Chronology - Quarter 4 1991 Previous Home Next 1991 October - Lockheed feasibility studies of HL-20 Nation: USA. Spacecraft: HL-20, Space Station Freedom. Lockheed Advanced Development Company began a study to determine the feasibility of developing a prototype and operational system. The study objectives were to assess technical attributes, to determine flight qualification requirements, and to develop cost and schedule estimates. 1991 October - Galileo passes by asteroid Gaspra Nation: USA. Spacecraft: Galileo. Galileo returned the first images of an asteroid. 1991 October 2 - 05:59 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: LC1. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U2. Model: Soyuz 11A511U2. Soyuz TM-13 Nation: USSR. Program: Mir. Payload: Soyuz TM 11F732 s/n 63. Mass: 7,150 kg (15,760 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spacecraft. Spacecraft: Soyuz TM. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 195 km (121 mi). Apogee: 232 km (144 mi). Inclination: 51.70 deg. Period: 88.80 min. COSPAR: 1991-069A. USAF Sat Cat: 21735. Duration: 175.12 days. Decay Date: 1992-03-25. Crew: Aubakirov, Viehboeck, Volkov Aleksandr. Flight: Mir EO-10, Mir Austromir, Mir EO-9, Mir LD-3. Manned three crew. Docked with Mir. Mir Expedition EO-10. Transported to the Mir manned orbital station an international crew comprising the cosmonauts A Volkov (USSR), T Aubakirov (USSR) and F. Viehbock (Austria), to conduct joint scientific and technical research with the cosmonauts A. Artsebarsky and S Krikalev. Austria paid $ 7 million for mission. Kazakh cosmonaut added at last minute.References: 1, 2, 6,51. 1991 October 2 - 15:50 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Topol. Model: Topol'. Topol Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1777. 1991 October 3 - 22:27 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Vehicle: Nike Orion. LV Configuration: Nike Orion DLR A-NO-194. Nike Orion Turbo-Metal aeronomy mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DLR. Apogee: 140 km (80 mi). References: 1582. 1991 October 4 - 00:08 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Vehicle: Nike Orion. LV Configuration: Nike Orion DLR A-NO-195. Nike Orion Turbo-Metal aeronomy mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DLR. Apogee: 140 km (80 mi). References: 1582. 1991 October 4 - 18:10 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC43. Launch Pad: LC43/4. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Model: Soyuz 11A511U. Foton 7 Nation: USSR. Payload: Foton s/n 7L. Mass: 6,200 kg (13,600 lb). Class: Materials. Spacecraft: Foton. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 214 km (132 mi). Apogee: 394 km (244 mi). Inclination: 62.80 deg. Period: 90.60 min. COSPAR: 1991-070A. USAF Sat Cat: 21737. Duration: 15.54 days. Decay Date: 1991-10-20. Materials research; carried German, French experiments. Continuation of space materials research conducted jointly with Germany and France. References: 1, 2, 6, 69. 1991 October 9 - 13:15 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: LC1. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U2. Model: Soyuz 11A511U2. Cosmos 2163 Nation: USSR. Program: Orlets. Payload: Orlets-1 no. 3. Mass: 6,500 kg (14,300 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Orlets-1. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 169 km (105 mi). Apogee: 308 km (191 mi). Inclination: 64.80 deg. Period: 89.30 min. COSPAR: 1991-071A. USAF Sat Cat: 21741. Duration: 58.00 days. Decay Date: 1991-12-07. Long duration film return military reconnaissance satellite. After returning multiple film capsules, the spacecraft was deorbited. References: 1, 2, 6, 102, 106. 1991 October 10 - 11:05 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Vehicle: R-36M2. Model: R-36M2 15A18M. R-36M2 State trials missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1838. 1991 October 10 - 14:00 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132. Launch Pad: LC132/1. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 11K65M. Model: Kosmos 11K65M. LV Configuration: Kosmos 11K65M 53778-420. Cosmos 2164 Nation: USSR. Mass: 750 kg (1,650 lb). Class: Calibration. Spacecraft: Taifun-1Yu. