On October 4, 1957, history changed when the Soviet Union successfully launched Sputnik I, the world’s first satellite. It is about the size of a basketball, weighed only 183 pounds, and took about 98 minutes to orbit the Earth. The launching of Sputnik has created new political,

military, technological, and scientific developments. This first satellite has started the space age and the space race between United States and Soviet Union. This was the beginning of the understanding about the universe and the wonders outside of Earth. The space age is an important event in U.S. history that made U.S. strong and powerful as it is today.

When Sputnik I was launched on October 4, 1957, and it caught the world’s attention and the American public off-guard. The American people were probably still enjoying their bright sunny day when the Soviets launched this satellite. To some people it was amazing and to some others it was a thread because Russian can launch ballistic missiles that could carry nuclear weapons from Europe to the U.S. This shocking news has made America realize that they are behind and so they work hard to attain the level that the Russians are at. So then America starts to spend money in areas like science, math, and various subjects that has something to do with computers and technology.

The space race has made a great impact on America because it led to the discovery of the outside world that we have never even knew of. As a result that Russian launched Sputnik I, American have decided to catch up and plans to launch an Earth – orbiting satellite for the IGY and solicited proposals from various Government research agencies. The Sputnik launch also led to the creation of National Aeronautics and Space Administration, known as NASA. From the birth of NASA we have discover much new things which help us to understand the Earth and the universe better. America was the first nation to send a human to the moon and back in one piece. That event has boost America up to the standard again and they have finally catch up and even exceed their goal.

After we have exceeded our goals of catching up we have found that there are many things to know about the galaxies and its wonder. So that began hope of studying the planets and maybe even finding another planet we can live on. It also has made an impact on American to be more eager at learning and many have hoped to become astronaut when they grow up. Thanks to the space age we now can predict the weather and disaster that could come. That kind of knowledge can save thousands of lives and can prevent catastrophe. Space age has also lead to many technological things such as computers and other machines used.

Space age is the main event in U.S. history that leads to America as it is today, well-built and dominant. The space age has made a great impact on America by letting us understand and discover new amazing things. It has helped us discover a knowledge we have never knew. It also made more job opportunities for many U.S. citizens so they wouldn’t be out of work or have to starve. Thanks to our knowledge that we have gained we have successfully send a human being to the moon and back. This has led to many hopes and dreams of American to go out and explore the galaxy and maybe even find another planet that human can live on.