What was the name of the first satellite launched, and when did it happen?

The first satellite launched into space was named Sputnik 1, and this historic event occurred on October 4, 1957. Sputnik 1 was developed by the Soviet Union and marked a significant milestone in the Space Race, being the first artificial satellite to orbit the Earth. Its launch demonstrated the capability to send objects into space and provided valuable data on the Earth's atmosphere and radio waves. This event not only initiated a new era of space exploration but also had profound implications for science, technology, and international relations during the Cold War.

Other satellites mentioned, like Explorer 1, launched later in January 1958, and others such as Apollo 1 and TIROS, were pivotal in their own right but were not the first. Explorer 1 contributed significantly to the understanding of cosmic rays, while TIROS was the first weather satellite, enhancing meteorological observation. However, they came after the groundbreaking launch of Sputnik 1, which established a precedent in space exploration history.