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Vanguard
Launched 1959-09-18 05:20:07 UTCLaunch Complex 18A, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Success
Reached Medium Earth Orbit
Worldwide
18th
orbital launch attempt in 1959
US Navy
4th
launch this year
Launch Complex 18A
4th
launch from this pad this year
Pad turnaround
87 d 9 h
since the pad's previous launch
Vanguard 3 is a scientific satellite to measure the Earth's magnetic field, solar X-ray radiation and its effects on the Earth's atmosphere and the near-Earth micrometeoroid environment.
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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