Question

Which of these statements explains why Sputnik disturbed Americans?
It led other countries to admire communism.
The satellite was capable of launching a nuclear bomb.
It was infuriating that the Soviets had launched a dog into space.
It showed that the Soviets could develop a missile capable of hitting the U.S.

Answer 1

Well during this time America and Russia had a large amount of tension due to their conflicting ideological systems of governing and the space race was the climax of this animosity this was during the atomic era and nuclear weaponry was not yet fully realized

Answer 2

So the satellite was capable of launching a nuclear bomb.