([Published October 25, 1996, Valley News, subheadings added)
Sputnik Started It All
Do you remember what started the space race nearly forty years ago? Sputnik.
In the mid-fifties, the United States and Russia both announced plans to launch artificial satellites. We were all shocked though when the Russians beat us with Sputnik. Just 23 inches in diameter and 184 pounds, it was the first satellite launched into space–October 4, 1957.
How could that backward country win the race over technologically superior America? As a teenager [I was 13], I felt vulnerable. Our Iowa farm, where we didn’t even lock our doors, no longer seemed safe. On October 9, I recorded in my diary, “The Reds launched ‘Sputnik’ (little moon) last Fri. It is slowing up.”
[Nikita] Khrushchev gloated that Communism had won over American capitalism.
It was also a psychological race with propaganda value. Atomic scientist Edward Teller called it a technological Pearl Harbor. Historian David Halberstam referred to it as America’s “national crisis of confidence.”
The idea of Sputnik, actually meaning “fellow traveler” in Russian, was fascinating and repulsive. Even as a small child, I had been afraid of the Russians. Our Madison County [Iowa] farm lay under training routes for Air Force planes. When bombers flew low, they would be right over us without warning–loud and menacing. As I watched those reminders of war disappear into the horizon, fears about the Russians would be stirred up again.
Sputnik II
One month after Sputnik was boosted into space, the Soviets launched Sputnik II, six times heavier than the first one. It was even more intriguing because it carried a live creature, a dog named Laika. We learned when to watch for “Mutnik,” as we called it. Still suffering from the Asian flue, Mom woke us all up at 4:00 a.m. one November Saturday. We wrapped up in the blankets she warmed on the living room stove and waited in the cold just beyond the porch and watched the heavens.
We saw exactly what Dad expected–nothing. He thought it was all a Russian trick.
Two days later, I recorded, “Today we hear that the dog in Sputnik II died because they put poison in his food.” That was because the Soviets were not going to attempt to try to recover the satellite.
We did get to see Sputnik II, though–a dot of light silently crossing the cold crisp sky. It seemed to blink off and on, explained by the tumbling motion it made. It was marvelous, and scary. How could those cruel Communists get ahead of us?
After the embarrassing explosion of our first attempt to launch a tiny four-pound satellite, which was called “Kaputnik” and “Flopnik” by international newspapers, the U.S. finally boosted Explorer I into space January 31, 1958.
The fall of 1959, the Soviets succeeded in sending two probes to the moon, one of them sending back the first picture of the far side of the moon. I was in high school and it was discouraging. We students were urged to take math and science classes.
First Americans in Space
Russians also outdid the United States with a dog in space, with one orbit around the earth, April 12, 1961. Three weeks later, American Alan Shepard rocketed into space, a fifteen-minute flight, but did not go into orbit.
By the time John Glenn made three revolutions around the earth in 1962, the Russians had already made sixteen.
You probably remember watching all the [American] launchings on TV and those risky splashdowns at sea.
In March 1965, I was in college, about to have my first date with my husband-to-be, when a Soviet astronaut subdued us again with a walk in space. Then in early 1967, Ed White was killed with Gus Grissom and Roger Chaffe during testing of their [Apollo 1] command module at Kennedy Space Center. They were engulfed in flames when a spark caused pure oxygen in the cabin to explode. America was in shock.
July 20, 1969. It was right before my husband left for Vietnam with the Air Force. We listened to every TV minute of the Lunar Lander touching down on the Sea of Tranquility–and man’s first steps on the moon. There were a few pictures sent back, too, but we mostly had to listen and imagine–with dread and awe–as two American astronauts explored the moon for a couple of hours that morning. Men on the moon, a dream come true, after the agony of Sputnik began it all just twelve years earlier.
Space shuttle launches, first begun in 1981, are now almost routine. Landings are made on a runway instead of the risky ones in an ocean.
But watching the launchings and landings still fill me with mixed feelings–dread and awe–just like watching the first men on the moon, or Sputnik floating over our farm.
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Do you remember those mixed feelings when Sputnik was launched?
I always enjoyed how you blend historical facts with personal memories, here making the space race feel immediate and personal 🙂
Thanks so much, Pat. It sure was scary for a young teen.
