World's 1st satellite launch by Soviet led US to create NASA
The Soviet Union launched the world's first artificial satellite Sputnik I in October 1957. Amid the US-Soviet Cold War, Sputnik's launch directly led to the foundation of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on October 1, 1958. Weighing 83.6 kg, the 58-cm-wide satellite transmitted signals for 21 days before losing speed and burning up in the atmosphere in 92 days.