During the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union, constrained by fears of nuclear holocaust, turned a dangerous confrontation into a unique competition for the sky - a staged race that culminated in landing a man on the moon. On July 20, 1969, the Americans were the first to reach the finish line. But how many remember that at the start it was the Soviet Union that unexpectedly took the lead and, bringing the whole world into excitement and awe, held the lead almost until the end of the race? Starting with the innovative ideas of Konstantin Eduardovich Tsiolkovsky, who substantiated the possibility of space flight, Massimo Capaccioli talks in a lively and exciting manner about all stages of the space race, paying special attention to the role of the USSR. The mysterious “chief designer” Sergei Pavlovich Korolev, the first artificial Earth satellite, the dog Laika, brave cosmonauts Yuri Gagarin, Valentina Tereshkova, Alexei Leonov - all of them became symbols and real champions of an unprecedented competition. This story is not only about huge machines and complex mechanisms, this story is about aspirations and ambitions, dedication and patriotism, meanness and jealousy, about successes, mistakes and the whims of fate. The publishing layout is saved in PDF A4 format.