Launching of the Russian satellite is man's first successful attempt to navigate the ocean of space around the earth. Despite the chagrin of U.S. rocketmen, few disparaged the Russian achievement. In at least three important waysweight, orbit and altitudethe sputnik* outclasses the U.S. satellite, which is still on the ground.
Biggest surprise was the sputnik's weight: 184.3 lbs. The U.S. Project Vanguard has hoped to send 21½ lbs. into space, less than one-eighth of the sputnik. Some critics cited the weight of the Russian satellite as proof that it is crude; but in satellite...
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