The Race to Space

Sputnik....

Sputnik occurred in the era of the Cold War. In the 1950's Americans wanted to develop a satellite in to orbit. All though Americans were more technological sound than January 31, 1958, the tide changed, when the United States successfully launched Explorer I. e Russians. They still beat us to space. On October 4,1957 the Soviet Union successfully launched Sputnik.The world's first artificial satellite was about the size of a beach ball . And took about 98 minutes to orbit the Earth on its elliptical path. Then the Soviets struck again on November 3, Sputnik II was launched,carrying a much heavier payload including a dog named Laika. Following Sputnik I launch Americans approved funding for there satellite. On January 31, 1958, the United States successfully gained control and launched Explorer I.