USSR Lands First Lunar Spacecraft
With Cold War tensions on the rise, NASA's Werhner Von Braun announces the Soviet Union's moon landing, marking Russia's lead in the space race. On February 3, 1966, the unmanned Russian spacecraft Luna 9 touched down on the Ocean of Storms.
Related Speeches & Audio (9)
-
USSR Lands First Lunar Spacecraft
USSR Lands First Lunar SpacecraftAudio Clip (0:20)
Audio Clip (0:20)
With Cold War tensions on the rise, NASA's Werhner Von Braun announces the Soviet Union's moon landing, marking Russia's lead in the space race. On February 3, 1966, the unmanned Russian spacecraft Luna 9 touched down on the Ocean of Storms.
-
Ford Phones Apollo Astronauts
Ford Phones Apollo AstronautsAudio Clip (8:14)
Audio Clip (8:14)
On July 17, 1975, President Gerald Ford speaks by telephone to the Apollo astronauts following their rendezvous and docking with the Russian Soyuz spacecraft. This was the first joint orbital mission between the two superpowers, and it helped pave the way for further cooperation in the exploration of space.
-
Christmas Eve Broadcast to Earth
Christmas Eve Broadcast to EarthAudio Clip (0:36)
Audio Clip (0:36)
On December 24, 1968, astronauts Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and Bill Anders entered into lunar orbit aboard the Apollo 8 spacecraft. That evening, in a live radio and television transmission, Borman reads a passage from the Book of Genesis.
-
Neil Armstrong Walks on the Moon
Neil Armstrong Walks on the MoonAudio Clip (4:23)
Audio Clip (4:23)
On July 20, 1969, at 10:56 p.m. EDT, American astronaut Neil Armstrong, 240,000 miles from Earth, communicates with Mission Control as he takes "one small step" off the Eagle landing module and onto the moon.
-
The First Space Flight by a Woman
The First Space Flight by a WomanAudio Clip (0:35)
Audio Clip (0:35)
Radio Moscow announces the historic flight of the first woman in outer space. On June 16, 1963, aboard Vostok 6, Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova completed 48 orbits of Earth in 71 hours.
-
Apollo 9 Completes Spacewalk
Apollo 9 Completes SpacewalkAudio Clip (0:48)
Audio Clip (0:48)
After Apollo 9's launch on March 3, 1969, the crew communicates with Mission Control from space. The Apollo 9 mission was a crucial test run for the Apollo 11 moon landing three months later.
-
Flight of Faith 7 Spacecraft
Flight of Faith 7 SpacecraftAudio Clip (2:04)
Audio Clip (2:04)
Thirty minutes into the Faith 7 spaceflight, a NASA spokesperson recaps the trajectory of the craft after it was launched into orbit just after 8:00 a.m. on May 16, 1963. On board was Gordon Cooper, who became the first American astronaut to spend over 24 hours in space.
-
Final Apollo Mission Leaves Moon
Final Apollo Mission Leaves MoonAudio Clip (1:25)
Audio Clip (1:25)
In December 1972, Apollo 17 communicates with Mission Control on the final trip to the moon, marking the end of the Apollo lunar landing program.
-
Reagan on the Challenger Disaster
Reagan on the Challenger DisasterAudio Clip (0:43)
Audio Clip (0:43)
On January 28, 1986, instead of delivering his scheduled State of the Union Address, President Ronald Reagan speaks to the American people about the space shuttle disaster that killed seven astronauts.
Related Videos (10)
-
John Glenn Orbits the Earth
John Glenn Orbits the EarthVideo Clip (2:37)
Video Clip (2:37)
Footage of John Glenn's historic orbit around the Earth on Friendship 7.
-
The Stars & Stripes on the Moon
The Stars & Stripes on the MoonVideo Clip (0:43)
Video Clip (0:43)
Compare existing footage to newly restored video of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin's July 20, 1969 flag raising on the surface of the moon. From NASA.
-
Ask Steve: The Space Program
Ask Steve: The Space ProgramVideo Clip (1:34)
Video Clip (1:34)
In this video clip from Ask Steve, the reason for Americans interest in the Space Program was explored. It is explained that competition, and the technological wonder of the space race were some of the reasons for the Americans interest.
-
One Small Step...
One Small Step...Video Clip (0:56)
Video Clip (0:56)
Compare existing footage with newly restored video of Neil Armstrong's historic first steps off of the lunar module and onto the surface of the moon. From NASA.
-
The Apollo 11 Plaque
The Apollo 11 PlaqueVideo Clip (0:44)
Video Clip (0:44)
See existing footage alongside newly restored video of Neil Armstrong reading the commemorative plaque affixed to the lunar module. From NASA.
-
The Universe: Our Place in the Milky Way
The Universe: Our Place in the Milky WayVideo Clip (44:16)
Video Clip (44:16)
Our corner of the universe is an ideal place to live, but how much do we really know about our galactic neighborhood? Meet some friends and foes on a tour of our place in the Milky Way.
-
The Space Race
The Space RaceVideo Clip (2:58)
Video Clip (2:58)
The U.S. competition with the U.S.S.R. for technological dominance spurred the U.S. on to the first-ever landing on the Moon.
-
Buzz Aldrin on Walking on the Moon
Buzz Aldrin on Walking on the MoonVideo Clip (1:01)
Video Clip (1:01)
In this Tech Effect video, brought to you by the History Channel, Buzz Aldrin talks about how walking on the moon was a surreal experience. To him, it felt fictitious, yet very real. It felt like an alien environment.
-
Difficulty of Landing on the Moon
Difficulty of Landing on the MoonVideo Clip (2:24)
Video Clip (2:24)
In this video clip from Tech Effect, Buzz Aldrin explains the difficulties they had landing on the lunar surface. After being distracted by computer alarms on board, the landing area appeared close to a crater and boulder field.
-
Aldrin Describes Lunar Landing Module
Aldrin Describes Lunar Landing ModuleVideo Clip (1:47)
Video Clip (1:47)
In this Tech Effect video, brought to you by the History Channel, Buzz Aldrin talks about the Apollo lunar module and how he and Neil Armstrong used it. Aldrin talks about how they had trouble communicating with Earth as they were experimenting.
Related Photo Galleries (1)
-
Space Race
Space Race(13 Photos)
13 Photos
Most Popular Videos on History.com
-
American Flag: Deconstructed
(2:07)
-
Coroner's Report: Cleopatra
(2:34)
-
The Best and Worst Gadgets
(2:19)
Newest Videos on History.com
-
Vietnam in HD Preview
(2:00)
-
Two For the Road
(1:48)
-
HISTORY says Thanks
(2:47)
Shop HISTORY
-
The Universe Season 1 DVD Set
Immerse yourself in this spectacular exploration of Space!
$44.95
Buy Now -
Shop The Universe
Find DVDs, T-Shirts, Telescopes & More!
-
Email Updates
Keep up with the latest History shows, online features, special offers and more.
Sign up
