The name of the first manmade satellite launched into orbit by the Soviet Union was the Sputnik 1. Launched on October 4, 1957, Sputnik 1 marked the beginning of the Space Age and the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union. This event showcased Soviet technological prowess and sparked significant advancements in space exploration, education, and science, fundamentally altering the geopolitical landscape during the Cold War.