Sputnik 1 would be a sphere just 58 cm in diameter and weighing less than 200 pounds. Instead of complex instrumentation, Sputnik 1 contained only two short-wave radio transmitters operating on different frequencies and each set to broadcast a series of beeps. In terms of scientific investigation, Sputnik 1 was almost completely pointless. But in terms of prestige, the first country to successfully launch a satellite of any kind would gain a great deal.
