Tensions: space race

The space race started when the USSR created a successful satellite, and launched it into space. The satellites name was Sputnik. It was launched on October 9th 1957. Sputnik could circle the earth in a matter of hours. Scared, the US started creating satellites of their own.
Each attempt ended in a failure. The Soviets became a bigger threat to the US. Finally, on January 9, 1958, the United states launched their first successful satellite into space; the Explorer 1.