Sputnik 1 was the first artificial satellite launched into outer space. The Soviet Union launched this. Sputnik 1 started the Space Race. Sputnik 1 launched on October 4, 1957. It was a Russian satellite and was not expected to be successful. The satellite burnt up on January 4, 1958, as it went back into the Earth's atmosphere. The Soviets ultimately lost the Space Race.
Sputnik 1 in the Earth's orbit