Chronology - Quarter 2 1991 Previous Home Next 1991 April 4 - 10:47 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC200. Launch Pad: LC200/39. Launch Vehicle: Proton 8K82K / 11S861. Model: Proton-K/DM-2. LV Configuration: Proton-K/DM-2 354-02. Cosmos 2139 Nation: USSR. Payload: Glonass s/n 50L. Mass: 1,400 kg (3,000 lb). Class: Navigation. Spacecraft: Glonass . Agency: MOM. Perigee: 19,098 km (11,866 mi). Apogee: 19,160 km (11,900 mi). Inclination: 65.10 deg. Period: 675.70 min. COSPAR: 1991-025A. USAF Sat Cat: 21216. Glonass. Testing of components and apparatus of the Glonass global space navigation system being set up to determine the position of the Soviet Union's civil aircraft and vessels in its merchant marine and fishing fleet. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 67, 274. Cosmos 2140 Nation: USSR. Payload: Glonass s/n 53L. Mass: 1,400 kg (3,000 lb). Class: Navigation. Spacecraft: Glonass. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 19,097 km (11,866 mi). Apogee: 19,161 km (11,906 mi). Inclination: 65.10 deg. Period: 675.70 min. COSPAR: 1991-025B. USAF Sat Cat: 21217. Glonass. Testing of components and apparatus of the Glonass global space navigation system being set up to determine the position of the Soviet Union's civil aircraft and vessels in its merchant marine and fishing fleet. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 67, 274. Cosmos 2141 Nation: USSR. Payload: Glonass s/n 54L. Mass: 1,400 kg (3,000 lb). Class: Navigation. Spacecraft: Glonass. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 19,113 km (11,876 mi). Apogee: 19,146 km (11,896 mi). Inclination: 64.00 deg. Period: 675.70 min. COSPAR: 1991-025C. USAF Sat Cat: 21218. Glonass. Testing of components and apparatus of the Glonass global space navigation system being set up to determine the position of the Soviet Union's civil aircraft and vessels in its merchant marine and fishing fleet. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 67, 274. 1991 April 4 - 23:33 GMT - Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: ELA2. Launch Pad: ELA2. Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44P. Model: Ariane 44P. LV Configuration: Ariane 44P V43. Anik E2 Nation: Canada. Program: Anik. Mass: 2,923 kg (6,444 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: AS 5000. Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin. Agency: Telesat. Perigee: 35,778 km (22,231 mi). Apogee: 35,795 km (22,241 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 1991-026A. USAF Sat Cat: 21222. Canadian communications; 107.3 deg W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 107 deg W in 1991-1999 As of 6 September 2001 located at 111.10 deg W drifting at 0.003 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 123.15E drifting at 4.124W degrees per day. References: 1, 2, 5, 6. 1991 April 5 - Astronaut Dr Manley Lanier (Sonny) Carter Jr dies at age of 43 -- Crash of a commercial airliner while on NASA business travel. Nation: USA. 1991 April 5 - 14:05 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Topol. Model: Topol'. Topol Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1838. 1991 April 5 - 14:22 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC39. Launch Pad: LC39B. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. Model: Space Shuttle. LV Configuration: Space Shuttle STS-37R. STS-37 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Payload: Atlantis F08 / Compton Gamma Ray Observatory. Mass: 16,611 kg (36,620 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Atlantis. Agency: NASA JSC. Perigee: 450 km (270 mi). Apogee: 462 km (287 mi). Inclination: 28.50 deg. Period: 93.70 min. COSPAR: 1991-027A. USAF Sat Cat: 21224. Duration: 5.98 days. Decay Date: 1991-04-11. Crew: Apt, Cameron, Godwin, Nagel, Ross. Flight: STS-37. Manned five crew. Unscheduled EVA to manually deploy the Gamma-Ray Observatory's high-gain antenna, which failed to deploy upon ground command. Payloads: Gamma-Ray Observatory (GRO), Crew/ Equipment Translation Aids (part of Extravehicular Activity Development Flight Experiment), Ascent Particle Monitor (APM), Bioserve Instrumentation Technology Associates Materials Dispersion Apparatus (BlMDA), Protein Crystal Growth (PCG)-Block Il, Space Station Heatpipe Advanced Radiator Element (SHARE)-ll, Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment (SAREX)-ll, Radiation