The Space Race

Sputnik 1

Oct 4, 1957

Sputnik: First Man-made Satellite
The world's first artificial Earth satellite launched by the Russians.
This event drew the U.S. full throttle into the space race.
Launched by the Soviet Union October 4, 1957
Had 4 external radio antennas to broadcast radio pulses.

Sputnik 2

Nov 3, 1957

Launched by the Soviet Union
Sputnik 2 was the second spacecraft launched into Earth orbit, on November 3, 1957
The first spacecraft to carry a living animal, a dog named Laika who died a few hours after the launch.