Oct 31

Space Rocket History #36 – Mariner 2 and Relay 1

During the summer of 1962 final preparations were underway for the first U.S. attempt to reach another planet.  The planet was Venus, Earth’s closest planetary neighbor.  This first flight would be accomplished by the JPL built Mariner 2 spacecraft…

Diagram_of_Mariner_1_or_2_with_Atlas-Angena_launch_vehicle

Diagram of Mariner

Mainer 2 Launch

Mainer 2 Launch

Mariner 2

Mariner 2

Rose Parade Float

Rose Parade Float

space rocket history pic34

By Dave

Relay 1

Relay 1

May 30

Space Rocket History #14 – US Space 1958 – Explorer, Vanguard, Pioneer, and NASA

In late March, 1958, President Eisenhower publicly announced the United States’ intention to launch a spacecraft to the Moon.  He assured the nation that  this was not science fiction.  It was an achievable goal presented by leading scientists.  The announcement came less than 2 months after the first US satellite had reached orbit.  The President was committing the nation to a space race to the moon with the Soviets.  If all went well the country would have a spacecraft in orbit around the moon before the summer was over.

Vanguard_1

Vanguard 1 Satellite

Vanguard 1

Vanguard 1

Pioneer_I_on_the_Launch_Pad_-_GPN-2002-000204

Pioneer 1 on the Launch Pad

Pioneer Satellite Replica

Pioneers 0-2 Satellite Replica

 

753px-Pioneer_3

Pioneer 3

May 23

Space Rocket History #13 – Explorer 1 – Juno 1

At approximately 12:48 a.m. EST, the first listening stations began reporting that they had received radio signals from the “Explorer” satellite. The first station to confirm the signals was the San Gabriel Valley Amateur Radio Club near Pasadena, California.  However, ABMA officials were waiting for confirmation from the Goldstone radio tracking station in Earthquake Valley, California.  Finally, 1 hour and 57 minutes after launch the confirmation was finally relayed to ABMA officials in the form of the simple phrase, “Goldstone has the bird!”

exlaunch1958

Explorer 1 – Jupiter C Launch

exlaunch

On the Pad

ex

Pre-Launch

ex1

Explorer 1 Satellite

 

206689main_van-allen-516

Van Allen

206623main_pickering-273

Pickering

206615main_medaris-516 (1)

Medaris

206619main_pic-516

Explorer 1 Satellite

207199main_conference-516

Pickering, Van Allen, Von Braun Holding Satellite

206607main_launch-516 206601main_explorer-stand-516