Monitoring Equipment (RME)-lIl, Air Force Maui Optical Site (AMOS) Calibration Test.References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7. Compton Observatory Nation: USA. Payload: Gamma Ray Observatory. Mass: 15,620 kg (34,430 lb). Class: Astronomy. Spacecraft: GRO. Agency: NASA GSF. Perigee: 448 km (278 mi). Apogee: 453 km (281 mi). Inclination: 28.50 deg. Period: 93.60 min. COSPAR: 1991-027B. USAF Sat Cat: 21225. Decay Date: 2000-06-04. Astrophysical laboratory for gamma ray observations; deployed from STS-37 4/7/91; renamed Compton Gamma Ray Observatory. The Compton Gamma Ray Observatory was intentionally deorbited on by NASA over the objections of the scientific community on June 3, 2000. NASA decided to end the mission after several orientation gyroscope failures. They felt that if another gyroscope was lost, the heavy spacecraft might eventually reenter out of control.References: 1, 2, 5, 6. 1991 April 7 - EVA STS-37-1 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Atlantis. Crew: Ross, Apt. Flight: STS-37. EVA Duration: 0.19 days. Manually deployed Gamma-Ray Observatory's high-gain antenna. References: 66. 1991 April 8 - EVA STS-37-2 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Atlantis. Crew: Ross, Apt. Flight: STS-37. EVA Duration: 0.25 days. Tested CETA (Crew / Equipment Translation Aids - rail with cart for moving astronauts around exterior of International Space Station). References: 66. 1991 April 9 - 18:50 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Complex: S. Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Model: Skylark 7. LV Configuration: Skylark 7 DLR K-GR-187. Skylark SISSI 4 Aeronomy mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DLR. Apogee: 245 km (152 mi). References: 1582. 1991 April 11 - Galileo antenna relese fails Nation: USA. Spacecraft: Galileo. Subsequent attempts to release it failed, reducing data return rate by an order of magnitude. 1991 April 11 - Landing of STS-37 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Flight: STS-37. STS-37 landed at 13:56 GMT. 1991 April 12 - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: HPB. LV Configuration: HPB Firebird 1. HPB Target mission? Nation: USA. Agency: OSC. Apogee: 400 km (240 mi). References: 1836. 1991 April 13 - 00:09 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC17. Launch Pad: LC17B. Launch Vehicle: Delta 7000. Model: Delta 7925. LV Configuration: Delta 7925 D204. ASC-2 / Spacenet F4 Nation: USA. Program: GTE. Mass: 1,350 kg (2,970 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: ASC. Agency: Contel. Perigee: 35,780 km (22,230 mi). Apogee: 35,794 km (22,241 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min. COSPAR: 1991-028A. USAF Sat Cat: 21227. Commercial business communications; stationed at 101 deg W. C, Ku band communications satellite. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 101 deg W in 1991-1999; 81 deg W in 2000. As of 6 September 2001 located at 172.04 deg E drifting at 0.007 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 34.51E drifting at 2.539W degrees per day.References: 1, 2, 5, 6. 1991 April 15 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: ETR. Launch Pad: SLBM Launch Area. Launch Vehicle: Trident D-5. Trident D-5 DASO-6 demonstration and shakedown operations launch Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 796. 1991 April 16 - 07:21 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132. Launch Pad: LC132/1. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 11K65M. Model: Kosmos 11K65M. LV Configuration: Kosmos 11K65M 47148-401. Cosmos 2142 Nation: USSR. Mass: 810 kg (1,780 lb). Class: Navigation. Spacecraft: Parus. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 960 km (590 mi). Apogee: 1,019 km (633 mi). Inclination: 83.00 deg. Period: 104.90 min. COSPAR: 1991-029A. USAF Sat Cat: 21230. Military navigation satellite. Positioned in plane 5 of constellation. Signals at 150.03 and 400.07 MHz. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 107. 1991 April 17 - 07:46 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 10CM1. LV Configuration: Black Brant 10CM1 SDI BP-2. Black Brant Technology mission Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 900 km (550 mi). References: 1836. 1991 April 18 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Second and final launch of the Small ICBM missile Nation: USA. Second and final launch of the Small ICBM missile (first launch on 11 May 1989). References: 88. 