It was the first artificial satellite orbiting the Earth, and was launched in 1957 by the USSR. This triggered the "Space Race" between the USA and USSR - already political enemies - to be the first to put a man on the Moon, but the first practical satellites were for communications. The rivalry was sharpened by fears of war between the two superpowers.
sputnik
Launching of Sputnik
USSR
The Russians started the Space Race by launching Sputnik the first satellite, which then provoked fear in the Americans to begin development of their own satellites.
Sputnik I, was the first earth-orbiting artificial satellite. It was launched into low Earth orbit by the Soviet Union October 4, 1957. One month after the launching of Sputnik I, on November 3, 1957, Sputnik II, a satellite weighing 1,120 pounds and containing the dog "Laika" was sent into orbit.
Soviet launching of Sputnik
Launching of Sputnik
by launching Explorer 1 with a Jupiter C rocket
Construction of Sputnik 1 began in 1957.
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the launching of Sputnik first inspired him to study science.
The launching of Sputnik by the Soviet Union in 1957 led to increased emphasis on science and technology education in the United States. It also prompted the establishment of NASA in 1958 and the acceleration of the US space program, culminating in the successful Apollo moon landings.