The Soviet space program Sputnik refers to a series of "unmanned"
spacecraft that was launched between 1957 and 1961. Meaning
"co-traveller", the primary goals of the Sputnik program were to study
earth's upper
atmosphere, test Soviet rocket technology, and study animal survival
in space. By studying animal survival, the Soviets could test the
feasibility of putting humans in space.
The launch of Sputnik 1 on October 4, 1957 started the "Space Race"
with the United States. Under pressure, the launch prompted the USA to
form NASA, their Space Exploration Agency.
The primary Sputnik mission made 10 launches and was the forerunner
of the Soviet Vostok Program, which was the first space program to put a
human in space.
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