The satellite needs to reach about 17,000 miles an hour to reach orbit and be pointed in the right direction. My Dad designed Vanguard 1, the fourth satellite in orbit and the oldest one still there. The first six seconds of the video shows me and my brother and three sisters arranged around the Vanguard 1 a week or two before its launch (I’m wearing the red coat).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msLSW1U1t1U
Thank you for not treating me like an idiot.
Cool video... thanks...
You father is obviously a very intelligent man!