K'Nex Missions In Space 15118, Manual

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he Space Race ended
in 1975 when Apollo 18
from the US docked with
Russia’s Soyuz 19 in
orbit. This was the first
time spacecraft from two
countries connected.
Today, countries help each
other with space projects.
This cooperation has
made the hard work of
space exploration easier.
Now space programs
around the world share
research, machines,
spacecraft and ideas.
In 1983 the European
Space Agency built
Spacelab, which was
carried into orbit by a
US Space Shuttle. And
in 1995 the US Space
Shuttle Atlantis docked
with the Russian Mir
Space Station. This made
the largest spacecraft
ever to orbit around the
Earth.
ountries used to work alone on space
projects. Each one wanted to be the
first to do something new. That’s why this
time in history is
often referred to as
“The Space Race.”
The Russians were
the first to launch a
satellite, an animal,
a man and a woman
into space. They also
made the first space
walk.
The United States had its firsts, too.
The Mercury and Gemini programs led to the
first docking of spacecraft in orbit. And
America won the space race by landing the
first man on the moon during the Apollo
missions. Another US first was the Lunar
Roving Vehicle or LRV. The LRV was a
battery-powered car that helped the
astronauts drive around on the moon.
C
T
Apollo 18 from the US docking
with Russia’s Soyuz 19
Moon Walk
Technicians in
shuttle cockpit
The Space Race
1950 to 1975
Working Together in Space
1975 to Today