What’s Happening in Space Policy October 4-10, 2026

What happened

On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the world’s first artificial satellite — the “beep heard ’round the world.” The House and Senate are in recess until after the midterm elections, except for pro forma sessions.

During the Week Today (Sunday) is the 69th anniversary of the beginning of the Space Age. The NASA history website has a clip of that beep and the image below showing a replica of the 83.6 kg (183.9 pound) satellite at the National Air and Space Museum.

The website also has a brief summary of the years leading up to the launch and how the International Geophysical Year (IGY) fit in. In 1999, the United Nations declared October 4-10 as World Space Week with celebratory events around the globe.