What was the name of the first artificial Earth satellite, launched by the Soviet Union in 1957?

The name of the first artificial Earth satellite launched by the Soviet Union in 1957 was Sputnik 1. It was chosen to be called Sputnik, which means "companion" or "satellite" in Russian, because it represented a significant milestone in space exploration. Sputnik 1 marked the beginning of the Space Age, successfully orbiting the Earth and providing valuable data on atmospheric drag, satellite tracking, and radio signals. This historic achievement stirred global attention and served as a testament to the Soviet Union's technological prowess during the Cold War.