Q 01/05

On what date was Sputnik 1 launched?

A) 31 January 1958

B) 1 July 1955

C) 12 April 1961

D) 4 October 1957

Answer · why

D) 4 October 1957

Sputnik 1 lifted off on 4 October 1957 at 19:28 UTC; its beeps were confirmed on the first orbit and the Space Race had begun.

Q 02/05

What was Sputnik 1's claim to fame?

A) First animal in orbit

B) First photograph of Earth from space

C) First craft to reach the Moon

D) First artificial Earth satellite

Answer · why

D) First artificial Earth satellite

Sputnik 1 was the first artificial Earth satellite; its success in October 1957 caught the United States off guard and set off the Space Race.

Q 03/05

What does the Russian word 'sputnik' literally mean?

A) Sky-wanderer

B) Far-seer

C) Little moon

D) Fellow-traveller

Answer · why

D) Fellow-traveller

Sputnik means 'fellow-traveller' or travelling companion, built from s- (with) and put' (path); Russians also use it for a spouse, a companion in life...

Q 04/05

What shape was Sputnik 1?

A) A cone with fins

B) A cube of panels

C) A squat cylinder

D) A polished metal sphere

Answer · why

D) A polished metal sphere

The spherical body was deliberately chosen so atmospheric density could be worked out from how its orbit decayed.

Q 05/05

How many external radio antennas did Sputnik 1 carry?

A) One

B) Four

C) Two

D) Six

Answer · why

B) Four

Four whip antennas in two pairs, 2.4 and 2.9 metres long, gave an almost spherical radiation pattern so the signal reached the ground whatever way the...