USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -NASA was created in response to the Soviet Union’s October 4, 1957 launch of its first satellite, Sputnik I. The 183-pound, basketball-sized satellite orbited the earth in 98 minutes.

Detailed explanation-2: -The successful launch came as a shock to experts and citizens in the United States, who had hoped that the United States would accomplish this scientific advancement first. The fact that the Soviets were successful fed fears that the U.S. military had generally fallen behind in developing new technology.

Detailed explanation-3: -A year after the launch of Sputnik, U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower created the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), formally launching the “Space Race” between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Detailed explanation-4: -Sputnik’s batteries ran out on Oct. 26, and it reentered the Earth’s atmosphere on Jan. 4, 1958. Reactions in the United States to Sputnik’s launch included shock and amazement, and led to Congressional hearings ultimately leading to the creation of NASA in 1958.

Detailed explanation-5: -The National Aeronautics and Space Act was passed by Congress and signed by the President in July 1958 and NASA officially opened for business on October 1, 1958.