The first attempt to launch Sputnik 3 on February 3, 1958, failed, but the second attempt on May 15, 1958, was successful. Sputnik 3 carried an extensive array of instruments for geophysical research. The satellite's completion date kept getting delayed, prompting Sergei Korolev to prioritize the simpler Sputnik 1 for the first satellite launch. Sputnik 2, which was ready earlier, was also launched ahead of Sputnik 3. Korolev feared that waiting for Sputnik 3 would allow the United States to launch the first artificial satellite.
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| Sputnik 3 first day issue stamp, postmarked in Moscow on July 16, 1958. Signed by Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman to travel into space. |
Sputnik 3's twelve scientific instruments provided data on atmospheric pressure and composition, concentrations of charged particles, cosmic ray photons, heavy cosmic ray nuclei, magnetic and electrostatic fields, and meteoric particles. During its mission, the spacecraft detected the Earth's outer radiation belts, but due to a tape recorder failure, it was unable to map the Van Allen radiation belt. Sputnik 3 remained in orbit until April 6, 1960, when atmospheric drag caused it to re-enter Earth's atmosphere.
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| Photo : An image of the Sputnik 3 spacecraft. |
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| Photo: William Pickering referred to the Sputnik 3 spacecraft as "interesting but confusing" after reviewing a copy of the United Press Telephoto depicting Russia's latest satellite. |
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| A cover commemorating Sputnik 3's achievement of completing 1,000 orbits in space, postmarked in Vilnius on July 27, 1958. |
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| A cover commemorating Sputnik 3's achievement of completing 3,000 orbits in space, postmarked in Moscow on December 19, 1958. |
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| Photo: An illustration shows the orbital trajectory of Sputnik 3. |
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| A cover commemorating the 1958 International Geophysical Year (VCSAGI), postmarked on its first day, July 30, 1958. |
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| A postcard commemorating the 1958 International Geophysical Year (VCSAGI), featuring a postmark dated August 4, 1958. |
(Reference from
Sputnik 3)
