III 

110TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 287 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

FEBRUARY 7 (legislative day, FEBRUARY 6), 2008 

Received and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 

Transportation 

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the United States Explorer I satellite, the world’s first scientific spacecraft, 

and the birth of the United States space exploration 

program. 

Whereas January 31, 2008, is the 50th anniversary of the 

launch of Explorer I, the first United States satellite to 

be successfully lofted into space and the world’s first scientific satellite; 

Whereas the launch of Explorer I marks the birth of the era 

of United States space exploration, a half-century of advances in both robotic and human 


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HCON 287 RFS 

exploration of space, including the first footsteps by humanity on another world; 

Whereas, since the launch of Explorer I, the United States 

has launched spacecraft— 

(1) to explore each of the solar system’s planets and 

the Earth’s Moon; 

(2) to observe the Earth and the interactions of its 

atmospheric, oceanic, and land systems; 

(3) to conduct studies of the Sun and its interactions with Earth; 

(4) to investigate asteroids and comets; 

(5) to peer deeper into space to understand the origin of the universe and the formation of the stars, galaxies, and planets; and 

(6) to extend human presence into space; 

Whereas Explorer I and the impetus for scientific satellites 

occurred as part of the International Geophysical Year, 

a major scientific initiative of 67 nations to collect coordinated measurements of the Earth, whose spirit continues 

to be embodied in the international partnerships that enhance space endeavors; 

Whereas Explorer I carried a scientific instrument designed 

and built by Dr. James A. Van Allen of the University 

of Iowa to detect cosmic rays; 

Whereas the cosmic ray measurements from Explorer I led 

to the discovery of regions of energetic charged particles 

trapped in the Earth’s magnetic field, later named the 

Van Allen radiation belts; 

Whereas the combined efforts of Dr. James A. Van Allen and 

his science team, individuals at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and individuals at the Army Ballistic Missile 


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Agency made possible the successful development and 

launch of Explorer I and ushered in a new age of United 

States scientific and human exploration of space; 

Whereas the next 50 years of United States accomplishments 

in outer space will rely on individuals possessing strong 

mathematics, science, and engineering skills and the educators who will train such individuals; 

Whereas the United States space program enables the development of advanced technologies, skills, and capabilities 

that support United States competitiveness and economic 

growth; 

Whereas Dr. Van Allen, commenting on the future of space 

science a decade ago, said ‘‘there is no shortage of great 

ideas on what we’d like to do. . . . There is virtually no 

limit to what can be investigated in interplanetary science 

and astronomy.’’; and 

Whereas over the next 50 years the United States will attain 

additional exciting and significant achievements in 

robotic and human space exploration: Now, therefore, be 

it 

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 

2 concurring), That the Congress— 

3 (1) celebrates the achievement of the late Dr. 

4 James A. Van Allen and his science team and all of 

5 the individuals at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and 

6 Army Ballistic Missile Agency who, through the suc7 cessful launch of Explorer I, brought the United 

8 States into the space age and science into the realm 

9 of space; 


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1 (2) supports science, technology, engineering, 

2 and mathematics education programs, which are 

3 critical for preparing the next generation to lead fu4 ture United States space endeavors; 

5 (3) recognizes the role of the United States 

6 space program in strengthening the scientific and 

7 engineering foundation that contributes to United 

8 States innovation and economic growth; and 

9 (4) looks forward to the next 50 years of 

10 United States achievements in the robotic and 

11 human exploration of space. 

Passed the House of Representatives February 6, 

2008. 

Attest: LORRAINE C. MILLER, 

Clerk. 


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