Chronology - Quarter 4 1979 home
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1979 October 1 - 11:22 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC40. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Titan. Model: Titan 3C. LV Configuration: Titan IIIC 23C-16 (3C-34).
  • Chalet 2 Nation: USA. Payload: Chalet 2 (Vortex 2). Mass: 820 kg (1,800 lb). Class: Sigint. Spacecraft: Chalet. Agency: NRO/USAF. Perigee: 30,443 km (18,916 mi). Apogee: 41,497 km (25,784 mi). Inclination: 7.50 deg. Period: 1,445.50 min. COSPAR: 1979-086A. USAF Sat Cat: 11558. Chalet ELINT satellite. References: 2, 6.
1979 October 3 - 17:12 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC200/40. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Proton. Model: Proton-K/DM. LV Configuration: Proton-K/DM 302-02.
  • Ekran 4 Nation: USSR. Payload: Ekran s/n 17L. Mass: 1,970 kg (4,340 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Ekran . Agency: MOM. Perigee: 35,725 km (22,198 mi). Apogee: 35,827 km (22,261 mi). Inclination: 14.50 deg. Period: 1,435.60 min. COSPAR: 1979-087A. USAF Sat Cat: 11561. Completed Operations Date: 1981-03-01. Transmission of color and black-and-white USSR central television programmes to a network of receivers for collective use. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 99 deg E in 1979-1981 As of 4 September 2001 located at 52.52 deg E drifting at 0.007 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 4 located at 96.71E drifting at 0.048W degrees per day. References: 2, 6, 67, 274.
1979 October 3 - 18:42 GMT - Launch Site: El Arenosillo. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Petrel. Model: Petrel 2. LV Configuration: Petrel 2 P218E.
  • Plasma injection Ionosphere mission Nation: UK. Agency: SRC. Apogee: 145 km (90 mi). References: 2.
1979 October 5 - 11:30 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U.
  • Cosmos 1139 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Zenit-4MT. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 199 km (123 mi). Apogee: 329 km (204 mi). Inclination: 72.80 deg. Period: 89.80 min. COSPAR: 1979-088A. USAF Sat Cat: 11564. Duration: 13.00 days. Decay Date: 1979-10-18. Military topography satellite; returned film capsule; also performed mapping, geodesy, earth resources tasks; separated capsule. References: 2, 6.
1979 October 11 - 16:36 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Model: Kosmos 11K65M. LV Configuration: Kosmos 11K65M 47172-407.
  • Cosmos 1140 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Mass: 750 kg (1,650 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-2M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 765 km (475 mi). Apogee: 787 km (489 mi). Inclination: 74.10 deg. Period: 100.40 min. COSPAR: 1979-089A. USAF Sat Cat: 11573. References: 2, 6.
1979 October 12 - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC43/3. Launch Pad: LC43/pad?. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Zenit-6 Nation: USSR. Spacecraft: Zenit-6U. Agency: RVSN. COSPAR: F791012A. Photo surveillance mission. References: 279.
1979 October 12 - 14:09 GMT - Launch Site: Natal. Launch Complex: MAN. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Model: Skylark 12 AC. LV Configuration: Skylark 12 AC DLR N-GRC-97.
  • Astro-Hel Far ultraviolet astronomy mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DFVLR. Apogee: 829 km (515 mi). References: 2.
1979 October 13 - Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Terrier. Model: Terrier Malemute. LV Configuration: Terrier Malemute Sandia 497-010.
  • Malemute II Test / plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: Sandia. Apogee: 533 km (331 mi). References: 2.
1979 October 16 - 12:17 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Model: Kosmos 11K65M. LV Configuration: Kosmos 11K65M 47172-410.
  • Cosmos 1141 Nation: USSR. Mass: 810 kg (1,780 lb). Class: Navigation. Spacecraft: Parus. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 954 km (592 mi). Apogee: 998 km (620 mi). Inclination: 83.00 deg. Period: 104.60 min. COSPAR: 1979-090A. USAF Sat Cat: 11585. Military navigation satellite. References: 2, 6.
1979 October 17 - 12:40 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 8C. LV Configuration: Black Brant 8C NASA 27.16NP.
  • SPAR 6 Microgravity mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 185 km (114 mi). References: 2.
1979 October 17 - 14:50 GMT - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: MR-12.
  • Ionosphere/Plasma/Fields mission Nation: USSR. Apogee: 160 km (90 mi). References: 2.
1979 October 18 - 00:55 GMT - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: MR-12.
  • Ionosphere/Plasma/Fields mission Nation: USSR. Apogee: 165 km (102 mi). References: 2.
