Sputnik's tale began five years before its launch, in 1952. That was when the International Council of Scientific Unions decided to establish July 1, 1957 to December 31, 1958 as the International Geophysical Year. Scientists knew the cycles of solar activity would be at a high point during that period and the council adopted a resolution calling for artificial satellites to be launched during that year to map Earth's surface.

The United States was off the starting blocks early. In July 1955, the White House announced plans to launch an Earth-orbiting satellite during the International Geophysical Year. Proposals from government research agencies were solicited and, by September that year, the Naval Research Laboratory's Vanguard proposal was chosen to represent America during the IGY.

When Russia eventually beat the Americans, the latter were not amused.