NASA's Jet
Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, CA, entered a float in the annual Rose
Parade with the theme of "50 Years of Space Exploration." Here it is
seen in preparation for display in the parade.
On Jan. 31,
1958, JPL's Explorer 1 became America's first satellite to reach Earth orbit.
On the
parade float, Explorer 1 flies off the launch pad. Other JPL robotic explorers,
with some planets, are visible. A solar panel (not visible in this view)
displays a floral representation of the Explorer pioneers: William Pickering,
then director of JPL, scientist James Van Allen and rocket designer Wernher von
Braun. On the near edge of the central plume in this picture, above Saturn's
rings, flies JPL's Voyager 1, now headed into interstellar space.
The
25-foot-tall float bears a covering of many forms of vegetation, including
black seaweed, eucalyptus leaves, split pea and ground walnut shells along with
daisies, roses, carnations, chrysanthemums, carnations, strawflower and cut
everlasting.
— Jet Propulsion Laboratory and SPACE.com
Staff
Credit: Jet Propulsion Laboratory
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