Explorer 1 Satellite Facts

The original science robot.

Explorer 1 satellite facts.

The satellite was launched on jan. 31 1958 from cape canaveral fla. 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. Explorer 1 was the united states first satellite in space.

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. The people behind explorer 1. May 23 1958 signal ended when batteries ran out. Explorer 1 fast facts.

Explorer 1 was launched on january 31 1958 at 22 48 eastern time atop the first juno booster from lc 26 at the cape canaveral missile annex in florida. Participation in the international geophysical year. 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. 10 things to know about explorer 1 america s first satellite.

A quick response to the soviet union s launch of sputnik 1 explorer 1 s success marked the beginning of the u s. James van allen s discovery of radiation belts around earth held in. Explorer 1 became the first successfully launched satellite by the united states when it was sent to space on january 31 1958. March 31 1970 burned up on re entry over pacific ocean.

January 31 1958 launch. 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. Satellite 1958 alpha later and better known as explorer 1 successfully lifted off from cape canaveral florida on jan. Explorer 1 followed a looping flight path that orbited earth once every 114 minutes.

The soviet union s sputnik 1 and 2 beginning the cold war space race between the two nations. Explorer 1 was the first satellite launched by the united states and was part of the u s. Explorer 1 was the first u s. Sixty years ago this week the united states sent its first satellite into space on jan.