Sputnik 1, October 1957: The First Satellite’s Signal
Also known as: Object PS · PS-1 · Satellite-1 · Prosteyshiy Sputnik-1 · Elementary Satellite 1 · Prosteishiy Sputnik
Follow the launch, radio signals, and political response to the first artificial Earth satellite, linking Soviet engineering to the early space race.
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Chief designer
Chief designer in “Sputnik 1, October 1957: The First Satellite’s Signal”. Sergei Pavlovich Korolev was a Soviet rocket engineer and spacecraft designer who led the development of the Soviet space program during the early years of the Space Race.
Launcher origin
Launcher origin in “Sputnik 1, October 1957: The First Satellite’s Signal”. The R-7 Semyorka was a Soviet missile developed during the Cold War, and the world's first intercontinental ballistic missile. The basis for the R-7 rocket family, it was adapted into the world's first orbital launch vehicle, Sputnik, and the crewed orbital launch vehicles Vostok.
Launch site
Launch site in “Sputnik 1, October 1957: The First Satellite’s Signal”. The Baikonur Cosmodrome is a spaceport operated by Russia within Kazakhstan. Located in the Kazakh city of Baikonur, it is the largest operational space launch facility in terms of area. All Russian crewed spaceflights are launched from Baikonur.
Soviet leader
Soviet leader in “Sputnik 1, October 1957: The First Satellite’s Signal”. Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev was the First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1953 to 1964 and the Chairman of the Council of Ministers from 1958 to 1964.
Political competition
Political competition in “Sputnik 1, October 1957: The First Satellite’s Signal”. The Space Race was a 20th-century competition between the Cold War rivals, the United States and the Soviet Union, to achieve superior spaceflight capability.
US reaction
US reaction in “Sputnik 1, October 1957: The First Satellite’s Signal”. The Sputnik crisis was a period of public fear and anxiety in Western nations about the perceived technological gap between the United States and Soviet Union caused by the Soviets' launch of Sputnik 1, the world's first artificial satellite, on October 4, 1957.
US satellite response
US satellite response in “Sputnik 1, October 1957: The First Satellite’s Signal”. S. participation in the International Geophysical Year (IGY). The 1958 mission followed the first two satellites, both launched by the Soviet Union during the previous year, Sputnik 1 and Sputnik 2. This began a Space Race during the Cold War between the two nations.
Scientific context
Scientific context in “Sputnik 1, October 1957: The First Satellite’s Signal”. The International Geophysical Year, also referred to as the third International Polar Year, was an international scientific project that lasted from 1 July 1957 to 31 December 1958.
Satellite pioneer
Satellite pioneer in “Sputnik 1, October 1957: The First Satellite’s Signal”. Mikhail Klavdievich Tikhonravov was a Soviet engineer who was a pioneer of spacecraft design and rocketry.