Holloman Credit - © Mark Wade

Military missile and sounding rocket launch site. Also notable for several rocket-powered sleds, used to test a variety of manned and unmanned aircraft and aerospace vehicles at supersonic speeds.

• Name: Aerobee tower. Latitude: 32.8800 N. Longitude: 106.0600 W. Launch Pads: 1. Aerobee, Aerobee 150.

• Name: Holloman Air Development Center. Latitude: 32.8800 N. Longitude: 106.0600 W. Launch Pads: 1. NATIV.

• Name: Holloman Air Development Center. Latitude: 32.8800 N. Longitude: 106.0600 W. Launch Pads: 1. MX-775.

• Name: Able-51/ZEL for Matador/Mace. Latitude: 32.8800 N. Longitude: 106.0600 W. Launch Pads: 1. Matador.

• 1948 May 26 - Nativ first attempted launch Launch Vehicle: Nativ. Failure. LC: NATIV. Apogee: 1.00 km (0.60 mi). First launch attempt of MX-770 technology demonstrator. Seven rockets were built in total. There is very inconsistent information on the flight series. One source speaks of six launches, another of four, and a third of three. It seems that there were six launch attempts, three of which never made it very far off the pad, two made it some distance aloft, and only one was considered somewhat successful (reaching Mach 2.23 and an altitude of 18 km).

• 1948 October 15 - Nativ Launch Launch Vehicle: Nativ. LC: NATIV. Apogee: 15 km (9 mi). On the most successful Nativ launch, the missile reached Mach 2.23 and an altitude of 18 km.

• 1948 November - Final Nativ launch Launch Vehicle: Nativ. Failure. LC: NATIV.

• 1948 Dec - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Matador. LC: ZEL. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi).

• 1949 December 2 22:20 - MX-1011 Ionosphere-solar/imaging mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 1 LC: A. 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.

• 1949 December 15 17:10 - MX-1011 Ionosphere-solar/imaging mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Failure. Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 2 LC: A. Solar radiation, pressure, temperature, photography research. Launched at 1010 local time. Reached 0.3 km.

• 1950 March 14 20:43 - Solar mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Failure. Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 3 LC: A. Apogee: 3.00 km (1.80 mi). Solar radiation, sky brightness research. Launched at 1343 local time. Reached 3.2 km.

• 1950 March 26 19:43 - Solar mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 4 LC: A. Apogee: 67 km (41 mi). Solar radiation research. Launched at 1243 local time. Reached 67.6 km.

• 1950 June 2 17:07 - Optical Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 5 LC: A. Apogee: 24 km (14 mi). Sky brightness research. Launched at 1007 local time. Reached 24.8 km.

• 1950 June 20 15:38 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 6 LC: A. Apogee: 93 km (57 mi). Temperature, pressure research. Launched at 0838 local time. Reached 92.6 km.

• 1950 October 12 19:36 - Imaging mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 7 LC: A. Apogee: 87 km (54 mi). Photography research. Launched at 1236 local time. Reached 91.3 km.

• 1950 November 2 16:29 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 8 LC: A. Apogee: 92 km (57 mi). Airglow research. Launched at 0929 local time. Reached 91.8 km.

• 1950 December 12 18:26 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 9 LC: A. Apogee: 106 km (65 mi). Pressure, temperature research. Launched at 1126 local time. Reached 108.2 km.

• 1950 December 21 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Snark. Failure. XSSM-A-3 LC: SLED.

• 1951 March 8 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Snark. Failure. XSSM-A-3 LC: SLED.

• 1951 March 28 23:14 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 10 LC: A. Apogee: 66 km (41 mi). Airglow research. Launched at 1614 local time. Reached 68 km.

• 1951 April 12 17:26 - Solar mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 11 LC: A. Apogee: 29 km (18 mi). Solar radiation research. Launched at 1029 local time. Reached 20 km.

• 1951 April 16 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Snark. XSSM-A-3 LC: SLED. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi). First successful sled-launched Snark airframe.

• 1951 April 18 18:39 - Biological mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 12 LC: A. 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).

• 1951 May 8 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Snark. XSSM-A-3 LC: SLED. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

• 1951 May 24 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Snark. XSSM-A-3 LC: SLED. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

• 1951 May 29 19:46 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Failure. Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 13 LC: A. Apogee: 4.00 km (2.40 mi). Ionosphere research. Launched at 1246 local time. Reached 3.7 km.

