The United States' first satellite, Explorer 1, is launched into orbit by a Jupiter C rocket on Jan. 31, 1958. Explorer 1 confirmed existence of high-radiation bands above the Earth's atmosphere. Credits: NASA

Members of the media are invited to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Explorer 1 launch at 2 p.m. EST on Wednesday, Jan. 31, at the Air Force Space and Missile Museum on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

The successful launch of Explorer 1 on Jan. 31, 1958, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, marked the beginning of U.S. space exploration. The primary science instrument on board was a cosmic ray detector, which led to Explorer principal investigator James Van Allen's discovery of Earth’s radiation belts, later named the Van Allen belts in his honor. The Air Force Space and Missile Museum is located at the launch site where this pioneering mission began.

Speakers include:

• Brig. Gen. Wayne Monteith, commander, 45th Space Wing
• Robert Cabana, director, Kennedy Space Center 
• John Meisenheimer, Explorer 1 launch weather officer

This event is open to U.S. citizens only. A government-issued photo identification, such as a driver's license, is required to participate. In addition, proof of U.S. citizenship also is required, such as a passport or birth certificate. All news media must RSVP for this event no later than noon on Friday, Jan. 26.

All media accreditation requests should be submitted online at:

https://media.ksc.nasa.gov

For questions about accreditation, please email ksc-media-accreditat@mail.nasa.gov. For other questions or additional information contact Kennedy’s newsroom at 321-867-2468.

A new NASA website provides extensive historical information about Explorer 1, including archival imagery and videos:

https://explorer1.jpl.nasa.gov

America’s space program continues to build on 60 years of scientific exploration and discovery that followed Explorer 1 with new missions that will expand our view of the universe, our solar system, and our home planet. For more information about NASA programs, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov

-end-

Press Contacts

Tori McLendon
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
tori.n.mclendon@nasa.gov

Lori O’Donley
45th Space Wing, Patrick AFB, Fla.
321-494-7732
lori.odonley@us.af.mil

NASA Kennedy Space Center news releases and other information are available automatically by sending an e-mail message with the subject line subscribe to ksc-request@newsletters.nasa.gov.

To unsubscribe, send an e-mail message with the subject line unsubscribe to ksc-request@newsletters.nasa.gov.