Soviet+Union+Relationship

= Leading up to the moon landing, tension increased between the United States and the Soviet Union. = Before the moon landing, the United States and the Soviet Union had a history of a tumultuous relationship. Some of this contension came from the race to space in which the two countries were fully engaged. Although this came before the actual landing, the preparation for the moon landing had a hand in creating rivalry between the Soviet Union and the United States. On October 4, 1957, the Soviets launched an artificial satellite Sputnik, and the tensions start to spike. Then the Soviet Union put a dog into space with Sputnik 2 and the Americans were becoming weary that “this was becoming a symbolic nuclear weapon” (Irving). In order to fully compete with the Soviet Union, Eisenhower made the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 1958. NASA was an important factor because it made the “ [|Space Race] ” possible and created the tension to prove the superiority and military strength both tried to exert by going to space (The Space Race). American presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon believed conquering space was important. In fact John F. Kennedy said on May 25, 1961, “I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth. No single space project...will be more exciting, or more impressive to mankind, or more important...and none will be so difficult or expensive to accomplish" (The Space Race). Although the relationship between the United States and Soviet Union changed after the moon landing, this background is essential to know the impact the landing had.

** After the moon landing, more cooperation was developed between the two countries. ** After America was victorious in landing the first man on the moon, the space race ceased. The world was still in the midst of the Cold War, but now the United States and the Soviet Union had no reason to compete. The goal of walking on the moon had been reached and each country had more important priorities to focus on. After a few successful Apollo missions, the government questioned the overall benefits versus the vast amounts of money that were being spent on these projects (Mason 38). Space exploration continued, but at a slower pace. The tension was beginning to ease.



In 1975, the two countries saw cooperation in space for the first time in history. On July 17th, an Apollo spacecraft docked with a Soyuz spaceship. A stamp was made in celebration of the mission. The crews performed five joint experiments before returning to Earth. Government officials were starting afresh and making an effort to develop a better relationship. This sent a message to the rest of the world; one of friendship and peace. Though the countries had not become true "friends" with each other, this combination of spacecrafts stood as a symbol of better communication and relations. The Cold War would continue for more than a decade after this, but at least things began to turn in a new direction. Watch the Apollo and Soyuz spacecreafts launch and dock:

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In 1986, the Soviet Union launched the spacecraft //Mir.// The name in English translates to "peace." This was yet again a symbol of a new, more peaceful relationship with the Soviet Union. In 1991, the country now known as Russia agreed to use the //Mir// shuttle with the United States. Though this event came much later in time after the moon landing, these years were significant because they saw the end of the Cold War. The Berlin Wall came down in 1989 which is known as a landmark event as a part of the end of the war. Russia was starting anew, and so was its relationship with the United States.

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