Sputnik 1 facts for kids
Replica of Sputnik 1
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| Names | Спутник-1 |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Technology demonstration |
| Operator | OKB-1 |
| Harvard designation | 1957 Alpha 2 |
| Mission duration | 21 days |
| Orbits completed | 1440 |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Manufacturer | OKB-1 Ministry of Radiotechnical Industry |
| Launch mass | 83.6 kg (184 lb) |
| Dimensions | 58 cm (23 in) diameter |
| Power | 1 watt |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 4 October 1957, 19:28:34 UTC |
| Rocket | Sputnik 8K71PS |
| Launch site | Baikonur 1/5 |
| End of mission | |
| Disposal | Orbital decay |
| Last contact | 26 October 1957 |
| Decay date | 4 January 1958 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Low Earth |
| Semi-major axis | 6,955 km (4,322 mi) |
| Eccentricity | 0.05201 |
| Perigee | 215 km (134 mi) |
| Apogee | 939 km (583 mi) |
| Inclination | 65.1° |
| Period | 96.2 minutes |
| Epoch | 4 October 1957, 15:12 UTC |
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Sputnik 1 was the first artificial satellite to go around the Earth. It was made by the Soviet Union. It was launched on 4 October 1957 at Baikonur Cosmodrome. It orbited (went around) the Earth for three months. It carried a radio transmitter. It did 1,440 orbits of the Earth during this time. It went down into Earth's atmosphere on 4 January 1958 and burned up.
The United States was very surprised when the Soviet Union sent Sputnik 1 into space. It did not want to fall behind. So, it began spending more money on science and education. This was when the Space Race between the Soviet Union and the United States began.
Etymology
The word Sputnik comes from the Russian Спутник, literally travelling companion. It is pronounced or not.
Related pages
Images for kids
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This metal arming key is the last remaining piece of the Sputnik 1 satellite. It prevented contact between the batteries and the transmitter prior to launch. It is currently on display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.
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30k USSR miniature sheet depicting Sputnik 1 orbiting the Earth, the Earth orbiting the Sun and the Sun orbiting the centre of the Milky Way galaxy
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Exploded view
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Artist's impression of Sputnik 1 in orbit
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A Soviet 40 kopeks stamp, showing the satellite's orbit
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Sputnik 1, Sergei Korolev and Valentin Glushko on a 2007 Ukrainian stamp
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Sputnik replica in Spain
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