This replica of Vanguard 1, may have been intended to be either an exhibit object or an engineering mock-up. Vanguard was a series of Earth satellites developed and managed by the Naval Research Laboratory and was to meet the American commitment to the International Geophysical Year. Vanguard 1 was successfully launched on 17 March 1958 and became the second American satellite to orbit the earth. Vanguard 1, though now no longer operative, is expected to stay in orbit for many more years.
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.