What was the name of the spacecraft that the Soviet Union launched in 1957 that started the space race?Group of answer choicesVostokSoyuzSputnikApollo

The spacecraft that the Soviet Union launched in 1957, which marked the beginning of the space race, was called Sputnik. Specifically, the first human-made satellite, Sputnik 1, was launched on October 4, 1957. This event was significant as it demonstrated the Soviet Union's advanced capabilities in aerospace technology and initiated intense competition, known as the space race, between the United States and the Soviet Union. Sputnik 1 was not only a technological achievement but also had profound political and cultural implications, ultimately leading to increased funding and interest in space exploration by other nations, particularly the United States. The successful launch of Sputnik 1 is often cited as the moment that sparked the quest for space exploration at a global level.