April 9 home
topic index

See also Born on this Day
On this day in:

1940 -

  • Hitler invades Norway, Denmark Nation: Germany.

1947 - 00:10 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC33. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: V-2. LV Configuration: V-2 23.
  • Solar ultraviolet / chemical release mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA/APL. Apogee: 103 km (64 mi).

    Launched 17:13 local time. Reached 102.4 km. Carried cosmic and solar radiation, photo experiments for Applied Physics Lab, John Hopkins University.

1948 -
  • XS-1 Flight 84 Nation: USA. Payload: XS-1 # 2 flight 36. Class: Manned. Type: Rocketplane. Spacecraft: XS-1. Crew: Lilly.

    NACA flight 16. Stability and loads investigation. Mach 0.89.

1948 -
  • XS-1 Flight 85 Nation: USA. Payload: XS-1 # 1 flight 49. Class: Manned. Type: Rocketplane. Spacecraft: XS-1. Crew: Lundquist.

    AF flight 27. Powered pilot-check flight.

1949 - Launch Vehicle: G-3, G-4.
  • Ustinov instructs German rocket engineers to design '3000/3000' missile. Nation: USSR.

    Ustinov's requirement was to deliver a 3000 kg nuclear warhead over a 3000 km range (eg to reach the United Kingdom).

1954 - 21:12 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-N-10. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-N-10 NRL 18.
  • Mass spectrometer Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 143 km (88 mi).

    Gas composition research. Launched at 1412 local time. Reached 143 km.

1955 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-1. Model: R-1 8A11. LV Configuration: R-1 8A11 No 1811.
  • Operational test Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1959 -
  • First group of US astronauts announced Nation: USA. Program: Mercury. Spacecraft: Mercury.

    At a press conference in Washington, D.C., NASA Administrator T. Keith Glennan announced the seven pilots had been selected for the Mercury program.

1961 - 09:16 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC51. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-9. Model: Romashka. LV Configuration: R-9 No. E10308.
  • State trials missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,160 km (720 mi).

    The R-9 launch went normally, from the launch pad adjacent to that from which Yuri Gagarin would be launched three days later, in view of the cosmonauts.

1962 - 15:04 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC3E. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas Agena B. LV Configuration: Atlas Agena B 110D.
  • Midas 5 Nation: USA. Payload: Midas / Agena TV 1203. Mass: 1,860 kg (4,100 lb). Class: Early Warning. Spacecraft: Midas. Agency: U.S. Air Force. Perigee: 2,784 km (1,729 mi). Apogee: 3,405 km (2,115 mi). Inclination: 86.70 deg. Period: 152.90 min. COSPAR: 1962-Kappa-1. USAF Sat Cat: 271.

    Missile Defense Alarm System.

  • West Ford Drag Nation: USA. Payload: West Ford Drag Experiment. Spacecraft: WestFord Needles. Agency: USAF. COSPAR: 1962-Kappa-2. USAF Sat Cat: 272. Decay Date: 1962-05-04.

1962 - 20:50 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC11. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas F. LV Configuration: Atlas F 11F. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Research and development launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF.

1963 -
  • Vostok proposed as the first 'space trainer'. Nation: USSR. Spacecraft: Vostok.

    In a meeting between the VVS and OKB-1 engineers, Korolev and Keldysh push for acceptance by the military and use of Vostok as the first 'space trainer'. Cosmonauts would train for spaceflight on Vostok missions before being assigned to operational flights aboard Soyuz.. This was consistent with aircraft practice (e.g. where the first effective jet fighter, the MiG-15, was converted to the MiG-15UTI and became the standard jet trainer for the VVS). It also envisioned a future where operational Vostok and Soyuz spacecraft would be mass-produced by the military and flown as regularly as fighter aircraft.

1963 - 20:28 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Apache. Model: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache NASA 14.108GI.
  • D-region Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 163 km (101 mi).

1964 - 14:22 GMT - Launch Site: Sonmiani. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Apache. Model: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache NASA 14.134IA.
  • Rehbar 4? (Na) Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 160 km (90 mi).

