Sputnik 1
Also known as: Object PS · PS-1 · Satellite-1 · Prosteyshiy Sputnik-1 · Elementary Satellite 1 · Prosteishiy Sputnik
- 1Sputnik 1 was the first artificial satellite placed into Earth orbit.
- 2The Soviet Union launched the satellite on 4 October 1957.
- 3It operated in an elliptical low Earth orbit.
- 4The satellite transmitted radio signals for three weeks until its silver-zinc batteries failed.
- 5Atmospheric drag caused the satellite to re-enter the atmosphere and burn up on 4 January 1958.
Sputnik 1, often referred to as simply Sputnik, was the first artificial Earth satellite.
Connections1
catalyst for the start of the Space Race
The 1957 launch of the first artificial satellite by the Soviet Union triggered the intense competition for space supremacy with the United States.
Sputnik 1, often referred to as simply Sputnik, was the first artificial Earth satellite. It was launched into an elliptical low Earth orbit by the Soviet Union on 4 October 1957 as part of the Soviet space program. It sent a radio signal back to Earth for three weeks before its three silver-zinc batteries became depleted. Aerodynamic drag caused it to fall back into the atmosphere on 4 January, 1958.
Last remaining piece of Sputnik 1: metal arming key which prevented contact between batteries and transmitter prior to launch; on display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum [ 19 ]Wikimedia CommonsR-7 Semyorka ICBMWikimedia Commons30 kopek USSR stamp depicting Sputnik 1 orbiting the Earth, the Earth orbiting the Sun and the Sun orbiting the centre of the Milky Way galaxyWikimedia CommonsFirst ground track of Sputnik 1 on 13 October 1957 4:51 from RodewischWikimedia CommonsExploded view of Sputnik 1Wikimedia CommonsArtist's impression of Sputnik 1 in orbitWikimedia CommonsA Bob's Big Boy advertisement spoofs Sputnik, 1958Wikimedia CommonsA Soviet 40 kopek stamp, showing the satellite's orbitWikimedia CommonsA replica of Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite in the world to be put into outer space: the replica is stored in the National Air and Space Museum.Wikimedia Commons; Soyuz235; Own work; Public domain; Wikimedia Commons; Wikidata P18 (image)DAYTON, Ohio -- Sputnik I exhibit in the Missile & Space Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. Sputnik, which means "satellite" in Russian, was the Soviet entry in a scientific race to launch the first satellite ever.Wikimedia Commons; U.S. Air Force photo; http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil ; exact source; Public domain; Wikimedia Commons; Wikidata P18 (image)Image attached to Sputnik 1 on Wikidata.Wikimedia Commons; CC BY-SA 3.0; Wikimedia Commons; Wikidata P18 (image) 70 words