As the Sputnik satellite was launched into the air in 1957, the United States was taken by shock as it first entered the stratosphere. The satellite was a small silver orb and weighed just 184 pounds. Even though this was a simple machine that was not able to do more than orbit the Earth and transmit useless radio blips, Sputnik had an enormous and unprecedented impact on the United States (Dickinson). Before the launch, the US had the belief that they were far ahead of other countries in technological developments but after Russia launched its satellite, it was undeniable that the US had serious competition as far as space exploration. With the successful launch of the Sputnik satellite, the US was able to further understand Russia’s
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Dwight Eisenhower was forced to admit to the public that the Soviets, by launching 184-pound satellite, had demonstrated that they possessed rockets powerful enough to send warheads thousands of miles across the earth (Divine). Yet, Eisenhower said “So far as the satellite itself is concerned, that does not raise my apprehensions, not one iota” to please the public about the growing concern for the Sputnik launch(Divine). Eisenhower’s low key response to Sputnik completely failed to defuse the growing sense of public alarm. His repeated statements that that the missile program was unaffected by Sputnik rang hollow, thereby raising rather than lowering national anxiety (Divine). The general public was in great denial and fear when the Sputnik was launched in the sky. Before the launch, the US believed they were leading and had more confidence in the fact they were the dominant world power. After the launch, however, the public was extremely shaken when they heard of the heavy satellite that could possibly be used as a means of warfare. Another statement from Eisenhower on the Sputnik launch “I can’t understand why the American people have got so worked up over this thing… it’s certainly not going to drop on their heads” (Divine). Another statement to calm the public down after their reactions to the launch, …show more content…
The Soviet achievement—a scientific, technical, and military demonstration of growing Russian power—shook American complacency and led to a re-evaluation, re-organization and speed-up of our space and missile programs (NY Times Article 1958). In the twelve months past when this article was written, the US has developed new agencies for space exploration and has speeded up some of its military rocket development programs. Until the advent of the newly-established National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA), the ARPA bore the burden of the entirety nation’s space program. With this advent, with NASA managing and directing all non-military space projects, the Advanced Research Projects Agency (A.R.P.A) could manage all military projects. The US had reorganized their Space programs more efficiently after their entrance to the space race. There was also a mentality that unless the United States speeded up its scientific programs, within 10 years the Russians would be ahead, which pushed the united states to expedite their efforts to build satellites to counter that of Russia’s. Eisenhower saw one possible benefit from Sputnik. Ike asked his fellow group to “look 5 years ahead” and then asked his naval scientists to brief them on an effort to fully develop a reconnaissance satellite.
Dwight Eisenhower was forced to admit to the public that the Soviets, by launching 184-pound satellite, had demonstrated that they possessed rockets powerful enough to send warheads thousands of miles across the earth (Divine). Yet, Eisenhower said “So far as the satellite itself is concerned, that does not raise my apprehensions, not one iota” to please the public about the growing concern for the Sputnik launch(Divine). Eisenhower’s low key response to Sputnik completely failed to defuse the growing sense of public alarm. His repeated statements that that the missile program was unaffected by Sputnik rang hollow, thereby raising rather than lowering national anxiety (Divine). The general public was in great denial and fear when the Sputnik was launched in the sky. Before the launch, the US believed they were leading and had more confidence in the fact they were the dominant world power. After the launch, however, the public was extremely shaken when they heard of the heavy satellite that could possibly be used as a means of warfare. Another statement from Eisenhower on the Sputnik launch “I can’t understand why the American people have got so worked up over this thing… it’s certainly not going to drop on their heads” (Divine). Another statement to calm the public down after their reactions to the launch, …show more content…
The Soviet achievement—a scientific, technical, and military demonstration of growing Russian power—shook American complacency and led to a re-evaluation, re-organization and speed-up of our space and missile programs (NY Times Article 1958). In the twelve months past when this article was written, the US has developed new agencies for space exploration and has speeded up some of its military rocket development programs. Until the advent of the newly-established National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA), the ARPA bore the burden of the entirety nation’s space program. With this advent, with NASA managing and directing all non-military space projects, the Advanced Research Projects Agency (A.R.P.A) could manage all military projects. The US had reorganized their Space programs more efficiently after their entrance to the space race. There was also a mentality that unless the United States speeded up its scientific programs, within 10 years the Russians would be ahead, which pushed the united states to expedite their efforts to build satellites to counter that of Russia’s. Eisenhower saw one possible benefit from Sputnik. Ike asked his fellow group to “look 5 years ahead” and then asked his naval scientists to brief them on an effort to fully develop a reconnaissance satellite.