Vanguard was an American satellite and the fourth artificial Earth orbital satellite to be launched. It was the first satellite to have solar electric power. September 26, 1958 at 15:38 UTC · Launch Failure Vanguard — US Navy, to Medium Earth Orbit Launch Complex 18A, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA The world's 24th orbital launch attempt, and 21st of 1958. Data: Launch Library 2, The Space Devs. Image by NASA (NASA Image and Media Guidelines) via The Space Devs.