Manned Spaceflight (03:18)

FREE PREVIEW

On April 12th, 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space; Americans were shocked to learn of Russia's accomplishment. German rocket scientist, Wernher von Braun developed the United States' space program.

Space Program Origins (11:27)

When the U.S. dropped the atomic bomb, it established world dominance through technology. Russia developed a massive missile that was better suited for space exploration than weaponry. Sputnik caused worldwide excitement.

Space Race Intensifies (05:56)

In the United States, Sputnik amplified Communist panic. Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev commissioned Sergei Korolev to launch a new mission; he launched Laika on Sputnik II. In December 1957, the Americans' first satellite launch attempt failed.

Spacemen (11:38)

During the early 1960s, potential cosmonauts secretly kept a rigorous training schedule. Astronaut Alan Shepherd was projected to be the first man in space on March 6th 1961; test flight complications delayed his launch. Korolev selected Gagarin and rushed to launch him into orbit on Vostok.

Successive Victories (05:24)

Shepherd reached space in April, 1961, without making full orbit. President Kennedy announced intent to land a man on the moon. Korolev continued launching people and satellites into space. In June 1963, Valentina Tereshkova became the first female cosmonaut.

Spacewalk (11:34)

In March 1965, Voskhod II launched into space, equipped with an inflatable airlock to accommodate Alexei Leonov's spacewalk. Spacesuit complications threatened his life and reentry; oxygen imbalance created fire conditions within the capsule. The automatic reentry system faulted. See a preview of the next episode.

Credits: How Russia Won The Space Race: Episode One (00:34)

Credits: How Russia Won The Space Race: Episode One