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1934 -

  • Austrian Defence Ministry rejects Saenger's rocketplane proposal Nation: Austria.

    The Ministry rejects Saenger's prposed rocket bomber, on the grounds that liquid rocket engines will never be feasible due to the explosive nature of the chemical reactions involved.

1943 - Launch Site: Peenemuende. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: V-2.
  • Peenemuende privatisation Nation: Germany.

    In a meeting with Professor Hettlage, of the Financial and Organisational Ministry of the German Defence Industry, it was proposed that Peenemuende be made a private country, with the Nazi Party and selected corporations (AEG, Siemens, Lorenz, Rheinmetall) being its shareholders. Dornberger saw Degenkolb behind this plan, and was determined to keep Peenemuende an Army proving ground. He felt that an asset, on which several hundred million Marks had been invested by the government, was being handed over to private hands for 1 to 2 million Marks. The investors intended to recover their entire investment back on a fee paid for each missile built. In the end Dornberger managed to keep Peenemuende an Army proving ground, but then he had to fight off an attempt by AEG to take over the electronics side of the development team. The rocket team's electronic engineers were years ahead of the rest of the industry, and a tempting target.

1954 - Launch Vehicle: R-11. Model: R-11FM.
  • R-11FM platform development authorised Nation: USSR.

    Council of Soviet Ministers (SM) Decree 'On creation of the submerged submarine-launched ballistic missile' was issued.

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 820.
  • Operational test Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1958 -
  • Russia links ICBM abolition to nuclear weapon ban. Nation: USSR.

    Soviet Premier Nikolai A. Bulganin in a letter to President Eisenhower stated that the Soviet Union "is ready to examine also the question of the intercontinental rockets if the Western powers are willing to reach agreement to ban atomic and hydrogen weapons, to end tests thereof, and to liquidate foreign military bases in other nations' territories. In that case, an agreement on the use of outer space for peaceful purposes only would unquestionably meet no difficulties."

1958 - 18:02 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee Hi. LV Configuration: Aerobee Hi NN3.10F.
  • NRL NN3.10F Test / ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 138 km (85 mi).

1963 - 09:29 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Molniya 8K78/E6. LV Configuration: Molniya 8K78/E6 G103-10. FAILURE: Upper stage gyro platform failure.
  • E-6 s/n 2 failure. Nation: USSR. Program: Luna. Payload: E-6 s/n 2. Class: Planetary. Type: Lunar. Spacecraft: Luna E-6. Agency: RVSN. COSPAR: F630203A. Decay Date: 1963-02-03.

    Apparent causes were instabilities in the torque sensor circuit and the pitch-free floating gyro device. The upper stages and payload broke up on re-entry into the atmosphere over the Pacific.

1964 - 16:41 GMT - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Polaris. Model: Polaris A2. LV Configuration: Polaris A2P-255.
  • Operational test Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1965 -
  • Vykhod airlock experiments Nation: USSR. Program: Voskhod. Spacecraft: Voskhod. Flight: Voskhod 2.

    At Chkalovskiy Airfield, the Vykhod airlock experiments are repeated, this time to an altitude of 37 km. This time the tests, run at up to 37 km equivalent altitude, are successful. The cosmonaut's pulse reached 90-108 per minute during the effort to get into the lock and open it. In all the test took two hours, but Korolev was pleased with the results. But afterwards he differs with Kamanin in the need for a 16-m arm centrifuge to be used for cosmonaut training. It should mainly be used by industry, Korolev believes.

1965 - Launch Site: Tonopah. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tomahawk Sandia. LV Configuration: Tomahawk Sandia 152-47.
  • Magnus Test / aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: Sandia. Apogee: 106 km (65 mi).

1965 - 16:36 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC17B. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Thor Delta C. LV Configuration: Thor Delta C 411/D29.
  • OSO 2 Nation: USA. Payload: OSO B2 (S-17). Mass: 247 kg (544 lb). Class: Solar. Spacecraft: OSO. Agency: NASA GSF. Perigee: 294 km (182 mi). Apogee: 306 km (190 mi). Inclination: 32.80 deg. Period: 90.50 min. COSPAR: 1965-007A. USAF Sat Cat: 987. Decay Date: 1989-08-09.

