Vanguard II
Vanguard
US Navy
Launch Status
SuccessMission
Vanguard II
Type: Earth Science
Vanguard II is an Earth orbiting satellite and the first weather satellite. It 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.
Trajectory
The trajectory is unavailable. Check back for updates.
Location
Launch Complex 18A
Cape Canaveral, FL, USA
902 rockets have launched from Cape Canaveral, FL, USA.
Agency
US Navy – USN
- Type: Government
- Abbreviation: USN
- Founded: 1963
- Spacecraft: Vanguard 1-3 | Parker Solar Probe
- Country: USA
The Navy was competed with the Army to put the first American satellite into orbit. Their first two Vanguard missions failed, with the second being a highly publicized failure, as it exploded on the launchpad. They went on to put 3 satellites into orbit but did not beat the Army to be the first. Their work in space continues today largely on military satellites.
