Sputnik 1: The World's First Ever Artificial Satellite

Did you know that the Sputnik 1 was the world's first artificial satellite? Well, I guess you didn't know that.
Did you also know that the world's first artificial satellite was about the size of a beach ball (58 cm.or 22.8 inches in diameter), weighed only 83.6 kg. or 183.9 pounds, and took about 98 minutes to orbit the Earth on its elliptical path? I doubt if you knew that. But now you know; so just save it somewhere as a reminder.

Well, the brief story began in 1952, when the International Council of Scientific Unions decided to establish July 1, 1957, to December 31, 1958, as the International Geophysical Year (IGY). In October 1954, the council adopted a resolution calling for artificial satellites to be launched during the IGY to map the Earth's surface.

Some time in July 1955, the White House (U.S) announced plans to launch an Earth-orbiting satellite for the IGY and solicited proposals from various Government research agencies to undertake development. And in September the same year, the Naval Research Laboratory's Vanguard proposal was chosen to represent the U.S. during the IGY.

World history changed on October 4, 1957, when the Soviet Union successfully launched Sputnik I the world's first artificial satellite. The launch of Sputnik 1 changed everything. As a technical achievement, Sputnik caught the world's attention and the American public off-guard.

One of the reason being that its size was more impressive than Vanguard's intended 3.5-pound payload. The Soviets struck again; on November 3, Sputnik II was launched, carrying a much heavier payload, carrying the first living thing into space: a dog named Laika. 

Almost immediately after the launch of Sputnik I in October, the U.S. Defense Department approved funding for another U.S. satellite project. As a simultaneous alternative to Vanguard, Wernher von Braun and his Army Redstone Arsenal team began work on the Explorer project.

Finally the United States successfully launched Explorer I on January 31, 1958. This satellite carried a small scientific payload that eventually discovered the magnetic radiation belts around the Earth. Ever since, the Explorer program continued as a successful ongoing series of lightweight, scientifically useful spacecraft.

The Sputnik launch also led directly to the creation of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). In July 1958, Congress passed the National Aeronautics and Space Act (commonly called the "Space Act"), which created NASA as of October 1, 1958 from the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) and other government agencies.   - NASA

 Ever since the launch of the Sputnik I, Sputnik II & Explorer I, there has been a lot of continuous  evolution in space exploration and application. However, this would be a topic for discussion for another day.

Do well to leave your comments and suggestions where necessary. Thank you, I remain your GeoSpatial friend.