... The First Explorer . ... The cylindrical 30 pound satellite was launched (above) as the fourth stage of a Jupiter-C rocket (a modified US Army Redstone ballistic missile) and achieved orbit on January 31, 1958. ... Fighting the glow of the setting sun and the city lights of Cape Town, South Africa, comet Hale-Bopp is just visible near the center of this panoramic view - photographed on May 3rd. Hale-Bopp's Fickle Ion Tail . ... Lightning on Jupiter . ... Apollo 15's Home on the Moon . ...