Skip to content
TrackPodcasts
historyFeb 2, 202340:50pending

The First American in Space

About this episode

In Spring 1961, the Space Race between the US and Soviet Union was well underway. Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first person in Space in April and the Americans knew his achievement had to be matched. Alan Shepard was chosen as the man for the job. Jay Gallentine tells Don how we went from satellites, to dogs, then humans in space; as the competition outside Earth's atmosphere intensified between the US and the USSR.


Produced and mixed by Benjie Guy. Senior Producer: Charlotte Long.


For more History Hit content, subscribe to our newsletters here.

If you'd like to learn even more, we have hundreds of history documentaries, ad-free podcasts, and audiobooks at History Hit - subscribe today!







Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get every episode summarized

Each time American History Hit publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.

Email me new episodes

Free for 3 shows. No card needed.

Hosts & guests

No transcript yet

This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.

The First American in Space

American History Hit

0:00
40:50

More episodes

More from American History Hit

View all episodes →