50 Years Later – What’s Today’s Sputnik?

Sergei Khrushchev, astronauts, and one of America’s leading inventors crossed swords in a high-level argument over what it was about Sputnik in 1957 that changed the world – and whether the U.S. needed another shock to its system to once again gain traction in science, engineering, space and ultimately global competitiveness.  

"The 1957 Sputnik launch was a call to action for U.S. science, education and global competitiveness. Fifty years later, we face an array of Sputnik-like challenges that will test us again – but without a Soviet satellite to awaken us," said Frederick Kempe, president and CEO of The Atlantic Council.

The event premiered “Sputnik Mania,” a soon-to-be-released movie that tells the gripping, never-before-told story of America’s growing fear and panic to the launch of Sputnik.  Filmmaker David Hoffman told the crowd, “I wanted younger people to experience that moment -- the excitement and awe we felt -- and then see just how quickly, for our parents especially, that all turned to fear. And as the months went on, the fear grew towards panic. Yet we lived with it and learned by it and what we did as a result provides a valuable lens for reflecting on where we stand today."

 "The Sputnik Moment: Lessons for 21st Century Global Challenges" was co-hosted by The Atlantic Council of the United States and the Business Roundtable to highlight the 50th anniversary of the launch of Sputnik, a moment that shocked the country into an unparalleled investment in science, technology and education.  Atlantic Council International Advisory Board Member Richard Edelman reflects on the 50^th anniversary of the launch of Sputnik on his recent blog entry.

This event featured a panel discussion with Sergei N. Khrushchev, son of former Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev and lecturer on Soviet and Russian economic and political reforms; Roger D. Launius, chair of the Division of Space History at the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum and former chief historian of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); Barbara Morgan, NASA’s first educator astronaut and mission specialist for Endeavour’s STS-118 space flight in August 2007; Thomas P. Stafford, former NASA astronaut and co-leader of the Apollo-Soyuz flight; and Jay Walker, chairman of Walker Digital, LLC, founder of Priceline.com and owner of a real Sputnik. The panel discussed lessons learned from the “Sputnik Moment,” its implications on U.S. and foreign policy, and future shocks to U.S. competitiveness. Kempe moderated the discussion and Business Roundtable president John J. Castellani provided opening remarks.

“Business Roundtable CEOs know that U.S. leadership in science and technology is essential to economic growth, national security and a productive future for our nation,” said Castellani. "America's ability to compete in a 21st century economy depends on our continued investments in education and innovation."

Created from thousands of hours of archival footage and recently declassified Cold War documents, “Sputnik Mania” presents an insightful look at not only the birth of the space age, but also the Sputnik “mania” that spread worldwide over the following years. Much of the material in he film has not been seen in decades. The film reveals that the launch of Sputnik was a deep shock to the American public, inspiring both excitement and fear. The 184-pound Sputnik I and the powerful rocket that bore it into orbit not only spawned a scientific revolution, but also triggered international suspicion and even panic in some circles, and accelerated the nuclear arms race.

[watch panel discussion]

For questions about the Sputnik Mania event, please contact Michael Safianik, Assistant Director for External Relations,  msafianik@acus.org.