NASA
Nasa: Sputnik and the Dawn of the Space Age
This site from NASA describes the impact that Sputnik had in triggering the space race.
NASA
Nasa: Sputnik and the Origins of the Space Age
NASA provides a paper providing a background to the Sputnik launch and the U.S. response.
NASA
Nasa: Pre and Post Sputnik Public Attitudes
This site from NASA provides a paper that describes the public's attitiude before and after the launch of the Sputnik satellite. Originally presented as part of the "U.S. President's Committee on Information Activities Abroad."
NASA
Nasa: Sputnik Pictures
NASA provides pictures of various Sputnik program satellites, including Sputnik 1. Also has pictures of key officials involved in the Sputnik program.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History:the Cold War Continues
A comprehensive look at U.S. foreign policy during the Eisenhower administration. The Cold War was at its height, and the United States used many tactics to fight and contain the spread of Communism. Be sure to watch the cartoon of Bert...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: The Start of the Space Race
Looks at the USSR's launch of Sputnik and the galvanizing effect it had on America's motivation to fund aerospace research. NASA was soon formed and more funding was put in place for public education in the sciences and math.
NASA
Nasa Star Child: Space Travel (Level 1)
Learn about the history of space travel. Audio content is included as well as vocabulary words linked to a glossary of terms.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Johnson's Task, Unify Space Program
Russia was ahead in the "space race" in 1961. In this article, the Library of Congress discusses how President Kennedy assigned Lyndon Johnson the task of uniting the different parts of the U.S. space program into NASA.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Us History: 1945 1980: The Start of the Space Race
Learn about the launch of Sputnik and the establishment of NASA.
Digital Public Library of America
Dpla: Space Race
This set focuses on the Space Race during the mid-1950s and 1960s and examines the impact of the Space Race today. Includes a teacher's guide.
A&E Television
History.com: Why the Air Force Almost Blasted the Moon With an H Bomb
Detonating a thermonuclear weapon on the moon? It sounds like the bizarre scheme of a deranged comic-book villain -- not a project initiated inside the U.S. government. But in 1958, as the Cold War space race was heating up, the U.S. Air...
University of Wisconsin
The Why Files: Sputnik's Legacy
Easy-to-read history of the Soviet satellite launch that began the race for space between the Soviet Union and United States. Click on "next" at the bottom to advance to the next page.
ClassFlow
Class Flow: History of Space Travel
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart presents an introduction to space travel from Sputnik to ISS. It is full of vintage photos that take you back in time and space.
Siteseen
Siteseen: American Historama: Sputnik
Detailed information on Sputnik, the first artificial satellite to orbit Earth, launched by the USSR on October 4, 1957.
Siteseen
Siteseen: American Historama: The Space Race
Provides interesting facts and an overview of the Cold War Space Race (1957-1975), a competition in the exploration of space between the United States and the Soviet Union.
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: Eisenhower Foreign Affairs
This PBS American Experience site summarizes the foreign policies set in place and carried out by the Eisenhower Administration.
Curated OER
Npr: Sputnik at 50: Looking Back at the Space Race
The Soviets were surprised at the world's reaction to their accomplishment. Little did they know that they had thrust the world into the Space Age. NPR supplies historic facts, thoughts of people involved, and information on the impact...
Curated OER
Npr: Sputnik at 50: Looking Back at the Space Race
The Soviets were surprised at the world's reaction to their accomplishment. Little did they know that they had thrust the world into the Space Age. NPR supplies historic facts, thoughts of people involved, and information on the impact...
Curated OER
Npr: Sputnik at 50: Looking Back at the Space Race
The Soviets were surprised at the world's reaction to their accomplishment. Little did they know that they had thrust the world into the Space Age. NPR supplies historic facts, thoughts of people involved, and information on the impact...