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Vanguard TV3 rocket fails in highly publicized launch attempt

The U.S. Navy's Vanguard TV3 rocket exploded and fell back onto the launch pad during a televised attempt to place a small satellite into orbit from Cape Canaveral.

The visible failure, coming after Soviet Sputnik launches, intensified public and political concern about American lag in the space race and helped spur accelerated U.S. efforts that led to the creation of a coordinated civilian space program.

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