Sputnik 1
Soviet orbital sphere
Sputnik 1 was the first artificial satellite to orbit Earth, launched by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957.
Its successful mission marked the beginning of the space age and intensified the Cold War space race between the superpowers.
The name means "traveling companion" in Russian.
The small, beeping sphere orbited for three months before burning up on reentry.
Contest for orbital superiority
- arms raceEscalating weapons accumulation between nations
- propagandaBiased information for influence
- Iron CurtainCold War's political divide
- KhrushchevCold War Soviet premier
nuclear · CIA · KGB · communism · capitalism · ideology · containment · Truman Doctrine
Sleekly modern, satellite-era
- NASAFederal space exploration bureau
- space raceContest for orbital superiority
- science educationTeaching empirical inquiry methods
- DARPADefense technology research agency
Short electronic tone
- radio signalBroadcast electromagnetic wave
- transmissionSending of information
- frequencyRate of recurrence
- radio wavesLow-frequency electromagnetic radiation
telemetry · antenna · receiver · broadcast · tracking · amateur radio · shortwave · pulse
Former communist superpower
- KhrushchevCold War Soviet premier
- MoscowRussia's capital city
- KremlinMoscow's fortified government seat
- PravdaSoviet state newspaper
Red Army · communist · socialist · Russian · October Revolution · Kazakhstan
Ocean-spanning nuclear delivery system
- rocketPropulsion-driven spacecraft
- liftoffMoment of ascent
- launch vehicleRocket carrying spacecraft upward
- ballistic missileSelf-propelled arcing munition
Oval-shaped celestial path
- perigeeOrbit's closest point
- apogeeHighest orbital point
- inclinationDisposition toward something
- geocentricTreating our planet as center
orbital decay · reentry · burnup · Earth orbit · trajectory · velocity · tracking station
Vehicle for outer space
- aluminum alloyBlended lightweight metallic material
- pressurizedHeld at elevated atmospheric force
- battery-poweredEnergized by cells
- thermal controlManaging heat transfer rates
space race
Contest for orbital superiority
- arms raceEscalating weapons accumulation between nations
- propagandaBiased information for influence
- Iron CurtainCold War's political divide
Khrushchev · nuclear · CIA · KGB · communism · capitalism · ideology · containment · Truman Doctrine · superpower rivalry
space age
Sleekly modern, satellite-era
- NASAFederal space exploration bureau
- space raceContest for orbital superiority
- science educationTeaching empirical inquiry methods
DARPA · technological revolution · national prestige · wake-up call
beep
Short electronic tone
- radio signalBroadcast electromagnetic wave
- transmissionSending of information
- frequencyRate of recurrence
radio waves · telemetry · antenna · receiver · broadcast · tracking · amateur radio · shortwave · pulse · radio beacon
USSR
Former communist superpower
- KhrushchevCold War Soviet premier
- MoscowRussia's capital city
- KremlinMoscow's fortified government seat
Pravda · Red Army · communist · socialist · Russian · October Revolution · Kazakhstan
ICBM
Ocean-spanning nuclear delivery system
- rocketPropulsion-driven spacecraft
- liftoffMoment of ascent
- launch vehicleRocket carrying spacecraft upward
ballistic missile · booster · rocketry · propulsion · intercontinental
elliptical orbit
Oval-shaped celestial path
- perigeeOrbit's closest point
- apogeeHighest orbital point
- inclinationDisposition toward something
geocentric · orbital decay · reentry · burnup · Earth orbit · trajectory · velocity · tracking station
spacecraft
Vehicle for outer space
- aluminum alloyBlended lightweight metallic material
- pressurizedHeld at elevated atmospheric force
- battery-poweredEnergized by cells