Editing Sputnik programme

[[Image:Sputnik asm.jpg|thumb|240px|A model of [[Sputnik 1]]]]
The '''Sputnik programme''' was a [[Soviet Union]] [[spacecraft]] programme.<ref name=nasa1 /> [[Sputnik 1]], the first satellite in the programme, was launched on October 4, 1957.<ref name=nasa1>{{cite web|url=http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/masterCatalog.do?sc=1957-001B|title=Sputnik 1|publisher=NASA NSSDC|accessdate=2011-12-24}}</ref> This was the first man-made satellite ever to enter [[orbit]].<ref name=nasa1 />

The [[United States]] was very surprised when the Soviet Union sent [[Sputnik 1]] into [[Outer space|space]]. It did not want to fall behind. So, it began spending more money on [[science]] and [[education]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Jackie|last=Calmes|url=http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/06/obama-calls-for-new-sputnik-moment|title=Obama Calls for New ‘Sputnik Moment’|publisher=The New York Times|date=2010-12-06|accessdate=2011-12-24}}</ref> This was when the [[Space Race]] between the Soviet Union and the United States began.

== Etymology ==
The word ''Sputnik'' comes from the [[Russian language|Russian]] Спутник, literally "travelling companion",
{{IPA2|'sput.nik}} or {{IPA2|'sput.nık}}, not {{IPA|'spʌt.nık}}.<ref name=nasa1 /><ref>{{cite book|last=Siddiqi|first=Asif A.|title=Sputnik and the Soviet Space Challenge|publisher=University of Florida Press|date=2003|page=155|isbn=0-8130-2627-X}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

== Other websites ==
* [http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/Sputnik Sputnik] Citizendium

[[Category:Soviet spacecraft]]
[[Category:Satellites]]
[[Category:1950s in the Soviet Union]]