What exactly was the Space Race? Why did we care so much?

The Space Race grew out of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union, the most powerful countries after World War II. For a half-century, the two superpowers competed for supremacy in a global struggle across a variety of areas from military might to consumer goods. Space was a crucial and new arena for the Cold War rivalry. Before a watchful world, each side sought to demonstrate its superiority through impressive feats in rocketry and spaceflight. In addition to these milestones, technologies used for spaceflight had further applications. Rockets could launch missiles, while satellites could keep an eye on adversaries.

Setting the Stage

The Origins of the Space Race

Trying to Get Ahead in the Race Eyes in the Sky

There are many different methods through which humans might spy on one another. But what if you could spy on your enemies from the sky? As the United States entered the aerial age in the early 20th century, such tactics became more and more commonplace.

Learn more about military reconnaissance

Competing Technologies

American Space Programs During the Space Race

The Mercury Program

Both the United States and the Soviet Union started programs to send humans into space. In the United States, that first program was Project Mercury.  

The Gemini Program

Whereas the Mercury Program focused on getting people up into space, the Gemini Program's goal was for humans to learn how to do things in space, like practicing the maneuvers and techniques need to carry out a lunar landing. 

The Apollo Program

In 1969 when Apollo 11 landed on the surface of the lunar surface, the United States won the race to the Moon, and for many Americans, the Space Race itself. There were 14 missions in total during the Apollo program, each more sophisticated than the last. 

From Competition to Cooperation

After the end of the Apollo lunar missions, both the US and Soviet space programs envisioned a permanent human presence in space. Eventually, the Americans and the Soviets—and later the Russians—began to work with each other rather than against each other in space.

Read more about early space stations

Explore more stories about the Cold War

Modern Military Aviation National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC Upcoming Exhibition The Cuban Missile Crisis What Was the Space Race? The Military Rockets that Launched the Space Age The Pan Am Stewardess at War and Peace  National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC and Presented Online - Military Reconnaissance Project Paperclip and American Rocketry after World War II The Space Race