Laika paved the way for humans in space. Then on January of 1958, the USA joined the space race, putting their Explorer 1 satellite into orbit. And they were off. Since then the space race has gone a little slower, but perhaps a little smarter. There are now thousands of satellites in space.
Communications satellites carry television, telephone calls, and even Internet data.
Navigation satellites can pinpoint your location on earth within metres. And camera carrying spy satellites can photograph a face from orbit. We've come an awful long way in just 40 years. Here are some sites you might want to look at for more information about Sputnik and the Space Race. Quirks and Quarks for September 20th devoted its first segment to the impact of Sputnik.