1991 April 18 - 18:33 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: TP-01. Launch Vehicle: SICBM. LV Configuration: SICBM FTM-2A. SICBM Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: AFSC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1836. 1991 April 18 - 23:30 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Pad: LC36B. Launch Vehicle: Atlas I. Model: Atlas I. LV Configuration: Atlas I AC-70. FAILURE: RL-10 Centaur engine turbopump failed at T+361 seconds; destroyed by range safety. Yuri 3H Nation: Japan. Program: BS. Payload: BS-3H. Mass: 600 kg (1,320 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: AS 3000. Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin. Agency: TSCJ. Apogee: 175 km (108 mi). COSPAR: F910418A. Decay Date: 1991-04-18. References: 5, 278. 1991 April 24 - 01:37 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC32. Launch Pad: LC32. Launch Vehicle: Tsyklon 3. Model: Tsiklon-3. Meteor 3-04 Nation: USSR. Payload: Meteor-3 s/n 6. Mass: 2,150 kg (4,730 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Weather. Spacecraft: Meteor-3. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,187 km (737 mi). Apogee: 1,209 km (751 mi). Inclination: 82.50 deg. Period: 109.40 min. COSPAR: 1991-030A. USAF Sat Cat: 21232. Testing data-measuring equipment and methods for remote sensing of the atmosphere and Earth's surface to benefit the Soviet economy and science. First completely operational version of the spacecraft. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 115. 1991 April 25 - EVA Mir EO-8-4 Nation: USSR. Program: Mir. Class: Manned. Type: Space station. Spacecraft: Mir. Crew: Afanasyev, Manarov. Flight: Mir EO-8. EVA Duration: 0.15 days. Inspected Kurs docking system antenna. References: 66. 1991 April 25 - 18:00 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Vehicle: Nike Orion. LV Configuration: Nike Orion NASA 31.79UU. Nike Orion CWAS 19 Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 140 km (80 mi). References: 931. 1991 April 28 - 11:33 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC39. Launch Pad: LC39A. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. Model: Space Shuttle. LV Configuration: Space Shuttle STS-39. STS-39 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Payload: Discovery F12. Mass: 9,712 kg (21,411 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Discovery. Agency: NASA JSC. Perigee: 248 km (154 mi). Apogee: 263 km (163 mi). Inclination: 57.00 deg. Period: 89.60 min. COSPAR: 1991-031A. USAF Sat Cat: 21242. Duration: 8.31 days. Decay Date: 1991-05-06. Crew: Bluford, Coats, Hammond, Harbaugh, Hieb, McMonagle, Veach. Flight: STS-39. Manned seven crew. Deployed USA 70, CRO A, CRO B, CRO C; deployed and retrieved IBSS. Payloads: Infrared Background Signature Survey (lBSS), Air Force Program (AFP)-675, Space Test Payload (STP)-I, Multi-Purpose Experiment Canister (MPEC), Cloud Logic to Optimize Use of Defense Systems (CLOUDS)-1A, Radiation Monitoring Equipment (RME)-lll.References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7. IBSS Nation: USA. Payload: SPAS-2. Mass: 1,901 kg (4,190 lb). Class: Astronomy. Spacecraft: IBSS. Agency: SDIO. Perigee: 245 km (152 mi). Apogee: 255 km (158 mi). Inclination: 57.00 deg. Period: 89.50 min. COSPAR: 1991-031B. USAF Sat Cat: 21244. Decay Date: 1991-05-06. Infrared Background Signature Survey; sensor technology test; retrieved 2 May 1991. References: 1, 2, 5, 6. USA 70 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Payload: MPEC. Class: Technology. Type: Military. Spacecraft: MPEC. Agency: DARPA?. COSPAR: 1991-031C. USAF Sat Cat: 21262. Classified subsatellite released from shuttle. References: 1, 2, 5, 6. CRO-C Nation: USA. Payload: Discovery F12 / IBSS-SPAS 02 / CRO A / CRO B / CRO. Mass: 197 kg (434 lb). Class: Military. Type: SDI. Spacecraft: CRO. Agency: SDIO. Perigee: 67 km (41 mi). Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). Inclination: 56.90 deg. Period: 85.70 min. COSPAR: 1991-031D. USAF Sat Cat: 21245. Decay Date: 1991-05-14. Chemical Release Observation; deployed 2 May 1991; released gases for observation by IBSS. References: 1, 2, 5, 6. CRO-B Nation: USA. Payload: Discovery F12 / IBSS-SPAS 02 / CRO A / CRO B / CRO. Mass: 197 kg (434 lb). Class: Military. Type: SDI. Spacecraft: CRO. Agency: SDIO. Perigee: 68 km (42 mi). Apogee: 88 km (54 mi). Inclination: 56.90 deg. Period: 85.80 min. COSPAR: 1991-031E. USAF Sat Cat: 21246. Decay Date: 1991-05-12. Chemical Release Observation; deployed 2 May 1991; released gases for observation by IBSS. References: 1, 2, 5, 6. CRO-A Nation: USA. Payload: Discovery F12 / IBSS-SPAS 02 / CRO A / CRO B / CRO. Mass: 197 kg (434 lb). Class: Military. Type: SDI. Spacecraft: CRO. Agency: SDIO. Perigee: 215 km (133 mi). Apogee: 236 km (146 mi). Inclination: 57.00 deg. Period: 89.00 min. COSPAR: 1991-031F. USAF Sat Cat: 21247. Decay Date: 1991-05-13. Chemical Release Observation; deployed 3 May 1991; released gases for observation by IBSS. References: 1, 2, 5, 6. AFP-675 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Spacecraft: AFP-675. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1991-031xx. USAF Sat Cat: 21242. Decay Date: 1991-05-06. References: 279. STP-1 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1991-031xx. USAF Sat Cat: 21242. Decay Date: 1991-05-06. References: 279. SPAS-II Nation: USA. Payload: SPAS. Class: Military. Type: SDI. Spacecraft: SPAS. Agency: NASA. Perigee: 248 km (154 mi). Apogee: 263 km (163 mi). Inclination: 57.00 deg. Period: 89.60 min. COSPAR: 1991-031xx. Shuttle Pallet Satellite-II (SPAS-II) experiments were carried out on this classified mission. No details on whether SPAS was released or nature of experiments. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7. 1991 April 29 - Launch Site: Natal. Launch Vehicle: Sonda 3. LV Configuration: Sonda 3 XV-23. Sonda 3 Ionosphere mission? Nation: Brazil. Agency: IAE. Apogee: 441 km (274 mi). References: 1089. 1991 April 30 - 19:19 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Vehicle: Nike Orion. LV Configuration: Nike Orion NASA 31.80UU. FAILURE: Failure. Nike Orion CWAS 20 Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 140 km (80 mi). References: 931. 1991 May - Launch Site: Qom. Launch Vehicle: Hwasong. Model: Hwasong 6. Hwasong Test mission Nation: Iran. Agency: IRAN. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 789. 1991 May 4 - 04:10 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant IX. LV Configuration: Black Brant IX NASA 36.062UL. Black Brant Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). References: 931. 1991 May 6 - Landing of STS-39 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Flight: STS-39. STS-39 landed at 18:53 GMT. 1991 May 7 - 18:05 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant IX. LV Configuration: Black Brant IX NASA 36.086GS. Black Brant Solar mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). References: 931. 1991 May 8 - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Vehicle: Maxus. LV Configuration: Maxus MAXUS 1. FAILURE: Failed. Maxus Microgravity mission Nation: Sweden. Agency: SSC. Apogee: 157 km (97 mi). Microgravity experiments. Recovered, although it reached only a fraction of the planned altitude. The MAXUS sounding rocket program began in 1989 and the first launch took place in 1991.The program was a joint venture between the Swedish Space Corporation and the German space company EADS-ST. The Maxus program was financed by ESA. The scientific objective was to perform experiments during 12-13 minutes of microgravity (10-4 g) using a single stage sounding rocket motor. The motor, a Castor 4B, had a maximum acceleration of 13 g, a top speed of 3500 m/sec and reached an apogee of around 750 km depending on the payload mass.References: 1910. 1991 May 10 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: ETR. Launch Pad: SLBM Launch Area. Launch Vehicle: Trident C-4. Trident C-4 Follow-On CINC Evaluation Test Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 796. 1991 May 10 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: ETR. Launch Pad: SLBM Launch Area. Launch Vehicle: Trident C-4. Trident C-4 Follow-On CINC Evaluation Test Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 796. 1991 May 11 - 20:40 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF03. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 1. Model: Minuteman 1B. Minuteman 1 GBI-2 ERIS Target mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). This was intended to be the second ERIS intercept flight, but there was either an ERIS launcher problem or a range safety problem that aborted the attempt after the target vehicle was on its way towards Kwajalein.It took just over one year to recover from that abort and to perform the intercept attempt against target vehicle "2B".References: 983. 