Looking into the space programs from all over the world, anyone can attest that we have achieved wonders no matter which country pioneered the mission. We now have photos of celestial bodies from millions of miles away, which makes it feel like other planets might just be within our reach.
If you look back far enough to find when humans decided to explore space, it will take you to 1957 on this day, when the USSR launched the first artificial satellite in human history, Sputnik. This opened a door for the curiosity of what is out there that until now, has not been satiated.
Bon Voyage, Sputnik
The USSR satellite was launched at 10:29 p.m. Moscow time on October 1957. The launch was done from the Kazakh Republic, Tyuratam launch base. This marks the beginning of space exploration for all of mankind.
How Big was Sputnik?
If you compare Sputnik to well-known satellites like the International Space Station, you will be surprised by the difference, as Sputnik was no larger than a two-seater couch. In fact, the first satellite was only about 22 inches, according to history.com.
Traveling the World
Traveling from one country to another by plane can take hours depending on where you are from and where you want to go, that is why it is quite monumental for Sputnik to be able to circle the world in just an hour and 36 minutes.
Slow is Not in Sputnik's Vocabulary
If you're wondering how fast you have to go to circle the Earth in an hour and 36 minutes like Sputnik, then I have the answer for you. You'll have to go 18,000 miles per hour, which is amazingly fast compared to the average car speed of 18.6 miles per hour.
I Spy with My Binoculars
Sputnik has an elliptical orbit, which means that its distance from Earth is not consistent. Its apogee or the farthest it goes from the Earth is 584 miles while its perigee or the nearest point to Earth is 143 miles. This makes it possible for the small satellite to be seen using binoculars before sunrise or after sunset.
Sputnik to Earth, Do You Copy?
The satellite was too small to carry any heavy cargo, but it did have a low-power radio transmitter onboard. It broadcasted a beeping noise at regular intervals. It was a marvel for people to be able to hear the beeping noise through radio transmissions.
The Space Marathon
Sputnik managed to operate for three months and traveled 43.5 million miles in its orbit according to National Geographic. The satellite managed to completely orbit the Earth 1,440 times.
Sputnik Marks the Race
Since Sputnik was a huge achievement in the middle of the Cold War, wherein the Soviet Union and the US were in an ongoing contest with just about everything, the US decided to bring forth a contender for the Space Race. And so, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration or more known as NASA was created.
A Blaze of Glory
On January 1958, Sputnik had fallen from its orbit and burned away as it did. Before it made its way back to Earth as a ball of fire, it had already made strides for space explorations to come.
The Man Behind the Satellite
The founder and leader of the Soviet space effort was Sergei Korolev. He designed the R-7 which is the first intercontinental ballistic missile, which launched the first Sputnik satellite.
Related Article: 5 Unforgettable Space Missions in History
