Learn about the U.S. and Russian space programs

Overview: Two American astronauts and one Russian cosmonaut returned safely to Earth on Sunday. They had been working at the International Space Station (ISS) for 161 days. The three men had been scheduled to return two months ago, but they were unable to do so because U.S. space shuttles, which would have brought them home, have been grounded since the space shuttle Columbia broke up during its re-entry into Earth's atmosphere on February 1.

After students read "Three space pioneers safely back on solid ground" present the following questions:

RESOURCES • CNN.com: Soyuz crew safe after anxious wait  • The Ultimate Space Place  • Federation of American Scientists: Russian Aviation and Space Agency  • NASA  • The Russian Space Agency  • Holt Researcher

1. How long had the two U.S. astronauts and the Russian cosmonaut been working aboard the International Space Station (ISS)? Why was their return to Earth delayed for two months? In what country did the Soyuz capsule land? What problems occurred during the landing? Why is the Soyuz currently the only mode of transportation to the ISS?

2. Inform students that the U.S. and Russian space programs have come a long way since the days of the space race during the Cold War. Group students. Have each group choose one decade since the launch of Sputnik in 1957 and conduct research to prepare a side-by-side comparison of the U.S. and Russian space programs during that decade, complete with dates and event descriptions. Have each group, in chronological order, present its dates and events. What political and economic events have impacted both space programs and the outcome of the space race?