See also Born on this Day On this day in: 1924 - Launch Vehicle: GIRD-09.
1945 - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -.
1945 - Launch Vehicle: Private.
1945 - Launch Vehicle: V-1, V-2. -
The end of the V-weapons. Nation: Germany. The V-weapon launch corps remained in service until the end of March. Then Kammler went to the Harz Mountains, to command a planned final effort to use the weapons to prevent a link-up of the American and Soviet forces - a plan that came to nothing. In all, 9,300 V-1's had been fired at Great Britain in its seven months of service, of which 6,000 reached the coast. 4,300 V-2's had been launched in combat, 1,500 at London, and 2,100 at Antwerp. 20% of these used the radio guidance system. The V-1's range had been extended in test models to 370 km, although only a few of these modifications had reached the front. On the other hand, the range of the V-2 had been extended to 350 km, and this was the version provided to the front-line troops in the last months. But at the end of March 1945 the Germans evacuated the V-weapon firing areas in Holland.
1947 - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Deacon. Model: Deacon.
1947 - 20:10 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC33. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: V-2. LV Configuration: V-2 22.
1951 - Launch Site: Vernon. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Veronique. Model: Veronique P2. LV Configuration: Veronique P2 P2. -
Test mission Nation: France. Agency: FR. Apogee: 0 km ( mi).
1952 - Launch Vehicle: Redstone. -
Contractor to build Redstone rocket. Nation: USA. The Office, Chief of Ordnance (OCO) disapproved Redstone Arsenal's proposed development plan for what would become the Redstone missile. The arsenal had intended to implement the manufacturing program for these missiles by creating an assembly line in its own development shops. The OCO, however, required that the development effort be done by a prime contractor. Nonetheless, delays in the acquisition of production facilities for the prime contractor caused Redstone Arsenal to fabricate and assemble the first 12 Redstone missiles along with missiles 18 through 29.
1953 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-5. Model: R-5.
1954 -
1954 - Launch Site: Edwards. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Navaho. Model: Navaho X-10. LV Configuration: X-10 s/n 1 GM-19307.
1955 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-5. Model: R-5M. -
ZI test Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).
1955 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-5. Model: R-5M. -
ZI test Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).
1957 -
1957 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-11. Model: R-11M. -
Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).
1958 - -
Lunar photographic atlas begun Nation: USA. Program: Lunex. A $61,000 contract was signed by the Yerkes Observatory, University of Chicago, and the Air Force. Gerard P. Kuiper, principal investigator, was to produce a new lunar photographic atlas. The moon's visible surface would be divided into 44 areas, and each would be represented by at least four photographs taken under varying lighting conditions.
- Additional details.
1958 - Launch Vehicle: R-11.
1959 - -
Two-man Mercury capsule proposed. Nation: USA. Spacecraft: Gemini. H. Kurt Strass of the Space Task Group (STG) at Langley Field, Virginia described some preliminary ideas of STG planners regarding a follow-on to Mercury: (1) an enlarged Mercury capsule to place two men in orbit for three days; (2) a two-man Mercury capsule and a large cylindrical structure to support a two-week mission. (In its 1960 budget, NASA had requested $2 million to study methods of constructing a manned orbiting laboratory or converting the Mercury spacecraft into a two-man laboratory for extended space missions.)
- Additional details.
1959 - Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: R-7A.
1960 -
1960 -
1960 -
1960 - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Sergeant. Model: Shotput. LV Configuration: Shotput 4. -
E60 Echo spacecraft test Nation: USA. Agency: NASA LaRC. Apogee: 400 km (240 mi).
1960 - 11:40 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC17A. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Thor Able II. LV Configuration: Thor Able II-M1 148.
1961 - 03:25 GMT - Launch Site: Akita. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kappa. Model: Kappa 9L. LV Configuration: Kappa 9L K-9L-1. -
Test mission Nation: Japan. Agency: ISAS. Apogee: 350 km (210 mi).
1963 - Launch Vehicle: Titan. Model: Titan 2. -
POGO problems in the Titan II. Nation: USA. The Titan II-Gemini Coordination Committee was established to direct efforts to reduce longitudinal vibration (POGO) in the Titan II and to improve engine reliability. Air Force Space Systems Division (SSD) and Aerospace had presented to NASA and the Air Force a series of briefings on the POGO problem that culminated in a briefing to the Gemini Program Planning Board. The main problem was that POGO level satisfactory in the weapon system was too high to meet NASA standards for the Gemini program, and further reduction in the POGO level required a much more elaborate and extensive analytic and experimental program than had so far been considered necessary. The board approved the SSD/Aerospace proposals and established a committee to oversee work toward a POGO remedy. The high-level committee was composed of officials from Air Force Ballistic Systems Division, SSD, Space Technology Laboratories, and Aerospace.
1963 - Launch Site: Kerguelen. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Belier. Model: Centaure. -
Ionosphere mission Nation: France. Agency: CNES. Apogee: 130 km (80 mi).
