Aerobee
Aerobee
Sounding rocket. Year: 1947. Family: Aerobee. Country: USA. Status: Out of production.

In late 1945 James Van Allen was assigned by John Hopkins University to survey sounding rocket requirements for upper atmosphere research. The V-2 was found to be too heavy and complex. In 1946 Van Allen decided that what was needed was a small rocket, derived from the Aerojet Wac Corporal and the Bumblebee missile developed under a US Navy program. This combination of an Aerojet booster and a Bumblebee second stage was dubbed the Aerobee. Aerobees were launched for 53 m tall launch towers to provide the necessary stability until enough speed had been gained for the fins to be effective in controlling the rocket. Launch towers were built at White Sands, Fort Churchill, Wallops Island, and aboard the research ship USN Norton Sound. The Aerobee could take 68 kg to 130 km altitude.

From NASA SOUNDING ROCKETS, 1958-1968 - A Historical Summary, NASA SP-4401, 1971, by William R. Corliss

...the Aerobee is a hybrid resulting from Navy development funds and Army technology (the Wac Corporal). In 1946, the scientific drawbacks of the V-2 were generally well known, as was the fact that the extant Wac Corporal was too small for much of the anticipated space research. The Aerobee program had its genesis when Merle A. Tuve and Henry H. Porter, of the Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) of the Johns Hopkins University, suggested to James A. Van Allen that he survey the rockets available for scientific research within the United States. An important event during Van Allen's survey was the visit to APL by Rolf Sabersky of Aerojet Engineering Corp., the manufacturers (along with Douglas Aircraft Co.) of the Wac Corporal, in early January 1946.

Van Allen's conclusions were submitted to Tuve (then Director of APL) on January 15 in a memo entitled "Liquid Powered Sounding Rockets for High Atmospheric Studies." Essentially, Van Allen's conclusions were that no fully satisfactory sounding rockets existed and that APL should act as an agent for the Navy Bureau of Ordnance in the development and procurement of new scientific sounding rockets. Also on January 15, APL directed a letter to Aerojet requesting a detailed proposal for the delivery of 20 sounding rockets capable of carrying 68 kg (150 lb) to 60 960 m (200 000 ft). Following a conference at APL on February 2, Aerojet submitted a letter proposal on February 22 bearing the lengthy title: "Proposal to Develop Sounding Rockets Capable of Attaining Altitudes in Excess of 600 000 Feet (182 880 m) and Carry a Payload from 300 to 1500 Pounds (136 to 680 kg), This to Include Liquid Rocket Motor and Fuel Development and Also to Develop Efficient High Thrust Launching Rockets."

Meanwhile the Naval Research Laboratory, which had provided many experiments for the V-2s, was consulted. On March 1, 1946, Van Allen recommended that the Navy Bureau of Ordnance negotiate a contract with Aerojet for the procurement of 20 liquid-propellant sounding rockets, 15 of which would go to APL and 5 to NRL. The contract was formally awarded to Aerojet on May 17 for 20 XASR-1 sounding rockets. The rocket performance stipulated was the delivery of 68 kg (150 lb) of payload to over 91 440 m (300 000 ft) - obviously, the Aerobee would have to be considerably larger than the Wac Corporal. At APL, which was assigned the task of technical direction by the Navy, James A. Van Allen took charge of the Aerobee program.

The Aerobee industrial team was essentially the same as that which built the Wac Corporal. Aerojet Engineering was the prime contractor while Douglas Aircraft Co. performed aerodynamic engineering and some manufacturing. The original Aerobee was about 6 m (19 ft) long and weighed roughly 725 kg (1600 lb). It featured the same propellants as the Wac Corporal (furfuryl alcohol and red fuming nitric acid) and a 1.8-m (6-ft) solid-propellant booster that accelerated the basic vehicle to about 300 m/sec (1000 ft/sec) before dropping off.

The first Aerobee test took place at White Sands on September 25, 1947, when a dummy Aerobee was launched with a live booster to check out stage separation. Two similar tests followed in October. Then, on November 24, 1947, the first full-scale Aerobee was launched. Although the flight had to be terminated after 35 seconds because of excessive yaw, so many subsequent flights were successful that the rocket was soon renowned for its reliability - particularly in comparison with the V-2. Orders for more Aerobees from Government agencies began to arrive at Aerojet. Aerojet has made various versions of the Aerobee ever since.

Some 40 of the original Aerobee design (XASR-1) were fired…

Historical Essay © Andreas Parsch

Aerojet General RM-84/PWN-2 Aerobee

In the immediate postwar period (1946), the captured German A-4 ("V-2") rocket was used in the United States not only for general rocket research, but also for high-altitude scientific experiments. However, this large cumbersome rocket was far from the ideal for relatively low-cost sounding rocket, and as early as January 1946 it was planned to create a purpose-built research rocket. The new rocket was to be based on the RTV-G-1 WAC Corporal research vehicle, which was tested at that time by the U.S. Army. The sounding rocket program was managed by the U.S. Navy Bureau of Ordnance (BuOrd), and in May 1946, BuOrd awarded a development contract for the RTV-N-8 Aerobee to Aerojet General. The first live-firing of an Aerobee occurred in November 1947, and by 1950 the Aerobee was in wide use by U.S. military research agencies.

The Aerobee was a single-stage liquid-fueled spin-stabilized rocket, which used a solid-propellant rocket motor as a booster. Because initial acceleration was relatively slow, it was launched in a high launch tower, which guided the rocket until the fins would take effect. The booster was jettisoned after burnout 2.5 seconds into the flight. The original Aerobee could reach an apogee of about 120 km (75 miles) with a payload of about 68 kg (150 lb). The nose cone containing the telemetry transmitter and the scientific payload was recoverable and returned to earth on a parachute.

