First U.S. satellite celebrates 50 year anniversary

By Staff
Bob Jaques, Special to the Enquirer
Fifty years ago, the United States entered the space race when its first satellite, Explorer I, was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida the night of Jan. 31, 1958.
The space race actually began when the USSR launched the world's first satellite, Sputnik, on Oct. 4, 1957. This amazing feat shocked the free world because it was feared the USSR was way ahead of the United States and her Allies in technology.
Sputnik did not have any scientific instrumentation on board, and the only sound it made was "beep-beep" as it circled the Earth every 91 minutes. And after a month in space, Sputnik was silent until it burned up in re-entry the following year.
The United States had been working on a satellite program since 1955, but it was delayed due to bureaucracy and inter-service rivalry. Dr. Werner von Braun and his German rocket team working at the Army Ballistic Missile Agency in Huntsville(ABMA) could have launched a satellite before Sputnik, but the project had been given to the Navy instead. Due to some rocket launch failures by the Navy, their satellite program was behind schedule by the time Sputnik was launched.
Within a few weeks following the launch of Sputnik, President Eisenhower intervened and authorized the Army to launch our first satellite as soon as possible. ABMA teamed up with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California, and a new satellite named Explorer I was designed, built, and ready for launch in just 84 days following the President's directive.
On the night of Jan. 31, 1958, Explorer I was successfully launched aboard a Jupiter "C" rocket, and the next morning radio signals from the satellite confirmed a successful orbit.
When word was received in Huntsville that Explorer I was successfully launched, a large spontaneous celebration broke out that same night downtown. There was music, dancing, fireworks and jubilation celebrating Huntsville's role in placing of the new satellite in orbit.
Here is a comparison of the two satellites. Sputnik weighed 184 pounds, was round like a ball in shape, and had no scientific instrumentation. Explorer I weighted 31 pounds, was elongated, and had a little over 18 pounds worth of scientific instruments on board. The instruments on Explorer I made the world's first important scientific discovery when the deadly radiation belts surrounding the Earth were discovered. These belts of radiation are known as the Van Allen Radiation Belts in honor of the scientist who discovered them.
Even with the successful flight of Explorer I, the United States did not overtake the USSR in the Space race until the Apollo program and the placing of men on the moon.
This week as Huntsville celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Explorer I, there are many events open to the public Thursday thru Saturday. For more information visit this website: www.usspace50.com.