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For an outline of the
gallery, please view the Table of Contents
or make a selection from the clickable gallery
map.
The Military Origins
of the Space Race are reflected in the rivalry to build rockets
powerful enough to send nuclear warheads across the ocean, loft
satellites into Earth orbit, or carry humans to the Moon.
The spectacular public
feats by the men and machines of two countries Racing to the Moon
and Exploring the Moon thrilled the entire world with the enduring
"firsts" of space exploration.
The Space Race was played
out partly in secret, and in deadly earnest. Secret Eyes in Space
spied on rival territory, pinpointing potential targets and also
warning of possible attack.
After Americans landed
on the Moon, the attention of both rivals turned toward establishing
A Permanent Presence in Space for continued scientific discovery
and human achievements.
The
Soviet Challenge In Space: Illustrating The Threat
A number of declassified paintings from the Defense Intelligence Agency
(DIA) are on display in the Space Race exhibition space. You can now
view this special temporary exhibition online.
SOVIET SPACE HISTORY
Information and
objects from the Soviet space program have only recently become
available in the West. After years of secrecy and speculation, Russia's
space history is being told.
This exhibition
includes a variety of Soviet space artifacts purchased by American
collectors. These treasures show how the Soviets participated in
the Space Race and allow us to compare Soviet with American approaches
to the technical and political challenges of spaceflight.
THE PEROT FOUNDATION
LOAN
Most of the Soviet
space objects displayed here were purchased by The Perot Foundation
of Dallas, Texas. Before purchase, some of these items had suffered
from years of neglect and deterioration; others were in danger of
being lost or destroyed. The Perot Foundation intends to hold these
artifacts in trust for eventual return to the Russian people. Meanwhile
they have been placed on loan to the Smithsonian Institution.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The National Air and
Space Museum acknowledges with great appreciation.
The Perot Foundation
for the loan of Soviet space artifacts and related exhibitry as
well as generous support for the renovation of Space Hall.
A generous gift from
the Ruth and Julius Wile Foundation in support of the Space
Race.
The U.S. Department
of Defense Legacy Program for funding research related to
this exhibition.
Energia Rocket and
Space Corporation (RSC Energia) for images of Soviet and Russian
launch vehicles, spacecraft, and space pioneers.
The National Aeronautics
and Space Administration (NASA) for artifacts and images from
the U.S. exploration of space.
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