Table of Contents
Is Explorer 1 still in space?
Explorer 1 stopped transmission of data on 23 May 1958, when its batteries died, but remained in orbit for more than 12 years. It reentered the atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean on 31 March 1970 after more than 58,400 orbits.
What type of satellite is Explorer 1?
The three men responsible for the success of Explorer 1, America’s first Earth satellite which was launched January 31, 1958. At left is Dr. William H. Pickering, former director of JPL, which built and operated the satellite.
What discovery was made by the Explorer I satellite?
Van Allen radiation belts
This first U.S. satellite was a critical milestone in the earliest days of the 20th century’s space race. And Explorer 1, the third human-made object in space, also made a momentous discovery. It made the earliest detection of the Van Allen radiation belts that surround Earth. More about the Van Allen Belts below.
What is the oldest piece of space junk?
1958 Vanguard 1 research satellite
Space Junk The oldest known piece of orbital debris is the 1958 Vanguard 1 research satellite, which ceased all functions in 1964.
What was the cost of Explorer 1?
Explorer missions are large craft that are, by definition, not to exceed a cost of $200 million for development, launch services, and mission operations and data analysis, exclusive of the launch vehicle.
How far above was the Explorer 1?
1,594 miles
The spacecraft, small enough to be held triumphantly overhead, orbited Earth from as far as 1,594 miles (2,565 km) above and made the first scientific discovery in space. It was called, appropriately, Explorer 1.
How far above Earth was the first successful American satellite?
Sixty years ago this week, the United States sent its first satellite into space on Jan. 31, 1958. The spacecraft, small enough to be held triumphantly overhead, orbited Earth from as far as 1,594 miles (2,565 km) above and made the first scientific discovery in space. It was called, appropriately, Explorer 1.
What is the name of the first US space satellite?
Explorer 1. Explorer 1 was the first U.S. satellite and the first satellite to carry science instruments. The satellite was launched on Jan. 31, 1958, from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
What is the history of Explorer 1?
Explorer 1 was the first U.S. satellite and the first satellite to carry science instruments. The satellite was launched on Jan. 31, 1958, from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
How high did Explorer 1 orbit the Earth?
Explorer 1 followed a looping flight path that orbited Earth once every 114 minutes. The satellite went as high as 2,565 kilometers (1,594 miles) and as low as 362 kilometers (225 miles) above Earth. Explorer 1 was the first satellite launched by the United States when it was sent into space on January 31, 1958.
What rocket carried Explorer 1 into orbit?
Explorer 1 was carried into orbit by a Jupiter-C rocket, launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, at 10:48 p.m. (EST) on Jan. 31, 1958.