The Soviets made early advances in space technology including the first intercontinental ballistic missile in August 1957, the first artificial satellite in October 1957, and the first animal in space, the dog Laika, in November 1957. The United States also made early contributions such as the first space research flight in May 1946 and first pictures of Earth from space in October 1946, but was initially behind the Soviets in areas like manned spaceflight. By the time of the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969, the US had closed the gap with the USSR in many space technology achievements.

1. Space Technology from the space race By: chase Boswell