Explorer 1

First satellite of the United States. Explorer 1 was launched on February 1, 1958 aboard a Jupiter C from Cape Canaveral & Kennedy. Latest status in GCAT: reentered attached to another object (Mar 31, 1970).

COSPAR 1958 ALPNORAD 4United States

Identity

Name in GCAT: Explorer I
Common name: Explorer 1
Payload designation: Explorer 1
Other names: :UA,:UB,DEAL I:IA
International designator: 1958 ALP
NORAD catalog number: 4
GCAT identifier: S00004
UN registration: A/AC.105/INF.001

Mission

Mission type: Space science
Use: Civil government
Program: Explorer ABMA
Owner: ABMA
Country: United States
Builder: Jet Propulsion Lab
Platform (bus): Explorer

Launch

Date: February 1, 1958 · 03:47 UTC
Launch record: 1958 ALPSuccess
Rocket: Jupiter C
Spaceport: Cape Canaveral & Kennedy · pad LC26A

Orbit and fate

Orbit class (GCAT): LEO/I
Perigee: 359 km
Apogee: 2,542 km
Inclination: 33.18°
Status: Reentered attached to another object
Status date: March 31, 1970
Last known active: Apr 1, 1958
End of operations: Apr 1, 1958

Size

Mass: 8 kg
Dry mass: 8 kg
Total mass with attached objects: 14 kg
Length: 0.8 m
Diameter: 0.10 m
Span: 0.8 m

Source: GCAT payload, deep-space and lander catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata Q49901 (CC0).