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1945 -

  • Dr. Robert Goddard died in Baltimore. Nation: USA.

1951 -
  • XS-1 Flight 152 Nation: USA. Payload: XS-1 # 2 flight 71. Class: Manned. Type: Rocketplane. Spacecraft: XS-1. Crew: Crossfield.

    NACA flight 51. Wing loads and aileron effectiveness. Elevator and stabilizer pull-ups, clean stalls.

1957 -
  • Claimed first manmade object to escape from earth Nation: USA. Payload: Steel Metal Cover.

    In the summer of 1957 physicist Bob Brownlee attempted to 'contain' the blast effects of an atomic explosion from a device placed at the bottom of a 500 foot vertical shaft in the Nevada desert. A four-inch-thick steel plate weighing 'several hundred pounds' is placed over the hole (diameter not specified). This blew off as expected in the blast and was seen in films to depart the area at six times escape velocity . Brownlee never publicly challenged the Soviet's claim (to having launched the 1st Earth satellite.

1957 - 05:07 GMT - Launch Site: Atlantic Ocean. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 74.3 N x 63.6 W. Launch Vehicle: Rockoon. Model: Loki Rockoon. LV Configuration: Loki Rockoon II5.08F.
  • SUI 63 Aeronomy / aurora / chemical release mission Nation: USA. Agency: SUI. Apogee: 117 km (72 mi).

    Launched at IGY Rockoon Launch Site 1, Atlantic Ocean LP8 - - Latitude: 74.30 N - Longitude: 63.57 W.

1960 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC38. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus. Model: Nike Zeus. LV Configuration: Nike Zeus 9.
  • First Tactical launch Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).

1960 - Launch Site: Eglin. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee 300. LV Configuration: Aerobee 300 TATTLETALE PCC 5.
  • Signals intelligence test Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 383 km (237 mi).

1960 - 01:31 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC6. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Redstone. Model: Redstone. LV Configuration: Redstone 2023. FAILURE: Erroneously destroyed during boost by range personnel.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

    Missile test failure.

1960 - 10:35 GMT - Launch Site: Eglin. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Cajun. Model: Nike Cajun. LV Configuration: Nike Cajun AA6.418.
  • Firefly JEANNIE Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 104 km (64 mi).

1960 - 10:35 GMT - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 SL. Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Model: Skylark 2. LV Configuration: Skylark-2 SL61.
  • Grenades / Chaff test Nation: Australia. Agency: WRE/RAE. Apogee: 171 km (106 mi).

1960 - 20:37 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1E. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Thor Agena A. LV Configuration: Thor Agena A 231 / Agena A 1057.
  • Discoverer 13 Nation: USA. Payload: KH-1 prototype / Agena A 1057. Mass: 850 kg (1,870 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: KH-1. Agency: U.S. Air Force. Perigee: 258 km (160 mi). Apogee: 683 km (424 mi). Inclination: 82.80 deg. Period: 94.00 min. COSPAR: 1960-Theta-1. USAF Sat Cat: 48. Decay Date: 1960-11-14.

    KH-1 prototype; designed to test capsule recovery system; did not carry camera; capsule successfully recovered from ocean.

1960 - 22:46 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC19. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Titan. Model: Titan 1. LV Configuration: Titan I J-7.
  • Mk 4 re-entry vehicle test Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

    Titan 1 J (Mk 4 RV)

1961 - 18:27 GMT - Launch Site: Silver Lake DZ. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 35.3 N x 116.1 W. Launch Vehicle: X-15. LV Configuration: X-15 1-22-37.
  • X-15A XLR-99, beta-dot test Nation: USA. Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 23 km (14 mi).

    Maximum Speed - 4401 kph. Maximum Altitude - 23830 m. Lost cabin pressure.

1962 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC25A. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Polaris. Model: Polaris A2. LV Configuration: Polaris A2TF-2.
  • Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1962 - 21:11 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: OSTF2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas F. LV Configuration: Atlas F 57F. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Research and development launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

1963 - 03:17 GMT - Launch Site: Niijima. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Lambda. Model: LS-A. LV Configuration: LS-A Sustainer.
  • Test mission Nation: Japan. Agency: STA. Apogee: 50 km (31 mi).