1979 October 19 - 05:46 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Super Chief. Model: Talos Castor. LV Configuration: Talos Castor GL A51.970.
  • EXCEDE 2 (SPECTRAL) Active plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF GL. Apogee: 128 km (79 mi). References: 2.
1979 October 20 - 07:03 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Molniya 8K78M.
  • Molniya 1-45 Nation: USSR. Program: Molniya. Payload: Molniya-1T. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Molniya-1T. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 93 km (57 mi). Apogee: 39,615 km (24,615 mi). Inclination: 61.70 deg. Period: 704.70 min. COSPAR: 1979-091A. USAF Sat Cat: 11589. Decay Date: 1994-02-18. Uncertain if Molniya-1T model was Molniya-1 or Molniya-1T. Operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radiocommunications system in the USSR; transmission of television programmes to stations in the Orbita network. References: 2, 6.
1979 October 21 - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Hawk. Model: Nike Orion. LV Configuration: Nike Orion NASA 31.09IU.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 140 km (80 mi). References: 2.
1979 October 21 - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Hawk. Model: Nike Orion. LV Configuration: Nike Orion NASA 31.10IU.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 140 km (80 mi). References: 2.
1979 October 21 - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Hawk. Model: Nike Orion. LV Configuration: Nike Orion NASA 31.08IU.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 140 km (80 mi). References: 2.
1979 October 22 - 09:00 GMT - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: MR-12.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USSR. Apogee: 170 km (100 mi). References: 2.
1979 October 22 - 12:30 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U.
  • Cosmos 1142 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Zenit-6U. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 198 km (123 mi). Apogee: 382 km (237 mi). Inclination: 72.90 deg. Period: 90.30 min. COSPAR: 1979-092A. USAF Sat Cat: 11592. Duration: 13.00 days. Decay Date: 1979-11-04. Photo surveillance; returned film capsule. References: 2, 6.
1979 October 22 - 16:50 GMT - Launch Site: Natal. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Hawk. Model: Nike Orion. LV Configuration: Nike Orion DLR N-NO-98.
  • Natal 6 test Nation: Germany. Agency: DLR. Apogee: 140 km (80 mi). References: 2.
1979 October 23 - 03:15 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Astrobee. Model: Astrobee F. LV Configuration: Astrobee F NASA 25.49GG.
  • Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 227 km (141 mi). References: 2.
1979 October 23 - 21:51 GMT - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Poseidon.
  • Demonstration and shakedown operations launch Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). References: 2.
1979 October 25 - 20:05 GMT - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: MR-12.
  • Aeronomy/Ionosphere/Plasma mission Nation: USSR. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). References: 2.
1979 October 26 - 18:12 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Vostok 8A92M.
  • Cosmos 1143 Nation: USSR. Program: Tselina. Payload: Tselina-D no. 22. Mass: 4,000 kg (8,800 lb). Class: Sigint. Spacecraft: Tselina-D. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 524 km (325 mi). Apogee: 533 km (331 mi). Inclination: 81.30 deg. Period: 95.20 min. COSPAR: 1979-093A. USAF Sat Cat: 11600. Decay Date: 2002-02-17. References: 2, 6.
1979 October 26 - 21:45 GMT - Launch Site: Natal. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Hawk. Model: Nike Orion. LV Configuration: Nike Orion DLR N-NO-99.
  • Natal 6 test Nation: Germany. Agency: DLR. Apogee: 140 km (80 mi). References: 2.
1979 October 30 - 14:16 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC5. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Scout. Model: Scout G. LV Configuration: Scout G-1 S203C.
  • Magsat Nation: USA. Payload: AEM 3. Mass: 181 kg (399 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Spacecraft: Magsat. Agency: NASA GSF. Perigee: 352 km (218 mi). Apogee: 561 km (348 mi). Inclination: 96.80 deg. Period: 93.70 min. COSPAR: 1979-094A. USAF Sat Cat: 11604. Decay Date: 1980-06-11. Measured near-Earth magnetic field and crustal anomalies. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). References: 2, 6.
1979 October 31 - 09:25 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Vostok 8A92M.
  • Meteor 2-05 Nation: USSR. Payload: Meteor-2 no. 5. Mass: 2,750 kg (6,060 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Weather. Spacecraft: Meteor-2. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 862 km (535 mi). Apogee: 881 km (547 mi). Inclination: 81.20 deg. Period: 102.40 min. COSPAR: 1979-095A. USAF Sat Cat: 11605. Acquisition of meteorological information required for use in the operational weather service with the aid of advanced equipment. References: 2, 6.