There were a multitude of versions of the basic Aerobee. The original RTV-N-8, which was also known by Aerojet's designation XASR-1, used an 11.5 kN (2600 lb) thrust sustainer. It was soon followed by the XASR-2, which was designated RTV-A-1 by the Air Force and RTV-N-10 by the Navy. The XASR-2 used helium pressurization instead of air pressurization for the sustainer engine, and first flew in late 1949. The RTV-A-1a/RTV-N-10a used an Aerojet AJ10-25 sustainer with 18 kN (4100 lb) thrust, but shorter duration. The USAF also tested a few examples each of the RTV-A-1b (using the original 11.5 kN engine with chemical pressurization), the RTV-A-1c (as -1a, but launched without booster) and the RTV-A-1d (using the 18 kN engine of the -1a with chemical pressurization, and launched without booster). Other Navy models were the experimental RTV-N-10b (using the AJ10-24 engine, a variant of the -10a's engine with a higher specific impulse) and the RTV-N-10c (production variant of the -10b, using an AJ10-27 sustainer). The USAF's production version of the AJ10-24/RTV-N-10b was the AJ10-34, which did not get any designation.

In 1955, the USAF's RTV-A-1 rockets were redesignated in the X-8 series:

Old Designation New Designation
RTV-A-1 X-8
RTV-A-1a X-8A
RTV-A-1b X-8B
RTV-A-1c X-8C
RTV-A-1d X-8D

Manufacturer: Aerojet. Launches: 226. Failures: 20. Success Rate: 91.15%. First Launch Date: 1947-09-25. Last Launch Date: 1965-09-29. Launch data is: complete. Payload: 68 kg (149 lb). Apogee: 130 km (80 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 18.000 kN (4,046 lbf). Total Mass: 727 kg (1,602 lb). Core Diameter: 0.38 m (1.24 ft). Total Length: 7.80 m (25.50 ft).

Model: Aerobee 100. Family: Aerobee. Country: USA.

2 stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Aerobee Booster + 1 x Aerobee 100

Model: Aerobee AJ10-25. Family: Aerobee. Country: USA.

2 stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Aerobee Booster + 1 x Aerobee AJ10-25

Model: Aerobee AJ10-27. Family: Aerobee. Country: USA.

2 stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Aerobee Booster + 1 x Aerobee AJ10-27

Model: Aerobee AJ10-34. Family: Aerobee. Country: USA.

2 stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Aerobee Booster + 1 x Aerobee AJ10-34

Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1. Family: Aerobee. Country: USA.

2 stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Aerobee Booster + 1 x Aerobee XASR-1

Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1a. Family: Aerobee. Country: USA.

2 stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Aerobee Booster + 1 x Aerobee AJ10-25

Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1b. Family: Aerobee. Country: USA.

2 stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Aerobee Booster + 1 x Aerobee XASR-1

Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1c. Family: Aerobee. Country: USA.

Single stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Aerobee AJ10-25

Model: Aerobee RTV-N-10. Family: Aerobee. Country: USA.

2 stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Aerobee Booster + 1 x Aerobee XASR-1

Model: Aerobee RTV-N-10a. Family: Aerobee. Country: USA.

2 stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Aerobee Booster + 1 x Aerobee AJ10-25

Model: Aerobee RTV-N-10b. Family: Aerobee. Country: USA.

2 stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Aerobee Booster + 1 x Aerobee AJ10-24

Model: Aerobee RTV-N-10c. Family: Aerobee. Country: USA.

2 stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Aerobee Booster + 1 x Aerobee AJ10-34

Model: Aerobee RTV-N-8. Family: Aerobee. Country: USA.

2 stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Aerobee Booster + 1 x Aerobee XASR-1

Model: Aerobee XASR-SC-1. Family: Aerobee. Country: USA.

2 stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Aerobee Booster + 1 x Aerobee XASR-1

Model: Aerobee XASR-SC-2. Family: Aerobee. Country: USA.

2 stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Aerobee Booster + 1 x Aerobee XASR-1

