oct 4, 1957 - Sputnik - Oct 4, 1957 The first artificial satellite to orbit the Earth launched by the Soviet Union. This technological triumph alarmed Americans, who took it as a sign that the United States was falling behind the Soviet Union in missile technology. So, the following year, Congress created the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to coordinate research in rocket science and space exploration.
Added to timeline:
Date:
oct 4, 1957
Now
~ 67 years ago