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| Russia marks 50 years of Sputnik | Russia marks 50 years of Sputnik |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Russia is holding a series of ceremonies to mark the 50th anniversary of the start of the space age. | Russia is holding a series of ceremonies to mark the 50th anniversary of the start of the space age. |
| In 1957 the first man-made satellite, Sputnik, was launched by what was then the Soviet Union. | In 1957 the first man-made satellite, Sputnik, was launched by what was then the Soviet Union. |
| The launch is considered one of the most significant moments in history and began the space race with the US, which eventually sent men to the Moon. | |
| After years of decline the Russians are now back in the space game with highly ambitious plans. | After years of decline the Russians are now back in the space game with highly ambitious plans. |
| 'Expanding habitat' | 'Expanding habitat' |
| The launch of Sputnik was a giant leap for mankind and a propaganda coup for the Soviet Union in the midst of the Cold War. | The launch of Sputnik was a giant leap for mankind and a propaganda coup for the Soviet Union in the midst of the Cold War. |
| As people around the world stared up in awe at the night sky to catch a glimpse of the tiny satellite, there was a realisation that something very fundamental had changed. | As people around the world stared up in awe at the night sky to catch a glimpse of the tiny satellite, there was a realisation that something very fundamental had changed. |
| The Soviet media recognised the story's significance a day late | The Soviet media recognised the story's significance a day late |
| "The launch of Sputnik was at least as significant for mankind as the discovery of America for Columbus," said Yuri Karash, an expert on the Russian space programme. | "The launch of Sputnik was at least as significant for mankind as the discovery of America for Columbus," said Yuri Karash, an expert on the Russian space programme. |
| "By launching Sputnik people started expanding their habitat beyond Earth." | "By launching Sputnik people started expanding their habitat beyond Earth." |
| After Sputnik there was a string of successes in space for the Soviet Union, driven by the intense rivalry with the United States. | After Sputnik there was a string of successes in space for the Soviet Union, driven by the intense rivalry with the United States. |
| These included sending the first man into space, Yuri Gagarin, and carrying out the first spacewalk. | These included sending the first man into space, Yuri Gagarin, and carrying out the first spacewalk. |
| Now, after a long period of decline in the Russian space programme, the country's scientists and cosmonauts have finally secured a significant budget from the government. | Now, after a long period of decline in the Russian space programme, the country's scientists and cosmonauts have finally secured a significant budget from the government. |
| They have been given $12bn (£6bn) to spend over the next decade - a small amount compared with Nasa's budget but enough for the Russians to have ambitious plans. | They have been given $12bn (£6bn) to spend over the next decade - a small amount compared with Nasa's budget but enough for the Russians to have ambitious plans. |
| These include sending a manned mission to Mars. One expert told the BBC this could happen by the year 2020. | These include sending a manned mission to Mars. One expert told the BBC this could happen by the year 2020. |