1963 - 04:58 GMT - Launch Site: Niijima. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: S. Model: S-A. LV Configuration: S-A1.
  • Test mission Nation: Japan. Agency: STA. Apogee: 50 km (31 mi).

1964 - Launch Site: Pacific Ocean. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 34.0 N x 123.0 W. Launch Vehicle: Iris. Model: Hydra-Iris. LV Configuration: Hydra-Iris GSP-1.
  • LRL GSP-1 Magnetospheric mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN NMC. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

1965 - Launch Vehicle: CZ-1.
  • Project 651 Nation: China. Spacecraft: DFH-1.

    Zhou En Lai approves the plan for the construction and launch of China's first satellite.

1965 - 17:54 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: LA3A. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Scout. Model: Scout B. LV Configuration: Scout B S131R.
  • SECOR 5 (EGRS 5) Nation: USA. Payload: SEV / FW4S. Mass: 24 kg (52 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Geodetic. Spacecraft: SECOR. Agency: NASA LaR. Perigee: 1,134 km (704 mi). Apogee: 2,419 km (1,503 mi). Inclination: 69.20 deg. Period: 122.20 min. COSPAR: 1965-063A. USAF Sat Cat: 1506.

    Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space (US Cat B).

  • Secor 5 Nation: USA. Payload: Secor 5. Spacecraft: SECOR. Agency: USA. Perigee: 1,136 km (705 mi). Apogee: 2,424 km (1,506 mi). Inclination: 69.20 deg. Period: 122.22 min. COSPAR: 1965-063B. USAF Sat Cat: 1502.

1965 - 19:24 GMT - Launch Site: Delamar Dry Lake DZ. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 37.3 N x 114.9 W. Launch Vehicle: X-15. LV Configuration: X-15 3-46-70.
  • X-15A Northrop Scan,BLN test Nation: USA. Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 82 km (50 mi).

    Maximum Speed - 5712 kph. Maximum Altitude - 82601 m. Astronaut wings flight (USAF definition).

1965 - 23:13 GMT - Launch Site: Salto di Quirra. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Model: Skylark 7C. LV Configuration: Skylark-7C ESRO S05/1.
  • Ultraviolet photometer Ultraviolet astronomy mission Nation: Europe. Agency: ESRO. Apogee: 215 km (133 mi).

1966 -
  • Soyuz schedule has been delayed again Nation: USSR. Program: Soyuz. Spacecraft: Soyuz 7K-OK. Flight: Soyuz 1, Soyuz 2A, Souyz 3A, Soyuz 4A.

    Soyuz s/n 1 and 2 will be flown unpiloted by October 1966 Manned flights aboard Soyuz s/n 3, 4, 5, 6 will not take place until the first quarter of 1967. Later Mishin tours the cosmonaut training centre - the first time in his life he has visited the place. Mishin admires the new construction from Demin's balcony on the 11th floor of cosmonaut dormitory, then goes to Tereshkova's apartment on the seventh floor, and then Gagarin's apartment. Mishin insists on drinking a toast of cognac on each visit. Tyulin reveals this is a peace mission - they want to normalize relations and get on with cosmonaut training. At Fedosiya the auxiliary parachute of a Soyuz capsule failed to open during a drop test. Kamanin believes that the Soyuz parachute system is even worse than that of Vostok. His overall impression of the Soyuz is poor: the entire spacecraft looks unimpressive. The small dimensions of hatch, antiquated communication equipment, and inadequate emergency recovery systems are only the most noticeable of many discrepancies. If the automatic docking system does not function, then the entire Soviet space program will collapse in failure.

1966 - Launch Site: Tonopah. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Sandhawk. LV Configuration: Sandhawk Sandia 281-1. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: Sandia. Apogee: 0 km ( mi).

1966 - 12:37 GMT - Launch Site: Kagoshima. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kappa. Model: Kappa 9M. LV Configuration: Kappa 9M K-9M-19.
  • VLF Doppler Ionosphere / aeronomy mission Nation: Japan. Agency: ISAS. Apogee: 330 km (200 mi).

1966 - 19:26 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC13. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: SLV-3 Agena D. LV Configuration: SLV-3 Agena D 5801 (AA17) / Agena D 6630.
  • Lunar Orbiter 1 Nation: USA. Payload: Lunar Orbiter A. Mass: 386 kg (850 lb). Class: Planetary. Type: Lunar. Spacecraft: Lunar Orbiter. Agency: NASA LaR. COSPAR: 1966-073A. USAF Sat Cat: 2394. Decay Date: 1966-10-29.

