Vanguard Media Gallery

Vanguard was the 'civilian' vehicle developed by the US Navy to launch America's first satellite as part of the International Geophysical Year. The Army / von Braun Jupiter-C instead launched the first US satellite after Sputnik and Vanguard's public launch failure. The second stage design led to the Able upper stage for Thor/Atlas, and then to the Delta upper stage still in use in the 21st Century.

Manufacturer: NRL. Launches: 12. Failures: 8. Success Rate: 33.33%. First Launch Date: 1957-10-23. Last Launch Date: 1959-09-18. Launch data is: complete. LEO Payload: 9.00 kg (19.80 lb). to: 200 km Orbit. Associated Spacecraft: Vanguard 1, Vanguard 2, Vanguard 3. Liftoff Thrust: 123.900 kN (27,854 lbf). Total Mass: 10,050 kg (22,150 lb). Core Diameter: 1.14 m (3.74 ft). Total Length: 23.00 m (75.00 ft). Flyaway Unit Cost $: 5.660 million. in: 1985 unit dollars.

Original version with Grand Central final stage.

LEO Payload: 9.00 kg (19.80 lb). to: 200 km Orbit. Liftoff Thrust: 123.900 kN (27,854 lbf). Total Mass: 10,050 kg (22,150 lb). Core Diameter: 1.14 m (3.74 ft). Total Length: 23.00 m (75.00 ft).

Version of Vanguard with X-248 upper stage.

LEO Payload: 20 kg (44 lb). Apogee: 3,000 km (1,800 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 120.000 kN (26,970 lbf). Total Mass: 10,000 kg (22,000 lb). Core Diameter: 1.14 m (3.74 ft). Total Length: 22.10 m (72.50 ft).

• Stage Number: 1. 1 x Stage: Vanguard. Gross Mass: 7,661 kg (16,889 lb). Empty Mass: 811 kg (1,787 lb). Thrust (vac): 134.792 kN (30,302 lbf). Isp: 270 sec. Burn time: 145 sec. Isp(sl): 248 sec. Diameter: 1.14 m (3.74 ft). Span: 1.14 m (3.74 ft). Length: 12.20 m (40.00 ft). Propellants: Lox/Kerosene. No Engines: 1. Engine: X-405.

• Stage Number: 2. 1 x Stage: Delta A. Gross Mass: 2,164 kg (4,770 lb). Empty Mass: 694 kg (1,530 lb). Thrust (vac): 33.803 kN (7,599 lbf). Isp: 271 sec. Burn time: 115 sec. Isp(sl): 0 sec. Diameter: 0.84 m (2.75 ft). Span: 0.84 m (2.75 ft). Length: 5.36 m (17.58 ft). Propellants: Nitric acid/UDMH. No Engines: 1. Engine: AJ10-118. Other designations: Able. Able was the first of many engine and application programs that flowed from the Vanguard experience base. These included Able, Ablestar, Delta, Fat Delta, the Japanese N II, and applications or offshoots such as Hydra, Saint (Satellite Intercept), and other classified programs. Included in all this were numerous upratings and incremental changes in the thrust chambers, tanks, and complete systems. Derivative programs included Transtage and Apollo SPS, and ultimately, the Shuttle OME. Delta thrust chamber assemblies of a considerably advanced configuration were still being produced by Aerojet well into the 21st Century - a total of over 50 years of continuous activity in this family.

  The associated large number of different missions, vehicles, stages, and thrust chamber assemblies, and modifications thereof, has led to a nomenclature problem, and considerable confusion as to program details, relationships, and relative timing. A major example of this is that in the early years the Air Force called the vehicles that they procured "Thor-Able" or "Thor-Ablestar," but, NASA called all their Thor-based vehicles "Delta." No matter what they were called, they were all really Vanguard second stages, either with the original or larger diameter tanks. In those days Able or Ablestar meant Air Force, and Delta meant NASA. However, several years later, the name Delta was also applied to Aerojet's ablative thrust chambers and stages, even though some were procured by the Air Force.

