The history of Sputnik, written over the years by learned scholars (see Roger Launius’ “Sputnik and the Origins of the Space Age” ), may best be remembered here through the images associated with the satellite’s origins, launch, and the repercussions felt globally when it became the world’s first artificial satellite. These images present visual reference points for the satellite’s history, as well as the popular culture response. Unless otherwise noted, Russian objects seen are in the collection of Alex Panchenko .
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Annoucement of intention to launch an earth satellite during the IGY by the Soviets. At the Legation of the USSR, Copenhagen, Denmark, during the 6th IAF, August 1955, shortly after the Americans announced their intentions to launch a satellite.
Left to right: Vereschetin, Mr. Sannikov-Soviet State Security; Professor Kyrill F. Ogorodikov, Astronomy, Leningrad University; Leonid Ivanovich Sedov, Specialist in mechanics, USSR Academy of Sciences.(NASA photo)
Announcement of plans on July 29, 1955, for the building and launching of the world's first man-made satellite. The then Presidential press secretary James Hagerty is shown with five scientists during the meeting at which announcement of President Eisenhower's approval of the plan was made.
Front, left to right, are: Dr. Alan T. Waterman, Hagerty, Dr. S. Douglas Cornell and Dr. Alan Shapley. Standing, left to right: Dr. J. Wallace Joyce and Dr. Athelstan Spilhaus.(NASA photo)
View of the internal components of the Sputnik 1 satellite, launched October 4, 1957. (NASA photo)
View of the Sputnik 1 launch aboard an R-7 launch vehicle from Baikonur, USSR, October 4, 1957. (NASA photo)
One of the few remaining Soviet-built Sputnik replicas, seen on display in the Milestones of Flight gallery at the National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. Photo courtesy of NASM (Eric Long photo).
This is a 1/144 scale plastic model kit for the R-7 rocket, used to launch Sputnik 1 into orbit on October 4, 1957. The model kit has assembly instructions in both Russian and English, although it was made in the Soviet Union. The box cover gives information on the actual rocket and its historic importance in launching Sputnik.
This is a ten inch tall desktop presentation representing the Sputnik 1 satellite at the top of Soviet flag. Both the flag and Sputnik replica are made of metal and sit on a wooden base.
This 6 Kopek stamp celebrate the accomplishments of the Soviet space program, and includes representations of Sputnik 1 flying over Red Square in Moscow. Object in the collection of the National Air and Space Museum (Photo courtesy of NASM).
This block of six 10 Kopeks stamps from 1963 were issued in Soviet Union to commemorate various space program accomplishments including the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957. This set is autographed by the third Soviet cosmonaut, Andrian Nikolayev and his wife, Valentina Tereshkova. The group of stamps shows the typical Communist propaganda and the red text reads: “Glory to Soviet people-People winner! The way to the stars created by the Communists!”
This Soviet-made key chain was made to honor the tenth anniversary of the Sputnik 1 launch. Object in collection of the National Air and Space Museum (Photo courtesy of NASM).
This bronze medallion, minted in 1982, commemorates the efforts of scientists, designers, and the Baikonur launch team. Those participants in the program received these medallions during a celebration of 25th anniversary of the Sputnik 1 launch. The verso depicts Sputnik and reads “First Artificial Sputnik of Earth, 4 October 1957.” Recto depicts the launch of the R-7 rocket that carried Sputnik to orbit and reads “25 years from day of launch of first artificial Sputnik of Earth.”
This small pin was made to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s flight in 1961. It also depicts Sputnik 1 behind Gagarin’s head. Object in the collection of the National Air and Space Museum (photo courtesy of NASM).
This small pin, issued in 1987, commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Sputnik 1 launch. The metal badge depicts Sputnik 1 circling the Earth, and the text reads: “Artificial Sputnik of Earth 4.X.1957 Baikonur.”
The desktop display seen here is made of metal, plastic, and stone, and was made by soldiers at Baikonur to commemorate the launch of Sputnik 1. This original piece was presented to launch team officier Vladimir Ivanovich Katayev, a participant in over 1,500 rocket launches of satellites and spacecraft from 1957 to 1988.
This 11-inch long souvenir Balalaika (a traditional Russian folk musical instrument) was handpainted by artist K. Koval in 1997. It was issued in honor of first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, which is shown flying over the globe and Kremlin towers.
This 11-inch long souvenir Balalaika (a traditional Russian folk musical instrument) was handpainted by artist K. Koval in 1997. It was issued in honor of first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, which is shown flying over the globe and Kremlin towers.
This is a commemorative desk presentation and ashtray depicting Sputnik 1, and includes the date of launch.
