Little VANGUARD as compared to SPUTNIK |
| Tiny Vanguard (above) was the size of "grapefruit" as Primer Khrushchev jokingly described it. 6.4 inch diameter 3.25 pounds While Sputnik (right) was the size of a beach ball- 23 inches / 585cm diameter and weighed 184 pounds / 83.6Kg (2) |
"The Unites States is trying to orbit grapefruit size satellites" as compared to our Sputnik, says Mr K. |
| On the first try in early December 1957, the Vanguard rocket explodes on the pad within view of the world press. The tiny Vanguard satellite tumbles out of the inferno with its transmitter still beeping. America is embarrassed by the failure. Mr K rubs in the failure, "Perhaps the Unites State needs technical assistance to fulfill its satellite program". |