Sci. 5-4 Living and Working in SpacePages 142-147

A. In April 12, 1961, a Soviet cosmonaut named Yuri Gagarin became the 1st human to orbit Earth.

1) USA- May 5, 1961- Alan Shepard reached space

B. The great race to get a manned-flight program underway and to reach the moon was politically motivated.

1) The United States beat the Soviets to a manned moon landing with the Apollo moon flights in 1969.

2) Astronaut Neil Armstrong became the 1st human to set foot on the moon.

C. Space Shuttle- a reusable vehicle that takes off like a rocket and lands like an airplane.

1) During the 1970’s, the United States focused on developing the space shuttle.

2) 1st shuttle launched in 1981

3) 1986- Challenger exploded just after take off, killing all 7 astronauts- 1st teacher Christa McAuliffe was on board.

D. Space Station- a long term orbiting platform from which other vehicles can be launched or scientific research can be carried out.

1) The soviets focused on developing orbiting space stations.2) 1971, Soviets 1st manned space station- Salyut 1.

3) Skylab – 1st USA space station

E. The United States, Russia, and 14 other international partners are currently developing the International Space Station.

F. Because of a need for resources, living space beyond what Earth can provide, scientific reasons, and even recreational reasons, humans may eventually live and work on other planets and moons.