Sputnik 1 (/ ˈ s p ʌ t n ɪ k, ˈ s p ʊ t n ɪ k /, Russian: Спутник-1, Satellite 1), sometimes referred to as simply Sputnik, was the first artificial Earth satellite. It was launched into an elliptical low Earth orbit by the Soviet Union on 4 October 1957 as part of the Soviet space program.

Sputnik, a series of three Soviet artificial satellites. Sputnik 1 (launched October 4, 1957) was the first artificial satellite and the beginning of the ‘space race’ between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. Sputnik 2 carried the dog Laika, the first living creature in space.

The Sputnik launch changed everything. As a technical achievement, Sputnik caught the world's attention and the American public off-guard. Its size was more impressive than Vanguard's intended 3.5-pound payload.

Learn about the first artificial satellite launched by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957, and how it sparked the Space Race with the United States. Find out how Sputnik looked, sounded, and orbited Earth, and what it meant for the Cold War.

Learn how the Soviet Union's first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, shocked and inspired the world in 1957. Find out how Sputnik 1 sparked the Space Race, the Cold War, and the birth of NASA.

The Sputnik 1 spacecraft was the first artificial satellite successfully placed in orbit around the Earth and was launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome at Tyuratam (370 km southwest of the small town of Baikonur) in Kazakhstan, then part of the former Soviet Union.

On Oct. 4, 1957, Sputnik 1 successfully launched and entered Earth’s orbit. Thus, began the space age. The successful launch shocked the world, giving the former Soviet Union the distinction of putting the first human-made object into space.

The world's first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, was launched by the Soviet Union in 1957, marking the start of the space race. This guide provides suggested research materials on this topic at the Library of Congress and online.

Sputnik, or satellite, after the Russian word for "companion in travel" or "satellite," is the name of the world's first artificial satellite. Sputnik 1, launched by the Soviet Union on 4 October 1957, awed the world, ushered the space age, and had global political repercussions.