Sputnik 1 was launched by the Soviet Union  on October 4,1957. It was the first earth-orbiting artificial satellite. It was the first in a series of satellites collectively known as the Sputnik Program. The announcement of Sputnik's 1's success precipitated the Sputnik crisis in the United States and ignited the Space Race within the Cold War. Sputnik 1 was as big as a beach ball . Back in 1957 sometimes not most of the time people could go outside and see Sputnik in the sky. Everyone was so amazed by it. It is in the true story movie October Sky. Sputnik helped identify the upper atmosphere layer's density through measuring the satellites orbital changes. The mission type was Atmospheric Studies. Satellite of earth. Orbits 1,440. Sputnik 2 was the first animal in space launched, the ill fated Laika.

Sputnik 2 was launched on November 3,1957. It was 13 feet high cone shaped. By the Soviets. The mission was 162 days. The decay was April 14,1958. It contained compartments for radio transmitters, a telemetry system which is remote measurement and reporting information. A programming unit, and temperature control.