Key statistics
Satellite VANGUARD 3 at a glance.
Uptime
24093
Days in orbit
Revolutions
≈ 11.6
Per day
Orbit
MEO
Medium Earth Orbit
Inclination
33.3
Latest
Satellite identification and parameters
Extended collection of information and parameters for VANGUARD 3.
Object identification
Identified? True
Debris? False
Object name: VANGUARD 3
International designator: 1959-007A
Object number (NORAD): 20
Object ID (CCSDS): 20
Country: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (US)
Current information (Y/N): Y
RCS size: MEDIUM
Orbital parameters
Period: 124.037 minutes
Inclination: 33.3471 deg
SMA: 8238.754 km
Apoapsis: 3212.21 km
Periapsis: 509.028 km
RAAN: 219.7606 deg
Eccentricy: 0.16405283
Argument of periapsis: 315.6528 deg
Mean anomaly: 32.3532 deg
Mean motion: 11.6094175 rev/day
Mean motion (dot): 0.00004723 rev/day2
B* drag term: 0.0019097134 1/REarth
Two-line elements (TLE)
Creation date: Sept. 3, 2025, 10:15 a.m.
Reference frame: TEME
Reference center: EARTH
Epoch: Sept. 3, 2025, 4:36 a.m. UTC
TLE line 0: 0 VANGUARD 3
TLE line 1: 1 00020U 59007A 25246.19228251 .00004723 00000-0 19097-2 0 9996
TLE line 2: 2 00020 33.3471 219.7606 1640528 315.6528 32.3532 11.60941750451239
Live tracking on map
Real-time ground track for satellite VANGUARD 3.
In-orbit conjunctions
A list of the most updated potential collisions computed for object VANGUARD 3.
Associated space launch
Vanguard 3 is a scientific satellite to measure the Earth's magnetic field, solar X-ray radiation and its effects on the Earth's atmosphere and the near-Earth micrometeoroid environment.
VANGUARD 3 was lifted into orbit during the mission ‘Vanguard | Vanguard III’, on board a Vanguard space rocket.
The launch took place on Sept. 18, 1959, 5:20 a.m. from Launch Complex 18A.
For more information about the launch, click the button.
Vanguard | Vanguard III
Agency: N/A
Status: Launch Successful
Launch date: Sept. 18, 1959, 5:20 a.m. UTC
Rocket: Vanguard
Launch pad: Launch Complex 18A
Location: Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
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