Explorer 1 was the first artificial satellite placed into orbit of Earth by the United States of America nation-state.
History[]
Launched on 1 February 1958 in Florida, this was a precursor to Earth's First Space Age. The launch was considered to be a response to the Soviet satellite Sputnik 1.
The satellite was 203.2 centimeters long and weighed 14 kilograms. (ST reference: Spaceflight Chronology)
Legacy[]
By the 23rd century, this craft would be remembered as a major accomplishment for Earth. (TOS novel: Mission to Horatius)
Appendices[]
External link[]
- Explorer 1 article at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.