The response of the United States to the Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik in 1957 was marked by urgency and concern regarding American technological and scientific capabilities. Sputnik, the first artificial satellite, was launched by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957, and caused alarm in the U.S. as it demonstrated Soviet advancements in space technology and posed a potential threat in the context of the Cold War. In reaction, the U.S. established NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) in 1958 to effectively lead space exploration and research. This event also shifted American education focus towards science and mathematics to ensure technological competitiveness.