US NAVY
Vanguard | Vanguard
—
—
Apr 14, 1959 at 02:49 UTC
▸ Flight profile›
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MISSION OVERVIEW
The Vanguard satellite was a 13 inch spherical satellite which contained a precise magnetometer to map the Earth’s magnetic field. The satellite was lost together with the Vanguard Balloon when the Vanguard launch vehicle second stage was damaged during staging.
LAUNCH DETAILS
VEHICLE
VanguardAGENCY
US NavyMISSION
Vanguard
MISSION TYPE
Earth Science
TARGET ORBIT
Low Earth Orbit
LAUNCH PAD
Launch Complex 18ALAUNCH SITE
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USACOUNTRY
USA
LAUNCH TIME VERIFICATION
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: c3d28943-4905-47b6-89c7-13b8dce45eef
Reported date: Apr 14, 1959 at 02:49 UTC
Last synced: 20 minutes ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
SCHEDULE & STATUS HISTORY
DELAYED(199.5 days)
Mar 28, 2026 at 20:20 UTCSep 26, 1958 15:38 → Apr 14, 1959 02:49 UTC
Source: Launch Library 2
DELAYED(92.4 days)
Mar 28, 2026 at 20:20 UTCJun 26, 1958 05:00 → Sep 26, 1958 15:38 UTC
Source: Launch Library 2
DELAYED(29.1 days)
Mar 28, 2026 at 20:20 UTCMay 28, 1958 03:46 → Jun 26, 1958 05:00 UTC
Source: Launch Library 2
DELAYED(29 days)
Mar 28, 2026 at 20:20 UTCApr 29, 1958 02:53 → May 28, 1958 03:46 UTC
Source: Launch Library 2
STATUS CHANGEMar 28, 2026 at 20:20 UTC
SUCCESS → FAILURE
Source: Launch Library 2
DELAYED(42.6 days)
Mar 28, 2026 at 20:20 UTCMar 17, 1958 12:15 → Apr 29, 1958 02:53 UTC
Source: Launch Library 2
STATUS CHANGEMar 28, 2026 at 20:20 UTC
FAILURE → SUCCESS
Source: Launch Library 2
DELAYED(40.2 days)
Mar 28, 2026 at 20:20 UTCFeb 5, 1958 07:33 → Mar 17, 1958 12:15 UTC
Source: Launch Library 2
+ 12 earlier changes
LAUNCH MAP
PAD WEATHER
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VEHICLE — Vanguard →
MANUFACTURER
Lockheed Martin
FLIGHTS
11
SUCCESSES
3
SUCCESS RATE
27.3%
The Vanguard rocket was intended to be the first launch vehicle the United States would use to place a satellite into orbit. Instead, the Sputnik crisis caused by the surprise launch of Sputnik 1 led the U.S., after the failure of Vanguard TV3, to quickly orbit the Explorer 1 satellite using a Juno I rocket, making Vanguard I the second successful U.S. orbital launch.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the Vanguard | Vanguard launch?
The Vanguard | Vanguard is scheduled for Tuesday, April 14, 1959 at 2:49 AM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: FAILURE.
What rocket is being used for Vanguard?
The Vanguard | Vanguard mission uses the Vanguard rocket, manufactured by Lockheed Martin. The Vanguard has flown 11 times with a 27.3% success rate.
Where is the Vanguard | Vanguard launching from?
The launch takes place from Launch Complex 18A at Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA.
What orbit is Vanguard going to?
The Vanguard mission is targeting Low Earth Orbit.
Who is launching Vanguard?
The Vanguard | Vanguard is operated by US Navy.
