Assignment 7: Hannah Pulley

On October 4th 1999, English rock band Muse released their debut album, Showbiz 1957, what was then the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, which was the world's first artificial satellite. Not only was it a large accomplishment for the Soviet Union, but for the international scientific community as well. In that time, it was seen as an effort for the Soviet Union to get ahead in the ongoing Cold War; the United States as well was racing to develop technology needed in case of an attack, nuclear or otherwise. When news of the launch reached the rest of the world, there was a huge reaction. Not only was it proved that such a feat was possible, Sputnik served to collect data about the upper atmosphere and exactly how the earth’s gravity caused satellites to orbit the earth.  In the United States, the launch of Sputnik marked the early days of the space race that would lead to the founding of NASA in 1958, humans sent into orbit and landing on the moon within 15 years, and an increased interest in science, astronomy, and engineering that continues to this day. While the last moon landing was in the early 70’s, nations have launched countless orbiting satellites and probes, such as Voyager 1 and 2, for the purpose of exploration, research on the possibility of other habitable planets, investigation of the origins of the universe and so much more. Space exploration might not have become a priority if it weren't for a small metal sphere in low orbit, sending off radio signals that were audible on shortwave radio, as if to bring the people closer to the sky.