The Sputnik launch greatly impacted the American morale. Its launch made the American people fear Soviets’ ability to launch missiles. It fed fears to the American military that they had fallen behind in developing technology. This made the U.S president splash funds and resources into the space program. This psyched up the U.S to launch their own satellite in which they became successful in 1958 when they launched the Explorer I satellite. This launch inspired various engineers and scientists for instance Harrison Storms. He designed the Apollo Command and the Saturn V launch of vehicle’s second stage. Its launch led to the development of new technologies for instance, the television, which enhanced communication. (Danto, 2008)
The threat of the Soviets’ space dominance, spurred the U.S to splash money on science, research and education. The launching of the Sputnik satellite led to more satellites being developed and as the satellites went commercial, they really spurred on financial markets and opened up information to people around the world. It led to introduction of spy satellites which it enabled countries to keep an eye on their enemies. It opened up people’s eyes that the space could actually be used for something.
During the 20th century, science was marked by advances in various knowledge and technologies. These technological innovations brought about new discoveries. It led to production of of satellites that led to better communication. It brought a start to revolution in physics. Through physics, it led to the development of lethal weapons for instance, the atomic bomb used during the world war two. More researches were funded that often led to new technologies used to military and industries for instance formation of the missiles after the launching of satellites to the space. Some of the discoveries related to to the sputnik launch include the launching of ballistic missiles that could carry nuclear weapons.
It led to discoveries in the moon. The Soviet Union reached the moon with the Luna III satellite which took pictures. It also picked samples from the moon’s surface. More discoveries in the moon were made when Apollo II was formed.
Historical research on the Sputnik Launch can be best achieved by coming up with and asking good questions about the Sputnik launch. This will provide an ideas and clues about the launch and its effects on the world. Documents should also be collected as much as possible and reviewed and information should be written down through note taking. This research will be best achieved by visiting locations and arrears where the launching of the satellite occurred to gather more detailed information. Visiting the library should be prioritized too. The research should also involve discussions and holding interviews with people who were still there during the launching of the satellite. Information is gathered from two sources, the primary sources and the secondary sources. The primary sources include for instance, diaries, journals and letters. The secondary sources include the textbooks and magazines. (Shreedharan, 2007)
This research is to be done through various methods. A research topic will be first identified and then a research problem be formulated. What follows is data collection and literature review through the various ways for instance, interviews and note taking. The data collected will then be analyzed and synthesized. Finally it’s concluded by writing a report of the research.
Locations that were involved with the Sputnik launch will be visited. This includes travelling to the Soviet Union and visiting the Sputnik Satellite associated research institutions. The Soviet Union Archives house will also be visited to get the details of the launching of the satellite. Various libraries are to be visited to read books that contain information about the launching of the satellite. Various interviews will be conducted with people who were existent during the launching of the satellite. Various military associates who were involved with the launching of the satellite are to be approached too. Documents to be looked into include; diaries, manuscripts, government documents, photographs, original maps, magazines and periodicals. (Schulz,2012).
Controversies and mysteries heralded after the event.
The launching fed fears to the U.S that their military had fallen behind in developing technology this intensified tensions. These concerns were compounded when the U.S learned that they had also tested the first ballistic missile that year. This led to the U.S president to splash funds and resources into the space program. That fear that they had fallen behind made the U.S to accelerate the space and weapons programs. It fuelled tensions between the two countries, as they worked hard to come up with methods to attack the other. This led to the creation of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration by the U.S (Schulz, 2012).
Difficulties faced by historical researchers include trouble in choosing the choice of topic, language barriers, funding and even biased information from people who want to be paid to give information. Choose the right topic that will have enough materials to back up the research. Interpreters always have to be tagged along when visiting arrears with residents and countries that speak different language. The interpreters’ are also needed during interviews. Choose topics that are not financially exhausting.
Interpretation, evaluation and synthesize of the research make sure it includes the expertise and qualification of the author regarding to academic preparation, personal experience and extent of the personal research. The work itself will be evaluated, and this is whether the author supports major points and justly derived points. The sources and documentation of theories need be cited. The history is to be interpreted as tentative by being subject to changes as new information is uncovered while new voices are heard and new interpretations broached. Look into past research and see it in any way closer to those earlier researches.
References
Claude Aime, F. V. (2006). Direct Imaging of Exoplanets:. Science and Techniques : Proceedings of the 200th Colloquium of the International Astronomical Union Held in Villefranche Sur Mer, France, October 3-7, 2005, Issue 200. Cambridge University Press.
Danto, E. A. (2008). Historical Research. Oxford University Press.
Dickson, G. P. (2002). Sputnik: The Launch of the Space Race. McClelland & Stewart.
Feldman, H. (2003). Sputnik: The First Satellite. The Rosen Publishing Group.
Roger D. Lanius, J. M. (2013). Reconsidering Sputnik: Forty Years Since the Soviet Satellite. Routlage.
Schulz, N. S. (2012). The Formation and Early Evolution of Stars:From Dust to Stars and Planets. Springer.
Sreedharan. (2007). A Manual of Historical Research Methodology. South Indian Studies.