    Lunar Orbiter I was launched from Cape Kennedy Launch Complex 13 at 3:26 p.m. EDT August 10 to photograph possible Apollo landing sites from lunar orbit. The Atlas-Agena D launch vehicle injected the spacecraft into its planned 90-hour trajectory to the moon. A midcourse correction maneuver was made at 8 p.m. the next day; a planned second midcourse maneuver was not necessary. A faultless deboost maneuver on August 14 achieved the desired initial elliptic orbit around the moon, and one week later the spacecraft was commanded to make a transfer maneuver to place it in a final close-in elliptic orbit of the moon.

    During the spacecraft's stay in the final close-in orbit, the gravitational fields of the earth and the moon were expected to influence the orbital elements. The influence was verified by spacecraft tracking data, which showed that the perilune altitude varied with time. From an initial perilune altitude of 58 kilometers, the perilune decreased to 49 kilometers. At this time an orbit adjustment maneuver began an increase in the altitude, which was expected to reach a maximum after three months and then begin to decrease again. The spacecraft was expected to impact on the lunar surface about six months after the orbit adjustment.

    During the photo-acquisition phase of the flight, August 18 to 29, Lunar Orbiter I photographed the 9 selected primary potential Apollo landing sites, including the one in which Surveyor I landed; 7 other potential Apollo landing sites; the east limb of the moon; and 11 areas on the far side of the moon. Lunar Orbiter I also took photos of the earth, giving man the first view of the earth from the vicinity of the moon (this particular view has been widely publicized). A total of 207 frames (sets of medium- and high-resolution pictures) were taken, 38 while the spacecraft was in initial orbit, the remainder while it was in the final close-in orbit. Lunar Orbiter I achieved its mission objectives, and, with the exception of the high-resolution camera, the performance of the photo subsystem and other spacecraft subsystems was outstanding. At the completion of the photo readouts, the spacecraft had responded to about 5,000 discrete commands from the earth and had made about 700 maneuvers.

    Photographs obtained during the mission were assessed and screened by representatives of the Lunar Orbiter Project Office, U.S. Geological Survey, DOD mapping agencies, MSC, and Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The spacecraft was deliberately crashed into moon after the mission was completed.

1968 - Launch Vehicle: Saturn V.
  • North American not enthusiastic about plan to send Apollo 8 to moon. Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LTA, Apollo CSM. Flight: Apollo 7, Apollo 8.

    More detailed reviews within NASA showed there were still no obvious insurmountable problems that might block the plan. However North American was not too receptive to the idea. - Additional details.

1968 - 22:33 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC36A. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: SLV-3C Centaur. LV Configuration: SLV-3C Centaur AC-17 / Centaur D-1A 5104C. FAILURE: Centaur oxidizer leak. No restart.
  • ATS 4 Nation: USA. Program: ATS. Payload: ATS D. Mass: 391 kg (862 lb). Class: Technology. Type: Comsat. Spacecraft: ATS-4. Agency: NASA GSF. Perigee: 220 km (130 mi). Apogee: 769 km (477 mi). Inclination: 29.10 deg. Period: 94.50 min. COSPAR: 1968-068A. USAF Sat Cat: 3344. Decay Date: 1968-08-10.

    Applications Technology Satellite that was to have been put into a geosynchronous transfer orbit, instead was left in a nearly-useless LEO orbit. ATS-4 included two cesium contact ion engines. Flight test objectives were to measure thrust and to examine electromagnetic compatibility with other spacecraft subsystems. The 5 cm diameter thrusters were designed to operate at 0.02 kW and provide about 89 microN thrust at about 6700 s specific impulse. The thrusters had the capability to operate at 5 setpoints from 18 to 89 microN. Thrusters were configured so they could be used for East-West station-keeping. Prior to launch, a 5 cm cesium thruster was life tested for 2245 hours at the 67 microN thrust level. However the Centaur upper stage did not achieve a second burn and the spacecraft remained attached to the Centaur in a 218 km by 760 km orbit. It was estimated that the pressure at these altitudes was between 10^-6 and 10^-8 Torr. Each of the two engines was tested on at least two occasions each over the throttling range. Combined test time of the two engines was about 10 hours over a 55 day period. The spacecraft re-entered the atmosphere on October 17, 1968. TheATS-4 flight was the first successful orbital test of an ion engine. There was no evidence of IPS electromagnetic interference related to spacecraft subsystems. Measured values of neutralizer emission current were much less than the ion beam current, implying inadequate neutralization. The spacecraft potential was about -132V which was much different than the anticipated value of about -40V.

