Sputnik Launches and Space Race Begins 1957

Launches of satellites came from Baikonur Cosmo Dome in Kazakhstan, Russia.The world's first artificial satellite was about the size of a beach ball ( 22.8 inches in diameter), weighed only 183.9 pounds, and took about 98 minutes to orbit the Earth on its elliptical path. That launch ushered in new political, military, technological, and scientific developments. 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. Satellites in space could offer spying advantages. Spying advantages was a great use for the Cold War. Americans were fearful of the Satellites Russia sent. Americans then tried to make a Satellite of their own. Once America made their own Satellite a space race started between America and Russia to have the best space technology.The Sputnik launch also led directly to the creation of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). In July 1958, Congress passed the National Aeronautics and Space Act (commonly called the "Space Act"), which created NASA.
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