<P> Sputnik 1 ( / ˈspʌtnɪk / ; `` Satellite - 1 '' , or `` PS - 1 '' , Prosteyshiy Sputnik - 1 , `` Elementary Satellite 1 '' ) was the first artificial Earth satellite . The Soviet Union launched it into an elliptical low Earth orbit on 4 October 1957 . It was a 58 cm ( 23 in ) diameter polished metal sphere , with four external radio antennas to broadcast radio pulses . It was visible all around the Earth and its radio pulses were detectable . This surprise success precipitated the American Sputnik crisis and triggered the Space Race , a part of the Cold War . The launch ushered in new political , military , technological , and scientific developments . </P>
<P> Sputnik 1 ( / ˈspʌtnɪk / ; `` Satellite - 1 '' , or `` PS - 1 '' , Prosteyshiy Sputnik - 1 , `` Elementary Satellite 1 '' ) was the first artificial Earth satellite . The Soviet Union launched it into an elliptical low Earth orbit on 4 October 1957 . It was a 58 cm ( 23 in ) diameter polished metal sphere , with four external radio antennas to broadcast radio pulses . It was visible all around the Earth and its radio pulses were detectable . This surprise success precipitated the American Sputnik crisis and triggered the Space Race , a part of the Cold War . The launch ushered in new political , military , technological , and scientific developments . </P>
when did the u.s.s.r launch the first satellite to orbit the world
when did the u.s.s.r launch the first satellite to orbit the world
4 October 1957
4 October 1957