Start of the Space Race

American History Hit

History Hit

America, History

4.5 • 1.3K Ratings

🗓️ 5 December 2022

⏱️ 42 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Space historian Jay Gallentine tells Don how World War 2 weapons paved the way for space rockets, igniting a space race between the USA and the USSR that would see the first projectiles, satellites and people leave Earth’s atmosphere.

Produced by Benjie Guy. Mixed by Aidan Lonergan. Senior Producer: Charlotte Long.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	The famous five are away on a splendid weekend adventure.
0:03.5	Do we have to go home today?
0:05.5	sighed Anne.
0:06.5	I agree said Dick.
0:08.0	Even Timmy looks sad.
0:09.5	Cheer up everyone.
0:11.5	Beams Julian, I booked long weekend tickets we can return anytime on Monday
0:17.0	Oh you are clever Julian said Anne save over 50% with the long weekend a ticket from Great Western Railway.
0:24.5	Adventures start here.
0:26.0	Selected routes turn supply, saving in comparison to an anytime return fare.
0:30.0	It's 728 PM on the evening of October 4th, 1957 in the middle of the desert of Kazakhstan.
0:41.0	We are at site number one, the Soviet Union's first rocket launch site.
0:47.8	The rocket Sputnik roars into the skies and beyond.
0:52.1	A hundred and thirty-nine miles above Earth, it will deploy the first man-made satellite, Sputnik 1, a huge achievement,
1:00.6	and one which immediately sends shock waves across America.
1:04.0	In launching Sputnik 1, the Soviets have won a scientific victory at the height of the Cold War
1:10.0	and increased their technological and military threat to the United States.
1:14.1	In space the U.S. would now have to equal if not surpass the Soviets.
1:18.4	It was the beginning of the space race. Welcome to another episode of American history hit.
1:27.0	I'm Don Wildman.
1:31.0	Welcome to another episode of American History Hit. I'm Don Wildman. Great that you could listen.
1:35.2	When NASA's Artemis One rocket successfully blasted off from Cape Canaveral and
	...

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