Back to Space & Astronomy
๐ฐ๏ธ
๐ Space Milestones
Sputnik 1
First artificial satellite launched by USSR (1957); the beep that started the Space Race
USSR ๐ 1957 Space Milestones
Key Facts
- 1
Launched 4 October 1957 by Soviet Union; first artificial satellite; diameter 58 cm, mass 83 kg
- 2
Sputnik's beeping radio signal heard worldwide; shocked USA into creating NASA and the Space Race
- 3
Orbited Earth for 3 months before burning up on re-entry; Sputnik 2 carried Laika (first animal in orbit) one month later
๐ Did you know? Sputnik's beeping signal could be heard by amateur radio operators worldwide โ it shocked Americans and triggered massive space investment
Quick Reference
Category
Space Milestones
Region
๐ USSR
Year / Era
1957
About
First artificial satellite launched by USSR (1957)