On this night in science
The first voice from space
December 19, 1958
On this day in 1958, a satellite launched the day before played a recorded holiday message from President Dwight Eisenhower, sending it down to Earth as it circled overhead. It was the first time a human voice had ever been sent from space.
Why it mattered
Satellites that pass along voices and pictures went on to connect the whole world. Many phone calls, television shows and internet signals travel by satellite today.
Wonder together
If your voice could travel down from space, what would you want to say to everyone?