Project Vanguard
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Project Vanguard was a program managed by the United States Navy's Naval Research Laboratory, which intended to launch the first artificial satellite into low Earth orbit using a Vanguard rocket as th
Vanguard rocket on Pad LC-18A
John P. Hagen in 1957
Vanguard rocket explodes seconds after launch at Cape Canaveral (December 6, 1957).
Vanguard TV3 in previous display at the National Air and Space Museum. The antenna rods should extend radially from the body of the satellite, but are bent as a result of damage sustained in the launch failure.
Explorer 1
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Explorer 1 was the first satellite launched by the United States and was part of the U.S. participation in the International Geophysical Year. The 1958 mission followed the first two satellites, both
Project Vanguard
…aware of progress being made by the Soviets on Sputnik from secret spy plane imagery. Together with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), ABMA built Explorer 1 and launched it on 1 February 1958 (UTC). Before work was completed, however, the Soviet Union launched a second satellite, Sputnik 2, on 3 November…
Explorer 1 in its orbital configuration, with the launch vehicle's fourth stage attached
The instrument section of Explorer 1 is mated to its solid motor at spin test facility.
Explorer 1 schematic
Explorer 1 launch control console on display at Huntsville Space and Rocket Center. The red arrow points to the manually turned launch key switch.