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Vanguard 3 (00020)
COSPAR: 1959-007A | Alt Name: Vanguard III
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
September 18, 1959
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC-18A
Launch Vehicle
Vanguard SLV-7
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
00020
International Designator
1959-007A
Epoch
Mon, 20 Jul 2026 22:49:29 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
33.35°
Right Ascension
145.34°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
234.65°
Period
123.93 min
Mean Motion
11.62 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
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Basic Satellite Info
Name
Vanguard 3
Alternative Name
Vanguard III
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
Launched on September 18, 1959; mission concluded after 84 days of operation
Latest TLEs
1 00020U 59007A 26201.95103896 .00000163 00000+0 50020-4 0 9995
2 00020 33.3498 145.3411 1638186 234.6472 108.9979 11.61988888488544
Source: Celestrak
Summary
Vanguard 3 was a scientific satellite launched on September 18, 1959, from Cape Canaveral's Launch Complex 18A. The satellite had a length of 1.2 meters and a diameter of 0.508 meters, with a dry mass of 23.7 kg. It carried various instruments, including a proton magnetometer, X-ray ionization chambers, and micrometeoroid detectors.
The mission aimed to measure the Earth's magnetic field, solar X-ray radiation, and micrometeoroid impacts. The satellite was powered by silver-zinc batteries and had a transmitter frequency of 108 MHz. Vanguard 3 was designed with a spherical shape and conical boom structure, coated with silicon monoxide-coated magnesium for protection.
The satellite successfully concluded its mission after 84 days of operation in space, providing valuable data on the Earth's magnetic field and solar radiation.
Physical Characteristics
Length
1.2
Diameter
0.508
Span
1.2
Dry Mass
23.7
Launch Mass
23.7
Shape
Spherical with conical boom
Radar Cross Section
0.654
Visual Magnitude
10.2
Color
Lower three-fourths: silicon monoxide-coated magnesium; upper fourth and conical extension: fiberglass
Material Composition
Magnesium, fiberglass
Technical Details
Payload
Scientific instruments for geophysical research
Purpose
Science
Mission
To measure Earth's magnetic field, solar X-ray radiation, and micrometeoroid impacts
Manufacturer
Naval Research Laboratory
Life Expectancy
The battery-powered transmitter operated for about 84 days.
Bus
Vanguard
Configuration
Vanguard 3C
Motor
None
Equipment
Proton magnetometer, X-ray ionization chambers, micrometeoroid detectors
Power System
Silver-zinc batteries
ADCS
Spin-stabilized
Transmitter Frequency
108.00 MHz
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
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