Sputnik Moment - The Real Story

Dr. Dragutin Petkovic, Professor of Computer Science at SFSU,  will present the results of his research investigating the events that created the well known "Sputnik moment" in the USA, which was credited with the ambitious launch of initiatives that spurred the development of the US space program, the race to the moon, and provided targeted funding for academic and industrial research in space technology.  We all know about the incredible successes these initiatives enabled. It is common belief that the Sputnik program was an organized and directed effort by top politicians in the USSR to dominate the USA both technically and in public opinion, and that US politicians immediately recognized this threat (it was a "Sputnik Moment") and launched a program to counter this. As in many historical events, after the facts are released a different picture often emerges.

Room S360