Description
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum – Washington, D.C.
This is the Vanguard TV-3 satellite, America’s first attempt to launch a satellite into orbit on December 6, 1957. The launch rocket malfunctioned moments after liftoff and crashed back onto the launch pad. Amazingly, the satellite itself was recovered, damaged but largely intact, and is now preserved at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.