The first U.S. satellite launched!

The U.S. was not "well behind" the soviets. Check the Facts, JPL was ready to launch a satellite around the same time the Soviets did. They did not launch it first, because being a government agency, they were at the mercy of the president, cabinet members, and bureaucrats. Washington had other priorities, they did not see the importance of satellites at the time. The truth is that U.S scientists were ready to go just as much as the soviets. They DID try harder. Thankfully the Soviets were first, which in turn spurred the U.S. with its competitive streak. The question is, will we continue? We should! we should support pioneers like Elon Musk to make forward strides in space exploration.