## TL;DR

The Space Race (1955-1975) was Cold War competition between the US and USSR for space dominance. USSR firsts: satellite (Sputnik 1957), human (Gagarin 1961), woman (Tereshkova 1963), spacewalk (Leonov 1965). US firsts: Moon landing (Apollo 11, Armstrong + Aldrin, July 20, 1969). Apollo program employed 400,000 people.

## Core Explanation

Sputnik shocked US → NASA created (1958), massive STEM education push. Mercury (1961-63): first US astronauts (Shepard, Glenn). Gemini (1965-66): spacewalk, docking, endurance. Apollo: 11 crewed missions, 6 moon landings (1969-72). Apollo 13 ('Houston, we've had a problem') — safely returned after explosion. Apollo-Soyuz (1975): joint US-USSR mission, symbolic end of Space Race.

## Further Reading

- [The Right Stuff (Tom Wolfe)](https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780312427566/therightstuff)