The day the first satellite was launched – level 3

04-10-1957

It was one of the most famous objects ever created by a human hand. The first artificial satellite called Sputnik launched the space race between the Soviet Union and the United States.

The diameter of the satellite was 58 centimeters and the total weight was over 80 kilograms. Sputnik was made of two aluminum hemispheres, in which two transmitters, batteries, a ventilation system, and sensors for determining temperature and pressure were located.

It was launched on October 4, 1957, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. It was the moment the first man-made object entered orbit.

Big celebrations broke out in the Soviet Union, and people lined up with binoculars to see the star moving across the sky.

The United States responded by setting up their space agency, NASA.

Difficult words: launch (to start), diameter (width of a circle), aluminium (a very light silver-light metal), transmitter (a machine which sends signals), ventilation (a system to let air move), set up (to establish/start).

What effect did the launch of Sputnik have on the scientific and technological capabilities of the Soviet Union and the United States?

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