Explorer 1 Satellite 1958

On january 31 1958 the u s.

Explorer 1 satellite 1958. It inspired an entire generation of young men and women in the united. Explorer i officially known as satellite 1958 alpha was the first united states earth satellite and was sent aloft as part of the united states program for the international geophysical year 1957 1958. Explorer 1 nasa. On the occasion of explorer 1 s fiery reentry into earth s atmosphere university of iowa physicist james van allen who had designed the science instruments on board said of the pioneering satellite.

The final flight of the juno 1 booster the satellite beacon 1 also failed. Explorer 1 was the first successful u s. It was launched jan. Explorer 1 sent data back to earth for four months ceasing communications on may 23 1958.

Explorer 1 s last transmission was received may 23 1958 although it remained in orbit until march 31 1970. Nasa gov brings you the latest images videos and news from america s space agency. 31 1958 at 10 48 p m. Get the latest updates on nasa missions watch nasa tv live and learn about our quest to reveal the unknown and benefit all humankind.

The satellite remained aloft for more than a decade before re entering earth s atmosphere on march 31 1970. Four follow up satellites of the explorer series were launched by the juno 1 rocket in 1958 of these explorer 3 and 4 were successful while explorers 2 and 5 failed to reach orbit. Explorer 1 became the first successfully launched satellite by the united states when it was sent to space on january 31 1958. The jupiter c launch rocket was built at the army ballistic missile agency in huntsville alabama under the direction of wernher von braun.

Explorer 1 was the first of the long running explorer program. The first united states satellite and space launch vehicle. With the launch of sputnik 1 and 2 the previous concern the right of satellite overflight had become moot. Army launched the explorer 1 satellite.

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