Vanguard 1 is a small satellite launched by the United States on March 17, 1958. It was part of the Vanguard program, which aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of satellite technology. Weighing only about 1.5 kilograms, Vanguard 1 was the first solar-powered satellite and provided valuable data about the Earth's atmosphere and radiation. The satellite orbits the Earth at an altitude of approximately 3,960 kilometers. Although it stopped transmitting signals in 1964, Vanguard 1 remains in orbit and is one of the oldest human-made objects in space. Its long-lasting presence contributes to our understanding of space debris and satellite longevity.