We have assembled a remarkable collection that chronicles the turbulent and astounding period  of space exploration history known as the "Space Race". Replete with the original space-traveled Soviet Vostok 3KA-2 capsule, our Exploration of Space Collection also includes a training space suit worn by Shannon Lucid, formerly secret space race documents and photographs, the spectacular Apollo-Soyuz Cooperation in Space Document signed in space, and a Vostok-6 voice box, which recorded the voice of first woman in space. The following pages offer complete information about this world class collection, which is available for lease, exhibit or purchase.

Historical Background
The Space Race unofficially began in October 1942 when Germany launched its first successful V-2. After the German surrender, the Soviet Union and the United States Space Race was on.

The U.S. and Soviet Union had disparate philosophies concerning the future of technology. While the U.S. continued to develop and perfect the flying fortress, the Soviet Union shifted its attention to rocket science. All was quiet for approximately twelve years as each country followed its own plans; that is, until 1957.

On October 4, the Soviet Union successfully launched Sputnik- an innocuous 183-pound sphere carrying a radio transmitter- into space. Sputnik changed everything -- catalyzing the space race to the moon. 

P. 1: Space Collection Introduction
P. 2: Space Collection Featured Item
P. 3: Space Collection Collection Highlights
P. 4: Space Collection Inventory