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Writing for the New York Times shortly after the flight, however, journalist Arthur Krock described mixed feelings in the United States due to fears of the spaceflight's potential military implications for the Cold War, and the Detroit Free Press wrote that " the people of Washington, London, Paris and all points between might have been dancing in the streets " if it were not for " doubts and suspicions " about Soviet intentions.

Other US writers reported worries that the spaceflight had won a propaganda victory on behalf of communism.

President John F. Kennedy was quoted as saying that it would be " some time " before the US could match the Soviet launch vehicle technology, and that " the news will be worse before it's better.

" Kennedy also sent congratulations to the Soviet Union for their " outstanding technical achievement.

" Opinion pages of many US newspapers urged renewed efforts to overtake the Soviet scientific accomplishments.