Sputnik, Education, and The Space Race.

The Space Race

• Originated in the aftermath of WWII.

• The United States and Russia compete to reach space.

• Russia had more scientists working on their space program, many originating from Germany.

Sputnik 1

• First satellite to orbit Earth.

• Its launch surprised the American public.

Sputnik 2

• Second Russian satellite launched, containing a dog named Lika.

• Lika survives orbit but dies during reentry.

American Tech

• Sputnik serves as a wake-up call for the United States.

• At this point, the United States lacks a developed space program.

Education

• The United States launches programs to catch up post-Sputnik.

• NASA is founded; science education receives increased funding.

Review Questions

• What is the Space Race?

• Where do most of the scientists come from?

• What is Sputnik?

• How does the United States react to Sputnik?

• Who is Lika?

• What does the United States do to catch up?