Sputnik 1

Sputnik was the very first man-made Earth satellite, successfully launched by Russia on October 4th, 1957. This satellite initiated the space race, pushed humanity forward into the space-age, caused the American Sputnik Crisis and also triggered a new age of technological, political, scientific and military advancements. The satellite, scientifically, was considered highly valuable due to its breakthrough in the development of human technology.

It was, however, also highly controversial as it launched during the cold war. The American public became very paranoid after hearing the news of Sputnik's successful launch as the heated rivalry between the Soviet Union and the United States of America began after World War II. Many believed that the same mizzle that launched Sputnik into the atmosphere could also launch nuclear warheads across the world, reaching its target in only a few minutes.

Soviet stamp used as propaganda and depicting Sputnik orbiting Earth

After the initial launch of Sputnik, some American films took the idea of the space-age technology of the Soviet Union and turned it into propaganda. Rocket Attack USA, released in 1961 was intended to gather support from the public to create an anti-missile programme The film is based upon the idea that the satellite was collecting information and spying on the American public for Soviet Russia.