Sputnik 1 Launched by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957, Sputnik 1 was the world’s first artificial satellite, marking the dawn of the space age. Weighing just 83.6 kilograms, it orbited Earth every 96 minutes, transmitting radio signals detectable worldwide. Though simple in design—a polished metal sphere with four antennas—its success shocked the West and ignited the U.S.-Soviet space race. Sputnik proved that orbital flight was achievable and demonstrated the potential of rocket technology for both scientific and military purposes. Its beeping signal became a symbol of technological prowess and spurred massive investments in science education and aerospace in the United States, leading to the creation of NASA in 1958. The satellite operated for 21 days before its batteries died, but its legacy endures as the catalyst for all subsequent space exploration.
Add Comment + Votes ( 2 )...
...