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 256 km (159 mi). Apogee: 541 km (336 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 92.50 min. COSPAR: 1991-072A. USAF Sat Cat: 21743. Decay Date: 1992-12-12. Radar calibration mission. References: 1, 2, 5, 6. 1991 October 10 - Landing of Soyuz TM-12 Nation: USSR. Program: Mir. Flight: Mir EO-9, Mir Austromir, Mir EO-9, Mir LD-3. Soyuz TM-12 landed at 04:11 GMT with the crew of Artsebarsky, Aubakirov and Viehboeck aboard. 1991 October 14 - 10:17 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC20. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries Red Tigress 1B. Aries Target mission Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 320 km (190 mi). LEAP-1. Missile Tracking and Discrimination for SDIO. References: 795. 1991 October 17 - 00:05 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: LC1. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U2. Model: Soyuz 11A511U2. LV Configuration: Soyuz 11A511U2 15000-055. Progress M-10 Nation: USSR. Program: Mir. Payload: Progress M s/n 211. Mass: 7,306 kg (16,106 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Logistics. Spacecraft: Progress M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 185 km (114 mi). Apogee: 217 km (134 mi). Inclination: 51.70 deg. Period: 88.50 min. COSPAR: 1991-073A. USAF Sat Cat: 21746. Duration: 95.50 days. Completed Operations Date: 1992-01-20 12:03:05. Decay Date: 1992-01-20 12:03:05. Flight: Mir EO-10, Mir LD-3. Unmanned resupply vessel to Mir. First attempted to dock with Mir on 19 October 1991. The docking was automatically aborted at a distance of 150 m from the station. Successfully docked with the forward port of Mir on on 21 Oct 1991 03:40:50 GMT. Unloading began next day. Undocked on 20 Jan 1992 07:13:44 GMT. Destroyed in reentry on 20 Jan 1992 12:03:30 GMT. Total free-flight time 4.35 days. Total docked time 91.15 days.References: 1, 2, 6, 275. VBK Raduga Nation: USSR. Program: Mir. Spacecraft: Progress M. Agency: UNKS. COSPAR: 1991-073xx. USAF Sat Cat: 21746. Decay Date: 1992-01-20. Flight: Mir EO-10, Mir LD-3. References: 279. 1991 October 23 - 15:25 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-2 362-02. Gorizont 24 Nation: USSR. Payload: Gorizont s/n 35L. Mass: 2,125 kg (4,684 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Gorizont . Agency: MOM. Perigee: 36,220 km (22,500 mi). Apogee: 36,394 km (22,614 mi). Inclination: 6.50 deg. Period: 1,462.80 min. COSPAR: 1991-074A. USAF Sat Cat: 21759. Completed Operations Date: 1998-06-01. Stationed at 80 deg E. Maintenance of telephone and telegraph radio communications and transmission of television broadcasts. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 80 deg E in 1991-1998 As of 28 August 2001 located at 158.79 deg E drifting at 6.583 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 172.52W drifting at 6.586W degrees per day.References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 67, 111, 274. 1991 October 29 - Galileo, Asteroid Gaspra Flyby Spacecraft: Galileo. 1991 October 29 - 23:08 GMT - Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: ELA2. Launch Pad: ELA2. Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Model: Ariane 44L. LV Configuration: Ariane 44L V47. Intelsat 6A F-1 Nation: International. Program: Intelsat. Payload: Intelsat 601. Mass: 4,330 kg (9,540 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 393. Agency: Intelsat. Perigee: 35,784 km (22,235 mi). Apogee: 35,791 km (22,239 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min. COSPAR: 1991-075A. USAF Sat Cat: 21765. International communications; 27.5 deg W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 27 deg W in 1992-1997; 34 deg W in 1997-1999 As of 2 September 2001 located at 34.48 deg W drifting at 0.002 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 63.65E drifting at 0.000W degrees per day.References: 1, 2, 5, 6. 1991 October 30 - Launch Site: Negev. Launch Vehicle: Jericho 1. Jericho 1 Operational Test mission Nation: Israel. Agency: IDF. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 1823. 