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Vanguard
Launched 1958-03-17 12:15:41 UTCLaunch Complex 18A, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Success
Reached Low Earth Orbit
Worldwide
4th
orbital launch attempt in 1958
US Navy
2nd
launch this year
Launch Complex 18A
2nd
launch from this pad this year
Pad turnaround
40 d 4 h
since the pad's previous launch
Small satellite used to test the Vanguard three-stage launch vehicle.
The Navy was competed with the Army to put the first American satellite into orbit. Their first two Vanguard missions failed, with the second being a highly publicized failure, as it exploded on the launchpad. They went on to put 3 satellites into orbit but did not beat the Army to be the first. Their work in space continues today largely on military satellites.
Launches
18
Successful
3
17%
Upcoming
0
scheduled
Height
23m
Diameter
1.1m
To low Earth orbit
9kg
Liftoff thrust
123kN
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