Author Topic: Sputnik-1, Reactions  (Read 3211 times)

Offline SpaceRocketHistory

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Sputnik-1, Reactions
« on: 04/24/2013 03:30 pm »
I am trying to get some primary source material for next week's podcast.  I was wondering if anyone can remember their reaction to the launch of Sputnik-1 by the Soviet Union in Oct. 1957? 

Were you afraid that the USSR would launch nuclear weapons using the R-7 missile?  Were you surprised that the Soviet Union was technically capable of launching a satellite? Were you upset because the US was not first in the satellite race?  Were you mad because politics stopped the US from being first, when a Jupiter C was launched in September, 1956 with its 4th stage filled with sand to prevent an accidental satellite launch? 

Thanks,
Mike

Offline kevin-rf

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Re: Sputnik-1, Reactions
« Reply #1 on: 04/24/2013 03:40 pm »
Wasn't there recently a thread on this?
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Offline SpaceRocketHistory

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Re: Sputnik-1, Reactions
« Reply #2 on: 04/24/2013 04:10 pm »
Wasn't there recently a thread on this?

I saw the posts on the Sputnik Moment.  But, I was hoping to find a Primary Source who could recount his/her reaction to the launch.  A first hand recollection of someone who was mature enough in 1957 to be aware of the launch and have an opinion about it.

Mike

Offline Moskit

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Re: Sputnik-1, Reactions
« Reply #3 on: 04/26/2013 01:50 pm »
Were you afraid that the USSR ...? Were you upset because the US was not first ...?  Were you mad because politics stopped the US from being first
Mike - based on how you phrased your questions, you look for answers from USA citizens only, right?

At the other side of the Iron Curtain most people were amazed at technical capabilities of our main allies, happy that socialism triumphed once again and capitalists were left behind in technology, afraid that USA might launch nuclear weapons on us.

Offline jnc

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Re: Sputnik-1, Reactions
« Reply #4 on: 04/26/2013 01:53 pm »
afraid that USA might launch nuclear weapons on us.

That's OK, we were all terrified that the Soviet might launch nuclear weapons on us! :-)

Luckily, those days are now gone (although I'm sad that the person whom I think deserves the most credit apparently doesn't get much in his own country).

Noel
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Offline mduncan36

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Re: Sputnik-1, Reactions
« Reply #5 on: 04/26/2013 02:20 pm »
Sputnik preceded me by a few years. I'm in Middle Tennessee though so depending on your age you might understand this better. My father told me that the preacher at Church delivered a sermon on how the Communists were doomed in their efforts to control the Heavens because they were Godless. He was also afraid at the same time that we might not succeed because, led by rock and roll, the USA was headed in the same direction.

In my entire life there has never been a Communist success or effort at any level that was not held as evidence that the U.S. had fallen from grace with the Almighty.
« Last Edit: 04/26/2013 02:20 pm by mduncan36 »

Offline SpaceRocketHistory

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Re: Sputnik-1, Reactions
« Reply #6 on: 04/26/2013 02:40 pm »
Were you afraid that the USSR ...? Were you upset because the US was not first ...?  Were you mad because politics stopped the US from being first
Mike - based on how you phrased your questions, you look for answers from USA citizens only, right?

At the other side of the Iron Curtain most people were amazed at technical capabilities of our main allies, happy that socialism triumphed once again and capitalists were left behind in technology, afraid that USA might launch nuclear weapons on us.

Yes I was thinking about the US reaction because that will be on my next episode.  But, I really appreciate you offering the opinion from the Soviet Block perspective.  I may use it on episode 11.
Thanks,
Mike

Offline SpaceRocketHistory

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Re: Sputnik-1, Reactions
« Reply #7 on: 04/26/2013 02:47 pm »
Sputnik preceded me by a few years. I'm in Middle Tennessee though so depending on your age you might understand this better. My father told me that the preacher at Church delivered a sermon on how the Communists were doomed in their efforts to control the Heavens because they were Godless. He was also afraid at the same time that we might not succeed because, led by rock and roll, the USA was headed in the same direction.

In my entire life there has never been a Communist success or effort at any level that was not held as evidence that the U.S. had fallen from grace with the Almighty.
Thanks for adding the religious perspective.  I will definitely include that.
Mike

Offline Proponent

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Re: Sputnik-1, Reactions
« Reply #8 on: 04/26/2013 03:54 pm »
Were you mad because politics stopped the US from being first, when a Jupiter C was launched in September, 1956 with its 4th stage filled with sand to prevent an accidental satellite launch?

Would any member of the general public have known of that launch?

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