Photo Gallery

Sputnik 2 1957. Laika. Sputnik 2.


 Launch of Sputnik I Launch of Sputnik 1. Baikonur, USSR


Sputnik I Sputnik 1, exploded view. You may also click here to download a large (~7MB), high-resolution jpg version of this image or an even bigger (~17MB) tif version.


Soviet Satellite Rocket October. 17, 1957. The first official photograph of the Soviet Satellite Rocket using the new giant IGY satellite tracking camera was taken at South Pasadena, California at 5:06 a.m. PST, October 17, 1957 by the Smithsonian Astronphysical Observatory personnel. The rocket appears in the lower part of the photograph -- its movement with relation to two stars, Pi Aurigae and Beta Aurigae, can be seen. Time is recorded to 1/1000 second. The trailing exposures result from the special design of the camera to provide tracking information.


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Updated February 2, 2005