See also Born on this Day On this day in: 1929 - -
First JATO takeoff. Nation: Germany. Use of a battery of solid-propellant rockets on Junkers-33 seaplane, the first recorded jet-assisted take-off of an airplane, made in tests near Dessau, Germany.
1940 - -
British seek US assistance in rocket technology. Nation: USA. Sir Henry Tizard, scientific adviser to the British Ministry of Aircraft Production, headed mission of leading British and Canadian scientists to brief official American representatives on devices under active development for war use and to enlist the support of American scientists. This was the beginning of very close cooperation of Anglo-American scientists in many fields, including aeronautics and rocketry, and enabled American laboratories to catch up with war-accelerated progress.
1944 - Launch Vehicle: Me-163. -
Me-163B first operational use. Nation: Germany. German Me-163B Komet rocket-powered fighters first attacked American bomber formations over Europe. The Me-163 had sweptback wings, Walther liquid-fuel rocket motor, speed of 590 mph, and powered flight duration of 8-10 minutes.
1944 - Launch Site: Heidekraut. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: V-2. Model: A-4. -
Nation: Germany. Agency: Wehrmacht. Apogee: 90 km (55 mi).
1945 - -
XCALT-6000 rocket engine delivered. Nation: USA. First successful U.S. chemical gas, generator-driven, turbopump fed, regeneratively cooled rocket engine (XCALT-6000), delivered to AAF by Aerojet-General Corp.
1950 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -.
1954 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-5. Model: R-5. -
Phase 3 state trials launch Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).
1954 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-5. Model: R-5. -
Phase 3 state trials launch Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). Through February 1955 the state acceptance trials for the production missile were conducted. 19 launches were made, 10 of which passed the acceptance criteria, 5 did not, and 4 were used for test of the new radio-correction guidance system. This used the R-5R variant of the missile; one of those four tests was unsuccessful.
1955 - Launch Vehicle: Vanguard.
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 0430. -
Operational test Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).
1955 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-2. Model: R-2. -
Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).
1955 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-5. Model: R-5M. -
PI state trials launch Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).
1956 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-5. Model: R-5M. LV Configuration: R-5M M-5RD. -
R-7 component test Nation: USSR. Agency: MVS. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).
1956 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-5. Model: R-5M. LV Configuration: R-5M M-5RD. -
R-7 component test Nation: USSR. Agency: MVS. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).
1957 - Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas D.
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).
1957 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: VLAD. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Burya. LV Configuration: Burya 2/1. FAILURE: Launch abort. -
Burya first launch attempt Nation: USSR. Agency: SSSR. Apogee: 0 km ( mi). Objective was limited to test of operation of first stage boosters. The AVD Engine Cutoff System activated on ignition due to destruction of an OT-155 propellant valve in one of the booster engines. The missile remained on the pad. The stage boosters were dismounted, checked, and reassembled.
1958 -
1958 - Launch Site: Johnston Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Asp. Model: Ascamp. -
Hardtack Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: LRL. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).
1958 - Launch Site: Johnston Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Asp. Model: Ascamp. -
Hardtack Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: LRL. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).
1958 - Launch Site: Johnston Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Asp. Model: Ascamp. -
Hardtack Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: LRL. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).
1958 - Launch Site: Johnston Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Asp. Model: Ascamp. -
Hardtack Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: LRL. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).
1958 - Launch Site: Johnston Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Asp. Model: Ascamp. -
Hardtack Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: LRL. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).
1958 - Launch Site: Johnston Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Asp. Model: Ascamp. -
Hardtack Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: LRL. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).
1958 - Launch Site: Johnston Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Asp. Model: Ascamp. -
Hardtack Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: LRL. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).
1958 - Launch Site: Johnston Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Asp. Model: Ascamp. -
Hardtack Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: LRL. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).
1958 - Launch Site: Johnston Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Asp. Model: Ascamp. -
Hardtack Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: LRL. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).
1958 - Launch Site: Johnston Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Asp. Model: Ascamp. -
Hardtack Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: LRL. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).
1958 - Launch Site: Johnston Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Asp. Model: Ascamp. -
Hardtack Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: LRL. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).
1958 - Launch Site: Johnston Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Asp. Model: Ascamp. -
Hardtack Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: LRL. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).
1958 - Launch Site: Johnston Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Asp. Model: Ascamp. -
Hardtack Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: LRL. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).
