"Don't tell me that man doesn't belong out there. Man belongs wherever he wants to go — and he'll do plenty well when he gets there." -Wernher Von Braun
new frontierThe Sputnik 1 launch exposed a new frontier to the world, one that has yet to be claimed. The United States and Soviet Union fought over space dominance in a time span of about 12 years. President John F. Kennedy advocated for America's need to surpass the Soviets in the Space Race. He orders his vice-president, Lyndon B, Johnson, to evaluate the space program. Johnson responds writing, “If we do not make the strong effort now, the time will soon be reached when the margin of control over space and over men’s minds through space accomplishments will have swung so far on the Russian side that we will not be able to catch up, let alone assume leadership.” Whichever super-power established superiority in space would be seen as the most powerful country in the nation. The Kennedy administration made it a goal to win the Space Race and restore America's confidence.
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NASA"The shock of Sputnik was also largely responsible for the establishment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in 1958 to conduct the United States' civilian space efforts" (National Archives). In 1958, Congress passed the National Aeronautics and Space Act and President Eisenhower signed the act into law on July 29, 1958. This act created funding for the NASA program. “[The United States] created a new civilian space agency and an advanced research agency for the military. It bolstered science, engineering and mathematics education at all levels” (Legacy of Sputnik). NASA is solely responsible for all American space activity since 1958.
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"While the Sputnik launch was a single event, it marked the start of the space age and the U.S.-U.S.S.R space race" (Cold War Museum).