Vanguard I has spent six decades in orbit, more than any other craft

As of this month, the US satellite Vanguard I has spent 60 years in orbit and it remains the oldest man-made object in space. Vanguard I was the fourth satellite launched into orbit — following the USSRs Sputnik I and II and the US Explorer I. But none of the first three remain in orbit today and though Vanguard I cant send signals back to Earth anymore, its still providing valuable data for researchers.
The first two attempts to launch the first Vanguard satellite failed,…<...
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