Chronology - Quarter 3 1954

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Previous Home Next 1954 July 1 - Launch Site: Edwards. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Navaho. Model: Navaho X-10. LV Configuration: X-10 s/n 2 GM-19308. Navaho X-10 flight 7 Nation: USA. Program: Navaho. Vehicle crashed and burned after 8 minutes of flight when a fire developed aboard. References: 2, 17. 1954 July 1 - Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas A. Western Development Division (WDD) established by USAF Nation: USA. Western Development Division (WDD) established by AF under ARDC to manage Atlas development; Rocketdyne put on contract for propulsion system References: 4460. 1954 July 1 - Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas A. Rocketdyne put on contract for Atlas engines. Nation: USA. Western Development Division (WDD) established by AF under ARDC to manage Atlas development; References: 4460. 1954 July - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-2. Model: R-2. First test launch of missile modified for heavier payload. Nation: USSR. References: 2, 283, 344. 1954 July - NACA established the characteristics of the X-15 and presented them to the Air Force and Navy Nation: USA. Spacecraft: X-15A. The two services and NACA signed a memorandum of understanding for the joint project in Dec. 1954. In 1952 the NACA had begun preliminary research into space flight and associated problems. 1954 July - Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas A. Scientific Advisory Board recommendations rejected. Nation: USA. Scientific Advisory Board recommendations differing from Teapot Committee rejected References: 4460. 1954 July 2 - X-1A Flight 19 Nation: USA. Payload: X-1A flight 19. Class: Manned. Type: Rocketplane. Spacecraft: X-1A. Crew: Murray. AF flight 13. Date estimated. References: 49, 97. 1954 July 2 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-1. Model: R-1D. LV Configuration: R-1D 2. Test / biology / ionosphere / aeronomy mission Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). Payload, instruments, left and right animal containers all recovered. Smoke container failed. Carried dogs Lyza and Ryjik. References: 2. 1954 July 7 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-1. Model: R-1D. LV Configuration: R-1D 3. Test / biology / ionosphere / aeronomy mission Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). Payload recovered; left animal container, smoke container. References: 2. 1954 July 9 - Launch Vehicle: X-15. Model: X-15A. X-15 project begun. Nation: USA. Program: X-15. Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: X-15A. NACA met with USAF and Navy BuAer representatives to propose the X-15 as an extension of the cooperative rocket research aircraft program. The NACA proposal was accepted as a joint effort and a memorandum of understanding was signed on December 23 naming NACA as technical director of the project, with advice from a joint Research Airplane Committee. References: 17. 1954 July 9 - Yangel named Chief Designer. Nation: USSR. Decree 'On appointment of M. K. Yangel as Chief Designer of OKB-586' was issued. References: 474. 1954 July 9 - Memorandum of understanding initiates the X-15 project. Nation: USA. Spacecraft: X-15A. After 2 years' study of problems that might be encountered in manned space flight, a joint group - NACA, Air Force, and Navy - met in Washington to discuss the need for a hypersonic research vehicle and to decide on the type of aircraft that could attain these objectives. The NACA proposal was accepted in December 1954, and a formal memorandum of understanding was signed to initiate the X-15 project. Technical direction of the project was assigned to the NACA. On November 9, 1961, the X-15 reached its design speed of over 4,000 miles per hour and achieved partial space conditions on July 17, 1962, when it reached an altitude of 314,750 feet. By the latter date, the Mercury spacecraft had made two manned orbital flights. References: 483. 1954 July 13 - Launch Vehicle: R-11. R-11 accepted into military service. Nation: USSR. Council of Soviet Ministers (SM) Decree 'On adoption of the R-11 into armaments' was issued. References: 474. 1954 July 16 - X-1A Flight 20 Nation: USA. Payload: X-1A flight 20. Class: Manned. Type: Rocketplane. Spacecraft: X-1A. Crew: Murray. AF flight 14. Date estimated. References: 49, 97. 1954 July 20 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC33. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Hermes. Model: Hermes A-3B. LV Configuration: Hermes A-3B 2/A-16. Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: GE. Apogee: 35 km (21 mi). References: 2. 1954 July 30 - X-1A Flight 21 Nation: USA. Payload: X-1A flight 21. Class: Manned. Type: Rocketplane. Spacecraft: X-1A. Crew: Murray. AF flight 15. Date estimated. References: 49, 97. 1954 August 1 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-5. Model: R-5. Phase 3 state trials launch Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). References: 2. 1954 August 1 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-5. Model: R-5. Phase 3 state trials launch Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). Through February 1955 the state acceptance trials for the production missile were conducted. 19 launches were made, 10 of which passed the acceptance criteria, 5 did not, and 4 were used for test of the new radio-correction guidance system. This used the R-5R variant of the missile; one of those four tests was unsuccessful. References: 2. 1954 August - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-2. Model: R-2. Final test launch of missile modified for heavier payload. Nation: USSR. References: 2, 283, 344. 1954 August - Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas A. First USAF WDD Facility Nation: USA. Inglewood "Schoolhouse" WDD facility established References: 4460. 1954 August 2 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-1. Model: R-1 8A11. LV Configuration: R-1 8A11 No 320. Operational test Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 2. 1954 August 5 - X-2 Flight 1 Nation: USA. Payload: X-2 # 1 flight 1. Class: Manned. Type: Rocketplane. Spacecraft: X-2 . Crew: Everest. First glide flight of the second X-2, number 46-674, after delivery to Edwards AFB a month earlier. Damaged on landing. References: 49, 97. 1954 August 7 - First space cabin simulator. Nation: USA. The Air Force School of Aviation Medicine at Randolph Field, Texas, received the first specifically built space cabin simulator. References: 483. 1954 August 8 - X-1A Flight 22 Nation: USA. Payload: X-1A flight 22. Class: Manned. Type: Rocketplane. Spacecraft: X-1A. Crew: Murray. AF flight 16. Date estimated. References: 49, 97. 1954 August 8 - OKB-52 established. Nation: USSR. Central Committee of the Communist Party and Council of Soviet Ministers Decree 'On establishment of OKB-52 at Reutov' was issued. References: 474. 1954 August 12 - Launch Site: Edwards. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Navaho. Model: Navaho X-10. LV Configuration: X-10 s/n 4 GM-19310. Navaho X-10 flight 8 Nation: USA. Program: Navaho. Structural test flight, extreme dive and then pull up at Mach 1.3. References: 2, 17. 1954 August 12 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-5. Model: R-5. Phase 3 state trials launch Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). References: 2. 1954 August 13 - Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 2. Model: R-12. R-12 development authorised. Nation: USSR. Decree 'On the Creation and preparation of the R-12 (8K63) missile--start of work an the R-12' was issued. References: 474. 1954 August 15 - Launch Vehicle: Redstone. Model: Jupiter C. Von Braun proposes launch of US satellite. Nation: USA. Program: Explorer. Payload: Explorer A. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Spacecraft: Explorer A. Von Braun report 'A Minimum Satellite Vehicle Based on Components Available from Developments of the Army Ordnance Corps' in response to June Pentagon meeting proposes $ 100,000 to launch satellite by Redstone. References: 86. 1954 August 18 - 14:04 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC4. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Redstone. Model: Redstone. LV Configuration: Redstone RS-4. FAILURE: Steam generator regulator malfunction caused drop in combustion pressure. Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 90 km (55 mi). Missile test failure. Missed aimpoint by 19,200 m. References: 2. 1954 August 19 - X-1A Flight 23 Nation: USA. Payload: X-1A flight 23. Class: Manned. Type: Rocketplane. Spacecraft: X-1A. Crew: Murray. AF flight 17. Date estimated. References: 49, 97. 1954 August 26 - X-1A Flight 24 Nation: USA. Payload: X-1A flight 24. Class: Manned. Type: Rocketplane. Spacecraft: X-1A. Crew: Murray. AF flight 18. Murray attained 27584 m. Air Force then turned X-1A over to NACA. References: 49, 97. 