Question

How did the launch of sputnik 1 affect american perceptions of the soviet union?

Answer 1

Answer:  a. it suggested that the soviet union might have the capability to launch missiles at American cities.

Context: The Sputnik satellite was sent into orbit by the USSR on October 4, 1957.  The Soviets announced its mission as a scientific one, to study the solar system.  In the Cold War atmosphere, of course, Americans were wary of what other motives the USSR might have had.  The Soviets launched Sputnik 2 in November, 1957, with a dog on board.  The USA scrambled to get its own satellite program operational, launching the first US satellite, Explorer, on January 1, 1958.