1979 November 1 - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Hawk. Model: Nike Orion. LV Configuration: Nike Orion NASA 31.13IU.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 140 km (80 mi). References: 2.
1979 November 1 - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Hawk. Model: Nike Orion. LV Configuration: Nike Orion NASA 31.11IU.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 140 km (80 mi). References: 2.
1979 November 1 - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Hawk. Model: Nike Orion. LV Configuration: Nike Orion NASA 31.12IU.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 140 km (80 mi). References: 2.
1979 November 1 - 08:05 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Model: Kosmos 11K65M. LV Configuration: Kosmos 11K65M 53755-105.
  • Intercosmos 20 Nation: USSR. Program: Intercosmos. Payload: AUOS-Z-R-P-IK. Mass: 1,100 kg (2,400 lb). Class: Technology. Spacecraft: AUOS. Manufacturer: NPO Yuzhnoye. Agency: IK. Perigee: 462 km (287 mi). Apogee: 519 km (322 mi). Inclination: 74.10 deg. Period: 94.40 min. COSPAR: 1979-096A. USAF Sat Cat: 11609. Completed Operations Date: 1980-12-11. Decay Date: 1981-03-03. Testing of methods for comprehensive study of the oceans and the surface of the earth, and testing of automatic gathering of scientific information from experimental sea and land stations. Launched under the INTERCOSMOS programme by the Soviet Union toget her with the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, the German Democratic Republic, the Hungarian People's Republic and the Socialist Republic of Romania. References: 2, 6, 116.
1979 November 2 - 16:00 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC43/3. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U.
  • Cosmos 1144 Nation: USSR. Payload: Yantar-2K s/n 939. Mass: 6,600 kg (14,500 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Yantar-2K. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 158 km (98 mi). Apogee: 337 km (209 mi). Inclination: 67.20 deg. Period: 89.40 min. COSPAR: 1979-097A. USAF Sat Cat: 11611. Duration: 32.00 days. Decay Date: 1979-12-04. Area survey photo reconnaissance; returned film in two small SpK capsules during the mission and with the main capsule at completion of the mission. References: 2, 6, 69.
1979 November 7 - 20:50 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 8C. LV Configuration: Black Brant 8C NASA 27.30CS.
  • Solar mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 271 km (168 mi). References: 2.
1979 November 8 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Honest John. Model: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.08UL.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 2.
1979 November 8 - 22:00 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC29A. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Polaris. Model: Polaris A3. LV Configuration: Polaris A3TK P-6.
  • Chevaline warhead test launch Nation: USA. Agency: RN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 2.
1979 November 13 - 04:45 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Strypi. Model: Strypi. LV Configuration: Strypi NASA 12.37UE.
  • ECHO V Auroral mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 215 km (133 mi). References: 2.
1979 November 14 - Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: ALFS. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Stromboli. Model: Eridan. LV Configuration: Eridan E016.
  • Ariane range test Nation: France. Agency: CNES. Apogee: 350 km (210 mi). References: 2.
1979 November 15 - Launch Site: Thumba. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Belier. Model: Centaure 2B.
  • AST 2 Technology test Nation: India. Agency: ISRO. Apogee: 148 km (91 mi). References: 2.
1979 November 15 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: MR-UR-100. Model: MR-UR-100U 15A16.
  • Operational test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 2.
1979 November 16 - 17:00 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee 150. LV Configuration: Aerobee 150 NASA 04.337CS.
  • Solar mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 154 km (95 mi). References: 2.
1979 November 21 - 21:36 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC40. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Titan. Model: Titan 3C. LV Configuration: Titan IIIC 23C-19 (3C-37).
  • DSCS II-13 Nation: USA. Program: DSCS. Payload: DSCS II F-13. Mass: 611 kg (1,347 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military. Spacecraft: DSCS II. Agency: USAF. Perigee: 37,104 km (23,055 mi). Apogee: 37,195 km (23,111 mi). Inclination: 13.60 deg. Period: 1,506.30 min. COSPAR: 1979-098A. USAF Sat Cat: 11621. Completed Operations Date: 1994-07-19. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 12 deg W in 1980-1981; 131 deg W in 1981-1983; 179 deg W in 1983; 175 deg E in 1983-1989;179 deg W in 1989-1993 As of 3 September 2001 located at 21.08 deg E drifting at 16.828 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 37.50W drifting at 16.828W degrees per day. References: 2, 6.