I do remember those days. At the top of the hill our house was on, we could look across a deep valley to a NIKE Missile site on the distant hillside. Convinced that the industrial region around Pittsburgh would be targeted, we feared the war we were certain would come. We watched every bit about the rocket launchings and read about the success and tragedies. It was an interesting time to be alive.
It sure was, Dan. I just asked Favorite Guy if he remembers feeling nervous about the Russians. Same age, same state, but he doesn’t remember any angst about it.
I remember the space race and being afraid of the “Reds.” Any airplane in the sky caused me to run into my house and hide under the bed. John Glen’s orbits around the earth were particularly exciting as was Neil Armstong’s first walk on the moon. The Apollo 13 incident in 1970 was a real nailbiter. You’re right, exciting times! 😁
Our farm was under the flight path between Des Moines and Omaha/Offutt. Once in a while a large plane would seem too low and too loud, at least to a kid, so I understand wanting to hide, Nancy!
✈️😱
I’m just a tad younger, so I don’t remember Sputnik, et al but I do remember the fear of the “Reds”! As I grew older, I followed the space race closely. We lived near Fort McClellan and Anniston Army Depot and just a short(ish) drive to Redstone Arsenal. We were convinced we were in a prime target area for the Red Communists. We practiced drills frequently. I think we called them fallout drills where we hid under our desks! I can’t help smiling at our naivety in those days. Something that stands out to me vividly is the sound of the sonic booms. Every time I heard one, which was often in those days, I was convinced the Russians were attacking us. Exciting times? Yes. Frightening times? Also yes.
Jim, I wondered where kids had under-the-desk drills, but we flatlander kids did not. Oh, you’re right about sonic booms. How could I forget!
A great story, Joy. The space programs have come a long way since 1996
Or from 1957! Thanks, John.
I do remember Sputnik. I was 10 yrs old. I saw it pass over one night. I don’t remember feeling worried or in danger. I was in favor of the attempts to launch satellites.
I was worried that the Russians had beat us!
This was a fascinating read, Joy! I barely even recall the moon landing in 69. I had no idea about most of the other stuff the Soviets did, besides Sputnik and the unfortunate dog. I never was part of the fear about the USSR.
As my hubby just pointed out, the communist government, with absolute rule could use all the resources available—financial and human—to win the race. A democracy has to balance many competing needs.
Thanks, Eilene. Mom had remembered how the Soviets maneuvered as an Ally and the end of the war and divided Germany, so much of my distrust probably came from her. Yes, that poor dog.
I was too young in 1957 to remember Sputnik being launched, but I was aware of the “space race” as I grew up. I watched the moon landing at our next door neighbor’s house; my family didn’t have a TV at the time.
Black and white TV, right?
No, the neighbors had a COLOR TV!
Wow!
I sure remember Sputnik, Joy. I was in 2nd grade and my dad took us out in the yard to watch it go over. It looked like a traveling star. The moon landing was almost 3 months before I went to Vietnam.
Yes, Tim, a traveling star. Satellites go over us every night these days and we don’t even think about it. The moon landing was one month before Guy headed to Vietnam, Nha Trang.
😍
Oh my goodness…what Patricia wrote — your amazing skill set, Joy! Writing about slices of historical and societal events but personalizing? One of the loveliest hallmarks of your fabulous storytelling, my friend. You do it so well. Xo! ❤️😉❤️
Bless you, Vicki. You know what a treat it is to have reviewers like you and Patricia Furstenberg, who can see much more than you knew was there. I am so blessed!
You are a marvel, Joy! I love that we’re connected…grateful for our friendship. Hugs to you – and Guy, too! ❤️😉❤️
Oh, you’re so right, Vicki. Hugs back, and also for Lisa!
Ohhhh! She’ll love that! Will do. Xo! 😘
I remember Daddy taking us out into the backyard at night to “look for Sputnik.” He could see it, he said, and traced it moving across the sky. I don’t think I ever saw it. I was probably more consumed with trying to find little baby frogs in the dew-covered grass!
What’s fascinating is that satellites sail overhead regularly and we don’t even think about it. For us, it was that the Russians had beat us!