Tag: Gemini III

The U.S. Edges Ahead in the Race for Space, Shoots for the Moon

The U.S. Edges Ahead in the Race for Space, Shoots for the Moon

The “Space Race” between the United States and the Soviet Union remains an often studied and debated period of the 20th Century. While the Russians began with a lead, once challenged, the leadership of President John F. Kennedy resulted in Americans surpassing their Cold War rival on the way to the Moon. While the effort was politically motivated, the technology that came from space exploration built the modern world.

Grissom’s Mission Demonstrated Spaceflight is a Perilous Endeavor

Grissom’s Mission Demonstrated Spaceflight is a Perilous Endeavor

In the summer of 1961, NASA was ready to launch its second piloted spaceflight. It was the next step in Project Mercury’s program to study human capabilities during space travel. Two months earlier, Alan Shepard’s textbook sub-orbital mission made it look easy. But, the splashdown and recovery of the encore flight dramatically demonstrated it is a perilous endeavor requiring attention to detail and extensive preflight training.