DIY Homeschooler

On March 17, 1958, the United States launched Vanguard 1, the first of the Vanguard series of satellites. Project Vanguard was created to test the launch capabilities of a three-stage launch vehicle.

Table of Contents

• The Beginning of Man-made Satellites
• Vanguard 1 Today
• Satellites
• Suggestions

The Beginning of Man-made Satellites

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, various authors and scientists began writing about the possibility of launching a man-made satellite into orbit around the earth. 

The first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, was launched into earth’s orbit on October 4, 1957, by the Soviet Union. At that point, the Space Race began, as the Soviet Union and the United States military, political, and scientific leaders began to see the benefit of owning the “high ground.” Space could allow governments to observe changing events quickly, and communicate this information to counter an enemy attack.

Vanguard 1 Today

Vanguard 1 was the first solar-powered satellite launched. Although communications were lost in 1964, Vanguard 1 continues to orbit the earth, making it the oldest orbiting satellite.

Vanguard 1 is about 6.5 inches in diameter and weighs approximately 3.2 lbs. It has six short antennas protruding from it. Vanguard makes one orbit every 134.2 minutes. 

The data collected from Vanguard 1’s transmitters was used primarily for tracking its orbit, and determining communication to the ground tracking stations. The tracking data showed that earth has a north/south asymmetry that could be described as pear-shaped with the stem coming out the North Pole. 

Vanguard 1 also contained two temperature-sensing devices that tracked internal temperatures. The mission resulted data used to calculate functions for atmospheric drag based on altitude, latitude, season, and solar activity.

Vanguard 1 has completed over 200,000 orbits since first being launched. NASA estimates its orbital lifetime at 200 to 300 years.

Satellites

A satellite is any object that orbits another object, though we typically think of them as objects that orbit the earth. They could be man-made objects like Vanguard 1 or a natural object like the moon.

Man-made satellites serve many purposes, for example:

• Weather tracking.
• GPS.
• Research.
• Broadcasting.

There are currently thousands of satellites orbiting the earth.

After serving their purpose, most satellites will eventually become “space junk.” At that time they are usually allowed to fall out of orbit and burn up in the atmosphere, or in some cases, they are pushed further out into space.

Suggestions

Have your students do one or more of the following. Resources below will help!

• Explore and list 10 uses of satellites today.
• Choose one of these to learn more about.
• Draw a model of Vanguard 1 and label it.
• Create a timeline of the history of satellites.
• Use a blank world map to plot Vanguard 1 through a complete orbit (tracking links below).
• Learn more about the moon. Why do we consider it a satellite of earth?
• Explain what a geostationary orbit is. Why is it important?

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Further Investigation

Launch of Vanguard 1
(You may want to install an ad blocker before viewing.)

Vanguard 1
Background from NASA.

Sputnik: The New York Times Looks Back
Interesting look at the satellite that started it all.

First US Attempt – Vanguard (archived)
The first attempt at launching the Vanguard 1 was a failure.

What is a Satellite
Explanation from NASA.

Orbits ‘R’ Us (archived)
Simple explanation for kids from NASA.

An Early History of Satellites
Great infographic timeline from the Jet Propulsion Laboratories!

Activities

Real-Time Tracking: Vanguard 1
You can track the Vanguard 1 using this site.

World Map of Live Satellite Positions
You can also track all of the satellites in the world!

Satellite Anatomy
From SpaceFoundation.org.

TOPEX/Poseidon Kids Page (archived)
Provides a tour of the TOPEX/Poseidon launched in 1992 to map ocean surface topography.

Projectile Motion 2.03
A spacecraft must be placed on a certain trajectory to launch a satellite into orbit. Practice projectile launching at this fun, but educational site from the University of Colorado.

Build a Satellite
STEM lesson from JPL.

Build Your Own Satellite
The edible option is preferred! From NASA.

Moving Satellite
LEGO project!

Books

Pioneer Saturn Encounter
NASA publication that brings the program forward:

Other spacecraft are following along the trail blazed by Pioneer Saturn. Voyager 1 passed by Jupiter in March 1979 and will reach Saturn in November 1980. Voyager 2 has also passed beyond Jupiter and will encounter Saturn in August 1981, with the further possibility of traveling on to Uranus (a 1986 encounter).

Lesson Plans

Where Am I: Navigation and Satellites
Lesson plan at TeachEngineering.org.

Keep in Touch: Communications and Satellites
Another lesson plan at TeachEngineering.org.

Notebooking Pages

Weather Satellite Coloring Page
From NOAA.

How Big is a Satellite
Great colorful infographic for notebook from NOAA.

Satellite Notebooking Pages
Simple pages for copywork, narrations, and wrapping up.

These units have been created specifically with do-it-yourself (DIY) homeschoolers in mind: those that don’t want a lot of hand-holding. If this doesn’t describe your need, you might prefer a few of these pre-planned units. For those brave souls who enjoy pulling things together themselves, there are many ways to use these resources!