1988 October 3 - 22:23 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC41/1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Molniya 8K78M. LV Configuration: Molniya 8K78M-2BL. -
 Cosmos 1974 Nation: USSR. Payload: Oko #58. Mass: 1,250 kg (2,750 lb). Class: Early Warning. Spacecraft: Oko. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 6,942 km (4,313 mi). Apogee: 33,413 km (20,761 mi). Inclination: 68.00 deg. Period: 717.80 min. COSPAR: 1988-092A. USAF Sat Cat: 19554. Covered Oko constellation plane 7 - 157 degree longitude of ascending node. References: 2, 6, 100.
1988 October 3 - -
 Landing of STS-26 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Flight: STS-26. STS-26 landed at 16:50 GMT.
1988 October 4 - 16:00 GMT - Launch Site: Sriharikota. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: RH. Model: RH-560. -
 ESF Ionosphere mission Nation: India. Agency: ISRO. Apogee: 348 km (216 mi). References: 2.
1988 October 11 - 08:01 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC32. Launch Pad: LC32/pad?. Launch Vehicle: Tsiklon. Model: Tsiklon-3. - Cosmos 1975 Nation: USSR. Program: Tselina. Payload: Tselina-D no. 67. Class: Sigint. Spacecraft: Tselina-D. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 604 km (375 mi). Apogee: 636 km (395 mi). Inclination: 82.50 deg. Period: 97.10 min. COSPAR: 1988-093A. USAF Sat Cat: 19573. Investigation of outer space. References: 2, 6.
1988 October 13 - 11:19 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U. - Cosmos 1976 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Landsat. Spacecraft: Zenit-8. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 190 km (110 mi). Apogee: 366 km (227 mi). Inclination: 72.90 deg. Period: 90.10 min. COSPAR: 1988-094A. USAF Sat Cat: 19582. Duration: 14.00 days. Decay Date: 1988-10-27. Military cartographic satellite; returned film capsule. References: 2, 6.
1988 October 19 - Launch Site: Kwajalein. Launch Complex: RN. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Honest John. Model: HJ Nike Hydac. - HAVE JEEP II-C Reentry test Nation: USA. Agency: ASMS. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). References: 2.
1988 October 20 - 05:59 GMT -
1988 October 20 - 15:43 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC200/39. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Proton. Model: Proton-K/DM-2. LV Configuration: Proton-K/DM-2 339-01. - Raduga 22 Nation: USSR. Payload: Raduga s/n 34L. Mass: 1,965 kg (4,332 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Raduga . Agency: MOM. Perigee: 35,784 km (22,235 mi). Apogee: 35,798 km (22,243 mi). Inclination: 2.90 deg. Period: 1,436.40 min. COSPAR: 1988-095A. USAF Sat Cat: 19596. Completed Operations Date: 1998-06-01. Stationed at 35 deg E. Provision of telephone and telegraph radiocommunications and television broadcasting. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 34 deg E in 1988-1992; 12 deg E in 1992-1998 As of 3 September 2001 located at 8.88 deg E drifting at 0.001 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 67.55E drifting at 0.412W degrees per day.
References: 2, 6, 67, 274.
1988 October 20 - 20:29 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Honest John. Model: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.49UL. - Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 2.
1988 October 23 - Launch Vehicle: Energia. - Buran moved to the launch pad Nation: USSR. Spacecraft: Buran.
1988 October 24 - 18:03 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 9. LV Configuration: Black Brant IX NASA 36.41UL. - SOLLY Ultraviolet astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). References: 2.
1988 October 25 - 18:02 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC41/1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Molniya 8K78M. LV Configuration: Molniya 8K78M-2BL. - Cosmos 1977 Nation: USSR. Payload: Oko #59. Mass: 1,250 kg (2,750 lb). Class: Early Warning. Spacecraft: Oko. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 6,559 km (4,075 mi). Apogee: 33,805 km (21,005 mi). Inclination: 67.70 deg. Period: 718.00 min. COSPAR: 1988-096A. USAF Sat Cat: 19608. Covered Oko constellation plane 6 - 116 degree longitude of ascending node. References: 2, 6, 100.
