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Vanguard
1 is an
American satellite that was the fourth artificial Earth orbital satellite to
be successfully launched (following Sputnik 1, Sputnik 2, and Explorer 1).
Although
communication with the satellite was lost in 1964, it remains the oldest man-made
object still in orbit, together with the upper stage of its launch vehicle.
Original
estimates had the orbit lasting for 2,000 years, but it was discovered that
solar radiation pressure and atmospheric drag caused a significant decrease
in its expected lifetime to only 240 years. (In other words, Vanguard 1
will retain the record as being the oldest man-made object in space until the
year 2198).
Vanguard
1 also holds the record of having traveled farther over the Earth’s surface
than any other man-made object.
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| Artist's Rendition of Vanguard 1 in Orbit |
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