Science & Invention

4 October 1957, Baikonur, Kazakhstan

The biggest breakthroughs and discoveries

On 4 October 1957, the Soviet Union successfully launched the first artificial satellite into space. Weighing 83.6kg and measuring 56cm in diameter, the satellite was perhaps something of a visual disappointment. Nonetheless, the launch was an unprecedented success and ushered in the age of the space race, as both the USSR and the USA rushed for greater technological advances concerning space travel. Taking 96 minutes to orbit

Earth, the satellite remained in orbit until 4 January 1958. The announcement of Sputnik’s launch was made in the Russian newspaper

Pravda, which stated: “Artificial earth satellites will pave the way to interplanetary travel and, apparently our contemporaries will witness how the freed and conscientious labour of the people of the new socialist society makes the most daring dreams of mankind a reality.”