space battles - so you can designate the rivalry between the two superpowers - the USSR and the US - in space exploration during the second half of the last century.The beginning of this event put our country first launch of an artificial Earth satellite, and then there was a man in the launch of an entirely new reality for him - into space.Later, there was the first spacewalk.
Progress engineering science
twentieth century was for mankind the true scientific and technological breakthrough.Especially since the Second World War gave impetus to the development of rocket - something that was previously unattainable, it became fully able to implement.People have long looked closely and tried to explore outer space, but does so on the surface of our planet.The second half of the last century was the dawn of the present era of space exploration and study of near-Earth space.Particularly far advanced in the geopolitical opponents of the period - the Soviet Union and the United States.The United States were developing in this direction, especially when the country turned out to be the "father" of German rocketry W. von Braun.He was the pioneer of the European region in the direction of engineering-design thought.However, in the Soviet Union it was a long development.The founders of the domestic raketostroitelnoy thought (Tsiolkovsky and later Korolev), first theoretically and then practically based their conclusions.
first steps in space exploration
end of the 50s had a truly impressive impact on the minds of his contemporaries.The Soviet Union first orbited Earth satellite designed by engineers.Many people greeted the event as a great progress of scientific thought, but for America, this meant although small, but the defeat in this match.An even greater furore produced event that took place in April 1961 in the afternoon.That's when Yuri Gagarin became the ancestor of all the astronauts, irrespective of their nationality, and the first person who visited outside the Earth.Training flight was conducted in an atmosphere of high secrecy.After all, if our country is in danger of not only the life of a particular person, but his prestige in the international arena.The stakes were very high, however, and the results were comparable.After that, our country became the leader of space exploration.US President John F. Kennedy at a meeting of his government announced the accelerated program of research and appropriation of large investments in space exploration.
competition minds
The man who first traveled in outer space, would ensure his country the title of leader of a space or make a reciprocal step step opponent.Both countries actively took up the preparation of this event.US NASA has tried to speed up the process of construction of manned spacecraft, but the haste has led to the opposite result.Lack of experience led to the break - in tests failure notice, so managed to avoid human casualties, but the terms have been seriously violated.In the USSR, almost at the same time it was similar calculations and preparation of the man who first open space will be.Slight defects may seriously affect the entire future development of the new program for the human world.In addition, the haste and party control is rather depressing effect on all participants in the project.And yet, those who first visited in space, was our compatriot.
historic moment
That man was Alexei Leonov.It was his chosen from a galaxy of well-trained astronauts.And in late 1964 it began a thorough preparation and development of all kinds of situations that may arise in the course of the flight.And then came the long-awaited moment, in 1965 (18 March), the "Voskhod-2" was in Earth orbit.After a short training Alexei Leonov, first came out in open space.Being outside the spacecraft was very short, about twelve minutes with a little.It was a monumental step in the history of mankind.However, even in such a short period of time there was a extraordinary situation.Spacesuit astronaut increased in size, and Alexei Arkhipovich could not get back into the airlock of the ship.But he did not panic - weakening the internal pressure of the suit, he has achieved its reduction in size and able to enter back into the spacecraft.
ups and downs flight
one who first visited in space, had great courage and endurance, these personality traits have helped him in the future.With Leonov happened yet another unpleasant situation - during landing lander was out of the calculated touchdown.But this fact does not bother the brave space explorers.When he was landing in the taiga, and at this time there were severe frosts.In such circumstances, the crew stayed for two days, only a third of them made it to the rescue team.For his feat Leonov was awarded the title of "Hero" of the country.The Americans admitted defeat, but stepped up training of the flight and the landing of man on the moon, but it happened four years later and did not detract from the merits of Soviet engineers and astronauts.And Alexei Leonov - the man who first visited in space and forever inscribed his name in the annals of history.