1963 - 23:01 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1E. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Thor Agena D. LV Configuration: Thor Agena D 376 / Agena D 1160.
1964 -
1964 -
1964 - Launch Site: Little Carter Bay. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee 150. LV Configuration: Aerobee 150 HITAB. -
TSRA-2 Infrared Astronomy/Ultraviolet Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NOTS. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).
1964 - 03:10 GMT - Launch Site: Kagoshima. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kappa. Model: Kappa 8L. LV Configuration: Kappa 8L K-8L-3. -
Aeronomy / fields mission Nation: Japan. Agency: ISAS. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).
1964 - 20:22 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC11. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas F. LV Configuration: Atlas F 137F. -
ABRES WAC-2 / Pod 2 Reentry test / plume mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,400 km (800 mi).
1965 -
1965 - Launch Vehicle: Saturn I. Model: Saturn IB. -
First stage of the Saturn IB first static firing at MSFC Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. The first stage of the Saturn IB booster (the S-IB-1) underwent its first static firing at Huntsville, Alabama. The stage's eight uprated H-1 engines produced about 71,168-kilonewtons (1.6 million lbs) thrust. On April 23, Marshall and Rocketdyne announced that the uprated H-1 had passed qualification testing and was ready for flight.
1965 - Launch Vehicle: HY-1.
1965 - Launch Site: Mountain Home AFB. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Titan. Model: Titan 1. -
Last Titan I ICBM taken off alert status at Mountain Home AFB Nation: USA.
1965 - Launch Site: Natal. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Sonda. Model: Sonda 1. LV Configuration: Sonda 1 1. -
Test mission Nation: Brazil. Agency: IAE. Apogee: 65 km (40 mi).
1965 - 02:07 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Apache. Model: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache NASA 14.132NA. -
Airglow Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 139 km (86 mi).
1966 - -
Voskhod 4 to 6 in jeopardy Nation: USSR. Program: Voskhod. Spacecraft: Voskhod. Flight: Voskhod 4, Voskhod 5, Voskhod 6. In a meeting of Soviet Ministers, it is revealed that Voskhod s/n 7, 8, and 9 will likely not be completed. Kamanin objects - he wants these flights to be used for manned test of military equipment in space. He does not trust waiting even further for the availability of the untested and unflown 7K-OK spacecraft.
1966 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC31B. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 2. LV Configuration: Minuteman 2 462. -
Research and development launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).
1966 - 13:57 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Arcas. Model: Sidewinder-Arcas. -
AC30.752 Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: AFCRL. Apogee: 103 km (64 mi).
1967 - -
Manual docking for Soyuz 1/2 Nation: USSR. Program: Soyuz. Spacecraft: Soyuz 7K-OK. Flight: Soyuz 1, Soyuz 2A. Ustinov reviews the cosmonauts. Kamanin urges that a manual docking be allowed on the Soyuz 1/2 mission - he had argued the same point with Korolev before his death. Komarov say he can accomplish a manual docking from 350 km range (once the Igla automatic system has brought him there from 23 km range). There follows a discussion of an all-female flight. Four female cosmonauts would be assigned to the mission, and Kamanin would need 5 to 6 months to complete there training. The mission is designated 'Voskhod-6'.
1967 - Launch Site: Nenoksa. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-27. Model: Zyb. -
Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).
1967 - Launch Site: Ile du Levant. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: CERES. Launch Vehicle: Belenos. -
Weather mission Nation: France. Agency: SECT. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).
1967 - 03:40 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee 150. LV Configuration: Aerobee 150 NASA 04.204GG. -
Ultraviolet stellar photom Ultraviolet astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 139 km (86 mi).
1968 - 03:26 GMT - Launch Site: Kerguelen. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Belier. Model: Dragon 2B. LV Configuration: Dragon 2B D-253. -
FU-171 VLF / Ions Ionosphere mission Nation: France. Agency: CNES. Apogee: 416 km (258 mi).
1969 - 04:38 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 5B. LV Configuration: Black Brant VB ADD-VB-23. -
VUV auroral Aurora mission Nation: Canada. Agency: NRCC. Apogee: 372 km (231 mi).
1969 - 09:54 GMT - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 SL. Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Model: Skylark 5C. LV Configuration: Skylark-5C SL724. -
X-ray Survey X-ray astronomy mission Nation: UK. Agency: BAC. Apogee: 192 km (119 mi).
1969 - 19:30 GMT - Launch Site: Kheysa. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: MR-12. -
Aeronomy mission Nation: USSR. Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 181 km (112 mi).
1971 - 02:57 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC2E. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Thor Delta E1. LV Configuration: Thor Delta E1 491/D84.
1971 - 08:40 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF05. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 2. -
OT GT82M operational test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).
