ABSTRACT
In October of 1957, Americans huddled around their radios and listened to the noise. It was the sound of Sputnik, the first manmade satellite to be launched into space. It looked fairly harmless, like a silver beach ball with four antennae attached. The Soviets were ecstatic and celebrated their scientific supremacy. They had done something that no other country had achieved, not even the mighty United States. American newspapers warned that the United States was falling behind in the space race. The public urged increased math and science studies in schools and colleges. They wanted Congress to put more money into rocket development and scientific advancement. On December 6 of the same year, the US Navy launched a rocket called Vanguard. But instead of showing the scientific accomplishments of America, it blew up on the launch pad in front of a national television audience. The US military was humiliated.
