Vanguard 3

American research satellite. Vanguard 3 was launched on September 18, 1959 aboard a Vanguard from Cape Canaveral & Kennedy. Latest status in GCAT: in orbit, attached to another object.

COSPAR 1959 ETANORAD 20United States

Identity

Name in GCAT: Vanguard III
Common name: Vanguard 3
Payload designation: Magne-Ray satellite
Other names: Vanguard Group V
International designator: 1959 ETA
NORAD catalog number: 20
GCAT identifier: S00020
UN registration: A/AC.105/INF.001

Mission

Mission type: Space science
Use: Civil government
Program: Vanguard3
Owner: GSFC
Country: United States
Builder: Naval Research Lab
Platform (bus): NRL 20"

Launch

Date: September 18, 1959 · 05:20 UTC
Launch record: 1959 ETASuccess
Rocket: Vanguard
Spaceport: Cape Canaveral & Kennedy · pad LC18A

Orbit and fate

Orbit class (GCAT): MEO
Perigee: 521 km
Apogee: 3,758 km
Inclination: 33.35°
Status: In orbit, attached to another object
Last known active: Dec 12, 1959
End of operations: Dec 12, 1959

Size

Mass: 23 kg
Dry mass: 23 kg
Total mass with attached objects: 47 kg
Length: 1.2 m
Diameter: 0.50 m
Span: 1.2 m

Source: GCAT payload, deep-space and lander catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata Q632896 (CC0).