Explorer 1
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Explorer 1 was the first satellite launched by the United States and was part of the U.S. participation in the International Geophysical Year. The 1958 mission followed the first two satellites, both
Explorer 1 in its orbital configuration, with the launch vehicle's fourth stage attached
The instrument section of Explorer 1 is mated to its solid motor at spin test facility.
Explorer 1 schematic
Explorer 1 launch control console on display at Huntsville Space and Rocket Center. The red arrow points to the manually turned launch key switch.
Sputnik 2
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Sputnik 2, or Prosteyshiy Sputnik 2, launched on 3 November 1957, was the second spacecraft launched into Earth orbit, and the first to carry an animal into orbit, a Soviet space dog named Laika.
Explorer 1
…Geophysical Year (IGY). The 1958 mission followed the first two satellites, both launched by the Soviet Union during the previous year, Sputnik 1 and Sputnik 2. This began a Space Race during the Cold War between the two nations. Explorer 1 was launched on 1 February 1958 at 03:47:56 GMT (or 31 January 1958…
Model of Sputnik 2 at the Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics in Moscow
USSR postage stamp "Спутник-2"
Photograph of Sputnik 2 and its rocket taken by Air Force personnel at Air Force Missile Test Center, Patrick AFB, Florida, in March 1958.