Record #00031Space archive
World's First Artificial Satellite
NASA records that the Soviet Union successfully launched Sputnik 1 on 4 October 1957, the world's first artificial satellite.
ARCHIVE VISUAL / 01
NOT TO SCALE
Current Record
1957-10-04 date
Current record value
- Holder
- Sputnik 1
- Location
- —
- Start date
- 1957-10-04
- Record status
- VerifiedView verification details ↗Report an issue
Overview
Archive NoteSputnik 1 was launched into orbit by the Soviet Union on 4 October 1957, marking the start of the space age.
The satellite was a 58 cm sphere weighing 83.6 kg and took about 98 minutes to orbit Earth.
Sputnik 2, carrying the dog Laika, followed on 3 November 1957; the launches led directly to the creation of NASA.
Record history
1 Milestones- 1957-10-04 dateSputnik 1Current Record
Sources
Evidence & ReferencesVerification basis and limitations
VerifiedThe record conclusion has sufficient verification support.
Verification explanation pending
- Last editorial review
- 2026-09-24
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