Javelin home
topic index
Javelin
Sounding rocket. Country: USA. Status: Retired 1978. Manufacturer's Designation: Argo D-4. Alternate Designation: Argo D-4.

The four-stage Javelin rocket was originally known as the Argo D-4 and was developed by the Air Force to replace its Jason rocket with the mission of measuring radiation in space after high-altitude nuclear explosions. It was subsequently used by NASA for a variety of high-altitude near-space scientific experiments.

The Javelin consisted of an unmodified surplus Honest John military rocket as the first stage, topped by two surplus Nike booster motors in tandem, and an Altair X-248 fourth stage adapted from the Vanguard programme.


From NASA SOUNDING ROCKETS, 1958-1968 - A Historical Summary, NASA SP-4401, 1971, by William R. Corliss
During the first year of the existence of Goddard's Sounding Rocket Branch, several sounding rockets, whose development predated NASA, came into the "stable" of vehicles readily available to NASA. Chief among these were the Javelin and Journeyman, both in the so-called Argo series. The Argo series was developed by the Aerolab Development Co. under the sponsorship of NACA/NASA, with support from the Air Force Special Weapons Center, the Naval Bureau of Ordnance, and the Allegany Ballistics Laboratory.

The Argo vehicles were derived from a family of NACA/NASA hypersonic test vehicles, after the fashion of the Nike-Deacon and Nike-Cajun. Aerolab has designed a long series of Argo rockets, including the Argo E-20, designed to lift 4.5 kg (10 lb) to 24 384 m (80 000 ft); but only the Jason (Argo E-5), the Javelin (Argo D-4), and the Journeyman (Argo D-8) have seen significant use. NASA never employed the Jason, but it is the rocket that the Air Force employed to measure high-altitude nuclear radiation during the Argus experiments in the late summer of 1958, when nuclear weapons were exploded at high altitudes. NASA has used the Javelin to some extent. The Journeyman helped NASA gather radiation data prior to the Mercury flights and has also seen some Air Force use. In general, the Argos are rather large by sounding rocket standards. They were all put together from off-the-shelf military hardware, often following vehicle adaptations by Langley Research Center. NASA use of the Argo series has been minimal.

Manufacturer: Aerojet. Launches: 151. Failures: 8. Success Rate: 94.70%. First Launch Date: 1959-07-07. Last Launch Date: 1978-10-26. Launch data is: complete. Payload: 57 kg (125 lb). Apogee: 1,100 km (600 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 365.000 kN (82,055 lbf). Total Mass: 3,385 kg (7,462 lb). Core Diameter: 0.58 m (1.90 ft). Total Length: 14.80 m (48.50 ft). Span: 2.62 m (8.59 ft).

  • Stage1: 1 x HJ Nike-1. Gross Mass: 1,900 kg (4,100 lb). Empty Mass: 954 kg (2,103 lb). Motor: 1 x M-6. Thrust (vac): 365.000 kN (82,055 lbf). Burn time: 5.00 sec. Length: 4.90 m (16.00 ft). Diameter: 0.58 m (1.90 ft). Propellants: Solid.
  • Stage2: 1 x HJ Nike Nike-3. Gross Mass: 599 kg (1,320 lb). Empty Mass: 256 kg (564 lb). Motor: 1 x M5E1. Thrust (vac): 195.600 kN (43,973 lbf). Burn time: 3.40 sec. Length: 3.60 m (11.80 ft). Diameter: 0.42 m (1.37 ft). Propellants: Solid.
  • Stage3: 1 x HJ Nike Nike-3. Gross Mass: 599 kg (1,320 lb). Empty Mass: 256 kg (564 lb). Motor: 1 x M5E1. Thrust (vac): 195.600 kN (43,973 lbf). Burn time: 3.40 sec. Length: 3.60 m (11.80 ft). Diameter: 0.42 m (1.37 ft). Propellants: Solid.
  • Stage4: 1 x Altair 1. Gross Mass: 238 kg (524 lb). Empty Mass: 30 kg (66 lb). Motor: 1 x X-248. Thrust (vac): 12.450 kN (2,799 lbf). Isp: 256 sec. Burn time: 38 sec. Length: 1.83 m (6.00 ft). Diameter: 0.46 m (1.50 ft). Propellants: Solid.
Version:

Nike Javelin.

