Key statistics
Satellite VANGUARD 3 at a glance.
Uptime
24193
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: 123.967 minutes
Inclination: 33.3388 deg
SMA: 8235.632 km
Apoapsis: 3207.43 km
Periapsis: 507.564 km
RAAN: 221.259 deg
Eccentricy: 0.1639137
Argument of periapsis: 129.5098 deg
Mean anomaly: 246.227 deg
Mean motion: 11.61602016 rev/day
Mean motion (dot): 0.00002239 rev/day2
B* drag term: 0.00089936 1/REarth
Two-line elements (TLE)
Creation date: Dec. 12, 2025, 7:16 a.m.
Reference frame: TEME
Reference center: EARTH
Epoch: Dec. 11, 2025, 8:59 p.m. UTC
TLE line 0: 0 VANGUARD 3
TLE line 1: 1 20U 59007A 25345.87434250 .00002239 00000-0 89936-3 0 9999
TLE line 2: 2 20 33.3388 221.2590 1639137 129.5098 246.2270 11.61602016462826
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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