Final answer:
In response to the launch of Sputnik, the US federal government rapidly advanced its own space technology, resulting in the creation of NASA in 1958 and successfully launching Explorer 1, the first US satellite, marking America's entry into the Space Race.
Step-by-step explanation:
In response to the Soviet Union launching Sputnik into space, the US federal government took immediate action to compete in the burgeoning space race. The launch of Sputnik on October 4, 1957, marked a significant milestone as it was the first man-made satellite to orbit Earth. This event concerned the US as it suggested that Soviet technology might be surpassing American capabilities, particularly with potential military applications in mind. In 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower established the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), with the primary goal of launching American satellites and astronauts into space. Although the US's initial satellite program, Vanguard, encountered numerous failures, an alternative team working on a military launch vehicle known as Jupiter-C successfully launched the satellite Explorer 1 into orbit on January 31, 1958, marking the first US satellite in space.
This period of intense competition and innovation became known as the Space Race, which was intertwined with the larger context of Cold War tensions and the competition for technological and military superiority. As part of the broader effort to catch up and eventually surpass Soviet space achievements, the US concentrated on advancing its space technology and capabilities, ultimately leading to significant scientific and engineering progress.