Launch Date
March 17, 1958
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC-18A
Launch Vehicle
NORAD ID
00005
International Designator
1958-002B
Epoch
Sat, 20 Jun 2026 09:55:39 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
34.25°
Right Ascension
304.37°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
153.06°
Period
132.60 min
Mean Motion
10.86 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Name
Vanguard 1
Alternative Name
Vanguard I
Type
Status
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
First solar-powered satellite; ceased transmission in 1964; remains the oldest human-made object still in orbit.
1 5U 58002B 26171.41365157 .00000284 00000-0 36907-3 0 9991
2 5 34.2451 304.3721 1835599 153.0558 217.8553 10.86001497443630
Source: Celestrak
Length
0.165
Diameter
0.165
Span
0.6
Dry Mass
1.47
Launch Mass
1.47
Shape
Spherical
Radar Cross Section
0.122
Visual Magnitude
10.2
Color
Silver
Material Composition
Aluminum
Payload
Vanguard Test Satellite H
Purpose
Science
Mission
Designed to test the launch capabilities of a three-stage launch vehicle and study the effects of the space environment on a satellite and its systems in Earth orbit. It also aimed to obtain geodetic measurements through orbit analysis.
Manufacturer
Naval Research Laboratory
Life Expectancy
The battery-powered transmitter operated for about 20 days, while the solar-powered transmitter functioned for over six years, with the last signals received in May 1964.
Bus
Vanguard
Configuration
Vanguard 1
Motor
None
Equipment
Equipped with two radio transmitters: a 10 mW, 108 MHz telemetry transmitter powered by mercury batteries, and a 5 mW, 108.03 MHz Minitrack beacon transmitter powered by six solar cells.
Power System
Powered by mercury batteries and solar cells.
ADCS
Spin-stabilized
Transmitter Frequency
108 MHz, 108.03 MHz
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