Vanguard 1: After 67 years the dean could return from the satellites

After 67 years of silent navigation around our planet, Vanguard 1, the longest artificial satellite that is still in a terrestrial track, could return home soon. A team of experts, including spacecraft engineers, historians and writers, has been advanced A fascinating proposal: study up close and recover this pioneer of the space age. A company that, if made, would represent an absolute primacy when restoring a space vehicle that has stayed for so long on the rigid conditions of the room.

It was the distant 1958, in the middle of the space competition between the United States and the then Soviet Union. After a few first difficulties, culminating in the bankruptcy litter of the first American satellite, Vanguard 1 managed to reach the track on March 17 and became the second American satellite to perform this historical performance. While Explorer 1, shortly previously launched, in 1970, Vanguard 1 of the earth, returned to the atmosphere of the earth, born from the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), continues his Elliptical journey around the earth, with a perigee of approximately 660 kilometers and an Apogee of 34.25 Gladen, on one Helling.

Nowadays, this little pioneer, who was the first satellite to generate energy through solar cells, It has not transferred more information since 1964When the energy produced by its solar panels descended under the threshold that is needed to feed the channel. However, its position is constantly checked and public tracking data reveals the job.

The idea of ​​recovering Vanguard 1, although not completely new, gains ground. Matt Billle, Aerospace Research Analyst at Booz Allen Hamilton, led a feasibility study about this scenario. “We are not the first to have this idea, and we hope we are not the last”, Bille said to Space.com and underlined how the final decision depends on the evaluation of the value of this operation with regard to the costs incurred by interested entities.

But what can be learned from a close inspection of this veteran of the room? According to the research team, the analysis of its solar cells, batteries and metals, as well as The study of the effects of micrometorites and space waste collected in almost seventy years, would offer valuable information. It would be a unique opportunity to investigate the effects of long -term exposure to the space environment on materials and components.

Various options are also outlined for a possible recovery mission. One of these plans to reduce the job of Vanguard 1 to facilitate their interception, while Another proposes to transport it to the International Space Station (ISS) and then prepare for the return to Earth. Once studied, this piece of space history could become a charming exhibition in the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum.

The study team assumes the establishment of a “Vanguard Mission Authority” (VMA) that supervises the entire operation, divided into two phases: initially the acquisition of detailed images of the satellite to evaluate the conditions, followed in the case of a positive outcome, with a real recovery phase. However, approaching such a small object – an aluminum ball with only 15 centimeters in diameter with an atenna of 91 centimeters – will require extreme caution.

The financial aspect may not be underestimated. The team suggests that a private lender with historical or philanthropic interests could take the costs. Names such as Jared Isaacman, an entrepreneur who financed his space travel with SpaceX or Jeff Bezos of Blue Origin, who supported the recovery of the Saturn V -Enkines of the Apollo program, are mentioned as possible interested figures.

Maintaining Vanguard 1 on Earth would not only be a very prestigious technical company, but would also offer important learning opportunities for engineers and historic spaces of space. As Bille and his colleagues indicate, “Restoring Vanguard 1 would be a challenge, but a step forward achievable and priceless value for the entire American space community.“An opinion shared by Bill Raynor of the Naval Research Laboratory, which emphasizes how to follow the Banguard Orbit 1 has provided fundamental data for understanding the irregular form of the earth.