The Explorer program is a United States space exploration program that provides flight opportunities for physics, heliophysics, and astrophysics investigations from space. Over 90 space missions have been launched from 1958 to 2011, and it is still active. Starting with Explorer 6, it has been a NASA program, and they have worked with a variety of other institutions and business, including many international collaborations. Currently, the major subprograms are Small Explorer program (SMEX) and Medium Explorer Program (MIDEX).
Launchers have included Jupiter C/Juno I, Juno II, various Thor rockets such as Thor-Able, Scout, various Delta and Delta II rockets (see Delta rocket family), and Pegasus.
Read more about Explorer Program: History, Spacecraft By Year, Spacecraft By Name, Other Missions, Recently Ended Missions
Famous quotes containing the words explorer and/or program:
“A man’s interest in the world is only the overflow from his interest in himself. When you are a child your vessel is not yet full; so you care for nothing but your own affairs. When you grow up, your vessel overflows; and you are a politician, a philosopher, or an explorer and adventurer. In old age the vessel dries up: there is no overflow: you are a child again.”
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950)
“In the Corner Store, near the village center, hangs a large sign reading: ‘After 40 years of credit business, we have closed our book of Sorrow.’”
—For the State of Maine, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)