SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/aero-explorer-1-first-us-satellite

What was the first satellite the United States successfully launched?

Explorer 1, launched January 31, 1958.

Start playing free

  1. Vanguard 1
  2. Telstar
  3. Explorer 1 ✔

Why: Explorer 1 reached orbit on January 31, 1958, about four months after Sputnik 1. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory built the satellite, and the U.S. Army launched it.

Huh, didn't know that: Explorer 1 launched about eight months before NASA began operations on October 1, 1958.

The dad joke
Why did Explorer 1 feel so proud? It was the first in its class to go around the world.
Like this card?
Play the game

References

Answer: Explorer 1. Explorer 1 reached orbit on January 31, 1958, about four months after Sputnik 1. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory built the satellite, and the U.S. Army launched it.

  1. NASA JPL, Explorer 1 www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/explorer-1
    Explorer 1 became the first successfully launched satellite by the United States
    Checked 2026-10-10.
  2. NASA Glenn, Rocket History: 20th Century and Beyond www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/rocket/BottleRocket/20thBeyond.htm
    Explorer I was launched by the U.S. Army on January 31, 1958.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

Think this answer is wrong? Tap "Challenge this answer" on the card in the game and tell us why.

Test yourself in the game

Flying & DronesWhat was the first successful U.S. satellite?Flying & DronesHow did Hero's ancient steam device demonstrate rocket propulsion?Flying & DronesHow did early Chinese experimenters make rocket arrows?

That's stuff everyone should know.