Two stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Nike + 1 x Javelin

Launches: 65. Failures: 3. Success Rate: 95.38%. First Launch Date: 1963-05-29. Last Launch Date: 1978-10-26. Apogee: 130 km (80 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 217.000 kN (48,783 lbf). Total Mass: 900 kg (1,980 lb). Core Diameter: 0.42 m (1.37 ft). Total Length: 8.20 m (26.90 ft).

  • Stage1: 1 x HJ Nike Nike-3. Gross Mass: 599 kg (1,320 lb). Empty Mass: 256 kg (564 lb). Motor: 1 x M5E1. Thrust (vac): 195.600 kN (43,973 lbf). Burn time: 3.40 sec. Length: 3.60 m (11.80 ft). Diameter: 0.42 m (1.37 ft). Propellants: Solid.
  • Stage2: 1 x HJ Javelin-2. Gross Mass: 200 kg (440 lb). Motor: 1 x Javelin 3. Thrust (vac): 93.000 kN (20,907 lbf). Length: 2.60 m (8.50 ft). Diameter: 0.23 m (0.75 ft). Propellants: Solid.
Version:

Javelin 3.

Launches: 4. First Launch Date: 1965-01-01. Last Launch Date: 1968-03-11. Apogee: 60 km (37 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 0 N ( lbf). Total Mass: 200 kg (440 lb). Core Diameter: 0.23 m (0.75 ft). Total Length: 4.50 m (14.70 ft).

  • Stage1: 1 x HJ Javelin-2. Gross Mass: 200 kg (440 lb). Motor: 1 x Javelin 3. Thrust (vac): 93.000 kN (20,907 lbf). Length: 2.60 m (8.50 ft). Diameter: 0.23 m (0.75 ft). Propellants: Solid.
Version:

Nike Javelin 3.

Two stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Nike + 1 x Javelin 3

Apogee: 130 km (80 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 217.000 kN (48,783 lbf). Total Mass: 900 kg (1,980 lb). Core Diameter: 0.42 m (1.37 ft). Total Length: 8.20 m (26.90 ft).


Javelin Chronology

1959 July 7 - 11:15 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin JV-1 Test / particles mission Agency: USAF AFSWC. Apogee: 1,045 km (649 mi). Four-stage Argo D4 rocket with an ARDC Javelin payload fired from Wallops Island to an altitude of 750 miles, first in a series of USAF-NASA launchings to measure natural radiation surrounding the earth.

1959 July 21 - Wallops Island -. Javelin JV-2 FAILURE: Failure. Test mission Agency: USAF AFSWC. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1959 December 22 - 07:56 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.01GT X248 test Agency: NASA. Apogee: 901 km (559 mi). In a United States-Canadian cooperative project, NASA launched the first four-stage Javelin sounding rocket from Wallops Station to an altitude of 560 miles to measure the intensity of galactic radio noise.

1960 January 15 - 04:52 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin JV-3 Test / lyra-alpha mission Agency: USAF AFSWC. Apogee: 1,200 km (700 mi).

1960 January 26 - 05:42 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.02GT X248 test Agency: NASA. Apogee: 951 km (590 mi).

1960 June 30 - 20:25 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.07GE FAILURE: Failure. Magnetic fields Magnetosphere mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 65 km (40 mi).

1960 November 10 - 01:44 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.04CA Ionosphere Aeronomy mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 975 km (605 mi).

1960 December 10 - 22:30 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.05CA Sodium release Aeronomy mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 716 km (444 mi).

