If we are to be honest, during the "space race" from the late-1950s until the time American astronauts were to have walked on the moon, Russia was utterly devastating America. This was probably both due to the fact that Russians were highly educated and the fact that, with Russia's strict Communist leadership at the time, failure was not an option. And Russia's society encouraged intelligence, whereas America's society has beenencouraging a host of things--such as artying and irresponsibility--none of which promoted intelligence.
In 1957, America was astonished, as was the rest of the world, when it was discovered that a Russian satellite, Sputnik, had gone into outer space. People were absolutely amazed that such a device made it into outer space. Not only was the scientific community of America in awe, but so too was the American military, who were greatly concerned about Russia having the ability to put such a device in outer space.
Later that year, Russia again made a first, when a small dog, Laika (which means "barker"), was launched into outer space. This again sent shockwaves throughout the world. Americans heard about this and were astonished that a dog went into outer space. This dog was actually put into orbit, and unfortunately died 6 hours later while in space, not being able to withstand the rigors involved.
Meanwhile, in 1957, while America stood shocked at Russia's progress, America attempted to launch its own satellite into outer space. This was meant to show the Russians that America too was a contender in the space race. A satellite was to accompany the rocket, which had been tested for stress. America felt everything was prepared. But the rocket blew up at the launch pad, never leaving the ground. It was an international embarrassment.
In 1959, trying to copy what Russia had done two years prior, America was finally getting an animal into outer space. A couple of monkeys went up only 300 miles for just 15 minutes total. This, of course, was a far cry from the orbit in which the Russian dog was put two years previous. However, the monkeys did return alive.
While America was sending rockets up for 15 minutes in 1959, Russia was again making shockwaves when its satellite Luna-1 flew by the moon. Later in 1959, the Russian satellite Luna-2 reached the moon's surface and left national symbols of the then-USSR. Again in 1959, the satellite Luna-3 made another first for Russia, when it took pictures of the far side of the moon, transmitting these pictures back to Russia.
Russia also had the first space probe to circle the earth.
Pravda.ru forum. The place where truth hurts
Los Angeles Auto Show
Forum
STATISTICS
Source: 
