Vanguard 1 was the
4th satellite
launched, after
being beaten by
Sputnik 1, 2 and
Explorer 1, it
also suffered from
multiple high
profile launch
failu
(more)
Vanguard 1 was the 4th satellite launched, after being beaten by Sputnik 1, 2 and Explorer 1, it also suffered from multiple high profile launch failures. However, 60 years on it's still in orbit long after these earlier satellites have fallen back to earth. And the rocket pioneered a design which is more consistent with modern launchers.
