60 years ago today: Sputnik 1 and the Dawn of Space

History changed 60 years ago on 4 October 1957:

The former Soviet Union (USSR) successfully launched the first human-made artificial satellite into space - Sputnik I.

It successfully launched and entered Earth's orbit in 98 minutes on its elliptical path. It was about the size of a beach ball (58 cm in diameter) and weighed only 83.6 kg. The name generally means “fellow traveller”.

That launch marked the start of the space age, primary between the US and former USSR, ushering in new political, military, technological, and scientific developments.

Photo Credit: NASA