The first man-made satellite, Sputnik 1, was launched in 1957. This groundbreaking event marked the beginning of the space age and provided the first artificial satellite to orbit the Earth. Launched by the Soviet Union on October 4, Sputnik 1 transmitted radio signals that could be received on Earth, generating widespread interest in space exploration. Its success demonstrated the capability for launching objects into space and spurred the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union, leading to significant advancements in technology, scientific understanding, and geopolitical dynamics.