1991 November 4 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: ETR. Launch Pad: SLBM Launch Area. Launch Vehicle: Trident D-5. Trident D-5 DASO-8 demonstration and shakedown operations launch Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 796. 1991 November 8 - 07:07 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC4. Launch Pad: SLC4E. Launch Vehicle: Titan 4. Model: Titan 403A. LV Configuration: Titan 403A K-8 (45F-2). USA 72 Nation: USA. Payload: NOSS 10. Class: Sigint. Type: Naval reconnaisance. Spacecraft: NOSS-2. Agency: NRO/NRL. Perigee: 799 km (496 mi). Apogee: 1,321 km (820 mi). Inclination: 63.40 deg. Period: 106.40 min. COSPAR: 1991-076A. USAF Sat Cat: 21775. Second launch by Titan 4 of new generation of NOSS naval reconnaissance satellites. However earlier NOSS weighed only 2,000 kg; Titan 4 booster has seven times this capacity. What else was launched? References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 172. USA 74 Nation: USA. Payload: NOSS-Subsat 10-1. Class: Sigint. Type: Naval reconnaisance. Spacecraft: NOSS-2 subsatellite. Agency: NRO/NRL. Perigee: 954 km (593 mi). Apogee: 1,270 km (789 mi). Inclination: 63.43 deg. Period: 107.44 min. COSPAR: 1991-076C. USAF Sat Cat: 21799. References: 1, 2, 5, 6. USA 76 Nation: USA. Payload: NOSS-Subsat 10-2. Class: Sigint. Type: Naval reconnaisance. Spacecraft: NOSS-2 subsatellite. Agency: NRO/NRL. Perigee: 954 km (593 mi). Apogee: 1,270 km (789 mi). Inclination: 63.43 deg. Period: 107.44 min. COSPAR: 1991-076D. USAF Sat Cat: 21808. References: 1, 2, 5, 6. USA 77 Nation: USA. Payload: NOSS-Subsat 10-3. Class: Sigint. Type: Naval reconnaisance. Spacecraft: NOSS-2 subsatellite. Agency: NRO/NRL. Perigee: 954 km (593 mi). Apogee: 1,270 km (789 mi). Inclination: 63.43 deg. Period: 107.44 min. COSPAR: 1991-076E. USAF Sat Cat: 21809. References: 1, 2, 5, 6. 1991 November 11 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: ETR. Launch Pad: SLBM Launch Area. Launch Vehicle: Trident D-5. Trident D-5 CINC Evaluation Test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 796. 1991 November 11 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: ETR. Launch Pad: SLBM Launch Area. Launch Vehicle: Trident D-5. Trident D-5 CINC Evaluation Test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 796. 1991 November 11 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: ETR. Launch Pad: SLBM Launch Area. Launch Vehicle: Trident D-5. Trident D-5 CINC Evaluation Test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 796. 1991 November 11 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF09. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3. Minuteman 3 FOT GT146GM Follow-on Test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). References: 916. 1991 November 11 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: ETR. Launch Pad: SLBM Launch Area. Launch Vehicle: Trident D-5. Trident D-5 CINC Evaluation Test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 796. 1991 November 12 - 20:09 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC32. Launch Pad: LC32. Launch Vehicle: Tsyklon 3. Model: Tsiklon-3. Cosmos 2165 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-3 no. 65. Mass: 220 kg (480 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-3. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,395 km (866 mi). Apogee: 1,412 km (877 mi). Inclination: 82.60 deg. Period: 113.90 min. COSPAR: 1991-077A. USAF Sat Cat: 21779. Six satellites launched by a single carrier rocket. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 105. Cosmos 2166 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-3 no. 66. Mass: 220 kg (480 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-3. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,407 km (874 mi). Apogee: 1,412 km (877 mi). Inclination: 82.60 deg. Period: 114.00 min. COSPAR: 1991-077B. USAF Sat Cat: 21780. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 105. Cosmos 2167 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-3 no. 67. Mass: 220 kg (480 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-3. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,400 km (800 mi). Apogee: 1,412 km (877 mi). Inclination: 82.60 deg. Period: 113.90 min. COSPAR: 1991-077C. USAF Sat Cat: 21781. