"The first photo of Earth from a satellite in orbit. This is the first crude picture obtained from Explorer VI Earth satellite launched August 7, 1959. It shows a sun-lighted area of the Central Pacific ocean and its cloud cover. The picture was made when the satellite was about 17,000 miles above the surface of the earth on August 14, 1959. At the time, the satellite was crossing Mexico. The signals were received at the South Point, Hawaii, tracking station."
Photo press slug:
"PADDLE WHEEL SATELLITE'S PICTURE -National Aeronautics and Space Administration scientists today released what they term the first crude picture of the earth and its cloud cover. Signal pattern, left, was recorded at a Hawaiian tracking station Aug. 14 while the paddle wheel satellite was 17,000 miles up in space over Mexico. Right photo shows interpretation of signal meaning superimposed on photo of globe."
At:
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:First_satellite_photo_-_E...
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Also at:
www.donaldedavis.com/2003NEW/NEWSTUFF/DDEARTH.html
Specifically:
www.donaldedavis.com/2004 new/81459.jpg
Credit: Don Davis' excellent website
Explorer 6:
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explorer_6
Credit: Wikipedia
