beep

b e e p beep

Activities in space should be devoted to peaceful mankind.

purposes for the benefit of all

-National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958

When Sputnik soared into the atmosphere, the United States frantically turned to the new frontier of space, where imagination, progress, and destiny found the ultimate companion.

The absence of any U.S. scientist to serve as a spokesperson for the awakening space movement left the American wing in the hands of two groups: German expatriates and

science fiction fans.

-Howard McCurdy, Space and the American Imagination

Popular interest in science and technology had been on the rise since as early as the 1939 World of Tomorrow Worlds Fair (Dickson 3). The fair had a room calling itself the Transportation Room, devoted to space exploration. Science fiction often concerned itself with travel to the moon, although usually by highly improbable means. Robert Goddard, Hermann Oberth, and Konstantin Tsiolkovskii employed rocket power as the means by which to escape Earths gravity and lift a rocket into space. These three men made huge contributions in the field of rocketry, but none truly affected the global image of extraterrestrial flight. Tsiolkovskiis work was barely recognized outside of Russia, Goddard avoided most forms of publicity, and Goddards work was known only from his followers. One of several Chesley Bonestall illustrations for covers of Colliers All three cite the works of fantastical writers like Jules magazines on the intended direction of humankinds future in space. Verne. As Tsiolkovskii wrote, My interest in space travel (courtesy of Scott Lowther and Horizons Newsletter) was first aroused by the famous writer of fantasies Jules Verne.

THE MOST IMPORTANT RESULT OF THE INTERNATIONAL GEOPHYSICAL YEAR IS THE DEMONSTRATION OF THE ABILITY OF PEOPLES OF ALL NATIONS TO WORK TOGETHER HARMONIOUSLY

FOR THE COMMON GOOD.

-President Eisenhower, June 30, 1957

COLD WAR

World War II had finally ended- the world was ravaged and two superpowers emerged as global rivals. The United States and the Soviet Union, both fearing the others potential use of nuclear weapons, threw their respective populations into a panic, anticipating a nuclear end to their world. The decades-long peaceful standoff, beginning in 1947 with the end of World War II and ending in 1991 with the collapse of the Soviet Union, was far more than two nations keeping an eye on one another, content with mutually assured destruction should missiles be launched. It was a rivalry between two vastly wealthy superpowers that soon turned to outer space as the battleground on which to settle things, as well as intimidate the other WITH AWESOME SPACE ROCKETS
INTERNATIONAL GEOPHYSICAL YEAR

The International Geophysical Year (IGY) was an internationally organized effort by a total of 67 countries, the U.S. and U.S.S.R. included, to record coordinated geophysical observations between July 1957 and December 1958. The geophysical areas of study included aurora and airglow, cosmic rays, geomagnetism, glaciology, gravity, ionospheric physics, longitude and latitude determination, meteorology, oceanography, rocketry, seismology, and solar activity- as well as a concentrated effort to launch an artificial satellite into the atmosphere. On the day of the launch, delegates from several nations, including the Soviet Union and the United States, were conferencing at the Soviet Embassy on behalf of the IGY. They were discussing future protocols for sharing scientific data in regards to rocketry and space exploration. When the scientists received the news of Sputniks successful launch, it is reported that physicist Lloyd Berkner called to his fellow scientists: Ive just been informedthat a Russian satellite is in orbitI wish to congratulate our Soviet colleagues on this achievement. (Dickson 13). The IGY brought the scientific community together, and many significant achievements came along with the effort.

MORE THAN BY ANY OTHER IMAGINATIVE CONCEPT, THE MIND OF MAN IS AROUSED BY THE THOUGHT OF EXPLORING THE MYSTERIES OF OUTER SPACE. THROUGH SUCH EXPLORATION, MAN HOPES TO BROADEN HIS HORIZONS, ADD TO HIS KNOWLEDGE, IMPROVE HIS WAY OF LIVING ON EARTH.
PRESIDENT DWIGHT EISENHOWER, JUNE 20, 1958

Sputnik was a wake-up call for many in America. That the country was lagging severely behind in science and education suddenly became embarrassingly evident. Great efforts were put into the American attempt to catch up with the Soviets, acting on the valid fear that they were falling behind in technology and education. Through these efforts, NASA was created by the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, making space exploration a non-military activity. The law also declared that any and all patents, private or otherwise, brought about by space travel or research would be under the ownership of the government. The fear that American educational institutions were falling behind the rest of the world also resulted in the National Defense Education Act, made into law in September of 1958. The legislation gave funding to all levels of both private and public education over the course of four years. The act was intended to train future government defense personnel, as well as provide financial assistance to the rapidly increasing numbers of college enrollments.

From: Naval Aid to the Secretary of the Navy To: Chief of Information Subj: PubInfo Policy on satellite 1. The Secretary of the Navy has directed that unless specically cleared by the Department of Defense, any statements on the Russian satellite should be:
a. b. c. Conned to scientic and technical matters (e.g., tracking results). Made by scientic personnel only. (e.g., MRL). Avoid any speculation on military or political signicance. Very respectfully, Noel Gayler Captain, U.S. Navy

This document, published the day after Sputniks launch, is an example of how the launch affected US political policy. The government was thrown into a frenzy, for not only had the Soviets taken the first real step in the Space Race, but there was a very real threat to national security.

