AT A JUBILEE SINCE THE CONQUEST OF THE MOON, OR HOW THE SOVIETS LOST THE RACE

The main stages of the development of space technologies are analyzed in this work with a main focus on programs devoted to sending humans to the moon, which are also perceived as “the moon race”, successfully finished 50 years ago. The technologies and the vehicles developed by the two parties involved in the race: USA and USSR, are discussed. Some conclusions concerning the main factors which determined the outcome, the actual state of the field and the prospects for further development are drawn