It was only 22 inches around. And it only weighed 184 pounds. But it might as well have been a lead weight the size of Pluto. Because the news and reports of it fell on America like a lead weight. And it had the cutest, little name. Sputnik.
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On this day, October 4, back in 1957, Russian launched Sputnik into space.
It zoomed around the Earth at about 18000 miles per hour. So, it made a full circle just about every hour and a half.
And the little satellite/rocket ship was close enough to Earth that its beeping could be picked up by amateur radio operators all across America.
And back then a satellite or rocket orbiting around the world was a new thing. So, people everywhere were tuned in and curious.
It only took about three months for Sputnik to run out of steam. And it fell out of orbit and burned up in the atmosphere. But not before it ignited a fire under the seats of those in charge here in America.
And the space race was ON.
Russia (aka The Soviet Union) beat us to “the punch”on several aspects of the space race. They were the first to put a man in space. And the first to put a woman in space. And they were first with a space walk. (No, not Moonwalk, you Michael Jackson groupies)
But America stole the spotlight when we were the first to put a man on the moon. And as Neil Armstrong said, it was “one small step for man…one giant leap for mankind.”(Remind me to share an interesting story I have about Neil.)
And we’ve been establishing colonies of millions of people on the moon ever since.
Yeah, just checkin’ to see if you’re awake.
So, how does all this space race and moon talk benefit us Earthlings?
Well, if you go by most of the reasons why scientists do what they do, the moon landing and all other space travel is a huge waste of time and resources.
But when scientists are willing to look at some critical evidence, it can mean a lot. And I’m talking about evidence that’s been staring down at them from the face of the man in the moon.
Like…why is the near side of the moon so much more beat up than the far side? Hmm…just puttin’ it out there. And why isn’t there a lot more moon dust on such an old (billions of years old, so the lies…er story…goes) satellite planet?
Hey, don’t shoot me. I’m only the piano player. And I’m just askin’.
OK. I’ll stop for now. But I’ll leave you with this one last thought…
Why should we race to space
With a smile upon our face,
When there’s plenty, here on Earth, we still can do?
Maybe I’m wastin’ time
With this silly rocket rhyme.
Or maybe it might launch some questions, too.
Stay tuned,
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