What was the major impact of the launch of sputnik i on the united states?

a) the united states withdrew from the space race because it could not beat the soviets.
b) the united states took steps to catch up and surpass the soviets in the space race
c) the united states created the nasa law to fund math and science education.
d) the united states focused all of its attention on destroying the soviet satellite sputnik i.

Correct answer choice is :

The Soviets reacted with yet another launch, and the space race remained. The triumph of Sputnik had a major influence on the Cold War and the United States. Fear that they had fallen behind led U.S. policymakers to stimulate space and weapons programs. Sputnik was the world's first artificial satellite, begun Oct. 4, 1957. Fifty-five years ago today, the Space Race was hit into gear by a silver basketball flying through the sky. Sputnik 1, the Soviet exploration that became the first manmade object to reach space, launched Oct. 4, 1957.

The United States took steps to catch up and surpass the Soviets in the space race

Further Explanation:

During the era of 1950s, The US became one of the most dominant powers in the world. Spy-plane of the united States named ‘Lockheed U-2’ fled over Soviet Union and it used to provide intelligence which led United States to hold the advantage in the nuclear capability. The Launch of Sputnik 1 meant that  USSR gained substantial gap in leading of the technology and this was viewed as a serious threat to the United States. That led United States to take strong actions and decisions and also make considerable investments in the field of research and development of the national security.  

The launch of Sputnik 1 by the Soviets was the key event behind the cold war and that led to foundation of NASA and space race between United States and Soviet Union started.  

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Answer Details:

Grade: High School

Chapter: Sputnik 1

Subject: History

Keywords: United States, Sputnik 1, USSR, Soviet union, Technology, Space research, Cold War, NASA.