What was sputnik 1 like?

Sputnik 1 was the first artificial Earth satellite launched by the Soviet Union in 1957. It was a shiny metal sphere that measured about 58 cm (23 inches) in diameter and weighed approximately 83.6 kg (184 lbs). Sputnik 1 transmitted radio pulses that could be detected on Earth, sparking the space race between the US and the Soviet Union.