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How did the Soviet Union and the United States compete during the Space Race?
The Space Race was a fierce competition between the Soviet Union and the United States for supremacy in space exploration, fueled by the broader Cold War rivalry. The Soviet Union initially led by launching Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite, in 1957, and later sent the first human, Yuri Gagarin, into orbit in 1961. This spurred the U.S. to accelerate its own space program, culminating in President John F. Kennedy's goal to land a human on the Moon. The U.S. achieved this milestone with the Apollo 11 mission in 1969, marking a significant victory in the race. Both nations invested heavily in rocket technology, satellite development, and crewed missions, showcasing advancements in science and technology as part of their global competition.1234567