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NASA JPL Explorer 1
NASA JPL · Earth Orbit Science Satellite / Cosmic Ray Detection / First US Satellite · USA · Early Jet (1946–1969)
Explorer 1 was the first satellite launched by the United States in 1958 and was part of the U.S. participation in the International Geophysical Year (IGY). The mission followed the first two satellites, both launched by the Soviet Union during the previous year, Sputnik 1 and Sputnik 2. This began a Space Race during the Cold War between the two nations.
Specifications
- Category
- Space
- Sub-Category
- Satellite
- Domain
- Defence
- Era
- Early Jet (1946–1969)
- Country
- USA
- Manufacturer
- NASA JPL
- Co-Manufacturer
- US Army
- Operator
- NASA / US Army
- Primary Role
- Earth Orbit Science Satellite / Cosmic Ray Detection / First US Satellite
- Status
- Retired
- Service Entry
- 1958
- Produced
- 1
- Launch
- Juno I (Jupiter-C derivative)
- MTOW (lb)
- 30.8
- Endurance (hr)
- 97440
- Service Ceiling (ft)
- 1360000