To what extent was the Sputnik vital for the USSR in competing with the US?

Question by 3raser: To what extent was the Sputnik Launch a vital operation for the Soviet Union in competing with the United Stat?
How was the Sputnik launch a vital operation for Soviet Union (Russia) to prove itself against the US who was the first in the Nuclear Powers race?

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Answer by tuffy
The United States was shocked that the Soviets put a satellite into space first. It spurred the U.S. to concentrate on math and science in the public schools and universities. One could stand outside at night and watch it cross the sky. Still remember, like it was yesterday. First viewed when I was in San Antonio, Texas.

Answer by Jack E
I was in 2nd grade at the time. The next day in school, almost all the other kids were missing. Most of the school staff and the teachers were missing too.

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Der Kommissar says

It was a prestige thing for the Soviet Union. The Cold War was well under way by 1957, and both the USSR and the USA were engaged in a propaganda war over whose way of life was better. By beating the United States into space, the Soviets gained a lot of positive press. Later on, they also beat the U.S. to put the first man in space, and led the Space Race for several years. They had a genius named Sergei Korolev working for them, and until he died in 1966, they were either on par or ahead of the U.S. in space. After his death, the technical and manufacturing prowess of the U.S. enabled it to take the lead, and so the United States won the race to the moon.

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