February 17, 1959 3:55 pm
Vanguard II
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Vanguard
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
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Last Updated:
2026-07-14 00:16:42
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.
Launch Overview
Window Open
15:55 UTC
Window Close
15:55 UTC
Lift Off
Feb 17, 1959 · 15:55 UTC
Launch Facility
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Launch Pad
Launch Complex 18A
Target Orbit
Medium Earth Orbit
Payload Overview
Customer
US Navy
Payload
Vanguard II
Rocket
Vanguard
Destination
Medium Earth Orbit
Recovery Overview
Landing Location
See Mission Notes
Landing Type
RTLS / Droneship
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.
Height
LEO Payload
Total Launches
Status
US Navy
Launch Complex 18A
Launch Overview
Window Open
15:55 UTC
Window Close
15:55 UTC
Lift Off
Feb 17, 1959 · 15:55 UTC
Launch Facility
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Launch Pad
Launch Complex 18A
Target Orbit
Medium Earth Orbit
Payload Overview
Customer
US Navy
Payload
Vanguard II
Rocket
Vanguard
Destination
Medium Earth Orbit
Recovery Overview
Landing Location
See Mission Notes
Landing Type
RTLS / Droneship
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