Sputnik’s 50th anniversary
US Science students celebrated Sputnik’s 50th anniversary in their classes with a number of events. A nearly life-sized model of the world’s first artificial satellite was hung outside the school’s library and students made their own models with chocolate kisses and toothpicks.
The Physics class renamed their potato gun activity “Spudnik” in recognition of today’s anniversary as they studied projectile motion. The spuds hurtled into the air but did not escape the Earth’s gravitational pull unlike their historical counterpart.
The Chemistry class researched the elements involved in Sputnik—a well-hidden secret for the most part. Many more classes got to read flyers with fun facts including the world’s response to the event that had a momentous impact on the world. I
n swift succession to the first satellite (and to Sputnik 2 launched on November 3, 1957), America’s scientific endeavors accelerated with the formation NASA—as well as DARPA, the Defense Advanced Projects Agency.
Some facts:
Launched October 4, 1957 in Russia atop an R-7 missile rocket
Weighed 184 lb (84 kg) Peyton Manning weighs 230 lb (104 kg)
Maximum orbit height 588 miles (940 km)
Lasted ~ 3 months
Slowed down, lost orbit height, burned on re-entry to Earth’s atmosphere
Transmitted annoying beep
Carried 2 radio emitters
Powered by 2 silver-zinc batteries
Changed the world!
Visit NPR.org for space timeline and podcast of Morning Edition article on Sputnik in 1957 {photos -center}