Australia launches its first satellite, WRESAT, 1967

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.

France becomes third country to launch its own artificial satellite, Asterix, 1965

France became the third country to launch its own satellite, Asterix, November 26, 1965, after the USSR and the United States.  However, France is the sixth country to have an artificial satellite in orbit.  The United Kingdom, Canada and Italy launched satellites before but on American rockets.

Asterix was intended to take measurements of the ionosphere, but stopped transmitting after two days.  Some reports state that it failed to transmit at all.  Due to its high orbit, it is not expected to  re-enter Earth's atmosphere for several centuries.