411 REFERENCE · Wikibooks
General Astronomy/First Steps into Space
Reference material by Wikibooks contributors. This retains its source identity and is not 411 news reporting.
The first man-made object to be launched into space was the Soviet unmanned satellite named Sputnik I. This began the "Space Race" between the United States and the Soviet Union. The Soviets won almost every aspect (1st object, 1st man in space, 1st woman in space, etc.), except for the United States' 1st man on the moon.