1988 October 26 - Launch Vehicle: Energia. - Buran launch commission meets Nation: USSR. Spacecraft: Buran. The launch commission met on 26 October 1988 and set 29 October 06:23 Moscow time for the first flight of the first Buran orbiter (Flight 1K1).
1988 October 27 - 11:31 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U. - Cosmos 1978 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Landsat. Spacecraft: Zenit-8. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 190 km (110 mi). Apogee: 364 km (226 mi). Inclination: 72.90 deg. Period: 90.10 min. COSPAR: 1988-097A. USAF Sat Cat: 19612. Duration: 14.00 days. Decay Date: 1988-11-10. Military cartographic satellite; returned film capsule. References: 2, 6.
1988 October 27 - 15:28 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF10. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3. - FOT GT130GM Follow-on Test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). References: 2.
1988 October 28 - 02:17 GMT - Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: ELA1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Ariane. Model: Ariane 2. LV Configuration: Ariane 2 V26. -
 TDF-1 Nation: France. Program: TDF. Payload: TDF 1. Mass: 2,136 kg (4,709 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Spacebus 300. Agency: France T. Perigee: 36,051 km (22,401 mi). Apogee: 36,129 km (22,449 mi). Inclination: 4.80 deg. Period: 1,451.60 min. COSPAR: 1988-098A. USAF Sat Cat: 19621. Completed Operations Date: 1996-10-04. French DBS; 19 deg W. Direct broadcasting satellite. French registration: TDF-1, 1988-5-B. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 19 deg W in 1988-1996 As of 1 September 2001 located at 139.53 deg W drifting at 3.885 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 5 located at 16.35W drifting at 3.870W degrees per day.
References: 2, 6.
1988 October 29 - Launch Vehicle: Energia. - Buran first launch attempt Nation: USSR. Spacecraft: Buran. 51 seconds before the launch, when control of the countdown switched to automated systems, a software problem led the computer program to abort the lift-off. The problem was found to be due to late separation of a gyro update umbilical. The software problem was rectified and the next attempt was set for 15 November at 06:00 (03:00 GMT).
1988 November 6 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Titan. Model: Titan 34D. - Final Titan 34D launch from Vandenberg AFB Nation: USA. Final Titan 34D launch from Vandenberg AFB (first launch on 20 June 1983). References: 88.
1988 November 6 - 18:03 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC4E. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Titan. Model: Titan 34D. LV Configuration: Titan 34D 34D-14 (04D-7). - USA 33 Nation: USA. Payload: KH-11 no. 9. Mass: 13,500 kg (29,700 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: KH-11. Agency: NRO/CIA. Perigee: 156 km (96 mi). Apogee: 1,012 km (628 mi). Inclination: 97.90 deg. Period: 96.40 min. COSPAR: 1988-099A. USAF Sat Cat: 19625. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). References: 2, 6.
1988 November 7 - 19:02 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 5C. LV Configuration: Black Brant VC NASA 21.98IE. - NEED I(Ferdinand 79) Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 322 km (200 mi). References: 2.
1988 November 10 - 19:00 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 5C. LV Configuration: Black Brant VC NASA 21.101UU. - NCAR / CU-1 Aeronomy / solar ultraviolet mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 250 km (150 mi). References: 2.
1988 November 11 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: LC1 or LC31. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U2. FAILURE: Failure. - Yantar-4KS1 Nation: USSR. Spacecraft: Yantar-4KS1. Agency: UNKS. COSPAR: F881111A. References: 279.
