Program archive

Foundational Satellites

Sputnik 1, Explorer 1, and Vanguard 1 established artificial Earth orbit, space science, tracking, solar power, and the institutional momentum that created modern space programs.

Missions: 3
People: 0
Vehicles: 3

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Foundational Satellites science and payloads

The instruments, experiments, destinations, and scientific purpose connected to each robotic mission.

Robotic spacecraft missionSputnik 1Earth orbit

Robotic spacecraft: Sputnik 1
Destination: Earth orbit

Open science record →Robotic missionExplorer 1Mission destination

Satellite: Explorer 1
Launch vehicle: Juno I
Science instruments: Cosmic-ray detector, micrometeorite detector, temperature sensors, and satellite-drag experiment

Open science record →Geodetic and space-environment research satelliteVanguard 1Elliptical Earth orbit

Radio systems: Battery-powered 108 MHz transmitter and solar-powered 108.03 MHz transmitter
Scientific method: Precision radio and optical orbital tracking
Destination: Earth orbit

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