The fear of Sputnik §

When Sputnik was launched it didn’t matter that Sputnik was basically a toaster with a radio. As far as America was concerned, it was a clear sign that the ussr was ahead.

And that very clear perception was what propelled the US to focus on the moon.

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and then China is now having a Sputnik moment (with things like Alpha go etc)

Saw an article about this online