Notes from the launch
The rocket rose approximately 1.2 metres, lost thrust, and settled back onto the pad. The fuel tanks ruptured.
On 6 December 1957, the Vanguard TV3 attempt ended roughly two seconds after it began, in a fireball at LC-18A on Cape Canaveral. The 1.36 kg experimental satellite was thrown clear and came to rest on the ground nearby, its radio transmitters still broadcasting — intact enough to signal, too damaged to fly.
The press coined "Kaputnik" and "Flopnik" within hours. Sixty-three days had passed since Sputnik 1 reached orbit, and the United States had publicly scheduled this launch as its response.
The Vanguard program went on to reach orbit in March 1958. The satellite that survived the explosion is now on permanent display at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum.
Payload
Vanguard 1A
experimental satellite
1.36 kg