What was Sputnik?
Sputnik 1 was the world's first artificial satellite, launched by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957. Its launch started the Space Race with the United States.
Sputnik 1 was a shiny metal sphere about 58 centimeters across, weighing about 84 kilograms, with four long antennas. It orbited Earth about every 96 minutes, sending out simple beeping radio signals that could be picked up by amateur radio operators around the world. The name Sputnik means fellow traveler or companion in Russian.
Its batteries lasted about three weeks, and it fell back into the atmosphere and burned up in January 1958. Even so, it had a huge impact. Americans were shocked that the Soviet Union had beaten them into space, raising fears about rockets that could carry nuclear weapons.
The Sputnik effect
In response, the United States created NASA in 1958, increased funding for science and math education and established DARPA, the agency that later helped develop the internet. The US launched its own first satellite, Explorer 1, in January 1958.
Did You Know?
Sputnik 2, launched a month after Sputnik 1, carried the dog Laika, the first animal to orbit Earth.