1 artificial earth satellite was launched. The first artificial satellite of the Earth

On the evening of Saturday, October 4, 1957, radio amateurs around the world heard frequent periodic signals on a frequency of 20 MHz: beep-beep-beep... It was unknown who was transmitting them. But the very next morning a message spread around the world: for the first time a satellite was launched into space. Just think, this was only 50 years (or maybe as much as 50 years) ago!

Sputnik (by the way, this word has not required translation since then; that satellite is called “SPUTNIK” in almost all languages) was launched in our country before anyone else. From this day forward, planet Earth lives in the space age.

Having learned about the launch, millions of people all over the globe armed themselves with binoculars and telescopes and began to peer into the night sky, trying to see a small moving dot there. But it was very small - only twice the size of a regular soccer ball - 58 centimeters in diameter and shaped like a ball, only made of aluminum polished to a mirror shine. Yes, the first Earth satellite was very simple - an aluminum ball with four “whiskers” antennas. Then the satellites began to be made in more complex shapes, larger sizes and much heavier; the first one was a real baby. By the way, there was almost no equipment in it - just a few light research instruments and two short-wave radio stations. For three weeks these radio stations broadcast short, frequent signals. They could be heard using the most ordinary home radio.

To ensure that the devices inside the ball satellite do not deteriorate, it is necessary that there is absolutely no oxygen and water (even the smallest amount of steam) there. To do this, even on Earth, before launch, the body was filled with nitrogen gas, which does not enter into chemical reactions with practically nothing. And besides, nitrogen has very low thermal conductivity, and like a good fur coat, it protected the instruments in the satellite from overheating and cooling. You may ask where the overheating comes from in space; there is a temperature close to absolute zero(and this is -273 degrees Celsius)? But remember, the satellite flies around the Earth, and part of its orbit (by the way, a smaller part) passes in the shadow when the Sun is covered by our planet, and the rest of the time it is illuminated. There is no atmosphere in the satellite's orbit - after all, it flew at an altitude of 230 to 950 km - the sun's rays are not weakened by anything and burn the surface mercilessly. This is where nitrogen's low thermal conductivity comes in handy. It was also useful that the outside of the ball was polished. Solar radiation was simply reflected from it, and the devices inside the case did not overheat.

How was the satellite delivered into orbit? Now every schoolchild knows that they fly into space on special large rockets. 50 years ago, only a few knew about this. In pictures at that time, rockets were often depicted as very small, the size of a person. In fact, in order to launch the first satellite, our country made a rocket that weighed 280 tons. Only 250 tons of fuel were poured into it - these are four full railway tanks and two more large fuel tankers. The rocket was called R-7. Its designer was one of the best engineers of the twentieth century, Sergei Pavlovich Korolev. Of course, he did not make the rocket alone; the engines for it were designed by engineers led by Valentin Petrovich Glushko, the launch complex (this is the place from where the rocket flies) was developed in the design bureau of Vladimir Pavlovich Barmin.

Why do we need such a big rocket? In order for a satellite to fly around the Earth and not fall on it (well, at least for two or three months), it needs to be accelerated to a very high speed - 8 kilometers per second (at this speed, you can fly from Moscow to St. Petersburg in a little more than one and a half minutes). This speed is called the first cosmic speed. You may ask, if there is a first, then there should probably be a second and a third? Indeed, there are such people. Strictly speaking, the first escape velocity (CS) is the speed that must be imparted to an object, neglecting the resistance of the atmosphere and the rotation of the planet, in order to place it in a circular orbit with a radius equal to the radius of the planet. In other words, the first escape velocity is the speed with which a stone must be thrown in a horizontal direction so that it does not fall back to Earth. At the second CS - this is already 11 km/s - the satellite can overcome the Earth's gravity, become a satellite of the Sun and fly around our star, like an ordinary planet. And in order to fly to other stars, the Earth’s messenger will have to be accelerated to the third CS, which is approximately 17 km/s.

But what happened to the first satellite? Does he still fly? No, he stayed in orbit for three months. In space, although there is almost a complete vacuum, and there is very little resistance to movement, with each revolution around the Earth the satellite slowed down and gradually descended. At some point it entered the upper atmosphere. From friction with the air, its surface became so hot (up to several thousand degrees) that it simply burned without a trace.