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 105. Cosmos 2168 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-3 no. 68. Mass: 220 kg (480 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-3. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,390 km (860 mi). Apogee: 1,412 km (877 mi). Inclination: 82.60 deg. Period: 113.80 min. COSPAR: 1991-077D. USAF Sat Cat: 21782. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 105. Cosmos 2169 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-3 no. 69. Mass: 220 kg (480 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-3. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,383 km (859 mi). Apogee: 1,413 km (877 mi). Inclination: 82.60 deg. Period: 113.70 min. COSPAR: 1991-077E. USAF Sat Cat: 21783. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 105. Cosmos 2170 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-3 no. 70. Mass: 220 kg (480 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-3. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,412 km (877 mi). Apogee: 1,414 km (878 mi). Inclination: 82.60 deg. Period: 114.10 min. COSPAR: 1991-077F. USAF Sat Cat: 21784. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 105. 1991 November 16 - 15:30 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 9CM1. LV Configuration: Black Brant 9CM1 Starfire 4. Black Brant CONSORT 4 Microgravity mission Nation: USA. Agency: SSI. Apogee: 298 km (185 mi). CONSORT 4 - 9 microgravity experiments. References: 1514. 1991 November 19 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. WSMC and ESMC redesignated 30th Space Wing Nation: USA. WSMC and ESMC redesignated 30th Space Wing and 45th Space Wing, respectively. Simultaneously, the word 'Test' was removed from the geographic designation, 'Western Test Range.' References: 88. 1991 November 20 - 08:05 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Vehicle: R-36M2. Model: R-36M2 15A18M. R-36M2 Operational missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1838. 1991 November 20 - 19:15 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC43. Launch Pad: LC43/3. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Model: Soyuz 11A511U. Cosmos 2171 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,600 kg (14,500 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Yantar-4K1. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 187 km (116 mi). Apogee: 321 km (199 mi). Inclination: 62.80 deg. Period: 89.60 min. COSPAR: 1991-078A. USAF Sat Cat: 21787. Duration: 59.00 days. Decay Date: 1992-01-17. 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 November 22 - 13:27 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC81. Launch Pad: LC81/23. Launch Vehicle: Proton 8K82K / 11S861. Model: Proton-K/DM-2. LV Configuration: Proton-K/DM-2 353-02. Cosmos 2172 Nation: USSR. Payload: Potok no. 7 s/n 18L. Mass: 2,150 kg (4,730 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Potok. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 35,776 km (22,230 mi). Apogee: 35,798 km (22,243 mi). Inclination: 0.30 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min. COSPAR: 1991-079A. USAF Sat Cat: 21789. Completed Operations Date: 1995-11-01. Stationed at 13 deg W. Relaying of telegraph and telephone information. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 14 deg W in 1991-1995 As of 1 September 2001 located at 7.91 deg W drifting at 0.026 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 39.91W drifting at 0.204W degrees per day.References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 67, 112, 274. 1991 November 23 - 09:40 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Complex: S. Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Model: Skylark 7. LV Configuration: Skylark 7 DLR K-GR-196. Skylark TEXUS 28 Microgravity mission Nation: Germany. Agency: MBB. Apogee: 239 km (148 mi). References: 1582. 1991 November 24 - 23:44 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC39. Launch Pad: LC39A. