Launch Date
September 18, 1959
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC-18A
Launch Vehicle
Vanguard SLV-7
NORAD ID
00020
International Designator
1959-007A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 04:44:41 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
33.34°
Right Ascension
205.68°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
144.80°
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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Name
Vanguard 3
Alternative Name
Vanguard III
Type
Status
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
Launched on September 18, 1959; mission concluded after 84 days of operation
1 00020U 59007A 26185.19770779 .00000501 00000-0 19922-3 0 9994
2 00020 33.3383 205.6775 1637416 144.7981 227.2669 11.61981908486591
Source: Celestrak
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
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
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