So, just half a century ago, people could hardly imagine that something could be launched into space. And now people have been working for many months space stations, space robots (or, as they are more correctly called, automatic research vehicles) land on the Moon and Mars, and explore asteroids. Yes, and imagine modern life impossible without satellites. If you turn off all satellites now, it will be impossible to talk over mobile phone, watch TV, surf the Internet, make an accurate geographical map, make a weather forecast. And do many, many other things in which satellites now play the main role.
Candidate technical sciences D. ZYKOV.
http://www.nkj.ru/archive/articles/12091/

First artificial satellite Earth is one of the greatest achievements of science of the twentieth century. Nevertheless, paradoxically, this great scientific and technical achievement contributed significantly cold war between two superpowers: the USA and Soviet Union. The launch of the first artificial Earth satellite was also necessary for the developing need to obtain reliable information about the upper layers of the atmosphere, the possibility of transmitting radio signals from orbit, etc.

In the early 1950s, both the United States and the Soviet Union were actively developing rockets for the space program. In particular, in May 1954 chief designer Sergei Korolev met with the USSR Minister of Defense and reported that the first artificial Earth satellite could be launched into orbit. A similar statement was made by United States President Dwight Eisenhower on July 29, 1955, with a time frame between 1957 and 1958.

In early August 1955, the Politburo of the CPSU Central Committee approved the creation of the first Earth satellite. This project was headed by Korolev, as well as Vasily Ryabikov, who oversaw the test launches of the R-7 rocket. For the launch, the simplest first Earth satellite with two radio beacons on board was developed.

Satellite 1 was a 585mm sphere covered with a heat shield consisting of aluminum, magnesium and titanium. It was equipped with four long antennas that were capable of transmitting simple signals to the surface of the Earth in two frequencies. The first artificial Earth satellite was also equipped with three silver-zinc batteries that could operate for two weeks. The temperature control system was a radiator with fan, sealed circuit, forced heat exchange system designed to maintain a stable internal temperature. This system used bimetallic thermal relays as the sensing element. Whenever the temperature rose above 36°C, a fan was turned on and nitrogen was circulated through the heat transfer system from the hemispheres. When the temperature dropped below 20°C, the fan turned off.

Sputnik 1 was launched on October 4, 1957. 295.4 seconds after launch, the first artificial Earth satellite was launched into orbit. This was only the third successful flight of the R-7 rocket, which was created for intercontinental flight with thermonuclear power. Sputnik developed the first one calculated by Newton. It was 7780 m/s. Full turn he completed it in 96.2 minutes. Despite being developed in just two weeks, the mission lasted 22 days until the batteries ran out. Radio amateurs from all over the world monitored the sound signals transmitted by the satellite. It could be observed - as a star of the first magnitude - even with the naked eye. The satellite left orbit and burned up in the atmosphere on January 4, 1958.

American public and funds mass media were so surprised by the technological breakthrough of the USSR that a wave of paranoia swept across the United States. The political and public reaction to the publication of the TASS message was unexpected for the USSR. Thus, by replacing the thermonuclear hydrogen bomb with a small satellite, the Soviet Union won a significant political and social victory.

The satellite crisis led to the creation of the Advanced Research Projects Agency and NASA in the United States, as well as a significant increase in government spending on the education system and scientific research.

The United States was able to launch its first artificial satellite, Explorer 1, on January 31, 1958. It was cylindrical with a diameter of 15 cm and a length of 203 cm with a mass of 14 kg. It transmitted cosmic ray measurements and radiation levels for 112 days. These data led to the discovery

Since 1957, about 7,000 satellites have been launched into Earth orbit, most of which have already broken down and pose a real obstacle to further space exploration.

The development of technological progress occurs at such a pace that the most outstanding scientific achievements quickly become everyday life and cease to amaze.

Space exploration was no exception. Almost 6 decades separate us from the launch of the first artificial Earth satellite (RS-1). Let's remember how it was. Let's find out how far science has advanced in this area.

