Sputnik 1, commonly referred to as just Sputnik, was the first artificial satellite launched into earth's orbit. It was launched on 4 October, 1957 by the Soviet Union. It ignighted the space race between USSR and USA and is considered by many yo mark the start of the Space Age. It re-entered earth's atmosphere and burned up on 4 January, 1958

It was a polished metal sphere 58 cm (23 in) in diameter with four external radio antennas to broadcast radio pulses. Though it is often stylized in 2d artwork as a circle with 3 angled lines extending from one side