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Vanguard SLV-5, also called Vanguard Satellite Launch Vehicle Five hoped to be the third successful flight of the American Vanguard rocket following successful Vanguard 2 satellite on rocket Vanguard SLV-4. Vanguard SLV-5 launched on April 14, 1959 02:49 GMT, from Launch Complex 18A at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The rocket was unsuccessful in its attempt to place an unnamed satellite into earth orbit. There was damage to stage 2 at separation, thus the satellite failed to achieve orbit. The underlying cause of the error is unknown. This was a set back in the space race between the USA and Soviet Union.
Vanguard SLV-5 hoped to put in to orbit two satellites: Vanguard 3A satellite, a magnetometer and 30 in (760 mm) round inflatable sphere with an air density measurement device. Vanguard SLV-5 only reached an altitude of 100 km (62 mi), the goal was 3,840 km (2,390 mi) to orbit.