  Continuing development of the Vanguard aluminum thrust chamber assembly resulted in selection of this system by the Air Force for use with a Thor booster that was to be used to demonstrate the Atlas guidance system, and to explore nose cone reentry problems. This was called the Able program, and it began in November 1957. Thor was basically a single stage IRBM built by Douglas Aircraft that used essentially the same thrust chamber assembly as Atlas, and reached flight status before Atlas. Space Technology Laboratories (STL), and later the Aerospace Corporation (which was formed from part of STL in 1960), acted as system manager for the Thor-Able program and its Air Force successors. The Able system included the thrust chamber assembly, valves, tanks, pressurizing system, and any additional components to make up a complete second stage. The oxidizer was changed from the WFNA used in Vanguard, to RFNA. The first few Thor-Ables were delivered before the formation of NASA.

  The minor modification of the Vanguard aluminum tube thrust chamber to meet the Able requirements was accomplished in the record time of only three months. The major effort during this time was the testing of six aluminum tube thrust chambers for durations longer than the full burn time. This was done to develop confidence that the expected burn-through failure in the throat would occur at least 30% beyond the nominal duration, that it would be repeatable, and that the total impulse would be within specification limits. This was accomplished, and it provided the first opportunity for Aerojet's aluminum tube bundle engine to perform successfully in space.

• Stage Number: 3. 1 x Stage: Vanguard 3. Gross Mass: 210 kg (460 lb). Empty Mass: 31 kg (68 lb). Thrust (vac): 11.562 kN (2,599 lbf). Isp: 230 sec. Burn time: 31 sec. Isp(sl): 210 sec. Diameter: 0.50 m (1.64 ft). Span: 0.50 m (1.64 ft). Length: 2.00 m (6.50 ft). Propellants: Solid. No Engines: 1. Engine: GCRC.

1955 March 19 - Launch Vehicle: Vanguard.

• Plan for a United States satellite in the International Geophysical Year Nation: USA. Spacecraft: Vanguard 2. Dr. Alan T. Waterman of the National Science Foundation presented President Dwight Eisenhower with a plan to implement the United States' portion of the International Geophysical Year satellite experiment. References: 483.

• Eisenhower approves earth satellites for IGY Nation: USA. Spacecraft: Vanguard 2. President Eisenhower endorsed the IGY proposal for the launching of small earth-circling satellites. References: 483.

• Vanguard selected to launch first US satellite. Nation: USA. Program: Vanguard. Class: Technology. Spacecraft: Vanguard 1. Ad Hoc Committee on Special Capabilities rejects Army/Von Brauns's Project Orbiter (Redstone) and USAF Atlas proposals; selects Navy/Vanguard for first US satellite. References: 86.

• Project Vanguard began operations. Nation: USA. Spacecraft: Vanguard 2. The Department of Defense's Stewart Committee reviewed the alternatives for an IGY satellite program: wait for the development of an Atlas launcher, use a modified Redstone, or develop a rocket derived from the Viking missile. The committee voted seven to two in favor of abandoning Project Orbiter (Redstone) and developing Vanguard (Viking derivative with and Aerobee-Hi upper stage). Secretary Donald Quarles ruled with the committee majority in the Department of Defense Policy Committee, which approved the decision. The Department of Defense wrote a letter to the Department of Navy authorizing the Navy Research Laboratory to proceed with the Vanguard proposal. The responsibility for carrying out the program was placed with the Office of Naval Research. Objectives of Project Vanguard were: to develop and procure a satellite-launching vehicle; to place at least one satellite in orbit around the earth during IGY; to accomplish one scientific experiment; and to track flight to demonstrate the satellite actually attained orbit.References: 483.

