Date of issue: 6 February 2007

The foundations of rocket research were laid in the early 20th century by Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, Robert Goddard and Hermann Oberth, but the start of the space age is considered to be 1957, when the first satellite, Sputnik 1, was launched. Since then many satellites, probes, shuttles, space stations and other equipment have been put into space.

Space research has used both manned and unmanned craft and devices. Unmanned equipment is used for discovery and programmed operations, while more complex activities are performed by manned spacecraft and space stations.

The first successful unmanned mission was on 4 October 1957, then on 3 November 1957 Laika the dog became the first living creature in orbit.

The commemorative stamp shows the first satellite launched 50 years ago, Sputnik 1, Laika the dog in the centre and to the right a cross-section from the side of Sputnik 2. In the background a section of the blue planet is shown. The first day cover to go with the stamp captures the moment of the lift off of a rocket, while the design of the commemorative postmark is a stylised montage of Sputnik 1, Sputnik 2 and Laika the dog.

Source: www.wikipedia.org

Order code
2007010010011 (stamp)
2007010060012 (FDC)
Date of issue: 6 February 2007
Face value: HUF 350
Number of copies: 450,000 (in sheets of 50 stamps)
Printing method: Offset
Perforated size: 50 x 30 mm
Printed by Pénzjegynyomda Zrt.
Designed by László Dudás