space race

American  

[speys reys] / ˈspeɪs ˌreɪs /

noun

1. a Cold War rivalry in which the United States and the Soviet Union competed for primacy in space exploration, beginning with the Soviet launch of the artificial satellite Sputnik I on October 4, 1957, and effectively ending with the moon landing of the U.S. manned module Eagle on July 20, 1969.

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Etymology

Origin of space race

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

The competition recalls the 1960s-era Space Race between the US and the Soviet Union -- but Harvard professor Matthew Hersch said that rivalry was "unique" and "will not be repeated anytime soon."

From Barron's

California has been at the forefront of the modern-day space race.

From Los Angeles Times

The good old Global Positioning System—built by the U.S. during the space race and dependent on signals so weak it’s a miracle any device can detect them—is showing its age.

From The Wall Street Journal

Queried on the so-called "space race," Isaacman said Friday that "I think competition is good."

From Barron's

The faceoff promises to stoke an even hotter 21st-century space race—this time between this era’s real superpowers: billionaires.

From The Wall Street Journal