The earliest days of space exploration (1950 – 1970) were characterized by a spirited competition between the Soviet Union and the United States. This class will explore the “space race” between the two countries. We will discuss the who, what, when, where, why and how of both the Soviet and American space programs. The class will feature a little history, a little science, a little math, a little politics, interesting people and events and a few surprises. We will discuss the origins of the competition and the Soviets’ early lead in rocketry and spacecraft including Sputnik and the first man in space. We will then consider President Kennedy’s decision to go to the Moon and American efforts to pull even through project Gemini. We will discuss the Apollo program and the tragedies that befell both countries’ space programs. We will give details of the first Moon missions and the eventual American triumph. Finally, we will look at the immediate aftermath of the race for both countries and why we have not returned to the Moon in the last half century.