Fifty-five years ago today, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the first artificial satellite, into Earth orbit. It was basically a propaganda attempt to show the superiority of the Soviet system over the capitalist West.
Now, of course, the Soviet Union is long gone, but Sputnik did begin a revolution that has already reshaped our view of the cosmos several times, and promises to do so several more. Though Sputnik itself wasn't a scientific triumph, or designed to be, it did open the door for scientists and engineers who wanted to go into space to explore and learn, and those people have given us a new understanding of ourselves.
Sometimes an act meant to accomplish one thing can have consequences that are completely separate from the original intent.
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