1950s-70s Space Race to The Moon: 1957-10-04 USSR Sputnik 1

On 4 October 1957, the Soviet Union launched the world's first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, marking the start of the Space Race. Sputnik 1 provided scientists with data about the nature and ion density of the Earth’s upper atmosphere, how radio frequencies would work in space and thus whether astronauts would be able to communicate with a base on Earth.

This cover was produced by KNIGA. The Moscow 4 October 1957 postmark on the cover was backdated since Sputnik 1 was never announced to the public before it was successfully launched.


Photo: Sputnik 1 replica in exhibition.

The development of successful large rockets in World War II led to the growth of artificial satellite studies in the late 1940's, primary in the U.S. and the Soviet Union. The space age may be said to have begun with the orbiting of Sputnik 1 by the USSR in October 1957.

Photo Top: Orbital path of Sputnik 1, the world's first artificial satellite. Bottom: photograph of Sputnik 1 in orbit.

4 October 1957 Moscow M-127 postmark (unofficial).

Photo: Map of the United States showing the predicted orbit path of Sputnik 1.

Russian Sputnik 1 stamp (indigo color on bluish colored paper, designed by Ye. Gundobin) on FDC issued on 4 November 1957 to commemorate the launching of the world's first artificial satellite.