Sputnik: Difference between revisions
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'''Sputnik''' is the Russian for "satellite" (literal meaning 'travel companion'). Sputnik 1 was the first artificial satellite to achieve geocentric orbit, and was launched on October 4th 1957. Its more formal name was ''Object PS - Prosteishii Sputnik'', meaning ''simplest satellite'', as it was decided to launch something much more simple and therefore lighter than originally planned as payload for the massive R-7 ICBM rocket in order to beat arch-rival America into space. In fact, the R-7 was designed to be capable of | '''Sputnik''' is the Russian for "satellite" (literal meaning 'travel companion'). Sputnik 1 was the first artificial satellite to achieve geocentric orbit, and was launched on October 4th 1957. Its more formal name was ''Object PS - Prosteishii Sputnik'', meaning ''simplest satellite'', as it was decided to launch something much more simple and therefore lighter than originally planned as payload for the massive R-7 ICBM rocket in order to beat arch-rival America into space. In fact, the R-7 was designed to be capable of delivering a nuclear warhead anywhere in the world, but principally to be used against the USSR's 'main adversary.' | ||
Both the USA and USSR were planning to launch satellites in International Geophysical Year, which ran from July 1957 to December 1958 to coincide the the 11 year cycle of maximum sunspot activity. The USA had signalled its intention in a 1955 press release and | Both the USA and USSR were planning to launch satellites in International Geophysical Year, which ran from July 1957 to December 1958 to coincide the the 11 year cycle of maximum sunspot activity. The USA had signalled its intention in a [http://www.eisenhower.archives.gov/dl/IGY/StatementbyHagertyJuly291955.pdf 1955 press release] and the Soviet government authorized development of an artificial satellite for peaceful scientific purposes in January 1956. The R-7 was capable of launching a payload of over 1 tonne and it was planned to allow 200 - 300 kg for the scientific instrumentation. | ||
[[Category:CZ Live]] | |||
[[Category:Astronomy Workgroup]] | |||
Revision as of 22:38, 3 October 2007
Sputnik is the Russian for "satellite" (literal meaning 'travel companion'). Sputnik 1 was the first artificial satellite to achieve geocentric orbit, and was launched on October 4th 1957. Its more formal name was Object PS - Prosteishii Sputnik, meaning simplest satellite, as it was decided to launch something much more simple and therefore lighter than originally planned as payload for the massive R-7 ICBM rocket in order to beat arch-rival America into space. In fact, the R-7 was designed to be capable of delivering a nuclear warhead anywhere in the world, but principally to be used against the USSR's 'main adversary.'
Both the USA and USSR were planning to launch satellites in International Geophysical Year, which ran from July 1957 to December 1958 to coincide the the 11 year cycle of maximum sunspot activity. The USA had signalled its intention in a 1955 press release and the Soviet government authorized development of an artificial satellite for peaceful scientific purposes in January 1956. The R-7 was capable of launching a payload of over 1 tonne and it was planned to allow 200 - 300 kg for the scientific instrumentation.