Chronology - Quarter 4 1956

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Previous Home Next 1956 October 1 - X-15 follow-on work begun. Nation: USA. Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Dynasoar. NACA scientists initiated examination of the need for a follow-on manned-rocket research vehicle to the X-15, following ARDC inquiries concerning a boost-glide vehicle. References: 17. 1956 October 1 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC3. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: X-17. LV Configuration: X-17 R-8 4203-8. Re-entry vehicle test Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. Apogee: 145 km (90 mi). References: 2. 1956 October 3 - X-1E Flight 13 Nation: USA. Payload: X-1E flight 13. Class: Manned. Type: Rocketplane. Spacecraft: X-1E. Crew: Walker Joseph. NACA flight 12. Only 60-sec rocket operation; intermittent pump operation. Flight aborted, turbopump and engine replaced. References: 49, 97. 1956 October 5 - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Nike. Model: Nike Recruit. Heat Transfer Re-entry Vehicle test Nation: USA. Agency: NACA. Apogee: 4.00 km (2.40 mi). References: 2. 1956 October 5 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC3. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: X-17. LV Configuration: X-17 R-9 4203-9. Re-entry vehicle test Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. Apogee: 117 km (72 mi). References: 2. 1956 October 13 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC3. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: X-17. LV Configuration: X-17 R-10 4203-10. Re-entry vehicle test Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. Apogee: 102 km (63 mi). References: 2. 1956 October 18 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC3. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: X-17. LV Configuration: X-17 R-11 4203-11. Re-entry vehicle test Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. Apogee: 155 km (96 mi). References: 2. 1956 October 18 - 09:05 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC6. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Redstone. Model: Jupiter A. LV Configuration: Jupiter A CC-14. Jupiter A Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 90 km (55 mi). CC-14 was launched at 0405 hours EST from AMR after a series of short holds. The flight was successful. The actual range was 137.870 nm; 72 meters over and 338 meters right: of the intended impact point. The primary objectives were to test the accuracy of the guidance system and to test angle of-attack meters for the Jupiter. Missed aimpoint by 346 m. References: 2. 1956 October 19 - Hungarian rebellion forces Soviet troops to withdraw from Budapest Nation: USSR. 1956 October - Follow-on to the X-15. Nation: USA. Spacecraft: Dynasoar. NACA scientists were engaged in preliminary studies of the need for a follow-on, manned-rocket research vehicle to the X-15. References: 483. 1956 October 20 - 22:01 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Cajun. Model: Nike Cajun. LV Configuration: Nike Cajun N-C 13. UM AM6.31 Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 113 km (70 mi). References: 2. 1956 October 23 - 08:40 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee AJ10-34. LV Configuration: Aerobee AJ10-34 AM2.21. Pressure Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 145 km (90 mi). Pressure, temperature, density research. Launched at 0240 local time. Reached 145 km. References: 2. 1956 October 25 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC3. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: X-17. LV Configuration: X-17 R-12 4203-12. Re-entry vehicle test Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. Apogee: 124 km (77 mi). References: 2. 1956 October 27 - 21:24 GMT - Launch Site: Atlantic Ocean. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 40.0 N x 71.0 W. Launch Vehicle: Cajun. Model: Nike Cajun. LV Configuration: Nike Cajun N-C 8. UM AM6.08 Sphere? Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 161 km (100 mi). Launched during University of Michigan's 1956 Cruise 1956 at Launch Point 1 - - Latitude: 40.00 N - Longitude: 71.00 W. References: 2. 1956 October 31 - Launch Site: Sea-launched. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: BELA. Launch Vehicle: R-11. Model: R-11FM. Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). References: 2. 1956 October 31 - Launch Site: Sea-launched. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: BELA. Launch Vehicle: R-11. Model: R-11FM. Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). References: 2. 1956 October 31 - 02:04 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC6. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Redstone. Model: Jupiter A. LV Configuration: Jupiter A RS-25. FAILURE: Malfunction of yaw gyro at approximately 10 sec. Ground cut-off command given. Jupiter A Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 0 km ( mi). RS-25 was launched at 2104 hours EST from AMR. The flight was not successful. The behaviour of the missile appeared normal for the first 13 seconds, an early roll disturbance having been smoothly eliminated. Starting at 13 seconds after range zero, the gyro yaw signal indicated increasing yaw for a few seconds and the tracking devices at the same time showed increased displacement to the left of the standard trajectory. The malfunction apparently occurred between the yaw gyro potentiometer output and the outputs of the yaw amplifier of the mixing computer. The primary test objective was to test power plant performance. Missed aimpoint by 264,900 m. References: 2. 1956 November 1 - Launch Vehicle: Jupiter. Jupiter loses Navy support. Nation: USA. Following Navy withdrawal from the Jupiter IRBM program, separate Army and Navy Ballistic Missile Committees were established under chairmanship of respective service secretaries. Navy withdrawal based on interest in solid-propellant Polaris as ship-based IRBM. References: 17. 1956 November 1 - Launch Vehicle: Saturn V. Million pound thrust test stand activiated. Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Rocket test stand capable of testing engines to 1 million pounds thrust activated at Edwards AFB, which became operational in March 1957. References: 17, 27. 1956 November 1 - Imre Nagy announces Hungary's withdrawal from Warsaw Pact Nation: USSR. 1956 November 2 - 05:39 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee AJ10-34. LV Configuration: Aerobee AJ10-34 USAF 74. Sodium Release 4 Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: ARDC. Apogee: 146 km (90 mi). References: 2. 1956 November 2 - 18:40 GMT - Launch Site: Atlantic Ocean. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 49.0 N x 48.0 W. Launch Vehicle: Cajun. Model: Nike Cajun. LV Configuration: Nike Cajun N-C 9. UM AM6.09 Sphere Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 131 km (81 mi). Launched during University of Michigan's 1956 Cruise 1956 at Launch Point 2 - - Latitude: 49.00 N - Longitude: 48.00 W. References: 2. 1956 November 4 - Soviet troops enter and reclaim Budapest Nation: USSR. 1956 November 4 - 18:54 GMT - Launch Site: Atlantic Ocean. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 58.0 N x 47.0 W. Launch Vehicle: Cajun. Model: Nike Cajun. LV Configuration: Nike Cajun N-C 10. UM AM6.10 Sphere Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 162 km (100 mi). Launched during University of Michigan's 1956 Cruise 1956 at Launch Point 3 - - Latitude: 58.00 N - Longitude: 47.00 W. References: 2. 1956 November 5 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC3. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: X-17. LV Configuration: X-17 R-13 4203-13. Re-entry vehicle test Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. Apogee: 118 km (73 mi). References: 2. 1956 November 5 - 07:50 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee Hi. LV Configuration: Aerobee Hi NRL 45 (RV-N-13b). FAILURE: Failure. NRL NN3.02 Aurora mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 0 km ( mi). Aurora, magnetic field research. Also known as IGY NN3.02. Launched at 1301 local time. Altitude not reported; possible failure. References: 2. 1956 November 6 - Hywards abbreviated development plan. Nation: USA. Spacecraft: Dynasoar, Hywards. ARDC headquarters issued System Requirement 121, requesting information from Air Force agencies for the preparation of a Hywards abbreviated development plan. 1956 November 6 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC9. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Navaho. Model: Navaho G-26. LV Configuration: Navaho II SM-64 03. FAILURE: Pitched up, disintegrated at T+26 seconds - pitch rate gyro installed backwards. Navaho G-26 Flight 1 Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 2.00 km (1.20 mi). Continuing problems with APU reliability delayed the launch to November. Various problems extended the countdown from the planned 7 hours 30 minutes to 14 hours 30 minutes. Successful launch, then vehicle pitched up and disintegrated 26 seconds after launch, impacting 4 km down range. It was found the pitch rate gyro had been installed backward. References: 2. 1956 November 6 - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Recruit. Heat Transfer Re-entry Vehicle test Nation: USA. Agency: NASA LeRC. Apogee: 4.00 km (2.40 mi). References: 2. 1956 November 7 - 15:02 GMT - Launch Site: Atlantic Ocean. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 64.0 N x 58.0 W. Launch Vehicle: Cajun. Model: Nike Cajun. LV Configuration: Nike Cajun N-C 11. UM AM6.11 Sphere? Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 169 km (105 mi). Launched during University of Michigan's 1956 Cruise 1956 at Launch Point 4 - - Latitude: 64.00 N - Longitude: 58.00 W. References: 2. 1956 November 10 - 15:17 GMT - Launch Site: Atlantic Ocean. