 A model of Vanguard 1 | |
| Names | Vanguard TV-4 Vanguard Test Vehicle-Four |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Earth science |
| Operator | Naval Research Laboratory |
| Harvard designation | 1958-Beta 2 [1] |
| COSPAR ID | 1958-002B |
| SATCAT no. | 00005 |
| Mission duration | 90 days (planned) 66 years, 7 months and 17 days (in orbit) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | Vanguard 1 |
| Spacecraft type | Vanguard |
| Manufacturer | Naval Research Laboratory |
| Launch mass | 1.46 kg (3.2 lb) |
| Dimensions | 152 mm (6.0 in) diameter, 3.0 ft (0.91 m) antenna span |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 17 March 1958, 12:15:41 GMT |
| Rocket | Vanguard TV-4 |
| Launch site | Cape Canaveral, LC-18A |
| Contractor | Glenn L. Martin Company |
| End of mission | |
| Last contact | May 1964 |
| Decay date | 2198 (estimated) ~ 240 years orbital lifetime [1] |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit[2] |
| Regime | Medium Earth orbit |
| Perigee altitude | 654 km (406 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 3,969 km (2,466 mi) |
| Inclination | 34.25° |
| Period | 134.27 minutes |
Vanguard 1 (Harvard designation: 1958-Beta 2,[3] COSPAR ID: 1958-002B[1]) is an American satellite that was the fourth artificial Earth-orbiting satellite to be successfully launched, following Sputnik 1, Sputnik 2, and Explorer 1. It was launched 17 March 1958. Vanguard 1 was the first satellite to have solar electric power.[4] Although communications with the satellite were lost in 1964, it remains the oldest human-made object still in orbit, together with the upper stage of its launch vehicle.[1]
Vanguard 1 was designed to test the launch capabilities of a three-stage launch vehicle as a part of Project Vanguard, and the effects of the space environment on a satellite and its systems in Earth orbit. It also was used to obtain geodetic measurements through orbit analysis.[5] Vanguard 1, being small and light enough to carry with one hand, was described by the Soviet Premier, Nikita Khrushchev, as "the grapefruit satellite".[6]
- ^ a b c d "Display: Vanguard 1 1958-002B". NASA. 14 May 2020. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "Vanguard 1 Satellite details 1958-002B NORAD 00005". N2YO. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "U.S. Space Objects Registry". Archived from the original on 6 October 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2009. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "Vanguard I The World's Oldest Satellite Still in Orbit". Archived from the original on 21 March 2015. Retrieved 24 September 2007. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ O'Keefe, J. A.; Eckeis, Ann; Squires, R. K. (1959). "Vanguard Measurements Give Pear-Shaped Component of Earth's Figure". Science. 129 (3348): 565–566. doi:10.1126/science.129.3348.565.
- ^ "Vanguard I – The World's Oldest Satellite Still in Orbit". Spacecraft Engineering Department, U.S. Navy. Archived from the original on 19 September 2008. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
