The first Soviet artificial satellite Sputnik 1 was launched by Cosmodromo Baikonur, now Kazakhstan, with R-7 (Semyorka) rocket, orbit around the Earth, following an elliptical trajectory at a distance of 939 km from the Earth';s surface traveling at the speed of about 28,000 k / h, introduced the dawn of the space age. Sputnik';s first "bip-bip" signal was heard from the heavens on the night of October 4, 1957, marking and certifying the beginning of a new era for humanity. Many enthusiast watched the sky with their observation tools and˙ and radio amateurs listened to capture the signal coming from the space. The Soviet artificial satellite appeared in the eyes of the world as an aluminum ball with a diameter of 58 cm with a weight of 83.6 kg (pressurized), containing two transmitters operating on 20.005 MHz frequency bands and 40.002 MHz, with a total power of about 1 watt, equipped with a series of zinc-silver batteries, a thermometer and at the center of the body installed four long antennae about 2.5 meters. Instruments on Sputnik 1 remained operational for 57 days, then it burned when they returned to the atmosphere on 4 January 1958 after 1387 orbits and about 70 million km.
Photo Credit: ESA
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