1960 December 12 - 22:36 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.08GE Magnetic fields Magnetosphere mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 1,140 km (700 mi).

1961 April 27 - 20:02 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.10GI Ionosphere mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 724 km (449 mi).

1961 June 13 - 05:12 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.09GI Ionosphere mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 867 km (538 mi).

1961 June 15 - 00:02 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.13II Antenna deploy test Ionosphere mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 901 km (559 mi).

1961 June 24 - 23:17 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.15AI Topside Sounder Ionosphere mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 1,018 km (632 mi).

1961 September 13 - 09:32 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.06CA Sodium release Aeronomy mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 331 km (205 mi).

1961 September 13 - 23:53 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.22CA Sodium release Aeronomy mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 431 km (267 mi).

1961 October 10 - 17:40 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.23GA Aeronomy mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 1,544 km (959 mi). NASA Argo D-4 rocket was launched from Wallops, reaching an altitude of 585 miles and landing 817 miles out in the Atlantic, to gather data on the density of electrically charged helium atoms in the upper atmosphere.

1961 October 14 - 04:26 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.17AI Topside Sounder Ionosphere mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 1,055 km (655 mi).

1961 November 17 - 16:06 GMT - Wallops Island -. Aeronomy mission Agency: USAF?. Apogee: 610 km (370 mi).

1962 February 7 - 11:50 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.16AI Ionosphere mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 960 km (590 mi).

1962 May 3 - 20:00 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.21GI ELF electron trap Ionosphere mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 845 km (525 mi).

1962 July 9 - Johnston Island -. Javelin J1 Thermal electrons Ionosphere mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1962 July 9 - Johnston Island -. Javelin J2 Thermal electrons Ionosphere mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1962 July 23 - Johnston Island -. Mass spectrometer Aeronomy mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1962 October 26 - Johnston Island -. Mass spectrometer Ionosphere mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1962 November 27 - Johnston Island -. RPA Ionosphere mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1963 May 29 - Eglin -. Nike Javelin TRUMP 1 TRUMP 1 test Agency: USAF APGC. Apogee: 131 km (81 mi).

1963 July 2 - 14:18 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.14GI Topside sounder Ionosphere mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 934 km (580 mi).

1963 September 29 - 02:37 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.18GI Topside sounder Ionosphere mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 1,037 km (644 mi).

1964 January 17 - 05:01 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.31DA Composition / Airglow Aeronomy mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 925 km (574 mi).

1964 March 31 - 02:33 GMT - Cape Canaveral -. TRUMP (MM study) test Agency: USAF AGPC. Apogee: 131 km (81 mi).

1964 April 1 - White Sands -. Nike Javelin DASA HAR Aeronomy mission Agency: DASA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1964 April 15 - 23:25 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 12.03GT/GI Ionosphere / test Agency: NASA. Apogee: 727 km (451 mi).

1964 May 1 - White Sands -. Nike Javelin DASA HAR Aeronomy mission Agency: DASA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1964 May 1 - White Sands -. Nike Javelin DASA HAR Aeronomy mission Agency: DASA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1964 June 1 - White Sands -. Nike Javelin DASA HAR Aeronomy mission Agency: DASA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1964 September 1 - White Sands -. Nike Javelin DASA HAR Aeronomy mission Agency: DASA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1964 September 1 - White Sands -. Nike Javelin DASA HAR Aeronomy mission Agency: DASA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1964 September 1 - White Sands -. Nike Javelin DASA HAR Aeronomy mission Agency: DASA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1964 October 8 - 05:32 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.03CA/CI Ion composition Ionosphere / aeronomy mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 1,004 km (623 mi).

1964 October 17 - 10:45 GMT - Eglin -. BLOSSOM wind, T Aeronomy mission Agency: USAF AGPC?. Apogee: 177 km (109 mi).

1964 October 19 - 15:42 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.24GI-II Ionosphere mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 840 km (520 mi).

