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 (10)
-
USSR Lands First Lunar Spacecraft
USSR Lands First Lunar SpacecraftAudio Clip (0:19)
Audio Clip (0:19)
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.
-
Apollo 1 Tragedy
Apollo 1 TragedyAudio Clip (0:41)
Audio Clip (0:41)
At a press conference the day after the January 27, 1967, Apollo 1 accident, a NASA spokesperson explains the cause of the flash fire that broke out inside the cabin of the spacecraft during a launch pad test. The vehicle was being prepared for the first piloted space flight. The tragedy ended in the deaths of all three astronauts on board: Lt. Col. Virgil I. Grissom, Lt. Col. Edward H. White and Roger B. Chaffee.
-
Monkeys Travel to Space
Monkeys Travel to SpaceAudio Clip (2:00)
Audio Clip (2:00)
On May 28, 1959, in an experiment that would lead the way to manned space flight, the United States launched two monkeys to an altitude of 300 miles. A Voice of America news report details the travels of the two primates who survived the space flight and were the first in history to return safely to Earth.
-
Voyager Spacecraft 30 Years Later
Voyager Spacecraft 30 Years LaterAudio Clip (1:12)
Audio Clip (1:12)
As the twin Voyager spacecraft prepare to embark on an extended mission to explore interstellar space in 2006, project scientist Ed Stone of California Institute of Technology recaps the major discoveries the Voyagers have made since their launch in 1977.
-
Viking 1 Lands on Mars
Viking 1 Lands on MarsAudio Clip (0:20)
Audio Clip (0:20)
On July 20, 1976, NASA's Viking 1 becomes the first spacecraft to send back detailed pictures from the surface of Mars. A NASA control room recording captures the excitement of the moment.
-
Cause of Challenger Disaster Revealed
Cause of Challenger Disaster RevealedAudio Clip (0:44)
Audio Clip (0:44)
William P. Rogers, head of the special commission appointed by President Ronald Reagan to investigate the January 28, 1986, explosion of the space shuttle Challenger, reports his findings at a press conference on June 9, 1986.
-
First American Woman in Space
First American Woman in SpaceAudio Clip (0:50)
Audio Clip (0:50)
Sally Ride becomes the first American woman in space when the shuttle Challenger takes off on June 18, 1983. The historical moment is noted in communication just after liftoff.
-
First Space Shuttle Launched
First Space Shuttle LaunchedAudio Clip (3:00)
Audio Clip (3:00)
On April 12, 1981, NASA launched the world's first reusable manned spacecraft. In the minutes before takeoff, Kennedy Space Center launch control communicates with astronauts John Young and Robert Crippen as they prepare to take Columbia on its first test flight into space and back.
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.
-
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: 10 Ways to Destroy the Earth
The Universe: 10 Ways to Destroy the EarthVideo Clip (45:12)
Video Clip (45:12)
Scientists examine ten different ways the earth could be destroyed by the dangerous physics of the universe.
-
The Universe: Extreme Energy
The Universe: Extreme EnergyVideo Clip (45:13)
Video Clip (45:13)
Electrical, thermal, kinetic and magnetic are just a few forms of energy that keep our universe in perfect equilibrium.
-
The Universe: Mercury and Venus - The Inner Planets
The Universe: Mercury and Venus - The Inner PlanetsVideo Clip (44:20)
Video Clip (44:20)
Scorched by their proximity to the sun, Mercury and Venus are hostile worlds, prime examples of planets gone awry. Do they serve as a warning for ominous scenarios that might someday threaten Earth?
-
The Universe: The Search for Cosmic Clusters
The Universe: The Search for Cosmic ClustersVideo Clip (45:13)
Video Clip (45:13)
Find out why clusters of stars and galaxies are uniquely important in the quest to understand the universe.
-
The Universe: Space Wars
The Universe: Space WarsVideo Clip (45:12)
Video Clip (45:12)
Find out how future space-based weapons will work and how much damage they could do.
-
The Universe: Pulsars and Quasars
The Universe: Pulsars and QuasarsVideo Clip (45:13)
Video Clip (45:13)
Explore two very different cosmic phenomena which are so strange, their existences seem almost impossible.
Related Photo Galleries (1)
-
Space Race
Space Race(13 Photos)
13 Photos
Most Popular Videos on History.com
-
Attack on Pearl Harbor
(1:49)
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!
$31.99
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






