Polaris
Intelligence
My Polaris
Intelligence
Space & Launch
Ecosystem
About
Ctrl K
Explore
Sign in
Explorer 6
completed
Launch 1959 DEL
Launched 8/7/1959
HEO
Service G
Sat HEO O
Admin Edit
Payloads
Assets deployed on this mission, enriched from spacecraft records.
1 payload
Explorer VI
retired
Science Exploration
HEO
Launch Details
Launch Date
8/7/1959
Launch ID
1959 DEL
Launch Profile
Sat HEO O
Service Type
G
Orbit
HEO
Launch Stack
Operator
U.S. Air Force
Launch Vehicle
Thor Able III
Launch Site
Space Launch Complex 17A, Cape Canaveral (Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida)
US
Payload Summary
Payload Count
1
Payload Status
retired 1
Payload Mission Types
Science Exploration 1
Track
Mentions
1
All verified mentions of this mission in source documents.
By 1959, Explorer 6 took the first satellite image of Earth over Mexico.
Capability
General
Value 4.0
Feb 24, 2025
Space literacy: Environmental education for a spacefaring civilization