Importance

The race to space was more than just a competition between two countries. This epic event signified the next step of all mankind. This also served as a milestone to science and the emergence of significant technology. Behind closed doors, the race was an emergence from the Cold War between the US and USSR. Although the race only heated tension between the two countries, it also showed them how much more they could accomplish with each others' help. Also, the two countries opened the door to many modern-day conveniences such as weather prediction, satellite TV and radio, and much more (www.nasm.si.edu). The end of the space race brought about both more tension and more ease between the US and the USSR. Soon after in 1972 the two signed a treaty limiting each other from strategic offensive weapons. Next to follow, another treaty was signed to limit strategic defensive systems (www.vibrationdata.com/SpaceRace.htm). Although even after these agreements were made the war didn't end for a few more years, the space race served as both an opening and closing gate to the Cold War.