Beginning with Sputnik in 1957 and ending with Neil Armstrong in 1969, the United States and the Soviet Union engaged in a Space Race, with each side seeking to demonstrate its superiority through impressive feats in rocketry and spaceflight. Now, 55 years after Apollo 11, a new Space Race is emerging as China, Japan, and other ambitious nations have joined the competitive field in space exploration.
NASA Solar System Ambassador Scott Pellican will look at where a number of countries stand with their space programs. In addition, the militarization of space, the Outer Space Treaty, and private space exploration will be discussed.