First American Satellite Explorer 1
Explorer 1 as it would soon come to be called was america s first satellite.
First american satellite explorer 1. 31 1958 the united states launched its first successful satellite. It carried instruments to study cosmic rays tiny particles whizzing through space. The soviet union s sputnik 1 and 2 beginning the cold war space race between the two nations. A quick response to the soviet union s launch of sputnik 1 explorer 1 s success marked the beginning of the u s.
The 1958 launch of the satellite twice the size of a basketball was an important moment for the country as the space race with. Explorer 1 was sent into space on a rocket launcher named juno. The first us satellite explorer 1 was launched on 31 january 1958. Explorer 1 was the united states first satellite in space.
Spaceflight as well as the scientific exploration of space which led to a series of bold missions that have opened humanity s eyes to new wonders of the solar system said michael watkins current director of jpl. Explorer 1 nasa. Explorer 1 it was the american answer to the soviet union s sputnik 1 which kicked off the space age when it launched. A satellite is any object that orbits the earth while man made satellites are machines that can send and receive messages.
Nasa gov brings you the latest images videos and news from america s space agency. The first us satellite explorer 1 was launched on january 31 1958. In early 1958 the space race the cold war. On january 31 1958 the first american satellite blasted into orbit.
Explorer 1 was the first satellite launched by the united states and was part of the u s. Get the latest updates on nasa missions watch nasa tv live and learn about our quest to reveal the unknown and benefit all humankind. It carried instruments to study cosmic rays tiny particles whizzing through space. A satellite is any object that orbits the earth while manmade satellites are machines that can send and receive messages.
Explorer 1 became the first successfully launched satellite by the united states when it was sent to space on january 31 1958. The launch of explorer 1 marked the beginning of u s. Explorer 1 was launched on january 31 1958 at 22 48 eastern time february 1 03 48 utc.