Sputnik 1 was the first ever satellite launched into space. It was a Russian satellite launched with radio operators. This event would spark the beginning of a new age in space exploration as well as the start of the space race, where the US and Soviet Union would race to secure dominance in spaceflight.
History
On 17 December 1954, chief Soviet rocket scientist Sergei Korolev proposed a developmental plan for an artificial satellite to the Minister of the Defense Industry. This would lead to the soviet union using the R-7 ICBM missile model for the rocket to launch the satellite. Originally this was meant to carry a payload named “Object D” Which weighed around 1000 – 1400 kg. It was designed to carry 200- 300kg of scientific instruments. But the current specifications of the rocket didn’t allow the transport of such a massive payload. As the US had also planned to launch their own satellite in the year 1957, this led to a more simplified object of 83kg carrying a radio transmitter called “Object PS”, otherwise known as “prosteishiy sputnik”. This allowed the satellite to be tracked visually by Earth-based observers, and it could transmit tracking signals to ground-based receiving stations.
The Sputnik rocket, launched on October 4, 1957, aimed for an orbit of 223 by 1,450 km but experienced complications, including engine failures and fuel regulation issues. Despite challenges, Sputnik 1 successfully entered an elliptical orbit, transmitting signals confirming its deployment. The designers monitored the launch and waited 90 minutes before notifying Soviet Premier Khrushchev. TASS announced the satellite’s success after its first orbit. The R-7 core stage and Sputnik 1 remained in orbit for two and three months respectively, completing 1,440 orbits by January 4, 1958.
Design of the satellite
Sputnik 1, designed by chief constructor Mikhail S. Khomyakov, aimed for simplicity, reliability, and adaptability to future projects. The 585-mm diameter sphere had two hemispheres sealed with O-rings, a 1 mm-thick heat shield, and a mass of 83.6 kg. It featured antennas and a power supply with three silver-zinc batteries. The radio transmitter operated on two frequencies, providing data on electron density, temperature, and pressure encoded in radio beeps. The temperature regulation system included a fan and thermal switches. Sputnik 1, filled with dry nitrogen, had a barometric switch for pressure monitoring. Attached to the rocket, it was protected by a cone-shaped fairing, separating upon ejection.
Legacy of the launch
Initially, U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower was not surprised by the launch of Sputnik 1, as he had prior knowledge of the Soviet R-7 rocket’s capabilities through intelligence sources. The Eisenhower administration’s initial response was low-key, with Eisenhower even pleased that the USSR tested orbital satellite overflights first. However, the American public, fueled by political rhetoric and a perception of falling behind, reacted with shock to Sputnik’s launch and the failure of the U.S. Vanguard Test Vehicle 3. This led to a significant shift in U.S. space efforts.
A most notable result being the U.S. soon having a number of successful satellites, including Explorer 1,Project SCORE, and Courier 1B, further fueling global efforts in satellite use. The establishment of NASA, through the US’s National Aeronautics and Space Act would also play a huge role in future spaceflight endeavors.
Sputnik also inspired a generation of engineers and scientists. This would be further bolstered by the US increasing it’s spending on the space program and increasing the educational efforts for physics and mathematics in schools. Harrison Storms, the North American designer who was responsible for the X-15 rocket plane, and went on to head the effort to design the Apollo command and service module and Saturn V launch vehicle’s second stage, was moved by the launch of Sputnik to think of space as being the next step for America. Astronauts Alan Shepard (who was the first American in space) and Deke Slayton later wrote of how the sight of Sputnik 1 passing overhead inspired them to their new careers.
