Launches

First artificial satellite consisting of a 58 cm pressurized aluminium shell containing two 1 W transmitters for a total mass of 83.6 kg.

Second artificial satellite and first to carry an animal into orbit.

Small satellite used to test the Vanguard three-stage launch vehicle.

First successfully launched American satellite. It was the first spacecraft to detect the Van Allen Radiation Belt.

Small satellite used to test the Vanguard three-stage launch vehicle.

Small satellite similar to Explorer 1. It failed to reach orbit due to a fourth stage failure.

Small satellite used to test the Vanguard three-stage launch vehicle.

Small satellite launched into an eccentric orbit with a cosmic ray counter and a micrometeorite detector.

First complex scientific satellite with 12 experiments and a total mass of1327 kg. It failed to reach orbit due to a launch vehicle failure.

Small satellite used to test the Vanguard three-stage launch vehicle.