1964 - 20:00 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC15. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Titan. Model: Titan 2. LV Configuration: Titan II N-3A.
  • Research and development / Pod RVIP test / plume study mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

    This Air Force conducted test program contributed significantly to the development of the Gemini launch vehicle; the Gemini malfunction detection system was tested on five flights, Gemini guidance components on three, and the longitudinal oscillation fix on four. In addition to flight testing these (and other) critical components, these flights also enhanced confidence in the use of the Titan II as a launch vehicle. Thirty-two Titan II test flights were analyzed to determine whether any characteristic of the flight would have demanded a Gemini abort; 22 were adjudged successful from the standpoint of a Gemini mission, nine would have required Gemini to abort, and one resulted in a prelaunch shutdown.

1965 -
  • Manned space flight control transferred to Houston Nation: USA. Program: Apollo.

    George E. Mueller, Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight, announced the transfer of control over manned space flights from Cape Kennedy, Fla., to Houston, Texas. MSC's Mission Control Center would direct the flights from end of liftoff through recovery.

1965 - 01:01 GMT - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 SL. Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Model: Skylark 7C. LV Configuration: Skylark-7C SL303.
  • LUX Solar AC3 Solar x-ray and ultraviolet mission Nation: Australia. Agency: WRE/RAE. Apogee: 160 km (90 mi).

1965 - 18:10 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC18A. Launch Pad: LC18A. Launch Vehicle: Scout. Model: Blue Scout Jr. LV Configuration: Blue Scout Jr 22-9.
  • OAR 22-9 / AFWL-14 Magnetosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 25,422 km (15,796 mi).

1965 - 19:18 GMT - Launch Site: Pacific Ocean. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 44.3 S x 77.7 W. Launch Vehicle: Apache. Model: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache NASA 14.231UI.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 191 km (118 mi).

    Launched at 1965 Croatan MRF Expedition LP36 - - Latitude: 44.25 S - Longitude: 77.67 W.

1965 - 20:26 GMT - Launch Site: Pacific Ocean. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 44.4 S x 77.8 W. Launch Vehicle: Apache. Model: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache NASA 14.63UA.
  • UM Pitot 12 Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 147 km (91 mi).

    Launched at 1965 Croatan MRF Expedition LP37 - - Latitude: 44.38 S - Longitude: 77.78 W.

1967 - 01:00 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Apache. Model: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache NASA 14.330IE.
  • DLR K-NA-3 Aurora / barium release mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 242 km (150 mi).

1968 - Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: ALFS. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Veronique. Model: Veronique AGI. LV Configuration: Veronique AGI AGI 62.
  • FU-184 Sea recovery test Nation: France. Agency: CNES. Apogee: 114 km (70 mi).

    FU184 Technology (sea recovery) mission.

1968 - Launch Site: Biscarosse. Launch Complex: BLB. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: SSBS. Model: SSBS S01.
  • S01V-4 test Nation: France. Agency: DMA. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1968 - 11:26 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC133/1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 2. Model: Kosmos 11K63.
  • Cosmos 211 Nation: USSR. Program: DS. Payload: DS-P1-Yu s/n 13. Mass: 250 kg (550 lb). Class: Military. Type: Target. Spacecraft: DS-P1-Yu. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 199 km (123 mi). Apogee: 1,532 km (951 mi). Inclination: 81.90 deg. Period: 102.30 min. COSPAR: 1968-028A. USAF Sat Cat: 3181. Completed Operations Date: 1968-04-13. Decay Date: 1968-11-10.

    Development of systems for air defence and the control of outer space.

1968 - 21:26 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Javelin. LV Configuration: Javelin NASA 8.40UA.
  • Extreme ultraviolet Dayglow Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 856 km (531 mi).

1969 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC25C. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Poseidon. LV Configuration: Poseidon C3XD-6.
  • Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1969 - 09:33 GMT - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: MR-12.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USSR. Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 170 km (100 mi).

1969 - 13:00 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC41/1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Voskhod 11A57.
  • Cosmos 278 Nation: USSR. Payload: Zenit-2 11F61 s/n 78. Mass: 4,720 kg (10,400 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Zenit-2. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 198 km (123 mi). Apogee: 310 km (190 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 89.60 min. COSPAR: 1969-034A. USAF Sat Cat: 3883. Duration: 8.00 days. Decay Date: 1969-04-17.

    Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite.

1969 - 20:38 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Apache. Model: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache Ferdinand 20.
  • Ferdinand 20 Aeronomy / ionosphere / plasma mission Nation: Norway. Agency: NTNF. Apogee: 139 km (86 mi).

