Explorer 1 was boosted into space by the Army on Jan. 31, 1958. Nevertheless, despite setbacks, Vanguard 1 did reach orbit on March 17, 1958 as the second U.S. satellite. And guess what?

The Vanguard Utilities ETF usually holds up well in volatile markets and has surprisingly good growth prospects. The Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF is a solid pick when uncertainty reigns in the ...