1988 November 15 - Launch Vehicle: Energia. - Buran Nation: USSR. Spacecraft: Buran. The weather was snow flurries with 20 m/s winds. Launch abort criteria were 15 m/s. The launch director decided to press ahead anyway. After 12 years of development everything went perfectly. Buran, with a mass of 79.4 tonnes, separated from the Block Ts core and entered a temporary orbit with a perigee of -11.2 km and apogee of 154.2 km. At apogee Burn executed a 66.6 m/s manoeuvre and entered a 251 km x 263 km orbit of the earth. In the payload bay was the 7150 kg module 37KB s/n 37071. 140 minutes into the flight retrofire was accomplished with a total delta-v of 175 m/s. 206 minutes after launch, accompanied by Igor Volk in a MiG-25 chase plane, Buran touched down at 260 km/hr in a 17 m/s crosswind at the Jubilee runway, with a 1620 m landing rollout. The completely automatic launch, orbital manoeuvre, deorbit, and precision landing of an airliner-sized spaceplane on its very first flight was an unprecedented accomplishment of which the Soviets were justifiably proud. It completely vindicated the years of exhaustive ground and flight test that had debugged the systems before they flew.
1988 November 15 - 03:00 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC110L. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Energia. Model: Energia/Buran. LV Configuration: Energiya/Buran 1L. - Buran Nation: USSR. Program: Buran. Payload: Buran OK-1K s/n 711. Mass: 79,400 kg (175,000 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Buran. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 247 km (153 mi). Apogee: 256 km (159 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 89.50 min. COSPAR: 1988-100A. USAF Sat Cat: 19637. Duration: 0.14 days. Decay Date: 1988-11-15. Unmanned test of Soviet shuttle. Landed November 15, 1988 06:25 GMT. Buran was first moved to the launch pad on 23 October 1988. The launch commission met on 26 October 1988 and set 29 October 06:23 Moscow time for the first flight of the first Buran orbiter (Flight 1K1). 51 seconds before the launch, when control of the countdown switched to automated systems, a software problem led the computer program to abort the lift-off. The problem was found to be due to late separation of a gyro update umbilical. The software problem was rectified and the next attempt was set for 15 November at 06:00 (03:00 GMT). Came the morning, the weather was snow flurries with 20 m/s winds. Launch abort criteria were 15 m/s. The launch director decided to press ahead anyway. After 12 years of development everything went perfectly. Buran, with a mass of 79.4 tonnes, separated from the Block Ts core and entered a temporary orbit with a perigee of -11.2 km and apogee of 154.2 km. At apogee Burn executed a 66.6 m/s manoeuvre and entered a 251 km x 263 km orbit of the earth. In the payload bay was the 7150 kg module 37KB s/n 37071. 140 minutes into the flight retrofire was accomplished with a total delta-v of 175 m/s. 206 minutes after launch, accompanied by Igor Volk in a MiG-25 chase plane, Buran touched down at 260 km/hr in a 17 m/s crosswind at the Jubilee runway, with a 1620 m landing rollout. The completely automatic launch, orbital manoeuvre, deorbit, and precision landing of an airliner-sized spaceplane on its very first flight was an unprecedented accomplishment of which the Soviets were justifiably proud. It completely vindicated the years of exhaustive ground and flight test that had debugged the systems before they flew.
References: 2, 6.
- 37KB module s/n 37070 Nation: USSR. Program: Buran. Payload: 37KB s/n 37070. Mass: 7,150 kg (15,760 lb). Class: Technology. Spacecraft: 37KB. Agency: UNKS. COSPAR: 1988-100xx. References: 2, 279.
1988 November 18 - 00:12 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC90/19. Launch Pad: LC90/pad?. Launch Vehicle: Tsiklon. Model: Tsiklon-2. - Cosmos 1979 Nation: USSR. Program: EORSAT. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Class: Sigint. Type: Naval reconnaisance. Spacecraft: US-P. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 402 km (249 mi). Apogee: 415 km (257 mi). Inclination: 65.00 deg. Period: 92.70 min. COSPAR: 1988-101A. USAF Sat Cat: 19647. Decay Date: 1989-12-25. Ocean surveillance. References: 2, 6.
