Vanguard 1

Last updated

Vanguard 1
Vanguard 1.jpg
A model of Vanguard 1
NamesVanguard TV-4
Vanguard Test Vehicle-Four
Mission type Earth science
Operator Naval Research Laboratory
Harvard designation1958-Beta 2 [1]
COSPAR ID 1958-002B OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
SATCAT no. 00005
Mission duration90 days (planned)
66 years, 6 months and 10 days
(in orbit)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftVanguard 1
Spacecraft type Vanguard
Manufacturer Naval Research Laboratory
Launch mass1.46 kg (3.2 lb)
Dimensions152 mm (6.0 in) diameter, 3.0 ft (0.91 m) antenna span
Start of mission
Launch date17 March 1958, 12:15:41 GMT
Rocket Vanguard TV-4
Launch site Cape Canaveral, LC-18A
Contractor Glenn L. Martin Company
End of mission
Last contactMay 1964
Decay date2198 (estimated)
~ 240 years orbital lifetime [1]
Orbital parameters
Reference system Geocentric orbit [2]
Regime Medium Earth orbit
Perigee altitude 654 km (406 mi)
Apogee altitude 3,969 km (2,466 mi)
Inclination 34.25°
Period 134.27 minutes

Vanguard 1 (Harvard designation: 1958-Beta 2, [3] COSPAR ID: 1958-002B [1] ) is an American satellite that was the fourth artificial Earth-orbiting satellite to be successfully launched, following Sputnik 1, Sputnik 2, and Explorer 1. It was launched 17 March 1958. Vanguard 1 was the first satellite to have solar electric power. [4] Although communications with the satellite were lost in 1964, it remains the oldest human-made object still in orbit, together with the upper stage of its launch vehicle. [1]

Contents

Vanguard 1 was designed to test the launch capabilities of a three-stage launch vehicle as a part of Project Vanguard, and the effects of the space environment on a satellite and its systems in Earth orbit. It also was used to obtain geodetic measurements through orbit analysis. [5] Vanguard 1, being small and light enough to carry with one hand, was described by the Soviet Premier, Nikita Khrushchev, as "the grapefruit satellite". [6]

Spacecraft design

The spacecraft is a 1.46 kg (3.2 lb) aluminum sphere 6 inches (152 mm) in diameter, with antennae spanning 3 feet. It contains a 10 mW, 108 MHz transmitter powered by a mercury battery and a 5 mW, 108.03 MHz transmitter that was powered by six solar cells mounted on the body of the satellite. [7] Six 30 cm (12 in) long antennas, 0.8 cm (0.31 in) diameter spring-actuated aluminum alloy aerials protrude from the sphere. The transmitters were used primarily for engineering and tracking data, but were also used to determine the total electron content between the satellite and the ground stations. [1]

A backup version of Vanguard 1 is on display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. [8]

Mission

Universal newsreel about the launch of Vanguard 1

On 17 March 1958, the three-stage launch vehicle placed Vanguard into a 654 km × 3,969 km (406 mi × 2,466 mi), 134.27-minute elliptical orbit inclined at 34.25°. Original estimates had the orbit lasting for 2,000 years, but it was discovered that solar radiation pressure and atmospheric drag during high levels of solar activity produced significant perturbations in the perigee height of the satellite, which caused a significant decrease in its expected lifetime to about 240 years. [1] Vanguard 1 transmitted its signals for over six years as it orbited the Earth. [9]

Radio beacon

A 10 mW mercury-battery-powered telemetry transmitter on the 108 MHz band used for International Geophysical Year (IGY) scientific satellites, and a 5 mW, 108.03 MHz Minitrack transmitter powered by six solar cells were used as part of a radio phase-comparison angle-tracking system. The system transmitted signals through the satellite's six spring-loaded aluminum alloy aerials. Satellite tracking was achieved using these transmitters and Minitrack ground stations situated around the globe. [10]

These radio signals were used to determine the total electron content between the satellite and selected ground-receiving stations. The battery-powered transmitter provided internal package temperature for about 16 days and sent tracking signals for 20 days. The solar-cell-powered transmitter operated for more than six years. Signals gradually weakened and were last received at the Minitrack station in Quito, Ecuador, in May 1964. Since then the spacecraft has been tracked optically from Earth, via telescope. [10]