1991 May 13 - 19:03 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant IX. LV Configuration: Black Brant IX NASA 36.049US. Black Brant MSSTA Solar X-ray mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 230 km (140 mi). References: 1920. 1991 May 14 - 15:52 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC3. Launch Pad: SLC3W. Launch Vehicle: Atlas E. Model: Atlas E. LV Configuration: Atlas E 50E / Star-37S-ISS. NOAA 12 Nation: USA. Program: Tiros. Payload: NOAA D. Mass: 1,416 kg (3,121 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Weather. Spacecraft: Tiros N. Agency: NOAA. Perigee: 805 km (500 mi). Apogee: 824 km (512 mi). Inclination: 98.60 deg. Period: 101.20 min. COSPAR: 1991-032A. USAF Sat Cat: 21263. Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space (US Cat B). References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 278. 1991 May 16 - 21:40 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC32. Launch Pad: LC32. Launch Vehicle: Tsyklon 3. Model: Tsiklon-3. Cosmos 2143 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-3 no. 53. Mass: 220 kg (480 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-3. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,398 km (868 mi). Apogee: 1,417 km (880 mi). Inclination: 82.60 deg. Period: 114.00 min. COSPAR: 1991-033A. USAF Sat Cat: 21299. Six satellites launched by a single carrier rocket. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 105. Cosmos 2144 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-3 no. 54. Mass: 220 kg (480 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-3. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,411 km (876 mi). Apogee: 1,417 km (880 mi). Inclination: 82.60 deg. Period: 114.10 min. COSPAR: 1991-033B. USAF Sat Cat: 21300. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 105. Cosmos 2145 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-3 no. 55. Mass: 220 kg (480 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-3. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,405 km (873 mi). Apogee: 1,417 km (880 mi). Inclination: 82.60 deg. Period: 114.00 min. COSPAR: 1991-033C. USAF Sat Cat: 21301. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 105. Cosmos 2146 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-3 no. 56. Mass: 220 kg (480 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-3. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,393 km (865 mi). Apogee: 1,417 km (880 mi). Inclination: 82.60 deg. Period: 113.90 min. COSPAR: 1991-033D. USAF Sat Cat: 21302. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 105. Cosmos 2147 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-3 no. 57. Mass: 220 kg (480 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-3. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,388 km (862 mi). Apogee: 1,417 km (880 mi). Inclination: 82.60 deg. Period: 113.80 min. COSPAR: 1991-033E. USAF Sat Cat: 21303. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 105. Cosmos 2148 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-3 no. 58. Mass: 220 kg (480 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-3. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,381 km (858 mi). Apogee: 1,417 km (880 mi). Inclination: 82.60 deg. Period: 113.80 min. COSPAR: 1991-033F. USAF Sat Cat: 21304. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 105. 1991 May 18 - 12:50 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: LC1. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U2. Model: Soyuz 11A511U2. Soyuz TM-12 Nation: USSR. Program: Mir. Payload: Soyuz TM 11F732 s/n 62. Mass: 7,150 kg (15,760 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spacecraft. Spacecraft: Soyuz TM. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 389 km (241 mi). Apogee: 397 km (246 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 92.40 min. COSPAR: 1991-034A. USAF Sat Cat: 21311. Duration: 144.64 days. Decay Date: 1991-10-10. Crew: Artsebarsky, Krikalyov, Sharman. Flight: Mir EO-9, Mir LD-3, Mir Juno, Mir EO-8. Docked with Mir. Mir Expedition EO-09. Carried Anatoli Artsebarski, Sergei Krikalev, Helen Sharman to Mir; returned Artsebarski, crew of Soyuz TM 8 to Earth. Second commercial flight with paying British passenger. Sponsoring British consortium was not quite able to come up with money, however. Flight continued at Soviet expense with very limited UK experiments.References: 1, 2, 6,51. 