1970 -
  • State Commission is held to review issues of the Soyuz 9 flight. Nation: USSR. Program: Soyuz. Flight: Soyuz 9.

    All is ready for a flight in April, but the Communist Party resolution says the flight has to wait for May. The Soyuz ECS is designed to only operate for five days, but will have to operate 3 to 4 times longer for this mission. Various problems are identified and reviewed. Mishin wants to accept a carbon dioxide level in the cabin atmosphere double the percentage considered acceptable earlier. Plans are made for a quick flight of the crew after the long duration mission to Moscow for extensive physical examinations.

1971 -
  • State Commission meets at new MIK. Nation: USSR. Program: Salyut. Flight: Soyuz 10, Soyuz 11, Soyuz 12 / DOS 1.

    DOS-7K#1 will be ready on 19 April. The first crew is completely trained. During the day the engineers of the second and third crews train aboard the station. Afterwards the technicians fix the defects they have noted. The evening film is 'Beginning'. There are many high-level guests at Area 2. After the film the brass try out the training machines that will be used aboard the station - they tire quickly.

1973 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: UR-100N. Model: UR-100N.
  • Mod 2 state trials missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1974 - 05:21 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tomahawk Sandia. Model: Ute Tomahawk. LV Configuration: Ute Tomahawk CRL A09.303-2.
  • Churchill 74 Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF CRL. Apogee: 169 km (105 mi).

1975 - 23:58 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC2W. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Delta 1410. LV Configuration: Delta 1410 584/D109.
  • Geos 3 Nation: USA. Payload: GEOS C. Mass: 341 kg (751 lb). Class: Solar. Spacecraft: Geos. Agency: NASA Wal. Perigee: 817 km (507 mi). Apogee: 848 km (526 mi). Inclination: 115.00 deg. Period: 101.60 min. COSPAR: 1975-027A. USAF Sat Cat: 7734.

    Geodynamics Experimental Ocean Satellite. The mission of GEOS 3 (Geodynamics Experimental Ocean Satellite) was to provide the stepping stone between the National Geodetic Satellite Program (NGSP) and the Earth and Ocean Physics Application Program. It provided data to refine the geodetic and geophysical results of the NGSP and served as a test for new systems. A major achievment was the flight of a radar altimeter. Further mission objectives: intercomparison of tracking systems, investigation of solid-earth dynamic phenomena through precision laser tracking, refinement of orbit determination techniques, determination of interdatum ties and gravity models, and support of the calibration and position determination of NASA Spaceflight Tracking and Data Network (STDN) S-band tracking stations.

1976 - 08:30 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Voskhod 11A57.
  • Cosmos 813 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Zenit-2M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 209 km (129 mi). Apogee: 236 km (146 mi). Inclination: 81.30 deg. Period: 88.90 min. COSPAR: 1976-033A. USAF Sat Cat: 8801. Duration: 12.00 days. Decay Date: 1976-04-21.

    Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule.

1978 - 04:50 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 8B. LV Configuration: Black Brant 8B NASA 27.10AE.
  • E / / B Aurora active mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 247 km (153 mi).

1980 - 13:38 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC31. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U.
  • Soyuz 35 Nation: USSR. Program: Salyut 6. Payload: Soyuz 7K-T s/n 51. Mass: 6,800 kg (14,900 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spacecraft. Spacecraft: Soyuz 7K-T. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 197 km (122 mi). Apogee: 247 km (153 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 88.90 min. COSPAR: 1980-027A. USAF Sat Cat: 11753. Duration: 55.06 days. Decay Date: 1980-06-03. Crew: Popov, Ryumin. Flight: Salyut 6 EO-4.

    Manned two crew. Docked with Salyut 6. Carried crew comprising L I Popov and V V Ryumin to the Salyut-6 station to carry out scientific and technical research and experiments.

1981 - 12:00 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Model: Kosmos 11K65M. LV Configuration: Kosmos 11K65M 53798-322.
  • Cosmos 1263 Nation: USSR. Mass: 550 kg (1,210 lb). Class: Calibration. Spacecraft: Taifun-1. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 387 km (240 mi). Apogee: 1,684 km (1,046 mi). Inclination: 83.00 deg. Period: 105.90 min. COSPAR: 1981-033A. USAF Sat Cat: 12388.

