Events in 1958

January 31, 1958

Explorer 1 Launch

The historic launch of Explorer 1, America's first successful satellite, marked the nation's entry into the Space Age and led to the groundbreaking discovery of the Van Allen radiation belts.

July 29, 1958

NASA Establishment

President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act, establishing NASA as a civilian space agency in response to the Space Race with the Soviet Union. The agency officially began operations on October 1, 1958.

October 7, 1958

Project Mercury Launch

NASA initiates Project Mercury, America's first human spaceflight program, marking the beginning of the U.S. space program and its response to the Soviet Space Race following Sputnik 1's launch.