1991 May 20 - 07:30 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries NASA 24.11CH. Aries SXT X-ray Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). References: 931. 1991 May 21 - 09:00 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC43. Launch Pad: LC43/4. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Model: Soyuz 11A511U. Resurs F-10 Nation: USSR. Program: Resurs. Payload: Resurs-F2 17F42 s/n 6. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Landsat. Spacecraft: Resurs F2. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 178 km (110 mi). Apogee: 242 km (150 mi). Inclination: 82.30 deg. Period: 88.70 min. COSPAR: 1991-035A. USAF Sat Cat: 21313. Duration: 30.00 days. Decay Date: 1991-06-20. Also carried microgravity experiments. Investigation of the natural resources of the earth in the interests of the various branches of the national economy of the USSR, and solution of problems relating to the environment and to international cooperation. References: 1, 2, 6. 1991 May 24 - 15:29 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC43. Launch Pad: LC43/3. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Model: Soyuz 11A511U. Cosmos 2149 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,600 kg (14,500 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Yantar-4K1. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 173 km (107 mi). Apogee: 285 km (177 mi). Inclination: 67.10 deg. Period: 89.10 min. COSPAR: 1991-036A. USAF Sat Cat: 21315. Duration: 41.00 days. Decay Date: 1991-07-04. 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: 1, 2, 6, 179. 1991 May 26 - Landing of Soyuz TM-11 Nation: USSR. Program: Mir. Flight: Mir EO-8, Mir Juno, Mir EO-9, Mir LD-3. Soyuz TM-11 landed at 10:03 GMT with the crew of Afanasyev, Manarov and Sharman aboard. 1991 May 28 - 12:05 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Vehicle: R-36M. Model: R-36MU 15A18. R-36M Joint flight trials launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1838. 1991 May 29 - 22:55 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC17. Launch Pad: LC17B. Launch Vehicle: Delta 7000. Model: Delta 7925. LV Configuration: Delta 7925 D205. Aurora 2 Nation: USA. Payload: Satcom-C 5. Mass: 1,336 kg (2,945 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: AS 3000. Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin. Agency: GE Alasc. Perigee: 36,125 km (22,446 mi). Apogee: 36,161 km (22,469 mi). Inclination: 1.20 deg. Period: 1,454.40 min. COSPAR: 1991-037A. USAF Sat Cat: 21392. Stationed at 139 deg W. Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space (US Cat B). Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 139 deg W in 1991-1999 As of 30 August 2001 located at 148.31 deg E drifting at 4.531 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 2.15E drifting at 4.534W degrees per day.References: 1, 2, 5, 6. 1991 May 30 - 08:04 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: LC1. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U2. Model: Soyuz 11A511U2. LV Configuration: Soyuz 11A511U2 R15000-050. Naduvaniy gazovoy ballon Nation: USSR. Program: Mir. Payload: Balloon subsatellite. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 187 km (116 mi). Apogee: 198 km (123 mi). Inclination: 51.50 deg. Period: 88.34 min. COSPAR: 1986-017FJ. USAF Sat Cat: 21661. Decay Date: 1991-08-29. Flight: Mir EO-9, Mir LD-3. References: 279. Progress M-8 Nation: USSR. Program: Mir. Payload: Progress M s/n 207. Mass: 7,296 kg (16,084 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Logistics. Spacecraft: Progress M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 390 km (240 mi). Apogee: 396 km (246 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 92.40 min. COSPAR: 1991-038A. USAF Sat Cat: 21395. Duration: 77.95 days. Completed Operations Date: 1991-08-16 07:02:29. Decay Date: 1991-08-16 07:02:29. Flight: Mir EO-9, Mir LD-3. Unmanned resupply vessel to Mir. Docked with Mir on 1 Jun 1991 09:44:37 GMT. Undocked on 15 Aug 1991 22:16:59 GMT. Destroyed in reentry on 16 Aug 1991 06:56:32 GMT. Total free-flight time 2.43 days. Total docked time 75.52 days. References: 1, 2, 6, 275. 