Topic > Apollo 11 and the Space Race United States and the Soviet Union. Both countries have placed great importance on their efforts to create stronger national security and foreign relations, transforming space into a new area of ​​active competition for political and military advantages (Dunbar, Brian). Only in the late 1980s, with good political relations underway, did momentum for major space advances begin to develop. As the Soviet Union neared collapse, the push for arms races and competition in space was at its peak, allowing both countries to seriously pursue strategic partnerships in space. “During this historical period of political rollercoaster, both countries expanded areas of cooperation, including space, as a symbol of warmer relations, while halting cooperation when ties worsened.” - Dunbar, Brian. In subsequent years, relations between the United States and the Soviet Union were marked by periods of mistrust and hostility. This made Apollo 11 more important to the image of the United States as it continued the ongoing fight with the Soviet Union. This historic battle between world powers for space supremacy will lead to the most significant space mission that will revolutionize space and technology. Now, with the world as a stage, the space race begins. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The space age gets off to a great start for the Soviets when Sputnik or also known as Sputnik 1 was launched into space, orbiting the world's atmosphere. This sent shockwaves across America with the thought of the US falling behind being all the talk. With the Cold War upon us, plans were underway to create the first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). This would help create the first spacecraft capable of reaching the vicinity of the Moon and a scientific rocket used to collect data in space. The Soviet Union was miles away from the United States and was expected to end up becoming more superior in space, but this would only light a fire in newly elected President John F. Kennedy. On September 12, 1962, John F. Kennedy gave a speech in Houston, Texas, with the intent of persuading the American people to support the Apollo program, in his famous speech “we choose to go to the Moon in this decade not because it is easy, but because they are difficult." On December 21, 1969, the Apollo 11 crew landed on the Moon, astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to walk on another planet during the Apollo 11 mission.Apollo 11: revolutionary turning pointTwenty years after the Apollo mission 11 on lunar technology was still reaping the benefits. A new way of harvesting electricity both in space and on earth promising clean and reusable energy." Solar panels collect electricity by absorbing light as it hits the surface and transferring it to a semiconductor. These solar panels are used on calculators, street lights, homes and the International Space Station.” The Apollo project also marked a major medical breakthrough on Earth. NASA technology has been used to make a heart monitoring device that can alert you to symptoms of a heart attack and other heart problems. “The pulse generator is, in effect, a miniaturized version of the defibrillator