Sputnik

Definition

Sputnik was the first artificial satellite launched into space by the Soviet Union in 1957. This marked the beginning of the space age and sparked a competitive race between superpowers during the Cold War.

Analogy

Think of Sputnik as being like that first person in your class who turns in their assignment. It sets off a flurry of activity as everyone else tries to catch up and do better, just like how other countries raced to launch their own satellites after Sputnik.

Related terms

Satellite: A man-made object intentionally placed into orbit. Satellites can be used for a variety of purposes, including communication, weather monitoring, navigation, and scientific research.

Cold War: The period of political tension and military rivalry between nations led by the United States on one side and those led by the Soviet Union on the other that occurred after World War II.

Space Race: The competition between nations regarding achievements in field of space exploration.