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. Model: Space Shuttle. LV Configuration: Space Shuttle STS-44. STS-44 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Payload: Atlantis F10 / DSP 16 [IUS]. Mass: 20,242 kg (44,625 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Atlantis. Agency: NASA JSC. Perigee: 363 km (225 mi). Apogee: 371 km (230 mi). Inclination: 28.50 deg. Period: 91.90 min. COSPAR: 1991-080A. USAF Sat Cat: 21795. Duration: 6.95 days. Decay Date: 1991-11-30. Crew: Gregory, Hennen, Henricks, Musgrave, Runco, Voss. Flight: STS-44. Manned six crew. Deployed Defense Support Program satellite. Payloads: Defense Support Program satellite/ Inertial Upper Stage, Interim Operational Contamination Monitor, Terra Scout, Military Man in Space, Shuttle Activation Monitor, Cosmic Radiation Effects and Activation Monitor, Radiation Monitoring Equipment Ill, Air Force Maui Optical Site Calibration Test, Ultraviolet Plume Instrument, Visual Function Tester 1.References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7. USA 75 Nation: USA. Payload: DSP-1 Block 14 F16. Mass: 2,360 kg (5,200 lb). Class: Early Warning. Spacecraft: DSP. Agency: USAF. Perigee: 35,795 km (22,241 mi). Apogee: 35,787 km (22,236 mi). Inclination: 2.50 deg. Period: 1,421.90 min. COSPAR: 1991-080B. USAF Sat Cat: 21805. DSP-1 Block 14 ballistic missile launch detection satellite, deployed from shuttle STS-44 on 25 November 1991. Only DSP launched from the shuttle before the Challenger disaster moved the payload to the Titan 4. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 130 deg W in 1992; 70 deg E in 1992; 8 deg E in 1999; 40 deg W in 2000. Still in service as of March 2007.References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 127. 1991 November 26 - 02:30 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Vehicle: UR-100N. Model: UR-100NU. UR-100N State trials missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1823. 1991 November 27 - 03:30 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC133. Launch Pad: LC133/3. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 11K65M. Model: Kosmos 11K65M. LV Configuration: Kosmos 11K65M 65048-409. Cosmos 2173 Nation: USSR. Mass: 825 kg (1,818 lb). Class: Navigation. Spacecraft: Parus. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 946 km (587 mi). Apogee: 1,017 km (631 mi). Inclination: 83.00 deg. Period: 104.70 min. COSPAR: 1991-081A. USAF Sat Cat: 21796. Military navigation satellite. Positioned in plane 4 of constellation. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 107. 1991 November 28 - 07:10 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Vehicle: R-36M2. Model: R-36M2 15A18M. R-36M2 Operational missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1838. 1991 November 28 - 13:23 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC3. Launch Pad: SLC3W. Launch Vehicle: Atlas E. Model: Atlas E. LV Configuration: Atlas E 53E / Star-37S-ISS. USA 73 Nation: USA. Program: DMSP. Payload: DMSP S-12/Star 37S S/N 15029. Mass: 830 kg (1,820 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Weather. Spacecraft: DMSP Block 5D-2. Agency: USAF. Perigee: 835 km (518 mi). Apogee: 852 km (529 mi). Inclination: 99.00 deg. Period: 101.80 min. COSPAR: 1991-082A. USAF Sat Cat: 21798. Defense Meteorological Satellite Program. 500th Atlas launch. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 278. 1991 Dec - Launch Vehicle: R-27. Model: Zyb. R-27 Sprint Technology mission Nation: USSR. Agency: Makaev. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). Launched from a Russian submarine References: 1850. 1991 Dec - Launch Vehicle: R-29. Model: Volna. LV Configuration: Volna VMF. R-29 Operational Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: VMF. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1500. 1991 December - HL-20 Mock-up tests completed Nation: USA. Spacecraft: HL-20, X-38, X-24A, Space Station Freedom. NASA, North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T University built a full-scale model of the HL-20 for human factors research on the concept. In the end, space station Freedom became the International Space Station. As the initial crew emergency rescue vehicle, the Russian Soyuz spacecraft was selected. However NASA, looking for a higher-capacity alternative and concerned about reliable availability of the Soyuz in the future, did begin development of the X-38 CERV in 1997. The X-38 was however based on the Johnson concept of parachute-assisted landing, and used the pure-USA X-24 lifting body shape.... 