NASALuna 2Historic Headlines
Learn about key events in history and their connections to today.
On Sept. 14, 1959, the Luna 2 space probe crashed onto the surface of the moon. Though Luna 2 was shattered on impact, the mission was a major success, as it represented an important first in the history of space exploration.
An article in the Sept. 14 New York Times reported that the Soviet announcement of the event “said the container had made history’s first flight from the earth to another cosmic body. The moon strike was an outstanding achievement of Soviet science and engineering and had opened a new page in space research.”
The Soviets were also quick to note that they — not the Americans — were the first to reach the moon. As The New York Times reported, “The Soviet press and proclamations issued both at home and for abroad were quick to restate the claim of superiority for Soviet science and by extension the superiority of the Communist system that has supported it.”
The Soviets continued to enjoy an advantage in the Space Race for the next few years. In 1961, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first man to enter orbit. The United States space program, NASA, eventually surpassed its Soviet counterpart when it put the first man on the moon in 1969.
Connect to Today:
In July 2011, NASA ended its 30-year Space Shuttle program and with it, terminated any plans for space travel in the near future. NASA has hopes of launching missions toward Mars in the distant future, but it does not currently have the financing to undertake this project.
Readers of The New York Times debated the future of NASA in a Sunday Dialogue feature published shortly after the final Space Shuttle mission. Some, including an aerospace engineer, favored ambitious plans to reach Mars. Others stated that space exploration was too costly and instead called for Congress to spend money on domestic programs.
How do you think the United States should approach space exploration in the 21st century? Do you think it should continue to try to be a global leader in deep space travel, or should it focus on smaller, more cost-efficient missions? Why?
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