Rocket, Liquid Fuel, Launch Vehicle, Vanguard, Backup TV-2BU Test Vehicle

Object Details

Summary: This is a Vanguard TV-2BU rocket, the U.S.'s first rocket specifically designed to launch satellites. As part of the Vanguard program, the Vanguard TV-2BU test vehicle was prepared for launch by the Martin Company on September 3, 1957. But due to a technical problem the mission was cancelled. The next launch opportunity was on June 22, 1959. However, the TV-4BU test version of the Vanguard was launched instead and orbited Vanguard 3.; Meanwhile, on March 17, 1958, the first successful Vanguard satellite was launched as Vanguard 1 atop a Vanguard TV-3BU rocket. The TV-2BU rocket was thus never used in the program but was essentially a duplicate of the Vanguard 1 vehicle and had the same markings. This TV-2BU was donated to the Smithsonian in 1958 by the Naval Research Lab.
Alternate Name: Vanguard Rocket

1958

Materials: HAZMAT: Cadmium Plating, Magnesium; Overall, aluminum with riveted magnesium sheet skin; the first and second stage integral tanks are of aluminum with riveted magnesium sheet skins; second stage tanks of stainless steel, aluminum frames and magnesium stringers and skin.
Dimensions: Overall: 72 ft. tall × 45 in. diameter, 1800lb. (2194.6 × 114.3cm, 816.5kg); 3-D (A19580114000A, Rigging): 118.4 × 19.7 × 18.4cm (46 5/8 × 7 3/4 × 7 1/4 in.); Storage (A19580114000A, Rigging): 123.2 × 27.9 × 26.7cm (48 1/2 × 11 × 10 1/2 in.)