U.S. satellite to mark 50 years in orbit

The pioneering U.S. satellite Vanguard I is about to reach its 50th year in orbit around the Earth, it was noted Saturday. The Times of London reported Vanguard, the oldest man-made satellite in space, will mark its 50th anniversary Monday. The historic satellite, small compared to today's advanced satellites, was launched March 17, 1958, and soon became the first satellite to offer evidence the Earth is not perfectly round, but actually somewhat pear-shaped. More

(Source: United Press International - Mar 16)