Chronology - Quarter 2 1955

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Previous Home Next 1955 April 1 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-5. Model: R-5M. ZI test Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). References: 2. 1955 April 1 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-5. Model: R-5M. ZI test Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). References: 2. 1955 April - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: R-7. Housing/road constructions starts at Tyuratam Nation: USSR. References: 78. 1955 April - Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas A. New WDD complex Nation: USA. New WDD complex activated on Arbor Vitae Blvd. in Los Angeles References: 4460. 1955 April 6 - X-2 Flight 3 Nation: USA. Payload: X-2 # 1 flight 3. Class: Manned. Type: Rocketplane. Spacecraft: X-2 . Crew: Everest. Third glide flight. Damaged on landing. Following flight, plane returned to Bell plant for extensive modifications to landing gear system to prevent further landing accidents and for installation of its rocket engine. References: 49, 97. 1955 April 8 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-1. Model: R-1 8A11. LV Configuration: R-1 8A11 No 410. Operational test Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 2. 1955 April 8 - 15:19 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Deacon. Model: Nike Deacon. DAN-1 test Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 108 km (67 mi). References: 2. 1955 April 9 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-1. Model: R-1 8A11. LV Configuration: R-1 8A11 No 1811. Operational test Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 2. 1955 April 12 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-1. Model: R-1 8A11. LV Configuration: R-1 8A11 No 405. Operational test Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 2. 1955 April 14 - Wernher von Braun becomes a US citizen. Nation: USA. 1955 April 15 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-1. Model: R-1 8A11. LV Configuration: R-1 8A11 No 215. Operational test Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 2. 1955 April 20 - 06:51 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC6. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Redstone. Model: Redstone. LV Configuration: Redstone RS-9. FAILURE: Guidance system malfunction at 310 sec due to air pressure loss. ST-80 lateral guidance only. Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 90 km (55 mi). Missile test failure. Missed aimpoint by 7,000 m. References: 2. 1955 April 21 - 15:58 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee Hi. LV Configuration: Aerobee Hi USAF 55. AJ11-6 engine test Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 198 km (123 mi). First launcing of USAF Aerobee-Hi sounding rocket. Rocket test, 98 kg payload. Launched at 0858 local time. Reached 198 km. References: 2. 1955 May 1 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-11. Model: R-11FM. Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). References: 2. 1955 May 1 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-11. Model: R-11FM. Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). References: 2. 1955 May 1 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-11. Model: R-11FM. Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). References: 2. 1955 May 1 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-5. Model: R-5M. State trials missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). References: 2. 1955 May 1 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-5. Model: R-5M. State trials missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). References: 2. 1955 May 2 - Launch Vehicle: Titan. Model: Titan 1. Titan 1 begun. Nation: USA. USAF approved Western Development Division proposals to inaugurate a second ICBM airframe, which became the Titan ICBM (SM-68). References: 17. 1955 May 12 - General Operational Requirement 12 for a piloted, high-altitude, reconnaissance weapon system available by 1959. Nation: USA. Spacecraft: Dynasoar, Bomi. Air Force headquarters announced General Operational Requirement 12 for a piloted, high-altitude, reconnaissance weapon system available by 1959. 1955 May 14 - Warsaw Pact, east European mutual defense agreement, signed Nation: USSR. 1955 May 21 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-11. Model: R-11FM. Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). References: 2. 1955 May 23 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Redstone. Project Orbiter plans. Nation: USA. Project Orbiter Conference was held at Redstone Arsenal and at Cape Canaveral. References: 17. 1955 May 23 - Launch Vehicle: RS, RSS-52. RS ramjet-powered Mach 3 intercontinental aircraft Nation: USSR. P V Tsybin’s OKB-256 selected to build the RS ramjet-powered Mach 3 intercontinental reconnaissance/strike aircraft. The aircraft, air-launched from a Tu-95N bomber, was in competition with the V M Myasishchev (OKB-23) RSS-52 system. 1955 May 23 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC3. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: X-17. Model: X-17 QTV. LV Configuration: X-17 QTV Q-2. Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555. Apogee: 11 km (6 mi). References: 2. 