50th anniversary of the Space Age

[JonathanBelles]

Today, 50 years ago, the USSR launched Sputnik 1 into space, and the Space Race began. Just a few months later, the US launched Explorer 1. Today is a very historic day in the Astronomy, and the NASA world. Nasa has numerous stories and a module to tell you everything you want to know about Sputnik and Explorer including video, sound, and first hand accounts.

[Miss Mary]

Of course I don't remember the start of the Space Age or Sputnik b/c I was only 2 years old then. But I remember how scared Americans were of the Soviet Union. We had regular drills in school, for bomb attacks, we hid under our desks and covered our heads. Kids played games and use these words, no lie - the Russians are coming, the Russians are coming. Of course out of this paranoia came the fierce drive and goal of getting to the Moon. Each time we'd send a spaceship, manned or not up into space, everything stopped. This was breaking news! And teachers would haul in a TV for students to watch. Everyone held their breath too, just about. It was an exciting time (space travel wise) but scary too, b/c our parents and leaders feared an attack from the Russians and we believed it!