• Vanguard contract awarded. Nation: USA. Program: Vanguard. Class: Technology. Spacecraft: Vanguard 1. Prime contract for Project Vanguard awarded the Martin Co. References: 17.

• Vanguard payload tested on sounding rocket. Nation: USA. Program: Vanguard. U.S.-IGY scientific satellite equipment, including a radio transmitter and instruments for measuring temperature, pressure, cosmic rays, and meteoric dust encounters, was tested above earth for the first time, as a rocket containing this equipment was fired by the Navy to a 126-mile altitude.References: 17.

• Vanguard suborbital test. Nation: USA. Program: Vanguard. Class: Technology. Spacecraft: Vanguard 1. Vanguard Test Vehicle (TV-1), a modified Martin Viking first-stage and Vanguard solid-propellant third-stage Grand Central Rocket as second-stage, launched with instrumented nose cone to an altitude of 121 miles and met all test objectives. References: 17.

• Vanguard tracking system operational. Nation: USA. Program: Vanguard. Class: Technology. Spacecraft: Vanguard 1. Project Vanguard world-wide tracking system (minitrack) became operational. References: 17.

• Vanguard supported by Eisenhower. Nation: USA. Program: Vanguard. Class: Technology. Spacecraft: Vanguard 1. President Eisenhower in a White House press release congratulated the Soviet scientists on SPUTNIK I. He gave a brief history of the development of the U.S.-IGY satellite program and pointed to the separation of Project Vanguard from work on ballistic missiles.References: 17.

• Vanguard TV2 Test mission Nation: USA. Program: Vanguard. Class: Technology. Spacecraft: Vanguard 1. Agency: USN. Apogee: 175 km (108 mi). IGY Vanguard prototype (TV-2) with simulated second and third stage successfully met test objectives, by reaching 109-mile altitude and 4,250 mph. References: 17, 926.

• Vanguard 1A Nation: USA. Program: Vanguard. Payload: Vanguard Test Satellite. Mass: 1.00 kg (2.20 lb). Class: Technology. Spacecraft: Vanguard 1. Agency: U.S. Navy. COSPAR: F571206A. Decay Date: 1957-12-06. First US orbital attempt. IGY Vanguard (TV-3), the first with three live stages, failed to launch a test satellite. References: 5, 126.

• Vanguard 1B Nation: USA. Program: Vanguard. Payload: Vanguard Test Satellite. Mass: 1.00 kg (2.20 lb). Class: Technology. Spacecraft: Vanguard 1. Agency: U.S. Navy. Apogee: 6.00 km (3.70 mi). COSPAR: F580205A. Decay Date: 1958-02-05. Trial firing of IGY Vanguard (TV-3Bu) satellite. References: 5, 126.

• Vanguard 1 Nation: USA. Program: Vanguard. Payload: Vanguard 1C / Vanguard Test Satellite. Mass: 2.00 kg (4.40 lb). Class: Technology. Spacecraft: Vanguard 1. Agency: U.S. Navy. Perigee: 654 km (406 mi). Apogee: 3,868 km (2,403 mi). Inclination: 34.20 deg. Period: 133.20 min. COSPAR: 1958-Beta-2. USAF Sat Cat: 5. Transmitted pear-shaped earth data. Life expectancy of perhaps a 1,000 years. The satellite had a mass of 1.6 kg and a diameter of 175 cm. References: 1, 2, 5, 6.

• Vanguard 2A Nation: USA. Program: Vanguard. Payload: X-ray-environmental satellite. Mass: 1.00 kg (2.20 lb). Class: Technology. Spacecraft: Vanguard 1. Agency: U.S. Navy. Apogee: 550 km (340 mi). COSPAR: F580429A. Decay Date: 1958-04-28. References: 5, 126.

• Vanguard 2B Nation: USA. Program: Vanguard. Payload: Lyman Alpha satellite. Mass: 10 kg (22 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Spacecraft: Vanguard 2. Agency: U.S. Navy. Apogee: 3,500 km (2,100 mi). COSPAR: F580528A. Decay Date: 1958-05-27. References: 5, 126.

