A pioneer of Earth observation from space, the Vanguard 2 satellite launched Feb. 17, 1959. The satellite was the world's first intended for meteorological observation, and followed on a series of ...

One of the Vanguard satellites is checked out at Cape Canaveral, Florida in 1958. Vanguard 1, the world's first solar-powered satellite, launched on St. Patrick's Day (March 17) 1958. It was designed ...