You need the Flash Player version 8.0.0.0 or higher and a JavaScript enabled browser to view this site

Sputnik 50th Anniversary

Related Article: How Satellites Work

Watch this video about the 50th anniversary of the launch of Sputnik, the first satellite in space, on HowStuffWorks. On October 4, 1957 the former Soviet Union launched the Sputnik satellite into space and became the leader in the "space race". The Soviet Union also launched the first human into space. See how Sputnik worked in this news video from Reuters.

browse videos in space exploration

Humans Already on Mars (0:37)

Have humans already landed on Mars? Watch this Reuters video of new pictures taken by NASA's Spirit Rover that shows an image resembling a human shape on Mars. NASA is planning more investigation.

Search for Alien Bacteria (3:17)

Watch this NASA video to learn how scientists look for aliens and what they look for to determine if there's other life in the universe. NASA isn't necessarily looking for ET, but rather signs of organic life such as it exists on Earth.

Space Week: Roving Mars - 1 (2:40)

With brilliant design and hard work, the Mars Exploration Rover engineers create a robotic wonder to explore Mars. Learn more about the rover in this video.

Space Week: Space Station and Beyond 2 (2:41)

A mission to Mars will be an expensive, long-term endeavor, but it's a dream that inspires the next generation of spacefarers. Learn more about the mission to Mars in this video.

Space Week: Space Station and Beyond 1 (1:21)

For the privileged few, the view from the International Space Station is ever-changing and always amazing. Learn more about the International Space Station in this video.

recently added

Exploring Time: The Mission of the Spacecraft Stardust (2:54)

In 1999, the spacecraft Stardust was sent to space to collect dust from a passing comet. Find out what it brought back on the Science Channel's "Exploring Time."

Confronting Nature: A Robot Repairman for the Hubble (4:19)

A Canadian robot may be the key to rescuing the Hubble Telescope, which has not undergone repairs since the explosion of the space shuttle.

Confronting Nature: A Robot Repairman for the Hubble (4:49)

A Canadian robot may be the key to rescuing the Hubble Telescope, which has not undergone repairs since the explosion of the space shuttle.

Confronting Nature: Building the Rover (4:02)

Amateurs attempt to build a model Mars rover vehicle.

Pilots and Astronauts: Improving the Shuttle (4:00)

The Challenger broke apart due to a single o-ring gasket that failed in the cold temperature. Over 100 major changes were made to the space shuttles after the event in an effort to make them safer and more reliable.

Pilots and Astronauts: The Challenger Disaster (4:44)

On Jan 28th, 1986, seven astronauts took off in the Challenger, and the shuttle exploded in mid-air. There were no survivors and the world mourned their loss.

Pilots and Astronauts: A New Breed of Space Travelers (1:42)

Space explorers are no longer just test pilots, but physicists, scientists, engineers and technicians.

Pilots and Astronauts: A New Space Shuttle (2:50)

The Enterprise Orbiter was the U.S.'s first space shuttle. However, the Enterprise was only a test vehicle, and was not designed for space travel.

Pilots and Astronauts: The Apollo 13 Explosion (3:53)

An oxygen tank exploded less than 14 hours into the Apollo 13 flight, blowing out a panel on the spacecraft service module. The men ran the risk of losing oxygen, water and fuel. Quick thinking and clever problem solving saved their lives.

Pilots and Astronauts: On the Edge of Space (1:43)

After John Glen orbited the earth, Robert White took the X-15 to the edge of space and back. Several additional pilots also took the X-15 to the edge of space for research and returned safely.