National Air and Space Museum: Sputnik 1
Replica Sputnik 1
Milestone: First Artificial Satellite
Date of Milestone: October 4, 1957
Spacecraft: Sputnik 1
Mission Operated by: USSR
Spacecraft Location: Smithsonian Institution, National Air and Space Museum, Milestones of Flight Gallery
On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union sent into orbit Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite in history. Then a month later, an even larger and heavier satellite, Sputnik 2, carried the dog Laika into orbit.
Sputnik's launch came as an unnerving surprise to the United States. The space age had dawned and America's Cold War rival suddenly appeared technologically superior.
The first U.S. effort to launch a satellite failed when its Vanguard rocket exploded during lift-off. Finally on January 31, 1958, a Jupiter-C rocket sent Explorer 1 into orbit. The space race was underway.
More than twice the size of a basketball, Sputnik was larger and heavier than Explorer. Sputnik’s sphere was polished to a high sheen to aid in tracking by telescope.
Despite Sputnik’s streamlined appearance, it tumbled while in orbit.
Sputnik contained two radio transmitters, which sent back the “beep-beep-beep” heard round the world.
Sputnik 1 (Full-size replica)
Length: 285 cm (112 in), antennae
Diameter: 58 cm (23 in)
Weight: 83.6 kg (184 lb)
Launch Vehicle: R-7
Lent by the Science in Russia Exhibition of National Achievement
airandspace.si.edu/exhibitions/milestones-of-flight/onlin...
National Air and Space Museum: Sputnik 1
Replica Sputnik 1
Milestone: First Artificial Satellite
Date of Milestone: October 4, 1957
Spacecraft: Sputnik 1
Mission Operated by: USSR
Spacecraft Location: Smithsonian Institution, National Air and Space Museum, Milestones of Flight Gallery
On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union sent into orbit Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite in history. Then a month later, an even larger and heavier satellite, Sputnik 2, carried the dog Laika into orbit.
Sputnik's launch came as an unnerving surprise to the United States. The space age had dawned and America's Cold War rival suddenly appeared technologically superior.
The first U.S. effort to launch a satellite failed when its Vanguard rocket exploded during lift-off. Finally on January 31, 1958, a Jupiter-C rocket sent Explorer 1 into orbit. The space race was underway.
More than twice the size of a basketball, Sputnik was larger and heavier than Explorer. Sputnik’s sphere was polished to a high sheen to aid in tracking by telescope.
Despite Sputnik’s streamlined appearance, it tumbled while in orbit.
Sputnik contained two radio transmitters, which sent back the “beep-beep-beep” heard round the world.
Sputnik 1 (Full-size replica)
Length: 285 cm (112 in), antennae
Diameter: 58 cm (23 in)
Weight: 83.6 kg (184 lb)
Launch Vehicle: R-7
Lent by the Science in Russia Exhibition of National Achievement
airandspace.si.edu/exhibitions/milestones-of-flight/onlin...