History+of+the+space+program+in+America-p7

=**Page by Ellen!**=

=**Introduction to Space…**=

During the Cold War, America and the Soviet Union were battling to have the first satellite to orbit the earth. It was a constant competition between the two countries, because both wanted to be the farthest in space technology. History changed on October 4, 1957, when the Soviet Union successfully launched Sputnik I. It was the world's first artificial satellite that took about 98 minutes to orbit the Earth on its elliptical path. That launch started new political, military, technological, and scientific developments. While the Sputnik launch was a single event, it marked the start of the space age and the U.S.-U.S.S.R space race.

=Project Vanguard=

Project Vanguard was the first U.S. attempt to launch a satellite into orbit around the Earth. On December 6, 1957, Vanguard TV3 was launched. Surprisingly, at launch the booster ignited and began to rise, but about 2 seconds after liftoff, the rocket lost force and began to settle back down to the launch pad. As it settled against the launch pad the fuel tanks exploded, destroying the rocket and severely damaging the launch pad. On March 17, 1958 Vanguard I became the second artificial satellite successfully placed in Earth orbit by the United States. It was the first solar-powered satellite. Just 152 mm (six inches) in diameter and weighing just 1.4 kg (3 pounds).

=NASA= The triumphs and development of NASA have been driven by the competition with the Soviet Union space agency, especially during the Space Race. In 1915, President Eisenhower approved the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics or NACA. NACA had a reputation of being a big research organization that worked closely with the Department of Defense. On October 1, 1948, NACA became the National Aeronautics and Space Act, or NASA. Kennedy never would have proposed the idea of NASA if had there not been pressure to be better than the Russians.

=Space Facilities=

In the 1950's the United States operates two main space-launch facilities: Cape Canaveral Florida and Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The Vandenberg Air Force Base has been used for launching satellites into polar orbit since 1959. Although most satellites launched into polar orbit were military, a number were also used for civil applications. There is also a small base at the Wallops Island facility, but it is used mostly for launching sounding rockets. For many years, the United States had many launch vehicles at its disposal for various space programs. Other launch systems remained available, but Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg were used often.

=Godfather of Space=

Dr. Robert Hutchings Goddard was considered the American Godfather of Space. By 1926, Goddard had constructed and tested successfully the first rocket using liquid fuel. The flight of Goddard's rocket took place on March 16, 1926, in Auburn, Massachusetts. He died in Baltimore Maryland on August 10, 1945. He is important because he laid the necessary work for space flight with his experiments and encouraged others to follow.

=**Why Was NASA Important?**=

NASA was very important to the United States and all of the advances in space. Without the NASA, America never would have had so many discoveries in space.. NASA was created because of the space race between the Soviet Union, which led to the first U.S. satellite to go around the earth, Vanguard I. After the Space Race, NASA put the first man on the moon, Neil Armstrong, discovered new planets, stars, and had an advance in space technology. Most importantly though, it has created new products for the world to use, and made the world a better place. Today in NASA, we are sending astronauts into space to land on new planets.

Interesting Facts
If you think NASA only researches and discover space, you were wrong. NASA has developed, water purification system, pool purification, portable coolers/warmers, sports training, athletic shoes, home security systems, smoke detectors and flat panel televisions,. They have also created high-density batteries, trash compactors, food packaging and freeze-dried technology, cool sportswear, solar energy, fire resistant material, radiation insulation. In the medical field they have discovered medical gas analyzer, voice-controlled wheelchair, invisible braces, and MRI. And finally for your safety they have discovered a personal alarm system, self-righting life raft, flame detectors, protective clothing, robotic hands, new wing design for corporate jets, safer bridges, airline wheelchairs, and the popular electric car. These are just a few of NASA's developments.

<"Robert H. Goddard: American Rocket Pioneer." __NASA Facts__. 13 Feb. 2007> <[|http://www.gsfc.nasa.gov/gsfc/service/gallery/fact_sheets/general/goddard/goddard.htm>.] <"NASA Spinoffs." __The Space Place__. 13 Feb. 2007 <[|http://www.thespaceplace.com/nasa/spinoffs.html>.] <"Project Vanguard." __Answers__. 01 Feb. 2005. 13 Feb. 2007 <[|http://www.answers.com/topic/project-vanguard>.] <"Vanguard TV3." __Answers__. 10 Feb. 2006. 13 Feb. 2007 <[|http://www.answers.com/topic/vanguard-tv3>.]