1964 October 23 - 16:00 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.33GR RAE development Radio astronomy mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 1,100 km (600 mi).

1964 November 1 - White Sands -. Nike Javelin DASA HAR Aeronomy mission Agency: DASA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1964 November 1 - White Sands -. Nike Javelin DASA HAR Aeronomy mission Agency: DASA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1964 November 1 - White Sands -. Nike Javelin DASA HAR Aeronomy mission Agency: DASA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1964 November 1 - White Sands -. Nike Javelin DASA HAR Aeronomy mission Agency: DASA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1964 November 1 - White Sands -. Nike Javelin DASA HAR Aeronomy mission Agency: DASA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1964 November 1 - White Sands -. Nike Javelin DASA HAR Aeronomy mission Agency: DASA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1964 November 5 - 19:03 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.34CA JHU Airglow 7 Aeronomy mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 867 km (538 mi).

1964 November 5 - 20:39 GMT - Fort Churchill -. Javelin NASA 8.19DI Ionosphere / B field Ionosphere mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 840 km (520 mi).

1964 November 7 - 05:14 GMT - Fort Churchill -. Javelin NASA 8.20DI Ionosphere / B field Ionosphere mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 714 km (443 mi).

1964 November 24 - Eglin -. FAILURE: Failure. Aeronomy mission Agency: USAF AGPC. Apogee: 1.00 km (0.60 mi).

1964 December 1 - White Sands -. Nike Javelin DASA HAR Aeronomy mission Agency: DASA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1964 December 1 - White Sands -. Nike Javelin DASA HAR Aeronomy mission Agency: DASA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1965 - White Sands -. Test launch Agency: Sandia. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).

1965 January 13 - 17:12 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.28UI Ionosphere mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 1,006 km (625 mi).

1965 February 1 - White Sands -. Nike Javelin DASA HAR Aeronomy mission Agency: DASA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1965 February 2 - White Sands -. Nike Javelin DASA HAR Aeronomy mission Agency: DASA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1965 February 23 - 17:15 GMT - Eglin -. Nike Javelin Sphere 14 Sphere Aeronomy mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

1965 May 1 - White Sands -. Nike Javelin DASA HAR Aeronomy mission Agency: DASA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1965 May 19 - 20:11 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.29UI M / DTR Ionosphere mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 947 km (588 mi).

1965 May 26 - 19:01 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.37GI FAILURE: Failure. Ionosphere mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 320 km (190 mi).

1965 June 1 - White Sands -. Nike Javelin DASA HAR Aeronomy mission Agency: DASA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1965 June 29 - Eglin -. Composition Aeronomy mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 130 km (80 mi).

1965 August 1 - White Sands -. Nike Javelin DASA HAR Aeronomy mission Agency: DASA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1965 August 25 - 18:31 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.11UA Helium ionization Aeronomy mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 902 km (560 mi).

1965 September 23 - 14:36 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.36GI Ionosphere mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 805 km (500 mi).

1965 October 5 - 00:42 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.30UI M / DTR Ionosphere mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 960 km (590 mi).

1965 October 10 - 01:25 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.42UI FAILURE: Failure. M / DTR Ionosphere mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 32 km (19 mi).

1965 November 1 - White Sands -. Nike Javelin DASA HAR Aeronomy mission Agency: DASA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1965 November 1 - White Sands -. Nike Javelin DASA HAR Aeronomy mission Agency: DASA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1965 November 18 - Eglin -. IQSY Na, TMA Aeronomy sodium / TMA release mission Agency: AFCRL. Apogee: 130 km (80 mi).

1965 December 11 - Eglin -. Aeronomy mission - 178 lb payload Agency: USAF?. Apogee: 130 km (80 mi).

1966 February 19 - 00:05 GMT - Arecibo VB. Nike Javelin CRL AFS.502 REDLAMP ROBIN Ionosphere / aeronomy mission Agency: AFCRL. Apogee: 192 km (119 mi).

