The Jupiter-C was an American rocket developed in the early 1950s, primarily for scientific research and testing. It was a modified version of the Jupiter missile, designed to carry payloads into the upper atmosphere. The rocket played a crucial role in the early stages of the U.S. space program. On January 31, 1958, the Jupiter-C successfully launched the first American satellite, Explorer 1, into orbit. This achievement marked a significant milestone in the Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union. The mission contributed valuable data about cosmic rays and helped establish the foundation for future space exploration.