Final answer:
The Soviet Union's first satellite into space was called Sputnik 1, launched on October 4, 1957, marking the start of the space race with the United States.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Soviet Union's first satellite into space was called Sputnik 1. It was launched on October 4, 1957, and it marked the beginning of the space race, a period of intense scientific competition in space exploration between the United States and the Soviet Union. The successful orbit of Sputnik 1 came as a shock to the international community and spurred the US to accelerate its own space program. This led to the US launching its first satellite, Explorer 1, on January 31, 1958. However, the correct answer to the student's question is B. Sputnik 1.