1970 -
  • Vacations in Russia. Nation: USSR.

    Kutakhov returns from Egypt. Borman will visit the USSR again tomorrow. Afterwards Kamnin will head for a holiday at the spa at Chemitokvadze in the Kavkaz region.

1970 - 00:50 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Complex: C. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Belier. Model: Centaure. LV Configuration: Centaure C51/2.
  • ESRO C51 / 2 Aeronomy mission Nation: Europe. Agency: ESRO. Apogee: 154 km (95 mi).

1970 - 06:12 GMT - Launch Site: Atlantic Ocean. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 39.0 N x 30.0 W. Launch Vehicle: MR-12.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USSR. Apogee: 158 km (98 mi).

1970 - 16:37 GMT - Launch Site: Atlantic Ocean. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 39.0 N x 30.0 W. Launch Vehicle: MR-12.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USSR. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).

1970 - 19:59 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC133/1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 2. Model: Kosmos 11K63.
  • Cosmos 356 Nation: USSR. Program: DS. Payload: DS-U2-MG s/n 2. Mass: 357 kg (787 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Spacecraft: DS-U2-MG. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 231 km (143 mi). Apogee: 573 km (356 mi). Inclination: 82.00 deg. Period: 92.60 min. COSPAR: 1970-059A. USAF Sat Cat: 4487. Completed Operations Date: 1970-10-03. Decay Date: 1970-10-02.

    Studed the Earth's magnetic poles.

1971 - 02:24 GMT - Launch Site: Syowa Base. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: S. Model: S-210. LV Configuration: S-210JA-1.
  • Auroral mission Nation: Japan. Agency: NIPR. Apogee: 139 km (86 mi).

1971 - 04:40 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee 170. LV Configuration: Aerobee 170 NASA 13.18DG.
  • NRL NB4.243 Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

1971 - 05:30 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee 170A. LV Configuration: Aerobee 170A NASA 13.08GG.
  • Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

1972 - 00:32 GMT - Launch Site: Jiuquan. Launch Complex: LA2B. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: CZ. Model: FB-1. LV Configuration: Feng Bao 1 701-02.
  • Shiyan Peizhong Nation: China. Agency: PRC. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

    Research and Development Suborbital Flight

1972 - 05:45 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee 170. LV Configuration: Aerobee 170 NASA 13.38UG.
  • X-ray astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

1972 - 06:59 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee 170. LV Configuration: Aerobee 170 NASA 13.23UG.
  • Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

1973 - 10:52 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee 150. LV Configuration: Aerobee 150 CRL A03.211-1.
  • Bremstrahlung Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: AFCRL. Apogee: 168 km (104 mi).

1973 - 15:05 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Apache. Model: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache NASA 14.514UI.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 188 km (116 mi).

1977 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF08. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3.
  • FOT GT59GM-1 Follow-on Test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1977 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC31. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Zenit-4MKM Nation: USSR. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Zenit-4MKM. COSPAR: F770810A. Decay Date: 1977-08-30.

    High resolution photo reconnaissance mission.

1977 - 05:01 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Apache. Model: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache NASA 14.534UE.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

1977 - 12:47 GMT - Launch Site: Syowa Base. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: S. Model: S-210. LV Configuration: S-210JA-27.
  • NO airglow Aurora mission Nation: Japan. Agency: NIPR. Apogee: 120 km (70 mi).

1979 -
  • Ferry flight, KSC to Atlanta Nation: USA. Program: STS. Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Enterprise.

    Ferry flight, shuttle carrier aircraft/Enterprise (OV-101), KSC to Atlanta (1 hour, 55 minutes)

1979 - Launch Site: Sriharikota. Launch Complex: SLV. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: SLV. Model: SLV-3. LV Configuration: SLV-3 SLV-3-E1. FAILURE: Thrust vectoring of second stage failed.
  • Rohini 1A Nation: India. Payload: Rohini RS-1. Class: Technology. Spacecraft: Rohini 1A. Agency: ISRO. COSPAR: F790810A. Decay Date: 1979-08-19.

