Sputnik 1

Sputnik 1 was the first artificial satellite to be launched into space. It was a Soviet spacecraft that was successfully launched on October 4, 1957. The satellite was a spherical object, approximately 58 centimeters (about 23 inches) in diameter, and weighed around 83.6 kilograms (about 184 pounds). Sputnik 1's launch marked a significant milestone in the Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union.