The first step to the Moon was simply leaving the Earth. With the Mercury Program and the selection of the Original 7 astronauts, the U.S. was poised to take the lead in the race for space. The Soviets, however, had other plans. On April 12, 1961, less than four weeks before the scheduled first U.S. flight, Yuri Gagarin became the first human to leave the planet, orbiting the Earth in Vostok I. The Soviets made it clear they would not take second to anyone.

The disappointment of losing another space “first” put added pressure on America’s space efforts. But on May 5, 1961, the U.S. began its quest to fulfilling Kennedy’s dream when Alan Shepard became the first American into space. Although only a 15-minute, sub-orbital flight, the Mercury program took flight, and carried the dreams of a nation skyward.

Over the next two years, the Soviet Vostok and American Mercury programs continued their battle above the Earth, launching a total of 12 spacecraft and opening the road to the Moon.

His V2 rocket killed thousands of people by the end of the war, but his passion for spaceflight sent American astronauts to the Moon in less than 25 years.