1957, the Soviet Union sent out the world’s first satellite, Sputnik, into orbit around the Earth. A month later, they sent out a second satellite, the creatively named Sputnik II. On board was a dog named Laika. These events are what inspired the United States to found NASA and launch their own first satellite, the Explorer I, in 1958. #dogfacts #nasafacts #nasa #spacefacts #iteachhistory #historyteacher #historyfacts