1988 November 20 - 18:30 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 9. LV Configuration: Black Brant IX NASA 36.44DS. - HRTS 6 / ASL-San Marco Test / solar mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). References: 2.
1988 November 22 - Launch Site: Biscarosse. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Hades. - Test mission Nation: France. Agency: DGA. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). References: 2.
1988 November 23 - 14:50 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC45/1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Zenit. Model: Zenit-2. - Cosmos 1980 Nation: USSR. Program: Tselina. Payload: Tselina-2 no. 8. Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Class: Sigint. Spacecraft: Tselina-2. Agency: MO RF. Perigee: 841 km (522 mi). Apogee: 849 km (527 mi). Inclination: 71.00 deg. Period: 101.80 min. COSPAR: 1988-102A. USAF Sat Cat: 19649. References: 2, 6.
1988 November 24 - 14:50 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U. - Cosmos 1981 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Landsat. Spacecraft: Zenit-8. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 237 km (147 mi). Apogee: 353 km (219 mi). Inclination: 62.80 deg. Period: 90.40 min. COSPAR: 1988-103A. USAF Sat Cat: 19651. Duration: 14.00 days. Decay Date: 1988-12-08. Military cartographic satellite; returned film capsule. References: 2, 6.
1988 November 26 - 15:49 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U2. - Soyuz TM-7 Nation: USSR. Program: Mir. Payload: Soyuz TM 11F732 s/n 57. Mass: 7,000 kg (15,400 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spacecraft. Spacecraft: Soyuz TM. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 194 km (120 mi). Apogee: 235 km (146 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 88.80 min. COSPAR: 1988-104A. USAF Sat Cat: 19660. Duration: 151.47 days. Decay Date: 1989-04-27. Crew: Chretien, Krikalyov, Volkov Aleksandr. Flight: Mir EO-4, Mir Aragatz, Mir LD-2, Mir EO-3. Mir Expedition EO-04. Carried Alexander Volkov, Sergei Krikalev, Jean-Loup Chretien to Mir; returned Volkov, Krikalev to Earth. Initial Orbit: 194 X 235 km. Thereafter maneuvered to rendezvous orbit 256 X 291 km before docking with Mir in 337 X 369 km at 17:16 GMT 28 November.
References: 2, 6,51.
1988 November 26 - 17:00 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Model: Skylark 2. LV Configuration: Skylark 2 DLR A-CR-159. -
 ROSE I Aeronomy / ionosphere / Fields mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DFVLR. Apogee: 120 km (70 mi). References: 2.
1988 November 28 - 08:20 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Complex: S. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Model: Skylark 7. LV Configuration: Skylark 7 DLR K-GR-161. - TEXUS 19 Microgravity mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DFVLR. Apogee: 244 km (151 mi). References: 2.
1988 November 30 - 09:00 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: LC1 or LC31. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U. - Cosmos 1982 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Landsat. Spacecraft: Zenit-8. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 204 km (126 mi). Apogee: 377 km (234 mi). Inclination: 70.00 deg. Period: 90.30 min. COSPAR: 1988-105A. USAF Sat Cat: 19662. Duration: 14.00 days. Decay Date: 1988-12-14. Military cartographic satellite; returned film capsule. References: 2, 6.
1988 December 2 - 10:05 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Complex: S. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Model: Skylark 7. LV Configuration: Skylark 7 DLR K-GT-162. - TEXUS 20 Microgravity mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DFVLR. Apogee: 238 km (147 mi). References: 2.
