55 years ago, the space age began

On October 4, 1957, an artificial satellite was first launched into Earth’s orbit - the Sputnik two-stage rocket (R-7, 8K71PS) launched an orbit under the codename PS-1, which lasted until January 4, 1958. Despite the experimental nature of the launch, the satellite provided scientists with some interesting information about the upper layers of the atmosphere, making it possible to experimentally determine the density of these and to obtain data on how radio waves travel through the Earth’s ionosphere.



But the main result was practical confirmation that mankind is able to launch its spacecraft into space - and it was with this half-meter ball that the story of conquering near-Earth space began.