Chronology - Quarter 1 1996 home
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1996 January 1 -
  • China to dominate space in 21st Century Nation: Russia. Chertok predicted that China would replace Russia as the space superpower within ten to fifteen years. References: 367.
1996 January 1 -
  • Ukrainian Cosmonaut Training Group selected. Nation: Ukraine. Ukrainian astronauts trained for flights to the Mir space station.
1996 - Launch Vehicle: Jules Verne Launcher.
  • Jules Verne Launcher Company founded Nation: USA. The company proposed commercial funding of a super light gas for launches into high-inclination orbits. JVL was apparently still operating in 1998, but no investors came forward to finance the multi-billion dollar development cost.
1996 - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U2.
  • Soyuz 11A511U2 booster abandoned due to Sintin production stoppage Nation: Russia. Soyuz 11A511U2 used synthetic kerosene ('Sintin') in the first stage for launch of premium reconnaisance satellite and manned payloads requiring just a bit more payload than the standard 11A511.
1996 During the Year -
  • Athena Mars flyby mission proposed Nation: USA. Spacecraft: Athena. Unlike previous fly-by concepts, Robert Zubrin's Athena would remain in the vicinity of Mars for a year while the crew remotely operated probes of the Martian surface and atmosphere.
1996 January 10 - Launch Site: Taiyuan. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: DF-21.
  • Test mission Nation: China. Agency: PRC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 2.
1996 January 11 - 09:41 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC39B. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. LV Configuration: Space Shuttle STS-72.
  • STS-72 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Payload: Endeavour F10 / OAST / FSU. Mass: 6,510 kg (14,350 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Endeavour. Agency: NASA JSC. Perigee: 302 km (187 mi). Apogee: 310 km (190 mi). Inclination: 28.50 deg. Period: 90.60 min. COSPAR: 1996-001A. USAF Sat Cat: 23762. Duration: 8.92 days. Decay Date: 1996-01-20. Crew: Barry, Chiao, Duffy, Jett, Scott Winston, Wakata. Flight: STS-72. Deployed and retrieved OAST Flyer; retrieved SFU Space Flyer Unit. Beside the two satellite retrievals, the mission included two spacewalks. References: 2, 6, 7, 276.
  • OAST-Flyer Nation: USA. Class: Technology. Spacecraft: OAST-Flyer. Agency: NASA GSF. Perigee: 301 km (187 mi). Apogee: 311 km (193 mi). Inclination: 28.50 deg. Period: 90.60 min. COSPAR: 1996-001B. USAF Sat Cat: 23763. Decay Date: 1996-01-20. GPS receiver, amateur radio tests; examined effect of solar radiation on satellite explosive devices; deployed from STS 72 1/14/96; retrieved 1/16/96. References: 2, 6, 276.
  • SLA-1/GAS Nation: USA. Program: STS. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1996-001xx. USAF Sat Cat: 23762. Decay Date: 1996-01-20. References: 2, 279.
1996 January 12 - 23:10 GMT - Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: ELA2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Ariane. Model: Ariane 44L. LV Configuration: Ariane 44L-3 V82.
  • Panamsat 3R Nation: USA. Program: Panamsat. Payload: PAS K4. Mass: 2,900 kg (6,300 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 601. Agency: Panamsat. Perigee: 35,779 km (22,231 mi). Apogee: 35,796 km (22,242 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min. COSPAR: 1996-002A. USAF Sat Cat: 23764. Geostationary at 43.0W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 43 deg W in 1996-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 42.97 deg W drifting at 0.008 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 42.99W drifting at 0.012W degrees per day. References: 2, 6.
  • Measat 1 Nation: Malaysia. Program: Measat. Mass: 1,450 kg (3,190 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 376. Agency: Binarian. Perigee: 35,783 km (22,234 mi). Apogee: 35,792 km (22,240 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 1996-002B. USAF Sat Cat: 23765. Geostationary at 91.4E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 91 deg E in 1996-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 91.49 deg E drifting at 0.012 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 91.50E drifting at 0.009W degrees per day. References: 2, 6.
1996 January 14 - 11:10 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC17B. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Delta 7925. LV Configuration: Delta 7925 D231.
