The correct answer is A. The government increased federal funding after the launch of Sputnik to increase technological advancements and education in the interest of national security.
Sputnik I was the first artificial satellite launched into space by the Soviet Union. This event started the space race, through which the United States increased its investment in technological development and national security, both not to fall behind the Soviet achievements in space research, but also because of the fear generated by the presence of a Soviet satellite capable of spying the American movements and developments.