Vanguard SLV-5

Vanguard SLV-5
Vanguard rocket on LC-18A prior to its launch
NamesVanguard Space Launch Vehicle-Five
Mission typeMagnetic Field Experiment
Air Density Experiment
OperatorNaval Research Laboratory
Mission durationFailed to orbit (500 seconds)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftVanguard 3A
Spacecraft typeVanguard
ManufacturerNaval Research Laboratory
Launch mass10.3 kg (23 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date14 April 1959, 02:49:46 GMT
RocketVanguard SLV-5
Launch siteCape Canaveral, LC-18A
ContractorGlenn L. Martin Company
End of mission
Decay dateFailed to orbit
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit (planned)
RegimeMedium Earth orbit
Perigee altitude655 km
Apogee altitude3840 km
Inclination34.20°
Period134.0 minutes
Instruments
Magnetometer

Vanguard SLV-5, also called Vanguard Satellite Launch Vehicle-Five hoped to be the third successful flight of the American Vanguard rocket following the successful Vanguard 2 satellite on rocket Vanguard SLV-4.