1958 - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Jason. LV Configuration: Jason J-CX. -
Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 750 km (460 mi). In 3-week period, 19 five-stage Argo E5 sounding rockets were launched in USAF-NACA program to measure radiation caused by Project Argus, rockets reaching 500-mile altitude and were launched from Wallops Island, AMR, and Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico.
1958 - 09:47 GMT - Launch Site: Johnston Island. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Redstone. Model: Redstone. LV Configuration: Redstone CC-50. FAILURE: Failure of tilt program device at lift-off causing vertical night flight did not preclude subsequent system operations and successful mission accomplishment.
1959 - Launch Vehicle: Saturn V. -
Static firing of the first Saturn planned for early 1960 Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. The Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) directed the Army Ordnance Missile Command to proceed with the static firing of the first Saturn vehicle, the test booster SA-T, in early calendar year 1960 in accordance with the $70 million program and not to accelerate for a January 1960 firing. ARPA asked to be informed of the scheduled firing date.
1960 - Launch Site: Sea-launched. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: UNKPL. Launch Vehicle: R-13. -
Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).
1960 - 08:30 GMT - Launch Site: Eglin. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Cajun. Model: Nike Cajun. LV Configuration: Nike Cajun AA6.408. -
Firefly RUTHY Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 113 km (70 mi).
1960 - 10:23 GMT - Launch Site: Eglin. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Cajun. Model: Nike Cajun. LV Configuration: Nike Cajun AA6.410. -
Firefly HILDA Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 126 km (78 mi).
1961 -
1961 - Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas Centaur LV-3C.
1961 - Launch Site: Fort Wingate. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Redstone. Model: Redstone. LV Configuration: Redstone 1009. FAILURE: Human error in laying launch azimuth. Drop in inter-compartment pressure suspected.
1961 - 11:02 GMT - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 SL. Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Model: Skylark 2. LV Configuration: Skylark-2 SL34. -
Ultraviolet Camera Ultraviolet astronomy mission Nation: Australia. Agency: WRE/RAE. Apogee: 124 km (77 mi).
1961 - 20:18 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LC-A. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Astrobee. Model: Astrobee 1500. LV Configuration: Astrobee 1500 AA16.304. FAILURE: Failure. -
Test / geodetic mission Nation: USA. Agency: AFCRL. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).
1962 - -
Russian methods for sending a man to the moon Nation: USSR. Program: Lunar L3. A recent Russian article discussed various methods which the Soviet Union had been studying for sending a man to the moon during the decade. The earth orbital rendezvous method was reported the most reliable, but consideration also had been given to the direct ascent method, using the "Mastodon" rocket.
1962 -
1962 - Launch Site: Fort Wingate. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Redstone. Model: Redstone. LV Configuration: Redstone 1015. FAILURE: Human error in repair of pitch .potentiometer.
1962 - Launch Site: Fort Wingate. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Redstone. Model: Redstone. LV Configuration: Redstone 1007.
1962 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC26A. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Jupiter. LV Configuration: Jupiter IRBM CM-111. -
Combat training launch Nation: Italy. Agency: Italia. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).
1962 - Launch Site: Kagoshima. Launch Complex: TMP. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kappa. Model: K150. LV Configuration: K150 AT-150. -
Test mission Nation: Japan. Agency: ISAS. Apogee: 5.00 km (3.10 mi).
1962 - 21:07 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: 576E. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas F. LV Configuration: Atlas F 15F.
1963 - 08:06 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee 150. LV Configuration: Aerobee 150 NC3.?. -
Bennett Mass Spec 2 Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 232 km (144 mi).
1963 - 23:27 GMT - Launch Site: Kronogard. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Cajun. Model: Nike Cajun. LV Configuration: Nike Cajun K-63-3. -
Grenades Aeronomy mission Nation: Sweden. Agency: RTG. Apogee: 126 km (78 mi).
