GAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., Dec. 6--The Vanguard test rocket--with U.S. hopes for some recaptured prestige aboard--barely struggled off the ground today, then fell back and exploded. Although there are ...

In December, the first U.S. satellite launch effort failed spectacularly when its Vanguard rocket exploded during liftoff. In reaction, American interest in space-related toys and science education ...