Sputnik–1: the satellite that started the space age and shaped modern technology
On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik–1, the world’s first artificial satellite. It was small, simple, and built under intense time pressure—yet it permanently changed the trajectory of science, engineering, geopolitics, and everyday technology. The satellite’s steady radio “beep-beep” signal proved that orbital flight was achievable in practice,…





