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1930 - Launch Vehicle: Valier.

  • Valier rocket car Nation: Germany.

    Valier has arranged for Dr Weyland to develop a new, powerful liquid rocket engine burning liquid oxygen and gasoline. The car made its first slow run this day, but combustion of the motor was poor and acceleration of the vehicle low.

1932 - Launch Vehicle: Goddard. Model: Goddard 4.
  • Goddard tests rocket with gyro stabilization. Nation: USA. Apogee: 0.0410 km (0.0255 mi).

    Flight of Goddard liquid fuel rocket with pressure generated by liquid nitrogen, and eight gyro-controlled vanes (four into blast and four into slipstream) for stabilisation. Length 10 ft 9.5 in.; weight empty 19.5 lb; height 135 ft; in air 5 sec.

1948 - 19:54 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC33. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: V-2. LV Configuration: V-2 38. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Solar ultraviolet / ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA/NRL. Apogee: 56 km (34 mi).

    Launched 12:54 local time. Reached 56.1 km. Carried cosmic and solar radiation, pressure, temperature experiments for Naval Research Lab.

1949 -
  • XS-1 Flight 110 Nation: USA. Payload: XS-1 # 1 flight 67. Class: Manned. Type: Rocketplane. Spacecraft: XS-1. Crew: Everest.

    AF flight 45. Altitude attempt. Only 2 cylinders fired.

1958 - 13:30 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC17B. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Thor DM-18. LV Configuration: Thor DM-18 121. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Research and development Series II test Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555 ATW. Apogee: 0 km ( mi).

1959 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: VLAD. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Burya. LV Configuration: Burya 2-05.
  • Burya flight 11 Nation: USSR. Agency: SSSR. Apogee: 17 km (10 mi).

    Launched after prior 20 Februry flight attempt. The suspect booster was replaced. Successful flight lasting T+33.5 minutes, achieving a range of 1,766 km and a speed of Mach 3.15 at 17.0 km altitude.

1960 - 14:15 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee Hi. LV Configuration: Aerobee Hi NN3.60.
  • NN3.60 Pinhole camera Solar ultraviolet / solar extreme ultraviolet mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 222 km (137 mi).

1960 - 16:51 GMT - Launch Site: Rosamund Dry Lake DZ. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 34.7 N x 118.1 W. Launch Vehicle: X-15. LV Configuration: X-15 1-5-10.
  • X-15A test Nation: USA. Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 18 km (11 mi).

    Maximum Speed - 2718 kph. Maximum Altitude - 18134 m.

1961 - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Polaris. Model: Polaris A1. LV Configuration: Polaris A1E-20.
  • Operational test Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1961 - 09:36 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Asp. Model: Nike Asp. LV Configuration: Nike Asp NASA 03.05CA.
  • Sodium release Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 164 km (101 mi).

1961 - 18:37 GMT - Launch Site: Salto di Quirra. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Asp. Model: Nike Asp. LV Configuration: Nike Asp ISRC-RS-02.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: Italy. Agency: ISRC. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

1962 - Launch Site: AMR DZ. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 29.0 N x 79.0 W. Launch Vehicle: Skybolt. LV Configuration: Skybolt ALBM 20025. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

1962 - 18:02 GMT - Launch Site: Mud Lake DZ. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 37.9 N x 117.1 W. Launch Vehicle: X-15. LV Configuration: X-15 1-26-46.
  • X-15A ASAS, alpha 20, M=5 test Nation: USA. Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 46 km (28 mi).

    Maximum Speed - 6220 kph. Maximum Altitude - 46940 m.

1963 -
  • Cosmonaut training for Vostok 5/6. Nation: USSR. Spacecraft: Vostok. Flight: Vostok 5, Vostok 6.

    It is clear that the female cosmonauts are trained and ready for an August flight, and the men (Bykovskiy, Volynov, Leonov, Khrunov) can complete training by that date. The male cosmonauts object to spending 7 to 8 days in a spacesuit in the ground spacecraft mock-up as required by the flight doctors. They don't want to spend more than 3 to 4 days.