• 1951 June 8 00:11 - Solar mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 14 LC: A. Apogee: 88 km (54 mi). Solar radiation, airglow research. Launched at 1711 local time. Reached 88.5 km.

• 1951 June 26 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Snark. XSSM-A-3 LC: SLED. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

• 1951 July 17 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Snark. XSSM-A-3 LC: SLED. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

• 1951 July 25 16:26 - Imaging mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 15 LC: A. Apogee: 71 km (44 mi). Sky brightness, photography research. Launched at 0926 local time. Reached 71.3 km.

• 1951 August 7 16:36 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 16 LC: A. Apogee: 83 km (51 mi). Ionosphere research. Launched at 0036 local time. Reached 83.5 km.

• 1951 August 8 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Snark. XSSM-A-3 LC: SLED. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

• 1951 August 21 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Snark. XSSM-A-3 LC: SLED. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

• 1951 August 30 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Snark. XSSM-A-3 LC: SLED. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

• 1951 August 30 22:40 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1b USAF 17 LC: A. Apogee: 75 km (46 mi). Rocket performance test. Launched at 1540 local time. Reached 75.7 km.

• 1951 September 13 11:37 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 18 LC: A. Apogee: 76 km (47 mi). Pressure, temperature research. Launched at 0437 local time. Reached 75.7 km.

• 1951 September 20 16:31 - Biological mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 19 LC: A. 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.

• 1951 September 25 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Snark. XSSM-A-3 LC: SLED. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

• 1951 October 2 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Snark. XSSM-A-3 LC: SLED. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

• 1951 October 16 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Snark. XSSM-A-3 LC: SLED. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

• 1951 October 17 18:17 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 20 LC: A. Apogee: 114 km (70 mi). lonosphere research. Launched at 1117 local time. Reached 114..3 km.

• 1951 October 24 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Snark. XSSM-A-3 LC: SLED. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

• 1951 November 15 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Snark. XSSM-A-3 LC: SLED. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

• 1951 November 29 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Snark. XSSM-A-3 LC: SLED. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

• 1951 December 14 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Snark. XSSM-A-3 LC: SLED. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

• 1952 January 25 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Snark. XSSM-A-3 LC: SLED. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

• 1952 January 30 20:45 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Failure.. Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 21 LC: A. Ionosphere research. Launched at 1345 local time. Failure.

• 1952 February 1 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Snark. XSSM-A-3 LC: SLED. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

• 1952 February 19 14:49 - Aeronomy SB mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Failure. Aerobee RTV-A-1c USAF 22 LC: A.

• 1952 February 20 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Snark. XSSM-A-3 LC: SLED. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

• 1952 February 29 14:40 - Aeronomy SB mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 23 LC: A. Apogee: 88 km (54 mi). Sky brightness research. Launched at 0740 local time. Reached 89.3 km.

• 1952 March 28 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Snark. XSSM-A-3 LC: SLED. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

• 1952 April 22 17:28 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 24 LC: A. Apogee: 116 km (72 mi). Ionosphere research. Launched at 1028 local time. Reached 112.7 km.

• 1952 May 1 15:42 - Solar mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 25 LC: A. Apogee: 91 km (56 mi).

• 1952 May 21 15:15 - Biological mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 26 LC: A. 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.

• 1952 June 18 17:50 - Solar mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 27 LC: A. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). Solar radiation research. Launched at 1050 local time. Reached 99.8 km.

• 1952 June 30 14:32 - Aeronomy SB mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 28 LC: A. Apogee: 101 km (62 mi). Sky brightness research. Launched at 0732 local time. Reached 101.4 km.

• 1952 August 26 18:53 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Failure.. Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 29 LC: A. Apogee: 32 km (19 mi). Ionosphere research. Launched at 1153 local time. Altitude not reported; possible failure.

• 1952 October 10 14:24 - Solar mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 30 LC: A. Apogee: 101 km (62 mi). Solar radiation research. Launched at 0724 local time. Reached 109.5 km.

• 1952 October 22 14:35 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 31 LC: A. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). Pressure, temperature research. Launched at 0735 local time. Reached 99.8 km.

• 1952 November 6 15:56 - Aeronomy SB mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 32 LC: A. Apogee: 76 km (47 mi). Sky brightness research. Launched at 0858 local time. Reached 75.7 km.

