The Space Race Technology

Beginning in the late 1950s, the Space Race was a pivotal time for scientific development in both nations it involved, The United States of America and the Soviet Union. Initiated by the Soviet launch of Sputnik 1, the two nations commenced the race in a frenzy of advancements, yielding as a byproduct, functional technology for present day use. To what extent has technology originating from the Space Race been developed for widespread use in present day United States? In this investigation two of the sources from which information was drawn were: the NASA website and History.com. NASA’s website is a valuable source in this investigation in the fact that it was a program directly impacted by the Space Race. During the race itself, funding for
This article was published in 2010, providing a more recent account of the Space Race. The author that wrote the piece is not named, rather they are listed under the name “History.com staff”. Lacking the author’s name weakens the validity of the source, due to the fact that there is no way of confirming his or her credentials. This article is meant to provide a span of information to the public, including the context of the Space Race, specific events, and its effects. The article provides factual information about the Space Race. It contributes to my investigation because of its ability to underscore the innovation that occurred with the development of space technology. By highlighting some of the major events affiliated with the Space Race, the progression of technological success can be evaluated. Being from a television channel suggests that entertainment and information converged while creating the article. It is possible that with the goal of attracting a wide audience, the information provided on the site has been oversimplified for the sake of
Technology that was used once in space, was able to, and continues to improve the lives of many. The applications, including the benefits for the American public, of technology developed during this time period will be investigated. It will be determined whether the technology which emerged during the Space Race has a strong presence in the lives of the typical American citizen or not. One of the notable impacts of the Space Race has been its influence on the the public’s attitude toward Space Exploration. The Space Race, following the launch of Sputnik 1, was a public spectacle. Public attention toward Space Exploration was at an all time high. In addition, the Space Race sparked the competitive spirit of the United States. This time in history was seen as a contest between the Soviet Union and the United States which would indicate which nation was the leading scientific and technological power (Impact of U.S. and Soviet Space Programs on World Opinion). The United States and Soviet Union were already at odds, representing two vastly different forms of government: capitalism and communism. The Space Race, with the backdrop of the Cold War, provided another arena for proving superiority of a nation (History.com) (airandspace.si.edu). In addition