Explorer 3 Van Allen radiation-belt science satellite spacecraft family
Explorer 3 was the U.S. satellite launched March 26, 1958 whose cosmic-ray and micrometeorite experiments, together with Explorer 1, established the inner Van Allen radiation belt around Earth. It returned science data during its 1958 mission.
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Identity
- Aliases
- Explorer 3Explorer IIIJupiter-C Explorer 31958 Gamma 1Explorer 3 spacecraft
- Family Name
- Explorer 3
- Full Name
- Explorer 3 Van Allen radiation-belt science satellite spacecraft family
- Roles
- orbiterobservatoryresearch
- Status
- retired
- Type
- spacecraft
Details
- Description
- Explorer 3 was the U.S. satellite launched March 26, 1958 whose cosmic-ray and micrometeorite experiments, together with Explorer 1, established the inner Van Allen radiation belt around Earth. It returned science data during its 1958 mission.
- First Flight Year
- 1,958
- Last Flight Year
- 1,958
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Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- August 13, 2026 at 12:44:51 UTC
- Updated Time
- August 13, 2026 at 12:44:51 UTC