Weather Satellite| Vanguard 2 launch | Techday, February 17th
Vanguard 2 is an Earth-orbiting satellite launched on this TECHDAY in history, on February 17th 1959, as part of the United States Navy’s Project Vanguard. It was launched to measure cloud-cover distribution and to collect information on the density of the atmosphere. Vanguard 2 was the first weather satellite and one of the first orbital space missions ever, so it was a milestone in the Space Race, the race between United States and the Soviet Union back at the time.
As of today, the satellite continues to orbit our planet as an important demonstration of not only scientific achievement, but also concern for future generations.
Fun fact, before the successful launch of the Vanguard 2, there have been more tries over the preceding year, 1958. The lifetime of its orbit, as calculated, would reach about 300 years! Amazing!
This was just a snapshot on the presentation of the techday series. Gather more information on the matter of the weather satellite. Indulge into the history by further reading more.
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Author: PC-GR
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