1955 May 23 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC3. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: X-17. Model: X-17 QTV. LV Configuration: X-17 QTV Q-1. Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi). References: 2. 1955 May 25 - 04:24 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC6. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Redstone. Model: Redstone. LV Configuration: Redstone RS-10. FAILURE: Guidance system malfunction at 155, sec due to wiring error. Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 90 km (55 mi). Missile test failure. Missed aimpoint by 17,200 m. References: 2. 1955 May 30 - Korolev rehabilitated. Nation: USSR. Seventeen years after his arrest, and after ten years as head of the Soviet rocketry program, Korolev's arrest and imprisonment during Stalin's purges are rescinded. 1955 June 1 - Launch Vehicle: Saturn C-3, Saturn I, Saturn V. NERVA project begins. Nation: USA. Program: NERVA. NACA Lewis Laboratory presented ARDC with results of air-breathing nuclear propulsion systems for manned applications, leading to AEC-AF Pluto project, and also initiated comparison of nuclear rocket with chemical systems for ICBM, a concept of use to Rover program. References: 17. 1955 June 1 - Rocket test stand improvements. Nation: USA. First experimental use at NACA Lewis Laboratory of a "boot-strap" rocket-exhaust powered ejector to permit rocket testing at simulated high-altitude conditions without complicated and expensive exhausting facilities. References: 17. 1955 June 1 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-11. Model: R-11FM. Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). References: 2. 1955 June 1 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-11. Model: R-11FM. Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). References: 2. 1955 June 1 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-11. Model: R-11FM. Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). References: 2. 1955 June - Launch Vehicle: Navaho. Model: Navaho G-26. First pair of Navaho ramjets accepted by Air Force Nation: USA. Program: Navaho. References: 221. 1955 June 3 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Honest John. LV Configuration: Honest John 1023RO. Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA?. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi). References: 2. 1955 June 3 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Honest John. LV Configuration: Honest John 1036RO. Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA?. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi). References: 2. 1955 June 6 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-5. Model: R-5M. State trials missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). References: 2. 1955 June 13 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC3. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: X-17. Model: X-17 HTV. LV Configuration: X-17 HTV-1 Q-4. FAILURE: Failure. Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555. Apogee: 0 km ( mi). References: 2. 1955 June 15 - Launch Vehicle: Redstone. First Redstone production contract. Nation: USA. Chrysler Corporation received the first industrial contract for the Redstone. 1955 June 16 - 01:11 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee AJ10-27. LV Configuration: Aerobee AJ10-27 USAF 56. Classified mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 203 km (126 mi). Special classified flight research. Launched at 1811 local time. Reached 202.8 km. References: 2. 1955 June 18 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-1. Model: R-1 8A11. LV Configuration: R-1 8A11 No 318. Operational test Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 2. 1955 June 19 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: R-7. First surveyors arrive at Tyuratam. Nation: USSR. References: 89. 1955 June 22 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-5. Model: R-5M. State trials missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). References: 2. 1955 June 23 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC3. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: X-17. Model: X-17 HTV. LV Configuration: X-17 HTV H-1. Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi). References: 2. 1955 June 23 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-5. Model: R-5M. State trials missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). References: 2. 1955 June 24 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-1. Model: R-1 8A11. LV Configuration: R-1 8A11 No 305. Operational test Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 2. 1955 June 24 - 18:04 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Deacon. Model: Nike Deacon. DAN-2 Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 105 km (65 mi). First Nike-Deacon sounding rocket launched at Wallops Island in cooperative USAF-NACA program of upper air density measurements. References: 2. 1955 June 30 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC3. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: X-17. Model: X-17 HTV. LV Configuration: X-17 HTV H-3. Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555. Apogee: 9.00 km (5.50 mi). References: 2. 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.