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The Soviet Union had several firsts in space, with the US close behind during the Cold War after World War II.
Space is currently defined as being more than 100 km (62 miles) above the Earth. The first flights into "space" were by V-2 ballistic missiles of Nazi Germany, one of which reached an altitude of over 80 kilometers on October 3, 1942. Both the US and the USSR launched captured V-2 rockets from 1945 to 1947, many reaching altitudes of more than 100 km. The military rockets developed from these became the basis for ICBM's and, more importantly, for satellites and manned missions.
The actual era of space exploration was driven by a "Space Race" between the Soviet Union and the United States. The Soviets succeeded first with the launch of the first man-made object to orbit the Earth, Sputnik 1, on October 4, 1957, followed by the first manned flight, an orbit by Yuri Gagarin on April 12, 1961.
Similar US launches by NASA were only a few months later, and included the extensive Earth orbital missions in the Mercury and Gemini programs. The Apollo missions first left Earth orbit (outer space) in 1968, and culminated in the first Moon landing by the US craft Apollo 11 on July 20, 1969.
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Which country launched the first human into space?
The Soviet Union was the first country to launch a human into space. Yuri Gagarin became the first human to journey into outer space on April 12, 1961.
What was the first creature to go to outer space?
The first creature to go to outer space was a dog named Laika.
Who was the first American in Outer Space?
Alan Shepard was the first and second American to go to outer space.
What was the name of first space shuttle sent into outer space?
The first space shuttle sent into outer space was the Space Shuttle Columbia. It was launched on April 12, 1981, as part of the STS-1 mission.
Who was the first person to ever discover outer space?
Outer space was not discovered by a single person, as it has always existed. However, the first human to travel to outer space was Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet astronaut, who orbited Earth in 1961.
Was the US the first country to get to outer-space?
No Russia was, but we America was first to get on the moon.
Which country launched the first human into space?
The Soviet Union was the first country to launch a human into space. Yuri Gagarin became the first human to journey into outer space on April 12, 1961.
Did space exploration began in the US?
Space Exploration did not begin in the US. The first country to successfully launch a human into outer space was the Soviet Union.
What was the first thing ever sent into outer space?
The first thing sent into outer space was a satellite
What was the first creature to go to outer space?
The first creature to go to outer space was a dog named Laika.
Who was the first Iowan to go to outer space?
The first Iowan in space was Peggy Whitson.
What animal was sent to outer space from the US?
The first animal sent to Outer space was a dog named Laika.
Who was the first American in Outer Space?
Alan Shepard was the first and second American to go to outer space.
What was the name of first space shuttle sent into outer space?
The first space shuttle sent into outer space was the Space Shuttle Columbia. It was launched on April 12, 1981, as part of the STS-1 mission.
Who was the first person to ever discover outer space?
Outer space was not discovered by a single person, as it has always existed. However, the first human to travel to outer space was Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet astronaut, who orbited Earth in 1961.
Who was the first American astronaut to go into outer space?
Alan sheperd was the first astronaut in space.
When did America first launch into outer space?
America's first satellite launched into outer space was called the Explorer 1, and was launched in 1958.
