September 7, 1914 – Iowa’s own rocket scientist – Dr. James Alfred Van Allen – is born in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, one of four children of James Alfred and Alma Olney Van Allen.
After years of conducting high-altitude research using hot air balloons, the advent of rocket science provides scientists with a whole new way of reaching to the stars. By 1958, the space race is on and Dr. Van Allen has SUI right in the middle of the fray. As a result, the Explorer space program makes landmark discoveries that impact space travel even to today.
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