In article .net,
says...
In 1955, *both* the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. had announced intentions to
try to orbit satellites in the immediate future. The U.S. said it would
try to launch during the upcoming International Geophysical Year
1957-58; the U.S.S.R. was a bit more vague as to exactly when.

Yet when the U.S.S.R. orbited Sputnik, the whole world, especially the
U.S., appeared to be "shocked" by it. Why? Did everybody think the
Soviets were only making idle boasts?

Yeah, pretty much. It's one thing to say you're going to launch a
satellite. It's another to actually do it.

--

Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for | Doug Van Dorn
thou art crunchy and taste good with ketchup |