How it was

By the mid-60s of the last century In the USSR, a powerful group of like-minded people was formed who were engaged in practical astronautics. Led the group.

It was decided to begin the first steps into space with the launch of an artificial Earth satellite. Wherein the following tasks were set:

• checking all theoretical calculations;
• collecting information about the operating conditions of the equipment;
• study of the upper layers of the ionosphere and atmosphere.

To carry out the required amount of research The satellite, 58 cm in diameter, housed special equipment and power supplies. To maintain a constant temperature, its internal cavity was filled with nitrogen, which was driven by special fans. The total weight of the first spacecraft was 83.6 kg. Its sealed body was made of a special aluminum alloy, and the polished surface underwent special treatment.

Four rod antennas with a length of 2.4 to 2.9 m, installed on the outer surface of the satellite, were pressed against the body during the launch of the device into orbit.

How a missile range became a cosmodrome

To launch the RS-1 satellite it was it was decided to use a military training ground in the Kazakhstan desert. The decisive factor in choosing the location was its proximity to the equator. This made it possible to make maximum use of the Earth's rotation speed during launch. And its remoteness from Moscow made it possible to maintain a regime of secrecy.

It was at the Baikonur military training ground that the space gates first opened and the first artificial earth satellite was launched. "Sputnik-1" launched October 4, 1957 at 22:28 Moscow time. During 92 days of operation in low-Earth orbit, it completed about one and a half thousand revolutions around the Earth. For two weeks, his “beep-beep-beep” signals were received not only at the mission control center, but also by radio amateurs around the world.

How the satellite was delivered into orbit

To launch the first Soviet satellite it was used a two-stage intercontinental missile R-7, which was developed as a carrier for the hydrogen bomb.

After some modifications to its design and several tests, it became clear that it would fully cope with the task of launching a satellite into a given orbit.

The satellite was placed at the head of the rocket. Its launch was carried out strictly vertically. Then the rocket axis was gradually deviated from the vertical. When the rocket speed was close to the first escape velocity, the first stage separated. The further flight of the rocket was now ensured by the second stage, which increased its speed to 18-20 thousand km/h. When the rocket reached the highest point of its orbit, the satellite separated from the launch vehicle.

His further the movement occurred by inertia.

Physical basis of satellite flight

For a body to become an artificial satellite, two basic conditions must be met:

• communicating to the body a horizontal speed of 7.8 km/sec (first cosmic speed) to overcome earth's gravity;
• moving it from dense layers of the atmosphere to very rarefied ones that do not offer resistance to movement.

Having reached escape velocity, the satellite rotates around the planet in a circular orbit.

If its rotation period is 24 hours, then the satellite will rotate synchronously with the Earth, as if hovering over the same area of ​​the planet. Such an orbit is called geostationary, and its radius, at a given speed of the device, should be six times the radius of the Earth. As the speed increases up to 11.2 km/sec, the orbit becomes increasingly elongated, turning into an ellipse. It was in this orbit that the first brainchild of Soviet cosmonautics moved. At the same time, the Earth was at one of the foci of this ellipse. The greatest distance of the satellite from the Earth was 900 km.

But in the process of movement, it still plunged into the upper layers of the atmosphere, slowed down, gradually approaching the Earth. In the end, due to air resistance it heated up and burned in the dense layers of the atmosphere.

60-year history of satellite launches

The launch and flight of this tiny silver ball at such a considerable distance from the Earth was a triumph of Soviet science for that period. This was followed by a number of more launches, which pursued mainly military purposes. They performed reconnaissance functions and were part of navigation and communication systems.

Modern workers of the starry sky perform a huge amount of work for the benefit of humanity. In addition to satellites intended for defense purposes, the following are in demand:

• Communications satellites (repeaters), providing stable, weather-independent communications over a large area of ​​the planet.
• Navigation satellites, serving to determine the coordinates and speed of all types of transport and determine the exact time.
• Satellites, allowing you to photograph areas of the earth's surface.“Space” photographs are in demand by many ground-based services (forestors, ecologists, meteorologists, etc.); they are used to create extremely accurate maps of any part of the planet.
• The “scientist” satellites are platforms for testing new ideas and technologies, tools for obtaining unique scientific information.

