Sputnik 50th anniversary

Science
Sputnik 50th anniversary

Sputnik1
Happy 50th Sputnik! –

History changed on October 4, 1957, when the Soviet Union successfully launched Sputnik I. The world’s first artificial satellite was about the size of a basketball, weighed only 183 pounds, and took about 98 minutes to orbit the Earth on its elliptical path. That launch ushered in new political, military, technological, and scientific developments. While the Sputnik launch was a single event, it marked the start of the space age and the U.S.-U.S.S.R space race.

Sputnik – Link.

Sputnik Thumb
And of course, the R7-Sputnik 1. rocket paper craft! – Link.

10 thoughts on “Sputnik 50th anniversary

  1. andyland63 says:

    Um, yeah, if your basketball is 23″ in diameter. The basketball comparison is often quoted but never right. A Hippity Hop is a better indicator of scale.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_hopper

    The link to the R7 goes to an “access denied” page. Bummer, I’d really like to build the paper R7…

    Anyway, I was happy to see the Sputnik post on this historic day, thanks.

  2. sangfroid says:

    IEEE did a pretty extensive anniversary package on Sputnik with interviews of Arthur C. Clarke and others. It’s worth checking out.
    http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/sputnik

  3. matthew_kleinmann says:

    Any of you out there know of any schematics or engineering diagrams for Sputnik? I really wan tto see what the level of technology was.

  4. danielj says:

    If you happen to be in Toronto October 4th, the Critical Media Society is sponsoring a Sputnik film night with speakers: http://www.criticalmedia.ca/#sputnik

  5. jhazline_20 says:

    Wow! excellent, I have to admit that I never know that Sputnik 1. was the first artificial satellite launched in outer space. Now I know. It’s kinda amazing that it only sized as a basketball. And I like the R7-Sputnik 1. rocket paper craft. excellent copy of the original one, good stuff to have, isn’t it?

    _______________
    jhazline_20
    Have you heard about personalized romance novels? What a unique and romantic gift – passion, action & humor all in one gift. Include you and your beloved in one of nine steamy 200-page romance thrillers! Visit us for more information. http://www.BookByYou.com/romance/

Comments are closed.

Discuss this article with the rest of the community on our Discord server!

current: @adafruit - previous: MAKE, popular science, hackaday, engadget, fallon, braincraft ... howtoons, 2600...

View more articles by Phillip Torrone

ADVERTISEMENT

Maker Faire Bay Area 2023 - Mare Island, CA

Escape to an island of imagination + innovation as Maker Faire Bay Area returns for its 15th iteration!

Buy Tickets today! SAVE 15% and lock-in your preferred date(s).

FEEDBACK