1966 February 20 - 00:10 GMT - Arecibo VB. Nike Javelin CRL AFS.504 REDLAMP Ionosphere / aeronomy mission Agency: AFCRL. Apogee: 192 km (119 mi).

1966 February 20 - 05:45 GMT - Arecibo VB. Nike Javelin CRL AFS.505 REDLAMP TONI Ionosphere / aeronomy mission Agency: AFCRL. Apogee: 192 km (119 mi).

1966 February 20 - 11:08 GMT - Arecibo VB. Nike Javelin CRL AFS.508 FAILURE: Failure. REDLAMP Ionosphere / aeronomy mission Agency: AFCRL. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

1966 March 2 - 17:59 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.25GA-GI Geoprobe Aeronomy / ionosphere mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 536 km (333 mi).

1966 March 10 - White Sands LC33. DASA HAR Aeronomy mission Agency: DASA?. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

1966 March 19 - 12:31 GMT - Vandenberg LC-A. HITAB 1 Technology test Agency: USN. Apogee: 130 km (80 mi).

1966 March 25 - 09:42 GMT - Vandenberg LC-A. HITAB Technology mission Agency: USN. Apogee: 130 km (80 mi).

1966 April 1 - Little Carter Bay LC. Nike Javelin Min 2 plume study Agency: USAF. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1966 May 1 - 05:17 GMT - Fort Churchill -. Javelin CRL AD19.286 B / p / e Aurora / fields mission Agency: AFCRL. Apogee: 710 km (440 mi).

1966 May 20 - 19:04 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.44GR RAE development Radio astronomy mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 998 km (620 mi).

1966 June 28 - 17:23 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin CRL AC19.191 Pulse Phase Delay Ionosphere mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 546 km (339 mi).

1966 July 12 - 21:00 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.12UA Extreme ultraviolet Airglow Aeronomy mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 1,015 km (630 mi).

1966 August 15 - 18:28 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.32DA Composition Aeronomy mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 698 km (433 mi).

1966 September 24 - 09:13 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.27IA MPE Barium release Aeronomy mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 930 km (570 mi).

1966 October 6 - 20:29 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.38GI Ionosphere mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 650 km (400 mi).

1966 November 5 - 15:35 GMT - Cassino -. Nike Javelin Cert. Round Ionosphere mission Agency: DASA/BRL. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).

1966 November 12 - 13:38 GMT - Cassino -. Nike Javelin D-003C Ionosphere mission Agency: DASA/BRL. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).

1966 November 12 - 14:08 GMT - Cassino -. Nike Javelin D-010C Ionosphere mission Agency: DASA/BRL. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).

1966 November 12 - 14:50 GMT - Cassino -. Nike Javelin D-015C Ionosphere mission Agency: DASA/BRL. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).

1966 November 12 - 15:35 GMT - Cassino -. Nike Javelin D-016C Ionosphere mission Agency: DASA/BRL. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).

1967 February 9 - 06:16 GMT - Fort Churchill -. Javelin NASA 8.41UE Rice auroral Plasma mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 752 km (467 mi).

1967 March 18 - 05:47 GMT - Fort Churchill -. Javelin NASA 8.47UE Rice auroral Plasma mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 794 km (493 mi).

1967 April 12 - 05:22 GMT - Fort Churchill -. Javelin NASA 8.39GI ISIS test / overflight Ionosphere mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 870 km (540 mi).

1967 May 17 - 20:58 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.43UA Ion density / Composition Aeronomy mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 1,006 km (625 mi).

1967 June 16 - 10:37 GMT - Natal -. Javelin NASA 8.49IE GRS Test Technology / plasma mission Agency: NASA/DFVLR. Apogee: 1,100 km (600 mi).

1967 June 17 - 08:30 GMT - Natal -. Javelin NASA 8.50IE GRS Test Technology / plasma mission Agency: NASA/DFVLR. Apogee: 991 km (615 mi).