  • Koreasat 2 Nation: Korea South. Program: Koreasat. Mass: 600 kg (1,320 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: AS 3000. Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin. Agency: Korea Te. Perigee: 35,782 km (22,233 mi). Apogee: 35,792 km (22,240 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min. COSPAR: 1996-003A. USAF Sat Cat: 23768. Completed Operations Date: 2000-04-08. Geostationary at 116.0E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 116 deg E in 1996-2000 As of 5 September 2001 located at 113.02 deg E drifting at 0.017 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 116.35E drifting at 0.013W degrees per day. References: 2, 6.
1996 January 15 - 05:35 GMT -
  • EVA STS-72-1 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Endeavour. Crew: Chiao, Barry. Flight: STS-72. EVA Duration: 0.26 days. Tested tools and techniques for extravehicular activity. References: 66.
1996 January 16 - 15:33 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Model: Kosmos 11K65M.
  • Cosmos 2327 Nation: Russia. Mass: 825 kg (1,818 lb). Class: Navigation. Spacecraft: Parus. Agency: MO RF. Perigee: 950 km (590 mi). Apogee: 1,020 km (630 mi). Inclination: 83.00 deg. Period: 104.80 min. COSPAR: 1996-004A. USAF Sat Cat: 23773. Military navigation satellite. Positioned in plane 1 of constellation. References: 2, 6, 107.
1996 January 17 - 05:40 GMT -
  • EVA STS-72-2 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Endeavour. Crew: Chiao, Scott Winston. Flight: STS-72. EVA Duration: 0.29 days. Tested tools and techniques for extravehicular activity. References: 66.
1996 January 20 -
  • Landing of STS-72 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Flight: STS-72. STS-72 landed at 07:42 GMT.
1996 January 25 - 09:56 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC200/39. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Proton. Model: Proton-K/DM-2. LV Configuration: Proton-K/DM-2 374-02.
  • Gorizont 31 Nation: Russia. Payload: Gorizont s/n 43L. Mass: 2,125 kg (4,684 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Gorizont . Agency: MOM. Perigee: 35,777 km (22,230 mi). Apogee: 35,801 km (22,245 mi). Inclination: 0.90 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min. COSPAR: 1996-005A. USAF Sat Cat: 23775. Stationed at 39.8E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 40 deg E in 1996-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 40.11 deg E drifting at 0.042 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 74.36E drifting at 1.416W degrees per day. References: 2, 6, 67, 111, 274.
1996 January 27 - Launch Site: Balasore. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Prithvi. LV Configuration: Prithvi 2-1 (15).
  • Test mission Nation: India. Agency: IDRDL. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 2.
1996 January 29 -
  • France announces end to nuclear tests Nation: France.
1996 February 1 - 01:15 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC36B. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas IIAS. LV Configuration: Atlas IIAS AC-126.
  • Palapa C-1 Nation: Indonesia. Program: Palapa. Payload: Palapa C1. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 601. Agency: Satelind. Perigee: 35,777 km (22,230 mi). Apogee: 35,798 km (22,243 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 1996-006A. USAF Sat Cat: 23779. 30 C-band, 6 Ku-band transponders. Geostationary at 150.4E. Launch vehicle put payload into supersynchronous earth orbit with IFR/MRS trajectory option. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 113 deg E in 1996; 150 deg E in 1996-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 50.03 deg E drifting at 0.006 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 38.04E drifting at 0.007E degrees per day. References: 2, 6, 278.
1996 February 5 - 07:19 GMT - Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: ELA2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Ariane. Model: Ariane 44P. LV Configuration: Ariane 44P-3 V83.
  • N-STAR b Nation: Japan. Program: N-STAR. Mass: 3,400 kg (7,400 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: FS-1300. Agency: NTT. Perigee: 35,775 km (22,229 mi). Apogee: 35,801 km (22,245 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min. COSPAR: 1996-007A. USAF Sat Cat: 23781. Geostationary at 128.9E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 136 deg E in 1996-1999 As of 1 September 2001 located at 136.01 deg E drifting at 0.012 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 136.04E drifting at 0.012W degrees per day. References: 2, 6.
1996 February 8 - 14:03 GMT -
  • EVA Mir EO-20-3 Nation: Russia. Program: Mir. Class: Manned. Type: Space station. Spacecraft: Mir. Crew: Gidzenko, Reiter. Flight: Mir EO-20. EVA Duration: 0.13 days. Retrieved and installed material samples References: 66.
