January 31 in American History
Just under four months after Sputnik jolted the nation, the United States launched Explorer 1 into orbit — its first satellite, and the one that discovered the Van Allen radiation belts around Earth. America was officially in the space race, and the sprint that would end on the Moon had begun in earnest.
In 1958: Explorer 1, America's first satellite. Just under four months after Sputnik jolted the nation, the United States launched Explorer 1 into orbit — its first satellite, and the one that discovered the Van Allen radiation belts around Earth.
Just under four months after Sputnik jolted the nation, the United States launched Explorer 1 into orbit — its first satellite, and the one that discovered the Van Allen radiation belts around Earth. America was officially in the space race, and the sprint that would end on the Moon had begun in earnest.
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