Photo location: Construction of Sputnik 1 at the design bureau OKB-1 (today RKK Energiya) in Podlipki near Moscow (today Korolev), under the direction of Sergei Korolev. Sputnik 1 launched on October 4, 1957, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome as the first artificial satellite of the world.

Sputnik satellite under construction. The photographs document the historic launch of Sputnik 1 on October 4, 1957, which ushered in the era of spaceflight.

R-7 rocket on the launch pad: The Soviet R-7 intercontinental ballistic missile, originally developed for military purposes, was adapted as the launch vehicle for the first artificial Earth satellite.
Rocket launch: The images capture the moment of liftoff — an impressive sight with fire and smoke as the R-7 departs 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 United States was surprised by the technological superiority of the Soviet Union, further intensifying the space race between the superpowers.