Nobody gets a place in history for coming second. In October 2007 we celebrated 50 Years of The Space Age, commemorating the launch of Sputnik 1. I wrote about it, here and for Crikey (different pieces). I masturbated.
Yesterday was the 50th anniversary of America’s first successful satellite launch — and I only just realised it now.
The Bad Astronomy Blog has some of the story, and of course Wikipedia reveals all.
Apparently the US could’ve gotten something into orbit before the Commies, but they wanted to use an American rocket. The Juno 1 launch vehicle, based on German technology, was originally unsuited politically. Alas, the all-American Vanguard wasn’t up for it.
Another space anniversary: yesterday (Feb 1st) marked 5 years since the space shuttle ‘Columbia’ was lost.
The 50th anniversary of Lego is more important as it has contributed more to world peace than the US Space Program.
Gentlemen, I have read your comments and absorbed their import. I am, of course, confused. Thank you, Nick.
Richard also sent me a nice link to further information about Explorer 1 and someone’s plan to bring the satellite back to Earth [PDF file].