1991 December 2 - Landing of STS-44 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Flight: STS-44. STS-44 landed at 22:36 GMT. 1991 December 6 - 00:54 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Nike Tomahawk TNT. Model: Taurus Nike Tomahawk. LV Configuration: Taurus Nike Tomahawk NASA 38.19UE. Taurus Nike Tomahawk TNT Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). References: 931. 1991 December 6 - 01:19 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Nike Tomahawk TNT. Model: Taurus Nike Tomahawk. LV Configuration: Taurus Nike Tomahawk NASA 38.20UE. Taurus Nike Tomahawk TNT Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). References: 931. 1991 December 7 - 22:47 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Pad: LC36B. Launch Vehicle: Atlas II. Model: Atlas II. LV Configuration: Atlas II AC-102 / Centaur II 8102. Eutelsat II F3 Nation: Europe. Program: Eutelsat. Mass: 1,874 kg (4,131 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Spacebus 100. Agency: Eutelsat. Perigee: 35,769 km (22,225 mi). Apogee: 35,802 km (22,246 mi). Inclination: 2.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 1991-083A. USAF Sat Cat: 21803. Stationed at 16 deg E. Telecommunications satellite. French registration 1991-8. Transfer orbit was 663 min, 200 x 36000 km x 7.0 deg. Registered by France in ST/SG/SER.E/249 until EUTELSAT can register the satellite. EUTELSAT is the European Telecommunications Satellite Organi zation. Launch vehicle put payload into supersynchronous earth orbit with IFR trajectory option. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 16 deg E in 1992-1998; 36 deg E in 1999. As of 1 September 2001 located at 21.51 deg E drifting at 0.017 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 74.40E drifting at 3.531W degrees per day.References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 278. 1991 December 16 - 23:19 GMT - Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: ELA2. Launch Pad: ELA2. Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Model: Ariane 44L. LV Configuration: Ariane 44L V48. Telecom 2A Nation: France. Program: Telecom. Mass: 2,275 kg (5,015 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Eurostar 2000. Manufacturer: Matra Marconi Space-France, Toulouse. Agency: France T. Perigee: 35,773 km (22,228 mi). Apogee: 35,801 km (22,245 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 1991-084A. USAF Sat Cat: 21813. French communications; 3 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 3 deg E in 1992; 8 deg W in 1992-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 8.05 deg W drifting at 0.004 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 111.59E drifting at 4.763W degrees per day.References: 1, 2, 5, 6. Inmarsat 2 F3 Nation: International. Program: Inmarsat. Mass: 1,310 kg (2,880 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Eurostar 1000. Manufacturer: Matra Marconi Space-France, Toulouse. Agency: Inmarsat. Perigee: 35,778 km (22,231 mi). Apogee: 35,795 km (22,241 mi). Inclination: 1.40 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 1991-084B. USAF Sat Cat: 21814. Global maritime and mobile communications; 178 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 178 deg E in 1992-1997; 65 deg E in 1997-1999 As of 29 August 2001 located at 65.01 deg E drifting at 0.003 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 155.28W drifting at 15.158W degrees per day.References: 1, 2, 5, 6. 1991 December 17 - 11:00 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC31. Launch Pad: LC31. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Model: Soyuz 11A511U. Cosmos 2174 Nation: USSR. Payload: Yantar-1KFT no. 14. Mass: 6,600 kg (14,500 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Cartography. Spacecraft: Yantar-1KFT. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 193 km (119 mi). Apogee: 306 km (190 mi). Inclination: 64.90 deg. Period: 89.50 min. COSPAR: 1991-085A. USAF Sat Cat: 21816. Duration: 44.00 days. Decay Date: 1992-01-30. Topographic mapping for the Army General Staff. References: 1, 2, 6, 101, 102. 