Vanguard 1

195816 cm sphereTest satellite

LocationSpace (LEO)

Year1958

Size16 cm sphere

TypeTest satellite

About Vanguard 1

The oldest human-made object still in orbit. Launched March 17, 1958, the second American satellite. The first satellite powered by solar cells. Nikita Khrushchev mocked it as the grapefruit satellite. Its high orbit means it is expected to stay up for centuries.

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