1979 - 00:20 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC17A. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Delta 2914. LV Configuration: Delta 2914 638/D149.
  • Westar 3 Nation: USA. Program: Westar. Mass: 572 kg (1,261 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 333. Agency: WUTC. Perigee: 35,868 km (22,287 mi). Apogee: 35,883 km (22,296 mi). Inclination: 10.20 deg. Period: 1,440.60 min. COSPAR: 1979-072A. USAF Sat Cat: 11484. Completed Operations Date: 1990-01-24.

    Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 91 deg W in 1979-1990 As of 2 September 2001 located at 7.26 deg W drifting at 1.139 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 158.25E drifting at 1.129W degrees per day.

1979 - 17:12 GMT - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: MR-12.
  • Aeronomy/Ionosphere mission Nation: USSR. Apogee: 160 km (90 mi).

1981 - 20:03 GMT - Launch Site: Tanegashima. Launch Complex: N. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: N-2. LV Configuration: N-2 N-8(F).
  • Himawari 2 Nation: Japan. Payload: GMS 2. Mass: 670 kg (1,470 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Weather. Spacecraft: GMS. Agency: NASDA. Perigee: 35,943 km (22,333 mi). Apogee: 36,034 km (22,390 mi). Inclination: 12.90 deg. Period: 1,446.40 min. COSPAR: 1981-076A. USAF Sat Cat: 12677. Completed Operations Date: 1988-02-01.

    Geostationary meteorological satellite. N launch vehicle flight number 8 (N-II launch vehicle). Launch time 2003 UT. Launching organization: National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA). Geostationary longitude 140 deg E. Function: 1) Observation of meteorological phenomena by the visible and infra-red spin scan radiometer. 2) Collection of weather data from various stations. 3) Distribution of weather data to earth stations. 4) Monitoring of solar particles. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 160 deg E in 1981; 140 deg E in 1981-1984; 145 deg E in 1984-1985; 120 deg E in 1985-1988 As of 31 August 2001 located at 33.93 deg E drifting at 2.598 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 153.66W drifting at 2.594W degrees per day.

1982 - 17:16 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 8C. LV Configuration: Black Brant 8C NASA 27.76UL.
  • Extreme ultraviolet Absolute Calibration Solar extreme ultraviolet mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 323 km (200 mi).

1983 - 13:00 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC31. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U.
  • Cosmos 1489 Nation: USSR. Payload: Yantar-4K1 s/n 252. Mass: 6,600 kg (14,500 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Yantar-4K1. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 173 km (107 mi). Apogee: 299 km (185 mi). Inclination: 64.70 deg. Period: 89.20 min. COSPAR: 1983-083A. USAF Sat Cat: 14256. Duration: 44.00 days. Decay Date: 1983-09-23.

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

1983 - 18:24 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC200/39. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Proton. Model: Proton-K/DM-2. LV Configuration: Proton-K/DM-2 317-01.
  • Cosmos 1490 Nation: USSR. Payload: Glonass s/n 12L. Mass: 1,250 kg (2,750 lb). Class: Navigation. Spacecraft: Glonass . Agency: MOM. Perigee: 19,100 km (11,800 mi). Apogee: 19,160 km (11,900 mi). Inclination: 65.90 deg. Period: 675.70 min. COSPAR: 1983-084A. USAF Sat Cat: 14258.

    Glonass test flight. Testing components and apparatus from the space navigation system being set up to determine the position of the Soviet civil aircraft and vessels in the Soviet navy and fishing fleet. Three satellites launched by a single carrier rocket.

  • Cosmos 1491 Nation: USSR. Payload: Glonass s/n 13L. Mass: 1,250 kg (2,750 lb). Class: Navigation. Spacecraft: Glonass. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 18,863 km (11,720 mi). Apogee: 19,028 km (11,823 mi). Inclination: 65.80 deg. Period: 668.40 min. COSPAR: 1983-084B. USAF Sat Cat: 14259.

    Glonass test flight. Testing components and apparatus from the space navigation system being set up to determine the position of the Soviet civil aircraft and vessels in the Soviet navy and fishing fleet. Three satellites launched by a single carrier rocket.