Aerobee Chronology

1946 May 17 - Launch Vehicle: Aerobee.

  • Aerobee rocket project begun. Nation: USA. Original design and development of Aerobee sounding rocket begun when contract was given to Aerojet Engineering Corp. References: 17.
1947 September 25 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-8. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-8 A1.
  • Dummy launch Nation: USA. Agency: APL. Apogee: 1.00 km (0.60 mi). Dummy firing, no upper-air research experiment. References: 247.
1947 October 2 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-8. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-8 A2.
  • Dummy launch Nation: USA. Agency: APL. Apogee: 1.00 km (0.60 mi). Dummy firing, no upper-air research experiment. References: 247.
1947 October 31 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-8. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-8 A3.
  • Dummy launch Nation: USA. Agency: APL. Apogee: 1.00 km (0.60 mi). Dummy firing, no upper-air research experiment. References: 247.
1947 November 24 - 17:20 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-8. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-8 A4. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: APL. Apogee: 56 km (34 mi). Dummy firing, no upper-air research experiment. First complete Aerobee rocket was fired to a height of 190,000 feet from White Sands Proving Ground, N. Mex. References: 247.
1948 March 5 - 22:51 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-8. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-8 A5.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: APL. Apogee: 118 km (73 mi). Cosmic radiation research. Launched at 1020 local time. Reached 117.5 km. References: 247.
1948 April 13 - 21:41 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-8. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-8 A6.
  • Magnetospheric mission Nation: USA. Agency: APL. Apogee: 114 km (70 mi). Magnetic field research. Launched at 1551 local time. Reached 114.3 km. References: 247.
1948 July 26 - 16:47 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-8. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-8 A7.
  • Earth imaging mission Nation: USA. Agency: APL. Apogee: 113 km (70 mi). Photography research. Launched at 1441 local time. Reached 112.7 km. Two separate rockets fired from White Sands, one a V-2 which reached an altitude of 87 km, the other a Navy Aerobee which reached an altitude of 112.7 km, carried cameras which photographed the curvature of the earth.References: 247.
1948 August 6 - 01:37 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-8. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-8 NRL 1.
  • Aerobee Venus Ionosphere-solar mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 98 km (60 mi). Solar radiation, pressure, temperature research. Launched at 1837 local time. Reached 96.6 km. References: 247.
1948 November 2 - 00:15 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-8. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-8 A8.
  • Ionosphere-solar mission Nation: USA. Agency: APL. Apogee: 91 km (56 mi). Cosmic radiation, solar radiation research. Launched at 0947 local time. Reached 91 km. References: 247.
1948 December 9 - 22:38 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee XASR-SC-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee XASR-SC-1 SC 1.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 91 km (56 mi). Composition research. Launched at 1538 local time. Reached 91.6 km. References: 247.
1949 January 29 - 06:17 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-8. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-8 NRL 2.
  • Ionosphere-solar mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 96 km (59 mi). Cosmic radiation, solar radiation, pressure, temperature, ionosphere research. Launched at 2317 local time. Reached 96.6 km. References: 247.
1949 February 1 - 18:38 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-8. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-8 NRL 3. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Solar mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Solar radiation research. Launched at 1138 local time. Failure. References: 247.
1949 March 1 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-8. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-8 A9. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: APL. Dummy firing, no upper-air research experiment. Launched at 1715 local time. References: 247.
1949 March 17 - 23:20 GMT - Launch Complex: AVM1 USS. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-8. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-8 A10.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: APL. Apogee: 105 km (65 mi). Cosmic radiation, magnetic field research. Reached 104.6 km. Launched from from vessel ACM1 at Atlantic Ocean Launch Site 1-1 - Latitude: 10.80 S, Longitude:89.23 W. References: 247.
1949 March 22 - 17:20 GMT - Launch Complex: AVM1 USS. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-8. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-8 A11.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: APL. Apogee: 105 km (65 mi). Cosmic radiation, magnetic field research. Launched at 1730 GMT. Reached 104.6 km. Launched by vessel AVM1 from Atlantic Ocean Launch Site 1-2 - Latitude: 11.10 S, Longitude:88.43 W. References: 247.
1949 March 24 - 15:14 GMT - Launch Complex: AVM1 USS. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-8. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-8 A12. FAILURE: Sustainer took off without booster.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: APL. Apogee: 5.00 km (3.10 mi). Cosmic radiation, magnetic field research. Launched at 1514 GMT. A pressure valve defect resulted in the sustainer taking off without the booster; reached 6 km. Launched from vessel ACM1 Norton Sound at Atlantic Ocean Launch Site 1-3 - Latitude: 11.27 S, Longitude:82.13 W.References: 247.
1949 June 2 - 13:10 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee XASR-SC-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee XASR-SC-1 SC 2.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 78 km (48 mi). Composition research. Launched at 0610 local time. Reached 78.4 km. References: 247.
1949 June 15 - 02:03 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-8. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-8 NRL 5.
  • Solar mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 109 km (67 mi). Solar radiation research. Launched at 1903 local time. Reached 109.5 km. References: 247.
1949 June 17 - 11:50 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-8. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-8 A13.
  • Classified mission Nation: USA. Agency: APL. Apogee: 88 km (54 mi). Classified flight. Launched at 0450 local time. Reached 88.5 km. References: 247.
1949 June 23 - 23:21 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-8. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-8 A14.
  • Ionosphere-solar mission Nation: USA. Agency: APL. Apogee: 88 km (54 mi). Cosmic radiation, solar radiation research. Launched at 1621 local time. Reached 88.5 km. References: 247.
1949 July 21 - 16:01 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee XASR-SC-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee XASR-SC-1 SC 4.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 76 km (47 mi). Composition research. Launched at 0901 local time. Reached 76.1 km. References: 247.
1949 September 20 - 17:03 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee XASR-SC-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee XASR-SC-1 SC 5.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 58 km (36 mi). Composition research. Launched at 1003 local time. Reached 58.6 km. References: 247.
1949 December 2 - 22:20 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 1.
  • MX-1011 Ionosphere-solar/imaging mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 96 km (59 mi). Solar radiation, temperature, photography research. Launched at 1520 local time. Reached 96 km. First firing of USAF Aerobee research rocket (RTV-A-1a) at Holoman AFB, the development of which was initiated earlier in the year. References: 247.
1949 December 6 - 18:32 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee XASR-SC-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee XASR-SC-1 SC 3.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 65 km (40 mi). Composition research. Launched at 1132 local time. Reached 64.9 km. References: 247.
1949 December 7 - 00:16 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee XASR-SC-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee XASR-SC-1 SC 7.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 60 km (37 mi). References: 247.
1949 December 15 - 17:10 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 2. FAILURE: Failure.
  • MX-1011 Ionosphere-solar/imaging mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Solar radiation, pressure, temperature, photography research. Launched at 1010 local time. Reached 0.3 km. References: 247.
1950 January 15 - 23:45 GMT - Launch Complex: AVM1 USS. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-10. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-10 A15.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: APL. Apogee: 72 km (44 mi). Cosmic radiation research. Launched at 2345 GMT. Reached 72.4 km. Launched from from vessel ACM1 at Bering Sea Launch Site 1 (APL Aerobee/Norton Sound) - Latitude: 58.00 N, Longitude:170.00 W. References: 247.
