Space History Photo: Vanguard Satellite SLV-2 Being Examined at Cape Canaveral

News
By published
space history, nasa, satellites
The Solar X-ray radiation satellite which was launched on June 26, 1958, known as the Vanguard satellite SLV-2, is being checked out at Cape Canaveral. (Image credit: NASA.)

In this historical photo from the U.S. space agency, Vanguard satellite SLV-2 is being checked out at Cape Canaveral, Florida. The Solar X-ray radiation satellite was launched June 26, 1958. The second stage of the launch vehicle ended prematurely due to low chamber pressure and terminated the mission. The launch was part of the U.S. International Geophysical Year program under the direction of the Office of Naval Research.

Each weekday, SPACE.com looks back at the history of spaceflight through photos (archive).

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com.

NASA Archives
NASA Archives
U.S. Space Agency

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is the U.S. government agency in charge of the civilian space program as well as aeronautics and aerospace research. Founded in 1958, NASA is a civilian space agency aimed at exploring the universe with space telescopes,  satellites, robotic spacecraft, astronauts and more. The space agency has 10 major centers based across the U.S. and launches robotic and crewed missions from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral Florida. It's astronaut corps is based at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. To follow NASA's latest mission, follow the space agency on Twitter or any other social channel, of visit: nasa.gov. 

More about spaceflight

SpaceX launches 10th batch of 'proliferated architecture' spy satellites for US government (video)

This Week In Space podcast: Episode 157 — Space Force!

SpaceX launch creates a 'nebula' | Space picture of the day for April 21, 2025
See more latest
Most Popular
a red and blue nebula-like display is left behind by a rocket engine's plume
SpaceX launch creates a 'nebula' | Space picture of the day for April 21, 2025
NASA astronaut Don Pettit waves after arriving in Houston on April 20, 2025. Pettit returned to Earth on April 19 to wrap up a seven-month mission on the International Space Station.
Don Pettit, NASA's oldest active astronaut at 70, arrives in Houston after 7-month space mission (photo)
A white Atlas V rocket with strap on boosters vents gas during fueling for Amazon's Kuiper 1 satellite launch.
Amazon's Kuiper 1 internet satellites get new April 28 launch date on Atlas V rocket after delay
An illustration of a blue planet to the right with a bright star in the back.
Did we actually find signs of alien life on K2-18b? 'We should expect some false alarms and this may be one'
A small fleet of tiny satellites orbits the moon
Blue Skies Space to build satellite fleet around the moon to map the ancient universe
four people in blue jumpsuits featuring the numeral '4' stare upward from an empty city street
'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' trailer shown at CinemaCon now arrives for us all (video)
a red cone-shaped structure glows against thousands of background stars
Twinkling star reveals the secrets of turbulent plasma in our cosmic neighborhood
wispy clouds of gas stretch across the width of the image, shining in purples, blues and deep reds. hundreds of stars twinkle in the background
Colorful Eagle Nebula glows in stunning new image from Hubble Telescope
a cloud of purple gas in space seen against hundreds of colorful swirls of light
How did this ancient black hole get so big?
A chapter of the layered geological history of Mars is laid bare in this image from NASA's Curiosity rover. The image shows the base of Mount Sharp, the rover's eventual science destination.
NASA's Curiosity rover finds major clue that Mars was once habitable