The Apollo Project of Landing on the Moon aroused great discussion at that time. It was the greatest American project ever, people were querying is it worthy of spending too much money in the Space far beyond and neglect poverty and so many problems on earth. Why don’t we use those resources on earth to fight against disease, poverty and environmental protection. At that time there was no social media, no internet, but still aroused hot discussions, even in high school composition and debate outside the US, they have to talk about such a topic.
In terms of academic research, no doubt it is necessary. But the problem lies on the scale is too large or not. When viewing from the past to future, it is a MUST. Once people thought that the earth is flat and is the centre of the universe, for we really watch the sun and moon goes round the earth from day to night. Anyone who says the earth is round and the earth circulates round the sun would be considered crazy or heresy. But at length proved the crazy saying is correct and the correct version is wrong.
People want to know the beginning of the universe and know more concerning the Big Bang and is there any life and culture beyond earth. Knowledge is invaluable and hard to be measure by money.
Space Exploration is also a method to show the nation’s power. Besides the economic success, the nation’s power and effort can be shown be space exploration. During the World War II, the landing of Normandy brought the war to the last stage of heading against Berlin. The Allied force moved from Normandy westward to Berlin, and Red Army moved eastward to Berlin. Soviet Union arrived first because their route is shorter and entered the prime minster house first. Adolf Hitler committed suicide and thus ended the European War. Soviet Union seemed to be the winner. But the two atomic bombs of US led to the real end of World War II. Both US and Soviet Union wanted to be the only leader of the world.
Thus started the Cold War, 5 powers of the United Nations tried to develop atomic bombs one by one. On October 4th 1957, Soviet Union launched the first satellite Sputnik 1which is the first artificial satellite to orbit round the earth and space race started. It circulates round the earth every 96 minutes. On November 3rd 1957, Sputnik 2 lunched with a dog called Laika into space, but unluckily died. Anyway, space race carries on as usual.
When US launched the Explorer 1 on January 31st 1958, apparently later than Soviet Union. But they found one more important reason must chase up besides reputation. That is space exploration can be used for intercontinental missile shooting and carry atomic bombs across the ocean to reach another side of the earth.
After World War II, the most important thing is to develop military power. If you have strong military power, you can end the war by just two atomic bombs. Who owes the strongest weapons, who is the leader of the world. This is even more important than economic power, cultural power, education or environmental protection. Artificial satellites can be used to guide the intercontinental missiles and who own the most satellites around the orbit of earth, who is the leader of the world.
This is how the Space Race begins.