1957: Sputnik satellite blasts into space. A Russian satellite has been launched into space - the first man-made object ever to leave the Earth's atmosphere. The Russian news agency, Tass, said the satellite Sputnik was now 560 miles (900 kilometres) above the Earth and circling it every hour-and-a-half. Scientists predict the metal sphere will eventually burn up in the atmosphere but they hope it will send important data back to Earth before doing so.
In south-central Kansas, the Wichita metropolitan area is home to over 600,000 people. Wichita is the largest city in the state in terms of both land area and population. 'The Air Capital' is a major manufacturing center for the aircraft industry and the home of Wichita State University.
Location of state of Kansas within United States. Kansas is a state found in the nation of United States. Home to 2,853,118 people, it is the 34th largest division in United States in terms of population. Kansas gained its current status as a state in the year 1861. The government of Kansas is lead by Sam Brownback and is based in the state capital of Topeka (Population: 127,473).