Fifty years ago today, Oct. 4, 1957, the Space Age began when the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the first man made satellite.
I remember the date because a Junior High Science teacher thought it was important enough to memorize, but no, I personally
have no memories of that day.
Many changes in the last 50 years. Postage stamps were only 3 cents. Leave it to Beaver was having its
first debute. Newspapers were full of the desegregation of Central High in Little Rock, Arkansas. Canada rolled out their
first supersonic jet aircraft, Arrow. No, I can’t remember
all that, I looked it up.
Claudia Meydrech remembers that eventual day:
I was outside as my Dad pointed out Sputnik in the sky (he was an Engineer in the aeronautics department of a big company, involved in a number of space related projects when the “space race” began)
Reading back through various news articles, websites, blogs, you can get a picture of what Sputnik looked like. The launch of the first
man-made satellite to go into orbit. Americans were concerned. That Soviet satellite passed over our country several times a day. How did they get ahead? Cause for concern? Here is a quote from Soviet rocket designer Boris Chertok:
“We prepared the launch without any great expectations. If it were to succeed, [then] great. If not, no big deal. Because our main task was to get back to building a missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.”
Spurred by fear, and not to be outdone, the Space Age began. Americans had to be the first to put a man on the moon. So many scientific advances and discoveries have come to pass as part of the race to space.
Reflecting backwards today.
Heidi
Thanks Davin for the launch video. But more importantly, you are right. The first satellite Without satellites, our world would not be so well connected. What Sputnik has done for world wide communication, how much it effects each and every life. Thanks again.
What a way to kickstart communications in the new age? I hadn’t thought of the magnitude of impact sputnik had on our communications until we were talking. WOW!!! Thanks for sharing Heidi.
Jan
Man I am SO glad we have satellites! I am hooked to my communications devices and would be lost without them! Talk about a giant leap for humanity!
I am also very glad we have my mom, Heidi Caswell! You know, the real reason she reason she can’t remember all those details was because she was busy being born! Yep she’s a space-age baby, through and through!
Happy Birthday, Mom!
Yay!
Happy day after your birthday!
Yesterday, amidst frantic internet-searching for a car to buy NOW, Tim said “Hey, today’s the 50th anniversary of Sputnik!” I jerked up and said “Oh, yeah, it’s your mom’s 50th birthday, too!”
We’ll call you soon!
What an event! Not only did Sputnik jump start the communications revolution but the space race as well. It’s hard to believe that it’s been fifty years!
Heidi,
Yes, you are right..I clearly remember the day that my dad took us outside on the front lawn of our typical 1950’s suburban neighborhood home. He was holding my brother in his arms, I was 5…even at that young age the picture of him pointing to the sky is clear in my mind, and his enthusiasm.
This paved the way to the space race, and he worked as an engineer for the aeronautics department of Kearfott, now Singer-Kearfott. So was quite involved in designing parts for various space missions. The Viking mission to Mars also stands out, he did a lot of work on the arm that was to reach out and pick of material from the surface, and listened to the radio & watched TV hoping all would go well.
Dad passed away 2 years ago this month, on the 19th, so he is in my thoughts a bit more than usual…thanks for thinking of me 🙂
Claudia
Happy Belated, lady! Hope your birthday was wonderful…