1963 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC15. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Titan. Model: Titan 2. LV Configuration: Titan II N-21. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Research and development test Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

    Mk 6 re-entry vehicle

1965 - 02:20 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC130. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: UR-100. LV Configuration: UR-100 U106416-01.
  • State trials missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1966 - 19:12 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC4E. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: SLV-3 Agena D. LV Configuration: SLV-3 Agena D 7117 / Agena D 7117.
  • KH 7-27 Nation: USA. Payload: KH-7 no. 27. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: KH-7. Agency: NRO/USAF. Perigee: 139 km (86 mi). Apogee: 375 km (233 mi). Inclination: 116.90 deg. Period: 89.60 min. COSPAR: 1966-032A. USAF Sat Cat: 2146. Decay Date: 1966-04-26.

    KH-7 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1967 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -.
  • Last of three successful Atlas/Prime missions Nation: USA.

    Last of three successful Atlas/Prime missions from Vandenberg AFB (first launch on 21 December 1966).

1967 - 06:14 GMT - Launch Site: Thumba. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Belier. Model: Centaure. LV Configuration: Centaure C87.
  • ISRO 45.01 Ionosphere mission Nation: India. Agency: ISRO. Apogee: 128 km (79 mi).

1967 - 16:19 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Complex: C. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Belier. Model: Centaure 2B. LV Configuration: Centaure 2B CE-24/1.
  • ESRO C24/1 test Nation: Europe. Agency: ESRO. Apogee: 123 km (76 mi).

1967 - 23:40 GMT - Launch Site: Eglin. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tomahawk Sandia. Model: Nike Tomahawk. LV Configuration: Nike Tomahawk CRL AF08.650.
  • Ba Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: AFCRL. Apogee: 260 km (160 mi).

1968 -
  • L1 launch preparations Nation: USSR. Program: Lunar L1, Soyuz. Spacecraft: Soyuz 7K-L1.

    Kamanin goes to Baikonur aboard an Il-18 for the L1 launch. This is to be the first flight demonstration of the SUS system that will use the capsule's L/D ratio of 0.3 to make a lifting re-entry. Preparations are on schedule.

1969 -
  • Military Soyuz meeting Nation: USSR. Program: Soyuz. Spacecraft: Soyuz 7K-OK.

    Kamanin meets with the General Staff, presents the results of the study he has commissioned on the military utility of manned spaceflight, and pleads for support for his proposal to procure ten Soyuz spacecraft.

1969 - 00:10 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Arcas. Model: Boosted Arcas 2. LV Configuration: Boosted Arcas 2 AMM-BA-1.
  • O / OH profile Aeronomy mission Nation: Canada. Agency: Canada. Apogee: 104 km (64 mi).

1969 - 01:17 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Arcas. Model: Boosted Arcas 2. LV Configuration: Boosted Arcas 2 AMM-BA-2.
  • O / OH profile Aeronomy mission Nation: Canada. Agency: Canada. Apogee: 103 km (64 mi).

1969 - 16:32 GMT - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: MR-12.
  • Solar Extreme ultraviolet mission Nation: USSR. Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 174 km (108 mi).

1971 - 01:40 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC81/24. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Proton. Model: Proton-K. LV Configuration: Proton-K 254-01.
  • Salyut 1 Nation: USSR. Program: Salyut. Payload: Zarya s/n 121. Mass: 18,500 kg (40,700 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Space station. Spacecraft: Salyut 1. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 180 km (110 mi). Apogee: 214 km (132 mi). Inclination: 51.40 deg. Period: 88.50 min. COSPAR: 1971-032A. USAF Sat Cat: 5160. Duration: 179.93 days. Decay Date: 1971-10-11. Flight: Soyuz 10, Soyuz 11, Soyuz 12 / DOS 1.

    First manned space station. Salyut 1 included a number of military experiments, including the OD-4 optical visual ranger, the Orion ultraviolet instrument for characterising rocket plumes, and the highly classified Svinets radiometer. Primary objectives included photography of the earth, spectrographs of the earth's horizon, experiments with intense gamma rays, and studying manual methods for station orientation.

    At 05:20 the State Commission and their guests arrive at the Area 95 observation point to view the launch. The booster takes off on schedule at 06:40 in light rain and 60 km/hr wind. The tracking station reports good orbital insertion, separation from the third stage, and antennae and solar panel deployment. But the cover of the scientific equipment bay does not separate. This will mean that many experiments cannot be accomplished. It is decided to launch the crew to the station anyway, since the station is otherwise functioning normally. The cosmonauts go to the baths in the evening. - Additional details.

