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
