The launch of Sputnik 1 by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957, marked the beginning of the Space Race during the Cold War. This event was significant as it was the first artificial satellite to orbit the Earth, demonstrating the U.S.S.R.'s advanced technology and capabilities in space exploration. The successful launch instigated a fierce competition between the United States and the Soviet Union, pushing each nation to invest heavily in science, engineering, and military technology. The race eventually led to monumental achievements, including human spaceflight and lunar landings, fundamentally shaping the direction of science and international relations during the era.