Explorer A

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Explorer A

Part of Explorer

Explorer 1
Explorer 1 / Explorer A
Credit: NASA

American earth magnetosphere satellite. Discovered Van Allen radiation belts. Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space.

Status: Operational 1958. First Launch: 1958-02-01. Last Launch: 1958-03-26. Number: 3 . Gross mass: 5.00 kg (11.00 lb).

More at: Explorer-1.

Family: Earth, Magnetosphere sat. Country: USA. Launch Vehicles: Redstone, Jupiter C. Projects: Explorer. Launch Sites: Cape Canaveral, Cape Canaveral LC5, Cape Canaveral LC26A. Agency: US Army. Bibliography: 126, 17, 2, 483, 6, 86, 12375.

Photo Gallery

Explorer 1
Pickering, Van Allen, and Von Braun hold a model of Explorer 1 in triumph at a post-flight press conference.
Credit: NASA

Explorer 1
Lift-off of Explorer 1
Credit: NASA

Explorer 1
Jupiter C / Explorer 1 mission
Credit: NASA

Explorer 1
Explorer 1 cutaway
Credit: NASA

Explorer 1
Explorer 1 being mounted on the pad
Credit: NASA

Explorer 1
Explorer 1 atop the Jupiter-C on the pad
Credit: NASA

Explorer 1
The launch room during the Explorer 1 launch
Credit: NASA

Explorer 1
Credit: Manufacturer Image

1954 June 25 - . LV Family: Redstone. Launch Vehicle: Jupiter C.

Project Orbiter begun. - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: von Braun. Spacecraft Bus: Explorer. Spacecraft: Explorer A.
In a meeting, Dr. Wernher von Braun, Frederick C. Durant III, Alexander Satin, David Young, Dr. Fred L. Whipple, Dr. S. Fred Singer, and Commander George W. Hoover agreed that a Redstone rocket with a Loki cluster as the second stage could launch a satellite into a 200-mile orbit without major new developments. This became a joint Army-Navy study project after meeting at Redstone Arsenal on August 3. Project Orbiter was a later outgrowth of this proposal and resulted in the launching of Explorer I on January 31, 1958.

1954 August 15 - . LV Family: Redstone. Launch Vehicle: Jupiter C.

Von Braun proposes launch of US satellite. - . Payload: Explorer A. Nation: USA. Related Persons: von Braun. Program: Explorer. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Explorer. Spacecraft: Explorer A. Von Braun report 'A Minimum Satellite Vehicle Based on Components Available from Developments of the Army Ordnance Corps' in response to June Pentagon meeting proposes $ 100,000 to launch satellite by Redstone..

1955 August 24 - . LV Family: Redstone. Launch Vehicle: Jupiter C.

Redstone recommended as satellite launcher. - . Payload: Explorer A. Nation: USA. Related Persons: von Braun. Program: Explorer. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Explorer. Spacecraft: Explorer A.
Research and development Policy Council (DOD) unanimously recommended that the time-risk factor in the scientific satellite program be brought to the attention of the Secretary of the Defense for determination as to whether a Redstone backup program was indicated.

1957 October 5 - . LV Family: Redstone. Launch Vehicle: Jupiter C.

Von Braun promises first US satellite in 60 days. - . Payload: Explorer A. Nation: USA. Related Persons: McElroy, Medaris, von Braun. Program: Explorer. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Explorer. Spacecraft: Explorer A. Von Braun briefs Secretary of Defence McElroy on Jupiter-C/Redstone for immediate US satellite launch. Promises launch in 60 days. Medaris says 90..

1958 February 1 - . 03:47 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC26A. LV Family: Redstone. Launch Vehicle: Jupiter C.

Explorer 1 - . Payload: Explorer A. Mass: 5.00 kg (11.00 lb). Nation: USA. Related Persons: von Braun. Agency: US Army. Program: Explorer. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Explorer. Spacecraft: Explorer A. Decay Date: 1970-03-31 . USAF Sat Cat: 4 . COSPAR: 1958-Alpha-1. Apogee: 1,859 km (1,155 mi). Perigee: 347 km (215 mi). Inclination: 33.20 deg. Period: 107.20 min.
Explorer I, the first U.S. earth satellite, was launched by a modified Army Ballistic Missile Agency Jupiter-C. Explorer I, developed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, carried the U.S.-IGY (International Geophysical Year) experiment of James A. Van Allen and resulted in the discovery of the radiation belt around the earth.

1958 March 5 - . 18:27 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC26A. LV Family: Redstone. Launch Vehicle: Jupiter C. FAILURE: Fourth Stage failed to ignite.. Failed Stage: 4.

Explorer 2 - . Payload: Explorer A. Mass: 5.00 kg (11.00 lb). Nation: USA. Related Persons: von Braun. Agency: US Army. Program: Explorer. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Explorer. Spacecraft: Explorer A. Decay Date: 1958-03-05 .

1958 March 26 - . 17:38 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC5. LV Family: Redstone. Launch Vehicle: Jupiter C.

Explorer 3 - . Payload: Explorer A. Mass: 5.00 kg (11.00 lb). Nation: USA. Related Persons: von Braun. Agency: US Army. Program: Explorer. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Explorer. Spacecraft: Explorer A. Decay Date: 1958-06-28 . USAF Sat Cat: 6 . COSPAR: 1958-Gamma-1. Apogee: 2,799 km (1,739 mi). Perigee: 186 km (115 mi). Inclination: 33.40 deg. Period: 115.70 min. Radiation, micrometeoroid data. .

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