The manufacture, launch and maintenance of spacecraft requires enormous expenses, so international projects began to appear. One of them INMASART system, providing ships on the high seas with stable communications. It was thanks to her that many ships and human lives were saved.

Look at the night sky

At night, among the diamond scattering of stars, you can see bright, non-blinking luminous points. If they, moving in a straight line, fly across the entire sky in 5-10 minutes, then you have seen a satellite. Only fairly large satellites, at least 600 m in length, can be observed with the naked eye. They are visible only when they reflect sunlight.

Such objects include international space station (ISS). You can see it twice in one night. It first moves from the southeastern part of the sky to the northeast. After about 8 hours, it appears in the northwest and disappears behind the southeastern part of the horizon. The best time to observe it is June–July - an hour after sunset and 40–60 minutes before the sunrise.

As you follow the luminous point with your gaze, remember how much effort and knowledge was invested in this miracle of technical thought, what courage the people working on board the orbital station have.

If this message was useful to you, I would be glad to see you

The first satellite - an artificial satellite of the Earth

It's finished! The human mind challenged the forces of nature and won greatest victory: the first artificial Earth satellite is in orbit!

It appeared above the planet on October 4, 1957, on the eve of the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Great October Revolution. The amazed world watched him, listened in fascination to his call signs “beep...beep...beep” and never ceased to marvel at him as a miracle. A wave of delight rolled across the planet.

The artificial Earth satellite (AES) began its space journey from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, which in those days was not yet known to the whole world.

The Soviet satellite was spherical in shape. This ensured the constancy of the atmospheric resistance force at any orientation relative to the direction of movement.

The satellite was placed in front of the launch vehicle and covered with a protective cone, which protected it from aerodynamic and thermal influences when passing through dense layers of the atmosphere. After the launch vehicle engines finished operating, the protective cone was dropped, the satellite, under the action of a special pusher, separated from the rocket and began an independent flight in orbit.

The hermetic body consisted of two thin-walled half-shells (connected during assembly) made of aluminum alloys. Its surface was polished and subjected to special treatment. The diameter of the satellite was 580 mm, weight - 83.6 kg. Radio equipment was located inside along with power supplies. The antennas were hinged outside - two rods 2.4 m long and two 2.9 m long.

The satellite was equipped with two radio transmitters that continuously emitted signals at 20.005 and 40.002 MHz, which were used to monitor orbital parameters, as well as to study the passage of radio waves in the ionosphere.

The orbit of the first satellite was an ellipse. The maximum distance from the Earth's surface at apogee was 947 km, the minimum at perigee was 228 km. The orbital period was 96.17 minutes. The orbital plane was inclined to the equatorial plane at an angle of 65.1°.

As a result of observing the movement of the first artificial Earth satellite and recording numerous measurement data, information was obtained that was of exceptional value to scientists. The results of worldwide observations showed good agreement between calculated and experimental data. Flying along a trajectory, the space pioneer appeared with astronomical precision at a set time over the specified areas globe. A long and thorough analysis of the orbital flight made it possible to present the process of evolution of the parameters of the satellite’s orbit and obtain information about the density of the upper layers of the atmosphere.

Observations of the passage of radio waves emitted by the satellite's radio transmitters were of great importance. Before the launch of the first satellite, our knowledge of the ionosphere was expanded by studying radio waves sent from the Earth and reflected by the ionosphere. The satellite that penetrated various areas the upper atmosphere and constantly sending radio signals of various frequencies, as if reporting on its condition and properties.

For scientists, this was one of the most interesting reports, which lasted for 92 days. During this time, the space pioneer made 1,400 revolutions around the Earth and flew about 600 million km.

A month after the launch of the first artificial satellite, news spread around the world about a new achievement of our science and technology - the launch of the second satellite. On board was a space traveler - the dog Laika. The satellite was the final stage of the launch vehicle. The weight of the scientific equipment, energy sources, radio installation and container with the dog was 508.3 kg. The second satellite moved along a more elongated orbit and at its apogee reached an altitude of 1671 km. It made about 2,370 orbits around the planet and flew for 162 days, until April 14, 1958.

