October 1957
The Soviet Union announced Oct 4 that they – as part of the International Geophysical Year – had successfully launched an artificial satellite into earth orbit. This creates a difficult situation for the USA, as:
1) If true, this means the Soviets have rockets which have the capability to deliver nuclear bombs to any location in North America.
2) The USSR gains substantial international prestige from the achievement.
Sputnik ( meaning satellite) transmits a radio signal which has been monitored on earth.
The event has created great concern and anxiety in this country, and there has even been discussion of expanding our own satellite program. Some members of Congress are reluctant to spend money on it, however, and some even question that Sputnik actually exists. “This is just more Russian propaganda. How could the Godless Communists have made such a technological achievement?”, asks a member of the House. Another source critics of an expanded US space effort believe is an amateur astronomer who states the radio signals are not man made but emanate from a distant star. “Why spend our tax dollars on something that isn’t even real?”
Spokespersons from the clergy question that God would have allowed such a thing to occur, and object to any new program. To embark on such a mission would give more credibility to science and less to religion, they observe, and might even lead to the teaching of evolution in public schools. What we need is more prayer, not more science and engineering they plead. We must pray that the satellite is not real, and if it is, then for the safety of our country.
Post Scriptum: It has been observed that the launch of Sputnik came just a few years after the words “Under God” were inserted into the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, and “In God We Trust” adopted as the national motto.
charles' log 