1954 August 26 - Launch Vehicle: R-11. R-11M development authorised. Nation: USSR. Council of Soviet Ministers (SM) Decree 'On approval of work on the R-11M missile' was issued. References: 474. 1954 August 26 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC33. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Hermes. Model: Hermes A-3B. LV Configuration: Hermes A-3B 3. FAILURE: Failure. Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: GE. Apogee: 3.00 km (1.80 mi). References: 2. 1954 August 27 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-1. Model: R-1 8A11. LV Configuration: R-1 8A11 No 520. Operational test Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 2. 1954 August 27 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-1. Model: R-1 8A11. LV Configuration: R-1 8A11 No 420. Operational test Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 2. 1954 August 29 - X-1B Flight 1 Nation: USA. Payload: X-1B flight 12. Class: Manned. Type: Rocketplane. Spacecraft: X-1B. Crew: McKay. NACA flight 2. Cabin-pressure regulator malfunction causes inner canopy to crack; only low-speed, low-altitude maneuvers made. References: 49, 97. 1954 September 1 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-5. Model: R-5. Phase 3 state trials launch Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). References: 2. 1954 September 1 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-5. Model: R-5. Phase 3 state trials launch Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). References: 2. 1954 September 1 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-5. Model: R-5. Phase 3 state trials launch Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). References: 2. 1954 September 3 - Launch Site: Edwards. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Navaho. Model: Navaho X-10. LV Configuration: X-10 s/n 1 GM-19307. Navaho X-10 flight 9 Nation: USA. Program: Navaho. Test of automatic landing system. System failed and gear would not deploy. Radio-controlled belly landing made on lake bed. Vehicle was repairable. References: 2, 17. 1954 September 6 - Eisenhower launches world atomic pool without Soviet Union Nation: USA. 1954 September 21 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC33. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Hermes. Model: Hermes A-3B. LV Configuration: Hermes A-3B 4. Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: GE. Apogee: 36 km (22 mi). References: 2. 1954 September 22 - Launch Vehicle: Navaho. Model: Navaho G-38. Navaho G-38 modified Nation: USA. Program: Navaho. Acting on the North American recommendation of January, the Air Force drops the XW-13 warhead for the production Navaho and authorized production of a larger version to carry a 4500-kg warhead. References: 221. 1954 September 24 - X-1B Flight 2 Nation: USA. Payload: X-1B flight 1. Class: Manned. Type: Rocketplane. Spacecraft: X-1B. Crew: Ridley. AF flight 1. Glide flight, because of turbopump over-speeding. References: 49, 97. 1954 September 26 - Russia sounding rockets reach 240 miles. Nation: USSR. Moscow radio reprted U.S.S.R. sent rockets to 240-miles height; claimed rocket for interplanetary travel designed and flight principles worked out. References: 17. 1954 September 26 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: SM-49. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-11. Model: R-11FM. Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). References: 2. 1954 September 28 - Launch Site: Edwards. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Navaho. Model: Navaho X-10. LV Configuration: X-10 s/n 4 GM-19310. Navaho X-10 flight 10 Nation: USA. Program: Navaho. Structural test flight. Successfully made extreme maneuvers at Mach 1.84. However automated landing system attempted to make landing flare 6 m below the runway level. Vehicle impacted at high speed and was destroyed. However the flight set a speed record for a turbojet-powered aircraft. References: 2, 17. 1954 September 29 - Launch Vehicle: Redstone. Redstone contract awarded. Nation: USA. Army Ordnance awarded contract for Redstone missile to Chrysler Corp. References: 17. Previous Home Next Contact us with any corrections, additions, or comments. Conditions for use of drawings, pictures, or other materials from this site.. To contact astronauts or cosmonauts. © Mark Wade, 1997 - 2008 except where otherwise noted.