1971 - 06:30 GMT - Launch Site: Green River. Launch Complex: Pad 3. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Athena RTV. LV Configuration: Athena V127D.
  • Re-entry Vehicle test Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

1971 - 13:25 GMT - Launch Site: Thumba. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Apache. Model: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache NASA 14.406IA.
  • ISRO 10.41 Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 198 km (123 mi).

1971 - 23:45 GMT - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Poseidon. LV Configuration: Poseidon C3E-44.
  • Demonstration and shakedown operations launch Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1972 - 10:01 GMT - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Cockatoo. LV Configuration: Cockatoo 1027.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: Australia. Agency: WRE. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1972 - 21:43 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC3W. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Thorad SLV-2H Agena D. LV Configuration: Thorad SLV-2H Agena D 569 / Agena D 1661.
  • KH-4B 1116 Nation: USA. Payload: KH-4B s/n 1116 / Agena D 1661. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: KH-4B. Agency: NRO/CIA. Perigee: 154 km (95 mi). Apogee: 276 km (171 mi). Inclination: 81.00 deg. Period: 88.80 min. COSPAR: 1972-032A. USAF Sat Cat: 6003. Decay Date: 1972-05-12.

    KH-4B. Very successful mission and image quality was good.

1973 - 08:59 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Voskhod 11A57.
  • Cosmos 554 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 194 km (120 mi). Apogee: 304 km (188 mi). Inclination: 72.90 deg. Period: 89.50 min. COSPAR: 1973-021A. USAF Sat Cat: 6432. Duration: 38.00 days. Decay Date: 1973-05-07.

    High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable; exploded in orbit.

1973 - 10:19 GMT - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: LC86/4. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 2. Model: Kosmos 11K63.
  • Intercosmos 9 Nation: USSR. Program: DS. Payload: DS-U2-IK s/n. Mass: 400 kg (880 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Ionosphere. Spacecraft: DS-U2-IK. Agency: IK. Perigee: 199 km (123 mi). Apogee: 1,526 km (948 mi). Inclination: 48.40 deg. Period: 102.20 min. COSPAR: 1973-022A. USAF Sat Cat: 6433. Completed Operations Date: 1973-10-15. Decay Date: 1973-10-15.

    Also designated Intercosmos Copernicus 500. Investigated solar radio-frequency radiation and the characteristics of the earth's ionosphere.

1974 - 04:30 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Apache. Model: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache NASA 14.520UI.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 199 km (123 mi).

1975 - 07:30 GMT - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: LC107/2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Model: Kosmos 11K65M. LV Configuration: Kosmos 11K65M 53731-279.
  • Aryabhata Nation: India. Payload: ISS. Mass: 360 kg (790 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Atmosphere. Spacecraft: Aryabhata. Agency: ISRO. Perigee: 398 km (247 mi). Apogee: 409 km (254 mi). Inclination: 50.70 deg. Period: 92.60 min. COSPAR: 1975-033A. USAF Sat Cat: 7752. Decay Date: 1992-02-11.

    Atmospheric research. Experimental satellite for satellite technology and some scientific experiments. Launched from a cosmodrome in the USSR.

1978 - 10:35 GMT - Launch Site: Atlantic Ocean. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 38.0 N x 75.0 W. Launch Vehicle: MR-12.
  • Aeronomy/Ionosphere mission Nation: USSR. Apogee: 161 km (100 mi).

1978 - 15:37 GMT - Launch Site: Atlantic Ocean. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 38.0 N x 75.0 W. Launch Vehicle: MR-12.
  • Aeronomy/Ionosphere mission Nation: USSR. Apogee: 170 km (100 mi).

1979 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC106. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-36M.
  • DP Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1979 - Launch Site: Tonopah. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Malemute. LV Configuration: Malemute Sandia 497-009.
  • Malemute II test Nation: USA. Agency: Sandia. Apogee: 165 km (102 mi).

1979 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF21. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3. LV Configuration: Minuteman 3 PVM-17.
  • Research and development launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1982 - 19:45 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC200/40. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Proton. Model: Proton-K. LV Configuration: Proton-K 306-02.
  • Salyut 7 Nation: USSR. Program: Salyut 7. Payload: Zarya s/n 125-2. Mass: 18,900 kg (41,600 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Space station. Spacecraft: Salyut 7. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 279 km (173 mi). Apogee: 284 km (176 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 90.20 min. COSPAR: 1982-033A. USAF Sat Cat: 13138. Duration: 3,215.34 days. Decay Date: 1991-02-07.

