The first manned space station, known as Salyut 1, was launched by the Soviet Union on April 19, 1971. This historic event marked a significant milestone in space exploration and the development of orbital habitats. Salyut 1 served as a research platform and was intended for long-duration stays, allowing cosmonauts to conduct experiments in various scientific fields. The station's launch demonstrated the Soviet Union's advancements in space technology and contributed to the eventual development of larger space stations that followed. Salyut 1 paved the way for future missions and laid the groundwork for later international collaborations in space.