1964 - Launch Vehicle: N1, Proton. -
Full scale development of Soviet manned lunar flyby and landing projects authorised. Nation: USSR. Program: Lunar L1, Lunar L3. Spacecraft: LK-1, Soyuz 7K-LOK, LK, Luna Ye-8, Soyuz A. Flight: Soyuz A-1, Soyuz A-2, Soyuz A-3, Soyuz A-4. Central Committee of the Communist Party and Council of Soviet Ministers Decree 655-268 'On Work on the Exploration of the Moon and Mastery of Space--piloted LK-1 circumlunar and L3 lunar landing projects and the Ye-6M lunar lander' was issued. Chelomei was to develop the three-stage UR-500K booster and LK-1 spacecraft for the manned lunar flyby. Korolev was to develop the totally different N1 booster and L3 spacecraft complex for the manned lunar landing. First launch of the N1 was to be by the first quarter 1966, with manned lunar landings in 1967 to 1968. Reprioritization led to work being stopped on Korolev's Zvezda 6-man orbiting weapons platform by mid-1965, after a huge mockup had been built. Korolev felt that if he had the full support of the Communist Party, the military, and industry he could achieve this goal, and this decree ordered such support. The USSR would be first on the moon. But in truth the draft project behind the decree had not solved all of the technical problems, or provided a solution on how to achieve the required payload on either the booster or spacecraft side. New technology features required for success of the scheme included an advanced guidance system in the N1 third stage equipment bay, the enormous fuel tanks in the N1 first stage, and the Lox/LH2 fuel cells needed for the LOK lunar orbiter. But the real technical problem with the N1-L3 design was the total lack of any weight growth reserve. Even thought the systems had not even been developed yet, engineers were fighting over tens of grams in their weight allocations, let alone the kilograms normally at issue. Development of Korolev's Soyuz A-B-V, a competing circumlunar project, was evidently still authorised, although it duplicated Chelomei's LK-1.
1964 - Launch Site: Vik. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Belier. Model: Dragon 1. LV Configuration: Dragon D-10. -
FU-125 ionosphere / particles Aeronomy /ionosphere mission Nation: France. Agency: CNES. Apogee: 440 km (270 mi).
1964 - 05:54 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC90/19. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: UR-200. Model: UR-200. -
State trials missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 686 km (426 mi).
1965 - -
Development of military versions of Voskhod and Soyuz approved. Nation: USSR. Program: Voskhod. Spacecraft: Voskhod, Soyuz VI. Flight: Voskhod 3, Voskhod 4, Voskhod 5, Voskhod 6, Soyuz VI Flight 1. Military-Industrial Commission (VPK) Decree 'On creation of military Voskhod and Soyuz spacecraft' was issued. Eight days later, Kamanin receives the resolution, signed by Marshal Zharkov, countersigned by Smirnov. Krylov, Vershinin, Sudts, and Gorshkov are ordered to immediately begin military space research aboard Voskhod and also develop a special version of the Soyuz spacecraft for visual and photographic military reconnaissance, satellite inspection, interception in orbit, as well as development of nuclear missile early warning systems. This is old hat to Kamanin. Krylov has no interest in military spacecraft, and will not implement the order.
1966 - Launch Site: Eglin. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Honest John. Model: HJ Nike Hydac. -
Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 544 km (338 mi).
1966 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF24. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 2. LV Configuration: Minuteman 2 2061. -
Demonstration and shakedown operations launch Nation: USA. Agency: SAC 1STRAD. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).
1966 - 19:11 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Apache. Model: Nike Apache. -
Sphere Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).
1966 - 22:11 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Apache. Model: Nike Apache. -
Sphere Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).
1967 - Launch Vehicle: Saturn I. Model: Saturn IB.
1967 - -
NASA program to develop the technology of flexible wings for spacecraft recovery. Nation: USA. NASA's Office of Manned Space Flight and Office of Advanced Research and Technology were engaged in a cooperative program to develop the technology of flexible wings for spacecraft recovery. The technology was expected to have broad applicability in the Apollo Applications Program, as well as follow-on manned space flight programs. The principal technology effort would concentrate on parawing and sailwing configurations. LaRC would manage the parawing technology program with support from MSC. The sailwing technology effort would be managed by MSC with LaRC providing wind tunnel support.