  • Cosmos 1492 Nation: USSR. Payload: Glonass Dummy. Mass: 1,250 kg (2,750 lb). Class: Navigation. Spacecraft: Glonass. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 19,156 km (11,902 mi). Apogee: 19,159 km (11,904 mi). Inclination: 65.90 deg. Period: 676.80 min. COSPAR: 1983-084C. USAF Sat Cat: 14260.

    Glonass test flight. Testing components and apparatus from the space navigation system being set up to determine the position of the Soviet civil aircraft and vessels in the Soviet navy and fishing fleet. Three satellites launched by a single carrier rocket.

1984 - 00:03 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Molniya 8K78M. LV Configuration: Molniya 8K78M-ML.
  • Molniya 1-61 Nation: USSR. Program: Molniya. Payload: Molniya-1T. Mass: 1,800 kg (3,900 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Molniya-1T. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 1,935 km (1,202 mi). Apogee: 38,330 km (23,810 mi). Inclination: 64.20 deg. Period: 716.00 min. COSPAR: 1984-085A. USAF Sat Cat: 15182. Decay Date: 2002-12-31.

    Operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radio communications system in the USSR; transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to stations in the Orbita network.

1985 - 17:00 GMT - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Poseidon.
  • Demonstration and shakedown operations launch Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1990 -
  • Magellan, Venus Orbit Insertion Nation: USA. Spacecraft: Magellan.

1990 - 20:18 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Molniya 8K78M. LV Configuration: Molniya 8K78M-ML.
  • Molniya 1-78 Nation: USSR. Program: Molniya. Payload: Molniya-1T. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Molniya-1T. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 1,099 km (682 mi). Apogee: 39,251 km (24,389 mi). Inclination: 63.80 deg. Period: 717.70 min. COSPAR: 1990-071A. USAF Sat Cat: 20742.

    Operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radio communications system in the USSR; transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to stations in the Orbita network and within the framework of international cooperation.

1991 -
  • China accepts nuclear nonproliferation treaty Nation: China.

1991 - Launch Vehicle: Shuttle.
  • Shuttle Columbia overhauled at Palmdale Nation: USA. Program: STS. Spacecraft: Columbia.

    The orbiter returned to service on 9 February 1992. 62 modifications were made, including replacement of the nose cap; removal of the SEADS and SUMS experiment packages; new Auxiliary Power Units installed; carbon brakes and a drag chute installed; Orbiter 6.0 structural modifications made; AP-101S General Purpose Computers replaced the older AP-101P's; and the Thermal Protection System was reworked.

1992 - 23:08 GMT - Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: ELA2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Ariane. Model: Ariane 42P. LV Configuration: Ariane 42P V52.
  • Topex/Poseidon Nation: France. Mass: 2,402 kg (5,295 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Seasat. Spacecraft: Topex/Poseidon. Agency: JPL/CNES. Perigee: 1,331 km (827 mi). Apogee: 1,344 km (835 mi). Inclination: 66.00 deg. Period: 112.40 min. COSPAR: 1992-052A. USAF Sat Cat: 22076.

    Ocean sensing, mapping. Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space (US Cat B).

  • Oscar 23 Nation: Korea South. Program: Oscar. Payload: Kitsat-A. Mass: 50 kg (110 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Amateur Radio. Spacecraft: MicroSat-70. Manufacturer: Surrey. Agency: KAIST. Perigee: 1,310 km (810 mi). Apogee: 1,322 km (821 mi). Inclination: 66.10 deg. Period: 111.90 min. COSPAR: 1992-052B. USAF Sat Cat: 22077.

    Korean's first satellite achieved via a technology transfer programme with Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. Carried store and forward communications, DSP and Earth observation payloads. Still operational in 2000.

  • S80/T Nation: France. Mass: 50 kg (110 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: MicroSat-70. Manufacturer: Surrey. Agency: CNES. Perigee: 1,308 km (812 mi). Apogee: 1,322 km (821 mi). Inclination: 66.10 deg. Period: 111.90 min. COSPAR: 1992-052C. USAF Sat Cat: 22078.

