Satellite, Explorer I

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Object Details

Manufacturer

Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology

U.S. Army Ballistic Missile Agency, Redstone Arsenal

Summary

One of several replicas and backup Explorer spacecraft in the collection. It is a full-size replica that consists of a machined metal shell of the payload section devoid of instrumentation, and is attached to a Sergeant, propellant-less, solid fuel rocket motor. It was transferred to the Smithsonian Institution by the Army Ballistic Missile Agency in September 1958. Explorer-1, also known unofficially as Satellite 1958 alpha, was the first American satellite to orbit the earth.

Credit Line

Transferred from the U.S. Army Ballistic Missile Agency

Inventory Number

A19610039000

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Type

SPACECRAFT-Uncrewed

Materials

painted metal

Dimensions

Overall: 83 1/2 in. tall x 6 1/4 in. wide (212.1 x 15.9cm)

Country of Origin

United States of America

See more items in

National Air and Space Museum Collection

Data Source

National Air and Space Museum

Metadata Usage

Not determined

Link to Original Record

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv98f07d982-f0af-43d8-a4f9-97aafe1220d7

Record ID

nasm_A19610039000