hst 183 02

During the Cold War, space exploration became crucial for both the United States and the Soviet Union. The Soviets started with the launch of Sputnik in 1957, the first man-made object in orbit. This success worried Americans, who saw space as the next frontier. In response, the U.S. launched its own satellite, Explorer 1, in 1958. President Eisenhower then created NASA and other organizations dedicated to space exploration. However, the Soviets continued to outpace the United States. In 1959, Luna 2 became the first spacecraft to reach the moon, and in 1961, the Soviets sent the first man into space. The United States feared that they needed to change their approach to catch up to Soviet innovation. Space exploration was a main component of the Cold War. The Soviets launched the Sputnik in October of 1957, and this was the first man-made object placed in orbit. The success of this mission did not sit well with most Americans. The success in outer space, being seen as the next frontier, was critical to America at the time. In 1958, the U.S. launched its own satellite, the Explorer 1, designed by the U.S. Army under the direction of rocket scientist Wernher von Braun. Within the same year, President Eisenhower signed a public order which created NASA and several other organizations dedicated to space exploration. Even with this public order, the Soviets just always seemed to remain one step ahead of the United States around this time. No matter what it seemed the United States was doing, the Soviets always seemed to be a step ahead. And this can be seen also as in 1959, the following year, the Soviets' Luna 2 became the first spacecraft to reach the moon. In 1961, the Soviets launched their first man into space. It was clear that the United States may have needed a change in direction in order to catch the Soviets. It was becoming a great fear at the time with how much progress the Soviets were making, that the innovation they were having was just better than the United States.