Vanguard SLV-5

Launch Failure

Liftoff Time (GMT)

02:49:00

Tuesday April 14, 1959

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Mission Details

Launch Notes

A momentary delay in first stage separation caused the second stage engine to ignite while still attached to the first stage. Pressure from the engine exhaust pushed the thrust chamber to the limit of the gimbal stops, breaking them and causing loss of attitude control in flight. The second stage tumbled and the resultant forces caused a premature separation of the third stage and payload. Data was received from them until impact in the Atlantic Ocean eight minutes after liftoff.

Vanguard SLV-5

The Vanguard SLV5 satellite consisted of a 13in spherical satellite, which contained a precise magnetometer to map the Earth's magnetic field. The satellite was lost together with the Vanguard Balloon, when the Vanguard launch vehicle second stage was damaged during staging. The magnetometer was reflown on the Vanguard 3 satellite.

Medium Earth Orbit

1 Payload

10 kilograms

Vanguard Balloon Subsatellite

The Vanguard Balloon Subsatellite was a small balloon satellite to measure air-density. It was launched piggy back with the Vanguard 13in Magnetometer satellite.

Medium Earth Orbit

1 Payload

Rocket

Retired
Vanguard

Active 1957 to 1959

United States Navy logo

Agency

US Navy

Rocket

Height: 23m

Payload to Orbit

LEO: 10 kg

Liftoff Thrust

135 Kilonewtons

Stages

3

Launch Site

LC-18A

Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida, USA

Fastest Turnaround

29 days

Stats

Vanguard


9th

Mission

2nd

Mission of 1959

1959


6th

Orbital launch attempt