Satellite, Explorer I

National Air and Space Museum

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
National Air and Space Museum
Record ID
nasm_A19610039000
Metadata Usage (text)
Not determined
GUID (Link to Original Record)
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv98f07d982-f0af-43d8-a4f9-97aafe1220d7
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