Sputnik DIY

The BBC has published directions for building your own history-making satellite:

In simple terms, the Sputnik satellite was a metal sphere almost 2ft (61cm) in diameter, containing a radio transmitter. It also had a battery; equipment to measure temperature; barometric and temperature activated switches; and a fan to stop it getting too hot.

It sent its famous “beep beep” radio signals to earth, altering the transmission to indicate changes in temperature or a sudden drop in pressure caused by a puncture in the satellite’s case. And that’s about it.

You could probably find most of these components lying around your home.

In fact, they’re having a contest for doing just that.

You up for the challenge?

Entered on 22 October 2007 at 18:22 in the Science file | Care to make an observation? | Print Print

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