Name	Sputnik-I
Image
Country of origin	USSR
Launch date	04/10/1957
Launch site	Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 1/5
Orbit type	LEO
Semi-major axis	6,955.2 km
Eccentricity	0.05201
Perigee altitude	215 km
Apogee altitude	939 km
Inclination	65.10°
Orbital period	96.20 minutes
Length	NA
Diameter	58 cm
Mass	83.6 kg
Propulsion	NA
Engine	NA
Mission duration	22 days
Instruments	Radio transmitter (20.005 and 40.002 MHz)
Description	Sputnik 1, a momentous achievement in human history, was the first artificial Earth satellite successfully launched into orbit. This groundbreaking event, orchestrated by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957, ushered in the Space Age and profoundly impacted the course of human civilization. Sputnik 1, a relatively simple sphere measuring 58 centimeters in diameter and weighing approximately 83.6 kilograms, was equipped with four long whip antennas that extended from its surface. Its primary function was to transmit radio signals back to Earth, providing crucial data on the density of the upper atmosphere and the propagation of radio waves in the ionosphere. The successful launch of Sputnik 1 sent shockwaves across the globe, particularly in the United States, igniting the “Space Race,” a fierce competition between the two superpowers in the realm of space exploration. This rivalry spurred significant advancements in rocketry, satellite technology, and space research, ultimately leading to remarkable achievements such as human spaceflight and lunar exploration.
Website	https://www.roscosmos.ru/

Disclaimer: This information is based on publicly available sources and should be considered for general knowledge purposes only.