1996 February 9 -
  • Energia Engineer Cosmonaut Training Group 13 selected. Nation: Russia.
1996 February 11 - 11:00 GMT - Launch Site: Kagoshima. Launch Complex: L. Launch Pad: K. Launch Vehicle: S. Model: S-310. LV Configuration: S-310-24.
  • NTV-1 Aeronomy mission Nation: Japan. Agency: ISAS. Apogee: 199 km (123 mi). References: 2.
1996 February 11 - 23:00 GMT - Launch Site: Tanegashima. Launch Complex: N. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: J. Model: J-1. LV Configuration: J-1 J-1-1F.
  • Hyflex Spacecraft test Nation: Japan. Agency: NASDA. Apogee: 110 km (60 mi). References: 2.
1996 February 14 - 19:01 GMT - Launch Site: Xichang. Launch Complex: LC2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: CZ. Model: CZ-3B. LV Configuration: Chang Zheng 3B CZ3B-1 (40). FAILURE: Guidance failure resulted in launch vehicle crashing 22 seconds after launch, killing or injuring 59 people.
  • Intelsat 708 Nation: International. Program: Intelsat. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: FS-1300. Agency: PRC. COSPAR: F960214A. First attempted launch of a new version in the Long March family. Began to experience an anomaly in attitude about 2 seconds after launch, pitching down and yawing to the right. It augured in nose down at T+22 seconds and exploded violently, utterly destroying the launcher and its payload. The Chief-Designer of the launch vehicle organised an analysis team on the same day of the accident. Interpretation and analysis of the telemetered data indicated that the crash was caused by a change in the inertial reference. The explosion killed six and injured 57. Two of the killed were senior engineers with CASC. References: 4.
1996 February 17 - 20:43 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC17B. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Delta 7925-8. LV Configuration: Delta 7925-8 D232.
  • NEAR Nation: USA. Program: Discovery. Payload: Discovery 1. Mass: 818 kg (1,803 lb). Class: Planetary. Type: Asteroid. Spacecraft: NEAR. Agency: NASA GSF. COSPAR: 1996-008A. USAF Sat Cat: 23784. Decay Date: 2001-02-12. Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) mission was the first of NASA's Discovery missions, a series of small-scale spacecraft designed to proceed from development to flight in under three years for a cost of less than $150 million. The spacecraft's mission was to rendezvous with and achieve orbit around the asteroid Eros in January 1999, and study the asteroid for one year. However as it flew by the Earth on 23 January 1998, a problem caused an abort of the first encounter burn. The mission had to be rescoped for a later encounter but successfully entered orbit around Eros on Valentine's Day 2000 and ended the mission by gently landing on its surface on 12 February 2001. References: 2, 6, 296.
1996 February 19 - 00:58 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tsiklon. Model: Tsiklon-3.
  • Cosmos 2328 Nation: Russia. Program: Strela. Payload: Gonets-D1 No. 1. Mass: 250 kg (550 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Gonets-D1. Agency: RKA. Perigee: 1,399 km (869 mi). Apogee: 1,414 km (878 mi). Inclination: 82.60 deg. Period: 113.90 min. COSPAR: 1996-009A. USAF Sat Cat: 23787. LEO. Carried photo-surveillance system for disaster monitoring; also carried communications package References: 2, 6.
  • Cosmos 2329 Nation: Russia. Program: Strela. Payload: Gonets-D1 No. 2. Mass: 250 kg (550 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Gonets-D1. Agency: RKA. Perigee: 1,406 km (873 mi). Apogee: 1,415 km (879 mi). Inclination: 82.60 deg. Period: 114.00 min. COSPAR: 1996-009B. USAF Sat Cat: 23788. LEO. Carried photo-surveillance system for disaster monitoring; also carried communications package References: 2, 6.
  • Cosmos 2330 Nation: Russia. Program: Strela. Payload: Gonets-D1 No. 3. Mass: 250 kg (550 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Gonets-D1. Agency: RKA. Perigee: 1,410 km (870 mi). Apogee: 1,415 km (879 mi). Inclination: 82.60 deg. Period: 114.10 min. COSPAR: 1996-009C. USAF Sat Cat: 23789. LEO. Carried photo-surveillance system for disaster monitoring; also carried communications package References: 2, 6.
