Soviet space exploration began in the early 1950s, driven by the Cold War rivalry with the United States. The Soviet Union launched the first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, on October 4, 1957, marking the start of the space age. This achievement demonstrated the USSR's technological capabilities and led to significant advancements in space science. Following Sputnik 1, the Soviets achieved several milestones, including the first human in space, Yuri Gagarin, on April 12, 1961, aboard Vostok 1. The Luna program successfully sent robotic missions to the Moon, while the Soyuz program continues to be a vital part of human spaceflight today.