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'''Sputnik''' was launched in 1957 by the [[Soviet Union]] as the first spacecraft to carry a living being, a dog, into outer space.

'''Sputnik''' was launched in 1957 by the [[Soviet Union]] under [[Nikita Khrushchev]] as the first spacecraft to circle the earth.  It stunned the world by demonstrating Soviet superiority in some forms of technology, especially the capacity to build extremely sophisticated technology and powerful rockets (which could also carry nuclear weapons).  It remains a high point of Russian pride.

[[File:Sputnik.jpg|thumb|400px|The Sputnik in 1957 was the greatest triumph of Soviet technology]]

*''Sputnik I'', launched [[October]] 4, 1957, carried an artificial satellite into orbit. It caused some concern in the [[USA]], that the Soviet Union were the first to launch a satellite into orbit. ''Sputnik I'' was about the size of a beach ball (58cm or 22.8inches in diameter),<ref>[http://history.nasa.gov/sputnik/ NASA's files on Sputnik]</ref> had antennas sticking out of it, contained a beeping radio transmitter<ref>CNN: Cold War Vol. 3 - Documentary</ref>, and weighed only 183 pounds.<ref>http://history.nasa.gov/sputnik/</ref> This success started the [[Space Race]] between the USSR and the USA.

*''Sputnik I'', launched [[October]] 4, 1957, carried an artificial satellite into orbit. It caused some concern in the [[USA]], that the Soviet Union were the first to launch a satellite into orbit. ''Sputnik I'' was about the size of a beach ball (58cm or 22.8inches in diameter),<ref>[http://history.nasa.gov/sputnik/ NASA's files on Sputnik]</ref> had antennas sticking out of it, contained a beeping radio transmitter<ref>CNN: Cold War Vol. 3 - Documentary</ref>, and weighed only 183 pounds.<ref>http://history.nasa.gov/sputnik/</ref> This success started the [[Space Race]] between the USSR and the USA.

*''Sputnik II'' carried a dog named Laika ([[Russian]]:  Лайка) into space on November 3, 1957.  Laika was originally a stray, and she died a while after the launch.

*''Sputnik II'' carried a dog named Laika (Russian:  Лайка) into space on November 3, 1957.  Laika was originally a stray, and she died a while after the launch.

== See Also ==

== See Also ==

[[Category:Space Race]]

[[Category:Space Race]]

[[Category:Cold War]]

[[Category:Cold War]]