  • Cosmos 2328 Nation: Russia. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-3 no. 105. Mass: 225 kg (496 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-3. Agency: MO RF. Perigee: 1,408 km (874 mi). Apogee: 1,417 km (880 mi). Inclination: 82.60 deg. Period: 114.10 min. COSPAR: 1996-009D. USAF Sat Cat: 23790. References: 2, 6, 105.
  • Cosmos 2329 Nation: Russia. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-3 no. 106. Mass: 225 kg (496 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-3. Agency: MO RF. Perigee: 1,411 km (876 mi). Apogee: 1,421 km (882 mi). Inclination: 82.60 deg. Period: 114.20 min. COSPAR: 1996-009E. USAF Sat Cat: 23791. References: 2, 6, 105.
  • Cosmos 2330 Nation: Russia. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-3 no. 107. Mass: 225 kg (496 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-3. Agency: MO RF. Perigee: 1,412 km (877 mi). Apogee: 1,427 km (886 mi). Inclination: 82.60 deg. Period: 114.20 min. COSPAR: 1996-009F. USAF Sat Cat: 23792. References: 2, 6, 105.
1996 February 19 - 08:19 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC200/39. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Proton. Model: Proton-K/DM-2. LV Configuration: Proton-K/DM-2 383-02. FAILURE: No second Block DM-2 ignition (blocked LOX valve). Block DM-2 propellant automatically jettisoned.
  • Raduga s/n 44L Nation: Russia. Payload: Raduga s/n 44L. Mass: 1,965 kg (4,332 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Raduga. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 259 km (160 mi). Apogee: 36,582 km (22,730 mi). Inclination: 47.20 deg. Period: 646.10 min. COSPAR: 1996-010A. USAF Sat Cat: 23794. Decay Date: 2004-05-06. Secret military name for Raduga program is Gran'. References: 2, 6, 67, 274.
1996 February 21 - 12:34 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U. LV Configuration: Soyuz 11A511U 651.
  • Soyuz TM-23 Nation: Russia. Program: Mir. Payload: Soyuz TM 11F732 s/n 72. Mass: 7,150 kg (15,760 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spacecraft. Spacecraft: Soyuz TM. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 375 km (233 mi). Apogee: 390 km (240 mi). Inclination: 51.70 deg. Period: 92.20 min. COSPAR: 1996-011A. USAF Sat Cat: 23798. Duration: 193.80 days. Decay Date: 1996-09-02. Crew: Onufrienko, Usachyov. Flight: Mir EO-21, Mir EO-20. Mir Expedition EO-21. Soyuz TM-23 docked with Mir at 14:20:35 on February 23. References: 2, 6, 9,51, 276.
1996 February 22 - 20:18 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC39B. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. LV Configuration: Space Shuttle STS-75.
  • STS-75 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Payload: Columbia F19 / USMP-3 Aft. Mass: 10,592 kg (23,351 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Columbia. Agency: NASA JSC. Perigee: 277 km (172 mi). Apogee: 320 km (190 mi). Inclination: 28.50 deg. Period: 90.50 min. COSPAR: 1996-012A. USAF Sat Cat: 23801. Duration: 15.74 days. Decay Date: 1996-03-09. Crew: Allen Andy, Chang-Diaz, Cheli, Guidoni, Hoffman, Horowitz, Nicollier. Flight: STS-75. Carried TSS-1R tether satellite; satellite tether broke during deployment, making TSS-1R an unintentional free flyer

    Payloads: Tethered Satellite System (TSS) Reflight (1R); Orbital Acceleration Research Experiment (OARE) (part of United States Microgravity Payload 3); USMP-3; Commercial Protein Crystal Growth (CPCG) 09, Block IV; Middeck Glovebox Experiment (MGBX) (part of USMP-3). During the deployment of TSS, the tether broke and the satellite was lost. References: 2, 6, 7, 276.

  • TSS-1 Nation: Italy. Payload: TSS-1R. Class: Technology. Type: Tether. Spacecraft: TSS. Agency: ASI. Perigee: 173 km (107 mi). Apogee: 189 km (117 mi). Inclination: 28.50 deg. Period: 88.10 min. COSPAR: 1996-012B. USAF Sat Cat: 23805. Decay Date: 1996-03-19. LEO. Tether deployment test; 20 km long tether; satellite unintentionally deployed when tether broke 2/25/96 Reentered Mar 19. References: 2, 6, 276.
