VANGUARD (1956-1959) - Lot 9

VANGUARD (1956-1959) Vintage photographic print of a static test of the Vanguard SLV-6 at the Atlantic Missile Range (Cape Canaveral) launched on June 22, 1959 (this SLV-6 failed to put its 10 kg satellite into orbit). Legended "Atlantic Miss Range" on reverse, photo no. 8P-64175. 20.5 x 25.5 cm Vanguard is a small American launcher developed by NRL, the Naval Research Laboratory, with the aim of placing the first artificial satellite into orbit. But after 9 failures out of 12 launches between 1956 and 1959, the Juno 1 launcher was entrusted with the launch of the first satellite into orbit, Explorer 1, launched on February 1, 1958, without calling into question the Vanguard program. On March 17, 1958, Vanguard was finally successful, with Vanguard 1 becoming the 2nd American satellite in orbit. These photos come from the archives of the public relations department of the Baltimore-based Martin company (later Martin-Marietta, then Lockheed-Martin), and are Martin originals.