Layout of equipment on the second artificial Earth satellite:

1 - a protective cone, dropped after the satellite is launched into orbit, 2 - a device for studying ultraviolet and X-ray radiation from the Sun, 3 - a spherical container with equipment and radio transmitters, 4 - a power frame for attaching equipment, 5 - a hermetic cabin with an experimental animal.

Humanity entered 1958 in the light of two Soviet stars- the world's two first artificial celestial bodies to shine above our planet. And on May 15, the third Soviet satellite was launched into low-Earth orbit. It was a flying laboratory weighing 1327 kg with a whole complex of scientific equipment. It made its rapid flight in an orbit very close to the orbit of the second satellite, rising at its apogee to an altitude of 1881 km. The third Soviet satellite orbited over our planet for almost two years - for 692 days, making 10,037 revolutions.

+ Click on the picture to enlarge!

Layout of the scientific equipment of the third artificial Earth satellite:

1 — magnetometer, 2 — photomultipliers for recording corpuscular radiation from the Sun, 3 — solar panels, 4 — device for recording photons in cosmic rays, 5 — magnetic and ionization pressure gauges, 6 — ion traps, 7 — electrostatic fluxometers, 8 — mass spectral tube, 9 - a device for registering heavy nuclei in cosmic rays, 10 - a device for measuring the intensity of primary cosmic radiation, 11 - sensors for registering micrometeors.

With the help of the first three Soviet satellites, scientists obtained valuable data on the density, pressure and composition of the upper layers of the atmosphere, and conducted the first studies magnetic field The Earth is far from its surface, radiation belts, meteorite danger. The results of these scientific studies have largely changed the understanding of near-Earth space.

The first artificial celestial bodies marked the beginning of a new era in the study of the Universe. But they only lifted the curtain on a whole ocean of scientific secrets kept by the vast expanses of space. After that there were satellites of the Cosmos series and other near-Earth explorers, automatic interplanetary stations sent to the Moon, Venus and Mars. In the fourth year of the space age, the first earthling visited space - soviet man, faithful son of our Motherland Yuri Alekseevich Gagarin. Then the trans-atmospheric space was stormed on Vostok, Voskhod and Soyuz Soviet cosmonauts. There were months-long flights on the Salyut orbital space stations. But for the first time, a small metal ball went into space...

Today, astronautics firmly serves national economy. Soviet scientists have created a number of satellites that work for the benefit of our people. Currently, meteorological satellites “Meteor”, communication satellites “Molniya”, “Ekran”, “Rainbow”, satellites helping to search for minerals and protect the environment are keeping watch over the planet.

Over the past twenty years, we have launched about 1,200 spacecraft with scientific equipment into near-Earth orbits and interplanetary routes. Automatic scouts of the universe have endlessly pushed the boundaries of human knowledge. We have immeasurably enriched science with new information about our Earth, outer space, and planets. solar system and about distant star worlds.

The material was prepared by V. VOROBEY, I. MERKULOV

Modeler-constructor No. 10 1977

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We have long been accustomed to the fact that we live in the era of space exploration. However, watching today's huge reusable rockets and space orbital stations, many do not realize that the first launch of a spacecraft took place not so long ago - only 60 years ago.

General information

Who launched the first artificial Earth satellite? - THE USSR. This question has great importance, since this event gave rise to the so-called space race between two superpowers: the USA and the USSR.

What was the name of the world's first artificial satellite? - since such devices did not exist before, Soviet scientists considered that the name “Sputnik-1” was quite suitable for this device. The code designation of the device is PS-1, which stands for “The Simplest Sputnik-1”.

Externally, the satellite had a rather simple appearance and was an aluminum sphere with a diameter of 58 cm to which two curved antennas were attached crosswise, allowing the device to distribute radio emission evenly and in all directions. Inside the sphere, made of two hemispheres fastened with 36 bolts, there were 50-kilogram silver-zinc batteries, a radio transmitter, a fan, a thermostat, pressure and temperature sensors. The total weight of the device was 83.6 kg. It is noteworthy that the radio transmitter broadcast in the range of 20 MHz and 40 MHz, that is, ordinary radio amateurs could monitor it.

