JPL and the Space Age: Explorer 1

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
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Published 2022-02-01
Many of the strategies surrounding the Cold War revolved around two things: nuclear weapons and rockets. And in the United States, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, under the supervision of Caltech, was charged with building America’s first tactical nuclear rockets: the Corporal and Sergeant missiles.

At this same time, the United States and the Soviet Union were nearing the ability to launch a satellite into Earth orbit. JPL, working in collaboration with Wernher von Braun’s rocket efforts for the U.S. Army, believed they were fully capable of the feat, if only given the chance. That opportunity vanished in October 1957 when the Soviet Union shocked the world with the launch of Sputnik, the world’s first satellite. The Space Age was underway. The first U.S. response exploded on the launch pad. Only after that embarrassment was JPL and von Braun’s group given the green light. The success of Explorer 1, a satellite built by JPL, provided the world with the first space science discovery.

Explorer 1 traces the story of the role JPL played before the creation of NASA and how the lab was given a vital role as part of this new organization: to explore the cosmos.
All Comments (21)
  • @Vector_Ze
    My lifeline eclipses the entirety of the space age to this point (born December 1953). I feel honored to have witnessed the last three Moon shots from the vicinity of the Cape, and a couple Shuttle launches too.
  • @davidlawton898
    Looking forward to this video immensely! In the late 70's I got to see my New Zealand born idol Sir William Pickering the Director of JPL at the time of this immortal 'victory' photo, in person in Wellington NZ, where he was visiting his home town. Such an inspiring moment to talk to him in person, and a continuation of the inspiration to continue in the computer / tech industry in which I had begun my career!
  • @bblod4896
    The historical videos are great. Thank you JPL.
  • @marsspacex6065
    Its sad that in New Zealand we don't honor William Pickering more he is the pioneer of space exploration.
  • @brettatton
    Many who thought they saw the Sputnik were actually seeing the last stage that put it in orbit...
  • @MrHichammohsen1
    Loved it especially the old pictures and videos! Thank you for this and waiting forward for the next one!
  • @s1nb4d59
    Great documentary,well done to the team who put it together.
  • @mateialexandrucoltoiu7207
    Elegant documentaries exposing not just the achievements but also the cultural and historical background of those times.
  • @japroz
    Loving this series so far ! Great work 👍
  • @RV4aviator
    Wonderful production, thorough research, and fascinating content. ! In Space , if JPL can't do it , then no one can ! Just love the early days of Rocketry...!
  • @winstonsmith478
    Make the entire series available on DVD and Blu-ray PLEASE.
  • @hahaha9076
    I love these. All those involved are super positive. Achieving world firsts. Together as a tight team.
  • @jackkomisar458
    I was 7 years old when Sputnik (pronounced "spootnik") was launched. My father read in the newspaper that it would be visible in the night sky at a certain time, so we walked to a clear area and saw a bright object moving in the sky. Recently, I read that what we were actually seeing was the third stage of the booster rocket. But that was something. This year, I saw the International Space Station pass overhead and I was reminded of the experience with my father. The man in the middle at 47:22 of the video, holding a model of the Vanguard satellite between Pickering and Von Braun, is James Van Allen.
  • @staticmin3
    awesome history.. thank you. would love to see more like this... ;-)
  • @Mattkb9
    This was really good, thank you.