Sputnik Satellite Under Construction 1

Description

Sputnik satellite under construction, photo; licensed article; original: 5740×4315; photographer: unknown; subject to licensing; rights: a9 Bleek/zb Media. The photos show the historic launch of Sputnik 1 on October 4, 1957, which ushered in the era of space travel.

R-7 rocket on the launch pad: The Soviet R-7 intercontinental missile, originally developed for military purposes, was converted into a carrier rocket for the first artificial Earth satellite.
Rocket launch: The images capture the moment of the launch an impressive sight with fire and smoke as the R-7 lifts off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome into space.
Sputnik 1 in space: The spherical satellite model with four long antennas orbits the Earth. Sputnik transmits radio signals that can be received worldwide.

The Sputnik launch marked the start of the space age and triggered the Sputnik Shock in the West. The USA was surprised by the Soviet Union’s technological superiority, which further fueled the space race between the superpowers.