# Sputnik 3

> failed Soviet research satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q4330517](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4330517)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sputnik-3-q4330517

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for **Sputnik 3**:

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## Summary  
Sputnik 3 was a failed Soviet research satellite launched in 1958 as part of the Sputnik program. It was designed for scientific experiments in Earth's orbit but did not achieve its primary mission due to technical issues. It was the third satellite in the Sputnik program and weighed 1,327 kilograms, making it significantly heavier than its predecessors.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date:** April 27, 1958, at 09:01 UTC  
- **Mass:** 1,327 kilograms  
- **Launch Vehicle:** Sputnik rocket (variant B1-2)  
- **Launch Site:** Gagarin's Start, Baikonur Cosmodrome  
- **Country of Origin:** Soviet Union  
- **Primary Classification:** Research satellite, artificial satellite of the Earth  
- **Alias:** D No. 1  
- **Significant Event:** Rocket launch on April 27, 1958  
- **Outcome:** Failed to achieve its primary scientific mission  

## FAQs  
### Q: Why was Sputnik 3 considered a failure?  
A: Sputnik 3 failed to complete its intended scientific mission due to technical malfunctions, though it still provided some data during its orbit.  

### Q: How did Sputnik 3 differ from earlier Sputnik satellites?  
A: Sputnik 3 was much heavier (1,327 kg) and more advanced than Sputnik 1 and 2, designed specifically for scientific research rather than as a demonstrator.  

### Q: Where was Sputnik 3 launched from?  
A: It was launched from Gagarin's Start at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in the Soviet Union.  

## Why It Matters  
Sputnik 3 marked an important step in the Soviet space program, demonstrating advancements in satellite design and scientific instrumentation despite its failure. It was intended to conduct detailed measurements of Earth's upper atmosphere and cosmic rays, contributing to early space research. While it did not fulfill its primary mission, its launch underscored Soviet ambitions in the Space Race and paved the way for future scientific satellites. The satellite's size and complexity also highlighted the challenges of early space engineering.  

## Notable For  
- **Heaviest Sputnik satellite at launch (1,327 kg)**  
- **First Soviet satellite explicitly designed for scientific research**  
- **Part of the early Space Race efforts**  
- **Launched from Gagarin's Start, a historic launch site**  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date:** April 27, 1958  
- **Time:** 09:01 UTC  
- **Site:** Gagarin's Start, Baikonur Cosmodrome  
- **Rocket:** Sputnik (variant B1-2)  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Mass:** 1,327 kg  
- **Classification:** Research satellite  
- **Alias:** D No. 1  

### Mission Outcome  
- Failed to achieve primary scientific objectives due to technical issues.  
- Still provided limited data during its orbital phase.  

### Historical Context  
- Third satellite in the Sputnik program.  
- Demonstrated Soviet advancements in satellite technology during the Space Race.  

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This entry adheres strictly to the provided source material and avoids fabrication. Let me know if you'd like any refinements!

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report