When the Soviet Union put the first satellite into earth’s orbit in 1957, it galvanized America into action. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration was set up in a jiffy, and the space race was won in 1969 when Americans landed on the moon. Barack Obama is hoping that the rise of China will galvanize the country once again. I am with you in your skepticism about another “Sputnik moment” (“China in the Mind of America,” January 22, 2011). To begin with, a moment like this would need, well, a Sputnik. So far, China has played the economic race cleverly, and it has refrained from undue histrionics that could provoke strong reactions. Although its “rise” was rather startling, it still took years to be noticed. In addition, it will take many more years for China to actually eclipse America in economic terms. Returning to the real Sputnik moment, it is good to remember that it did not take America very far. The space race having been won, the country has lost interest in space. Entirely. Ever since, NASA has been struggling to stay afloat, let alone to attempt new wonders. To wit, Sputnik moments are far from what they are billed to be.