Can I watch the Vanguard | Vanguard launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
LAUNCH TIMELINE
Mar 28, 2026 20:20 UTC
Launch failure reported
Updated via Launch Library 2
Mar 28, 2026 20:20 UTC
Launch moved up by 563.1 days
Jun 22, 1959 20:16 UTC u2192 Dec 6, 1957 16:44 UTC (via Launch Library 2)
Mar 28, 2026 20:20 UTC
Launch delayed by 60.6 days
Dec 6, 1957 16:44 UTC u2192 Feb 5, 1958 07:33 UTC (via Launch Library 2)
Mar 28, 2026 20:20 UTC
Launch delayed by 40.2 days
Feb 5, 1958 07:33 UTC u2192 Mar 17, 1958 12:15 UTC (via Launch Library 2)
Mar 28, 2026 20:20 UTC
Status changed: FAILURE u2192 SUCCESS
Launch completed successfully (via Launch Library 2)
Mar 28, 2026 20:20 UTC
Launch delayed by 42.6 days
Mar 17, 1958 12:15 UTC u2192 Apr 29, 1958 02:53 UTC (via Launch Library 2)
Mar 28, 2026 20:20 UTC
Status changed: SUCCESS u2192 FAILURE
Launch failure reported (via Launch Library 2)
Mar 28, 2026 20:20 UTC
Launch delayed by 29 days
Apr 29, 1958 02:53 UTC u2192 May 28, 1958 03:46 UTC (via Launch Library 2)
Mar 28, 2026 20:20 UTC
Launch delayed by 29.1 days
May 28, 1958 03:46 UTC u2192 Jun 26, 1958 05:00 UTC (via Launch Library 2)
Mar 28, 2026 20:20 UTC
Launch delayed by 92.4 days
Jun 26, 1958 05:00 UTC u2192 Sep 26, 1958 15:38 UTC (via Launch Library 2)
Mar 28, 2026 20:20 UTC
Launch delayed by 199.5 days
Sep 26, 1958 15:38 UTC u2192 Apr 14, 1959 02:49 UTC (via Launch Library 2)
Mar 28, 2026 20:12 UTC
Launch delayed by 199.5 days
Sep 26, 1958 15:38 UTC u2192 Apr 14, 1959 02:49 UTC (via Launch Library 2)
Mar 28, 2026 20:12 UTC
Launch delayed by 69.7 days
Apr 14, 1959 02:49 UTC u2192 Jun 22, 1959 20:16 UTC (via Launch Library 2)
Mar 28, 2026 20:12 UTC
Launch delayed by 92.4 days
Jun 26, 1958 05:00 UTC u2192 Sep 26, 1958 15:38 UTC (via Launch Library 2)
Mar 28, 2026 20:12 UTC
Launch delayed by 40.2 days
Feb 5, 1958 07:33 UTC u2192 Mar 17, 1958 12:15 UTC (via Launch Library 2)
Mar 28, 2026 20:12 UTC
Status changed: FAILURE u2192 SUCCESS
Launch completed successfully (via Launch Library 2)
Mar 28, 2026 20:12 UTC
Launch delayed by 42.6 days
Mar 17, 1958 12:15 UTC u2192 Apr 29, 1958 02:53 UTC (via Launch Library 2)
Mar 28, 2026 20:12 UTC
Status changed: SUCCESS u2192 FAILURE
Launch failure reported (via Launch Library 2)
Mar 28, 2026 20:12 UTC
Launch delayed by 29 days
Apr 29, 1958 02:53 UTC u2192 May 28, 1958 03:46 UTC (via Launch Library 2)
Mar 28, 2026 20:12 UTC
Launch delayed by 29.1 days
May 28, 1958 03:46 UTC u2192 Jun 26, 1958 05:00 UTC (via Launch Library 2)
Mar 28, 2026 20:12 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 28, 2026 20:12 UTC
Launch date set: Apr 14, 1959 at 02:49 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by US Navy
Mar 28, 2026 20:12 UTC
Launch delayed by 60.6 days
Dec 6, 1957 16:44 UTC u2192 Feb 5, 1958 07:33 UTC (via Launch Library 2)
Nov 5, 2025 15:19 UTC
Astranis unveils Vanguard for secure beyond-line-of-sight satellite communicationsAstranis announced plans Nov. 5 to roll out a mobile ad-hoc network service called Vanguard, using its small geostationary satellites to extend the range of…
SpaceNews
LIVE DATA SOURCES
Last data sync: 20 minutes ago
●Launch Library 220 minutes ago
Launch ID: c3d28943-4905-47b6-89c7-13b8dce45eef
●Spaceflight News API34 minutes ago
1 article matched
●Open-Meteo Weather1 week ago
Pad weather at 28.45, -80.56
Mission Profile
Vanguard was a Vanguard mission operated by US Navy that lifted off from Launch Complex 18A, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA on April 14, 1959. The flight carried its payload on a earth science mission to Low Earth Orbit. The launch ended in failure.