Sputnik was the name of a series of artificial satellite launches which guaranteed the Soviets a pioneering role in the space race. The launch of the first Sputnik awakened the world to the USSR's ability to launch ballistic missiles that could carry nuclear weapons.
Sputnik I it was the first artificial satellite launched into space by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957. It was launched by the booster rocket from the launch base located at Tyuratam, Baikonor, in the Kazakhstan, breaking the western myth that only the United States had technology sophisticated.
The Sputnik I, in the shape of a sphere, measuring 58.5 cm and weighing 89,082 kilograms, was made of aluminum alloy, magnesium and titanium, equipped with two radio transmitters, batteries and four long antennas for transmitting signals, which were captured for 22 days around the world by amateur radios, until their batteries ran out on 26th October. The satellite orbited the Earth for six months before disintegrating upon entering Earth's atmosphere.
Sputnik II was the second satellite launched by the Soviet Union on November 3, 1975, weighing 543.5 kg. The satellite carried radio transmitters, a telemetry system, temperature control, etc., taking for the first time a living being into space, the bitch Laika, weighing 6 kg. Years later it was revealed that the animal died a few hours after launch, due to overheating in the cabin.
Sputnik III, was the third satellite launched by the Soviet Union, on May 15, 1958, weighing 1340 kg. It carried a space laboratory that performed measurements and experiments on the Earth's magnetic field. The satellite remained in Earth orbit for two years.
Sputnik IV started the series Korabl - Sputnik I, was the first launch test of a prototype spacecraft. Launched on May 15, 1960, equipped to simulate the survival of a crew member, it carried a life-size human dummy. It remained in orbit until 1965.
Sputnik V or Korabl – Sputnik II, launched into space on August 19, 1960, the last Sputnik mission carried the dogs Belha and Strelha, forty mice, two rats and several plants, which returned to earth after orbiting for a day whole.
Other Russian launches followed when on April 12, 1961, the historic flight of Yuri Gagarim, the first Russian cosmonaut to travel through space aboard the Vostok I, took place.