1971 - 11:29 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC90/19. Launch Pad: LC90/pad?. Launch Vehicle: Tsiklon. Model: Tsiklon-2.
1972 - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Temp-2S. -
Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).
1972 - 03:47 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee 150. LV Configuration: Aerobee 150 NRL NB3.254. -
Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).
1972 - 05:05 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee 170. LV Configuration: Aerobee 170 NASA 13.27CG. -
X-ray astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).
1974 - 22:37 GMT - Launch Site: South Uist. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Petrel. Model: Petrel 1. LV Configuration: Petrel P174H. -
Atomic oxygen Atmospheric mission Nation: UK. Agency: SRC. Apogee: 142 km (88 mi).
1974 - 22:56 GMT - Launch Site: South Uist. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Petrel. Model: Petrel 1. LV Configuration: Petrel P178H. -
Atomic oxygen Atmospheric mission Nation: UK. Agency: SRC. Apogee: 134 km (83 mi).
1975 - 12:30 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Vostok 8A92M.
1976 - 08:05 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Sergeant. Model: Sounding Rocket. LV Configuration: Sergeant IC630.02-1A. -
ICECAP 76 HIRIS Auroral mission Nation: USA. Agency: DNA/AFCRL. Apogee: 130 km (80 mi).
1976 - 09:28 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Honest John. Model: HJ Hydac. LV Configuration: HJ Hydac ARPA WS650.27-1. -
Ballistics test Nation: USA. Agency: ARPA. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).
1977 - -
Lower forward fuselage on dock, Palmdale (STA-099) Nation: USA. Program: STS.
1979 - -
Intercosmos Cosmonaut Training Group selected. Nation: Vietnam. Training group of potential Vietnamese 'guest cosmonauts' for propaganda flights to the Salyut space station. The 'guests', from states allied to the Soviet Union, would be flown on Soyuz lifeboat changeout missions to the station.
1979 - 10:31 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tomahawk Sandia. Model: Taurus Tomahawk. LV Configuration: Taurus Tomahawk NASA 12.1004UE. -
Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).
1980 - Launch Vehicle: Shuttle.
1980 - 08:00 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: LC1 or LC31. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U.
1980 - 12:36 GMT - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Trident. Model: Trident C-4. -
OT-2 Operational missile test Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).
1981 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF04. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3. -
FOT GT75GM-2 Follow-on Test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).
1981 - 09:04 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tomahawk Sandia. Model: Taurus Tomahawk. LV Configuration: Taurus Tomahawk NASA 34.04UE. -
Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).
1981 - 09:10 GMT - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Trident. Model: Trident C-4. -
DASO-7? demonstration and shakedown operations launch Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).
1983 - -
Strategic Air Command (SAC) transferred Peterson AFB, Colorado, to Space Command. Nation: USA.
1984 - Launch Site: Gitdaeryung. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-17. Model: Hwasong 5. -
Test mission Nation: Korea North. Agency: DPRK. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).
1984 - 07:19 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 10. LV Configuration: Black Brant X NASA 35.008GE. -
Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 954 km (592 mi).
1985 - 16:57 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Hawk. Model: Nike Orion. LV Configuration: Nike Orion NASA 31.47GE. -
Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 140 km (80 mi).
1986 - 08:17 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 10. LV Configuration: Black Brant X NASA 35.015GE. -
Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 912 km (566 mi).
1988 - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Poseidon. -
Follow-on operational missile test Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).
1988 - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Poseidon. -
Follow-on operational missile test Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).
1988 - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Poseidon. -
Follow-on operational missile test Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).
1988 - 20:19 GMT - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Poseidon. -
Follow-on operational missile test Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).
1992 - 14:18 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC16/2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U.
1993 - 18:57 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC133/3. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Model: Kosmos 11K65M. LV Configuration: Kosmos 11K65M 47178-431.
1994 - -
Energia Engineer Cosmonaut Training Group 12 selected. Nation: Russia.
1995 - 09:33 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 9. LV Configuration: Black Brant IX NASA 36.104UL. -
Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 156 km (96 mi).
1998 - 13:35 GMT -
1999 - Launch Site: Barents Sea Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 69.5 N x 34.2 E. Launch Vehicle: R-29. Model: Volna. -
Operational test Nation: Russia. Agency: VMF RF. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).
2002 - 22:07 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC16/2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Molniya 8K78M. LV Configuration: Molniya 8K78M-2BL.
2004 - -
Genesis, End of Science Collection Nation: USA. Spacecraft: Genesis.
Born on this day in:
- 1911 - Ernst Helmut Merk. German Rocket engineer. Birth City: Berlin. Birth Country: Germany.
- 1914 - Mortimer Rosenbaum. American Engineer. Birth City: Plainfield. Birth State: New Jersey. Birth Country: USA.
Died on this day in: . American Manager.
- 1969 - Kurt Paul Erich Patt. German Rocket engineer.
- 1973 - Bruno Heusinger. German Rocket engineer.
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.
|
|