R-7 rocket on launch pad. The photos show the historic launch of Sputnik 1 on October 4, 1957, which ushered in the era of space exploration.

R-7 rocket on the launch pad: The Soviet R-7 intercontinental ballistic missile, originally developed for military purposes, was converted as a launch vehicle for the first artificial Earth satellite.

Rocket launch: The images capture the moment of launch — an impressive sight with fire and smoke as the R-7 blasts off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome into space.

Sputnik 1 in orbit: The spherical satellite model with four long antennas circles the Earth. Sputnik transmits radio signals that can be received worldwide.

The Sputnik launch marked the beginning of the space age and triggered Sputnik shock in the West. The USA was surprised by the technological superiority of the Soviet Union, which further intensified the space race between the superpowers.