• A. 1953
  • B. 1957
  • C. 1961
  • D. 1969

💡 Need a hint?

Think of the late 1950s, well before the first human went into space. This launch marked the starting shot of what became known as the Space Race between two superpowers.

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The correct answer is B. 1957.

Sputnik 1 was launched on 4 October 1957 by the Soviet Union. It was the first human-made satellite to be placed in orbit around the Earth. The spherical craft, with its distinctive antennas, transmitted a simple beeping signal that could be picked up by radio enthusiasts around the world.

📚 More background information

The launch of Sputnik 1 is widely regarded as the beginning of the Space Age. The word “sputnik” simply means “travelling companion” or “fellow traveller” in Russian. The satellite was roughly the size of a beach ball and orbited the Earth countless times over the course of a few weeks.

The impact was enormous. The fact that a small, beeping metal sphere was whooshing through space above people’s heads made a huge impression and set off a technological race that ultimately led to crewed spaceflights and the first Moon landing in 1969. For pub quiz enthusiasts, this year is pure gold: it comes up regularly in questions about spaceflight, history, and general knowledge.

A handy memory aid: the first human in space (Yuri Gagarin) flew in 1961, and the first Moon landing was in 1969. Sputnik therefore preceded both by several years. Anyone who remembers these three milestones in order will score points in virtually any pub quiz on space exploration.