Space Race | History In A Nutshell

Spanish captions are now available.

In the late 1950s, and throughout the 1960s, the U.S. was in the middle of The Cold War with the Soviet Union. Both sides tried to out-perform one another in every way, including scientific advancements and setting records. The Soviet Union had kicked off the "Space Race" when they launched the first man-made satellite called "Sputnik."  In this episode of History In A Nutshell, follow the events leading up to the U.S. landing on the moon; from test pilots and Project Mercury, through Gemini and the Apollo program! 

Also included in this episode is a bonus feature! For the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, the South Carolina State Museum hosted a special screening of the PBS documentary Chasing The Moon. During this event, Knowitall.org and SCETV got the opportunity to interview two South Carolinians who helped recover Apollo spacecraft after they returned from their journeys to the moon! 

Spanish captions are now available. 

The Space Race
Episode 1

Video

Part 1 briefly outlines the Cold War, and how the "Space Race" got started, with the Soviets' launching of Sputnik, in October, 1957. Next came the U.S. competing with the Soviets to launch a man into...
The Space Race
Episode 2

Video

Gemini is the not widely known bridge between Mercury, and the Apollo Program. Gemini would serve as the test-bed for Apollo; to prepare NASA for trips to the moon. After the successes with the Gemini...
Apollo Recoveries

Video

Bob Coggin, from Charleston, S.C., served as a U.S. Navy "frogman" diver. A "frogman" is someone who is trained in scuba diving or swimming underwater for military or police work. During the Vietnam...
Apollo Recoveries

Video

For the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11's historic moon landing, the South Carolina State Museum hosted a special screening of PBS' Chasing The Moon. During this event, South Carolina ETV, and Knowitall...
Apollo Recoveries

Video

Milt Putnam, from Seneca, South Carolina, was a U.S. Navy photographer, who also served in the Vietnam War. Putnam was assigned to take official photographs of several Apollo recoveries: Apollo 8...
The Space Race Photo Gallery
The Space Race Photo Gallery
Episode 3

Photo

This photo gallery includes the following images: United States Air Force Pilot Charles E. "Chuck" Yeager Bell X-1 Sputnik National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) Logo President Dwight D...
The Space Race Trivia Quiz | History in a Nutshell
The Space Race Trivia Quiz | History in a Nutshell

Interactive

This quiz will test your knowledge on the history of the race to the moon, between the United States and the Soviet Union! How much do you know about the Space Race? Find out via the quiz below! /**/

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