• 1952 December 12 19:38 - Solar mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 33 LC: A. Apogee: 88 km (54 mi). Solar radiation research. Launched at 1238 local time. Reached 88.5 km.

• 1953 February 18 17:42 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 34 LC: A. Apogee: 117 km (72 mi). Rocket performance test. Launched at 1042 local time. Reached 117.5 km.

• 1953 April 14 15:47 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 35 LC: A. Apogee: 122 km (75 mi). Rocket performance test. Launched at 0847 local time. Reached 122.3 km.

• 1953 May 20 14:04 - Aeronomy SB mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 36 LC: A. Apogee: 114 km (70 mi). Sky brightness, day airglow research. Launched at 0704 local time. Reached 114.3 km.

• 1953 May 21 15:47 - Aeronomy SB mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 37 LC: A. Apogee: 114 km (70 mi). Sky brightness, day airglow research. Launched at 0847 local time. Reached 114.3 km.

• 1953 June 26 19:10 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 38 LC: A. Apogee: 135 km (83 mi). Ionosphere research. Launched at 1210 local time. Reached 135.2 km.

• 1953 July 1 17:52 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 39 LC: A. Apogee: 138 km (85 mi). Ionosphere research. Launched at 1052 local time. Reached 138.4 km.

• 1953 July 14 15:30 - Solar mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 40 LC: A. Apogee: 103 km (64 mi). Solar radiation research. Launched at 0830 local time. Reached 103 km.

• 1953 July 23 09:47 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 41 LC: A. Apogee: 95 km (59 mi). Atmospheric composition research. Launched at 0247 local time. Reached 95.6 km.

• 1953 September 15 15:02 - Aeronomy SB mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Early cut-off due to a thrust chamber burn-through.. Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 42 LC: A. 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.

• 1953 October 7 17:00 - Solar mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 43 LC: A. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). Solar radiation research. Launched at 1000 local time. Reached 99.8 km.

• 1953 November 2 18:32 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 44 LC: A. Apogee: 120 km (70 mi). Ionosphere research. Launched at 1132 local time. Reached 120.7 km.

• 1953 November 3 18:15 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 45 LC: A. Apogee: 121 km (75 mi). Ionosphere research. Launched at 1115 local time. Reached 121.5 km.

• 1954 May 11 15:00 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 46 LC: A. Apogee: 98 km (60 mi). Rocket performance test. Launched at 0800 local time. Reached 98.2 km.

• 1954 June 2 16:10 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 47 LC: A. Apogee: 93 km (57 mi). Rocket performance test. Launched at 0910 local time. Reached 93.4 km.

• 1954 July 14 13:55 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 48 LC: A. Apogee: 92 km (57 mi). Temperature, aspect research. Launched at 0855 local time. Reached 91.8 km.

• 1954 August 11 17:25 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 49 LC: A. Apogee: 92 km (57 mi). Ionosphere research. Launched at 1025 local time. Reached 91.8 km.

• 1954 September 17 14:31 - Solar mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 50 LC: A. Apogee: 94 km (58 mi). Solar radiation research. Launched at 1731 local time. Reached 94.7 km.

• 1955 January 22 00:54 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 51 LC: A. Apogee: 94 km (58 mi). Airglow research. Launched at 1754 local time. Reached 94.8 km.

• 1955 February 7 18:51 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 52 LC: A. Apogee: 120 km (70 mi). Ionosphere research. Launched at 1151 local time. Reached 120.4 km.

• 1955 February 10 22:38 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 53 LC: A. Apogee: 76 km (47 mi). Ionosphere research. Launched at 1538 local time. Reached 76.1 km.

• 1955 March 29 16:47 - Solar mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 54 LC: A. Apogee: 112 km (69 mi). Solar radiation research. Launched at 0947 local time. Reached 112.7 km.

• 1955 April 21 15:58 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee 150. Aerobee Hi USAF 55 LC: A. Apogee: 198 km (123 mi). First launcing of USAF Aerobee-Hi sounding rocket. Rocket test, 98 kg payload. Launched at 0858 local time. Reached 198 km.

• 1955 June 16 01:11 - Classified mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee AJ10-27 USAF 56 LC: A. Apogee: 203 km (126 mi). Special classified flight research. Launched at 1811 local time. Reached 202.8 km.