1967 - 22:33 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC13. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: SLV-3 Agena D. LV Configuration: SLV-3 Agena D 5805 (AA24) / Agena D 6634. -
Lunar Orbiter 5 Nation: USA. Payload: Lunar Orbiter E. Mass: 389 kg (857 lb). Class: Planetary. Type: Lunar. Spacecraft: Lunar Orbiter. Agency: NASA LaR. COSPAR: 1967-075A. USAF Sat Cat: 2907. Decay Date: 1968-01-31. Lunar Orbiter V was launched from the Eastern Test Range at 6:33 p.m. EDT August 1. The Deep Space Net Tracking Station at Woomera, Australia, acquired the spacecraft about 50 minutes after liftoff. Signals indicated that all systems were performing normally and that temperatures were within acceptable limits. At 12:48 p.m. EDT August 5, Lunar Orbiter V executed a deboost maneuver that placed it in orbit around the moon. The spacecraft took its first photograph of the moon at 7:22 a.m. EDT August 6. Before it landed on the lunar surface on January 31, 1968, Lunar Orbiter V had photographed 23 previously unphotographed areas of the moon's far side, the first photo of the full earth, 36 sites of scientific interest, and 5 Apollo sites for a total of 425 photos.
1968 - 00:00 GMT - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: MR-12. -
Electron fluxes Aeronomy / plasma mission Nation: USSR. Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 168 km (104 mi).
1968 - 02:00 GMT - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: MR-12. -
Electron fluxes Plasma / fields mission Nation: USSR. Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 176 km (109 mi).
1968 - 09:10 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee 150. LV Configuration: Aerobee 150 NASA 04.224NA. -
Noctilucent sampler Aeronomy / meteorites mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 115 km (71 mi).
1968 - 10:27 GMT - Launch Site: South Uist. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Petrel. Model: Petrel 1. LV Configuration: Petrel P13H. -
Solar X-rays / La / ne Ionosphere / solar x-rays mission Nation: UK. Agency: SRC. Apogee: 145 km (90 mi).
1969 - Launch Vehicle: N1. -
VPK hearing on N1 improvements Nation: USSR. Program: Lunar L3. The VPK Military-Industrial Commission and the Central Committee of he Party discussed the matter of delaying further N1 tests until completely redesigned engines became available. Back came the ritual reply -- a Soviet manned lunar landing must be achieved by the 100th Anniversary of the Birth of Lenin (April 22, 1970). On that date a Soviet man would plant the Red Banner and unveil a bust of Lenin on the lunar surface. Unlike the US President, Brezhnev would never get to see a manned launch to the moon.
- Additional details.
1969 - Launch Vehicle: Proton. Model: Proton 8K82K / 11S824. -
The DOS Conspiracy begins Nation: USSR. Program: Lunar L3, Almaz, Salyut. Spacecraft: LK, Soyuz 7K-LOK, Almaz OPS, MKBS. With the collapse of the work on the N1, the whole reason for Mishin's design bureau's existence simply vanished in the air. A new high-priority project was needed. Korolev had begun development of a Multi-Module Space Base (MKBS) before 1966. However MKBS was to be launched by the N1; as long as this was not available, there would be no MKBS. Almaz on the other hand did not require a new launch vehicle, although the UR-500 was in a period of intense 'baby sickness'. So while TsKBEM was in a period of analysis and instability, Chelomei's Reutov and Fili facilities were building space stations for the Ministry of Defence. On one of these August 1969 days, three of Chelomei's TsKBM engineers came to the office of Mishin's deputy, Chertok, with a plan to get a space station orbited before the American Skylab. They wanted a collaboration between the two competing design bureaux. Their plan was to take an Almaz spaceframe, install Soyuz systems, add a new docking tunnel with a hatch to reach the interior, and presto - a space station was finished. Tentative discussions with potential allies within Chelomei's design bureau found support there as well. The DOS 'long-duration orbiting station' was the result of this 'conspiracy'.
1970 - -
Middle East preoccupies VVS leadership. Nation: USSR. Kutakhov flies to Egypt, but before leaving tells Kamanin he is not happy with his draft decree on future space plans. In Egypt, four MiG-21's with Russian pilots aboard have been shot down by Israel, killing two of the pilots. These are the first Russian casualties in the Middle East. July 1970 has been the worst month for safety in the history of the VVS - 20 aircraft losses and crashes (previous record - 16 in July 1964).
1970 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: UR-100. Model: UR-100M. -
Operational missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).
1970 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: UR-100. Model: UR-100M. -
Operational missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).
1971 - Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. -
Shuttle delta wings Nation: USA. NASA Houston finally abandoned its straight wing design and studied a series of delta wing orbiters with external tanks through the summer of 1971 (MSC-020B, MSC-036, MSC-046, MSC-040).
