sputnik

Everyday

1. Sputnik was the first man-made satellite sent into orbit around the Earth, by the Soviet Union. tree →
2. Any of the Soviet satellites with that name. tree →
3. The word is Russian for «fellow traveller» or «satellite». tree →

In the lessons

In science and history lessons about space, Sputnik began the space race between the USA and the Soviet Union. It was a metal ball with aerials that sent out beeps. Phrases: Sputnik moment (a sudden shock that makes people work harder).

Examples

• Sputnik was the first satellite to orbit the Earth. tree →
• Sputnik sent beeping radio signals. tree →
• Sputnik started the space race. tree →
• The satellite was a shiny metal ball with four long aerials. tree →
• Sputnik orbited the Earth in about 96 minutes. tree →
• We made a model of Sputnik in class. tree →

Note

Usually written with a capital S as a name. From Russian. Maths: Sputnik orbited in about 96 minutes, so about 15 orbits a day (24 × 60 ÷ 96 = 15).