WASHINGTON, Oct. 4 (UPI) -- Fifty years ago Thursday -- Oct. 4, 1957 -- the world's first artificial satellite was launched by the Soviet Union, marking the start of the space age.
Called Sputnik, meaning "fellow traveler," it was about the size of a basketball, weighed only 183 pounds, and took about 98 minutes to orbit the Earth while transmitting a series of rapid beeps.
"As a technical achievement, Sputnik caught the world's attention and the American public off-guard," said the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, noting many people feared the Soviets' ability to launch satellites might also mean they had the capability to launch ballistic missiles that could carry nuclear weapons to the United States.
Then, on Nov. 3, 1957, the Soviets launched Sputnik II, carrying a heavier payload including a dog named Laika.
On Jan. 31, 1958, the United States entered the space race by launching Explorer I -- a satellite that eventually discovered the magnetic radiation belts surrounding the Earth.
The Sputnik launch also led to NASA's creation on Oct. 1, 1958.
Since then, humans have walked on the moon, created the International Space Station, sent robots to Mars and dispatched numerous satellites and spacecraft to explore the universe.