1991 December 18 - 03:54 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC32. Launch Pad: LC32/2. Launch Vehicle: Tsyklon 3. Model: Tsiklon-3. Intercosmos 25 Nation: USSR. Program: Intercosmos. Payload: AUOS-Z APEKS-IK s/n 301. Mass: 1,000 kg (2,200 lb). Class: Technology. Spacecraft: AUOS. Manufacturer: NPO Yuzhnoye. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 436 km (270 mi). Apogee: 2,969 km (1,844 mi). Inclination: 82.60 deg. Period: 120.50 min. COSPAR: 1991-086A. USAF Sat Cat: 21819. Solar activity monitoring; hosted experiments from Germany, Romania, Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary. Comprehensive study of the effects of artificial impact of modulated electron flows and plasma beams on the ionosphere and magnetosphere of the Earth (forming part of the Apex international scientific project, conducted jointly with Bulgaria, Czechoslovak ia, Germany, Hungary, Poland and Romania.) Launched with the Czechoslovak satellite Magion-3, separated from the space object Intercosmos-25 on 28 Dec 1991, in accordance with the scientific programme of the Apex project.References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 116. Magion 3 Nation: Czech Republic. Program: Intercosmos. Payload: S2-AP. Mass: 52 kg (114 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Spacecraft: Magion. Agency: Czech. Perigee: 436 km (270 mi). Apogee: 2,943 km (1,828 mi). Inclination: 82.60 deg. Period: 120.20 min. COSPAR: 1991-086E. USAF Sat Cat: 21835. Separated from Intercosmos 25 on 12/28/91; geophysical. Research of magnetosphere nad the ionosphere of the Earth by passive and active methods. Launched on 18 Dec 1991. The Czechoslovak satellite Magion 3 forms, together with the spacecraft Intercosmos 25, part of the Apex scientific project. Magion 3 was sep arated into an autonomous orbit on 28 Dec 1991. Magion 3 was launched into orbit by the Soviet spacecraft Intercosmos 25.References: 1, 2, 5, 6. 1991 December 19 - 11:41 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC81. Launch Pad: LC81/23. Launch Vehicle: Proton 8K82K / 11S861. Model: Proton-K/DM-2. LV Configuration: Proton-K/DM-2 355-01. Raduga 28 Nation: USSR. Payload: Raduga s/n 39L. Mass: 1,965 kg (4,332 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Raduga . Agency: MOM. Perigee: 35,786 km (22,236 mi). Apogee: 35,799 km (22,244 mi). Inclination: 6.40 deg. Period: 1,436.40 min. COSPAR: 1991-087A. USAF Sat Cat: 21821. Telephone and telegraph communications and transmission of television programmes. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 35 deg E in 1992-1999; 45 deg E in 1999. As of 5 September 2001 located at 61.74 deg E drifting at 0.302 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 115.81E drifting at 0.085E degrees per day.References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 67, 274. 1991 December 20 - 21:31 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC175. Launch Vehicle: Rokot. LV Configuration: Rokot No. 3L. Rokot Grand Prix Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: VKS. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 5, 1836. 1991 December 25 - Soviet Union breaks up Nation: USSR. Soviet Union breaks up after President Gorbachev's resignation; constituent republics form Commonwealth of Independent States 1991 December 28 - 12:00 GMT - Launch Site: Xichang. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: LC1. Launch Vehicle: CZ-3. Model: Chang Zheng 3. LV Configuration: Chang Zheng 3 CZ3-8 (26). FAILURE: Third stage failed to ignite. Partial Failure. Zhongxing-4 Nation: China. Payload: STTW 5. Mass: 1,025 kg (2,259 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military. Spacecraft: DFH-2. Agency: Chinasat. Perigee: 2,023 km (1,257 mi). Apogee: 34,041 km (21,152 mi). Inclination: 32.30 deg. Period: 632.60 min. COSPAR: 1991-088A. USAF Sat Cat: 21833. Third stage failure; unusable orbit. DFH-2 operational communications satellite. 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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