Vanguard 2 was launched from Cape Canaveral, USA, on February 17, 1959. It was the second successful launch into orbit of the American satellite program (IGY Vanguard) The goal of the Vanguard 2 launch was to measure the reflection of sunlight from cloud cover and the Earth's surface.
The Vanguard 2 mission ended on May 8, 1959, with an expected total orbital life of 200 to 300 years. It is a magnesium ball that weighs 10.75 kg and has a diameter of 50.8 cm.