Radio 1

Description

Radio Sputnik 1 was launched by the USSR on the same rocket with Cosmos 1045 and Radio Sputnik 2. It carried instruments for amateur radio communication. The spacecraft's 1700 km altitude circular orbit subjected the satellite to a great deal of radiation by flying through the lower levels of the Van Allen belts, which surround the earth at an altitude between 1600 and 8000 km and are comprised of high-energy sub-atomic particles that can damage sensitive electronic devices carried on satellites at this orbital altitude. Because of the radiation exposure, this satellite experienced unexpected transponder switching and hardware damage which made it less than reliable.