The first man-made satellite, Sputnik 1, was launched in 1957. This landmark event marked the beginning of the space age and was a significant achievement in the context of the Cold War. Launched on October 4, 1957, by the Soviet Union, Sputnik 1 was a metal sphere equipped with radio transmitters that emitted signals detectable from Earth. Its successful deployment generated immense interest in space exploration and technology, leading to advancements in satellite communications, space science, and the subsequent space race between the United States and the Soviet Union, culminating in human spaceflight and more.