SPUTNIK: Breaking Barriers for a Modern World
Political Impact:
"What is at stake is nothing less than our survival."
~ Senator Mike Mansfield
President Dwight D. Eisenhower created Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in Feb 1958, responsible for the development of emerging technologies for civilian and military use.
DOD Directive 5105.15 establishing ARPA later renamed as DARPA.
Congress approved legislation for the establishment of The National Aeronautics and Space Act, NASA signed by the President on 29 Jul 1958, leading to a successful landing on moon, launching of ISS, interplanetary expeditions, and space telescopes.
NASA management team. Source: NASA.gov
Sputnik launch fueled the space race between US & USSR sparking budget increase for the National Science Foundation to $134 million in 1959 and later to $500 million in 1968.
Military Impact:
The Sputnik launch initiated the space race and promoted the ICBM race between USSR and the US. The missile gap was the perception that the Soviet Union accumulated far more missile strength in numbers than US ICBM strength.
The United States, in 1962, detonated a 1.4 megaton nuclear weapon, 250 miles above the Earth’s surface, destroying many satellites in orbit.
DARPA was responsible for developing Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO).
Aurorae after Starfish Prime, 1962 nuclear test in space. Source: Science History
Missile gap
Scientific Impact:
Sputnik launch led to further space exploration.
Space Exploration 1957 - 2015
Space Race
Educational Impact:
"More than fifty years ago Sputnik dramatically raised the nation's awareness of what was lacking in science and math education in America. What we need to wake people up to now is the crisis in imagination and concern for the greater good."
~ Katherine Paterson
Congress responded with the National Defense Education Act, which increased funding for education at all levels, including low-interest student loans to college students.
Curriculum changes and hands-on laboratory experience with the focus on scientific and technical education was emphasized.
Societal Impact:
"[The Soviets could one day be] dropping bombs on us from space like kids dropping rocks onto cars from freeway overpasses."
~Senate majority leader (later president) Lyndon Johnson
Sputnik plunged Americans into a crisis of self-confidence. Started questioning institutions and comparing the liberal democracy with authoritarian communist society.
