<P> In October 1957 , news of the Soviet Union 's launch of Sputnik 1 reaches the town of Coalwood , where most people work in the coal mines . As the townspeople gather outside on the night of the broadcast , they see the satellite orbit across the sky . Homer H. Hickam Jr. , filled with awe , sets out to build his own rockets to hopefully get out of Coalwood . His family and classmates ' do not respond kindly , especially his father and the mine superintendent , John , who wants Homer to join him in the mines . </P>
october sky at the beginning of the movie what was the radio announcement about
the Soviet Union 's launch of Sputnik 1