Explorer 1 Satellite Facts

The satellite which was designed built and operated by the nasa jet propulsion laboratory carried a cosmic ray detector which lead to explorer principal investigator dr.

Explorer 1 satellite facts.

Explorer 1 was the first satellite launched by the united states and was part of the u s. Participation in the international geophysical year. Sixty years ago this week the united states sent its first satellite into space on jan. Satellite 1958 alpha later and better known as explorer 1 successfully lifted off from cape canaveral florida on jan.

Satellite and the first satellite to carry science instruments. The 1958 launch of the satellite twice the size of a basketball was an important moment for the country as the space race with the. January 31 1958 launch. The mission followed the first two satellites the previous year.

The people behind explorer 1. At a jubilant early morning press conference a few hours later pickering von braun and van allen hoisted a model of explorer 1 over their heads in what has become an iconic photograph. The soviet union s sputnik 1 and 2 beginning the cold war space race between the two nations. 10 things to know about explorer 1 america s first satellite.

It was the first spacecraft to detect the va. Explorer i officially satellite 1958 alpha and sometimes referred to as explorer 1 was the first earth satellite of the united states having been launched at 10 48pm est on 31 january 1958. Explorer 1 followed a looping flight path that orbited earth once every 114 minutes. March 31 1970 burned up on re entry over pacific ocean.

Explorer 1 was the first u s. Explorer 1 fast facts. May 23 1958 signal ended when batteries ran out. The original science robot.

Explorer 1 became the first successfully launched satellite by the united states when it was sent to space on january 31 1958. James van allen s discovery of radiation belts around earth held in. The satellite was launched on jan. Explorer 1 was the united states first satellite in space.