Project Vanguard
How the U.S. Navy's Vanguard rocket became a Cold War icon, launched the world's oldest satellite still in orbit, and laid the groundwork for NASA's space exploration efforts.
Launch Date
November 22, 1972
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
SLC5
Launch Vehicle
Scout D-1
NORAD ID
06286
International Designator
1972-092B
Decay Date
7/9/1973
Name
SCOUT D-1 R/B
Alternative Name
Scout S185C Stage 4
Type
Status
Owner
LARCN
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Length
1
Diameter
0.5
Span
1
Dry Mass
47
Launch Mass
47
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
FW4S S/N 2223-13
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
UTC
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
FW4
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Unknown
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
How the U.S. Navy's Vanguard rocket became a Cold War icon, launched the world's oldest satellite still in orbit, and laid the groundwork for NASA's space exploration efforts.
When a 135-foot inflatable mirror bounced a radio signal from England to Russia, it became the first joint US-Soviet space venture - and changed how we think about satellite communication.
Recent Starlink launches, autonomous navigation for satellite swarms, major funding for asteroid mining, and insights into NASA's various projects and developments.
Today's highlights include Japan's new military satellite imagery initiative, NASA's SPHEREx map, and AST BlueBird 6's groundbreaking cellular array in low Earth orbit.
Today's brief covers a Japanese military satellite launch, new GPS satellite orders by the Space Force, and a Moog propulsion system contract, among other notable developments.
Astroscale selects Isar Aerospace to launch ELSA-M, a commercial deorbit mission targeting defunct satellites in LEO. Over 20,000 trackable debris objects now in orbit.
Today's highlights include China's remote-sensing satellite launch, U.S. Space Force's investment in missile-tracking satellites, and NASA's MAVEN milestone on Mars.
SpaceX prepares for another Starlink launch today, following a successful deployment over the weekend from Florida's Space Coast.