1988 December 2 - 14:30 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC39B. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. LV Configuration: Space Shuttle STS-27R. - STS-27 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Payload: Atlantis F03 / Lacrosse 1. Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Atlantis. Agency: NASA JSC. Perigee: 437 km (271 mi). Apogee: 447 km (277 mi). Inclination: 57.00 deg. Period: 93.40 min. COSPAR: 1988-106A. USAF Sat Cat: 19670. Duration: 4.38 days. Decay Date: 1988-12-06. Crew: Gardner Guy, Gibson, Mullane, Ross, Shepherd. Flight: STS-27. Manned five crew. Deployed a classified payload. Orbits of Earth: 68. Landed at: Runway 17 dry lake bed at Edwards Air Force Base, . Landing Speed: 359 kph. Touchdown miss distance: 447.00 m. Landing Rollout: 2,171.00 m. Payloads: DoD Mission.
References: 2, 6, 7.
- USA 34 Nation: USA. Payload: Lacrosse 1. Class: Surveillance. Type: Radarsat. Spacecraft: Lacrosse. Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin Astronautics, Denver (formerly Martin). Agency: NRO/CIA. Perigee: 437 km (271 mi). Apogee: 447 km (277 mi). Inclination: 57.00 deg. Period: 93.40 min. COSPAR: 1988-106B. USAF Sat Cat: 19671. Decay Date: 1997-03-25. Deployed from STS-27. Operations completed March 1997. References: 2, 6, 69.
1988 December 5 - 22:30 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Model: Skylark 2. LV Configuration: Skylark 2 DLR A-CR-160. - ROSE II Aeronomy mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DFVLR. Apogee: 113 km (70 mi). References: 2.
1988 December 6 - - Landing of STS-27 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Flight: STS-27. STS-27 landed at 23:43 GMT.
1988 December 7 - 04:40 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 8C. LV Configuration: Black Brant 8C NASA 27.121UH. - X-ray astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 340 km (210 mi). References: 2.
1988 December 8 - 14:50 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U. - Cosmos 1983 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Landsat. Spacecraft: Zenit-8. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 243 km (150 mi). Apogee: 256 km (159 mi). Inclination: 62.80 deg. Period: 89.50 min. COSPAR: 1988-107A. USAF Sat Cat: 19672. Duration: 14.00 days. Decay Date: 1988-12-22. Military cartographic satellite; returned film capsule. References: 2, 6.
1988 December 9 - 09:57 GMT -
1988 December 10 - 11:54 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC200/40. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Proton. Model: Proton-K/DM-2. LV Configuration: Proton-K/DM-2 329-02. - Ekran 19 Nation: USSR. Payload: Ekran-M s/n 12L. Mass: 1,970 kg (4,340 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Ekran-M . Agency: MOM. Perigee: 36,684 km (22,794 mi). Apogee: 36,980 km (22,970 mi). Inclination: 8.80 deg. Period: 1,489.90 min. COSPAR: 1988-108A. USAF Sat Cat: 19683. Completed Operations Date: 1997-05-01. Stationed at 99 deg E. Transmission of Central Television programmes to a network of receivers for collective use. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 99 deg E in 1988-1996 As of 28 August 2001 located at 156.78 deg W drifting at 13.031 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 173.37E drifting at 13.036W degrees per day.
References: 2, 6, 67, 274.
1988 December 11 - 00:33 GMT - Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: ELA2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Ariane. Model: Ariane 44LP. LV Configuration: Ariane 44LP V27. -
 Skynet 4B Nation: UK. Program: Skynet. Mass: 1,433 kg (3,159 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military. Spacecraft: ECS/OTS. Agency: UK MoD. Perigee: 35,933 km (22,327 mi). Apogee: 35,967 km (22,348 mi). Inclination: 7.50 deg. Period: 1,444.40 min. COSPAR: 1988-109A. USAF Sat Cat: 19687. Completed Operations Date: 1988-06-16. British military communications; 1 deg W. Military communications. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 1 deg W in 1989-1990; 53 deg E in 1990-1998 As of 4 September 2001 located at 60.05 deg E drifting at 2.136 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 126.32E drifting at 2.116W degrees per day.
References: 2, 6.
