Astronomy and Space Exploration
- January 4 - Sputnik 1 falls to Earth from its orbit and burns up (launched on October 4, 1957).
- January 31 - The first successful American satellite, Explorer I, is launched into orbit.
- February 5 - A backup for Vanguard TV3 fails to reach orbit.
- February 11 - The strongest ever known solar maximum is recorded.
- March 5 - Explorer 2 fails to reach orbit.
- March 17 - Vanguard 1 becomes the first of its program to enter space, after three failed attempts.
- March 26 - Explorer 3 is launched into orbit.
- April 14 - Sputnik 2 re-enters Earth's atmosphere.
- July 29 - The United States Congress formally creates the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
- September 14 - Two rockets designed by Ernst Mohr (the first post-war German rockets) reach the upper atmosphere.
Read more about this topic: 1958 In Science
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