• 1955 June 23 12:40 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee 150. Failure. Aerobee Hi USAF 57 LC: A. Apogee: 64 km (39 mi). Rocket test, 90 kg payload. Burnt-out thrust chamber. Launched at 0540 local time. Reached 64 km.

• 1955 September 14 13:30 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee AJ10-27 USAF 58 LC: A. Apogee: 95 km (59 mi). Rocket aerodynamics test. Launched at 0630 local time. Reached 95 km.

• 1955 September 30 15:50 - Solar mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee AJ10-27 USAF 59 LC: A. Apogee: 74 km (45 mi). Solar limb darkening research. Launched at 0850 local time. Reached 74 km.

• 1955 October 13 01:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 60 LC: A. Apogee: 101 km (62 mi). Sodium studies research. Launched at 1800 local time. Reached 101.4 km.

• 1955 December 13 17:58 - Solar mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee AJ10-27 USAF 61 LC: A. Apogee: 138 km (85 mi). Lyman alpha, solar limb darkening research. Launched at 1058 local time. Reached 138.4 km.

• 1956 March 12 21:15 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 62 LC: A. Apogee: 95 km (59 mi). Nitric oxide attempt to produce sporadic E research. Launched at 1415 local time. Reached 95 km.

• 1956 March 14 08:45 - Ionosphere/Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 63 LC: A. Apogee: 106 km (65 mi). Nitric oxide attempt to recombine atomic oxygen research. Launched at 0145 local time. Reached 106.2 km.

• 1956 April 12 02:05 - Ionosphere/Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 64 LC: A. Apogee: 106 km (65 mi). Sodium cloud, ionization research. Launched at 1005 local time. Reached 106.2 km.

• 1956 May 8 14:54 - Solar mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee AJ10-34 USAF 65 LC: A. Apogee: 143 km (88 mi).

• 1956 May 16 15:40 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee 150. Failure. Aerobee Hi USAF 66 LC: A. Apogee: 169 km (105 mi). Rocket test, 86 kg payload. Insufficient fin-cuff protection caused aerodynamic instability. Launched at 0840 local time. Reached 169 km.

• 1956 June 13 20:51 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee AJ10-34 USAF 67 LC: A. Apogee: 138 km (85 mi). Ionosphere research. Launched at 1351 local time. Reached 137.8 km.

• 1956 June 18 20:42 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee AJ10-34 USAF 68 LC: A. Apogee: 136 km (84 mi). Ionosphere research. Launched at 1342 local time. Reached 130.8 km.

• 1956 June 21 18:48 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee AJ10-34 USAF 69 LC: A. Apogee: 146 km (90 mi). Ionosphere research. Launched at 1148 local time. Reached 146.5 km.

• 1956 June 26 18:26 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee AJ10-34 USAF 70 LC: A. Apogee: 111 km (68 mi). Ionosphere research. Launched at 1120 local time. Reached 111.1 km.

• 1956 July 31 00:56 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee AJ10-34 USAF 71 LC: A. Apogee: 129 km (80 mi). Day airglow research. Launched at 1756 local time. Reached 128.8 km.

• 1956 August 3 12:56 - Solar mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Failure. Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 72 LC: A. Apogee: 2.00 km (1.20 mi). Solar spectrum and atmospheric composition research. Launched at 0556 local time. Reached 2.4 km.

• 1956 November 1 12:57 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee AJ10-34 USAF 73 LC: A. Apogee: 66 km (41 mi). Sodium emission research. Launched at 0557 local time. Reached 68 km.

• 1956 November 2 05:39 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee AJ10-34 USAF 74 LC: A. Apogee: 146 km (90 mi).

• 1956 December 13 21:44 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee 150. Aerobee Hi USAF 75 LC: A. Apogee: 193 km (119 mi). Rocket test, 80 kg payload payload. Launched at 1444 local time. Reached 193 km.

• 1956 December 13 - Rockair 2710 Test mission Launch Vehicle: Rockaire. Rockaire RA-1? Apogee: 44 km (27 mi).

• 1956 December 14 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Rockaire. Rockaire RA-2 Apogee: 42 km (26 mi).

• 1956 December 17 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Rockaire. Rockaire RA-3 Apogee: 43 km (26 mi).

• 1956 December 19 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Rockaire. Rockaire RA-4 Apogee: 45 km (27 mi).

