The document summarizes key events in the space race between the United States and Soviet Union, including the USSR launching Sputnik 1 and Sputnik 2 with Laika aboard in 1957. It discusses Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin becoming the first person in space in 1961 and American Alan Shepard following shortly after. Key American missions including Apollo 7, 9, and 10 are outlined, culminating in the US landing on the moon first with Apollo 11 in 1969. The document also briefly discusses early unmanned missions to Mars and Saturn's moon Titan.