Tuesday October 4th was Sputnik Day.
The launch of the Sputnik satellite, was a hugely significant event. While the satellite itself was simple, it proved beyond doubt, that the science fiction dream of ‘artificial moons’ or man-made satellites was possible.
It was also a shocking wake-up call to Americans, some of whom were alarmed by the presence of a Soviet craft in their skies, while others, excited by space technology, followed enthusiastically the Sputnik’s orbits as it broadcast a signal that amateur radio enthusiasts could pick up.
Sputnik was small, but it marked the dawn of the space age.