• Vanguard 2C Nation: USA. Program: Vanguard. Payload: Lyman Alpha satellite. Mass: 10 kg (22 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Spacecraft: Vanguard 2. Agency: U.S. Navy. Apogee: 165 km (102 mi). COSPAR: F580626A. Decay Date: 1958-06-26. References: 5, 126.

• Vanguard 2D Nation: USA. Program: Vanguard. Payload: Cloud cover satellite. Mass: 10 kg (22 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Spacecraft: Vanguard 2. Agency: U.S. Navy. Apogee: 426 km (264 mi). COSPAR: F580926A. Decay Date: 1958-09-26. References: 5, 126.

• Vanguard 2 Nation: USA. Program: Vanguard. Payload: Vanguard 2E / Cloud cover satellite. Mass: 10 kg (22 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Spacecraft: Vanguard 2. Agency: NASA. Perigee: 557 km (346 mi). Apogee: 3,049 km (1,894 mi). Inclination: 32.90 deg. Period: 122.80 min. COSPAR: 1959-Alpha-1. USAF Sat Cat: 11. Operated for 18 days; satellite wobble degraded data. References: 1, 2, 5, 6.

• Vanguard 3A Nation: USA. Program: Vanguard. Payload: Magnetometer satellite. Mass: 10 kg (22 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Spacecraft: Vanguard 3. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). COSPAR: F590414A. Decay Date: 1959-04-13. References: 5, 126.

• 30-inch Sphere Nation: USA. Program: Vanguard. Payload: Air density satellite. Spacecraft: Vanguard 3. Agency: USN. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). COSPAR: F590414B. References: 279.

• Vanguard 3B Nation: USA. Program: Vanguard. Payload: Radiation Balance satellite. Mass: 10 kg (22 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Spacecraft: Vanguard 3. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 140 km (80 mi). COSPAR: F590622A. Decay Date: 1959-06-22. References: 5, 126.

• Vanguard 3 Nation: USA. Program: Vanguard. Payload: Vanguard 3C / Magne-Ray satellite. Mass: 23 kg (50 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Spacecraft: Vanguard 3. Agency: U.S. Navy. Perigee: 512 km (318 mi). Apogee: 3,413 km (2,120 mi). Inclination: 33.40 deg. Period: 126.40 min. COSPAR: 1959-Eta-1. USAF Sat Cat: 20. Radiation, micrometeoroid data. Third stage failed to separate from payload. The TV-4BU burned-out third stage was left attached to the payload since the fiberglas case did not adversely affect the experiments. References: 1, 2, 5, 6.

• Vanguard second anniversary. Nation: USA. Program: Vanguard. Class: Technology. Spacecraft: Vanguard 1. VANGUARD I still in orbit and transmitting on its second anniversary after traveling 131,318,211 miles. NASA reported that VANGUARD I orbit was being altered by solar pressure. References: 17.

• Vanguard third anniversary. Nation: USA. Program: Vanguard. Class: Technology. Spacecraft: Vanguard 1. Vanguard I completed third year in orbit and was still transmitting. Vanguard I provided much useful data on orbits, including the slight pear-shape of the Earth and the effect of solar pressure. Vanguard also provided the second stage for the Able, Delta, and Able-Star, as well as the third stage of Scout, pioneering solid-propellant stages used in Polaris and Minuteman.References: 18.

• McDowell, Jonathan, Jonathan's Space Home Page, Harvard University, 1997-present. Jonathan McDowell's complete on-line listing of all objects orbited and over 20,000 rocket launches Accessed at: http://www.planet4589.org/jsr.html.

• Koelle, Heinz Hermann,, Handbook of Astronautical Engineering, McGraw-Hill,New York, 1961. The only such comprehensive handbook ever produced, and at the dawn of the space age.