After more than a decade of experiments, Nazi Germany launched its first successful V-2 rocket in October 1942. The Vengeance Weapon 2 was constructed to catapult warheads to long-range targets. Capable of delivering one ton of explosives more than 150 miles in just five minutes, the V-2 proved its worth as an effective weapon of terror. Nearly 3,000 V-2s were launched against England, France and Belgium during World War II.

At the close of the war, captured V-2s became the building blocks for the development of rocketry in both the United States and the Soviet Union. Intelligence units scrambled to uncover supplies, information and personnel associated with German rocket technology.

While postwar U.S. leaders still believed bombers were better suited to their needs, the Soviets continued to develop rockets and ballistic missiles. With the launch of Sputnik in 1957, Americans began to fear they were lagging behind Soviet scientists in technology. Both sides realized the same rocket that could deliver a warhead could also send a man into orbit -- and the space race was on.

Wernher von Braun, technical director of Germany's long-range missile program, surrendered to the U.S. Army and revealed the capabilities of the German rockets. Concentration camp workers, forced by the Nazis to help produce the V-2s, were questioned by the Allies and asked to aid in identifying the necessary parts for its construction.

Captured missiles were taken to the White Sands Proving Ground in New Mexico, where von Braun oversaw their reassembly and testing. The first V-2s fired were German-built. Two months later, the U.S. tested its first American-made copy.

The Soviet V-2 was patterned after German designs, much like this American V-2 being launched from White Sands

1947 -- First V-2 Launch

The German V-2 was the basis for the Soviet Union's missile program. A year after launching a missile built from German parts in 1947, the Soviet Union launched its own Russian-built model of the V-2 called the R-1. The Soviets continued to gradually build larger missiles capable of flying longer distances. The R-5, the last missile based on the V-2, had a range of 750 miles.

1949-57 -- Viking Rocket Launches

The U.S. Navy built and launched 14 Viking rockets designed to study the region of the upper atmosphere that affects long-range radio communications. This "sounding rocket" design improved upon the V-2 in control and propulsion. The Viking was also tested as a potential ballistic missile.

August 1957 -- First Soviet ICBM

The successful testing of the world's first intercontinental ballistic missile proved that the Soviets could target the United States with a nuclear warhead or catapult a spacecraft high enough to orbit the Earth. Two months later, the R-7 hurled Sputnik into space.

A 3-D model of Sputnik.

October 1957 -- Sputnik

The world's first artificial satellite was launched, demonstrating the technical abilities of the Soviet Union. This shiny basketball-sized sphere took Americans by surprise. Fearing attack from afar and distraught over being beaten by its Cold War rival, the United States jumped headfirst into the space race.

Soviets sent dogs into space while testing rocket technology.

November 1957 -- Sputnik 2

Laika the dog was aboard this second, larger Sputnik -- demonstrating the Soviets' ability to send heavier payloads into space and hinting that a man may soon follow.

December 6, 1957 -- Vanguard Failure

The Army's attempt to launch America's first satellite into orbit failed in a launch pad explosion. Two months after the Soviet Union's successful launch of Sputnik, this failure further emphasized America's lag behind the Soviet Union in the space race.

Atlas II is a member of the Atlas family of launch vehicles which evolved from the successful Atlas ICBM.

December 17, 1957 -- First U.S. ICBM

On the 54th anniversary of the Wright Brothers' first flight, the first Atlas intercontinental ballistic missile was launched and traveled 500 miles to its target area.

Juno I, a slightly modified Jupiter-C launch vehicle, shortly before launch of America's first satellite,

January 1958 -- Explorer 1 Into Space

Designed by former V-2 German rocket engineer von Braun's team, the Jupiter-C propelled America's first satellite, Explorer 1, into space. The nose cone of the Jupiter-C became the first man-made object to survive a round trip into space and back. Unlike Sputnik, this object did not go into orbit. However, its blunt shape and protective coating proved that Americans had solved the re-entry problem and paved the way for sending humans into space.

1958-61 -- More Sputniks

Six more Sputniks were launched into orbit, all larger than the first. They improved re-entry and recovery efforts in advance of manned flight.

Lewis Research Center became part of the nucleus of NASA.