Question

The first artificial Earth satellite, Sputnik 1, was launched into space by the former Soviet Union on October 4, 1957. As momentous as this event was for science, it was a blow to the United States. Americans feared that the launch indicated a technological gap between the United States and the Soviet Union, America's rival in the Cold War at the time. With a technological edge, they worried, the Soviets could dominate the exploration of space or develop superior weapons. This widespread concern spurred the U.S. government to combine several separate organizations into a new, better-funded organization called the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA. NASA officially began operations on October 1, 1958. Four months later, the U.S. successfully launched its own satellite, Explorer 1. Choose one

1. It contrasts the motivations of the two superpowers.

2. It details the motivation for creating NASA.

3. It challenges the wisdom of forming NASA.

Answer 1

2

The passage explains why the U.S. created NASA—public and government fear of a Soviet technological lead after Sputnik, concerns about space dominance and weapons, and the decision to consolidate agencies into a better-funded organization—so it details the motivation for creating NASA.