Vanguard
American 1950s small-lift satellite rocket
America's planned answer to Sputnik exploded two seconds off the pad on 6 December 1957 — live on television — earning nicknames like "Kaputnik" in the press. The programme recovered: Vanguard 1 reached orbit in March 1958 and is still up there today, the oldest human-made object in space.
Service 1957–1959
1957 first flight 1958 peak (6 launches) 1959 last flight
- launches
- 11
- success · 3/11
- 27%
Full launch history
| 1959 | ||||
Sep 18, 1959 | Vanguard SLV-7 USA • Vanguard | |||
Jun 22, 1959Failure | Vanguard SLV-6 USA • Vanguard | |||
Apr 14, 1959Failure | Vanguard SLV-5 USA • Vanguard | |||
Feb 17, 1959 | Vanguard SLV-4 USA • Vanguard | |||
| 1958 | ||||
Sep 26, 1958Failure | Vanguard SLV-3 USA • Vanguard | |||
Jun 26, 1958Failure | Vanguard SLV-2 USA • Vanguard | |||
May 27, 1958Failure | Vanguard SLV-1 USA • Vanguard | |||
Apr 29, 1958Failure | Vanguard TV5 USA • Vanguard | |||
Mar 17, 1958 | Vanguard TV4 USA • Vanguard | |||
Feb 5, 1958Failure | Vanguard TV3 Backup USA • Vanguard | |||
| 1957 | ||||
Dec 6, 1957Failure | Vanguard TV3 USA • Vanguard | |||