-
 Astra 1A Nation: Europe. Program: Astra. Mass: 1,780 kg (3,920 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: AS 4000. Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin. Agency: SES. Perigee: 35,770 km (22,220 mi). Apogee: 35,803 km (22,246 mi). Inclination: 0.80 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 1988-109B. USAF Sat Cat: 19688. European TV broadcast; 19.2 deg W. Astra 1A provides TV coverage to Western Europe. The satellite is owned and operated by Société Europíenne des Satellites (SES), a private company formed in 1985. Astra 1A is based in the GE 4000 series platform, and was the first in a network of four satellites. Spacecraft: GE 4000 platform.3-axis stabilisation with momentum wheels, magnetic torquers, Earth sensors and 16 blowdown monopropellant hydrazine thrusters. Solar arrays provide 2800 W BOL, 3 50 Ahr NiH batteries. GEO insertion by Star 37XFP solid rocket motor. Payload: 16 Ku-band transponders (with six spares) . Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 19 deg E in 1989-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 19.38 deg E drifting at 0.002 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 13.01E drifting at 6.968W degrees per day.
References: 2, 6.
1988 December 16 - 19:00 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U. - Cosmos 1984 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,600 kg (14,500 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Yantar-4K1. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 186 km (115 mi). Apogee: 323 km (200 mi). Inclination: 62.80 deg. Period: 89.60 min. COSPAR: 1988-110A. USAF Sat Cat: 19705. Duration: 59.00 days. Decay Date: 1989-02-13. High resolution 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, 179.
1988 December 17 - 11:01 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 10. LV Configuration: Black Brant X NASA 35.024UE. - CUSP Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 515 km (320 mi). References: 2.
1988 December 19 - Launch Site: Haikou. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Zhinui. LV Configuration: Zhinui ZN-1. -
 Test mission Nation: China. Agency: PRC. Apogee: 70 km (43 mi). References: 2.
1988 December 20 - Launch Site: Haikou. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Zhinui. LV Configuration: Zhinui ZN-1. - Test mission Nation: China. Agency: PRC. Apogee: 70 km (43 mi). References: 2.
1988 December 21 - - Landing of Soyuz TM-6 Nation: USSR. Program: Mir. Flight: Mir EO-4, Mir Aragatz, Mir LD-2, Mir EO-3. Soyuz TM-6 landed at 09:57 GMT with the crew of Chretien, Manarov and Titov Vladimir aboard. Undocked from Mir 21 December 1989 at 03:33 GMTwith the crew of Chretien, Manarov and Titov Vladimir aboard. Revised software installed as a result of TM-5 abort overloaded computer. Landing planned for 06:48 aborted. Backup program used. Orbital Module retained through retrofire. Landed December 21, 1988 09:57 GMT, 180 km SE of Dzhezkazgan.
1988 December 22 - - Discovery of LEW 88516 (Mars Meteorite) Nation: USA.
1988 December 22 - Launch Site: Haikou. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Zhinui. LV Configuration: Zhinui ZN-1. - Test mission Nation: China. Agency: PRC. Apogee: 70 km (43 mi). References: 2.
1988 December 22 - 12:40 GMT - Launch Site: Xichang. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: CZ. Model: CZ-3. LV Configuration: Chang Zheng 3 CZ3-5 (20). - Zhongxing-2 Nation: China. Payload: STTW 3. Mass: 1,024 kg (2,257 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military. Spacecraft: DFH-2. Agency: Chinasat. Perigee: 35,787 km (22,236 mi). Apogee: 35,791 km (22,239 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min. COSPAR: 1988-111A. USAF Sat Cat: 19710. Operated in geosynchronous orbit at 110 deg E in 1989-1999. As of 27 August 2001 located at 91.92 deg E drifting at 0.244 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 83.40E drifting at 0.283W degrees per day. References: 2, 6.