  • DSCS II-14 Nation: USA. Program: DSCS. Payload: DSCS II F-14. Mass: 611 kg (1,347 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military. Spacecraft: DSCS II. Agency: USAF. Perigee: 36,316 km (22,565 mi). Apogee: 36,351 km (22,587 mi). Inclination: 13.30 deg. Period: 1,464.10 min. COSPAR: 1979-098B. USAF Sat Cat: 11622. Completed Operations Date: 1995-06-19. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 66 deg E in 1980-1981; 12 deg W in 1981-1986; 179 deg W in 1986-1990; 174 deg E in 1990; 65 deg E in 1991-1994 As of 31 August 2001 located at 27.01 deg W drifting at 6.916 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 50.79E drifting at 6.926W degrees per day. References: 2, 6.
1979 November 26 - Launch Site: Jiuquan. Launch Complex: LA2B. Launch Pad: LA2B?. Launch Vehicle: CZ. Model: DF-5.
  • Nation: China. Agency: PRC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). Other sources say launch was from Taiyuan on 15 October. References: 2.
1979 November 27 - 09:55 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Vostok 8A92M.
  • Cosmos 1145 Nation: USSR. Program: Tselina. Payload: Tselina-D no. 23. Mass: 4,000 kg (8,800 lb). Class: Sigint. Spacecraft: Tselina-D. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 484 km (300 mi). Apogee: 495 km (307 mi). Inclination: 81.20 deg. Period: 94.40 min. COSPAR: 1979-099A. USAF Sat Cat: 11629. Decay Date: 2000-06-16. References: 2, 6.
1979 December 1 - Launch Site: Sary Shagan. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: A-135. Model: 51T6.
  • ABM test Nation: USSR. Agency: PRO. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 2.
1979 December 3 - 05:32 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 8B. LV Configuration: Black Brant 8B AAF-NVB-06.
  • Auroral substorm Aurora / ionosphere mission Aurora / ionosphere mission Nation: Canada. Agency: NRCC. Apogee: 344 km (213 mi). References: 2.
1979 December 5 - 09:00 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Model: Kosmos 11K65M. LV Configuration: Kosmos 11K65M 47168-309.
  • Cosmos 1146 Nation: USSR. Mass: 1,000 kg (2,200 lb). Class: Calibration. Spacecraft: Taifun-1Yu. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 438 km (272 mi). Apogee: 493 km (306 mi). Inclination: 65.90 deg. Period: 93.90 min. COSPAR: 1979-100A. USAF Sat Cat: 11632. Decay Date: 1981-11-25. Radar calibration. References: 2, 6.
1979 December 7 - 01:35 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC17A. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Delta 3914. LV Configuration: Delta 3914 622/D150.
  • RCA Satcom 3 Nation: USA. Program: Satcom. Payload: Satcom 3. Mass: 463 kg (1,020 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: AS 1000. Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin. Agency: RCA Amer. Perigee: 8,306 km (5,161 mi). Apogee: 35,502 km (22,059 mi). Inclination: 8.10 deg. Period: 788.90 min. COSPAR: 1979-101A. USAF Sat Cat: 11635. Failed before reaching geosynchronous orbit. References: 2, 6.
1979 December 12 - 01:05 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee 150. LV Configuration: Aerobee 150 NASA 04.338UE.
  • UM Airglow payload Magnetosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 122 km (75 mi). References: 2.
1979 December 12 - 12:30 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U.
  • Cosmos 1147 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Zenit-6U. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 192 km (119 mi). Apogee: 377 km (234 mi). Inclination: 72.90 deg. Period: 90.20 min. COSPAR: 1979-102A. USAF Sat Cat: 11638. Duration: 14.00 days. Decay Date: 1979-12-26. Photo surveillance; returned film capsule. References: 2, 6.
1979 December 13 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF07. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 2.
  • FOT GT139M Follow-on Test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). References: 2.
1979 December 13 - 17:30 GMT - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Trident. Model: Trident C-4.
  • DASO-3? demonstration and shakedown operations launch Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 2.
1979 December 14 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Astrobee. Model: Astrobee F. LV Configuration: Astrobee F NASA 25.48UG.
  • Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 2.
1979 December 16 - 12:29 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC31. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U.
  • Soyuz T-1 Nation: USSR. Program: Salyut 6. Payload: Soyuz T s/n 6L. Mass: 6,850 kg (15,100 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spacecraft. Spacecraft: Soyuz T. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 213 km (132 mi). Apogee: 252 km (156 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 89.20 min. COSPAR: 1979-103A. USAF Sat Cat: 11640. Duration: 100.38 days. Decay Date: 1980-03-25. New generation Soyuz capsule; unmanned flight to Salyut 6. Docked with Salyut 6. Recovered March 25, 1980 21:47 GMT. Unmanned test of Soyuz T design.
