could support the launching of the 21-pound VANGUARD sphere. The Army's reply: by June 1958, using a vehicle such as the JUPITER. However, before that time, launching was possible by repackaging the instrumentation into a cylindrical container and using the JUPITER C’s. Proposals were made to launch two vehicles of this type; one in February 1958 and one in April. In fact, during the month of October 1957, the Secretary of the Army outlined a multi-phase satellite program. The first would consist of the launchings just mentioned. The second would involve launching five JUPITER C satellites carrying television equipment, in view of the fact that the Russians rejected President  Eisenhower's "Open Skies" proposal. And the third phase would be a 300-pound surveillance satellite, using the JUPITER as a booster 133 . On 8 November 1957, the Secretary of Defense gave his permission for the Army to plan for the launching of two JUPITER C's by March 1958, and $3.5 million was made available. By 20 November 1957, the Secretary of the Army was able to provide launching dates of 30 January and 6 March 1958 134 . As communication media of all types have recorded, EXPLORER I, the Free World's first artificial satellite, was placed in orbit on 31 January 1958. The  hardware used was essentially the same that had been available during 1956, but the United States had missed the opportunity of a "first."  _____________________________

133. Memo, S/A to S/D, 7 Oct 57, subj: Soviet Sat; Memo, S/A to S/D, 23 Oct 57, subj: Army Spt of VANGUARD Pro; Memo, S/A to Spec Asst for Guided Msls, DOD, subj: Mil Sat, Hist Off files. 134. Memo, S/D to S/A, 8 Nov 57, subj: Scientific Sat Pro; Memo, S/A to S/D, subj: Scientific Sat Pro, Hist Off files.