Sputnik 1 (replica)

Sputnik 1 was humanity's first artificial satellite. The Soviet Union launched it into an elliptical low-earth orbit (LEO) on October 4, 1957. The successful launch shocked the world and ignited the Cold War space race that eventually led to landings on the Moon.  Sputnik 1 orbited for three weeks transmitting radio pulses before its batteries died, then silently for two more months before falling back into Earth's atmosphere where it burned up.

Did you know?

Sputnik 1 transmissions could be easily picked up by amateur radio operators on Earth. This is the sound they heard.

About our Spacecraft

Sputnik 1 was a 23-inch diameter pressurized sphere of polished aluminum alloy, with four whip-like radio antenna attachments to broadcast radio pulses.