First Us Satellite 1958
It was well behind the soviets but that wasn t mentioned.
First us satellite 1958. Vanguard 1 the world s first solar powered satellite launched on st. This is a timeline of first achievements in spaceflight from the first intercontinental ballistic missile through the first multinational human crewed mission spanning the era of the space race on july 31 1956 the united states announced its intention to launch an artificial satellite during the international geophysical year july 1 1957 to december 31 1958. Explorer 1 was the united states first satellite in space. Explorer 1 it was the american answer to the soviet union s sputnik 1 which kicked off the space age when it launched.
By clinton parks space news staff writer posted. It was the third successful orbiting satellite launch following the soviet union s sputnik 1 and sputnik 2 both of which launched in 1957 giving the soviet union an edge in the cold war space race. Explorer 1 was not the united states first attempt. The soviet union s sputnik 1 and 2 beginning the cold war space race between the two nations.
Explorer 1 was the first american satellite to reach orbit on 31 january 1958. Participation in the international geophysical year the mission followed the first two satellites the previous year. Explorer 1 was the first satellite launched by the united states and was part of the u s. 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 was launched on january 31 1958 at 22 48 eastern time february 1 03 48 utc. 31 1958 the united states launched its first successful satellite. The first united states satellite and space launch vehicle. Click on image to see enlarged version.
50s newsreel documenting the successful launch of explorer i the first us satellite. 30 january 2008 02 49 pm et. Explorer 1 the first american satellite to successfully launch into orbit did so from cape canaveral missile annex on january 31 1958. Patrick s day march 17 1958.
This is a fairly standard 50s newsreel with some historical value.