History Of Satellites
Stephanie V. / Physics 338 / 17 April 1997
A satellite is a complex object launched into orbit around the earth,
or other planet, for the purpose of scientific research. The history of
satellites has a long past of involved and remarkable accomplishments.
Expectations
for First Satellites
Emphasis was first placed on satellites to measure the characteristics
of the unknown space environment. Scientists knew they had to lay foundations
for the design of satellites for all different purposes. They wanted to
create satellites that would specialize in several areas such as communication,
weather, navigation, and all types of scientific research.
First
Stages of Planning for First Launch
In October 1954, the Committee for the International Geophysical Year
(IGY) recommended to its member countries that they should consider launching
satellites for scientific space exploration (Charyk 1). In April and July
of 1955 the USSR and the US, respectively, announced their plans to launch
satellites for the IGY. These satellites would soon provide an enormous
stimulus for further research on artificial satellites.
Research
Team Named for First Launch
In the summer of 1954, the first official United States step towards
launching a satellite was taken by the Office of Naval Research. They asked
Drs. Von Braun, Singer, and Whipple to begin contriving the first plans
(Moore 11). In 1955 the doctors, working for the IGY, drew up the specific
proposals for the American Satellite Program
Introductory
Ideas for First Launch.
The first United States satellite program was actually a continuation
of a program for upper air exploration known as "Vanguard." The
scientists plan was to develop the single-stage Viking research rocket
into a three-stage satellite launcher (Moore 12). Many tests had to be
conducted in order to figure out how they were going to launch this delicate
satellite into orbit several hundred miles above the earth.
First Launch
On October 4, 1957, the USSR, who had been working equally as hard,
launched its first satellite "Sputnik" Successfully.
First American
Launch
On January 31, 1958, several years after the USSR's launch, the American
Army, using a four-stage Jupiter C missile, launched the "Explorer."
It was Americas first successful satellite launch.
First
Important Discovery
The launch of Explorer 1 made possible the discovery of the Van Allen
radiation belts, which opened the door for further discovery.
The determination of the first satellite construction teams provided
this world with a great deal of information about the earth and its life
and resources, about the solar system, and even the weather. With continuing
improvements and technological advancements the horizons are endless for
the list of amazing discoveries to come.