Chronology - Quarter 3 1955

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Previous Home Next 1955 July 1 - Launch Vehicle: Jupiter. Jupiter IRBM proposed. Nation: USA. Huntsville proposes Jupiter 1500 miles range/2500 lb payload. AF proposes Thor. Both authorized. Jupiter also ship-launch capable. References: 86. 1955 July 1 - Launch Vehicle: Rockoon. Rockoon launches. Nation: USA. Instrumented Loki I and Deacon rockets were successfully balloon launched (Rockoons) from shipboard off the coast of Greenland in cosmic-ray studies by State University of Iowa research group. Army Ordnance supplied JPL-developed Loki rockets and ONR sponsored the project. References: 17. 1955 July 1 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-2. Model: R-2. Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). References: 2. 1955 July 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 July 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 July 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 July 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 July 8 - First supersonic rocket sled tests. Nation: USA. First test run was held on the Supersonic Military Air Research Track (SMART), a 12,000-foot track for rocket-propelled sleds at Hurricane, Utah. References: 17. 1955 July 8 - 08:39 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-10. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-10 NRL 23. Mass spectrometers Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 113 km (70 mi). Ion composition research. Launched at 0139 local time. Reached 113.4 km. References: 2. 1955 July 9 - 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 July 13 - Launch Vehicle: R-11. R-11 accepted for military service Nation: USSR. Following a protracted two-year test series, the design was finally accepted for military service on 13 July 1955. In anticipation of this formal decree, in June of 1955 Makeyev was made Chief Designer at SKB-385, responsible for engineering of the R-11 and future small land and sea based ballistic missiles. SKB-385 was given complete responsibility for development of the sub-launched R-11FM in August 1955. 1955 July 14 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC3. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: X-17. Model: X-17 HTV. LV Configuration: X-17 HTV H-2. Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi). References: 2. 1955 July 20 - X-1A Flight 25 Nation: USA. Payload: X-1A flight 25. Class: Manned. Type: Rocketplane. Spacecraft: X-1A. Crew: Walker Joseph. NACA flight 1. Familiarization. Walker attained mach 1.45 at 13725 m. Noted severe aileron buzz at mach 0.90 to 0.92. References: 49, 97. 1955 July 25 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-1. Model: R-1 8A11. LV Configuration: R-1 8A11 No 104. Operational test Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 2. 1955 July 26 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-1. Model: R-1 8A11. LV Configuration: R-1 8A11 No 119. Operational test Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 2. 1955 July 29 - Launch Vehicle: Vanguard. Eisenhower approves earth satellites for IGY Nation: USA. Spacecraft: Vanguard 2. President Eisenhower endorsed the IGY proposal for the launching of small earth-circling satellites. References: 483. 1955 July 29 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-1. Model: R-1 8A11. LV Configuration: R-1 8A11 No 0427. Operational test Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 2. 1955 July 30 - 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 August 1 - Launch Vehicle: Vanguard. Vanguard selected to launch first US satellite. Nation: USA. Program: Vanguard. Class: Technology. Spacecraft: Vanguard 1. Ad Hoc Committee on Special Capabilities rejects Army/Von Brauns's Project Orbiter (Redstone) and USAF Atlas proposals; selects Navy/Vanguard for first US satellite. References: 86. 1955 August 1 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-1. Model: R-1 8A11. LV Configuration: R-1 8A11 No 0430. Operational test Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 2. 1955 August 1 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-2. Model: R-2. Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). References: 2. 1955 August 1 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-5. Model: R-5M. PI state trials launch Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). References: 2. 1955 August - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: R-7. LC 1 launch pad excavation starts Nation: USSR. References: 78. 1955 August - Launch Vehicle: R-11. Model: R-11FM. SKB-385 given complete responsibility for development of the sub-launched R-11FM Nation: USSR. This derivative of the land-based R-11 ('Scud') was the first Soviet SLBM. 1955 August 8 - X-1A Flight 26 Nation: USA. Payload: X-1A flight 26. Class: Manned. Type: Rocketplane. Spacecraft: X-1A. Crew: Walker Joseph. Planned at NACA flight 2. Shortly before launch from B-29, X-1A suffered low-order explosion, later traced to detonation of Ulmer leather gaskets. Walker exited into B-29 bomb bay. References: 49, 97. 1955 August 9 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-5. Model: R-5M. PI state trials launch Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). References: 2. 1955 August 16 - Launch Site: NAOTS. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Rockair. Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 55 km (34 mi). References: 2. 1955 August 16 - Launch Site: NAOTS. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Rockair. FAILURE: Failure. Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 50 km (31 mi). First successful demonstration of Rockair technique (resarch rocket launched from aircraft) by ONR and University of Maryland team, a 2.75-inch FFAR rocket fired from a Navy F2H-2 aircraft to an altitude of approximately 180,000 feet. Rockair technique first suggested by Herman Oberth (1929) and others. References: 2. 