Design for atmospheric density measurements

Because of its symmetrical shape, Vanguard 1 was used by experimenters for determining upper atmospheric densities as a function of altitude, latitude, season, and solar activity. As the satellite continuously orbited, it would deviate from its predicted positions slightly, accumulating greater and greater shift due to drag of the residual atmosphere. By measuring the rate and timing of orbital shifts, together with the body's drag properties, the relevant atmosphere's parameters could be back-calculated. It was determined that atmospheric pressures, and thus drag and orbital decay, were higher than anticipated, since Earth's upper atmosphere does taper off into space gradually. [11]

This experiment was planned extensively prior to launch. Initial Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) proposals for the project included conical satellite bodies; this eliminated the need for a separate fairing and ejection mechanisms, and their associated weight and failure modes. Radio-tracking would gather data and establish a position. Early in the program, optical tracking (with a Baker-Nunn camera network and human spotters) was added. A panel of scientists proposed changing the design to spheres, at least 50.8 cm (20.0 in) in diameter and hopefully 76.2 cm (30.0 in).

A sphere would have a constant optical reflection, and constant coefficient of drag, based on size alone, while a cone would have properties that varied with its orientation. James Van Allen of the University of Iowa proposed a cylindrical satellite based on his work with rockoons, which became Explorer 1, the first American satellite. The Naval Research Laboratory finally accepted a sphere with a 16.5 cm (6.5 in) of diameter as a "Test Vehicle", with a diameter of 50.8 cm (20.0 in) set for the follow-on satellites. The weight savings, from reduced size as well as decreased instrumentation in the early satellites, was considered to be acceptable.

As Vanguard 1, Vanguard 2, and Vanguard 3 are still orbiting with their drag properties essentially unchanged, they form a baseline data set on the atmosphere of Earth that is over 60 years old and continuing.

After the mission

Vanguard 1 satellite sketch Vanguard 1 satellite sketch.jpg
Vanguard 1 satellite sketch

After its scientific mission ended in 1964, Vanguard 1 became a derelict object – as did the upper stage of the launch rocket, after it finished the delta-v maneuver to place Vanguard 1 in orbit in 1958. Both objects remain in orbit. Vanguard 1 was projected to remain aloft for up to 2,000 years, but solar radiation pressure and atmospheric drag perturbations during periods of high solar activity affected its perigee, reducing its lifetime, and now it is expected to burn up in the atmosphere in about 240 years, sometime in the late 22nd century. As space travel becomes routine, and especially when its re-entry date draws near, some have suggested that the satellite might be retrieved as a valued artifact of early space exploration. [12]

50th anniversary

The Vanguard 1 satellite and upper launch stage hold the record for being in space longer than any other human-made object, [13] [14] and as such have traveled farther over the Earth's surface than any other human-made object. [15]

A small group of former NRL and NASA workers had been in communication with one another, and a number of government agencies were asked to commemorate the event. The Naval Research Laboratory commemorated the event with a day-long meeting at NRL on 17 March 2008. [16] The meeting concluded with a simulation of the satellite's track as it passed into the orbital area visible from Washington, D.C., (where it is visible from the Earth's surface). The National Academy of Sciences scheduled seminars to mark the 50th anniversary of the International Geophysical Year. [17]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vanguard TV-3</span> U.S. satellite in 1957

Vanguard TV-3, was the first attempt of the United States to launch a satellite into orbit around the Earth, after the successful Soviet launches of Sputnik 1 and Sputnik 2. Vanguard TV-3 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 TV-3 were manufactured by Bell Laboratories.

Project Vanguard was a program managed by the United States Navy Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), which intended to launch the first artificial satellite into low Earth orbit using a Vanguard rocket. as the launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral Missile Annex, Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vanguard 2</span> US Navy satellite launched in 1959

Vanguard 2 is an Earth-orbiting satellite launched 17 February 1959 at 15:55:02 GMT, aboard a Vanguard SLV-4 rocket as part of the United States Navy's Project Vanguard. The satellite was designed to measure cloud cover distribution over the daylight portion of its orbit, for a period of 19 days, and to provide information on the density of the atmosphere for the lifetime of its orbit. As the first weather satellite and one of the first orbital space missions, the launch of Vanguard 2 was an important milestone in the Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union. Vanguard 2 remains in orbit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vanguard 3</span>

Vanguard 3 is a scientific satellite that was launched into Earth orbit by the Vanguard SLV-7 on 18 September 1959, the third successful Vanguard launch out of eleven attempts. Vanguard rocket: Vanguard Satellite Launch Vehicle-7 (SLV-7) was an unused Vanguard TV-4BU rocket, updated to the final production Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV).

