Late in the evening of 31 January 1958, the USA took its first step into space with the launch of the Explorer 1 satellite from Cape Canaveral in Florida.

Moreover, the 30lb satellite made a major scientific discovery — the Van Allen radiation belts that encircle the Earth.

NASA is supporting events in Florida, California and Washington DC to mark the 60th anniversary of the launch. They spotlight the historical significance of the Explorer 1 mission, the legacy of scientific accomplishments produced by America’s space programme, and NASA’s continuing journey of discovery in space.

A new NASA Web site is available with information about Explorer 1 (go.nasa.gov/Explorer1). It contains old images and an interactive time-line of American space science firsts.