55 years ago today, fly silver basketball, play into gear of the space race.
1, the Soviet union artificial earth satellite detection becomes the first man-made object, in order to achieve space, October 4, 1957 launch. Feat proof of the Soviet union bonafides technology, and prompted the United States used to reinforce its presence in the space of the game.
The marked the 13th world space weeks ", including hundreds of space as the theme of the activities, in dozens of countries, from October 4, to October 10 anniversary.
Travel companion
Artificial earth satellite (Russia "travel partner") is a ball, the diameter about 22 inches (56 cm), four long antenna, it head out. 183 pounds (83 kg) detection radio beacon, send "bi" the sound back to the earth, because it around the earth 98 minutes.
Beep, all over the world radio stations play, and in combination of the detection of the line of sight of around the earth, causing the americans, our country is the technical ability of the Soviet union behind fear. [diagram: how to "si pood Nick work]
At that time, satellite significance lies in the prestige, it gives the Soviet union and anxiety caused by the country's cold war enemy. 55 years later, however, historians say, it inspires space exploration achievement, the first man-made satellite biggest influence is incredible heritage.
"55 years artificial earth satellite first bleep way around the earth, in the small arguably whip like antenna has transcended the success of the Soviet union to become a global symbol of the space age," said space history and cultural relics experts Robert pearl mann, the editor of collectSPACE.com.
Artificial earth satellite has been included in the, help incite the President John f. Kennedy in 1961 announced that the United States will the moon in the 1960 s, a part of the people, a move aimed at rebuilding America's technological advantages.
If there is no Soviet artificial earth satellite, and the realization of the later will be the first person into space - cosmonaut yuri gagarin in April 1961 - experts questioned, the American astronauts walk on the moon, as soon as they do, or ever. In a sense, in July 1969 Apollo 11 moonwalk victory can be traced back to all the way back to the satellite.
New start
Not only in the long history of the small satellite hold reputation, but in the unfailing artificial earth satellite collection, pearl mann said.
"Their stamps, model, toys, badges and adorn article, artificial earth satellite shape and voice continued embedded in our popular culture," pearl mann told SPACE.com. "The real artificial earth satellite orbit in January 1958 has fallen, but its influence and graphical continue to circle the world today."
At this point, for more than half a century, the probe's launch, the United States is facing in the space of another key moments. 30 years of space shuttle program ended, NASA is reset, for the next phase of space exploration.
President barack Obama put forward challenges space agency sent people to asteroids, by 2025, Mars, among the 2030 s. NASA is outsourcing transport astronauts on the international space station's private sector, aim to establish a new heavy rocket to transcend low earth orbit.
In the economic mess up time, space advocate it is difficult to convince lawmakers and taxpayer, space is worth the cost. Maybe we need another moment, pood Nick of space way, 55 years ago small satellite fire up country.




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