http://www.sputnikbook.com/images/gallery/orbit5.jpg
This image shows Sputnik's path as it orbited around the earth.
"Never before had so small and so
harmless an object created such consternation."
- Daniel J.
Boorstin, The Americans: The Democratic Experience
The launch of Sputnik, the first artificial satellite, brought the dawn of the space age, and increased conflict between the United States and the U.S.S.R. The people of the United States had begun to feel as if they were unsurpassable in every aspect of life. However, the launch of Sputnik alarmed society and created a wide spread panic in suspecting that their country was vulnerable and could be outshown.
Sputnik, the first man-made satellite, was launched on October 4, 1957 by the U.S.S.R. It was little more than the size of a basketball and weighed 184 pounds. Sputnik was not equipped with any scientific instruments, but orbited the earth once every 98 minutes. It contained a single radio transmitter, which did little more than issue an incessant beeping that allowed even the most primitive instruments to track it. As an instrument used for gathering data, Sputnik was relatively insignificant. However, Sputnik did usher in the new age of space exploration, and initiated the U.S./ U.S.S.R. space race that would lead to the creation of the manned space shuttle and utilization of the space station.
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This image shows Sputnik's path as it orbited around the earth.
Why the U.S. Did Not Beat the U.S.S.R. into Space
Conflict between military branches had hindered the progression in creating a satellite before Sputnik's launch. Also, it was not until the U.S.S.R. got Sputnik launched that the U.S. saw their own space program as something more than a leisurely hobby. Satellites were predicted to have no military value to the U.S., and so sufficient funds were not put into the Vanguard project. A lack of qualified personnel contributed to the slow progression of the U.S.'s satellite projects as well. After Sputnik's launch, however, money was pumped into education and satellite projects.
Sputnik As a Scientific Breakthrough
Although little of Sputnik's launch was revolutionary by scientific terms, there were several aspects to it that are still important. It was not only the satellite that would be significant in future space exploration, but the rocket used to launch it as well. The rocket utilized the basic rocket principles of Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, which remain crucial to the launching of today's space shuttle. This rocket, known as the R-7, was originally intended to be a ballistic missile. After the launch, many of the United States' scientists studied Sputnik. The conclusions drawn from these studies helped the U.S. launch its first artificial satellite: Explorer 1.
Created by the authors of this web page
This small and simple object led to a small series of scientific breakthroughs.
Eisenhower's Post-Launch Campaign
Eisenhower, president of the United States at the time of Sputnik's launch, was one of the few Americans who remained relatively unalarmed by Sputnik. He did little to acknowledge the achievements, and simply assured the public that the U.S. would soon launch a better satellite. Eisenhower may have been indifferent to Sputnik's launch because of his knowledge of a top-secret project called CORONA. This surveillance sattelite was capable of taking pictures of the Iron Curtain Countries from space, however, its first successful mission did not arrive until after thirteen failed launches. This secret mission was not declassified until February 1995 when President Clinton made more than 860,000 images (collected between 1960 and 1972) available to the public (Dickson 212-213). So, instead of becoming preoccupied with creating the first satellite, Eisenhower concentrated on creating a practical device that would serve true purpose to his country. (Dickson 2).
The National Defense Education Act
Despite President Eisenhower's confidence in the U.S.'s education systems, the launch of Sputnik provoked reforms in schools nationwide. The National Defense Education Act was passed, as a result of Sputnik, in August of 1958, and was intended to promote knowledge in science, math, and foreign languages. This billion-dollar plan had a few main features. College students became eligible for up to $1000 per year, and colleges that made loans would receive government funding. Reforms were also made in grade schools and high schools around the country, where remodeling occurred to improve math, science, and language facilities. Teachers became better educated in these fields as a result of this plan as well.