    An industrial research microsatellite built by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) for Matra and CNES to carry out 'Little LEO' communications service experiments. Still operational in 2000. S80/T was designed to investigate the technical feasibility of using a constellation of small satellites placed in near-Earth orbit to provide global communications and position location using only hand-held terminals. S80/T was the first fully commercial application of the SSTL multi-mission, modular microsatellite platform developed at the University of Surrey. The same basic platform was also used for the Korean KITSAT-A microsatellite, which accompanied S80/T into orbit on the same launch. The S80/T mission was completed, from concept to launch, within one year and SSTL delivered the platform, associated groundstation equipment and would be providing operations support during the mission within a contract of less than £1M.

1992 -
  • Landing of Soyuz TM-14 Nation: Russia. Program: Mir. Flight: Mir EO-11, Mir Antares, Mir EO-12.

    The Soyuz TM-14 crew, Aleksandr Viktorenko and Aleksandr Kaleri, returned to Earth together with French astronaut Michel Tognini. The Soyuz TM-14 undocked from Mir at 21:47 GMT on August 9, and landed in Kazakhstan at 01:07 GMT on August 10.

1993 - 14:53 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC16/2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Molniya 8K78M. LV Configuration: Molniya 8K78M-2BL.
  • Cosmos 2261 Nation: Russia. Payload: Oko #74. Mass: 1,900 kg (4,100 lb). Class: Early Warning. Spacecraft: Oko. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 4,370 km (2,710 mi). Apogee: 35,967 km (22,348 mi). Inclination: 66.60 deg. Period: 717.40 min. COSPAR: 1993-051A. USAF Sat Cat: 22741.

    Covered Oko constellation plane 9 - 235 degree longitude of ascending node.

1993 - 22:23 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U. LV Configuration: Soyuz 11A511U N15000-634.
  • Progress M-19 Nation: Russia. Program: Mir. Payload: Progress M s/n 219. Mass: 7,250 kg (15,980 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Logistics. Spacecraft: Progress M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 179 km (111 mi). Apogee: 223 km (138 mi). Inclination: 51.80 deg. Period: 88.50 min. COSPAR: 1993-052A. USAF Sat Cat: 22745. Duration: 69.08 days. Completed Operations Date: 1993-10-20 00:17:41 PM. Decay Date: 1993-10-20 00:17:41 PM. Flight: Mir EO-14.

    Unmanned resupply vessel to Mir. Docked with Mir at the Kvant rear port on 13 Aug 1993 00:00:06 GMT. Undocked on 13 Oct 1993 17:59:06 GMT. Destroyed in reentry on 19 Oct 1993 00:22:14 GMT. Total free-flight time 7.33 days. Total docked time 61.75 days.

1994 - 23:05 GMT - Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: ELA2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Ariane. Model: Ariane 44LP. LV Configuration: Ariane 44LP+ V66.
  • Brasilsat B1 Nation: Brazil. Program: Brasilsat. Mass: 1,765 kg (3,891 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 376W. Agency: Tele Mex. Perigee: 35,782 km (22,233 mi). Apogee: 35,791 km (22,239 mi). Inclination: 0.0300 deg. Period: 1,436.12 min. COSPAR: 1994-049A. USAF Sat Cat: 23199.

    28 C-band transponders, 1 X-band transponder (military). Stationed at 70.05 deg W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 70 deg W in 1994-1999 As of 3 September 2001 located at 70.00 deg W drifting at 0.003 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 71.44W drifting at 0.304W degrees per day.

  • Turksat 1B Nation: Turkey. Program: Turksat. Mass: 1,779 kg (3,922 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Spacebus 2000. Manufacturer: Aerospatiale. Agency: Turk Tel. Perigee: 35,774 km (22,228 mi). Apogee: 35,798 km (22,243 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 1994-049B. USAF Sat Cat: 23200.

    16 Ku-band transponders. Stationed at 41.92 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 42 deg E in 1994-1996; 31 deg E in 1996-1999 As of 4 September 2001 located at 31.29 deg E drifting at 0.000 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 6 located at 144.60E drifting at 4.406W degrees per day.

1997 - 13:36 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Viper. Model: Viper 3A. LV Configuration: Viper 3A Falling Sphere.
  • CRISTA Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 123 km (76 mi).

1997 - 21:30 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Loki. Model: Super Loki. LV Configuration: Super Loki Falling Sphere.
  • CRISTA Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 111 km (68 mi).

