Sputnik 1

Sputnik 1 was the very first artificial Earth satellite. It was launched by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957, as part of their space program. This small, round satellite sent a radio signal back to Earth for three weeks until its batteries ran out.

Sputnik 1 was a shiny metal ball, about 58 centimeters or 23 inches across, with four antennas sticking out. These antennas sent out radio pulses that could be picked up by radio operators around the world. Its orbit passed over almost every part of the Earth.

The launch of Sputnik 1 surprised the United States and started what is known as the Space Race. It marked the beginning of a new time filled with important developments in technology, science, and politics. Scientists learned a lot from tracking Sputnik 1, such as details about Earth's upper atmosphere and the layer of air called the ionosphere.

Etymology

The name Sputnik-1 means 'Satellite-One'. The Russian word sputnik means 'fellow-traveler'. It was created by joining two parts: s- meaning 'fellow' and putnik meaning 'traveler'. This idea is similar to the Latin word satelles, which means 'companion' and is where the English word satellite comes from.

Before the launch

Satellite construction project

In December 1954, a top Soviet scientist, Sergei Korolev, suggested building an artificial satellite. Soon after, in July 1955, the United States announced plans to launch a satellite during a special science year in 1957–58. The Soviet Union quickly agreed to do the same. By August 1955, they had approved plans to create their own satellite.

Because the first planned satellite, called "Object D," was too complex and heavy, scientists decided to build a simpler one first. This new satellite, called "Object PS" or "elementary satellite," would be much lighter and easier to build. It would have a simple radio transmitter to send signals back to Earth. Two of these simple satellites, PS-1 and PS-2, were planned for launch in 1957.

Launch vehicle preparation and launch site selection

The rocket used to launch Sputnik 1, called the R-7, was originally designed as a missile. Engineers made changes to adapt it for launching satellites. They removed some parts and made the rocket lighter.

Work began to build a special launch site called Tyuratam. The first test launch of an R-7 rocket happened in May 1957, but it failed. Several more test launches followed, with some successes and some problems. By September 1957, the R-7 rocket was ready to launch the simple satellite PS-1.

Observation complex

The satellite PS-1 was not designed to be controlled from the ground. Scientists set up observatories near the launch site to collect data when it flew. They also created a nationwide network of tracking stations across the Soviet Union to follow the satellite’s path. These stations used radar and other tools to watch Sputnik 1 as it traveled around Earth. People outside the Soviet Union, including amateur radio operators, also tracked the satellite.

Design

Sputnik 1 was built to be simple and reliable, with goals like helping scientists learn about the atmosphere and tracking the satellite using radio signals.

It was a round sphere, about the size of a large beach ball, made from two halves sealed together. Inside, it had radio equipment that sent out signals for scientists to follow. The satellite used special batteries that lasted longer than expected, sending signals for almost three weeks. It also had a system to keep its temperature just right and was filled with air to protect its parts.

Launch and mission

The Sputnik rocket was launched on 4 October 1957. It entered space and sent back a radio signal for three weeks. The satellite stopped sending signals when its batteries ran out.

The rocket that carried Sputnik also went into space and could be seen at night. Sputnik orbited the Earth for three months before falling back down.

Reception

Further information: Sputnik crisis and Space Race

People around the world watched for Sputnik 1 and listened to its radio signal. Teams of observers in many countries, including the United States, looked for the satellite when it passed overhead. Radio operators were asked to record the signal from the satellite.

News reports explained that anyone with a radio could hear Sputnik 1 as it passed by. Directions were given to tune to certain frequencies to hear its "beep, beep" sound. The first recording of the satellite’s signal was made by engineers and then shared with the public over the radio. As Sputnik moved over the United States, its signal was picked up by a university radio station and rebroadcast to listeners.

The success of Sputnik 1 changed many people’s views. It showed that the Soviet Union had made a big advance in technology. This led the United States to start new programs to improve its own technology and education.

Legacy

When Sputnik 1 was launched, many people in the United States were surprised. Some leaders, like President Dwight Eisenhower, expected it because they had seen clues from spy planes and other sources. At first, the government did not react strongly. However, many Americans felt worried because their country was not the first to launch a satellite. This worry led to big changes.

The United States worked quickly to catch up. They created new agencies like NASA and spent more money on science and education. Schools began to focus more on teaching science and math. Many young people were inspired to become scientists and engineers because of Sputnik. The launch also helped start the development of satellite navigation systems, which we use today to find our way with GPS.

Main articles: Satellite navigation and Global Positioning System

Surviving examples

Backups

There are at least two old copies of Sputnik 1, made as extra copies just in case. One copy is kept near Moscow in a museum run by Energia, and you can see it by appointment. Another copy that could have been flown is at the Cosmosphere space museum in Hutchinson, Kansas, United States, along with a model of the Sputnik 2.

Models

The Museum of Flight in Seattle, United States has a copy of Sputnik 1, but it does not have any inner parts. It was checked by the Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics in Moscow and was given to the museum by someone who bought it at an auction in 2001.

The Sputnik 1 EMC/EMI is a type of full-sized model made to test how the satellite would work on the ground. These models were made by OKB-1 and NII-885.

Replicas

In 1959, the Soviet Union gave a copy of Sputnik to the United Nations. There are other full-sized copies of Sputnik shown in many places around the world, such as the National Air and Space Museum in the United States, the Science Museum in the United Kingdom, the Powerhouse Museum in Australia, and outside the Russian embassy in Spain.

Three smaller copies of Sputnik 1 made by students were sent from the Mir space station between 1997 and 1999. The first was named Sputnik 40 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Sputnik 1’s launch. Sputnik 41 was sent a year later, and Sputnik 99 was sent in February 1999. A fourth copy was launched but was not sent out and was destroyed when Mir was deorbited.

Private owners

Two more copies of Sputnik are said to be in the personal collections of American business people Richard Garriott and Jay S. Walker.