Sputnik‘s launch directly led to the foundation of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on October 1, 1958.
According to NASA, the Soviet Union was launched the World’s First artificial satellite Sputnik I in October 1957.
Weighing 183.9 pounds or 83.6 kg, the 58-cm or 22.8 inches wide satellite took about 98 minutes to orbit the Earth on its elliptical path. It transmitted signals for 21 days before losing speed and burning up in the atmosphere in 92 days.
That launch steered in new political, military, technological, and scientific developments.
The Sputnik launch changed everything. As a technical achievement, Sputnik caught the world’s attention and the American public off-guard.
Immediately after the Sputnik I launch, the U.S. Defense Department responded to the political furor by approving funding for another U.S. satellite project.
Sputnik’s launch directly led to the foundation of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on October 1, 1958.
In July 1958, Congress passed the National Aeronautics and Space Act.
