Streaking through space, out of the gravitational pull of man's world, past the moon, toward an orbit around the sun last week went the most breathtaking new object of the century. It was the first man-made planet—a Russian rocket. "On January 2, 1959," Moscow radio proclaimed, "a cosmic rocket was launched toward the moon. The launching again demonstrates to the world the outstanding achievements of Soviet science and technology." The rocket, Moscow added, was a multi-stage rig that weighed 3,245 lbs., with a 796.5-lb. payload of instruments (see SCIENCE) and pennants...
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