• 1957 February 2 08:05 - Aeronomy release mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee AJ10-34 USAF 76 LC: A. Apogee: 143 km (88 mi). Ethylene gas release (Firefly). Launched at 0105 local time. Reached 140.6 km.

• 1957 April 9 15:19 - Meteorites mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee AJ10-25 USAF 77 LC: A. Apogee: 61 km (37 mi). Micrometeorites research. Launched at 0819 local time. Reached 61 km.

• 1957 June 18 14:00 - AU4.26 Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee 150. Aerobee Hi USAF 78 LC: A. Apogee: 171 km (106 mi). Ionosphere research. Launched at 0700 local time. Reached 171 km.

• 1957 June 25 14:07 - AU4.27 Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee 150. Aerobee Hi USAF 79 LC: A. Apogee: 202 km (125 mi). Ionosphere research. Launched at 0707 local time. Reached 202 km.

• 1957 July 16 - Meteorites mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. LC: A. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• 1957 July 18 - Meteorites mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. LC: A. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• 1957 August 6 - Solar Ultraviolet mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee AC4.024 LC: A. Apogee: 145 km (90 mi).

• 1957 September 19 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. LC: A. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• 1957 September 21 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. LC: A. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• 1957 October 14 01:04 - Meteorites mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. LC: A. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• 1957 October 17 05:13 - Meteorites mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee Artificial Meteor LC: A. 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.

• 1957 October 23 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. LC: A. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• 1957 October 25 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. LC: A. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• 1957 November 7 16:05 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee USAF-89 LC: A. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• 1957 November 8 14:57 - Test/Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Failure. Aerobee USAF-90 LC: A. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• 1957 November 10 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. LC: A. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• 1957 November 20 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. LC: A. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• 1957 November 26 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. LC: A. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• 1958 March 21 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. LC: A. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• 1958 May 1 - Meteorites mission Launch Vehicle: Nike-Cajun. Nike Cajun Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• 1958 May 20 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Nike-Cajun. Nike Cajun Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• 1958 May 21 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Nike-Cajun. Nike Cajun Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• 1958 May 22 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Nike-Cajun. Nike Cajun Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• 1958 June 4 15:15 - Solar Extreme ultraviolet mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee 150. Aerobee Hi LC: A. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

• 1958 August 13 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. LC: A. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• 1958 August 15 15:45 - Test/Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. LC: A. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

• 1958 September 15 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Nike-Cajun. Nike Cajun Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• 1958 September 16 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Nike-Cajun. Nike Cajun Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• 1958 September 18 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Nike-Cajun. Nike Cajun Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• 1959 February 5 14:45 - Meteorites mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee 150. Aerobee 150 AA3.100C LC: A. Apogee: 212 km (131 mi).

• 1959 February 27 15:44 - Solar Extreme ultraviolet mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. LC: A. Apogee: 210 km (130 mi).

• 1959 March 12 15:44 - Solar Extreme ultraviolet mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee 150. Aerobee Hi LC: A. Apogee: 210 km (130 mi).

• 1959 March 30 15:01 - Solar Extreme ultraviolet mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee 150. Aerobee 150 AA3.140C LC: A. Apogee: 201 km (124 mi).

• 1959 April 15 14:46 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee 150. Aerobee 150 AA3.180C LC: A. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• 1959 April 21 01:05 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee 150. Aerobee 150 AA3.181C LC: A. Apogee: 235 km (146 mi).

• 1959 April 22 19:29 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Nike-Cajun. Failure. Nike Cajun AA6.182C Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• 1959 May 12 11:39 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee 150. Aerobee 150 AA3.200C LC: A. Apogee: 145 km (90 mi).

• 1959 May 22 11:15 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee 150. Aerobee 150 AA3.201C LC: A. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• 1959 June 10 16:40 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee 150. Aerobee 150 AA3.280C LC: A. Apogee: 225 km (139 mi).

• 1959 June 22 14:32 - Solar Infrared mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Aerobee AA1.260C LC: A. Apogee: 110 km (60 mi).

• 1959 June 24 12:10 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Aerobee 150. Aerobee 150 AA3.220C LC: A. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

• McDowell, Jonathan, Jonathan's Space Home Page, Harvard University, 1997-present. Jonathan McDowell's complete on-line listing of all objects orbited and over 20,000 rocket launches Accessed at: http://www.planet4589.org/jsr.html.