SPC01 - The Explorer 1 - The First All-Transistorized Satellite

Explorer 1 was the USA's first satellite in space and the world's first to be fully equipped with transistors. Launched on January 31, 1958, Explorer 1 marked America's big leap into the Space Age. In my artwork, you'll see a 2N335 transistor, one of the key components used in Explorer 1's radiation detection gear. Thanks to this tech, Explorer 1 discovered the Earth's Van Allen radiation belts, uncovering a major scientific breakthrough!