History of creation

The history of the first space satellite and space flights generally begins with the first ballistic missile - the V-2 (Vergeltungswaffe-2). The rocket was developed by the famous German designer Wernher von Braun at the end of World War II.

First test run took place in 1942, and the combat one in 1944, a total of 3,225 launches were carried out, mainly across Great Britain.

After the war, Wernher von Braun surrendered to the US Army, and therefore headed the Weapons Design and Development Service in the United States. Back in 1946, a German scientist presented the US Department of Defense with a report “Preliminary design of an experimental spaceship, orbiting the Earth,” where he noted that within five years a rocket capable of launching such a ship into orbit could be developed. However, funding for the project was not approved.

On May 13, 1946, Joseph Stalin adopted a decree on the creation of a missile industry in the USSR. Sergei Korolev was appointed chief designer of ballistic missiles. Over the next 10 years, scientists developed intercontinental ballistic missiles R-1, R2, R-3, etc.

In 1948, rocket designer Mikhail Tikhonravov gave a report to the scientific community about composite rockets and the results of calculations, according to which the 1000-kilometer rockets being developed could reach great distances and even launch an artificial Earth satellite into orbit. However, such a statement was criticized and was not taken seriously.

Tikhonravov’s department at NII-4 was disbanded due to irrelevant work, but later, through the efforts of Mikhail Klavdievich, it was reassembled in 1950. Then Mikhail Tikhonravov spoke directly about the mission to put the satellite into orbit.

Satellite model

After the creation of the R-3 ballistic missile, its capabilities were presented at the presentation, according to which the missile was capable of not only hitting targets at a distance of 3000 km, but also launching a satellite into orbit. So by 1953, scientists still managed to convince top management that the launch of an orbital satellite was possible.

And the leaders of the armed forces began to understand the prospects of developing and launching an artificial Earth satellite (AES). For this reason, in 1954, a resolution was adopted to create a separate group at NII-4 with Mikhail Klavdievich, which would design the satellite and plan the mission. In the same year, Tikhonravov’s group presented a program for space exploration, from launching satellites to landing on the Moon.

In 1955, a delegation of the Politburo headed by N. S. Khrushchev visited the Leningrad Metal Plant, where the construction of the two-stage R-7 rocket was completed. The delegation's impression resulted in the signing of a resolution on the creation and launch of a satellite into earth orbit in the next two years. The design of the satellite began in November 1956, and in September 1957, the “Simple Sputnik-1” was successfully tested on a vibration stand and in a thermal chamber.

Definitely answering the question “who invented Sputnik 1?” — it is impossible to answer. The development of the first Earth satellite took place under the leadership of Mikhail Tikhonravov, and the creation of the launch vehicle and launch of the satellite into orbit was under the leadership of Sergei Korolev. However, a considerable number of scientists and researchers worked on both projects.

Launch history

In February 1955, senior management approved the creation of Research Test Site No. 5 (later Baikonur), which was to be located in the Kazakhstan desert. The first ballistic missiles of the R-7 type were tested at the test site, but based on the results of five experimental launches, it became clear that the massive warhead of the ballistic missile could not withstand the temperature load and required modification, which would take about six months.

For this reason, S.P. Korolev requested from N.S. Khrushchev two rockets for the experimental launch of PS-1. At the end of September 1957, the R-7 rocket arrived at Baikonur with a lightweight head and a transition under the satellite. Excess equipment was removed, as a result of which the mass of the rocket was reduced by 7 tons.

On October 2, S.P. Korolev signed an order for flight testing of the satellite and sent a notification of readiness to Moscow. And although no answers came from Moscow, Sergei Korolev decided to launch the Sputnik (R-7) launch vehicle from PS-1 to the launch position.

The reason why management demanded the launch of the satellite into orbit during this period is that from July 1, 1957 to December 31, 1958, the so-called International Geophysical Year was held. According to it, during this period, 67 countries jointly and under a single program carried out geophysical research and observations.