Explorer 2 was an American unmanned space mission within the Explorer program. Intended to be a repetition of the previous Explorer 1 mission, which placed a satellite into medium Earth orbit, the spacecraft was unable to reach orbit due to a failure in the launch vehicle during launch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Project Echo</span> First passive communications satellite experiment

Project Echo was the first passive communications satellite experiment. Each of the two American spacecraft, launched in 1960 and 1964, were metalized balloon satellites acting as passive reflectors of microwave signals. Communication signals were transmitted from one location on Earth and bounced off the surface of the satellite to another Earth location.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Explorer 7</span> Seventh satellite of the Explorer program

Explorer 7 was a NASA satellite launched on 13 October 1959, at 15:30:04 GMT, by a Juno II launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) to an orbit of 573 × 1,073 km (356 × 667 mi) and inclination of 50.27°. It was designed to measure solar X-ray and Lyman-alpha flux, trapped energetic particles, and heavy primary cosmic rays. Secondary objectives included collecting data on micrometeoroid penetration, molecular sputtering and studying the Earth-atmosphere heat balance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vanguard TV-3BU</span> Second flight of the American Vanguard rocket

Vanguard TV-3BU, also called Vanguard Test Vehicle-Three Backup, was the second flight of the American Vanguard rocket. An unsuccessful attempt to place an unnamed satellite, Vanguard 1B, into orbit, the rocket was launched on 5 February 1958. It was launched from LC-18A at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Fifty-seven seconds after launch, control of the vehicle was lost, and it failed to achieve orbit. At 57 seconds, the booster suddenly pitched down. The skinny second stage broke in half from aerodynamic stress, causing the Vanguard to tumble end-over-end before a range safety officer sent the destruct command. The cause of the failure was attributed to a spurious guidance signal that caused the first stage to perform unintended pitch maneuvers. Vanguard TV-3BU only reached an altitude of 6.1 km (3.8 mi), the goal was 3,840 km (2,390 mi).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Explorer 9</span> NASA satellite of the Explorer program

Explorer 9, known as S-56A before launch, was a NASA satellite which was launched in February 1961 to study the density and composition of the upper thermosphere and lower exosphere. It was a reflight of the failed Explorer S-56 mission, and consisted of a 7 kg (15 lb), 3.66 m (12.0 ft) balloon which was deployed into a medium Earth orbit. The mission was conducted by NASA's Langley Research Center.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vanguard TV-5</span> Failed rocket launch

Vanguard TV-5, also called Vanguard Test Vehicle-Five, was a failed flight of the American Vanguard rocket following the successful launch of Vanguard 1 on Vanguard TV-4. Vanguard TV-5 launched on 29 April 1958 at 02:53:00 GMT, from Launch Complex 18A at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The rocket was unsuccessful in its attempt to place an unnamed satellite into orbit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vanguard SLV-1</span> Failed rocket launch

Vanguard SLV-1, also called Vanguard Satellite Launch Vehicle-1 was hoped to be the second successful flight of the American Vanguard rocket following the successful launch of the Vanguard 1 satellite on rocket Vanguard TV-4 in March 1958.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vanguard SLV-2</span> Failed rocket launch

Vanguard SLV-2, also called Vanguard Satellite Launch Vehicle-2 hoped to be the second successful flight of the American Vanguard rocket following successful Vanguard 1 satellite on rocket Vanguard TV-4.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vanguard SLV-3</span> Failed rocket launch

Vanguard SLV-3, also called Vanguard Satellite Launch Vehicle-3 hoped to be the second successful flight of the American Vanguard rocket following successful Vanguard 1 satellite on rocket Vanguard TV-4.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vanguard SLV-5</span> Failed rocket launch

Vanguard SLV-5, also called Vanguard Satellite Launch Vehicle-Five hoped to be the third successful flight of the American Vanguard rocket following the successful Vanguard 2 satellite on rocket Vanguard SLV-4.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vanguard SLV-6</span> Failed rocket launch

