Vanguard 1, an American satellite, was launched March 17, 1958. It was the fourth satellite to be successfully launched, following Sputnik 1, Sputnik 2 and Explorer 1. Vanguard 1 was the first satellite to have solar electric power.
It transmitted radio signals for over 6 years before contact was lost in May 1964. It remains the oldest man-made object still orbiting the Earth. Estimates had Vanguard 1's orbit lasting for 2000 years, but with atmospheric drag and other factors, it's expected to decay in about 240 years.
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