Who was the first US president to authorize a space mission?

On January 5, 1972, Nixon authorized the development of NASA's space shuttle program, a decision that profoundly affected American efforts to explore and develop space for decades thereafter. During the Nixon administration, however, NASA's budget decreased. NASA Administrator Thomas O.

Who was the president of the Soviet Union during the space race?

Nikita Khrushchev
In 1953, longtime Soviet leader Joseph Stalin died and Nikita Khrushchev came to power. Khrushchev emphasized rocket development as one of his policies to show superiority over the United States in space travel, Zak said.

Can a country own space?

The Outer Space Treaty There is no claim to sovereignty in space; no nation can "own" space, the Moon, or any other body. Nations are responsible for damage caused by their space objects and must avoid contaminating space and celestial bodies.

Does NASA report to the president?

The agency's head, NASA's administrator, is appointed by the President of the United States subject to approval by the United States Senate and reports to him or her and serves as the senior space science advisor.

Who was the first human to die during a space mission?

Yuri Gagarin
Gagarin died five weeks later when the MiG-15 trainer he was flying with flight instructor Vladimir Seryogin crashed near the town of Kirzhach…

Who was the US president during the Soviet space program?

President Dwight D. Eisenhower pursued early American-Soviet cooperation initiatives in space through a series of letters he sent in 1957 and 1958 to the Soviet leadership, first to Prime Minister Nikolai Bulganin and then to Premier Nikita Khrushchev. Eisenhower proposed creating a process to secure space for peaceful use.

Who was president when NASA was created?

Opening of NASA: July 29, 1958 – Concerned about the speed and success of the Soviet space program, President Dwight Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act, creating both a committee and an agency focused on American space exploration and dominance.

What was the first Soviet space mission to be televised?

ASTP was the first Soviet space mission to be televised live during launch, in space and during landing.

Who was responsible for the US space program?

The Soviet triumph shook the American people and triggered a strong response in the federal government to ensure that the United States did not fall behind its communist rival. A new space program, Project Mercury, was initiated two years later, during the administration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.