1991 June 3 - France agrees to sign 1968 treaty banning spread of atomic weapons Nation: France. 1991 June 4 - 08:10 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC32. Launch Pad: LC32/2. Launch Vehicle: Tsyklon 3. Model: Tsiklon-3. Okean 3 Nation: USSR. Program: Okean. Payload: Okean-O1 no. 6. Mass: 1,950 kg (4,290 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Radarsat. Spacecraft: Okean-O1. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 621 km (385 mi). Apogee: 656 km (407 mi). Inclination: 82.50 deg. Period: 97.50 min. COSPAR: 1991-039A. USAF Sat Cat: 21397. Completed Operations Date: 1994-01-04. Oceanography. Gathering of up-to-date oceanographic information and data on ice conditions in the interests of the Soviet economy and international cooperation. Okean 3 ceased working in January of 1994. References: 1, 2, 5, 6. 1991 June 5 - 13:24 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC39. Launch Pad: LC39B. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. Model: Space Shuttle. LV Configuration: Space Shuttle STS-40. STS-40 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Payload: Columbia F11 / GBA-2. Mass: 11,767 kg (25,941 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Columbia. Agency: NASA JSC. Perigee: 287 km (178 mi). Apogee: 296 km (183 mi). Inclination: 39.00 deg. Period: 90.40 min. COSPAR: 1991-040A. USAF Sat Cat: 21399. Duration: 9.09 days. Decay Date: 1991-06-14. Crew: Bagian, Gaffney, Gutierrez, Hughes-Fulford, Jernigan, O'Connor, Seddon. Flight: STS-40. Carried Spacelab life sciences module. Payloads: Spacelab Life Sciences (SLS)-1 with long module, getaway special bridge assembly with 12 getaway specials, Physiological Monitoring System (PMS), Urine Monitoring System (UMS), Animal Enclosure Modules (AEM), Middeck Zero-gravity Dynamics Experiment (MODE), 7 Orbiter Experiments Program experiments.References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7. Spacelab SLS 1 Nation: USA. Program: Spacelab. Payload: Spacelab Long Module. Class: Manned. Type: Spacelab. Spacecraft: Spacelab. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1991-040xx. USAF Sat Cat: 21399. Decay Date: 1991-06-14. References: 279. GBA-2 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Payload: GAS Bridge. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1991-040xx. USAF Sat Cat: 21399. Decay Date: 1991-06-14. References: 279. 1991 June 11 - 05:41 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC133. Launch Pad: LC133/3. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 11K65M. Model: Kosmos 11K65M. LV Configuration: Kosmos 11K65M 47159-819. Cosmos 2150 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Mass: 900 kg (1,980 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-2M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 778 km (483 mi). Apogee: 805 km (500 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 100.70 min. COSPAR: 1991-041A. USAF Sat Cat: 21418. References: 1, 2, 5, 6. 1991 June 11 - 17:47 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF08. Launch Vehicle: Peacekeeper. LV Configuration: Peacekeeper 06PA. Peacekeeper Operational Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1836. 1991 June 13 - 15:41 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC32. Launch Pad: LC32. Launch Vehicle: Tsyklon 3. Model: Tsiklon-3. Cosmos 2151 Nation: USSR. Program: Tselina. Payload: Tselina-D no. 70. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Class: Sigint. Spacecraft: Tselina-D. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 625 km (388 mi). Apogee: 653 km (405 mi). Inclination: 82.50 deg. Period: 97.50 min. COSPAR: 1991-042A. USAF Sat Cat: 21422. Investigation of outer space. References: 1, 2, 5, 6. 1991 June 14 - Landing of STS-40 Nation: USA. Program: Spacelab. Flight: STS-40. STS-40 landed at 15:40 GMT. 1991 June 17 - 21:50 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC200. Launch Pad: LC200/39. Launch Vehicle: Proton 8K82K. Model: Proton-K. LV Configuration: Proton-K 337-01. Mak 1 Nation: USSR. Program: Mir. Payload: Mak. Class: Earth. Type: Atmosphere. Spacecraft: Mak. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 377 km (234 mi). Apogee: 389 km (241 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 92.20 min. COSPAR: 1986-017DV. USAF Sat Cat: 21425. Decay Date: 1991-10-18. Flight: Mir EO-9, Mir LD-3. Deployed from MIR 6/17/91. Launched from Mir airlock. Investigation of features at the Earth's atmosphere. Launched with the Mir orbital station. References: 1, 2, 6. 