The First Satellite in Space 1957
(Photo by Sovfoto/UIG via Getty Images)
The first satellite launched into space was “Sputnik 1” which was launched into space into an elliptical low earth orbit on October 4th, 1957. “Sputnik 1” was launched by the Soviet Union. It orbited for three weeks after which its batteries died. It then went silent for two months after which it fell back into the atmosphere. It was a metal sphere and had four radio antennas which were used to broadcast radio pulses. Its signal was easily detectable. This was the first step that launched the Space Race during the Cold War.