American Space Age Reaches Fifty Years

Bryansix brings us a story about the 50th anniversary of the United States' entry into the Space Age. On January 31st, 1958, Explorer 1 became the first U.S. satellite to reach orbit. The New York Times is running a similar feature. "Explorer 1 gave America a chance to recover some of its confidence and prestige after the Sputnik shock, but there was a scientific payoff as well: The data returned by the satellite showed that Earth was not surrounded by a swarm of killer pebbles, as some scientists had feared. However, the cosmic-ray readings hinted at the existence of bands of radiation surrounding the planet - an unexpected result that led to the discovery of the Van Allen Belts."

Comments

Orbit?

[Anonymous Coward]

Bah, no such thing ever happened. We've looked over the edge and seen the turtle. How are you supposed to orbit that?

In other news....

[Damocles the Elder]

The Bronze Age turns 4000. People care equally about both milestones. GIFs at 11.

Russian space age reaches 51!

[martin-boundary]

Drat, foiled again! Savour your victory while you can, because next year will be different!