1957 in spaceflight

The first orbital flight of an artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, was launched in October 1957, by the Soviet Union. In November, the second orbital flight took place. The Soviet Union launched the first animal to orbit the Earth, a dog, Laika, who died in orbit a few hours after launch. Thor, Atlas, and R-7 rocket families all have maiden flights this year, all three of which will have long legacies for over 50 years. Australia and the UK go to space with sounding rockets; first space launches from Australia. The R-12 makes its maiden flight. The US makes its first orbital attempt and fails (Vanguard TV-3). == Overview == === First Orbital launch === On 4 October, Sputnik 1 was launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 1/5 on a Sputnik rocket, a variant of R-7 rocket. The Successful Insertion of Sputnik 1 into Orbit is marked as the first orbital launch in human history. A Second satellite Sputnik 2 was also launched on 3 November marking the second orbital launch attempt carried a dog named, Laika. == Orbital launches == == Suborbital flights == == Orbital launch statistics == === By country === === By rocket === === By launch site === === By orbit === == Launch statistics == === By country === === By rocket === == See also == Timeline of spaceflight Pre-1963 Designations Of U.S. Missiles And Drones == References == == External links ==