Download The Space Race Begins—Sputnik I launched into orbit What

The Space Race Begins—Sputnik I launched into orbit
The way it was…
There were lots of practical reasons for space exploration. It would be a great tool for research,
providing valuable data on magnetic fields, cosmic rays, and celestial objects. Satellites could be used for
communication, and they could make it possible to broadcast radio and television frequencies throughout the
world. There was the possibility of up to the minute weather analysis, vastly improving our storm tracking
methods. It was even an option to send equipment to space to establish a global navigational system.
In the 1950s, all of these very sound reasons concerning the benefits of a space program were obvious.
But none of them really touched on the main reason—we just wanted to know what was out there. For
thousands of years, mankind had looked toward the stars with curiosity. Astronomers made their best
estimates about the workings of the universe, and the invention of telescopes and other surveying equipment
gave us a few more clues. For the most part, though, people had to settle for an educated guess.
That is, of course, until World War II came along. During the war, the advancement of technology
became a top priority as both sides struggled for an advantage. Powerful rockets were designed, and these
rockets made the concept of space travel a technical possibility for the first time.
The end of World War II didn’t bring a relaxing peace to the world. Instead, the United States and the
Soviet Union settled into a tense “Cold War” that would last for several decades. The two world powers
constantly kept an eye on each other, careful not to let the other gain an advantage.
Apparently, the United States was not keeping close enough watch. In 1957, the scientists in the
Soviet Union were working very secretly on a project that, if they succeeded, would be a major blow to the
American public.
What Happened Next…
On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union launches Sputnik I into space, the
world’s 1st artificial satellite. This becomes earliest major milestone in space
exploration, and is the start of the intense “Space Race.”
How it changed history…
The scientists in the United States space program were caught sitting on their hands. As soon as
Sputnik I was launched into orbit, they sprung into action. With Cold War tension as high as it was (and
continuing to rise), it was regarded as completely unacceptable to let Soviet
technology surpass that in the United States. Four months later, on January
31, 1958, the Americans launched their first satellite, Explorer I.
But the real competition had just begun. In what became termed as the
“Space Race,” the United States and the USSR spent the next decade competing
to take the next major step in space exploration. The Soviets had won the first
victory, and they achieved another major one on April 12, 1961. On that day,
cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first person to be launched into space.
The United States was beginning to get frustrated, but the largest prize
Sputnik
was still up for grabs—to send a man to the moon. President Kennedy
promised that the United States would win this one and would do so by the end of the decade. Kennedy
wasn’t around to see it, but his prediction came true. On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first man
to walk on the moon.
In the next few decades, space exploration continued to improve with the development of the space
shuttle and space stations that enabled people to stay in orbit for an extended time.
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