Vanguard SLV-6, also called Vanguard Satellite Launch Vehicle-Six, hoped to be the third successful flight of the American Vanguard rocket following the successful Vanguard 2 satellite on rocket Vanguard SLV-4. Vanguard Satellite Launch Vehicle-6 (SLV-6) was designed to carry a small spherical satellite into Earth orbit to study solar heating of Earth and the heat balance. A faulty second stage pressure valve caused a mission failure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Explorer 19</span> NASA satellite of the Explorer program

Explorer 19,, was a NASA satellite launched on 19 December 1963, as part of the Explorer program. It was the third of six identical Explorer satellites launched to study air density and composition, and the second to reach orbit. It was identical to Explorer 9.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Explorer 24</span> NASA satellite of the Explorer program

Explorer 24 was a NASA satellite designed for atmospheric studies. Explorer 24 was launched on 21 November 1964 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Lompoc, California, with a Scout X-4. Explorer 24 was launched along with its successor satellite, Explorer 25.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Explorer 29</span> NASA satellite of the Explorer program

Explorer 29, also called GEOS 1 or GEOS A, acronym to Geodetic Earth Orbiting Satellite, was a NASA satellite launched as part of the Explorer program, being the first of the two satellites GEOS. Explorer 29 was launched on 6 November 1965 from Cape Canaveral, Florida, with a Thor-Delta E launch vehicle.

Explorer 36 was a NASA satellite launched as part of the Explorer program, being the second of the two satellites GEOS. Explorer 36 was launched on 11 January 1968 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, with Thor-Delta E1 launch vehicle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Explorer 39</span> NASA satellite of the Explorer program

Explorer 39, also known as AD-C, was a NASA scientific satellite belonging to series Air Density. It was launched on 8 August 1968, join with Explorer 40, from Launch Complex 5 of the Vandenberg Air Force Base, through a Scout launch vehicle.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Display: Vanguard 1 1958-002B". NASA. 14 May 2020. Retrieved 1 February 2021.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  2. ↑ "Vanguard 1 Satellite details 1958-002B NORAD 00005". N2YO. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  3. ↑ "U.S. Space Objects Registry". Archived from the original on 6 October 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2009.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  4. ↑ "Vanguard I The World's Oldest Satellite Still in Orbit". Archived from the original on 21 March 2015. Retrieved 24 September 2007.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  5. ↑ O'Keefe, J. A.; Eckeis, Ann; Squires, R. K. (1959). "Vanguard Measurements Give Pear-Shaped Component of Earth's Figure". Science. 129 (3348): 565–566. doi:10.1126/science.129.3348.565.
  6. ↑ "Vanguard I – The World's Oldest Satellite Still in Orbit". Spacecraft Engineering Department, U.S. Navy. Archived from the original on 19 September 2008.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  7. ↑ "Project Vanguard Report No. 23 Minitrack Report No. 3, Receiver System". dtic.mil. Archived from the original on 23 August 2011.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  8. ↑ "Satellite Vanguard 1 Backup". airandspace.si.edu. Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. Archived from the original on 5 February 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2018.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  9. ↑ Rosenthal, Alfred (January 1982). "A record of NASA space missions since 1958". NASA Technical Reports Server. NASA. hdl:2060/19940003358 . Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  10. 1 2 "Radio Beacon". NASA. 14 May 2020. Retrieved 1 February 2021.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  11. ↑ "Satellite Drag Atmospheric Density". NASA. 14 May 2020. Retrieved 1 February 2021.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  12. ↑ https://pages.vassar.edu/realarchaeology/2023/12/03/a-closer-look-at-the-archaeological-importance-of-the-vanguard-1/
  13. ↑ Hollingham, Richard (6 October 2017). "The world's oldest scientific satellite is still in orbit". BBC Future. Archived from the original on 7 October 2017.
  14. ↑ Lance K. Erickson (2010). Space Flight: History, Technology, and Operations. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 60–. ISBN   978-0-86587-419-0.
  15. ↑ "Far-Traveling Objects". what-if.xkcd.com. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
  16. ↑ "Vanguard I celebrates 50 years in space". EurekAlert!. 13 March 2008. Archived from the original on 5 June 2013.
  17. ↑ Vanguard Approaches Half A Century In Space, SpaceRef Interactive, by Keith Cowing, November 4, 2007
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.