1988 December 22 - 14:15 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC43/3. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Molniya 8K78M. LV Configuration: Molniya 8K78M-ML. - Molniya 3-34 Nation: USSR. Program: Molniya. Payload: Molniya-3 s/n 52. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Molniya-3. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 899 km (558 mi). Apogee: 39,481 km (24,532 mi). Inclination: 63.90 deg. Period: 718.30 min. COSPAR: 1988-112A. USAF Sat Cat: 19713. Operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radio communications system in the USSR; transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to stations in the Orbita network and within the framework of international cooperation. First launch from LC43/3 since it was damaged by a booster accident in June 1987.
References: 2, 6.
1988 December 23 - 07:20 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC32. Launch Pad: LC32/pad?. Launch Vehicle: Tsiklon. Model: Tsiklon-3. - Cosmos 1985 Nation: USSR. Class: Calibration. Spacecraft: Taifun-3. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 206 km (128 mi). Apogee: 220 km (130 mi). Inclination: 73.50 deg. Period: 88.80 min. COSPAR: 1988-113A. USAF Sat Cat: 19720. Decay Date: 1992-05-04. Radar calibration mission. Believed to be a modernised version of the Taifun-1 satellite. Released 36 Romb radar calibration subsatellites. References: 2, 6.
1988 December 24 - Launch Site: Haikou. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Zhinui. LV Configuration: Zhinui ZN-1. - Test mission Nation: China. Agency: PRC. Apogee: 70 km (43 mi). References: 2.
1988 December 25 - 04:11 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U2. - Progress 39 Nation: USSR. Program: Mir. Payload: Progress s/n 147. Mass: 7,015 kg (15,465 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Logistics. Spacecraft: Progress. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 187 km (116 mi). Apogee: 238 km (147 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 88.80 min. COSPAR: 1988-114A. USAF Sat Cat: 19728. Duration: 44.40 days. Completed Operations Date: 1989-02-07 13:49:23 PM. Decay Date: 1989-02-07 13:49:23 PM. Flight: Mir EO-4, Mir LD-2. Unmanned resupply vessel to Mir. Made second test of Buran ejection seat during ascent to orbit. The K-36M.11F35 seat was installed in an 'experimental droppable compartment' installed in place of the Launch Escape Tower engine on top of the shroud. Rendezvous orbits 187 X 237 km, 51.63 deg; 236 X 338 km; 325 X 353 km at Mir. Delivered 1,300 kg cargo. Docked with Mir on 27 Dec 1988 05:35:10 GMT. Undocked on 7 Feb 1989 06:45:34 GMT. Destroyed in reentry on 7 Feb 1989 13:49:00 GMT. Total free-flight time 2.35 days. Total docked time 42.05 days.
References: 2, 6, 275.
1988 December 28 - 05:27 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Molniya 8K78M. LV Configuration: Molniya 8K78M-ML. - Molniya 1-74 Nation: USSR. Program: Molniya. Payload: Molniya-1T. Mass: 1,800 kg (3,900 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Molniya-1T. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 1,358 km (843 mi). Apogee: 39,002 km (24,234 mi). Inclination: 64.90 deg. Period: 717.90 min. COSPAR: 1988-115A. USAF Sat Cat: 19730. Decay Date: 1998-07-31. Operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radio communications system in the USSR; transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to stations in the Orbita network and within the framework of international cooperation. References: 2, 6.
1988 December 29 - 10:00 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: LC1 or LC31. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U. - Cosmos 1986 Nation: USSR. Payload: Yantar-1KFT no. 10. Mass: 6,600 kg (14,500 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Cartography. Spacecraft: Yantar-1KFT. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 193 km (119 mi). Apogee: 289 km (179 mi). Inclination: 64.80 deg. Period: 89.30 min. COSPAR: 1988-116A. USAF Sat Cat: 19734. Duration: 44.00 days. Decay Date: 1989-02-11. Topographic mapping for the Army General Staff. References: 2, 6, 101, 102.
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