Musings of a Babylon Lurker

50 years of the Space Age

Monday, October 15th, 2007 | anniversary, science, space, technology

October 4th, 1957 saw the first successful launch of a satellite into space.

The (then) USSR lauched “Sputnik 1″ becoming the first country entering the Space Age. Its characteristic “beep-beep” sound was heard by radio enthusiasts all over the world on approx. 20 MHz and 40 MHz. MOre information and a recording of the beeps can be found at the Wikipedia page concerning Sputnik 1 . (link at the bottom of the page)

One month later, on November 3rd, a second launch of Sputnik 2 with the first living being put in orbit. The dog Laika, unfortunately, had no way of returning alive to earth.

The first satellite launched by the US was Explorer 1 , on January 31st, 1958.

This marks the beginning of the “Space Race”, which continued through the 1960′s and 70′s.

The Space Age has had a lot of “ups and downs” , and I will come up with some highlights in later posts.

2 Comments to 50 years of the Space Age

glindros
October 19, 2007

I wonder in the future if we will start to see Sputnik, and the moon landing as less of a national accomplishment, and more of a human being accomplishment?

Jan
October 19, 2007

There is *always* hope …

After all the ISS is an international effort – though the Chinese still need to be there …

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