Space Research

In the 1940s, some scientists believed that rockets held the key to exploring space. Much postwar space research involved testing missiles to carry nuclear weapons, and this research was carried out in secret. Although little was known about the Soviet program, American scientists suspected that Soviet rockets were bigger than those being tested in the United States, which included the Viking and WAC Corporal. In 1949, however, the United States fired the world’s first two-stage rocket, using a V-2 as the first stage and a Corporal for the second stage. This two-stage rocket was capable of reaching space.

July 1957 to December 1958 was designated International Geophysical Year. As part of this worldwide science program, the United States planned to launch the first artificial satellites into orbit around Earth. With the Cold War still at its height, there was little exchange of information between the United States and the Soviet Union. Apart from releasing some information about radio communications for con­trolling a satellite, the Soviets gave no hint of what was to come.

Finally, on October 4, 1957, Moscow announced that Soviet scientists had launched Sputnik 1, the world’s first space satellite. With Sputnik 1 bleeping its radio signals from orbit, the Soviets had grabbed the lead in the space race.