The first Artificial Satellite: Sputnik 1

The First Artificial Satellite: Sputnik 1

48 years ago, the first artificial satellite was launched, and named it "Sputnik 1".
Launched by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957, 48 years ago, this satellite was the first of humanity.

The Sputnik 1 had an approximate mass of 83 kg, had two radio transmitters (20.007 and 40.002 MHz), and orbited the Earth at a distance of 938 km at apogee and 214 km at its perigee. The analysis of radio signals have been used to obtain information on the density of electrons in the ionosphere. The internal temperature and pressure were encoded in the duration of the emitted radio beeps, indicating that the satellite had not been punctured by a meteorite.

Sputnik 1 was launched with the launch vehicle R-7 and was incinerated during re-entry on January 3, 1958.

After several unsuccessful attempts to put a satellite in orbit around the Earth, Sputnik 1 was the first to reach its orbital slot. Was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Tyuratam (370 km southwest of the town of Baikonur) in Kazakhstan, formerly part of the Soviet Union.

Sputnik 1 was launched with the launch vehicle R-7 and was incinerated during re-entry on January 3, 1958.

After several unsuccessful attempts to put a satellite in orbit around the Earth, Sputnik 1 was the first to reach its orbital slot. Was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Tyuratam (370 km southwest of the town of Baikonur) in Kazakhstan, formerly part of the Soviet Union.

The word "Sputnik" in Russian means "companion", "comrade" ("satellite" in astronautics). The full official results, however as, "Artificial Earth Satellite" (ISZ in Russian).

Sputnik 1 was the first in a series of four satellites that were part of the Sputnik program in the former Soviet Union and was planned as a contribution to the International Geophysical Year (1957-1958), established by United Nations Organization. Three of these satellites (Sputnik 1 Sputnik 2 Sputnik 3) reached orbit.

The actual sequence of decision making with respect to the shape of Sputnik 1 was convoluted. Academic Keldysh initially devised a half ton satellite into a cone shape, with the ability to do many physical measurements in space, but when the Soviets read that the American project was designed Vanguard two satellites, one small to see if soon they could put something in orbit, the Soviets decided to do the same, creating what is translated as "The simplest satellite" which was one centimeter in diameter and was rather heavier than the "true" Vanguard.

The Sputnik 1 provided the first opportunity to detect meteorites, although none was detected. A loss of pressure inside due to penetration of the outer surface would have been reflected in the temperature data.

The transmitters operated for three weeks, until the failed chemical batteries on board. The satellite was monitored with great interest throughout the world. The satellite's orbit was observed later inactive optimally, to fall 92 days after launch (January 3, 1958), having completed 1,400 orbits of the Earth, accumulating a travel distance of approximately 70 million kilometers.

The apogee of the orbit declined from 947 km after launch to 600 km on 9 December.

Replica of Sputnik 1 will be seen in museums in Russia or in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (Smithsonian National Museum of Air and Space) in Washington DC.

In 2003, a reserve unit of Sputnik 1 called "model PS-1" was sold on eBay (without the radio, which was drawn during the 60 to be classified as military equipment). He had been on display at a science institute near Kiev. It is estimated that were constructed from four to twenty models testing purposes.

A model of Sputnik 1 was given as a gift to the United Nations and now decorates the lobby of its headquarters in New York, and will be there for much longer.


Activity:
Answer the following questions using passive voice

Who threw the first artificial satellite?
It was launched by the Soviet Union

What could make the Sputnik 1?
Meteorites had been detected but not located Built in lifetime.

What have they done with the replica of Sputnik 1 now?
In recent years have shown replicas of Sputnik in Russia and one in the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington DC, but the radios had been removed because they are considered military equipment.

By: Mónica Aranda Cuellar Bocardo