1971 - 00:09 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Complex: C. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Belier. Model: Centaure. LV Configuration: Centaure C59/2. -
ESRO C59/2 Aeronomy mission Nation: Europe. Agency: ESRO. Apogee: 119 km (73 mi).
1971 - 11:48 GMT -
1972 - Launch Site: White Sea Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 65.5 N x 38.0 E. Launch Vehicle: R-29. Model: Vysota.
1973 -
1973 - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Temp-2S. -
Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).
1973 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: UR-100N. Model: UR-100N. -
State trials missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).
1973 - 14:00 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Voskhod 11A57.
1973 - 22:17 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Apache. Model: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache NASA 14.515UA. -
SSC NNA 6 Aeronomy mission Nation: Sweden. Agency: NASA/SSC. Apogee: 109 km (67 mi).
1973 - 22:48 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Apache. Model: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache NASA 14.516UA. -
SSC NNA 7 Aeronomy mission Nation: Sweden. Agency: NASA/SSC. Apogee: 111 km (68 mi).
1974 - Launch Vehicle: Energia, RLA. -
New heavy-lift vehicle Nation: USSR. Spacecraft: Buran. Glushko's first action was to implement a decision of the leadership to develop a completely new heavy-lift launch vehicle. This work started in 1974, with a planned first flight in 1984, at a total estimated cost of 5 to 6 billion roubles. One factor in the decision was the fact that Keldysh was greatly disturbed by the manoeuvrability of the space shuttle. He talked the matter up until he managed to get Ustinov and Brezhnev worked as well. He told them a US shuttle could manoeuvre around Soviet PVO and PKO anti-missile and satellite defences and deliver a 25 tonne nuclear bomb of greater than 25 megatons force directly on Moscow. Keldysh was convinced that the US planned to use the shuttle for a pre-emptive nuclear strike on Russia. Therefore the USSR needed an analogous capability to maintain the strategic balance. While this discussion was going on, the energies of TsKBEM were completely absorbed in the Apollo-Soyuz program, on which the prestige of the Soviet Union depended.
- Additional details.
1974 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF03. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 1. Model: Minuteman 1B. -
SSTTP M2-46 Target mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).
1976 -
1979 - Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. -
Start long-lead fabrication crew module, Discovery Nation: USA. Program: STS. Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Discovery.
1979 - -
DoD Astronaut Training Group 1 selected. Nation: USA. The group was selected to provide shuttle manned spaceflight engineers to operate military payloads.. Qualifications: USAF, Navy, or Army officers with bachelor's degree in science or engineering; four years experience in flying or space-related activities. Vision minimum 20/150 uncorrected, correctable to 20/20. Maximum sitting blood pressure of 140/90. Height between 150 and 193 cm.. 13 were selected from 222 candidates. The existence of the group was secret until 1985.
1979 - Launch Site: Sea-launched. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: UNKPL. Launch Vehicle: R-31. -
Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).
1981 - 22:00 GMT - Launch Site: Tanegashima. Launch Complex: T. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: S. Model: TT-500A. LV Configuration: TT-500A TT-500A-10F. -
Test mission Nation: Japan. Agency: NASDA. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).
1984 - 04:18 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tomahawk Sandia. Model: Taurus Nike Tomahawk. LV Configuration: Taurus Nike Tomahawk NASA 38.02UE. -
SPINEX 1 Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 423 km (262 mi).
1984 - 21:37 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC200/40. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Proton. Model: Proton-K/DM. LV Configuration: Proton-K/DM 324-01.
1985 -
1985 - 05:36 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC90/19. Launch Pad: LC90/pad?. Launch Vehicle: Tsiklon. Model: Tsiklon-2.
1986 - 22:15 GMT - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Polaris. Model: Polaris A3. LV Configuration: Polaris A3TK/A3R. -
Chevaline PEM demonstration and shakedown operations launch Nation: USA. Agency: RN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).
1987 - 03:59 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC45/1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Zenit. Model: Zenit-2.
1988 - Launch Site: Eareckson. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries Queen Match. -
Recovery failed ABM infrared sensor technology mission Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).