  • TSS-1R Deployer Nation: USA. Program: STS. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1996-012xx. USAF Sat Cat: 23801. Decay Date: 1996-03-09. References: 2, 279.
  • TSS-1R MPESS Nation: USA. Program: STS. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1996-012xx. USAF Sat Cat: 23801. Decay Date: 1996-03-09. References: 2, 279.
  • USMP-3 Fwd Nation: USA. Program: STS. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1996-012xx. USAF Sat Cat: 23801. Decay Date: 1996-03-09. References: 2, 279.
  • USMP-3 Aft Nation: USA. Program: STS. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1996-012xx. USAF Sat Cat: 23801. Decay Date: 1996-03-09. References: 2, 279.
  • EDO Nation: USA. Program: STS. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1996-012xx. USAF Sat Cat: 23801. Decay Date: 1996-03-09. References: 2, 279.
1996 February 23 - 19:17 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 9. LV Configuration: Black Brant IX NASA 36.143UE.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA GSFC. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). References: 2.
1996 February 23 - 19:44 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 9. LV Configuration: Black Brant IX NASA 36.145NP.
  • Microgravity mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA GSFC. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). References: 2.
1996 February 24 - 11:24 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC2W. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Delta 7925-10. LV Configuration: Delta 7925-10 D233.
  • Polar Nation: USA. Mass: 1,300 kg (2,800 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Spacecraft: Polar. Agency: NASA GSF. Perigee: 5,554 km (3,451 mi). Apogee: 50,423 km (31,331 mi). Inclination: 86.30 deg. Period: 1,070.20 min. COSPAR: 1996-013A. USAF Sat Cat: 23802. HEO. Fields and particles, auroral studies; part of International Solar Terrestrial Physics program. References: 2, 6.
1996 February 25 -
  • TSS tether breaks Nation: Italy. Spacecraft: TSS. Test from shuttle of 20 km long tether; satellite unintentionally deployed when tether broke. Re-entered March 19.
1996 February 29 - 1996 March -
  • XMM Development begins Nation: Europe. Spacecraft: XMM.
1996 March 2 - 10:00 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Complex: S. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Model: Skylark 7. LV Configuration: Skylark 7 DLR K-GR-220.
  • TEXUS 34 Microgravity mission Nation: USA. Agency: DASA. Apogee: 232 km (144 mi). References: 2.
1996 March 6 - 03:35 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 9. LV Configuration: Black Brant IX NASA 36.122UG.
  • Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA GSFC. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). References: 2.
1996 March 6 - 20:01 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF09. Launch Pad: LF09?. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3. LV Configuration: Minuteman 3 GT161GM.
  • FOT GT161GM Follow-on Test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSPC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). References: 2.
1996 March 9 - 01:53 GMT - Launch Site: Point Arguello WADZ. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 36.0 N x 123.0 W. Launch Vehicle: Pegasus. Model: Pegasus XL. LV Configuration: Pegasus XL F10.
  • REX-II Nation: USA. Class: Earth. Type: Ionosphere. Spacecraft: REX. Agency: USAF STP. Perigee: 799 km (496 mi). Apogee: 835 km (518 mi). Inclination: 90.00 deg. Period: 101.20 min. COSPAR: 1996-014A. USAF Sat Cat: 23814. LEO References: 2, 6.
1996 March 9 -
  • Landing of STS-75 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Flight: STS-75. STS-75 landed at 13:58 GMT.
1996 March 14 - 07:11 GMT - Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: ELA2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Ariane. Model: Ariane 44LP. LV Configuration: Ariane 44LP-3 V84.
  • Intelsat 707 Nation: International. Program: Intelsat. Mass: 4,175 kg (9,204 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: FS-1300. Agency: Intelsat. Perigee: 35,775 km (22,229 mi). Apogee: 35,798 km (22,243 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 1996-015A. USAF Sat Cat: 23816. GEO. 26 C-band, 14 K-band transponders. Geostationary at 0.9W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 1 deg W in 1996-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 0.97 deg W drifting at 0.001 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 53.03W drifting at 0.007W degrees per day. References: 2, 6.
