This was the first satellite in Earth orbit

Early in the autumn morning of 1957, to be exact on October 3, at the Baikonur cosmodrome the carrier rocket of the world's first artificial Earth satellite was carefully placed in a vertical position. The enormous work of many collectives throughout the Soviet Union approached its logical outcome. There were forty more hours of checks, debugging and unrest, but the appearance of the spaceship already inspired some conviction in the success of such a difficult affair. He was beautiful. The weather was frosty, and the whole rocket, fueled by a railroad tank standing nearby, was covered with frost, sparkling in the sun, like diamond dust.

The first Soviet satellite PS-1, and it was already in the bow of the ship, was small (weighed less than 84 kilograms), spherical, its diameter was 580 mm. Inside it, in an atmosphere of dried nitrogen, was an electronic unit, which by the standards of today's achievements could seem too simple. However, it is not necessary to hurry with conclusions - a rather complicated algorithm was implemented on the lamp element base and using mechanical automatic devices. When the first satellite separated from its carrier, four pin antennas emerged from it, ensuring stable transmission of the radio signal in all directions. To orient the position of the instrument in space was then a premature measure, and the omnidirectionality of the emitters solved the problem of alerting ground services about the operation of the systems and the location in orbit.

The broadcast was conducted alternately by two single-wired transmitters, after demodulation it was a sound signal in the form of a "dash", and in the event that the operation of one of the nodes became abnormal, the "beep" would sound more often. The radio calls received by radio amateurs had to testify that the first satellite actually rotates in orbit.

The equipment needed to comply with strict Temperature regime, and it was supported by built-in fan heaters.

The first satellite put into orbit the carrier R-7, at that time the newest, having a secret code of the "8K71PS" object. This was only the fifth launch of a missile, set up in the design bureau, headed by S.P. The Queen. Its main and primary purpose is the delivery of nuclear munitions, the goal is the American continent. But this formidable technique was found and peaceful application - to bring the first satellite into near-Earth space.

It was not easy for the general designer to convince the leadership of the need for space flights, and when it was possible, the deadlines were very stringent. The works of different ministries and departments were conducted simultaneously, much was unknown, and technologies were developed as tasks and problems arose. The first satellite was created on schedule.

At 10:28 pm in Moscow, on October 4, the rocket soared into the sky, and soon TASS announced the realization of the long-standing dream of all mankind - travel to distant galaxies became a real opportunity, proved in practice.

High on the heads of the inhabitants of the whole planet flew a small star, the first companion. The USSR became his homeland, scientists, engineers and workers - his creators, and there was no limit to the jubilation of the whole people, who felt their involvement in this achievement.