US NavyVanguardLaunch Complex 18A, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Vanguard II
Launched
February 17, 1959
Image: NASA
Summary
Vanguard II launched on an US Navy Vanguard from Launch Complex 18A, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA on February 17, 1959. It was US Navy's 14th launch, 1st this year and humanity's 33rd orbital launch attempt. It was the 8th Vanguard flight and the 1st this year. The payload was bound for Medium Earth Orbit (MEO).
- Watch
- No webcast on record.
- Vehicle
- Vanguard · US Navy
- Booster
- No booster details on record.
- Mission
- Earth Science · Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)
- Milestone
- 8th Vanguard flight · 1st this yearUS Navy's 14th launch1st this yearhumanity's 33rd orbital launch attempt2nd orbital launch attempt this year
Flight preview
About this launch
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.
Pad
Launch Complex 18A, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
8th launch from Launch Complex 18A, 1st this year · 19th from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
18 launches from this pad · 1,131 from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
144 days after the previous launch from this pad
Questions
When did Vanguard II launch?
Vanguard II launched on February 17, 1959. The time is known to the hour, not the minute.
Where can I watch Vanguard II?
No webcast is on record for this launch.
What rocket launched Vanguard II?
Vanguard, flown by US Navy. Vanguard spec sheet
Where did Vanguard II launch from?
Launch Complex 18A, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA.
What orbit was Vanguard II going to?
Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), a earth science mission.