Final answer:
The Soviet Union launched the first man-made satellite, Sputnik, on October 4, 1957, marking the beginning of the Space Race and showcasing potential military technology applications.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first man-made satellite to achieve orbit around Earth was Sputnik, launched by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957. This event marked a significant milestone in the Space Race, a period of intense technological and political competition between the United States and the Soviet Union. While the US made several attempts to launch a satellite, they were met with failures until the successful orbit of Explorer I on January 31, 1958. The successful launch of Sputnik used an ICBM launch vehicle and signaled not only a Soviet victory in space exploration but also highlighted the potential military implications of space technology.