英语新闻与报道—News & Reports 77（在线收听）

 Wk 40 (4 October 1957)

First Satellite Launched Into SpaceThis Week in HistoryThe USSR launches Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite to orbit the earth.

In 1957, the world was surprised to see the Soviets launch the first satellite into orbit, with most expecting the USA to be the first to do so. The satellite, named Sputnik 1, transmitted a simple radio signal back to earth for 21 days and remained in orbit for a further 6 months. The USA responded to this great technological achievement by making the conquest of space a top national priority. This marked the beginning of the "space race".