Kamanin also campaigned for early disclosure of Soviet launches, as soon as the craft is in orbit, against Vershinin's original opinion.

With the 1957 Soviet launch of Sputnik, the first artificial satellite, America became vulnerable to a surprise nuclear attack by this new indefensible weapon.

The United States felt its prestige ebbing with each Soviet launch.

That could render the initial U.S. deployment, of 100 interceptors, useless against even a small accidental Soviet launch.

The purpose would be to defend against accidental Soviet launches and attacks from potential nuclear countries such as North Korea or Iraq.

"That was clever enough," Kurtzman said ad-miringly as he scrolled through a list of Soviet satel-lite launches.

The initial deployment of 100 interceptors in North Dakota wouldn't provide much insurance against accidental or unauthorized Soviet launches.

The Space Race began after the Soviet launch of Sputnik 1 on 4 October 1957.

The Soviet launch of the first satellite (Sputnik) later in the year caused consternation among many Americans.

October 10 - R-1 missile on test becomes the first Soviet launch to enter space.