    Orbiting Solar Observatory; returned solar X-ray, UV, gamma ray data. Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space (US Cat B).

1965 - 18:08 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Apache. Model: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache NASA 14.61UE.
  • UNH Particles Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 141 km (87 mi).

1966 -
  • Luna 9 Landing on the Moon (first Moon Landing) Nation: USSR.

1966 - Launch Site: Green River. Launch Complex: Pad 3. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Athena RTV. LV Configuration: Athena C030.
  • USAF C030 re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

1966 - 07:41 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC17A. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Thor Delta C. LV Configuration: Thor Delta C 445/D36.
  • ESSA 1 Nation: USA. Program: Tiros. Payload: Tiros OT3. Mass: 138 kg (304 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Weather. Spacecraft: Tiros. Agency: ESSA. Perigee: 684 km (425 mi). Apogee: 806 km (500 mi). Inclination: 97.80 deg. Period: 99.70 min. COSPAR: 1966-008A. USAF Sat Cat: 1982.

    Environmental Survey Satellite. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C).

1966 - 11:11 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: 395-D. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Titan. Model: Titan 2. LV Configuration: Titan II B-87.
  • Winter Ice operational test Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1966 - 18:31 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Cajun. Model: Nike Cajun. LV Configuration: Nike Cajun NASA 10.159UA.
  • Spheres (UM) Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 131 km (81 mi).

1967 - 17:52 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Cajun. Model: Nike Cajun. LV Configuration: Nike Cajun NASA 10.222GM.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 112 km (69 mi).

1967 - 21:00 GMT - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: MR-12.
  • Airglow Solar / aeronomy mission Nation: USSR. Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 153 km (95 mi).

1968 -
  • Ye-8-5 robot lunar soil return plans Nation: USSR. Program: Lunar L1, Luna, Lunar L3. Spacecraft: Luna Ye-8.

    VVS Party Conference. It is clear to Kamanin that there is no support from the Air Force for manned spaceflight. Kamanin only heard yesterday that Babakin is working on an automatic soil sample return spacecraft. He will need a minimum of two to three years to complete it. Kamanin complained that it would interfere with plans for the L1 program. An uninterrupted series of flights will be needed to complete the L1 spacecraft qualification, and the Ye-8, using the same booster, could be an interference in achieving that goal.

1968 - 17:12 GMT - Launch Site: South Uist. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Petrel. Model: Petrel 1. LV Configuration: Petrel P5H.
  • Electrons Ionosphere mission Nation: UK. Agency: SRC. Apogee: 140 km (80 mi).

1969 -
  • 12-month plan for Apollo missions Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Flight: Apollo 10, Apollo 11, Apollo 12, Apollo 13, Apollo 9.

    NASA Hq. released a 12-month forecast of manned space flight missions, reflecting an assessment of launch schedules for planning purposes. Five flights were scheduled for the remainder of 1969:

    • Apollo 9 - February 28, SA-504, CSM 104, LM-3; manned orbital; up to 10 days' duration; Atlantic recovery.
    • Apollo 10 - May 17, SA-505, CSM 106, LM-4; manned lunar mission, Pacific recovery.
    • Apollo 11 - SA-506, CSM 107, LM-5; manned lunar mission; up to 11 days' duration; Pacific recovery.
    • Apollo 12 - SA-507, CSM 108, LM-6; manned lunar mission; up to 11 days; Pacific recovery.
    • Apollo 13 - SA-508, CSM 109, LM-7; manned lunar mission; up to 11 days' duration; Pacific recovery.
1969 - Launch Vehicle: N1.
  • N1/Ye-8 preparations Nation: USSR. Program: Lunar L3, Luna. Spacecraft: Luna Ye-8-5, LK.

    Kamanin arrives at Tyuratam at 15:30 aboard an An-24. The State Commission for the first Ye-8 robot lunar rover mission is chaired by Tyulin at Area 31. The spacecraft will make a soft landing on the moon, deploy a mobile lunar rover that can traverse slopes up to 30 degrees. The rover will find a position that is clear of obstacles for the first Soviet manned lunar landing. It will then park there, and provide a landing beacon for the LK manned lander. The spacecraft will have a mass of 1700 kg in lunar orbit. Launch is set for 19-20 February.

