The Launch of Sputnik 1
10/7/1957
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This Universal News newsreel was released three days after the launch of Sputnik. The beach ball-sized satellite, weighing 183.9 pounds, took 98 minutes to orbit the Earth on its elliptical path.
When the Soviet Union sent Sputnik 1 – the first artificial satellite – into orbit, it captured the world’s attention and caught the American public off-guard. They feared the Soviets’ ability to launch satellites would increase their ability to launch missiles from Europe to the United States. It marked the beginning of the space race between the United States and U.S.S.R.
This newsreel responded to the launch by explaining how a satellite is sent into space and what it does once there. Instead of focusing on the launch of Sputnik, which may have caused more panic, the newsreel focuses on the future launch of a U.S. satellite.
The title of the film segment is "New Moon: Reds Launch First Space Satellite." The description reads: Moscow earns the scientific glory for mankind's first stride into outer space. Animated films graphically show how a mighty three-stage rocket placed an artificial moon into an orbit around the earth—a feat that occasions Western re-appraisal of Red missile progress.
On January 31, 1958, the United States launched its first satellite, Explorer 1. And by July 1958, Congress passed the National Aeronautics and Space Act creating NASA as of October 1, 1958.
This newsreel also includes (without sound):
When the Soviet Union sent Sputnik 1 – the first artificial satellite – into orbit, it captured the world’s attention and caught the American public off-guard. They feared the Soviets’ ability to launch satellites would increase their ability to launch missiles from Europe to the United States. It marked the beginning of the space race between the United States and U.S.S.R.
This newsreel responded to the launch by explaining how a satellite is sent into space and what it does once there. Instead of focusing on the launch of Sputnik, which may have caused more panic, the newsreel focuses on the future launch of a U.S. satellite.
The title of the film segment is "New Moon: Reds Launch First Space Satellite." The description reads: Moscow earns the scientific glory for mankind's first stride into outer space. Animated films graphically show how a mighty three-stage rocket placed an artificial moon into an orbit around the earth—a feat that occasions Western re-appraisal of Red missile progress.
On January 31, 1958, the United States launched its first satellite, Explorer 1. And by July 1958, Congress passed the National Aeronautics and Space Act creating NASA as of October 1, 1958.
This newsreel also includes (without sound):
- San Marino Crisis – The tiny republic of San Marino is claimed by two rival governments, one Communist, one Democratic, after a disputed election which saw the Red-dominated incumbents defeated in the vote.
- Gromyko Meets Dulles – Soviet Foreign Minister Gromyko visits Secretary of State Dulles at his home for an informal talk on the world situation, on a wide range of subjects.
- Mechanized Mine Layer – At Fort Belvoir, Va., Army Engineers show new automatic mine-laying equipment, which digs a divot, plants the explosive, and neatly replaces the earth.
This primary source comes from the Collection UN: MCA/Universal Pictures Collection.
National Archives Identifier: 234274129
Full Citation: Motion Picture 200-UN-30-82; The Launch of Sputnik 1; 10/7/1957; Motion Picture Releases of the Universal Newsreel Library, 1929 - 1967; Collection UN: MCA/Universal Pictures Collection; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/launch-sputnik, March 27, 2025]Rights: Copyright Not Evaluated Learn more on our privacy and legal page.