October 4, 1957 -- 57 years ago
Today was an awakening for the west. Who would believe that the other Superpower, then the USSR, had launched a satellite in Earth orbit?
There it was gliding across the sky. A new little star in the sky. Sputnik spoke a beep, beep on the 10-meter band.
As a radio DX'er, I had completed my Heathkit Shortwave Radio. It tuned all the SW bands; 10 meters (around 28-29+ megacycles) was a 'hot' band for listening.
Not all of my relatives enjoyed my excitement. Imaging a satellite signal. Wow. Great for a 15-year-old guy.
My aunt at 45 gave me the "Yeah, sure" when I tuned in Sputnik.
Its existence made US politicians nervous.
NASA was an offshoot of this singular change in international perspective.