1955 August 19 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Navaho. Model: Navaho X-10. LV Configuration: X-10 s/n 6 GM-19312. Navaho X-10 flight 16 Nation: USA. Program: Navaho. Agency: USAF. Demonstrated planned automated landing, but drag chute did not deploy after landing. The vehicle overran the skid strip, the nosewheel collapsed in the sand in the overrun, the tanks ruptured, and the vehicle burned. References: 2, 872. 1955 August 24 - Launch Vehicle: Redstone. Model: Jupiter C. Redstone recommended as satellite launcher. Nation: USA. Program: Explorer. Payload: Explorer A. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Spacecraft: Explorer A. Research and development Policy Council (DOD) unanimously recommended that the time-risk factor in the scientific satellite program be brought to the attention of the Secretary of the Defense for determination as to whether a Redstone backup program was indicated. References: 17. 1955 August 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 302. Operational test Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 2. 1955 August 25 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-1. Model: R-1 8A11. LV Configuration: R-1 8A11 No 0315. Operational test Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 2. 1955 August 26 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC3. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: X-17. LV Configuration: X-17 D-1. Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. Apogee: 3.00 km (1.80 mi). References: 2. 1955 August 31 - 00:11 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC6. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Redstone. Model: Redstone. LV Configuration: Redstone RS-7. FAILURE: Excessive temperature in tail section caused malfunction of jet vane control. Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 90 km (55 mi). Missile test failure. Missed aimpoint by 540 m. References: 2. 1955 September 1 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-5. Model: R-5M. Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). References: 2. 1955 September 1 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-5. Model: R-5M. Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). References: 2. 1955 September 1 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-5. Model: R-5M. PI state trials launch Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). References: 2. 1955 September - Air Force selected North American to develop and build three X-15 research aircraft. Nation: USA. Spacecraft: X-15A. A North American team, headed by Chief Project Engineer Charles Feltz, designed the aircraft, with technical guidance from the NACA's Langley Aeronautical Laboratory and High-Speed Flight Station. 1955 September - Launch Vehicle: Burya. Burya preliminary design completed Nation: USSR. Program: Navaho. The Lavochkin team completed preliminary design of the intercontinental Mach 3 cruise missile. 1955 September 9 - Launch Vehicle: Vanguard. Project Vanguard began operations. Nation: USA. Spacecraft: Vanguard 2. The Department of Defense's Stewart Committee reviewed the alternatives for an IGY satellite program: wait for the development of an Atlas launcher, use a modified Redstone, or develop a rocket derived from the Viking missile. The committee voted seven to two in favor of abandoning Project Orbiter (Redstone) and developing Vanguard (Viking derivative with and Aerobee-Hi upper stage). Secretary Donald Quarles ruled with the committee majority in the Department of Defense Policy Committee, which approved the decision. The Department of Defense wrote a letter to the Department of Navy authorizing the Navy Research Laboratory to proceed with the Vanguard proposal. The responsibility for carrying out the program was placed with the Office of Naval Research. Objectives of Project Vanguard were: to develop and procure a satellite-launching vehicle; to place at least one satellite in orbit around the earth during IGY; to accomplish one scientific experiment; and to track flight to demonstrate the satellite actually attained orbit. References: 483. 1955 September 12 - 14:32 GMT - Launch Site: White Sea Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 65.5 N x 38.0 E. Launch Vehicle: R-11. Model: R-11FM. Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). The third test series was conducted from the Project 611 submarine B-67 through 13 October 1955 in the White Sea. This demonstrated launches from a pitching surfaced vessel and a total range of 150 km. References: 2. 1955 September 15 - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Honest John. Model: HJ Nike. FAILURE: Failure. Test launch Nation: USA. Agency: NACA. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi). References: 2. 1955 September 17 - Launch Vehicle: DF-1. Tsien Hsue-shen deported from the United States. Nation: China. Program: Long March. After five years of wrangling, and secret talks in Geneva between the Red Chinese and US governments, Tsien is deported from the United States. Upon arrival in China, he was immediately put to work as head of the Chinese missile program. He had to introduce US systems engineering approaches to Chinese engineers, and build the technical infrastructure to enable China to build rockets. References: 31. 1955 September 21 - Bomi contract extended as Special Reconnaissance System 118P. Nation: USA. Spacecraft: Dynasoar, Bomi. The Bomi contract of the Bell Aircraft Company was extended as a study for the Special Reconnaissance System 118P. 1955 September 22 - 05:51 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC6. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Redstone. Model: Jupiter A. LV Configuration: Jupiter A RS-11. FAILURE: Excessive temperature in tail section caused malfunction of control. Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi). RS-11 was launched at 0051 hours EST from AMR after a three-hour hold. The flight was unsuccessful. The LOX container pressure and the combustion chamber decreased 50 seconds after lift-off. The temperature of Fin Number 1 went out of measuring range 72 seconds after lift-off. The servo battery current dropped to zero and the stabilised platform lost its reference. The range safety officer gave the emergency cut-off signal at 79 seconds. Impact occurred approximately 21,000 yards from the launch pad. The RS-11 was the first flight with the complete guidance system. Missed aimpoint by 118,800 m. References: 2. 1955 September 23 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC3. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: X-17. LV Configuration: X-17 D-2. FAILURE: Failure. Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. Apogee: 5.00 km (3.10 mi). References: 2. 1955 September 23 - 20:34 GMT - Launch Site: Atlantic Ocean. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 42.7 N x 66.2 W. Launch Vehicle: Rockoon. Model: Loki Rockoon. SUI 38 Ionosphere / aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: SUI. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). Launched at Atlantic Ocean Launch Site 13 Launch Point 1 - - Latitude: 42.67 N - Longitude: 66.18 W. References: 2. 1955 September 24 - 16:35 GMT - Launch Site: Atlantic Ocean. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 44.6 N x 60.7 W. Launch Vehicle: Rockoon. Model: Deacon Rockoon. SUI 39 Ionosphere / aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: SUI. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). Launched at Atlantic Ocean Launch Site 13 Launch Point 2 - - Latitude: 44.58 N - Longitude: 60.73 W. References: 2. 1955 September 24 - 21:09 GMT - Launch Site: Atlantic Ocean. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 45.3 N x 59.4 W. Launch Vehicle: Rockoon. Model: Loki Rockoon. SUI 40 Ionosphere / aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: SUI. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). Launched at Atlantic Ocean Launch Site 13 Launch Point 3 - - Latitude: 45.28 N - Longitude: 59.42 W. References: 2. 1955 September 27 - 20:54 GMT - Launch Site: Atlantic Ocean. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 57.9 N x 54.2 W. Launch Vehicle: Rockoon. Model: Deacon Rockoon. SUI 42 Ionosphere / aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: SUI. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). Launched at Atlantic Ocean Launch Site 13 Launch Point 5 - - Latitude: 57.85 N - Longitude: 54.23 W. References: 2. 1955 September 28 - 01:13 GMT - Launch Site: Atlantic Ocean. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 58.5 N x 54.0 W. Launch Vehicle: Rockoon. Model: Loki Rockoon. FAILURE: Failure. SUI 43 Ionosphere / aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: SUI. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). Launched at Atlantic Ocean Launch Site 13 Launch Point 6 - - Latitude: 58.45 N - Longitude: 53.95 W. References: 2. 1955 September 28 - 14:54 GMT - Launch Site: Atlantic Ocean. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 61.2 N x 55.3 W. Launch Vehicle: Rockoon. Model: Deacon Rockoon. SUI 44 Ionosphere / aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: SUI. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). Launched at Atlantic Ocean Launch Site 13 Launch Point 7 - - Latitude: 61.17 N - Longitude: 55.25 W. References: 2. 1955 September 28 - 19:22 GMT - Launch Site: Atlantic Ocean. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 62.0 N x 56.1 W. Launch Vehicle: Rockoon. Model: Deacon-Loki Rockoon. FAILURE: Failure. SUI 45 test Nation: USA. Agency: SUI. Apogee: 102 km (63 mi). Launched at Atlantic Ocean Launch Site 13 Launch Point 8 - - Latitude: 62.03 N - Longitude: 56.08 W. References: 2. 1955 September 29 - 13:42 GMT - Launch Site: Atlantic Ocean. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 65.7 N x 58.0 W. Launch Vehicle: Rockoon. Model: Deacon Rockoon. SUI 46 Ionosphere / aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: SUI. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). Launched at Atlantic Ocean Launch Site 13 Launch Point 9 - - Latitude: 65.65 N - Longitude: 58.00 W. References: 2. 1955 September 29 - 19:13 GMT - Launch Site: Atlantic Ocean. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 67.5 N x 60.3 W. Launch Vehicle: Rockoon. Model: Deacon Rockoon. SUI 47 Ionosphere / aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: SUI. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). Launched at Atlantic Ocean Launch Site 13 Launch Point 10 - - Latitude: 67.52 N - Longitude: 60.25 W. References: 2. 1955 September 29 - 21:52 GMT - Launch Site: Atlantic Ocean. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 66.8 N x 60.0 W. Launch Vehicle: Rockoon. Model: Deacon-Loki Rockoon. FAILURE: Failure. SUI 48 test Nation: USA. Agency: SUI. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). Launched at Atlantic Ocean Launch Site 13 Launch Point 11 - - Latitude: 66.85 N - Longitude: 60.00 W. References: 2. 1955 September 30 - 20:10 GMT - Launch Site: Atlantic Ocean. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 70.2 N x 62.5 W. Launch Vehicle: Rockoon. Model: Loki Rockoon. SUI 49 Ionosphere / aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: SUI. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). Launched at Atlantic Ocean Launch Site 13 Launch Point 12 - - Latitude: 70.20 N - Longitude: 62.45 W. 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.