How Sputnik Impacted U.S. Society
The launch of Sputnik sent out a wide spread panic among the U.S. public for several reasons. First, the U.S. felt cheated out of not becoming the first nation to launch a satellite into space. They had been assured on several occasions that their satellites would be the first to travel to space. There seemed to be no explanation for why a communist nation could beat the U.S. into space. In addition, the size of the U.S.'s planned satellite was embarrassing in comparison to Sputnik's. The U.S. satellite Vanguard weighed a mere 2.6 lbs, puny in comparison to Sputnik's 184 pounds. Another concern of the U.S. public beyond the threats directly correlated to the Cold War was the threat of national security. One NBC radio announcer said, "Listen now, for the sound that forevermore separates the old from the new" (Dickson 1). The noise emitted from the satellite acted as a constant reminder of the U.S.S.R.'s rumored ability to spy on the U.S. Rumors that the U.S.S.R. was watching sent a shiver through society and the media. It was a time of complete chaos and fear.
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The launch of Sputnik attracted much attention from the media, as shown by these newspaper headlines. Articles such as these created vast public awareness of the launch.
Sputnik Plays a Significant Role in the Cold War
The Launch of Sputnik became a significant event in the Cold War, too. The U.S.S.R.'s ability to launch a heavy satellite led U.S. citizens to believe that the U.S.S.R. could launch inter-continental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) or intercontinental nuclear weapons. The threat of U.S.S.R. weaponry did not seem so far away, especially with the incessant beeping of Sputnik reminding the world of the U.S.S.R.'s accomplishment. This threat became of even more concern with the follow up launch of a larger satellite, Sputnik II, which held a passenger: a dog named Laika.
Sputnik's Effect on Pop Culture
Although many were concerned with the ramifications of Sputnik's launch, others took the news with a lighter approach. Bartenders invented the Sputnik cocktail, and children bought Sputnik toys. Space fashions also came into style, depicting satellites on everything from skirts to balloons. Searching for Sputnik became a national pasttime. The U.S. proved it could see the lighter side to Sputnik, as well as the somber one.
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These children are straining to see Sputnik pass by.
Collier, Christopher and James Lincoln Collier. The Changing Face of American Society. Benchmark Books, 2002. 65-67.
This resource gave limited information on the effect of Sputnik's launch.
---. The United States in the Cold War. NY: Benchmark Books, 2002. 51.
This book gave a little information on Sputnik's background. Information about secret information that President Eisenhower had obtained of the U.S.S.R.'s missile intelligence was also given. In addition, this source showed Sputnik's relationship to the space-race and mutually assured destruction.
Dickson, Paul. Sputnik the Shock of the Century. Walker Publishing Company, Inc, 2003. 1-13, 211-214.
This book details to the U.S.'s reaction to the launch of Sputnik. It will be a very helpful resource.
Divine, Robert A. The Sputnik Challenge. Oxford University Press, 1993. 1-7.
This is a book dedicated to Eisenhower's response to the launch of Sputnik and the fear of the U.S.'s people.
"The Feat That Shook The Earth." Time. 21 Oct. 1957: 19.
This primary source document briefly outlines the United States' reaction to the launch of Sputnik. It also contains several images that may be useful for the website.
Furnas, C.C. "Why Did the U.S. Lose the Race? Critics Speak Up." Time. 21 Oct. 1957: 22-23.
This primary source document shows several critics trying to justify the U.S.'s loss. These men then explain what the U.S. should do in order to keep up with the U.S.S.R.
Jorden, William. "560 Miles High." The New York Times. 5 Oct. 1957: 1,3.
This article explains more of Sputnik's scientific background and how it works.
"Soviet Claiming Lead in Science." The New York Times. 5 Oct. 1957: 2.
This article expresses the surprise that Unites States citizens felt in reaction to Sputnik.
"Stepping Up the Pace." Newsweek. 8 Dec. 1958: 6.
This news article outlines the National Defense Education Act, a bill that gave a billion dollars to mathematics and the sciences in schools. Sputnik's launch made many realize that reforms were needed in these areas, which is why the National Defense Education Act was passed.
Sullivan, Walter. "Course Recorded." The New York Times. 5 Oct. 1957: 1,3.
This primary source news article shows the scientific reactions to the launch of Sputnik, including the use of large cameras and radio devices to track the satellite.
"We Are Serious but With Smiles." Time. 21 Oct. 1957: 24-25.
This primary source explains some of the cultural changes that resulted from Sputnik. There are also several pictures in this article, which are likely to be useful.