On October 4, 1957 the Soviet Union launched the first artificial satellite and caught America and the whole world off guard. This was the Soviet's first push in the historical "Space Race." There was great fear surrounding this launch; a certain question was on everyone's minds, could the Soviets send Nuclear weapons with ballistic missiles from Europe to the U.S.? Even before the U.S. could respond the Soviets launched Sputnik II carrying an increased payload and the first dog in space named Laika, it seemed the U.S. space program would never catch up. In order for the U.S. to win the Space Race they would have to succeed in putting a man in earth orbit, but it was on April 12, 1961 just four years after sputnik was launched, Soviet Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin went into earth orbit edging out the United States' chance to put the firs

James E. Webb took all responsibility for the tragic accident, but it was the hatch that had a design flaw that made it impossible for escape, " We've always known something like this was going to happen sooner or later, Who would have thought the first tragedy would be on the ground?" (Smith 7). Later Webb would decide to retire in October 1969.

The pressure was on the NASA, but all eyes were on James E. Webb, NASA Administrator, who was not even certain the U.S. could beat the Soviets to the moon. Chief Scientist Hugh Dryden calculated cost to the Federal budget to put a man on the moon would be a staggering $40 billion (the entire federal budget then was $ 98 billion.) Kennedy's child-like interest in the space project led the U.S. on a great adventure through space.

The three astronauts were finally "go" for the moon. The first chore was to turn the command module around and dock with the lunar module, "as Collins brought the two vehicles together, he noticed the lunar module's flimsy aluminum skin was so thin it rippled to the bursts of gas from the command module's control jets like a breeze across long grass."(Smith 11). After a while the three astronaut were ready to get out of their pressure suits. On the forth day in space Apollo 11 arrived on the moon. " Armstrong reported, " The view of the moon that we've be having recently is really spectacular." (Smith 15). The three astronauts went to sleep knowing that their goal was just below them. With little sleep the astronauts had breakfast and prepared for lunar entry. Every thing had to be perfect all buttons and dials were checked to see if they were in their proper place. Buzz and Neil climbed in the delicate lunar module and strapped in for their decent to the lunar surface. Collins knew there was a fifty- percent chance he could be alone if the lunar module failed. It took twelve minutes to reach the lunar surface. Touchdown was reported to the astronauts cause they could not see the surface of the moon. "We copy you down, Eagle." (Smith 18). "Houston, tranquillity base here. The Eagle has landed." (Smith 18).

"The countdown had begun. The 75,000 people that came to see the launch were in suspense. At 9:30 am. the five F1 engine burst to life. Below the rocket 28,000 gallons of cold water per minute rushed to cool the launch pad. The cool water generated large amounts of steam in the air, ice formed on the outside of the rocket from the super-cold fuel that was stored within. A great thundering rumble started shaking the very earth the rocket was about to escape. Flames rushed out filling the air with an intense brightness that was watch. The ice that built up on the outside of the rocket started flaking off only to melt in the intense flame that was below. Four giant clamps gripped the mighty rocket as the engines built up to their full trust of 7.5 million pounds. Maximum trust built up to the equivalent of 180 million horsepower, and the power of 32 jumbo jets. At 9:32 lift off was achieved. The rocket cleared the tower safely and was

Some common words found in the essay are:
Paul Donnelly, James Webb, Joe Schmitt, Mike Collins, Eagle Smith, Space Race, Buzz Neil, Space Administration, Deke Slayton, Hugh Dryden, earth orbit, apollo 11, saturn rocket, lunar module, command module, james webb, lunar surface, faster speed sound, space race, space apollo, commander neil armstrong, huge saturn, pilot buzz aldrin, lunar pilot buzz,
Approximate Word count = 2063
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)