Satellites, Cosmonauts, and Astronauts

U.S. Newsreel on Sputnik launch downplays Cold War angle and calls Sputnik "one of the great scientific feats of the age."

Here's a color video of several early Soviet launches, including Sputnik 1 and Sputnik 2 (Laika's mission).

Here's a video of Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin's 1961 launch.

Ten months later, NASA launches John Glenn into orbit.

This video is a 1968 educational film (brought to you by Kodak) that profiles Robert Goddard and highlights contemporary model rocket clubs. (despite its posted title, there's nothing here about John Glenn).