Mankind stepped over the threshold of the space age 15 years ago when on Oct. 4, 1957 the Soviet Union successfully orbited Sputnik I, the first manmade earth satellite. Even as scientists around the world listened to the “beepbeep” radio voice of the Zitinch sphere, America was preparing for its first satellite launch a few months later. The United States’ 31-pound Explorer was rocketed into orbit Jan. 31, 1950, stirring pride and jubilance across the nation. This. however, came after the Russians had put up Sputnik 11. The latter, somewhat elongated, was launched Nov. 3, 1957 and carried an 11-polmd dog in additlon to scientific instruments. The “space race,” if that’s the right term, was undertaken as part of the lntemational Geophysical Year t1GYt, a cooperative venture of 64 countries and some 100,000 scientists to strip away mysteries still veiling the earth. The IGY nations were pledged to keep each other lnformed of their projects, but the Russians kept their program a secret until they had a satellite in orbit. Space conquest of the vast quarter-century has included U. S. and Russian ltuiar probes and immanned landings; six moon landings by American manned craft; numerous orbital flights by both countries, and planetary probes to nearby planes Venus and Mars in the 1960s. Later probes have been made of Jupiter, Mercury and Saturn. Photos and data have been transmitted back to earth to give man a better picture of the universe and its features and environment. American astronauts stayed in space as long as 35 days in the Skylab program, providing information on protracted weightlessness and space radiation. This year the National Aeronautics and Space Administration signals a major milestone with introduction of the Space Shuttle to regular operational service as the principal element of its space transportation system. A memorable achievement was the U. S.-USSR joint flight in July 1975 when Americans Vance Brand, Thomas Stafford and Donald Slayton in Apollo 18 linked up in space with Russians Alexi Leonov and Valen 1(ubason in Soyuz 19, conducted joint experiments, shared meals and conducted a joint news conference. Space age developments have accelerated scientific progress and technologies. Spinoff benefits have helped mankind in hundreds of ways–in defense. communications, education, industry, agriculture, energy development, drugs and medicines and many other fields. The space age didn’t begin with Sputnik and Explorer, of course. Many years of scientific theoretical and experimental work plus mechanical ingenuity by space pioneers preceded entry into outer space. One such scientist, Dr. Robert H, Goddard, New England physics professor, generally is known as the “father of rocketry.” As early as 1909 he considered the idea of a liquid fuel rocket utilizing hydrogen and oxygen. It would be an understatement to say space exploration has lifted the pride and hopes of Americans as well as peoples across the world as one historic achievement after another has taken place. Heroes have emerged; goals raised with each accomplishment. Americans well remember the deeds of astronauts in manned flights, and such words front the moon explorations as astronaut Neil A. Armstrong’s: ”’l”:ut’s one small step for a man one giant step for mankind” as he set foot on the moon Sunday. July 20, 1969. And the voices of astror–lots Frank Borman, James A. Lovell Jr. and William Anders Christmas Eve 1963 in a telecast from Saturn 0 on the first moon orbital flight as they gave a moving prayer for peace and recited the Biblical passage from Genesis, “And God created the heavens and the earth…” The broadcast came as they transmitted pictures above the moon’s “Sea of Tranquillty” about 230,000 miles from a retum to earth. ‘1’he space age has spawned new einflatables slide words and given new meaning to old ones. Such words include Landsat. Comsat, orbiter, command module, space station, tracking stations, spacelab, and various computer terms. NASA officials say that for all the accomplishments to date, we have just begim to tap the aero space benefit potential. The world will be awaiting with anticipation the promise of coming years.