History changed on October 4, 1957, when the Soviet Union successfully launched Sputnik I.Sputniks launch heralded a new era of scientific, engineering, technological advancements that continue to impact our lives today.The Space Race as it was known officially began with great gusto and surprise and the ensuing competition between the US and USSR arguably shaped much of the political era in the post World War 2 era of the 20Th Century.The world's first artificial satellite was 58 cm.or 22.8 inches in diameter, weighed only 83.6 kg. or 183.9 pounds, and took about 98 minutes to orbit Earth on its elliptical path.