Soviet satellite, launched 1957 (7)

I believe the answer is:

sputnik

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'soviet satellite' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for sputnik that I've seen before include "Early Soviet satellite" , "First artificial earth satellite" , "space traveller" , "Soviet space orbiter" , "First man-made satellite to orbit the earth" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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