    Second Soviet replenishable long-duration ‘civilian’ space station. Objectives: Continuation of scientific research on board manned space complexes in the interests of science and the Soviet national economy; testing of advanced systems and apparatus for orbital stations. Continuation of the scientific research in progress on board manned space complexes in the interests of science and the national economy; testing of advanced systems and apparatus for orbital stations. Although of the same design as Salyut 6, technical breakdowns throughout its life made Salyut 7 a much less productive station. Replaced finally by Mir. Two different TKS resupply craft, originally designed for the Almaz military station, docked with Salyut 7 to provide a larger complex. With the cancellation of Almaz, a large proportion of the experiments carried out on board had military objectives. As of January 1990 out of fuel, unable to manoeuvre, uncontrolled re-entry expected in three to four years. Re-entered in 1991 with 70 kg fuel remaining over Argentina. Controllers attempted to control impact point (set for Atlantic Ocean) by setting Salyut 7/Kosmos 1686 assembly into a tumble. This however failed and Salyut 7 re-entered February 7, 1991 04:00 GMT. Many fragments fell on the town of Capitan Bermudez, 25 km from Rosario and 400 km from Buenos Aires, Argentina. At 1 am local time the sky was lit up with hundreds of incandescent meteors travelling from Southwest to Northeast. At dawn the inhabitants discovered numerous metal fragments, which seemed to have fallen in distinct groups at various locations in the city. Luckily no one was hurt in the metallic shower. - Additional details.

  • Iskra 2 Nation: USSR. Program: Salyut 7. Payload: RK-02. Mass: 28 kg (61 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Amateur Radio. Spacecraft: Iskra. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 336 km (208 mi). Apogee: 345 km (214 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 91.40 min. COSPAR: 1982-033C. USAF Sat Cat: 13176. Decay Date: 1982-07-09.

    Deployed from Salyut 7 5/17/82. Launched from Salyut 7. Experiments in amateur radio communications. Launched into orbit from aboard the Salyut-7 orbital scientific station.

1983 - 12:00 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Model: Kosmos 11K65M. LV Configuration: Kosmos 11K65M 47119-520.
  • Cosmos 1453 Nation: USSR. Mass: 550 kg (1,210 lb). Class: Calibration. Spacecraft: Taifun-2. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 434 km (269 mi). Apogee: 466 km (289 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 93.60 min. COSPAR: 1983-034A. USAF Sat Cat: 14006. Decay Date: 1989-05-08.

    Released 25 Romb radar calibration subsatellites.

1983 - 20:00 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee 170. LV Configuration: Aerobee 170 GL A04.902.
  • Ultraviolet Ionosphere / solar extreme ultraviolet mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 204 km (126 mi).

1984 - 11:40 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U.
  • Cosmos 1549 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Zenit-6U. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 194 km (120 mi). Apogee: 364 km (226 mi). Inclination: 72.80 deg. Period: 90.10 min. COSPAR: 1984-040A. USAF Sat Cat: 14938. Duration: 14.00 days. Decay Date: 1984-05-03.

    Photo surveillance; returned film capsule.

1985 - 14:00 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U.
  • Cosmos 1647 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,600 kg (14,500 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Yantar-4K1. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 167 km (103 mi). Apogee: 321 km (199 mi). Inclination: 67.10 deg. Period: 89.40 min. COSPAR: 1985-031A. USAF Sat Cat: 15655. Duration: 53.00 days. Decay Date: 1985-06-11.

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

1985 -
  • Landing of STS-51-D Nation: USA. Program: STS. Flight: STS-51-D.

    STS-51-D landed at 13:50 GMT.

1990 - 1992 - 21:29 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U2. LV Configuration: Soyuz 11A511U2 R15000-059.
  • Progress M-12 Nation: Russia. Program: Mir. Payload: Progress M s/n 213. Mass: 7,320 kg (16,130 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Logistics. Spacecraft: Progress M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 373 km (231 mi). Apogee: 394 km (244 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 92.20 min. COSPAR: 1992-022A. USAF Sat Cat: 21946. Duration: 69.11 days. Decay Date: 1992-06-27. Flight: Mir EO-11.

