Explorer

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Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics

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U.S. Explorer 10 satellite shown undergoing testing in a National Aeronautics and Space Administration laboratory. Explorer 10 was launched March 25, 1961, and relayed magnetic field data from a high Earth orbit. The satellite was one of more than 50 scientific spacecraft launched as part of the Explorer program between 1958 and 1975.

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The Space Shuttle Columbia soars from Launch Pad 39A on July 1 1997 to begin the 16-day STS-94 Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 (MSL-1) mission.

12 Questions About the History of Space Exploration Answered

Planet Earth and lunar moon from space

Where Did the Moon Come From?

Space race (1957-1969) infographic between United States (U.S.) and Russia. America, Soviet Union, U.S.S.R., space exploration

Timeline of the Space Race, 1957–69

In Frankfurt, Germany, a driver uses a car GPS infotainment display system to guide them on a German autobahn. lanes; traffic; navigation; travel; map

How Does GPS Work?

solar eclipse, sun, moon, astronomy, space

How Do You Tell the Difference Between Total, Annular, Solar, and Lunar Eclipses?

Discover

Close up of books. Stack of books, pile of books, literature, reading. Homepage 2010, arts and entertainment, history and society

12 Novels Considered the “Greatest Book Ever Written”

Fish. Lionfish. Lion-fish. Turkey fish. Fire-fish. Red lionfish. Pterois volitans. Venomous fin spines. Coral reefs. Underwater. Ocean. Red lionfish swims by seaweed.

10 of the World’s Most Dangerous Fish

Shah Jahan. Taj Mahal. Mughal architecture. Emperor Shah Jahan fifth Mughal Emperor (reigned 1628-1658) India, Himachal Pradesh, Basohli or Jammu and Kashmir, Mankot, circa 1690 Drawings; Opaque watercolor, gold, and ink on paper (see notes)

6 Important Mughal Emperors

Small, white rat (genus Rattus) on a glass table. (rodent, laboratory, experiment)

Cruel and Unusual Punishments: 15 Types of Torture

illustration of the walking titanosaurus, Patagotitan mayorum

Titanosaurs: 8 of the World's Biggest Dinosaurs

King Cobra snake in Malaysia. (reptile)

9 of the World’s Deadliest Snakes

Titanic infographic. The 30th anniversary of its discovery is September 1, 2015. SPOTLIGHT VERSION.

Timeline of the Titanic’s Final Hours

Explorer: Related Content

Written and fact-checked by The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Photos

U.S. Explorer 10 satellite shown undergoing testing in a National Aeronautics and Space Administration laboratory. Explorer 10 was launched March 25, 1961, and relayed magnetic field data from a high Earth orbit. The satellite was one of more than 50 scientific spacecraft launched as part of the Explorer program between 1958 and 1975.

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Topics

Earth satellite Sputnik Kosmos Telstar Science and Technology Satellite Landsat Kwangmyŏngsŏng Vela Discoverer Midas THEMIS

Key People

Wernher von Braun

Wernher von Braun

German-born American engineer

Pickering, William Hayward; Johnson, Lyndon

William Hayward Pickering

American engineer and physicist

Quiz

Nicolaus Copernicus. Nicolas Copernicus (1473-1543) Polish astronomer. In 1543 he published, forward proof of a Heliocentric (sun centered) universe. Coloured stipple engraving published London 1802. De revolutionibus orbium coelestium libri vi.

All About Astronomy

List

The Space Shuttle Columbia soars from Launch Pad 39A on July 1 1997 to begin the 16-day STS-94 Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 (MSL-1) mission.

12 Questions About the History of Space Exploration Answered