    Radar calibration mission.

1983 - 14:30 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Loki. Model: Super Loki. LV Configuration: Super Loki T 1-0460.
  • Test / aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 109 km (67 mi).

1983 -
  • Landing of STS-6 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Flight: STS-6.

    STS-6 landed at 18:53 GMT.

1984 - 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).

1984 - 05:16 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).

1986 - 08:00 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: LC1 or LC31. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U.
  • Cosmos 1739 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,600 kg (14,500 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Yantar-4K1. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 171 km (106 mi). Apogee: 326 km (202 mi). Inclination: 64.90 deg. Period: 89.50 min. COSPAR: 1986-028A. USAF Sat Cat: 16677. Duration: 59.00 days. Decay Date: 1986-06-07.

    High resolution photo reconnaissance; returned film in two small SpK capsules during the mission and with the main capsule at completion of the mission.

1987 - 11:44 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: LC1 or LC31. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U.
  • Cosmos 1835 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,600 kg (14,500 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Yantar-4K1. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 170 km (100 mi). Apogee: 343 km (213 mi). Inclination: 64.80 deg. Period: 89.60 min. COSPAR: 1987-032A. USAF Sat Cat: 17849. Duration: 56.00 days. Decay Date: 1987-06-04.

    High resolution photo reconnaissance; returned film in two small SpK capsules during the mission and with the main capsule at completion of the mission.

1988 - 00:40 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 5B. LV Configuration: Black Brant VB NASA 21.97GE.
  • ERRRIS I Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 128 km (79 mi).

1989 - 04:37 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 10B. LV Configuration: Black Brant XB NASA 35.022GE.
  • Barium release + Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 700 km (430 mi).

1990 - 08:50 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 9. LV Configuration: Black Brant IX NASA 36.67UG.
  • Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).

1991 - 18:50 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Complex: S. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Model: Skylark 7. LV Configuration: Skylark 7 DLR K-GR-187.
  • SISSI 4 Aeronomy mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DLR. Apogee: 245 km (152 mi).

1992 - 10:40 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 9BM1. LV Configuration: Black Brant 9BM1 MASER 5.
  • MASER 5 Microgravity mission Nation: Europe. Agency: SSC. Apogee: 317 km (196 mi).

1994 - 11:05 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC39A. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. LV Configuration: Space Shuttle STS-59.
  • STS-59 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Payload: Endeavour F06 / MAPS. Mass: 12,490 kg (27,530 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Endeavour. Agency: NASA JSC. Perigee: 194 km (120 mi). Apogee: 204 km (126 mi). Inclination: 56.90 deg. Period: 88.40 min. COSPAR: 1994-020A. USAF Sat Cat: 23042. Duration: 11.24 days. Decay Date: 1994-04-30. Crew: Apt, Chilton, Clifford, Godwin, Gutierrez, Jones. Flight: STS-59.

    Carried SIR-C SAR radar. Payloads: Space Radar Laboratory (SRL) 1; Consortium for Materials Development in Space Com-plex Autonomous Payload (CONCAP) IV; three getaway special (GAS) payloads; Space Tissue Loss (STL) A, B; Visual Function Tester (VFT) 4; Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment (SAREX) II.

  • MAPS Nation: USA. Program: STS. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1994-020xx. USAF Sat Cat: 23042. Decay Date: 1994-04-20.

  • SRL-1 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Payload: SRL PLT. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1994-020xx. USAF Sat Cat: 23042. Decay Date: 1994-04-20.

1995 - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Trident. Model: Trident D-5. LV Configuration: Trident D-5 FCET-13.
  • Operational test Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1995 - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Trident. Model: Trident D-5. LV Configuration: Trident D-5 FCET-13.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1995 - 19:34 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U.
  • Progress M-27 Nation: Russia. Program: Mir. Payload: Progress M s/n 227. Mass: 7,170 kg (15,800 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Logistics. Spacecraft: Progress M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 396 km (246 mi). Apogee: 399 km (247 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 92.50 min. COSPAR: 1995-020A. USAF Sat Cat: 23555. Duration: 43.33 days. Completed Operations Date: 1995-05-23 03:27:40 PM. Decay Date: 1995-05-23 03:27:40 PM. Flight: Mir EO-18.

