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Who won the space race? - Jeff Steers

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On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union launched the satellite Sputnik and, with it, an international space race. The United States and the Soviet Union rushed to declare dominance of space for 18 years, until the two countries agreed to a more collaborative model. The real winner? Science. Jeff Steers describes the history -- and the benefits -- of the space race.

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Meet The Creators

  • Educator Jeff Steers
  • Animator Nadav Arbel
  • Illustrator Moran Barak
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
Avatar for Stefanie Turner
Lesson in progress

Who lost the space race?

Based on the video and your prior knowledge, who lost the space race? Provide one piece of evidence for your reasoning.

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Avatar for Sophia Rojo
Lesson in progress

The Space Race was a competition for dominance in spaceflight capability. Although the Soviet Union launched the first satellite, it didn't give them as much space dominance as when the US landed the first man on the moon. Therefore, the Soviet Union lost the space race.


Avatar for Eduardo Delacruz
Lesson completed

I would say that it was a tie in a way. If you think about it, although the USSR was able to get more smaller achievements out of the way. Like First satellite and man to orbit earth. But the US was able to get to the moon first which was the biggest achievement of the whole race overall. So that somewhat balances it out. But for more achievements faster goes to the USSR but overall technological advances then it's both. But for the biggest achievement in space, the US have won. So overall it's just a big tie tbh.


Avatar for micaela hernandez
Lesson completed

I think neither lost because they both accomplished a lot and joined together.


Avatar for Armando Labrada
Lesson completed

I would say it was a 50/50 battle with both countries beating each other on some parts but I would say the United States won because they landed first on the moon which is way more recognized than Sputnik. So the Soviet Union lost


Avatar for kenz m
Lesson completed

the Soviet Union had us in the beginning but then we won with landing the first man on the moon.


Avatar for Thomas Reinbold
Lesson in progress

I believe the biggest loser in the space race were mostly the developing countries that were tied to the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. Unfortunately for them, most of the research and technology is not some that they have seen most of. From their perspective, too, if the same effort had been put forth in racing to end some of their economic issues could perhaps have been a better use of resources, time, and research.


Avatar for graham l
Lesson in progress

The US lost the space race because the Soviet Union made it to space first, in terms of rockets AND people.


Avatar for peyton cotto
Lesson in progress

America lost the space race because they only achieved one goal before the soviet union by landing a man on the moon. the USSR got more done quicker


Avatar for Ryan Hendrix
Lesson completed

Since the USA reached the furthest advancement in placing a man on the moon, the USSR lost the space race


Avatar for Andrew Constancio
Lesson in progress

The soviets for sure won the space race, but here in america the bigger accomplishment over shadows the others, so america won

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