thus overtake the other as the leading superpower. The Space Race then became a contest between USA and USSR to see who was more scientifically advanced, and this Space Race also resulted in the rapid advancements in space technology. For this post, we would analyze key segments of the Space Race, and the impact each segment had on the Cold War.

Start of the Space Race (4^th October 1957) – USSR launched the first artificial satellite, named Sputnik 1, triggering the start of the Space Race. This satellite was successfully launched via an Intercontentinental Ballistic Missle (ICBM) by USSR. Khrushchev felt that having a successful space program would demonstrate Soviet superiority at a time when economically, militarily, and politically the communist system was being called into question by members of the Soviet bloc. The launch of the Sputnik 1 proved that USSR could lead the West as well, and not just follow it. Following the launch of the Sputnik 1 satellite, Americans were stunned, as they were no longer having the lead in space advances. As a result, USA responded by pouring more money and resources into space technology development, and grew more wary of USSR, increasing tension between the two countries, and escalating the Cold War. USSR 1, USA 0.

USA fights back (31^st January 1958) – The US Army successfully launched Explorer 1, the first American artificial satellite, in respond to the launch of the USSR satellite, Sputnik 1, roughly 4 months ago. During those 4 months, the military budget and the budget allocated for the research and development for space technology was increased tremendously, allowing the US Army, to catch up with the USSR in terms of space technology. This successful launch showed USSR that the USA was also capable of space exploration, and that they would not back down from the challenge that USSR has set upon them, showing the mentality of the USA during the Cold War. USSR 1, USA 1

Setting up of the National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA) – NASA was established on 29^th July 1958 to speed up USA space exploration from a science and technology perspective. The setting up of NASA promoted science education and space research, and billions of dollars went into the study of science at universities. How this impacted the Cold War would be to show the USSR that USA was a serious contender, and would not take the initial “defeat” lightly.

The first successful orbit of the Earth by a man (12^th April 1961) – USSR quickly took another great leap ahead, with the USSR cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin becoming the first man to successfully orbit the Earth, which made the Soviets the winners in the race to have the first man in space, where the US lagged behind again. This so-called victory for the USSR further showed the rest of the world that USSR was really a contender in competition with the USA, and that the Cold War was not really just a one-sided war. It also resulted in greater tension in USA, as USSR was finally excelling at something USA had not achieved, leading to more tension between the two countries. USSR 2, USA 1

Kennedy’s speech to the Congress (25^th May 1961) – In an attempt to get America back on top, Kennedy told Congress that he was committed to sending a man to the moon within the decade. Such a mission would be of convincing value in the Cold War contest for international scientific prestige. It would also remind other nations of the American superiority, and beat the Soviets to place the first man on the moon in the Space Race, in which the Soviets were now leading. This speech rejuvenated America’s bid to compete with the Soviets regarding the Space Race, and on the Cold War side showed that America was willing to concede defeat, but not give up. This led to a series of smaller achievements by both USA and USSR, until…

First men on the moon (20^th July 1969) – Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin become the first men to walk on the Moon while crewmate Michael Collins orbits around the Moon alone. The final major breakthrough in space technology for the Space Race was achieved by the USA, beating the USSR to the top prize in space technology. This achievement finally ended the Space Race, proving USA to be the victor, the more technologically advanced superpower. The Space Race proved that USA would not back down from a fight, and showed their fighting spirit in the Cold War. To be fair to USSR, it was mainly because of the lack of economic resources that they lost out to USA in the Space Race.

Well, that’s it for the key events for the Space Race and the impact it had on the Cold War! Hope you guys enjoyed reading this post! ;D