In 1957, scientists in the former Soviet Union launched a satellite into space. The satellite was called Sputnik. Sputnik helped scientists learn about space and space travel. The Soviet Union used this information to make better rockets. They wanted to be the first country to fly astronauts to the moon.
The United States wanted to get to the moon before the Soviet Union. Scientists in the United States worked very hard to catch up to the Soviet Union. On July 16th, 1969 the Saturn V rocket launched Apollo 11 into space. On July 20th, 1969, two astronauts came from the spaceship and landed on the moon. These two Americans were the first people to walk on the moon. Everyone in the United States was so happy and excited.
Space travel has changed over time. Astronauts from Russia, America, and all over the world live on the International Space Station. They observe space and send information back to earth. It all started with a satellite called Sputnik.
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Photo Credit: NASA Headquarters – Greatest Images of NASA (NASA-HQ-GRIN)
