Sputnik

Sputnik was the first human-made object ever put into space. The Soviet Union launched it on October 4, 1957. It was a shiny metal ball about the size of a beach ball. Sputnik circled the Earth and made a beeping sound that radios could hear.

A Space First

Sputnik means 'traveler' in Russian. The satellite had four long antennas and weighed about 184 pounds. It orbited Earth once every 96 minutes. Its launch surprised the whole world. Many people went outside at night to look for it in the sky.

Starting the Space Race

Sputnik started a big competition called the Space Race. The United States wanted to catch up and build its own satellites. This led to NASA being created in 1958. Just 12 years later, people walked on the Moon. Sputnik only lasted about three months before falling back to Earth.

Fun Facts

• Sputnik's beeping signal could be heard by anyone with a shortwave radio.
• It was only about 23 inches wide.
• Sputnik burned up in Earth's atmosphere in January 1958.

Did You Know?

The launch of Sputnik made the United States start teaching more science and math in schools to catch up.