1967 June 21 - 19:02 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.26UI ISIS overflight Ionosphere mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 792 km (492 mi).

1967 September 21 - 07:38 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.45UI Ionosphere mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 768 km (477 mi).

1967 November 8 - White Sands -. Nike Javelin MD 67-9.5-3 Aeronomy mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).

1967 December 8 - 01:00 GMT - Fort Churchill -. Javelin NASA 8.35UI Ion-proton transit'n Ionosphere mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 805 km (500 mi).

1968 March 2 - 05:00 GMT - Fort Churchill -. Javelin NASA 8.48UE Auroral P / F Aurora mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 805 km (500 mi).

1968 March 11 - White Sands -. Triple launch test Agency: Sandia. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).

1968 March 11 - White Sands -. Triple launch test Agency: Sandia. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).

1968 March 11 - White Sands -. Triple launch test Agency: Sandia. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).

1968 April 9 - 21:26 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.40UA Extreme ultraviolet Dayglow Aeronomy mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 856 km (531 mi).

1968 May 25 - 05:19 GMT - Fort Churchill -. Javelin NASA 8.46UI VLF radio noise Ionosphere mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 805 km (500 mi).

1968 November 9 - 08:55 GMT - Fort Churchill -. Javelin CRL AB19.287 P / F Plasma mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 592 km (367 mi).

1968 December 10 - 17:16 GMT - Fort Churchill -. Javelin NASA 8.51UA Helium ionization Aeronomy mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 837 km (520 mi).

1969 May 16 - 03:53 GMT - Fort Churchill -. Javelin CRL AC19.289 B field Plasma mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 789 km (490 mi).

1969 May 30 - 08:51 GMT - Fort Churchill -. Javelin CRL AF19.291 B field Plasma mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 825 km (512 mi).

1969 June 26 - 18:30 GMT - Natal -. Javelin NASA 8.53UI Ionosphere mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 795 km (493 mi).

1969 August 6 - 03:36 GMT - Fort Churchill -. Nike Javelin BRL-1 BRL-1 test Agency: USAF. Apogee: 117 km (72 mi).

1969 September 5 - White Sands -. Pre-Secede 1 Aeronomy mission Agency: ARPA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1969 September 6 - White Sands -. Pre-Secede 2 Aeronomy mission Agency: ARPA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1969 September 13 - White Sands -. Pre-Secede 3 Aeronomy mission Agency: ARPA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1969 November 2 - 21:10 GMT - Fort Churchill -. BRL 4 Ionosphere mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 119 km (73 mi).

1969 November 3 - 12:57 GMT - Fort Churchill -. BRL 2 Ionosphere / plasma mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 116 km (72 mi).

1969 November 3 - 13:30 GMT - Fort Churchill -. BRL 3 Ionosphere mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 90 km (55 mi).

1969 November 3 - 18:54 GMT - Fort Churchill -. BRL 5 Ionosphere mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 126 km (78 mi).

1969 November 4 - 21:30 GMT - Fort Churchill -. BRL 6 Ionosphere mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 124 km (77 mi).

1969 November 4 - 22:38 GMT - Fort Churchill -. BRL 7 Ionosphere mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 125 km (77 mi).

1970 January 26 - 22:30 GMT - Natal -. Javelin N-J-19 DLR N-J-19 Ionosphere mission Agency: DLR. Apogee: 800 km (490 mi).

1970 January 30 - 22:30 GMT - Natal -. Javelin N-J-20 DLR N-J-20 Ionosphere mission Agency: DLR. Apogee: 800 km (490 mi).

1970 February 18 - 07:34 GMT - Fort Churchill -. Javelin NASA 8.55UE Auroral substorm Plasma mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 494 km (306 mi).

1970 March 7 - 18:47 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.57CE Eclipse / plasma mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 829 km (515 mi).

