The first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, head-on. Sputnik was launched on October 4th, 1957 by the former Soviet Union. The name Sputnik is Russian for "travel companion" or satellite. The body was a highly polished aluminum alloy sphere which measured

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The first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, head-on. Sputnik was launched on October 4th, 1957 by the former Soviet Union. The name Sputnik is Russian for "travel companion" or satellite. The body was a highly polished aluminum alloy sphere which measured 58 centimeters in diameter and had four long antennas attached to it. Sputnik 1 was located in Earth orbit and transmitted radio signals back to Earth for a period of 23 days. Although the mission ended on October 27th, 1957, it was not until January 4th, 1958 that Sputnik returned to Earth. The success of Sputnik 1 prompted the government to enter the Space Race with the launch of Explorer-1 four months later.

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Photo credit: © Photo Researchers / Alamy / Afripics
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