    Unmanned resupply vessel to Mir; carried GFZ-1 German sub-satellite to Mir. Docked with Mir on 11 Apr 1995 21:00:44 GMT. Undocked on 22 May 1995 23:42:37 GMT. Destroyed in reentry on 23 May 1995 03:27:52 GMT. Total free-flight time 2.22 days. Total docked time 41.11 days.

1997 - 08:58 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC16/2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Molniya 8K78M. LV Configuration: Molniya 8K78M-2BL PVB76032-647.
  • Cosmos 2340 Nation: Russia. Payload: Oko #77. Class: Early Warning. Spacecraft: Oko. Manufacturer: NPO Lavochkin, Moskva. Agency: MO RF. Perigee: 3,164 km (1,966 mi). Apogee: 37,201 km (23,115 mi). Inclination: 65.20 deg. Period: 718.00 min. COSPAR: 1997-015A. USAF Sat Cat: 24761.

    Covered Oko constellation planes 8/9 - 217 degree longitude of ascending node.

1999 - 17:01 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Titan. Model: Titan 402B/IUS. LV Configuration: Titan 402B 4B-27 / IUS K-32. FAILURE: IUS first and second stages failed to separate.
  • USA 142 Nation: USA. Payload: DSP-1 Block 18 F19. Mass: 2,380 kg (5,240 lb). Class: Early Warning. Spacecraft: DSP. Manufacturer: TRW, Redondo Beach. Agency: USAF. Perigee: 720 km (440 mi). Apogee: 35,800 km (22,200 mi). Inclination: 28.00 deg. COSPAR: 1999-017A. USAF Sat Cat: 25669.

    The Titan 4B placed the IUS upper stages and DSP-1 Block 14 ballistic missile launch detection satellite. payload into a 188 km x 718 km x 28.6 deg parking orbit. The first stage of the IUS burned at 18:14 GMT and put the second stage and payload into a geosynchronous transfer orbit. The IUS second stage fired at 23:34 GMT in order to place the spacecraft in geosynchronous orbit. However, at least one connector remained attached between the stages, and the second stage motor nozzle did not extend properly. When the stage fired, the vehicle tumbled wildly during the burn. Separation of the DSP was achieved. Although it could not perform its primary mission, it did provide a good test case in that the effects of radiation on its systems could be monitored as they underwent twice-daily passages of the Van Allen Radiation Belts. However after some weeks the hydrazine propellant aboard the satellite vented into space due to a broken fuel line. It was believed this had been induced by the wild ride aboard the IUS-2 stage.

2003 - 22:52 GMT - Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: ELA3. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Ariane 5. Model: Ariane 5G. LV Configuration: Ariane 5G V160 (514) Cities of Bordeaux/Colleferro.
  • Insat 3A Nation: India. Program: Insat. Mass: 2,958 kg (6,521 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Insat 3. Manufacturer: ISRO. Agency: ISRO. Perigee: 35,771 km (22,227 mi). Apogee: 35,802 km (22,246 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2003-013A. USAF Sat Cat: 27714.

    Return to flight of Ariane 5G after grounded following Ariane 5EC-A failure. Launch delayed from February 24, April 8, 2003. Satellite also had meteorological instruments. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 93.48E drifting at 0.009W degrees per day.

  • Galaxy 12 Nation: USA. Program: Galaxy. Mass: 1,792 kg (3,950 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Star bus. Manufacturer: Orbital Sciences. Agency: Panamsat. Perigee: 35,784 km (22,235 mi). Apogee: 35,791 km (22,239 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2003-013B. USAF Sat Cat: 27715.

    As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 125.09W drifting at 0.001W degrees per day.

2007 - 22:54 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC200/39. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Proton. Model: Proton-M/Briz-M. LV Configuration: Proton-M/Briz-M 535-16.
  • Anik F3 Nation: Canada. Payload: Eurostar 3000S. Mass: 4,634 kg (10,216 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Eurostar 3000. Manufacturer: Astrium. Agency: Telesat Canada. Perigee: 35,781 km (22,233 mi). Apogee: 35,795 km (22,241 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min. COSPAR: 2007-009A. USAF Sat Cat: 31102.

    Communications satellite with C, Ku and Ka band transponders.


Born on this day in:
  • 1963 - Timothy Lennart Kopra.  American Engineer Astronaut. Birth City: Austin. Birth State: Texas. Birth Country: USA.

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.