“race to space” took place took place during the height of the Cold War and was initiated on October 4, 1957 with the successful launch of the Soviet Union’s artificial satellite, Sputnik I – the first of the Sputnik satellites. The Cold War can be explained as political and military tension between the Soviet Union and the United States. It started after World War II as arguments arose between the two nations. The United States was concerned that the Soviets would use the technology for military purposes. Americans soon became fearful when the Soviets capabilities to launch nuclear weapons surfaced.
While Sputnik came as a surprise