1991 June 18 - 09:09 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC43. Launch Pad: LC43/4. Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M. Model: Molniya 8K78M. LV Configuration: Molniya 8K78M ML. Molniya 1-81 Nation: USSR. Program: Molniya. Payload: Molniya-1T. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Molniya-1T. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 2,262 km (1,405 mi). Apogee: 38,094 km (23,670 mi). Inclination: 63.60 deg. Period: 717.80 min. COSPAR: 1991-043A. USAF Sat Cat: 21426. 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. References: 1, 2, 5, 6. 1991 June 18 - 11:34 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC20. Launch Vehicle: Prospector. LV Configuration: Prospector JOUST 1. FAILURE: Failure. Prospector Microgravity mission Nation: USA. Agency: OSC. Apogee: 1.00 km (0.60 mi). Material and biological experiments. References: 984. 1991 June 20 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF03. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 1. Model: Minuteman 1B. Minuteman 1 RSLP AST re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). References: 916. 1991 June 24 - Launch Site: Biscarosse. Launch Complex: BLB. Launch Vehicle: SSBS. LV Configuration: SSBS S3 26010. SSBS Operational test mission Nation: France. Agency: DMA. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 774. 1991 June 25 - EVA Mir EO-9-1 Nation: USSR. Program: Mir. Class: Manned. Type: Space station. Spacecraft: Mir. Crew: Artsebarsky, Krikalyov. Flight: Mir EO-9, Mir LD-3. EVA Duration: 0.20 days. Replaced Kurs docking system antenna. References: 66. 1991 June 25 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF26. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3. Minuteman 3 FOT GT144GB Follow-on Test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). References: 916. 1991 June 25 - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132. Launch Pad: LC132/1. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 11K65M. Model: Kosmos 11K65M. LV Configuration: Kosmos 11K65M 65061-262. FAILURE: Second stage malfunction - no stable orbit. Romb Nation: USSR. Class: Calibration. Spacecraft: Taifun-2. Agency: UNKS. COSPAR: F910625M. Released 25 Romb radar calibration subsatellites. 1991 June 25 - 17:00 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Topol. Model: Topol'. Topol Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1838. 1991 June 28 - EVA Mir EO-9-2 Nation: USSR. Program: Mir. Class: Manned. Type: Space station. Spacecraft: Mir. Crew: Artsebarsky, Krikalyov. Flight: Mir EO-9, Mir LD-3. EVA Duration: 0.14 days. Attached TREK cosmic ray collector to exterior of station. References: 66. 1991 June 28 - 08:09 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC43. Launch Pad: LC43/3. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Model: Soyuz 11A511U. Resurs F-11 Nation: USSR. Program: Resurs. Payload: Resurs-F1 14F43 s/n 52. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Landsat. Spacecraft: Resurs F1-14F43. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 253 km (157 mi). Apogee: 268 km (166 mi). Inclination: 82.30 deg. Period: 89.70 min. COSPAR: 1991-044A. USAF Sat Cat: 21524. Duration: 23.00 days. Decay Date: 1991-07-21. Investigation of the natural resources of the Earth in the interests of various branches of the national economy of the USSR; solution of problems relating to ecology and international cooperation. References: 1, 2, 6. 1991 June 29 - 14:00 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC5. Launch Pad: SLC5. Launch Vehicle: Scout G. Model: Scout G-1. LV Configuration: Scout G-1 S216C. REX Nation: USA. Payload: REX 1. Mass: 85 kg (187 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Ionosphere. Spacecraft: REX. Agency: USAF Rom. Perigee: 767 km (476 mi). Apogee: 869 km (539 mi). Inclination: 89.50 deg. Period: 101.30 min. COSPAR: 1991-045A. USAF Sat Cat: 21527. Radiation Experiment; tested communications components in high radiation environment. Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space (US Cat B). References: 1, 2, 5, 6. 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 - 2007 except where otherwise noted.

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