Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one, blast-off! These words rang in the air sixty years ago on October 4, 1957, as the Soviet Union (known as Russia today) launched the world’s first artificial satellite. Hours later, as it began its orbit, the notorious beeping sounds began. These beeps were the satellite transmitting to Earth for the first time ever. The satellite’s name was Sputnik and its launch was an unpleasant surprise to the United States. It made it seem like the United States was far behind in the realm of technology and space exploration. The Space Race This...