Space Race Timeline - Scarlett Marchant

By marchsca

  • First satellite in space by USSR

    The first satellite in space, Sputnik 1 was launched by the USSR on October 4th, 1957. It was a simple sphere weighing 184 pounds and broadcasting a radio signal.

  • First animal in space to orbit earth for USSR

    The first animal to orbit earth for the USSR was Laika the space dog. She launched on the Sputnik 2 spacecraft. Her mission was a one way trip as the technology for orbitall recovery didn't exist yet. She tragically died a few hours into her mission from overheating and stress.