Mint Stamp Sheet Pictures Russian Satellite Sputnik III
The Soviets had been working on a research satellite since July 1956 – which ultimately became Sputnik 3. But as delays mounted, the R-7 rocket was ready before Sputnik 3 was. And with the urgency to beat the United States, head Soviet rocket scientist Sergei Korolev decided to substitute Sputnik I for the first launch.
The name “Sputnik” means satellite or co-traveler in Russian, and the satellites were only named when they launched. Sputnik 3 was finally launched on May 15, 1958, seven months after Sputnik I soared around the globe. Koralev’s decision proved accurate, as the U.S. successfully launched three satellites before Sputnik 3. The instruments aboard the Russian satellite provided data on the composition of the upper atmosphere and detected belts of radiation in near space.