Sputnik was the project name for three man-made satellites (sputnik means “traveling companion” in Russian) launched (i.e., sent into space) by the USSR in 1957 and 1958. Their purpose was primarily the scientific study of outer space, and they were used to discover if living organisms could survive space conditions. They also played a political role, however. Their launching marked the opening of the “space race” between the United States and the Soviet Union.