What is Sputnik?
Sputnik, Russian for “fellow traveler of earth,” was an unmanned Soviet satellite that orbited the earth on 4 October 1957. The kerosene-powered Sputnik weighed 84 kg (184 pounds), traveled at over 28,000 kilometers per hour (17,000 miles per hour) and continued to orbit until 4 January 1958. Although it did little more than transmit a monotonous beep, the successful orbit of the beachball-sized satellite became a seminal moment in the 20th century. Since there are currently thousands of satellites orbiting in the skies above us, may be difficult to understand how earth-shattering Sputnik actually was. To begin to understand it’s impact, we need to consider the context in which it existed. In 1955, the U.S. announced plans to create a satellite program that eventually became the Vanguard project. The progress of the Vanguard program, however, was slow and frustrating. Just as basic rocket testing was yielding some results, the world was informed about the Sputnik successfully orbiting
2) The US Space Program (Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and Space Shuttle) – Compare and analyze the different phases of the US space program from the race to the moon through the space shuttle. 3) What is next in the race for space? -Research future space travel such as winning the X-Prize. -Understand how the technology from space travel has affected our home and work lives. (Hint, not only does war technology come help us, but space technology as well. Example: plastic) Use PowerPoint, Inspiration, or some other program you know to create a timeline. Then focus on one area that you enjoyed or looked more into to present to the class. Check your focus area with the teacher before you look into too much. Also, make sure that you know how your other points affected the future so that you can briefly explain them. The Process Before you turn in this project, use this outline to check to make sure you have accomplished everything required. 1. Pair up with a person who you have not worked with
Sputnik was the first artificial satellite launched into orbit, by the USSR. The 50th anniversary of this event was celebrated this week, but at the time, the US viewed it more as a threat than something to celebrate – since the rocket technology of the USSR was at such a level to make the threat of the ICBM all the more terrifying. It was also the catalyst for the government to create NASA, and the space race was born. http://history.nasa.