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 66.0 N x 58.0 W. Launch Vehicle: Cajun. Model: Nike Cajun. LV Configuration: Nike Cajun N-C 12. UM AM6.12 Sphere Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 161 km (100 mi). Launched during University of Michigan's 1956 Cruise 1956 at Launch Point 5 - - Latitude: 66.00 N - Longitude: 58.00 W. References: 2. 1956 November - Follow-on to the X-15 project discussed. Nation: USA. Spacecraft: Dynasoar. Personnel of the Air Research and Development Command approached NACA officials on the possible cooperation of NACA in a research airplane project as a follow-on to the X-15 project. NACA agreed to consider the plan and directed its laboratories to initiate feasibility studies relative to the range of speed for the proposed vehicle and an estimate of the time frame in which the vehicle could be developed. References: 483. 1956 November 14 - 02:05 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC6. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Redstone. Model: Jupiter A. LV Configuration: Jupiter A RS-28. FAILURE: Human error in propellant loading plus programmed fuel depletion cut-off. Jupiter A/Sandia PL Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 90 km (55 mi). RS-28 was launched at 2105 EST from AMR. The flight was successful. Actual range was 152.4 nm; 9.51 nm over; and 1.5 kilometres left of the intended impact point. The missile carried the LEV-3 rather than the ST-80 guidance system and used fuel depletion cut-off. The primary test objective was to test the Sandia payload. Missed aimpoint by 19,500 m. References: 2. 1956 November 15 - 19:32 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee Hi. LV Configuration: Aerobee Hi NRL 47 (RV-N-13b). NRL NN3.07F Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 129 km (80 mi). Ionosphere research. Also known as IGY NN3.09. Launched at 1332 local time. Reached 119 km. References: 2. 1956 November 16 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas D. Vandenberg selected as first ICBM base. Nation: USA. Department of Defense transferred northern portion of Camp Cooke, Calif. (now Vandenberg AFB), to the Air Force to be used as first ICBM base. The Secretary of Defense directed the United States Army to transfer 64,000 acres of Camp Cooke's 86,000 acres to the Air Force. References: 17, 278. 1956 November 16 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC3. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: X-17. LV Configuration: X-17 R-14 4203-14. Re-entry vehicle test Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. Apogee: 107 km (66 mi). References: 2. 1956 November 17 - 16:48 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee Hi. LV Configuration: Aerobee Hi NRL 43 (RV-N-13b). NRL NN3.12 Aeronomy / chemical / solar lyra-alpha spectrometry / x-ray mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 209 km (129 mi). Atmospheric structure research. Also known as IGY NN3.12. Launched at 1048 local time. Reached 195 km. References: 2. 1956 November 20 - X-1E Flight 14 Nation: USA. Payload: X-1E flight 14. Class: Manned. Type: Rocketplane. Spacecraft: X-1E. Crew: Walker Joseph. NACA flight 13. No engine operation, ignition failure due to lack of manifold pressure. References: 49, 97. 1956 November 21 - 05:21 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee Hi. LV Configuration: Aerobee Hi NRL 48 (RV-N-13c). NRL NN3.17 Ionosphere / aurora mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 250 km (150 mi). Air and ion composition research. Also known as IGY NN3.17. Launched at 2321 local time. Reached 255 km. References: 2. 1956 November 23 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC3. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: X-17. LV Configuration: X-17 R-15 4203-15. Re-entry vehicle test Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. Apogee: 143 km (88 mi). References: 2. 1956 November 24 - Launch Vehicle: R-5. Model: R-5M. First R-5 launch as ABM target Nation: USSR. R-5M's launched as targets for the V-1000 anti-ballistic missile system. References: 2. 1956 November 26 - Launch Vehicle: Jupiter. DoD assigns long range missiles to Air Force. Nation: USA. Secretary of Defence Wilson rules that Army could not develop missiles over 200 mile range. Jupiter assigned to AF. References: 86. 1956 November 29 - 13:23 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC6. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Redstone. Model: Jupiter A. LV Configuration: Jupiter A CC-15. Jupiter A Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 90 km (55 mi). Launched at 0823 hours EST from AMR. The flight was successful. Actual range was 138.969 nm; .137 nm over and 122 meters left of the intended impact point, a radial miss distance of 260 meters. The primary test objectives were to test the accuracy of the complete guidance system and to test Jupiter control components. Missed aimpoint by 255 m. References: 2. 1956 December - Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas A. First Atlas firing, stand S-l, Sycamore Nation: USA. References: 4460. 