    Officially: Complex experimental testing of new on-board systems and assemblies under various flight conditions and operation in conjunction with the Salyut-6 orbital station. References: 2, 6.
1979 December 17 - Launch Vehicle: Shuttle.
  • First Shuttle SSME full-duration test Nation: USA. The first completely successful firing of the orbiter's engines is completed Three engines are run from 100% to 70% thrust for 514 seconds. Engines 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007 were to have been certified ready for flight in the first half on 1979. This involved each engine being given a 1.5 second start verification firing; a 100 second calibration firing; and a 520 second flight demonstration test. But continued failures resulted in multiple rebuilds of each engine to add required modifications. The result was a two-year delay to this schedule. References: 44.
1979 December 17 - 06:27 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 5A. LV Configuration: Black Brant VA ADD-VA-48.
  • Aurora mission Nation: Canada. Agency: NRCC. Apogee: 138 km (85 mi). References: 2.
1979 December 19 - 01:57 GMT - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: MR-12.
  • Solar Ultraviolet/Solar Extreme ultraviolet mission Nation: USSR. Apogee: 165 km (102 mi). References: 2.
1979 December 20 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF03. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 1. Model: Minuteman 1B.
  • ABRES AMARV-1 re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). References: 2.
1979 December 20 - 11:58 GMT - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: MR-12.
  • Solar Ultraviolet/Solar Extreme ultraviolet mission Nation: USSR. Apogee: 165 km (102 mi). References: 2.
1979 December 24 - 17:14 GMT - Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: ELA1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Ariane. Model: Ariane 1. LV Configuration: Ariane 1 L01.
  • CAT 1 Nation: Europe. Payload: CAT 01. Mass: 1,602 kg (3,531 lb). Class: Technology. Spacecraft: CAT. Agency: ESA. Perigee: 125 km (77 mi). Apogee: 14,047 km (8,728 mi). Inclination: 17.80 deg. Period: 259.10 min. COSPAR: 1979-104A. USAF Sat Cat: 11645. Decay Date: 1982-11-14. Launch vehicle test. Technological Capsule (CAT). ESA registration number: ESA/79/2. Principal mission of the technological capsule (with ballast), which was equipped with batteries having a lifetime of approximately 8 orbits, was to transmit back to earth technological data on the first developmental flight L01 of the ARIANE launch vehicle. When the batteries were exhausted, the capsule ended its radio transmissions, and it is now inoperative but still in orbit. References: 2, 6.
1979 December 26 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC181. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: MR-UR-100. Model: MR-UR-100U 15A16.
  • Joint flight trials launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 2.
1979 December 26 - 14:05 GMT - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: MR-12.
  • Aeronomy/Ionosphere mission Nation: USSR. Apogee: 170 km (100 mi). References: 2.
1979 December 27 - 14:07 GMT - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: MR-12.
  • Aeronomy/Ionosphere mission Nation: USSR. Apogee: 165 km (102 mi). References: 2.
1979 December 28 - 11:51 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC200/40. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Proton. Model: Proton-K/DM. LV Configuration: Proton-K/DM 303-01.
  • Gorizont 3 Nation: USSR. Payload: Gorizont s/n 13L. Mass: 2,100 kg (4,600 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Gorizont . Agency: MOM. Perigee: 35,779 km (22,231 mi). Apogee: 35,831 km (22,264 mi). Inclination: 11.00 deg. Period: 1,437.10 min. COSPAR: 1979-105A. USAF Sat Cat: 11648. Completed Operations Date: 1989-12-28. Stationed at 53 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 53 deg E in 1980-1984; 40 deg E in 1984-1989 As of 30 August 2001 located at 47.84 deg E drifting at 0.163 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 109.81E drifting at 0.002E degrees per day. References: 2, 6, 67, 111, 274.
1979 December 28 - 13:00 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U.
  • Cosmos 1148 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Zenit-4MKM. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 170 km (100 mi). Apogee: 340 km (210 mi). Inclination: 67.10 deg. Period: 89.60 min. COSPAR: 1979-106A. USAF Sat Cat: 11649. Duration: 13.00 days. Decay Date: 1980-01-10. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable. References: 2, 6.
1979 December 31 - Launch Vehicle: Energia.
  • Energia model delivered to Baikonur Nation: USSR. Program: Buran. Spacecraft: Buran. In 1979 the EUK13 dimensional model of the Energia launch vehicle was delivered to Baikonur for handling demonstrations and production of tooling.
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