Jupiter-C Launched (sep 20, 1956 – jan 31, 1958)
Description:
This rocket defined the point in which the United States finally entered the satellite-launching business. Although the first Jupiter-C was launched in 1956, the first united states satellite (Explorer 1) was launched with Jupiter-C in 1958.The main purpose of the Jupiter C was to carry a nosecone into space which would then allow it to complete a high speed entry back down to earth.
Jupiter-C contained 3 stages and weighed approximately 64,000 pounds. It measured 69.9 feet tall and had a diameter of 5.8 feet.
At liftoff, Jupiter-C had a liftoff thrust of 78,000 pounds and burned for 150 seconds, practically boosting the upper stages to near-space.
Added to timeline:
Date:
sep 20, 1956
jan 31, 1958
~ 1 years and 4 months