"Earth is the cradle of mankind, but man cannot live in the cradle forever."(Torres pg. 1) This theory was that of Konstantin Tsiolkovsky. Tsiolkovsky was a deaf 41year old arithmetic teacher in Russia when he calculated how man would be able to enter space. This spark was the beginning of the space age. He broke the mold by having the ambition to explore past our atmosphere. Tsiolkovsky imagined what it would be like to travel in space and scribbled in his notebook every idea he had about space. He had hopes of using a centrifugal force machine to propel himself out of the atmosphere. Latter he decided that the way to go was with a rocket he called a "Reaction Machine." (Walter pg. 5-7) In 1903 he published his works in a Russian paper named "Science

John Glenn's first mission was taken when the space program was still in its infancy. John Glenn was the first American to orbit the earth. After his first mission Glenn left the space program. A year later he retired from the Marines. Soon after, Glenn went into business. He became president of Royal Crown International and achieved a political status. Then in November of 1974 John Glenn won a landslide victory and became a senator for his home state Ohio. (Newcott National Geographic)

Neil Armstrong was one of many astronauts born in the state of Ohio. After graduation from high school, Armstrong attended Prudue University where he acquired a degree in aeronautical engineering. Latter Armstrong completed his Masters of Science degree at the University of Southern California. Armstrong gained aviation skills when he became an aviator in the United States Navy. He later used his aeronautical degree after his service to land jobs with NASA and NACA doing test research.

Apollo 11 was the United States' chariot for claiming the moon. Neil Armstrong received his most fame from this mission. The words "the Eagle has landed" (Collins pg. 8) solidified NASA as the leading space program. The Apollo mission was the first time that NASA had used a lunar module. The lunar module delicately placed the Apollo 11 crew of three on the surface of the moon. From the lunar module emerged Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. After placing their footsteps on the moon they unveiled a plaque that commiserated there accomplishments.

Gagarin waited in the Vostok capsule for an hour before the mission was ready for launch. "Switch to 'go' position" roared across the intercom. Soon the arm carrying the power cable swung away. "Ignition...lift-off!" the launch was a success, sending Gagarin to be the first man in space. Little to his knowledge, Gagarin would be known around the world by the time he came back to earth. (Bond pg. 15)

Now that someone had come up with the calculations, it was only a matter of time until a brave soul would strap himself to the front of rocket and pierce the atmosphere. Russia was the first with the information so it wasn't a surprise that the first man in space was a cosmonaut. The taxing, yet fulfilling job, was given to a young test pilot named Yuri Gagarin. Even being a member of the Soviet empire, young Gagarin managed to affect the United States and the NASA space program.

John Glenn is quoted saying "Nothing is one hundred percent risk free...nothing. But the gain to be made is worth that risk." John Glenn's words best summarize the personality of every one of the individuals that were talked about. Each pushing the risk factor to a maximum, only to yield triumphant gains. All of them clearing the path for future generations to come. From Goddard to Glenn, each person uniquely made a profound impact on space and the American space program.

Landing on the moon put the U.S. ahead of Russia in the space race. Now that the United States conquered the moon it was time to move on to bigger and better things like the quest for Mars, studies in space, and the arrival of different types of individuals to space. Individuals like Sally Ride, the first American women in space, and the return of John Glenn.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Sally Ride, Kamanin Chief, Neil Armstrong, Yuri Gagarin, John Glenn, Tsiolkovsky Goddard, Tsiolkovsky Tsiolkovsky, Ultimate MigrationWalter, Program NASA, Race Harmlessly, space program, sally ride, john glenn, neil armstrong, nasa space, nasa space program, walter pg, bond pg, space shuttle, space race, clark university, apollo 11 crew, leading space program, walter pg 5-7, pg 14 gagarin,
Approximate Word count = 2489
Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page double spaced)