Sergei Korolev was a prominent Soviet rocket engineer and spacecraft designer, often referred to as the father of the Soviet space program. Born on January 12, 1907, he played a crucial role in developing the first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, and the first human spaceflight, which was achieved by Yuri Gagarin in 1961. Korolev's innovative work laid the foundation for many space exploration missions. He led the design of various launch vehicles and spacecraft, significantly advancing human understanding of space travel. His contributions were vital during the Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union.