The Vanguard satellite was a 13 inch spherical satellite which contained a precise magnetometer to map the Earth's magnetic field. The satellite was lost together with the Vanguard Balloon when the Vanguard launch vehicle second stage was damaged during staging. April 14, 1959 at 02:49 UTC · Launch Failure Vanguard — US Navy, to Low Earth Orbit Launch Complex 18A, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA The world's 37th orbital launch attempt, and 6th of 1959. Data: Launch Library 2, The Space Devs. Image by NASA (NASA Image and Media Guidelines) via The Space Devs.