The first artificial satellite sent into space was Sputnik 1. Launched by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957, Sputnik 1 marked a significant milestone in the Space Race and the beginning of the space age. The satellite was a simple metal sphere, about the size of a beach ball, equipped with four antennas that transmitted radio signals back to Earth. Its successful launch surprised the world and demonstrated the Soviet Union's advanced technology at the time. Sputnik 1’s launch sparked global interest in space exploration and led to significant advancements in science and technology.