Sputnik 1 (shown above) was the first artificial Earth satellite. It was launched into orbit by the USSR in October of 1957. Sputnik sent the first radio signal back to Earth for three weeks before its batteries ran out. The news of the Sputnik came as a surprise to Americans, who had been told for years of the United States' dominance in scientific technology. Which statement below accurately describes a consequence of the successful launch of Sputnik 1?