1970 April 3 - 04:59 GMT - Fort Churchill -. Javelin NASA 8.56UE Auroral substorm Plasma mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 557 km (346 mi).

1970 September 1 - 20:10 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.52UA Aeronomy mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 800 km (490 mi).

1970 October 5 - 09:05 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.58IE MPE Barium release? Plasma mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 900 km (550 mi).

1971 June 25 - 08:44 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.59AI Ionosphere mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 660 km (410 mi).

1972 February 10 - 17:02 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.60AE Plasma mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 851 km (528 mi).

1972 March 25 - 10:15 GMT - Wallops Island -. Cs cloud Aeronomy mission Agency: NASA WFF. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1972 March 27 - 10:08 GMT - Wallops Island -. Cs cloud Aeronomy mission Agency: NASA WFF. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1972 March 29 - 10:07 GMT - Wallops Island -. Cs cloud Aeronomy mission Agency: NASA WFF. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1972 April 3 - 10:04 GMT - Wallops Island -. Cs cloud Aeronomy mission Agency: NASA WFF. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1972 April 3 - 10:06 GMT - Wallops Island -. Cs cloud Aeronomy mission Agency: NASA WFF. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1972 September 12 - 05:31 GMT - Fort Churchill -. Javelin NASA 8.62GE Auroral substorm Aurora mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 718 km (446 mi).

1973 July 17 - 22:13 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 8.61UA Aeronomy mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 724 km (449 mi).

1973 November 18 - 21:22 GMT - Natal -. Javelin NASA 8.63UI-II Ionosphere mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 650 km (400 mi).

1973 November 22 - 21:29 GMT - Natal -. Javelin NASA 8.64UI-II Ionosphere mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 650 km (400 mi).

1974 April 11 - 08:00 GMT - Poker Flat -. Nike Javelin NJ-74-1 ICECAP 74B Auroral mission Agency: AFCRL/DNA. Apogee: 130 km (80 mi).

1975 February 11 - 02:16 GMT - Fort Churchill -. Javelin NASA 8.65UE Plasma mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 791 km (491 mi). Final successful Javelin launch.

1975 March 4 - 07:39 GMT - Poker Flat -. Nike Javelin DNA IC506.14-2 ICECAP 75A Auroral mission Agency: DNA. Apogee: 130 km (80 mi).

1975 March 11 - 06:34 GMT - Poker Flat -. Nike Javelin DNA IC506.36-1 ICECAP 75A Auroral mission Agency: DNA. Apogee: 130 km (80 mi).

1975 November 18 - 19:01 GMT - Wallops Island -. Nike Javelin NASA 32.01WT Test mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 163 km (101 mi).

1976 June 11 - Wallops Island -. Nike Javelin NASA 32.04WT Test mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 130 km (80 mi).

1976 July 18 - 01:23 GMT - Wallops Island -. Javelin NASA 12.1776GT FAILURE: Failure. Chemical Release test / plasma mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 25 km (15 mi).

1978 October 26 - 09:20 GMT - Poker Flat -. Nike Javelin DNA IC806.35-1 FAILURE: Failure. DYNAMICS Auroral mission Agency: DNA. Apogee: 130 km (80 mi).


Bibliography:

  • McDowell, Jonathan, Jonathan's Space Home Page (launch records), Harvard University, 1997-present. Web Address when accessed: http://www.planet4589.org/jsr.html.
  • Emme, Eugene M, Aeronautics and Astronautics: An American Chronology of Science and Technology in the Exploration of Space 1915-1960, NASA, 1961. Web Address when accessed: http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/timeline.html.
  • Alway, Peter, Rockets of the World, Saturn Press, Ann Arbor, 1995.


Contact us with any corrections, additions, or comments.
Conditions for use of drawings, pictures, or other materials from this site..
To contact astronauts or cosmonauts.

© Mark Wade, 1997 - 2008 except where otherwise noted.