The Space Race was a period of intense competition between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War, primarily focused on achieving significant milestones in space exploration. It began in the late 1950s and was marked by key events such as the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957, the first artificial satellite, and the Apollo 11 mission in 1969, which successfully landed humans on the Moon. This rivalry not only showcased technological advancements but also reflected the ideological struggle between capitalism and communism. The Space Race led to numerous scientific breakthroughs and laid the groundwork for future space exploration efforts, including the establishment of international cooperation in space missions.