1950 January 18 - 23:17 GMT - Launch Complex: AVM1 USS. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-10. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-10 A16.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: APL. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi). Cosmic radiation research. Launched at 2317 GMT. Reached 80.5 km. Launched from from vessel ACM1 at Bering Sea Launch Site 2 (APL Aerobee/Norton Sound) - Latitude: 50.00 N, Longitude:170.00 W. References: 247.
1950 February 14 - 23:14 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-8. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-8 NRL 4.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 87 km (54 mi). Cosmic radiation, pressure, temperature research. Launched at 1614 local time. Reached 87.6 km. References: 247.
1950 February 22 - 00:54 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee XASR-SC-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee XASR-SC-1 SC 9.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 49 km (30 mi). Composition research. Launched at 1754 local time. Reached 49.1 km. References: 247.
1950 March 4 - 00:36 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee XASR-SC-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee XASR-SC-1 SC 6.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 72 km (44 mi). Temperature research. Launched at 1736 local time. Reached 72.4 km. References: 247.
1950 March 14 - 20:43 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 3. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Solar mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 3.00 km (1.80 mi). Solar radiation, sky brightness research. Launched at 1343 local time. Reached 3.2 km. References: 247.
1950 March 26 - 19:43 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 4.
  • Solar mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 67 km (41 mi). Solar radiation research. Launched at 1243 local time. Reached 67.6 km. References: 247.
1950 April 26 - 01:11 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee XASR-SC-2. LV Configuration: Aerobee XASR-SC-2 SC 11.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). Composition research. Launched at 1811 local time. Reached 99.5 km. References: 247.
1950 May 12 - 12:30 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-10. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-10 A17.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: APL. Apogee: 88 km (54 mi). Cosmic radiation research. Launched at 0530 local time. Reached 88.1 km. References: 247.
1950 June 2 - 17:07 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 5.
  • Optical Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 24 km (14 mi). Sky brightness research. Launched at 1007 local time. Reached 24.8 km. References: 247.
1950 June 20 - 15:38 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 6.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 93 km (57 mi). Temperature, pressure research. Launched at 0838 local time. Reached 92.6 km. References: 247.
1950 July 14 - 08:39 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee XASR-SC-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee XASR-SC-1 SC 8.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 69 km (42 mi). Temperature, winds research. Launched at 0139 local time. Reached 69.2 km. References: 247.
1950 August 3 - 23:52 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Pad: LC35?. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-10. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-10 NRL 6. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Solar mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 6.00 km (3.70 mi). Solar radiation research. Launched at 1652 local time. Reached 6 km. References: 247.
1950 August 17 - 15:45 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-10. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-10 A18.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: APL. Apogee: 101 km (62 mi). Composition research. Launched at 0845 local time. Reached 101.4 km. References: 247.
1950 October 12 - 19:36 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 7.
  • Imaging mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 87 km (54 mi). Photography research. Launched at 1236 local time. Reached 91.3 km. References: 247.
1950 October 17 - 04:00 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee XASR-SC-2. LV Configuration: Aerobee XASR-SC-2 SC 10.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi). Temperature, winds research. Launched at 2100 local time. Reached 80.5 km. References: 247.
1950 October 18 - 04:30 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee XASR-SC-2. LV Configuration: Aerobee XASR-SC-2 SC 12.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 247.
1950 October 27 - 13:30 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee XASR-SC-2. LV Configuration: Aerobee XASR-SC-2 SC 13.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi). Composition research. Launched at 0630 local time. Reached 80.2 km. References: 247.
1950 November 2 - 16:29 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 8.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 92 km (57 mi). Airglow research. Launched at 0929 local time. Reached 91.8 km. References: 247.
1950 December 11 - 17:04 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee XASR-SC-2. LV Configuration: Aerobee XASR-SC-2 SC 15. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 1.00 km (0.60 mi). Temperature, winds research. Launched at 2106 local time. Reached 83.9 km. References: 247.
1950 December 12 - 18:26 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 9.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 106 km (65 mi). Pressure, temperature research. Launched at 1126 local time. Reached 108.2 km. References: 247.
1950 December 12 - 09:10 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee XASR-SC-2. LV Configuration: Aerobee XASR-SC-2 SC 16.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 77 km (47 mi). References: 247.
1950 December 12 - 04:06 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee XASR-SC-2. LV Configuration: Aerobee XASR-SC-2 SC 14.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 84 km (52 mi). References: 247.
1950 December 19 - 18:52 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee XASR-SC-2. LV Configuration: Aerobee XASR-SC-2 SC 17.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 82 km (50 mi). Composition research. Launched at 1152 local time. Reached 81.9 km. References: 247.
1951 January 22 - 22:55 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-10. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-10 A19.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: APL. Apogee: 88 km (54 mi). Composition research. Launched at 1555 local time. Reached 88.5 km. References: 247.
1951 January 25 - 15:00 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-10. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-10 A20.
  • Solar mission Nation: USA. Agency: APL. Apogee: 90 km (55 mi). Solar radiation research. Launched at 0800 local time. Reached 90.1 km. References: 247.
1951 February 6 - 17:20 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-10. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-10 A21.
  • Imaging mission Nation: USA. Agency: APL. Apogee: 98 km (60 mi). Photography research. Launched at 1020 local time. Reached 98.2 km. References: 247.
1951 March 28 - 23:14 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 10.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 66 km (41 mi). Airglow research. Launched at 1614 local time. Reached 68 km. References: 247.
1951 April 12 - 17:26 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 11.
  • Solar mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 29 km (18 mi). Solar radiation research. Launched at 1029 local time. Reached 20 km. References: 247.
1951 April 18 - 18:39 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 12.
  • Biological mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 61 km (37 mi). Biological research. Launched at 1139 local time. Reached 61.2 km. The first Aerobee research rocket containing a biomedical experiment (monkey - name unknown). References: 247.
1951 May 29 - 19:46 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 13. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 4.00 km (2.40 mi). Ionosphere research. Launched at 1246 local time. Reached 3.7 km. References: 247.
1951 June 8 - 00:11 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 14.
  • Solar mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 88 km (54 mi). Solar radiation, airglow research. Launched at 1711 local time. Reached 88.5 km. References: 247.
1951 June 8 - 01:18 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee XASR-SC-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee XASR-SC-1 SC 19. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 6.00 km (3.70 mi). Temperature, winds research. Launched at 1818 local time. Reached 6.4 km. References: 247.
1951 June 9 - 06:11 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee XASR-SC-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee XASR-SC-1 SC 18.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 67 km (41 mi). References: 247.
1951 July 25 - 16:26 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 15.
  • Imaging mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 71 km (44 mi). Sky brightness, photography research. Launched at 0926 local time. Reached 71.3 km. References: 247.
1951 August 7 - 16:36 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 16.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 83 km (51 mi). Ionosphere research. Launched at 0036 local time. Reached 83.5 km. References: 247.
1951 August 30 - 22:40 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1b. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1b USAF 17.
  • Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 75 km (46 mi). Rocket performance test. Launched at 1540 local time. Reached 75.7 km. References: 247.
1951 September 13 - 11:37 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 18.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 76 km (47 mi). Pressure, temperature research. Launched at 0437 local time. Reached 75.7 km. References: 247.
1951 September 20 - 16:31 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 19.
  • Biological mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 71 km (44 mi). Biological research. Launched at 0931 local time. Reached 70.8 km. USAF made first successful recovery of animals from a rocket flight when an instrumented monkey (Yorick aka Albert VI) and 11 mice survived an Aerobee flight to an altitude of 70.8 km from Holloman AFB.References: 247.
1951 September 27 - 00:06 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee XASR-SC-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee XASR-SC-1 SC 21.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 69 km (42 mi). Composition research. Launched at 1706 local time. Reached 68.9 km. References: 247.
1951 October 17 - 18:17 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1a. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 20.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 114 km (70 mi). lonosphere research. Launched at 1117 local time. Reached 114..3 km. References: 247.
1951 November 1 - 09:45 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee XASR-SC-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee XASR-SC-1 SC 20.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 66 km (41 mi). Temperature, winds research. Launched at 0245 local time. Reached 66 km. References: 247.
1951 November 3 - 00:35 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee XASR-SC-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee XASR-SC-1 SC 22.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 82 km (50 mi). Temperature, winds research. Launched at 1735 local time. Reached 82.4 km. References: 247.
1952 January 30 - 20:45 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1a. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 21. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Ionosphere research. Launched at 1345 local time. Failure. References: 247.
1952 February 19 - 14:49 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1c. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1c USAF 22. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Aeronomy SB mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. References: 247.
1952 February 19 - 17:00 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-10. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-10 NRL 7. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Solar/Chemical release mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 81 km (50 mi). Sky brightness research. Launched at 0745 local time. Failure. References: 247.
1952 February 29 - 14:40 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 23.
  • Aeronomy SB mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 88 km (54 mi). Sky brightness research. Launched at 0740 local time. Reached 89.3 km. References: 247.
1952 April 22 - 17:28 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 24.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 116 km (72 mi). Ionosphere research. Launched at 1028 local time. Reached 112.7 km. References: 247.
1952 April 30 - 13:30 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-10. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-10 NRL 8.
  • Solar/Chemical release mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 128 km (79 mi). Cosmic radiation, solar radiation research. Launched at 0630 local time. Reached 127.8 km. References: 247.
1952 May 1 - 15:42 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 25.
  • Solar mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 91 km (56 mi). References: 247.
1952 May 1 - 14:59 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-10. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-10 NRL 9.
  • Solar mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 126 km (78 mi). Solar radiation research. Launched at 0842 local time. Reached 91.8 km. References: 247.
1952 May 5 - 13:44 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-10. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-10 NRL 10.
  • Solar/Chemical release mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 127 km (78 mi). Cosmic radiation, solar radiation research. Launched at 0644 local time. Reached 127 km. References: 247.
1952 May 15 - 01:15 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee XASR-SC-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee XASR-SC-1 SC 23.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 76 km (47 mi). Density research. Launched at 1815 local time. Reached 76.1 km. References: 247.
1952 May 20 - 02:07 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee XASR-SC-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee XASR-SC-1 SC 24.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 90 km (55 mi). Temperature, winds research. Launched at 1907 local time. Reached 90.1 km. References: 247.
1952 May 21 - 15:15 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 26.
  • Biological mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 26 km (16 mi). Biological research. Launched at 0818 local time. Reached 26.1 km. Air Force Aerobee rocket placed an aeromedical payload containing two Phillipine monkeys (Pat and Mike) and two mice to an altitude of 26.1 km, which were recovered unharmed and without apparent ill effect.References: 247.
1952 June 18 - 17:50 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 27.
  • Solar mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). Solar radiation research. Launched at 1050 local time. Reached 99.8 km. References: 247.
1952 June 30 - 14:32 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 28.
  • Aeronomy SB mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 101 km (62 mi). Sky brightness research. Launched at 0732 local time. Reached 101.4 km. References: 247.
1952 August 26 - 18:53 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1a. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 29. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 32 km (19 mi). Ionosphere research. Launched at 1153 local time. Altitude not reported; possible failure. References: 780.
1952 September 3 - 14:49 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-10. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-10 NRL 11.
  • Solar mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 106 km (65 mi). Solar radiation research. Launched at 0749 local time. Reached 99 km. References: 247.
1952 September 25 - 03:50 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee XASR-SC-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee XASR-SC-1 SC 25.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 117 km (72 mi). Temperature, winds research. Launched at 2050 local time. Reached 117.5 km. References: 247.
1952 October 10 - 14:24 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 30.
  • Solar mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 101 km (62 mi). Solar radiation research. Launched at 0724 local time. Reached 109.5 km. References: 247.
1952 October 21 - 03:45 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee XASR-SC-2. LV Configuration: Aerobee XASR-SC-2 SC 26.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 112 km (69 mi). Temperature, winds research. Launched at 2045 local time. Reached 111.1 km. References: 247.
1952 October 22 - 14:35 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 31.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). Pressure, temperature research. Launched at 0735 local time. Reached 99.8 km. References: 247.
1952 November 6 - 15:56 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 32.
  • Aeronomy SB mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 76 km (47 mi). Sky brightness research. Launched at 0858 local time. Reached 75.7 km. References: 247.
1952 December 11 - 23:47 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee XASR-SC-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee XASR-SC-1 SC 29.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 105 km (65 mi). Temperature, winds research. Launched at 1647 local time. Reached 104.6 km. References: 247.
1952 December 12 - 19:38 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 33.
  • Solar mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 88 km (54 mi). Solar radiation research. Launched at 1238 local time. Reached 88.5 km. References: 247.
1953 February 10 - 21:09 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-10. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-10 NRL 12.
  • Aeronomy/Chemical release mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 137 km (85 mi). Composition, cosmic radiation research. Launched at 1409 local time. Reached 137 km. References: 247.
1953 February 12 - 07:09 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-10. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-10 NRL 13.
  • Aeronomy/Chemical release mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 137 km (85 mi). Composition, cosmic radiation research. Launched at 0009 local time. Reached 137.3 km. References: 247.
1953 February 18 - 17:42 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1a. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 34.
  • Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 117 km (72 mi). Rocket performance test. Launched at 1042 local time. Reached 117.5 km. References: 247.