The launch date of the first artificial satellite was October 4, 1957. In addition, on the same day the opening of the VIII International Congress of Astronautics took place in Spain, Barcelona. The leaders of the USSR space program were not disclosed to the public due to the secrecy of the work being carried out; Academician Leonid Ivanovich Sedov reported to Congress about the sensational launch of the satellite. Therefore, it was the Soviet physicist and mathematician Sedov that the world community long considered to be the “father of Sputnik.”

Flight history

At 22:28:34 Moscow time, a rocket with a satellite was launched from the first site of NIIP No. 5 (Baikonur). After 295 seconds, the central block of the rocket and the satellite were launched into an elliptical orbit of the Earth (apogee - 947 km, perigee - 288 km). After another 20 seconds, PS-1 separated from the rocket and gave a signal. It was a repeated signal of “Beep! Beep!”, which were caught at the test site for 2 minutes, until Sputnik 1 disappeared over the horizon.

On the first orbit of the device around the Earth, the Telegraph Agency of the Soviet Union (TASS) transmitted a message about the successful launch of the world's first satellite.

After receiving the PS-1 signals, detailed data began to arrive about the device, which, as it turned out, was close to not reaching the first escape velocity and not entering orbit. The reason for this was an unexpected failure of the fuel control system, which caused one of the engines to lag. Failure was a split second away.

However, PS-1 still successfully achieved an elliptical orbit, in which it moved for 92 days, while completing 1440 revolutions around the planet. The device's radio transmitters worked for the first two weeks. What caused the death of the first Earth satellite? — Having lost speed due to atmospheric friction, Sputnik 1 began to descend and completely burned up in dense layers of the atmosphere.

It is noteworthy that many could observe a certain brilliant object moving across the sky during that period. But without special optics, the shiny body of the satellite could not be seen, and in fact this object was the second stage of the rocket, which also rotated in orbit, along with the satellite.

Flight meaning

The first launch of an artificial Earth satellite in the USSR produced an unprecedented rise in pride in their country and a strong blow to the prestige of the United States. An excerpt from a United Press publication: “90 percent of the talk about artificial Earth satellites came from the United States. As it turned out, 100 percent of the case fell on Russia...”

And despite erroneous ideas about the technical backwardness of the USSR, it was the Soviet device that became the first satellite of the Earth, and its signal could be tracked by any radio amateur. The flight of the first Earth satellite marked the beginning of the space age and launched the space race between the Soviet Union and the United States.

Just 4 months later, on February 1, 1958, the United States launched its Explorer 1 satellite, which was assembled by the team of scientist Wernher von Braun. And although it was several times lighter than PS-1 and contained 4.5 kg of scientific equipment, it was still second and no longer had the same impact on the public.

Scientific results of the PS-1 flight

The launch of this PS-1 had several goals:

• Testing the technical ability of the device, as well as checking the calculations taken for the successful launch of the satellite;


• Ionosphere research. Before the launch of the spacecraft, radio waves sent from Earth were reflected from the ionosphere, eliminating the possibility of studying it. Now scientists have been able to begin studying the ionosphere through the interaction of radio waves emitted by a satellite from space and traveling through the atmosphere to the surface of the Earth.


• Calculation of the density of the upper layers of the atmosphere by observing the rate of deceleration of the vehicle due to friction with the atmosphere;


• Study of the influence of outer space on equipment, as well as the determination of favorable conditions for the operation of equipment in space.

Listen to the sound of the First Satellite

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And although the satellite did not have any scientific equipment, monitoring its radio signal and analyzing its nature gave many useful results. Thus, a group of scientists from Sweden carried out measurements of the electronic composition of the ionosphere, relying on the Faraday effect, which states that the polarization of light changes when passing through a magnetic field.

Also, a group of Soviet scientists from Moscow State University developed a technique for observing the satellite with precise determination of its coordinates. Observation of this elliptical orbit and the nature of its behavior made it possible to determine the density of the atmosphere in the region of orbital altitudes. The unexpectedly increased density of the atmosphere in these areas prompted scientists to create the theory of satellite braking, which contributed to the development of astronautics.