    Unmanned resupply vessel to Mir. Docked with Mir on 21 Apr 1992 23:21:59 GMT. Undocked on 27 Jun 1992 21:34:44 GMT. Destroyed in reentry on 28 Jun 1992 00:02:51 GMT. Total free-flight time 2.18 days. Total docked time 66.93 days.

1993 - 05:50 GMT - Launch Site: Sriharikota. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: RH. Model: RH-560.
  • SPICE-3 Ionosphere mission Nation: India. Agency: ISRO. Apogee: 323 km (200 mi).

1993 - 17:15 GMT -
  • EVA Mir EO-13-1 Nation: Russia. Program: Mir. Class: Manned. Type: Space station. Spacecraft: Mir. Crew: Manakov, Polishchuk. Flight: Mir EO-13. EVA Duration: 0.23 days.

    Began installation of Kvant 1 solar array drive unit.

1995 - 21:50 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U.
  • GFZ-1 Nation: Germany. Program: Mir. Mass: 20 kg (44 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Geodetic. Spacecraft: GFZ-1. Agency: GFZ. Perigee: 380 km (230 mi). Apogee: 387 km (240 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. COSPAR: 1986-017JE. USAF Sat Cat: 23558. Decay Date: 1999-06-23. Flight: Mir EO-18.

    Geodetic; carried retroreflectors for ground laser ranging; delivered to Mir on Progress M-27 and deployed from Mir 4/19/95 .

1998 - 13:51 GMT - Launch Site: Sriharikota. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: RH. Model: RH-560/300 Mk II.
  • DEOS F05 Ionosphere mission Nation: India. Agency: ISRO/DLR. Apogee: 433 km (269 mi).

2000 - 00:29 GMT - Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: ELA2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Ariane. Model: Ariane 42L. LV Configuration: Ariane 42L-3 V129.
  • Galaxy 4R Nation: USA. Program: Galaxy. Payload: Galaxy IVR. Mass: 3,668 kg (8,086 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 601. Manufacturer: Hughes Space and Communications, El Segundo. Agency: Panamsat. Perigee: 35,779 km (22,231 mi). Apogee: 35,793 km (22,240 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. COSPAR: 2000-020A. USAF Sat Cat: 26298.

    Galaxy 4R carried 28 Ku-band and 28 C-band transponders. After insertion in a standard 219 x 32007 km x 7.0 deg geostationary transfer orbit, Galaxy 4R's R-4D apogee engine raised orbit to 35765 x 35792 km x 0.1 deg by April 27 and was over 67 deg W by late April. Final destination was 99 deg W. The Galaxy satellites provide US domestic telecommunications services. 4R replaces the original Galaxy 4H which failed in May 1998, putting pagers out of action across the USA. Stationed at 99 deg W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 73 deg W in 2000. As of 5 September 2001 located at 98.99 deg W drifting at 0.016 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 76.88W drifting at 0.001E degrees per day.

2001 - 18:40 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC39A. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. LV Configuration: Space Shuttle STS-100.
  • STS-100 Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Payload: Endeavour F16 / Raffaello, Canadarm-2. Mass: 103,506 kg (228,191 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Endeavour. Manufacturer: Boeing. Agency: NASA JSC. Perigee: 377 km (234 mi). Apogee: 394 km (244 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. COSPAR: 2001-016A. USAF Sat Cat: 26747. Duration: 11.90 days. Decay Date: 2001-05-01. Crew: Rominger, Ashby, Hadfield, Phillips, Parazynski, Guidoni, Lonchakov. Flight: STS-100.

