This full size replica was built by Retro Rocket/Jonpage Risque. Although it’s a product of the USSR it was mankind’s first satellite.

Sputnik 1, also known as “PS-1” (Простейший Спутник-1 or “Elementary Satellite-1” in Russian), was the world’s first artificial satellite. It was launched by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957, marking a historic milestone in the history of space exploration and the beginning of the Space Age. Here are key details about Sputnik 1:

1. Launch Date: Sputnik 1 was launched into orbit from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on October 4, 1957.
2. Launch Vehicle: It was launched atop a modified R-7 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), known as the “Vostok” rocket.
3. Dimensions: Sputnik 1 had a spherical shape with a diameter of about 58 centimeters (23 inches) and a total mass of approximately 83.6 kilograms (184 pounds).
4. Mission Objectives: The primary objectives of Sputnik 1 were:
   • To demonstrate the capability of launching and placing an artificial satellite into orbit.
   • To study the Earth’s atmosphere at high altitudes.
   • To transmit radio signals from space.
5. Radio Transmission: Sputnik 1 transmitted a continuous radio signal at a frequency of 20.005 MHz (megahertz), which could be received by ground stations. The radio signals emitted by Sputnik 1 could be heard by radio operators around the world, and its distinctive radio beeping became a symbol of the Space Age.
6. Orbit: Sputnik 1 orbited the Earth at an altitude ranging from approximately 215 kilometers (134 miles) to 939 kilometers (583 miles) above the Earth’s surface. It completed an orbit around the Earth approximately every 96.2 minutes.
7. Impact: The successful launch of Sputnik 1 had several significant impacts:
   • It marked the beginning of the Space Age and the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union.
   • It heightened Cold War tensions and led to increased competition in space exploration.
   • It prompted the United States to accelerate its own space program, leading to the formation of NASA and the eventual Apollo lunar missions.
8. Duration: Sputnik 1 transmitted radio signals for about 21 days until its radio batteries were depleted. The satellite itself continued to orbit Earth for several months before re-entering Earth’s atmosphere and burning up on January 4, 1958.
9. Legacy: Sputnik 1’s successful launch and mission had a profound and lasting impact on human space exploration. It paved the way for future satellite missions, lunar exploration, and the eventual human spaceflight programs of both the United States and the Soviet Union.

Sputnik 1 remains a symbol of human achievement in space and a testament to the technological and scientific advancements of the mid-20th century. Its launch marked the beginning of a new era of exploration beyond our planet.