Sputnik: Your questions answered

The Sputnik satellite

On the 50th anniversary of the launch of the Sputnik satellite , space expert Anton Vamplew answers some of your questions.

I think the note of the Sputnik bleep was an A flat?
Alan, Reading, UK

I'm not sure what note it was but I can tell you that its frequency was 40.0002 megahertz and 20.0005 megahertz this was so that amateurs could easily pick up the signal. The pitch of the note changed as it moved across the sky.

Why has Russia's space programme been declining even though it was the pioneer of space exploration?
Daniel, Nairobi, Kenya

Russia pulled back on its space research because of financial reasons but it is picking back up again. Russia also scaled down its operation because the space race was over once the Apollo landing happened.

What is a space walk?
Daniel, Nairobi, Kenya

Are we on the verge of a new space race? Keith, Edinburgh, Scotland

A space walk is essentially when an astronaut steps outside the space capsule. It doesn't matter how many steps he or she makes or how long the astronaut is out of the capsule.

What is a space station?
Daniel, Nairobi, Kenya

A space station is a large orbitting satellite. It must be large enough to hold people for a length of time. It's generally used to carry out research and experiments.

Can we see where the moon landing took place through the Hubble telescope?
John, Preston, UK

Sadly the Hubble telescope isn't strong enough to see the moon landings. To view them you have to be in lunar orbit.

Why is Russia spending so much money on attempting to get to Mars when thousands of its population are living in poverty?
Sarah, Paris, France

Engineer and designer Korolev with the Sputnik satellite

A lot of you asked why we should invest in space exploration when there are causes which need money.

There are many plus sides to space studies. Satellites have improved our communications systems which has helped us all: The satellites are used in search and rescue operations, weather satellites warn us of approaching hurricanes and other satellites can show us areas in danger of deforrestation.

So space research is helping our planet. Also, people are directly employed by space projects creating strong economies.

With countries such as China and Japan expanding their space programmes do you think we are now on the verge of a new space race? If so, should Britain join?
Keith, Edinburgh, Scotland

Yes, absolutely there's another space race gearing up. China and Japan have set their sights on the moon which has made America, Russia and India determined not to miss out.

All these countries are developing their technologies and sciences. There is a groundswell of interest to join the race within Britain because if we're not a part of it, other countries will benefit economically and technologically.

Whether we take that leap is another matter.

For more on this please see the following story:

50 years of Sputnik