    Space Shuttle OV-105 Endeavour was launched on mission STS-100 to carry out International Space Station Flight 6A continued the outfitting of the Station. The crew of four Americans, one Russian, one Canadian and one Italian were to install an 18 meter, 1,700 kg Canadian robotic arm named Canadarm-2 on the ISS, and to transport an Italian cargo container, Raffaello, which delivered 4,500 kg of supplies and equipment to the station. Total payload of 13,744 kg consisted of:

    • Bay 1-2: Orbiter Docking System, External Airlock, 3 EMU spacesuits - 2160 kg including 360 kg for the 3 suits
    • Bay 3 Starboard: Adapter Beam with DCSU switching unit - 180kg
    • Bay 5: Spacelab Pallet with Canadarm-2 SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System, 1800 kg mass), LDA, and 56 kg UHF antenna - 3256 kg
    • Bay 6 Port: Adapter Beam with IMAX Camera - 238 kg
    • Bay 8-12: Rafaello Module (MPLM-2) with MPLM racks and 3400 kg cargo - 7500 kg
    • Sill: Canadarm RMS 303 - 410 kg
    Endeavour reached an 80 x 317 km orbit at 1849 GMT; at 1924 GMT the OMS engines fired to raise perigee. After a series of rendezvous burns, the spaceship docked with the PMA-2 port on the ISS at 1359 GMT on April 21.

    On 23 April the SSRMS station manipulator was unberthed from the SLP Spacelab pallet at 1114 GMT and latched on to the PDGF fixture on the Destiny ISS module at 1416 GMT. This was followed at 1458 GMT with the MPLM-2 Raffaello module being moved from Endeavour's payload bay by the Shuttle's RMS and berthed to the nadir port on the ISS Unity module at 1600 GMT. Over the next few days, the cargo racks on the MPLM were transferred to Destiny. Raffaello was then unberthed from Unity at 2003 GMT on April 27 and reberthed in the rear of Endeavour's bay for return to earth at 2059 GMT.

    Undocking of Endeavour was delayed by a series of computer problems at the Station. Failures in the Station's command and control computers left only one of the three computers operating.

    They were all restarted by April 29, and the Shuttle RMS grappled the Spacelab pallet at 2044 GMT . The station's Canadarm-2 released it at 2106 GMT, and the RMS berthed the pallet back in the Shuttle cargo bay. Endeavour undocked from the Station at 1734 GMT on April 29. The weather in Florida was bad at the planned May 1 landing time, so Endeavour landed in California. The deorbit burn was at 1502 GMT on May 1, with landing at 1610:42 GMT on runway 22 at Edwards. Endeavour returned to the Kennedy Space Center atop a Boeing 747 SCA aircraft on May 9.

2002 -
  • Air Force Space Command became a separate four-star Air Force command distinct from the US Space Command and NORAD. Nation: USA.

2002 -
  • Landing of STS-110 Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-110.

    Atlantis had undocked from ISS at 1831 UTC on April 17. It returned to Earth on April 19, with a deorbit burn at 1518:59 UTC and landing on Runway 33 at KSC at 1626:57 UTC.

2004 - 03:19 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz FG. LV Configuration: Soyuz-FG Zh15000-009.
  • Soyuz TMA-4 Nation: Russia. Program: ISS. Payload: Soyuz TMA s/n 214. Mass: 7,250 kg (15,980 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spacecraft. Spacecraft: Soyuz TMA. Manufacturer: RKK Energia. Agency: Rosaviakosmos. Perigee: 359 km (223 mi). Apogee: 367 km (228 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 91.80 min. COSPAR: 2004-013A. USAF Sat Cat: 28228. Duration: 187.89 days. Decay Date: 2004-10-24. Crew: Fincke, Padalka, Kuipers. Flight: ISS EO-8, ISS EO-9, ISS Delta.

    Soyuz TMA-4 was ISS transport mission ISS 8S and delivered the EO-9 caretaker crew of Gennadiy Padalka and Michael Fincke, together with the ESA/Netherlands Delta mission crewmember Andre Kuipers, to the Space Station. Soyuz TMA-4 docked with the nadir port on Zarya at 05:01 GMT on April 21 and the hatches to the ISS were opened at 06:30 GMT. Another gyro on the station had shut down prior to the docking and possibly would require a maintenance spacewalk to replace its failed electronics.

    After Soyuz TMA-5 docked with the ISS on October 16, the EO-9 crew handed activities over to the EO-10 crew.

2008 - 08:29 GMT -
Born on this day in:

Died on this day in:
  • 1990 - Vladislav Ivanovich Gulyayev.  Russian Engineer Cosmonaut. Cause of Death: Heart attack.
  • 2006 - Albert Scott Crossfield.  Hispanic American Pilot Test Pilot. Cause of Death: Crashed private light aircraft in bad weather near Ellijay, Georgia.

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