Russian Life & People Digest
Question by osslv: sputnik, 50 years ago made it to the skies, how come most news play down its importance today?
everyone knows it was the first artificial satellite ever to circle the earth, but what about its importance? it was the satellite that started the space race that we now enjoy today. isn’t? what do you say?
Answers and Views:
Answer by B.
They are celebrating by drinking vodka
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Billy Butthead says
The importance of Sputnik was a first in space technology.
It is also attributed to the Russians,we don't want be second so we just down play it.
It likely spurred the first man on the moon venture so we are back first.
Ken E says
It frightened the daylights out of the USA but the rest of the world was not all that worried. Those who knew about such things at the time realised that it was only a matter of time before either the USA or the USSR put something into orbit. It was proposed for the planned International Geophysical Year some years before.
Me says
Um becuase we did not luanch it.
nick s says
Competitor? to whom?
You have to get used to the fact that all the world is not America, my friend.
I don't see any playing down of sputnik. It was a great achievement.
And that is not to play down America's achievements in space.
Tom A says
It's not really news, it's an anniversary. There'll be some comment on it, but not as much as other anniversaries. The people whose job it is to be interested (like Sky & Telescope mag) have an article on the activities that took place around it.
I agree with you. It should be noted that the "Space Age" and all its spin-offs began only 50 years ago, and really was the time when human history separated into two parts. The next break may be if/when evidence is discovered of extra-terrestrial life of some sort.
hangfire says
It is not in our nature to celebrate the achievements of a competitor.