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Part 1 - Pathways

A-Seeker

Table of Contents

B-Seer

Table of Contents

C-Belover

Table of Contents

Part 2 - Resources

Table of Contents

Facts about Sputnik and Apollo 11 moon landing

Before Sputnik
The Americans believed the Soviets' technology had been stolen from the West.

The Russians announced their intent of sending a satellite into orbit, but the US disregarded this idea.

The Americans thought Soviet technology was simply not advanced enough for anything complicated.

Reasons for Launch

A Russian satellite in space before an American would show Communism's superiority in technology.

Satellites in space could offer spying advantages for use in the Cold War.

Sputnik was the forerunner of military weapons that could attack from space (i.e. bombs)

Launch Facts

Sputnik was launched on Oct. 4, 1957 from Baikonur cosmodome in Kazakhstan, Russia.

Sputnik traveled at a speed of 18,000 mph.

Sputnik let out beeps every few seconds because it was equipped with transmitters.

Immediate Results

The Americans were surprised at the launch of Sputnik.

Many Americans were mystified at and fearful of the prospect of a satellite in orbit.

Some Americans began to doubt the American educational system, while others openly attacked it.

Long-term Results

America put a greater emphasis on science and engineering in education.

The Americans tried extra hard to develop space technology.

The Americans and Russians began competing for better space technology.

The "Space Race" started.

Before Apollo 11

Both the Americans and Soviets were engaged in the Space Race.

The Soviets were ahead of the Americans, so it seemed as if they would land a man on the moon first.

The Americans were pressed for money, so they would either have to make an attempt at the moon or else shut down the whole manned flight program.

A trip to the moon was estimated to take $40 billion and an all-out effort, and even then there was only a 50% chance of being first.

The Apollo program was created to try to land a man on the moon.

Reasons for Launch

The Americans wanted to establish the technology for other interests in space.

If the Americans didn't, the Soviet would.

A man on the moon would show the superiority of America in science, engineering, management and political leadership.

If a man could be put on the moon, many more programs could follow to explore the moon and develop man's capability of working in lunar environments.

Launch Facts

Neil Armstrong was the commander, Michael Collins was the command module pilot, and Edwin Aldrin Jr. was the Lunar Module pilot.

Apollo 11 was launched on July 16, 1969, at 9:32 AM EDT at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Apollo 11 landed on the moon on July 20, 1969, at 4:17 PM EDT in the "Sea of Tranquility".

A flag and a plaque were placed on the moon.

The astronauts stayed on the moon for 21.6 hours

The mission lasted 8 days, 3 hours, 18 minutes, and 35 seconds

Apollo 11 splashed down to earth on July 24, 1969, at 12:50 PM EDT.

Immediate Results

Apollo 11 declared the American's superiority over the Soviets in space programs.

The Americans gained the lead in the "Space Race".

Long-term Results

The Russians made several attempts of exploring space, and tried hard to catch up.

Lack of central authority and competition but no cooperation might have prevented the Soviets from being very successful.

The Americans explored the moon some more with other Apollos.

The "Space Race" mostly died down.

Analysis

At the time of Apollo, both sides was deeply involved in trying to outmatch the other in the "Space Race". However, things weren't going well for the US. In a desperate attempt to catch up, the US launched the Apollo Program. Apollo 11 happened to make it to the moon.

Things changed after that. Since the Russians had not yet put a man on the moon, they began to be considered as behind the Americans. But the USSR couldn't catch up.

With such a daring goal accomplished, there weren't many more things to try to accomplish. So the "Space Race" died down.

For source and to hear the Neil Armstrong's original transmission https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwZb2mqId0A

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