On October 4, 1957 at 19:28:34 UTC, the Soviet Union successfully placed the world's first artificial satellite into orbit around Earth. Sputnik 1 had two radio transmitters and broadcast the "beep-beep-beep" that symbolically ushered in the space age.

The launch of Sputnik and the apparent Soviet lead in rocket technology disturbed many in the West. Intense debate about America's standing led to several important political decisions to bolster science and technology, among them establishment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in 1958 and passage of the National Defense Education Act.