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Russia marks 50 years of Sputnik Russia marks 50 years of Sputnik
(about 5 hours later)
Ceremonies are being held in Russia to mark the 50th anniversary of the start of the space age - the launch of the first satellite, Sputnik.Ceremonies are being held in Russia to mark the 50th anniversary of the start of the space age - the launch of the first satellite, Sputnik.
Former Soviet cosmonauts, engineers and officials are taking part in events recalling what is considered one of the most significant moments in history.Former Soviet cosmonauts, engineers and officials are taking part in events recalling what is considered one of the most significant moments in history.
The launch was a propaganda coup for the Soviet Union during the Cold War and began the space race with the US.The launch was a propaganda coup for the Soviet Union during the Cold War and began the space race with the US.
After years of decline, Russia is back in the space game with ambitious plans.After years of decline, Russia is back in the space game with ambitious plans.
'Expanding habitat''Expanding habitat'
On Thursday, veterans of the Soviet space programme gathered at the Russian cosmonaut training centre, Star City, outside Moscow to witness the unveiling of a monument to commemorate the launch of Sputnik in 1957.On Thursday, veterans of the Soviet space programme gathered at the Russian cosmonaut training centre, Star City, outside Moscow to witness the unveiling of a monument to commemorate the launch of Sputnik in 1957.
The launch of Sputnik was at least as significant for mankind as the discovery of America for Columbus Yuri KarasSpace expert Media mark anniversary The launch of Sputnik was at least as significant for mankind as the discovery of America by Columbus Yuri KarasSpace expert Media mark anniversary
Military officials also held a small ceremony near the Kremlin wall to lay flowers at the grave of Sergei Korolyov, who oversaw the project.Military officials also held a small ceremony near the Kremlin wall to lay flowers at the grave of Sergei Korolyov, who oversaw the project.
The Sputnik satellite, weighing 83kg (183lb) and only twice the size of a football, could be seen with the naked eye as it circled the Earth for 22 days. It emitted a signal that could be heard on a household radio.The Sputnik satellite, weighing 83kg (183lb) and only twice the size of a football, could be seen with the naked eye as it circled the Earth for 22 days. It emitted a signal that could be heard on a household radio.
The BBC's Richard Galpin in Moscow says its launch was a giant leap for mankind and a propaganda coup for the Soviet Union in the midst of the Cold War.The BBC's Richard Galpin in Moscow says its launch was a giant leap for mankind and a propaganda coup for the Soviet Union in the midst of the Cold War.
1980s cosmonaut1980s cosmonaut
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, our correspondent says.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, our correspondent says.
Fifty years after Sputnik's launch, more than 800 satellites now orbit the Earth, used for communications, surveillance and navigation.Fifty years after Sputnik's launch, more than 800 satellites now orbit the Earth, used for communications, surveillance and navigation.
"The launch of Sputnik was at least as significant for mankind as the discovery of America by 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 by 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."
Mars missionMars mission
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, our correspondent says.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, our correspondent says.
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.


What memories do you have of Sputnik? Do you think the space race has provided value for money? Send us your questions and comments on space exploration using the form below and we will put them to a space expert.What memories do you have of Sputnik? Do you think the space race has provided value for money? Send us your questions and comments on space exploration using the form below and we will put them to a space expert.
Name
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