1988 - 21:04 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC200/39. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Proton. Model: Proton-K/DM-2. LV Configuration: Proton-K/DM-2 351-01. -
Cosmos 1961 Nation: USSR. Payload: Potok no. 5 s/n 16L. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Potok. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 35,780 km (22,230 mi). Apogee: 35,796 km (22,242 mi). Inclination: 8.60 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min. COSPAR: 1988-066A. USAF Sat Cat: 19344. Completed Operations Date: 1993-12-15. Stationed at 13.5 deg W; later moved to 80 deg E. Investigation of outer space and relay of telegraph and telephone messages. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 14 deg W in 1988-1992; 80 deg E in 1992-1993. In September, 1993, Cosmos 1961 began drifting off station after a mission of five years had apparently been terminated. As of 4 September 2001 located at 80.01 deg E drifting at 0.015 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 74.58E drifting at 0.039E degrees per day.
1990 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -.
1990 -
1990 - 09:32 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U2. -
Soyuz TM-10 Nation: USSR. Program: Mir. Payload: Soyuz TM 11F732 s/n 61A. Mass: 7,150 kg (15,760 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spacecraft. Spacecraft: Soyuz TM. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 198 km (123 mi). Apogee: 219 km (136 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 88.70 min. COSPAR: 1990-067A. USAF Sat Cat: 20722. Duration: 130.86 days. Decay Date: 1990-12-10. Crew: Manakov, Strekalov. Flight: Mir EO-7, Mir EO-6. Manned two crew. Docked with Mir. Mir Expedition EO-07. Transported to the Mir manned orbital station the crew consisting of the cosmonauts G M Manakov and G M Strekalov for the purpose of carrying out a programme of geophysical and astrophysical research, biological and biotechnological experiments, and work on space-materials science.
1991 - 01:28 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 5B. LV Configuration: Black Brant VB NASA 21.103GE NLC-91. -
N-B-E03 EFIELD-B Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 99 km (61 mi).
1991 - 11:53 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC43/4. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Molniya 8K78M. LV Configuration: Molniya 8K78M-ML.
1993 - 01:46 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Hawk. Model: Nike Orion. -
SCT-06 (CONE) Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NDRE?. Apogee: 140 km (80 mi).
1997 - 20:20 GMT - Launch Site: Point Arguello WADZ. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 36.0 N x 123.0 W. Launch Vehicle: Pegasus. Model: Pegasus XL. LV Configuration: Pegasus XL F16. -
Orbview-2 Nation: USA. Payload: Seastar. Class: Surveillance. Type: Civilian. Spacecraft: Orbview-2. Manufacturer: Orbital Sciences Corp., Germantown (formerly Fairchild). Agency: Orbimage. Perigee: 707 km (439 mi). Apogee: 708 km (439 mi). Inclination: 98.20 deg. Period: 98.90 min. COSPAR: 1997-037A. USAF Sat Cat: 24883.
1998 -
2000 -
2000 - -
Discovery of NWA 2737 Mars Meteorite Nation: Morocco.
2000 - - Discovery of the SAU 051 Meteorite (Mars Meteorite) Nation: Oman.
2002 - Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tier One.
2003 - 10:25 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Terrier. Model: Terrier Mk 70 Orion. LV Configuration: Terrier Mk 70 Orion NASA 12.052GT. -
NMACS test Nation: USA. Agency: NASA GSFC. Apogee: 204 km (126 mi).
2005 - -
SMART-1, End of Primary Mission Nation: Europe. Spacecraft: SMART-1.
2005 - 04:44 GMT -
2006 - -
SMART-1, End of Extended Mission Nation: USA. Spacecraft: SMART-1.
Born on this day in:
- 1922 - Fred Wallace. American Engineer. Birth City: San Diego. Birth State: California. Birth Country: USA.
- 1927 - Benjamin Wier. American Engineer. Birth City: Buffalo. Birth State: New York. Birth Country: USA.
- 1944 - Yuri Viktorovich Romanenko. Russian Pilot Cosmonaut. Birth City: Koltubanovskiy. Birth State: Orenburg. Birth Country: Russia.
- 1963 - Koichi Wakata. Japanese Mission Specialist Astronaut. Birth City: Omiya. Birth State: Saitama. Birth Country: Japan.
Died on this day in: - 1997 - Byron Gordon MacNabb
. American Engineer.
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To contact astronauts or cosmonauts.
© Mark Wade, 1997 - 2008 except where otherwise noted.
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