Vanguard TV3
Launch Failure
Liftoff Time (GMT)
16:44:35
Friday December 6, 1957
Watch Replay
Official Livestream
Mission Details
Launch Notes
The first orbital launch attempt by the United States. The rocket exploded on the pad after a loss of thrust.
Vanguard TV3
Vanguard TV3 was a small satellite designed to test the launch capabilities of the three-stage Vanguard and study the effects of the environment on a satellite and its systems in Earth orbit. It was also to be used to obtain geodetic measurements through orbit analysis. Solar cells on Vanguard 1A were manufactured by Bell Laboratories.
Medium Earth Orbit
1 Payload
2 kilograms
Launch Site
Stats
Vanguard
1st
Mission
1st
Mission of 1957
1957
3rd
Orbital launch attempt