1956 December - Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas A. Scheduled design complete (95%) for Atlas A-series missiles Nation: USA. References: 4460. 1956 December 3 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC3. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: X-17. LV Configuration: X-17 R-16 4203-16. Re-entry vehicle test Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. Apogee: 125 km (77 mi). References: 2. 1956 December 5 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: LC1/2?. Launch Vehicle: Snark. LV Configuration: Snark N-69D 53-8172. FAILURE: Failure. Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 0 km ( mi). References: 2. 1956 December 8 - 06:03 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC18A. Launch Pad: LC18A. Launch Vehicle: Viking. Model: Viking Type 9. LV Configuration: Viking Type 9 13/TV0. Vanguard TV0 test Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 204 km (126 mi). First Vanguard test; re-entry studies; not a vertical firing. Launched at 0103 local time. First test rocket in the IGY-U.S. satellite program, a one-stage NRL Viking, attained an altitude of 176 km and a speed of 6,400 kph. Viking No. 13 carried a "minitrack" radio transmitter which was ejected at 80 km and tracked. References: 2. 1956 December 11 - Launch Vehicle: Wasp. Wasp soundings to 160,000 feet. Nation: USA. Twenty-four Wasp research and develoment chaff and parachute rockets, used to obtain wind soundings to 160,000 feet, were fired by Naval Ordnance Missile Test Facility at WSPG. References: 17. 1956 December 11 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC3. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: X-17. LV Configuration: X-17 R-17 4203-17. Re-entry vehicle test Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. Apogee: 144 km (89 mi). References: 2. 1956 December 13 - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Rockaire. LV Configuration: Rockaire RA-1?. Rockair 2710 test Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 44 km (27 mi). References: 2. 1956 December 13 - 02:10 GMT - Launch Site: Akita. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kappa. Model: Kappa 1. LV Configuration: Kappa 1 K-1-7. K-I-T-4 test Nation: Japan. Agency: ISAS. Apogee: 5.00 km (3.10 mi). References: 2. 1956 December 13 - 21:44 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee Hi. LV Configuration: Aerobee Hi USAF 75. AJ11-6 engine test Nation: USA. Agency: ARDC. Apogee: 193 km (119 mi). Rocket test, 80 kg payload payload. Launched at 1444 local time. Reached 193 km. References: 2. 1956 December 17 - Launch Vehicle: Polaris. Model: Polaris A1. Polaris project begun. Nation: USA. Navy Special Projects Office authorized Lockheed to proceed with Polaris development, having withdrawn from the Jupiter program earlier. References: 17. 1956 December 17 - Launch Vehicle: R-16. Development of the R-16 ICBM is authorised. Nation: USSR. Council of Soviet Ministers (SM) Decree 'On the Creation of the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile R-16 (8k64) with Start of LKI in June 1961--start of work on the R-16 ICBM' was issued. References: 474. 1956 December 19 - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Rockaire. LV Configuration: Rockaire RA-4. Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 45 km (27 mi). References: 2. 1956 December 19 - 02:30 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC6. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Redstone. Model: Jupiter A. LV Configuration: Jupiter A RS-22. FAILURE: First experimental flight with Hydyne. Specific impulse exceeded predicted values. Re-entry system intentionally unstable to test Jupiter alpha control. Jupiter A Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 90 km (55 mi). The flight was successful, Actual range was 401.6 nm; 84.9 nm over the intended impact point. The missile used Hydyne fuel. The primary test objective was to test the control of an unstable missile configuration by using an angle-of-attack meter (boom type) in the ascending phase (Jupiter control). Missed aimpoint by 157,200 m. References: 2. 1956 December 20 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-1. Model: A-1. Ionosphere mission Nation: USSR. Agency: MVS. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 2. 1956 December 21 - Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas A. Atlas 1A destroyed in test. Nation: USA. Missile 1A burned on second run at S-l with stand damage References: 4460. 1956 December 26 - Launch Site: Sea-launched. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: BELA. Launch Vehicle: R-11. Model: R-11FM. Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). References: 2. 1956 December 30 - Launch Vehicle: R-5. Model: R-5M. Final R-5 launch as ABM target Nation: USSR. R-5M's launched as targets for the V-1000 anti-ballistic missile system. References: 2. 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