Queen’s University astronomy expert David Hanes is available to comment on the 55^th anniversary of Sputnik 1. On October 4, 1957 the Soviet Union successfully launched the world’s first artificial satellite that was about the size of a beach ball. This launch marked the start of the U.S./USSR space race.

“We should remember that the third player in the race to launch artificial satellites was Canada,” says Dr. Hanes, head of the Department of Physics, Engineering Physics and Astronomy and a member of the Queen’s University Astronomy Research Group. “It’s worth noting that artificial satellites are ubiquitous in day-to-day life, providing GPS, remote sensing, weather system monitoring, intercontinental communications, etc.  In fact there are many tens of thousands of satellites now in Earth orbit.”

To arrange an interview, please contact communication officers Anne Craig at 613-533-2877 or anne.craig@queensu.ca or Michael Onesi at 613.533.6000 ext. 77513 or michael.onesi@queensu.at Queen’s University News and Media Services Department in Kingston, Ont., Canada.

Follow Queen’s News and Media Services on Twitter: http://twitter.com/QueensuMedia.

Attention broadcasters: Queen’s has facilities to provide broadcast quality audio and video feeds. For television interviews, we can provide a live, real-time double ender from Kingston via fibre optic cable. Please call for details.