1953 February 18 - 06:50 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee XASR-SC-2. LV Configuration: Aerobee XASR-SC-2 SC 27.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 109 km (67 mi). Temperature, winds research. Launched at 2350 local time. Reached 106.2 km. References: 247.
1953 April 14 - 15:47 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1a. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 35.
  • Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 122 km (75 mi). Rocket performance test. Launched at 0847 local time. Reached 122.3 km. References: 247.
1953 April 24 - 19:30 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee XASR-SC-2. LV Configuration: Aerobee XASR-SC-2 SC 30.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 124 km (77 mi). References: 247.
1953 April 24 - 10:19 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee XASR-SC-2. LV Configuration: Aerobee XASR-SC-2 SC 28.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 108 km (67 mi). Temperature, winds research. Launched at 0319 local time. Reached 107.8 km. References: 247.
1953 May 20 - 14:04 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1a. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 36.
  • Aeronomy SB mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 114 km (70 mi). Sky brightness, day airglow research. Launched at 0704 local time. Reached 114.3 km. References: 247.
1953 May 21 - 15:47 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1a. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 37.
  • Aeronomy SB mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 114 km (70 mi). Sky brightness, day airglow research. Launched at 0847 local time. Reached 114.3 km. References: 247.
1953 June 26 - 19:10 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1a. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 38.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 135 km (83 mi). Ionosphere research. Launched at 1210 local time. Reached 135.2 km. References: 247.
1953 July 1 - 17:52 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1a. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 39.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 138 km (85 mi). Ionosphere research. Launched at 1052 local time. Reached 138.4 km. References: 247.
1953 July 14 - 15:30 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1a. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 40.
  • Solar mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 103 km (64 mi). Solar radiation research. Launched at 0830 local time. Reached 103 km. References: 247.
1953 July 23 - 09:47 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1a. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 41.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 95 km (59 mi). Atmospheric composition research. Launched at 0247 local time. Reached 95.6 km. References: 247.
1953 September 1 - 05:05 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee XASR-SC-2. LV Configuration: Aerobee XASR-SC-2 SC 32.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 108 km (67 mi). Density research. Launched at 2205 local time. Reached 107.8 km. References: 247.
1953 September 5 - 05:36 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee XASR-SC-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee XASR-SC-1 SC 33.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 114 km (70 mi). Density research. Launched at 2236 local time. Reached 105.5 km. References: 247.
1953 September 15 - 15:02 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1a. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 42. FAILURE: Early cut-off due to a thrust chamber burn-through.
  • Aeronomy SB mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 32 km (19 mi). Sky brightness research. Launched at 0802 local time. Reached 32.2 km. Suffered an early cut-off due to a thrust chamber burn-through. Improved chamber cooling was developed in subsequent engines. References: 247.
1953 September 29 - 20:50 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1a. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1a SC 31.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 58 km (36 mi). Density research. Launched at 1350 local time. Reached 58 km. References: 247.
1953 October 7 - 17:00 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1a. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 43.
  • Solar mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). Solar radiation research. Launched at 1000 local time. Reached 99.8 km. References: 247.
1953 November 2 - 18:32 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1a. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 44.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 120 km (70 mi). Ionosphere research. Launched at 1132 local time. Reached 120.7 km. References: 247.
1953 November 3 - 18:15 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1a. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 45.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 121 km (75 mi). Ionosphere research. Launched at 1115 local time. Reached 121.5 km. References: 247.
1953 November 19 - 22:40 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-10. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-10 NRL 14.
  • Solar mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 112 km (69 mi). Solar spectrum research. Launched at 1540 local time. Reached 112.6 km. References: 247.
1953 November 25 - 15:46 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-10. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-10 NRL 15.
  • Solar mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 95 km (59 mi). Solar spectrum research. Launched at 0846 local time. Reached 95.1 km. References: 247.
1953 December 1 - 15:30 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-10. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-10 NRL 16.
  • Solar mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 129 km (80 mi). Solar spectrum research. Launched at 0830 local time. Reached 129.6 km. References: 247.
1954 February 2 - 18:35 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-10. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-10 NRL 20.
  • Solar Ultraviolet mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 101 km (62 mi). Solar ultraviolet research. Launched at 1135 local time. Reached 101 km. References: 247.
1954 April 9 - 21:12 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-10. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-10 NRL 18.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 143 km (88 mi). Gas composition research. Launched at 1412 local time. Reached 143 km. References: 247.
1954 April 10 - 09:00 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-10. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-10 NRL 19. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 5.00 km (3.10 mi). Gas composition research. Launched at 0200 local time. Reached 5 km. References: 247.
1954 May 11 - 15:00 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1a. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 46.
  • Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 98 km (60 mi). Rocket performance test. Launched at 0800 local time. Reached 98.2 km. References: 247.
1954 June 2 - 16:10 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1a. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 47.
  • Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 93 km (57 mi). Rocket performance test. Launched at 0910 local time. Reached 93.4 km. References: 247.
1954 July 14 - 13:55 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1a. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 48.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 92 km (57 mi). Temperature, aspect research. Launched at 0855 local time. Reached 91.8 km. References: 247.
1954 August 11 - 17:25 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1a. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 49.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 92 km (57 mi). Ionosphere research. Launched at 1025 local time. Reached 91.8 km. References: 780.
1954 September 17 - 14:31 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1a. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 50.
  • Solar mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 94 km (58 mi). Solar radiation research. Launched at 1731 local time. Reached 94.7 km. References: 247.
1954 October 5 - 18:15 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-10b. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-10b RTV-N-10b.
  • Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 158 km (98 mi). Rocket performance test. Launched at 1115 local time. Reached 158 km. References: 247.
1955 January 22 - 00:54 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1a. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 51.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 94 km (58 mi). Airglow research. Launched at 1754 local time. Reached 94.8 km. References: 247.
1955 February 7 - 18:51 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1a. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 52.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 120 km (70 mi). Ionosphere research. Launched at 1151 local time. Reached 120.4 km. References: 247.
1955 February 10 - 22:38 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1a. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 53.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 76 km (47 mi). Ionosphere research. Launched at 1538 local time. Reached 76.1 km. References: 780.
1955 February 21 - 18:25 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-10c. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-10c NRL 29.
