Sputnik 1

The first artificial satellite to orbit Earth.

Overview

Sputnik 1 was the world’s first artificial satellite, launched by the Soviet Union on 4 October 1957. Its simple radio beeps from orbit marked the dawn of the space age and triggered the space race.

The satellite itself was a polished metal sphere with four external radio antennas, orbiting Earth every 96 minutes and transmitting a distinctive signal received around the globe.

📌 Mission Facts

Agency: Soviet Space Program

Launch Date: 4 Oct 1957

Launch Vehicle: R-7 rocket

Orbit: Low Earth Orbit (~215 × 939 km)

Lifetime: ~3 months in orbit

Why Sputnik 1 Was Historic

  • First human-made object to orbit Earth.
  • Demonstrated that orbital flight was possible.
  • Triggered rapid advances in rocketry, science, and education worldwide.
  • Led to the creation of NASA and accelerated the U.S. space program.

The Signal from Space

Sputnik’s radio transmitters broadcast a repeating “beep-beep” signal on shortwave frequencies. Amateur radio operators and observatories around the world tuned in, hearing the first artificial voice from orbit.

Watch

🔗 Documentary clip on Sputnik 1 and the dawn of the space age.
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