Problems Encountered

Time and priority: Ive been having trouble organizing my time. I dont always know which subject takes priority, and I will often waste time on a less important assignment. Research: I need to read my sources much quicker. Ive also had difficulty deciding how I want to take notes. Especially difficult is deciding what information is important to my topic as well as accurately reflecting of the theme. Sources: Although we have the Glenn Research center here in Cleveland, Im not sure how much information it will provide. I plan on visiting the library downtown frequently to look at the newspaper archives, but Im having trouble thinking of other primary sources.. I have thought to interview those born a decade or two before 1957 to see how their own world changed post-Sputnik and during the Space Race. Effort: I know that I will need to put a great deal of work into this project, but some nights I have trouble finding the motivation to get anything done. This is a topic I really am passionate about, but school has been riDICULOUSLY stressful of late. I know I can get more done if I forsake sleep, but I also know my quality of work will decline.

Exhibit Ideas

I want my exhibit to bring out a sense of wonder and exhilaration- how I feel when I think of the vastness of outer space. My uncle is a carpenter/construction worker, so I know hell be a huge help when it comes to actually building the board. I plan on utilizing lights and possibly music to achieve the desired effect. Im not sure yet how my board will be organized- chronologically or some other way. I think I need to see more examples before I will be able to decide. However, I intend on having sections devoted to:
The launch itself Science fiction and space, pre-Sputnik American political reaction National shock and fear Scientific and educational progress/ reform The romanticism of space

SECONDARY

Bibliography

PRIMARY

Brzezinski, Matthew. Red Moon Rising: Sputnik and the Hidden Rivalries that Ignited the Space Age. New York: Times Books, 2007. Print. With much attention paid to political ties, Brezinski documents the beginnings of the Space Race- in the halls of our most prestigious political institutions. It describes Sputniks initially underestimated significance for both American Soviet politicians. Degroot, Gerard J. Dark Side of the Moon: The Magnificent Madness of the American Lunar Quest. New York and London: New York University Press, 2006. Print. Degroot seeks to overturn decades old myths about the great space race- that NASA and the American government overstated the Soviet threat to the United States and took advantage of the publics fascination with space to fund an essentially meaningless, ultimately purposeless, program. Dickson, Paul. Sputnik: The Shock of the Century. New York: Walker & Company, 2001. Print. Journalist Paul Dickson uses recently released documents and meticulous research to chronicle the vast political intrigue that led up to, and followed, Sputnik. There is an equal focus on just how much Sputnik affected American culture and politics. Kennedy, Randy. When the Space Age Blasted Off, Pop Culture Followed. The New York Times. 25 September 2007. Web. 16 October 2012. A general overview of the effect of the space race on pop culture, citing Sputnik as the impetus of the Space Race, a viewpoint almost unanimously agreed upon. The article describes the new architecture, entertainment, and art that emerged from the Space Age and, by extension, Sputnik. It was written as a 50th anniversary commemoration.

Ronald Reagan: Radio Address to the Nation on the Space Program. 28 January 1984. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. Although several decades after Sputnik, Reagans speech helps to illustrate the goal of the space program and NASA. He gives three ultimate goals- to build a permanently manned space station within the decade, international cooperation, and the growth of American industry into space. Sputnik: Traveling Companion. NASA Images/Internet Archive, San Francisco. JPEG file. This is a photograph of Sputnik 1. Launched by the Soviet Union on October 4th, 1957, it was an 187 pound artificial moon that acted only as a beeping transmitter. Kennedy, Randy. When the Space Age Blasted Off, Pop Culture Followed. The New York Times. 25 September 2007. Web. 16 October 2012. This is the Soviet Unions official announcement of the launch. Initially, the USSR called very little attention to Sputnik, only to realize how fateful the launch was after the rest of the world had done so. The article gives various factual information, and states that the Soviet Union plans on launching more satellites for the purpose of programs of scientific research, [Earth rising above lunar horizon]. 16-24 July 1969. NASA Images/Internet Archive, San Francisco. JPEG file. I used this as my slides background. It is a photograph taken from the Apollo 11 spacecraft- the historic first manned flight to the moon. From NASA Images: The lunar terrain pictured is in the area of Smyths Sea on the nearside. Kaplan, Irving, Preliminary statement of the Association of Manhattan District Scientists. August 1945. Letter. Gilder Lehrman Collection. Written by the AMDS several days after the dropping of the atomic bomb, it warns of the great dangers of nuclear warfare. It outlines and describes measures that must be taken to keep nuclear arms from falling into enemy hands, stating that a world in an arms races that is one of fear. The letter is fundamental in understanding the Cold War and why the United States took such drastic measures to keep the world from nuclear war.

Bibliography

continued

SECONDARY
McQuaid, Kim. Sputnik Reconsidered: Image and Reality in the Early Space Age. Canadian Review of American Studies; Vol. 37 Issue 3 (2007): 371-401. Academic Search Premier. Web. 9 November 2012. Disputing the claim that Sputnik produced a crisis within the American public, McQuaid asserts that it was the media and American elite, censoring unattractive reports of the launch and events that followed, who created much of the interest surround that came to space exploration.

PRIMARY
United States. Dept. of Defense. Dept. of the Navy. Department of the Navy memorandum on official statements regarding the Sputnik launch. 5 October 1957. In response to Sputnik, Noel Gaylor, a captain of the navy, wrote a memo to the Chief of Information, notifying him that discussion of Sputnik was to be severely limited. Eisenhower, Dwight. Remarks by the President in connection with the opening of the International Geographic Year. The White House, Washington, D.C. 30 June 1957. Radio and television address. Eisenhowers speech embodies what the IGY was about- bringing together scientists for the sole purpose of scientific discovery. Bonestall, Chesley. [Rocket landing on mars}. 1952. Canvas. Colliers Magazine. One of several paintings Bonestall made for Colliers. They illustrate the overly-optimistic and grand ideas space enthusiasts had at the beginning of the space age.