At this moment, the Vanguard satellite – launched in 1958, is the oldest
artificial object orbiting Earth. Launched over 60 years ago, Vanguard is a
piece of space archaeology that represents how far and how quickly space
exploration has developed.
Part of the key to Vanguard's longevity is its size. Vanguard is a metal sphere
that weighs just 1.5 kilograms and stretches just 16.5 centimeters across —
making it smaller than a basketball.
Despite its minuscule measurements, Vanguard was ground breaking. It was
the first solar-powered spacecraft, drawing its energy from six
matchbox-sized panels. The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory was tasked with
building the spacecraft as part of the science program for the International
Geophysical Year in 1957 as a precursor to NASA’s formation in 1958.