Betty Newman, age 14, of Winston Salem, N.C., for her question.

WHAT IS A SPUTNIK?

Sputnik is the Russian name of the earth satellites which were launched into space by Russia. Sputnik is a Russian word meaning traveler.

Sputnik I was launched on 4, 1957. It circled the earth once every 95 minutes and traveled at the speed of 18,000 miles per hour. It fell to earth on January 4, 1958.

A second Russian satellite, this one called Sputnik II, was launched on November 3, 1957. On board this spacecraft was a dog named    Laika. Laika became the first living creature to travel in outer space.

The United States entered the satellite picture with the Explorer I which was launched on January 31, 1958. America's second satellite, called Vanguard I, was launched on March 17, 1958.