Australia entered the space age when it launched its first satellite, WRESAT (Weapons Research Establishment Satellite) November 29, 1967. Australia became the seventh nation to launch a satellite and the third to launch from its own territory. Earlier, France became the third nation to send a satellite into space from its own space program, but Asterix was launched from Algeria, so that doesn't count.
It re-entered the atmosphere January 10, 1968 after 642 orbits. During its time in space, WRESAT extended range of scientific data relating to the upper atmosphere, but it also demonstrated the Australian capability for developing technology and launching artifical satellites.
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