Jud McCranie wrote:
1. Watching the Explorer 1 liftoff (on the Liftoff DVD), there is a
bright light shining near the top of the first stage, near where the
umbilical goes in. What is this light? It is visible for quite a
while after liftoff.

2. Why was Explorer 1 launched at night?
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Replace you know what by j to email

1. Don't have the DVD so can't comment

2. The jet stream above the Cape was particularly unsettling. The
launch was delayed on the 29th, and again on the 30th. The next day
was their last chance or they'd have to lose their equipment until
after the Feb. 3 Vanguard launch.

The weather report on the morning of the 31st indicated that the
swiftly moving river of air had diverted north some hundred miles. At
around 2pm, the ABMA commander decided things were safe enough and
started the 8 hour countdown schedule. Explorer launched just 15
minutes ahead of schedule.