Why did President Eisenhower want the United States to put a satellite in orbit?

• A. Because, fearing surprise attack, he desperately wanted a way to collect intelligence on the Soviet Union.
• B. Because he knew it would be a critical first step to putting a man on the moon.
• C. Because Dr. Robert Goddard convinced him that U.S. survival depended on it.
• D. Because he knew aircraft would eventually be obsolete.

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that space-based reconnaissance offered a crucial national security advantage during the Cold War. Placing a satellite in orbit would give the United States eyes in the sky beyond the range of conventional reconnaissance planes, enabling earlier and more reliable intelligence on Soviet capabilities and missile activity. This early warning and intelligence capability could deter surprises and improve decision-making during crises, which is exactly what Eisenhower was aiming for.

The other options don’t fit as well. The Moon-landing goal became a priority later and wasn't the immediate reason for launching a satellite. Dr. Robert Goddard was an influential pioneer, but his advocacy wasn’t the driving force behind promoting a satellite for national security. Finally, while aviation would continue to be important, the move to orbit a satellite wasn’t about making aircraft obsolete; satellites offered complementary capabilities—especially in intelligence gathering—that planes alone couldn’t provide.