The World's First Satellite Acts as a Tipping Point in the Space Technology Race

On the fourth of October, 1957, the USSR launched Sputnik 1, the world's first artificial satellite. The successful launch surprised professionals and the public in the United States (USA). This is because the United States hopes to become the first country to launch a satellite.

As USA.gov reported on Tuesday (June 20), the Soviet success has raised concerns that the U.S. military as a whole is lagging behind in developing new technologies.

As an outcome, the launch of Sputnik increased the weapons race and Cold War tensions. In the 1950s, both the United States and the Soviet Union sought to develop new technologies. Towards the end of World War II, the Nazis nearly succeeded in developing the world's first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), and after the conflict German scientists supported research in both countries.

Both countries eventually became involved in satellite development as part of a goal set by the International Council for the Union of Sciences. They expected the satellite to be launched in late 1957 or 1958.

The World's First Satellite Acts as a Tipping Point in the Space Technology Race

During that decade, the United States tested several types of missiles and missiles, all of which failed. The launch of the first Soviet satellite, Sputnik, was another milestone in a series of technological achievements. Few people in the United States expected that. Sputnik I weighed him 184 pounds, or 83 kg.

The Russian satellite was much heavier than the one being developed by the United States at the time, and two more satellites were launched soon after the successful launch, including the one that launched Dog.

At the same time, the satellite orbits the Earth every 90 minutes, raising fears that America's technological prowess is far behind. Those concerns were heightened when the United States learned that the Soviet Union was testing its first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) this year.

Although then-President Dwight Eisenhower tried to downplay the importance of the Sputnik launch to the American public, he eventually committed additional money and resources to the space program to catch up.

In December 1957, the first artificial satellite, called the Vanguard, exploded on its launch pad, severely frustrating the U.S. government. It certainly is a reminder of how much effort the United States had to make to be able to compete militarily with the Soviet Union.

Eventually, on the last day of January 1958, the United States successfully launched its first satellite, Explorer. The Explorer is still smaller in size than Sputnik 1, but its range into space stretches far beyond that of the Soviet Union. The event eventually became the venue for a space technology contest between the two countries.

Consider how the success of Sputnik had a tremendous impact on the Cold War and the United States. Fear of falling behind is prompting US leaders to speed up space and weapons programs.