Astronomy Picture of the Day ·

The First Explorer

The Astronomy Picture of the Day for August 12, 2006 is “The First Explorer,” an image. It is credited to Credit: courtesy Marshall Space Flight Center , NASA. The original explanation runs about 129 words.

The First Explorer
Credit: courtesy Marshall Space Flight Center , NASA Shown from science.nasa.gov. Not hosted by OpenOrbit.

From the explanation

“Inaugurating the era of space exploration for the US, the First Explorer , a thirty pound satellite, was launched into Earth orbit on January 31, 1958 by the Army Ballistic Missile Agency. Explorer I carried instruments to measure temperatures, micrometeorite impacts, and an experiment designed by James A.”

— APOD editors, August 12, 2006

Read the full explanation on science.nasa.gov

At a glance

Date
August 12, 2006
Type
Image
Credit
Credit: courtesy Marshall Space Flight Center , NASA
Copyright
No copyright notice on the entry. Check the credited institution’s own usage rules before reusing it.
Explanation length
About 129 words

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Source

Copy taken Oct 28, 2026, 2:39 AM EDT. The image and explanation belong to their creators. OpenOrbit is not affiliated with or endorsed by NASA.