The space raceThe space race between the United States and the former Soviet Union began in October of 1957, when the Soviets launched the first man-made satellite into orbit around Earth.Weeks later the second satellite was launched.Their success added to the tensions of what was known as the Cold War, which many people worried could lead to nuclear war.And it pushed Americans to work harder to reach outer space.Three months later, the United States launched its own satellite.Then, in 1961, the Soviet Union sent the first person into space.An American astronaut followed less than a month later.The space race continued.The finish line was the moon.And it was reached when the crew of an American spaceship landed in 1969.Today, there is cooperation between the Russian and American space programs.Astronauts share duties on the International Space Station. And other countries are expanding their space programs.
