Today in Tech History (October 4th, 1957): The Soviet Union Launches "Sputnik"!

On October 4th, 1957, the Soviet Union launched the first artificial Earth satellite, "Sputnik 1", into the Earth's orbit as part of the Soviet Space Program. Once it launched, Sputnik sent a radio signal back to Earth for three weeks, until its silver-zinc batteries became depleted. On January 4th, 1958, aerodynamic drag caused the satellite to fall back into the atmosphere. The United States was shocked at Sputnik's success, and this event triggered the iconic "Space Race" between the United States and the Soviet Union, with the ultimate goal of putting a man on the Moon.