1996 March 14 - 17:40 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC43/4. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U.
  • Cosmos 2331 Nation: Russia. Mass: 6,600 kg (14,500 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Yantar-4K1. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 159 km (98 mi). Apogee: 291 km (180 mi). Inclination: 67.10 deg. Period: 89.00 min. COSPAR: 1996-016A. USAF Sat Cat: 23818. Duration: 89.00 days. Decay Date: 1996-06-11. 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, 276.
1996 March 15 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: DC-X. LV Configuration: DC-XA.
  • DC-XA Rollout Nation: USA.
1996 March 15 - 01:04 GMT - 1996 March 21 - 04:53 GMT - Launch Site: Sriharikota. Launch Complex: PSLV. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: PSLV. Model: PSLV. LV Configuration: PSLV-D3.
  • IRS-P3 Nation: India. Mass: 930 kg (2,050 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Landsat. Spacecraft: IRS. Agency: ISRO. Perigee: 819 km (508 mi). Apogee: 820 km (500 mi). Inclination: 98.50 deg. Period: 101.30 min. COSPAR: 1996-017A. USAF Sat Cat: 23827. LEO References: 2, 6.
1996 March 22 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: DC-X. LV Configuration: DC-XA.
  • DC-XA arrives at White Sands Nation: USA.
1996 March 22 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: THAAD. LV Configuration: THAAD FT-05.
  • ABM test Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 2.
1996 March 22 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC94. Launch Pad: FIX. Launch Vehicle: Hera. LV Configuration: Hera 4.
  • BRV/THAAD Target mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). References: 2.
1996 March 22 - 08:13 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC39B. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. LV Configuration: Space Shuttle STS-76.
  • STS-76 Nation: USA. Program: Mir. Payload: Atlantis F16 / Spacehab-SM. Mass: 6,753 kg (14,887 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Atlantis. Agency: NASA JSC. Perigee: 394 km (244 mi). Apogee: 398 km (247 mi). Inclination: 51.70 deg. Period: 88.80 min. COSPAR: 1996-018A. USAF Sat Cat: 23831. Duration: 9.22 days. Decay Date: 1996-03-31. Crew: Chilton, Clifford, Godwin, Lucid, Searfoss, Sega. Flight: STS-76, Mir NASA-1, Mir EO-21. Shuttle-Mir Mission 3. Docked with the Mir space station 24 March 1996; Shannon Lucid was left on Mir for an extended stay. First American EVA on Mir. Payloads: SPACEHAB/Mir 03; KidSat; Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment (SAREX) II, Configuration M; RME 1304—Mir/ Environmental Effects Payload (MEEP); orbiter docking system RME 1315; Trapped Ions in Space Experiment (TRIS); Extravehicular Activity Development Flight Test (EDFT) 04. References: 2, 6, 7, 276.
  • External Airlock/ODS Nation: USA. Program: Mir. Payload: EAL/ODS. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1996-018xx. USAF Sat Cat: 23831. Decay Date: 1996-03-31. Flight: STS-76, Mir NASA-1, Mir EO-21. References: 2, 279.
1996 March 23 - 1996 March 25 -
  • Comet Hyakutake Near-Earth Flyby (0.10 AU)
1996 March 27 - 06:34 GMT - 1996 March 28 - 00:21 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC17B. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Delta 7925. LV Configuration: Delta 7925 D234.
  • USA 117 Nation: USA. Program: Navstar. Payload: GPS 2A-25 / GPS SVN 33. Mass: 1,816 kg (4,003 lb). Class: Navigation. Spacecraft: GPS Block 2 and 2A. Manufacturer: Boeing North American, Seal Beach (formerly Rockwell). Agency: USAF. Perigee: 20,106 km (12,493 mi). Apogee: 20,257 km (12,587 mi). Inclination: 54.60 deg. Period: 718.00 min. COSPAR: 1996-019A. USAF Sat Cat: 23833. Placed in Plane C Slot 2 of the constellation. References: 2, 6.
1996 March 31 -
  • Landing of STS-76 Nation: USA. Program: Mir. Flight: STS-76, Mir NASA-1, Mir EO-21. STS-76 landed at 13:28 GMT with the crew of Chilton, Clifford, Godwin, Searfoss and Sega aboard.
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