first artificial satellite of the Earth is one of the greatest scientific achievements of the twentieth century.However, paradoxically, this great scientific and technological achievements to a large extent contributed to the Cold War between the two superpowers: the United States and the Soviet Union.The launch of Sputnik was also necessary for developing requirements to obtain reliable information about the upper atmosphere, the possibility of a radio transmission from orbit, etc.
In the early 1950s, both the US and the USSR were actively developing rockets to the space program.In particular, in May 1954 the chief designer of the Soviet space program, Sergei Korolev, the union met with the Minister of Defense Dmitry Ustinov and reported that the first artificial Earth satellite can be launched into orbit.Such a statement July 29, 1955 was made by United States President Dwight D. Eisenhower, when he pointed out the terms between 1957 and 1958.
In early August 1955 Politburo approved the creation of the first Earth satellite.This project was led by Korolev and Vasily Ryabikov, who oversaw the test launches of R-7 rocket.To start was to develop a simple first satellite of the Earth with the two beacons on board.
satellite №1 was a 585-mm sphere, coated with a heat shield consisting of aluminum, magnesium and titanium.It was equipped with four long antennas that were able to transmit simple tones on the surface of the Earth in two frequencies.The first artificial satellite was also equipped with three silver-oxide battery that could run for two weeks.Temperature control system was a radiator with a fan, a sealed circuit, forced heat exchange system, designed to maintain a stable internal temperature.This system used a bimetallic thermal switch as the sensing element.Every time when the temperature is above 36 ° C, incorporating a fan, a system for transferring heat from the circulating nitrogen hemispheres.When the temperature drops below 20 ° C, the fan is switched off.
Sputnik-1 was launched in October 1957 fourth.After 295.4 seconds after the launch of the first artificial satellite was put into orbit.It was only the third successful flight of the missile R-7, which was created for the intercontinental flight with a thermonuclear hydrogen bomb.Sputnik has developed the first cosmic velocity calculated by Newton.It was 7780 m / s.He made a complete revolution of 96.2 minutes.Despite the fact that it developed in just two weeks, the mission lasted 22 days until he got the batteries.Radio amateurs from around the world followed the sound signals transmitted by satellites.It can be seen - as the star of the first magnitude - even with the naked eye.I got off the satellite orbit and burned up in the atmosphere January 4, 1958.
American public and the media were so surprised by the technological breakthrough the Soviet Union, a wave of paranoia that swept the United States.Political and public reaction to the publication of the TASS report was unexpected for the Soviet Union.Thus, replacing the small satellite thermonuclear hydrogen bomb, the Soviet Union won a significant political and social victory.
Satellite crisis has led to the creation of the US Advanced Research Projects Agency and NASA, as well as a significant increase in public spending on education and research.
US could launch its first artificial satellite Explorer-1 January 31, 1958.It was spacecraft cylindrical diameter of 15 cm and a length of 203 cm with a weight of 14 kg.He passed the data on cosmic rays and measuring the level of radiation within 112 days.These data led to the discovery of the Van Allen belts.
Since 1957, the orbit of the Earth was launched nearly 7,000 satellites, most of which have been out of order and represent a real obstacle to further space exploration.
