RE: LeoThread 2025-06-12 15:59

Introduction to Space Flight

The first year of space flight is widely considered to be 1957, when the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite, into Earth's orbit on October 4, 1957. This marked the beginning of the space age.

Key Milestones

• Sputnik 1 was a small, beach-ball-sized satellite that weighed about 83 kg (184 lbs) and measured 58 cm (23 inches) in diameter.
• The launch of Sputnik 1 sparked the Space Race between the Soviet Union and the United States, leading to numerous significant achievements in space exploration.

Conclusion

The launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957 is a pivotal moment in the history of space flight, marking the first time a human-made object reached orbit and paving the way for future space exploration.