Sputnik programme facts for kids
The Sputnik programme was a series of spacecraft launched by the Soviet Union. The most famous one was Sputnik 1. It was launched on October 4, 1957. This event was a huge step for humanity. Sputnik 1 became the first man-made satellite ever to enter orbit around Earth.
When the Soviet Union sent Sputnik 1 into space, the United States was very surprised. They did not want to fall behind in space exploration. Because of this, the U.S. started spending more money on science and education. This moment marked the beginning of the exciting Space Race between the Soviet Union and the United States.
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What Does 'Sputnik' Mean?
The word Sputnik comes from the Russian language. It means "fellow traveler." This name was perfect for the satellites. They traveled alongside Earth in space.
The First Satellite: Sputnik 1
Launch Day
Sputnik 1 was a small, shiny sphere. It was about the size of a beach ball. It had four long antennas. These antennas sent radio signals back to Earth. The satellite was launched from a place called Baikonur Cosmodrome. This is now in Kazakhstan.
What Sputnik 1 Did
Sputnik 1 orbited Earth for about three weeks. It sent out beeping radio signals. People all over the world could hear these beeps. This showed that the Soviet Union had amazing technology. The satellite helped scientists learn about the Earth's atmosphere. It also showed how radio signals behave in space.
The End of Sputnik 1
Sputnik 1 stayed in orbit for 92 days. Then, on January 4, 1958, it fell back into Earth's atmosphere. It burned up as it re-entered. Even though it was short-lived, its mission changed history forever.
The Space Race Begins
A New Competition
The launch of Sputnik 1 started a big competition. It was between the United States and the Soviet Union. This competition was called the Space Race. Both countries wanted to be the first to achieve new things in space. They wanted to send people to space. They also wanted to land on the Moon.
Why It Was Important
The Space Race led to many amazing discoveries. It pushed scientists and engineers to work harder. It also made countries invest more in science and technology. This competition helped us learn so much about space. It also led to many technologies we use today.
Other Sputnik Missions
Sputnik 2 and Laika
After Sputnik 1, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 2. This mission was very important. It carried the first living creature into orbit. This was a dog named Laika. Laika showed that living things could survive in space. This was a big step towards sending humans into space.
Later Sputniks
The Sputnik programme continued with more missions. These later satellites helped test new technologies. They gathered more information about space. They paved the way for human spaceflight. They also helped develop more advanced spacecraft.
Images for kids
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A robot, symbolizing technology and space exploration