2001 - 21:10 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC39A. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. LV Configuration: Space Shuttle STS-105.
  • STS-105 Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Payload: Discovery F30 / Leonardo. Mass: 116,914 kg (257,751 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Discovery. Manufacturer: Boeing. Agency: NASA JSC. Perigee: 373 km (231 mi). Apogee: 402 km (249 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. COSPAR: 2001-035A. USAF Sat Cat: 26888. Duration: 11.88 days. Decay Date: 2001-08-22. Crew: Horowitz, Sturckow, Barry, Forrester, Culbertson, Dezhurov, Tyurin. Flight: STS-105, ISS EO-3.

    STS 105 was an American shuttle that carried a crew of ten (including three crew for the ISS - one American and two Russian), five tonnes of supplies, hardware, and a bedroom suite to accommodate a third astronaut in the Destiny module. The crew installed in the station two new science experiment racks that were carried in the Leonardo container which was first lifted out of the shuttle and bolted to the Unity module. Leonardo then carried back all the trash from the ISS back to the shuttle. They crew installed the MISSE (Materials International Space Station Experiment) container outside the ISS to test the effect of radiation on materials and some low-cost science experiments such as microgravity cell growth studies inside the station.

    The 15,107 kg payload consisted of:

    • Bay 1-2: Orbiter Docking System/External Airlock and 3 EMU spacesuits - 2160 kg
    • Bay 4P: Adapter beam with G-780 (Mayo High School, Rochester, Minnesota experiment to study germination of faba beans) and PSP-1 (NASA-GSFC canister with passive experiments and ballast) - 200 kg
    • Bay 5: Integrated Cargo Carrier/KYD - 1280 kg, with the Early Ammonia Servicer for the station's P6 truss- 640 kg and two small exposure experiments PEC-1 and PEC-2, to be installed on the be installed on the ISS Quest module as part of the MISSE materials exposure program
    • Bay 7-12: MPLM FM1 (Leonardo) module - 9800 kg total including 3300 kg of payload to be transferred to the Station
    • Bay 13P: Adapter beam with G-774 (Microgravity Smoldering Combustion (MSC) experiment) and SEM-10 (canister with 11 school experiments) - 410 kg
    • Bay 13S: Adapter beam with Simplesat and ACE avionics - 355 kg
    • Sill: RMS arm - 410 kg
    STS-105 main engine cutoff was at 2118 GMT placed Discovery and external tank ET-110 into a 58 x 234 km x 51.6 deg orbit. At 2148 GMT Discovery reached apogee and fired its OMS engines to enter a 155 x 233 km x 51.6 deg orbit; another burn at 0100 GMT raised the orbit to 198 x 277 km. Discovery docked at the Station's PMA-2 port at 1842 GMT on August 12. After some problems aligning the docking system, the docking ring was retracted and latched at 1905 GMT and the hatch was opened to ISS at 2042 GMT. Expedition 3 began on August 13 at 1915 GMT when the new crew's seat liners were installed on the Soyuz transport ship. The formal EX-2/EX-3 change-of-command ceremony was held on August 17 in Destiny.

    The Leonardo MPLM module was lifted out of Discovery's payload bay at 1326 GMT on August 13 and docked to Unity's nadir at 1554 GMT. 3300 kg of cargo from Leonardo was transferred to the Station. Then 1700 kg of station garbage and materials were loaded into Leonardo. It was unberthed from Unity at 1816 GMT on August 19 and returned to the payload bay for the return to Earth at 1917 GMT.

    Discovery undocked at 1452 GMT on August 20 with the Expedition 2 crew aboard, leaving Expedition 3 at the Station.

    At 1830 GMT on August 20 the Simplesat test satellite was ejected from a GAS canister in the cargo bay. Discovery landed at Kennedy Space Center at 1822:58 GMT on August 22 on runway 15, after a deorbit burn at 1715 GMT. The Expedition Two crew of Usachyov, Voss and Helms had been in space for 167 days. Discovery was taken out of service after the flight for structural inspections. Its last maintenance down period was in 1995-1996.


Born on this day in:

Died on this day in:
  • 1974 - Wallace Reed Brode.  American Scientist. Cause of Death: Washington, District Of Columbia, DC, SSN 530-12-7584.

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