Question

Why did the United States suffer a loss of confidence following the launch of Sputnik I?
The United States knew that they would not be able to build a satellite like Sputnik I.
The United States assumed that they would be first into space, before the Soviets.
It was a better satellite than the ones the United States had launched.
The space race had ended, and the United States had lost to the USSR.

Answer 1

The United States assumed that they would be first into space, before the Soviets.

Explanation: Sputnik's sudden success surprised Americans and policymakers, signaling Soviet superiority in rocketry and raising fears about military and technological lag. The shock undermined confidence and spurred major responses (e.g., NASA, science/education reforms).