The first artificial satellite, known as Sputnik 1, was launched in 1957. This historic event marked the beginning of the space age and was initiated by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957. Sputnik 1 was a spherical satellite equipped with radio transmitters that emitted beeping signals, which could be detected on Earth. The launch of Sputnik not only shocked the world, particularly the United States, but also sparked the space race between the two superpowers. This event led to significant advancements in technology, culminating in human space exploration, satellite communications, and modern space industries.