  • Solar mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 115 km (71 mi). Solar spectrum research. Launched at 1125 local time. Reached 115 km. References: 247.
1955 March 19 - 06:00 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-10. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-10 NRL 26.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 115 km (71 mi). Night airglow research. Launched at 2300 local time. Reached 114.3 km. References: 247.
1955 March 29 - 16:47 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1a. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 54.
  • Solar mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 112 km (69 mi). Solar radiation research. Launched at 0947 local time. Reached 112.7 km. References: 247.
1955 June 16 - 01:11 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee AJ10-27. LV Configuration: Aerobee AJ10-27 USAF 56.
  • Classified mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 203 km (126 mi). Special classified flight research. Launched at 1811 local time. Reached 202.8 km. References: 247.
1955 July 8 - 08:39 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-10. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-10 NRL 23.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 113 km (70 mi). Ion composition research. Launched at 0139 local time. Reached 113.4 km. References: 247.
1955 July 13 - 06:59 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-10a. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-10a NRL 27.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 69 km (42 mi). Gas composition research. Launched at 2359 local time. Reached 69.2 km. References: 247.
1955 September 14 - 13:30 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee AJ10-27. LV Configuration: Aerobee AJ10-27 USAF 58.
  • Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 95 km (59 mi). Rocket aerodynamics test. Launched at 0630 local time. Reached 95 km. References: 247.
1955 September 30 - 15:50 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee AJ10-27. LV Configuration: Aerobee AJ10-27 USAF 59.
  • Solar mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 74 km (45 mi). Solar limb darkening research. Launched at 0850 local time. Reached 74 km. References: 247.
1955 October 13 - 01:00 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1a. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 60.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 101 km (62 mi). Sodium studies research. Launched at 1800 local time. Reached 101.4 km. References: 247.
1955 October 18 - 22:49 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-10c. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-10c NRL 34.
  • Solar mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 101 km (62 mi). Solar spectrum research. Launched at 1549 local time. Reached 150 km. References: 247.
1955 October 22 - 00:20 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-10c. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-10c NRL 35.
  • Solar mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 185 km (114 mi). Solar spectrum research. Launched at 1720 local time. Reached 134.5 km. References: 247.
1955 November 4 - 15:30 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-10c. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-10c NRL 36.
  • Solar mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 135 km (83 mi). Solar spectrum research. Launched at 0830 local time. Reached 158 km. References: 247.
1955 November 17 - 09:15 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-10. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-10 NRL 25.
  • Meteorites mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 105 km (65 mi). Night airglow, meteors research. Launched at 0200 local time. Reached 105 km. References: 1740.
1955 November 29 - 17:16 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-10. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-10 NRL 24.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 132 km (82 mi). Ion composition research. Launched at 1016 local time. Reached 132 km. References: 247.
1955 December 13 - 17:58 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee AJ10-27. LV Configuration: Aerobee AJ10-27 USAF 61.
  • Solar mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 138 km (85 mi). Lyman alpha, solar limb darkening research. Launched at 1058 local time. Reached 138.4 km. References: 247.
1955 December 13 - 05:00 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-10a. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-10a NRL 28.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 142 km (88 mi). Gas composition research. Launched at 2200 local time. Reached 142 km. References: 247.
1956 March 12 - 21:15 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1a. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 62.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 95 km (59 mi). Nitric oxide attempt to produce sporadic E research. Launched at 1415 local time. Reached 95 km. References: 247.
1956 March 14 - 08:45 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1a. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 63.
  • Ionosphere/Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 106 km (65 mi). Nitric oxide attempt to recombine atomic oxygen research. Launched at 0145 local time. Reached 106.2 km. References: 247.
1956 April 12 - 02:05 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1a. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 64.
  • Ionosphere/Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 106 km (65 mi). Sodium cloud, ionization research. Launched at 1005 local time. Reached 106.2 km. References: 247.
1956 May 8 - 14:54 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee AJ10-34. LV Configuration: Aerobee AJ10-34 USAF 65.
  • Solar mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 143 km (88 mi). References: 247.
1956 June 13 - 20:51 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee AJ10-34. LV Configuration: Aerobee AJ10-34 USAF 67.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 138 km (85 mi). Ionosphere research. Launched at 1351 local time. Reached 137.8 km. References: 247.
1956 June 18 - 20:42 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee AJ10-34. LV Configuration: Aerobee AJ10-34 USAF 68.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 136 km (84 mi). Ionosphere research. Launched at 1342 local time. Reached 130.8 km. References: 247.
1956 June 21 - 18:48 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee AJ10-34. LV Configuration: Aerobee AJ10-34 USAF 69.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 146 km (90 mi). Ionosphere research. Launched at 1148 local time. Reached 146.5 km. References: 247.
1956 June 22 - 19:42 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-10. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-10 NRL 22. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 5.00 km (3.10 mi). Ionosphere research. Launched at 1242 local time. Reached 5 km. References: 247.
1956 June 26 - 18:26 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee AJ10-34. LV Configuration: Aerobee AJ10-34 USAF 70.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 111 km (68 mi). Ionosphere research. Launched at 1120 local time. Reached 111.1 km. References: 247.
1956 July 5 - 07:52 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-10c. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-10c NRL 33.
  • Magnetospheric mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 162 km (100 mi). Magnetic belt, night airglow research. Launched at 0052 local time. Reached 162 km. References: 247.
1956 July 31 - 00:56 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee AJ10-34. LV Configuration: Aerobee AJ10-34 USAF 71.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 129 km (80 mi). Day airglow research. Launched at 1756 local time. Reached 128.8 km. References: 247.
1956 August 3 - 12:56 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1a. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 72. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Solar mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 2.00 km (1.20 mi). Solar spectrum and atmospheric composition research. Launched at 0556 local time. Reached 2.4 km. References: 247.
1956 August 9 - 15:53 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee XASR-SC-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee XASR-SC-1 SC 34.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). Composition research. Launched at 0853 local time. Reached 85.5 km. References: 247.
1956 August 10 - 15:22 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee XASR-SC-1. LV Configuration: Aerobee XASR-SC-1 SC 35.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). Composition research. Launched at 0822 local time. Reached 85.9 km. References: 247.
1956 October 23 - 09:40 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee AJ10-34. LV Configuration: Aerobee AJ10-34 AM2.21.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 145 km (90 mi). Pressure, temperature, density research. Launched at 0240 local time. Reached 145 km. References: 247.
1956 November 1 - 12:57 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee AJ10-34. LV Configuration: Aerobee AJ10-34 USAF 73.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 66 km (41 mi). Sodium emission research. Launched at 0557 local time. Reached 68 km. References: 247.
1956 November 2 - 05:39 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee AJ10-34. LV Configuration: Aerobee AJ10-34 USAF 74.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 146 km (90 mi). References: 247.
