In science and technology, like in many other fields, a public demonstration can sometimes achieve what countless research papers might fail to do. We saw last week how the use of ether as an anaesthesia in a surgery won over the confidence of the public and led to the development of anaesthesiology. In a similar vein, we will see how the launch of Sputnik 1 on October 4, 1957, marked the beginning of the space age.
The International Geophysical Year
It all started in 1952, when the International Council of Scientific Unions established the period from July 1, 1957 to December 31, 1958 as the International Geophysical Year (IGY). Scientists, based on their study, were aware that the cycles of solar activity would be at a high point during this period, making it an ideal time for the launch of an artificial satellite that could map the Earth’s surface.
The United States had publicly stated their goal of launching a satellite during the IGY. The Soviet Union had no such outright commitment, but was also working diligently towards the same. Their initial plans included putting a satellite weighing 1000-1400 kg into orbit during the IGY. But issues with certain scientific instruments meant that they had to scale down in order to meet the timeline.
Launch on October 4
On October 4, 1957, at 10:29 p.m. Moscow time, Sputnik 1 was launched from the Tyuratam launch base in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Sputnik, which in Russian meant fellow traveller, was a silver sphere about the size of a beach ball, with a diameter of 56 cm and weighing 83 kg.
With an apogee (farthest point from Earth) of close to 940 km and a perigee (nearest point) of about 230km, Sputnik 1 took about 98 minutes to orbit the Earth on its elliptical part. It might have been a compromise on the part of the Soviet Union, but the beeping noise it played from space was picked up by people from around the world who had the technology to do it.
The drag that Sputnik 1 experience enabled scientists to deduce the density of the upper atmosphere. The radio signals that were propagated gave further insights into the ionosphere. But the world’s first artificial satellite is best remembered for initiating the space race.
For 22 days, till the batteries that powered the transmitter lasted, the signals were produced. After travelling about 60 million km and spending nearly three months in orbit, Sputnik 1 fell from orbit and burned upon re-entering the Earth’s surface on January 4, 1958.
Dawn of Space Age
By then, however, the damage had been done. The Americans of the post-war era were living under the impression that they were technologically superior. That bubble was burst. The successful launch of Sputnik 1 was also perceived as an advantage for the Soviet Union not only in terms of exploration, but also in terms of military and defence.
As a result of this, funds poured in liberally for the cause. By the end of January 1958, the first U.S. satellite, Explorer, was launched. And the National Aeronautics and Space Act, or simply Space Act, created National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and became operational on October 1, 1958.
The space race had begun…
A.S.Ganesh can be contacted at ganesh.a.s@thehindu.co.in
