ASAHI SHINBUN PUBLISHING
In 1957 the Soviet Union (now the CIS) launches the first man-made satellite, called 'Sputnik.' By 1969, the U.S., which at one time trailed far behind the USSR, succeeds in landing the first human being on the moon. This achievement captures the attention of the world, and brings the romance of space exploration into everyday life. The U.S. and U.S.S.R. enter an intensive space development race fueled by national pride, with projects reaching as far as Mercury and Mars. Satellite development, originally meant primarily for military objectives, soon produces scientific (observation) satellites, communications satellites and weather satellites that become an indispensable part of daily life.