Space Race Webquest

Task

In completing this webquest, you will have a better understanding about what the space race was and how it effected the Cold War.

In pairs, you have to create a portfolio about your quest:

-->  Answer all of the questions by clicking the various links or watching the videos.
-->  Be sure to use complete sentences and provide supporting details when possible.

I Background

Read the following questions, watch the video by following the link below, and then answer the questions using complete sentences.

1. Early in the race for space, what country was leading the way in terms success in space travel? Why?

2. What are the examples given for Russian "firsts" in space?

3. What is Kennedy's ultimate goal for space travel for the decade of the 1960's?

Video HERE : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3ZOux7QVfU

 

II Soviet Space Program

A. Sputnik I

Follow this link : https://history.nasa.gov/sputnik/. 

4. What was Sputnik1? How much did it weigh?

5. What did the U.S. fear as result of the Sputnik launch?

B. Sputnik 2.

Follow this link : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pz63twfoW3c
And this other link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laika

6. Who was the first creature to be in space?

7. Did it safely return?

8. What fact was not released about the trip until the 21st century?

III US Space Program

A. US reponse 

Follow the link: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/explorer-1-the-beginning-of-american-space-science.

9. How did the United States respond in relation to Sputnik?

10. What did Explorer 1 discover?

11. What program was created to oversee space exploration efforts?

B. Kennedy's speech

Watch the video above :
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0IG7WFYWpmwZUJHXzA2b3BHSzQ/view 

12. Reflect on the video above. What emotions does is evoke? What do you think Kennedy's goal was in making this speech and do you think he was successful? (minimum - 4 sentences

 

C. Apollo Missions

Follow this link: NASA: Apollo Missions

13. What years did the Apollo missions take place?

14. What sparked this program?

15. Were all of the missions successful? If not, what happened?

IV Disasters

Follow this link: Space Race Related Accidents

16. Review the above Wikipedia page. Using full sentences, summarize the events of at least two different disasters related to space travel.

17. Notice in the Percentage of fatal spaceflights that the percentage of American fatalities from space travel and training are much higher than that of the Soviets. Why is this the case?

 

V Resolution

Follow this link: Apollo-Soyuz Project

Focus on the Apoll-Soyuz Test Mission

18. Read through the mission highlights and explain what the purpose was. Be sure to read through the details provided in the Mission Narrative.

19. How does this project symbolize the end of the Space Race? (Your own thoughts, this topic is not mentioned on the webpage)