1956 November 12 - 11:46 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1a. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1a SM1.01.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 67 km (41 mi). Temperature, winds research. Launched at 0546 local time. Reached 67.5 km. References: 247.
1957 February 2 - 08:05 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee AJ10-34. LV Configuration: Aerobee AJ10-34 USAF 76.
  • Aeronomy release mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 143 km (88 mi). Ethylene gas release (Firefly). Launched at 0105 local time. Reached 140.6 km. References: 247.
1957 March 29 - 04:51 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-10c. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-10c NRL-31.
  • NRL NN2.26 Ultraviolet Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 135 km (83 mi). Night sky research. Launched at 2151 local time. Reached 135 km. References: 247.
1957 April 9 - 15:19 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee AJ10-25. LV Configuration: Aerobee AJ10-25 USAF 77.
  • Meteorites mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 61 km (37 mi). Micrometeorites research. Launched at 0819 local time. Reached 61 km. References: 247.
1957 July 1 - Launch Vehicle: Aerobee.
  • Aerobee completes 165th flight. Nation: USA. Aerobee upper air research rocket developed by the Applied Physics Laboratory of Johns Hopkins, and first fired on September 25, 1947, completed 165 successful firings to date. References: 17.
1957 July 16 - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee.
  • Meteorites mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 1592.
1957 July 18 - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee.
  • Meteorites mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 1592.
1957 July 22 - 04:16 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. LV Configuration: Aerobee SM1.02.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 92 km (57 mi). References: 1592.
1957 July 24 - 05:29 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. LV Configuration: Aerobee SM1.03.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 88 km (54 mi). References: 1592.
1957 August 6 - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. LV Configuration: Aerobee AC4.024.
  • Solar Ultraviolet mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 145 km (90 mi). References: 1592.
1957 August 12 - 15:59 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. LV Configuration: Aerobee SM1.04.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 66 km (41 mi). References: 1592.
1957 August 20 - 02:30 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. LV Configuration: Aerobee SM1.05.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 35 km (21 mi). References: 1592.
1957 August 25 - 02:29 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. LV Configuration: Aerobee SM2.05.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 51 km (31 mi). References: 1592.
1957 August 25 - 14:08 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. LV Configuration: Aerobee SM2.06.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 130 km (80 mi). References: 1592.
1957 September 17 - 14:04 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-10. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-10 NRL 21.
  • Solar mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 51 km (31 mi). Solar spectrum research. Launched at 0704 local time. Reached 51.1 km. References: 1592.
1957 September 19 - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 1592.
1957 September 21 - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 1592.
1957 October 1 - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 1592.
1957 October 14 - 01:04 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee.
  • Meteorites mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 1812.
1957 October 17 - 05:13 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. LV Configuration: Aerobee Artificial Meteor.
  • Meteorites mission Nation: USA. Payload: Metal Pellets. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi). USAF successfully launched pellets at a speed faster than 15 km/sec (some 3.5 km/sec faster than the velocity necessary to escape from the earth) by an Aerobee rocket to a height of 56 km; the nose section then ascended to a height of 87 km where shaped charges blasted the pellets into space. It is claimed that the Superschmidt Telescope at Sacremento Peak photographed the trajectory with a rotating shutter. These little metal pellets would therefore be the first objects to be shot into interplanetary space, months before the first launch to escape velocity (Luna 1, January 1959). But also see August 1957 nuclear test that may have blasted a manhole cover to escape velocity.References: 91, 1572.
1957 October 23 - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 1592.
1957 October 25 - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 1592.
1957 November 7 - 16:05 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. LV Configuration: Aerobee USAF-89.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 780.
1957 November 8 - 14:57 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. LV Configuration: Aerobee USAF-90. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Test/Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 780.
1957 November 10 - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 1592.
1957 November 20 - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 1592.
1957 November 26 - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 1592.
1957 December 12 - 04:00 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. LV Configuration: Aerobee SM1.07.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi). References: 1592.
1957 December 14 - 21:00 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. LV Configuration: Aerobee SM1.08.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi). References: 1592.
1958 January 27 - 06:04 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. LV Configuration: Aerobee SM1.09.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 98 km (60 mi). References: 1592.
1958 January 27 - 18:49 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. LV Configuration: Aerobee SM2.10.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 143 km (88 mi). References: 1592.
1958 February 18 - 17:21 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee 100. LV Configuration: Aerobee 100 NRL 51.
  • Aerobee Jr Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 90 km (55 mi). References: 1592.
1958 March 21 - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 1592.
1958 May 5 - 14:15 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. LV Configuration: Aerobee NN3.22F.
  • Solar Ultraviolet mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 214 km (132 mi). References: 1592.
1958 July 3 - 16:52 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. LV Configuration: Aerobee AU3.07F.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 781.
1958 July 6 - 12:02 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. LV Configuration: Aerobee AU3.10F.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 781.
1958 July 11 - 18:30 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. LV Configuration: Aerobee AU3.11F.
  • Test/Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 781.
1958 August 13 - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 1592.
1958 August 15 - 15:45 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee.
  • Test/Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 1592.
1959 February 27 - 15:44 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee.
  • Solar Extreme ultraviolet mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 210 km (130 mi). References: 1592.
1959 May 5 - 01:45 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee AJ10-34. LV Configuration: Aerobee AJ10-34 AA2.141C.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 132 km (82 mi). References: 1592.
1959 June 22 - 14:32 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. LV Configuration: Aerobee AA1.260C.
  • Solar Infrared mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 110 km (60 mi). References: 1592.
1959 July 21 - 14:00 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. LV Configuration: Aerobee NN3.23F.
  • Solar X-ray/X-ray Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 197 km (122 mi). References: 1592.
1959 September 15 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee.
  • Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 1592.
1959 September 22 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee 100. LV Configuration: Aerobee 100 AA1.260C.
  • Ionosphere mission? Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 110 km (60 mi). References: 1836.
1959 October 10 - 12:00 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee AJ10-34. LV Configuration: Aerobee AJ10-34 AA2.102C.
  • Meteorites mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 111 km (68 mi). References: 1592.
1959 October 20 - 14:25 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee AJ10-34. LV Configuration: Aerobee AJ10-34 AA2.240C.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 113 km (70 mi). References: 1592.
1960 February 13 - 00:43 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee AJ10-34. LV Configuration: Aerobee AJ10-34 AA2.143C.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 143 km (88 mi). References: 1592.
1960 September 15 - 14:01 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee 100. LV Configuration: Aerobee 100 AA1.126.
  • Test mission? Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 102 km (63 mi). References: 930.