During the 1960s, the United States and the Soviet Union were competing to express their power in the Cold War. The Soviet’s already gained a commanding lead on the American by sending two satellites into orbit in 1957 and 1961. ​​​​​​​(Learn more by visiting the "Space Race" page.)

      As a result, President John F. Kennedy addressed that, "before this decade is out, [we will] land a man on the moon and returning him safely to the Earth.” Within less than a decade, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) presented the United States with the most technological, lunar mission which gave hope to the United States that they would win the Cold War. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

      With  Apollo 11’s successful landing on the moon and the return of astronauts, the United States could proudly announce the victory of the Cold War. The Soviet Union expressed, “it was the event that proved that the United States could hold their own in the fight for outer space” (“The Cold War Museum”) 

“The flight of Apollo 11 met with an ecstatic reaction around the globe, as everyone shared in the success of the astronauts” (Smithsonian).

    Apollo 11 was the foundation for all future space exploration by obtaining the first rock samples from another celestial body. The moment the astronauts landed in the Pacific Ocean, scientists immediately conducted research with the new rock samples. The moon rock was the first high-titanium basalt lava composition. These rocks can help scientists understand the true age of the solar system.

To the right are a small portion of the 22 kilogrmas of rock the austronaust brought back from Apollo 11. Scientists have discovered that the rocks are mainly composed of a basalt structure. 

["Qureshi, Afiya."]