Astronomy: Sputnik

Sputnik shocked people around the world. Sputnik - "traveling companion" - was the first artificial moon and the Soviet people were very happy with this achievement leaving America embarrased. In these days the space race began between the former Soviet Untion and the United States of America. Sputnik 1 was launched on 4 October 1957 and was a 184 pound, 22 inch diameter sphere with four whip antennas connected to battery powered transmitters. The transmitters broadcasted a continuous "beeping" signal to Earth for 23 days. On 3 November 3 1957 the Soviet Union followed this success by launching the dog Laika into Earth's orbit aboard Sputnik 2.

Sputnik 1 example of Laika's pressured space cabin.