Sputnik Turns 50

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Today marks the 50th anniversary of Sputnik's launch into space. The little Soviet satellite that could was, in many ways, the catalyst for the space race and America's push to put a man on the moon. And that, in turn, is really one of most inspiring moments in recent American history. When President Kennedy said we would put a man on the moon in a decade and then we did it, that's the kind of thing that gives you faith in the power of government, and is the kind of bold move that we could really use from Washington these days, about anything.

Here's a great article in the San Francisco Chronicle (via Gizmodo, same as the picture above), Russia marks the anniversary with plans to revitalize their space program, and, most importantly, the ARChive's Sputnikary mix of space-themed songs.

And, in honor of Sputnik, let us know what you think the government should announce it will do in ten years, to re-inspire confidence in it's power and abilities? Cure cancer? Universal health care? Free candy bars? You name it.