Subjects /U.S. History /Assignments /

AP Success - AP US History: Sputnik

The launch of the world's first artificial satellite was one of the Cold War's watershed moments.

As a result of very intensive work by scientific research institutes and design bureaus the first artificial satellite in the world has been created. On October 4, 1957, this first satellite was successfully launched in the USSR... the carrier rocket has imparted to the satellite the required orbital velocity of about 8000 meters per second... the satellite is describing elliptical trajectories around the earth, and its flight can be observed in the rays of the rising and setting sun with the aid of very simple optical instruments (binoculars, telescopes, etc.)... the satellite will travel at altitudes up to 900 kilometers above the surface of the earth; the time for a complete revolution of the satellite will be one hour and thirty-five minutes… The satellite has a spherical shape 58 centimeters in diameter and weighs 83.6 kilograms... During the International Geophysical Year the Soviet Union proposes launching several more artificial earth satellites... Artificial earth satellites will pave the way to interplanetary travel and, apparently our contemporaries will witness how the freed and conscientious labor of the people of the new socialist society makes the most daring dreams of mankind a reality.

“Announcement of the First Satellite,” Pravda, October 5, 1957

Question 1

Short answer

Briefly describe ONE technological advancement described in the pasage.

Question 2

Short answer

Briefly explain ONE specific way the United States responded to the event expressed in the excerpt.

Question 3

Short answer

Briefly explain ONE specific way the event expressed in the excerpt changed the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Teach with AI superpowers

Why teachers love Class Companion

Import assignments to get started in no time.

Create your own rubric to customize the AI feedback to your liking.

Overrule the AI feedback if a student disputes.

Other U.S. History Assignments

10/4: Foreign Policy in the Early Republic10/4: Foreign Policy in the Early Republic11.1 Colonial Foundations11.2 CONSTITUTIONAL FOUNDATIONS (1763 – 1824)11.2 Reliability - Declaration of Independence11.2 Reliability - Declaration of Independence11.3 Reliability - Monroe Doctrine1 - 4.6 (a) Market Revolution: Society and Culture1 - 4.6 (b) Market Revolution: Society and Culture1 - 4.8 (a) Jackson and Federal Power1 - 4.8 (b) Jackson and Federal Power1 - 4.8 (c) Jackson and Federal Power14th & 15th Amendments 1865-18771920s and 30s Short Answer Practice1920s: Cultural and Political Controversies1920s Cultural Developments1920s DBQ1920s SAQ1950s conformity19th c. African American Experience DBQ19th Century Immigration and Economic Growth in the United States19th Century Industrialists: Captains of Industry or Robber Barons2000 DBQ: Organized Labor's Success in Improving Workers' Position (1875-1900)2006 AP United States History Free-Response Questions20s, 30's WWII- Essay 12.2 - Puritan Settlement of Massachusetts Bay2.3 Comparing the British Colonial Regions2.3 European Colonization - Map SAQ2.3 Geography of British Colonial Regions2 - 4.6 (a) Market Revolution: Society and Culture2 - 4.6 (b) Market Revolution: Society and Culture2 - 4.6 (c) Market Revolution: Society and Culture2 - 4.8 (a) Jackson and Federal Power2 - 4.8 (b) Jackson and Federal Power2 - 4.8 (c) Jackson and Federal Power2.5 - British and French Interactions with Native Americans2.5 Gary Nash - Red, White, and Black Excerpt2nd Dilemma--Advice to President Adams: Response to Tribute Demands3.10- American Foreign Policy (1789-1800)3.2 The Seven Years' War - Territorial Changes3.6 - Historians on women and the American Revolution3.6 - Historians on women and the American Revolution3.6- Interpretations of the American Revolution3.7(a) Articles of Confederation3.7(b) Articles of Confederation3.7 Understanding the Articles of Confederation3.7 Understanding the Articles of Confederation - Option C3.8 Articles to Consitution3.8- Founding Fathers' Leadership and the Ratification of the Constitution3.8 - Historians on the U.S. Constitution