1969 - 21:05 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Petrel. Model: Petrel 1. LV Configuration: Petrel P24K.
  • Electrons Ionosphere mission Nation: UK. Agency: SRC. Apogee: 157 km (97 mi).

1970 - 06:03 GMT - Launch Site: Tanegashima. Launch Complex: T. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Lambda. Model: LS-C. LV Configuration: LS-C-3.
  • Test mission Nation: Japan. Agency: NASDA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1970 - 22:24 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tomahawk Sandia. Model: Nike Tomahawk. LV Configuration: Nike Tomahawk NASA 18.113IE.
  • Ferdinand 25 / Polar 1 Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 283 km (175 mi).

1971 -
  • First Svinets test successful. Nation: USSR. Program: Salyut. Spacecraft: Salyut 1.

    Leonov reports that the Tu-104 was ready last night for the flight to observe a rocket launch using the Svinets device. All went normally. The second launch will be made tonight at 20:00.

1971 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF24. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 2.
  • FOT GT101F Follow-on Test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1971 - 01:41 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC17A. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Thor Delta M. LV Configuration: Thor Delta M 560/D82.
  • NATO 2 Nation: NATO. Program: NATO. Payload: NATO IIB. Mass: 243 kg (535 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military. Spacecraft: NATO 1. Agency: NATO. Perigee: 35,772 km (22,227 mi). Apogee: 35,802 km (22,246 mi). Inclination: 13.90 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 1971-009A. USAF Sat Cat: 4902. Completed Operations Date: 1984-06-01.

    Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). Positioned in geosynchronous orbit over the Atlantic Ocean at 26 deg W in 1971-1975?; over the Americas at 105 deg W in 1976-1983; over the Americas at 110 deg W in 1983; over the Americas at 105 deg W in 1983-1998 As of 5 September 2001 located at 104.88 deg W drifting at 0.004 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 105.24W drifting at 0.007W degrees per day.

1972 - 08:40 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: LC1 or LC31. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Voskhod 11A57.
  • Cosmos 473 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Zenit-2M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 203 km (126 mi). Apogee: 309 km (192 mi). Inclination: 65.00 deg. Period: 89.60 min. COSPAR: 1972-006A. USAF Sat Cat: 5821. Duration: 12.00 days. Decay Date: 1972-02-15.

    Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule.

1972 - 10:27 GMT - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Cockatoo. LV Configuration: Cockatoo 1023.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: Australia. Agency: WRE. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1972 - 13:55 GMT - Launch Site: Natal. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 5C. LV Configuration: Black Brant VC N-BB/V-42.
  • DLR N-BBV-42 Aurora / ionosphere mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DLR. Apogee: 250 km (150 mi).

1973 - Launch Site: Kwajalein. Launch Complex: Meck. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Spartan. LV Configuration: Spartan ABM 800035.
  • Safeguard M2-43 Interceptor mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1973 - 05:48 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: LC1 or LC31. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Molniya 8K78M.
  • Molniya 1-23 Nation: USSR. Program: Molniya. Payload: Molniya-1. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Molniya-1. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 476 km (295 mi). Apogee: 39,602 km (24,607 mi). Inclination: 65.00 deg. Period: 712.20 min. COSPAR: 1973-007A. USAF Sat Cat: 6356. Decay Date: 1977-10-23.

    Uncertain if Molniya-1T model was Molniya-1 or Molniya-1T. Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.

1974 - 15:19 GMT -
  • EVA Skylab 4-4 Nation: USA. Program: Skylab. Class: Manned. Type: Space station. Spacecraft: Skylab. Crew: Carr, Gibson Edward. Flight: Skylab 4. EVA Duration: 0.22 days.

    Retrieved solar camera film cartridges and external materials exposure package.

1975 - 09:16 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee 350. LV Configuration: Aerobee 350 NASA 17.13CG.
  • Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 253 km (157 mi).

1976 -
  • Franco-Soviet space cooperation approved. Nation: USSR.

    TsK and SM Decree 'On USSR-France co-operation in space' was issued.

1976 - 08:16 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Model: Kosmos 11K65M. LV Configuration: Kosmos 11K65M 53721-282.
  • Cosmos 800 Nation: USSR. Mass: 650 kg (1,430 lb). Class: Navigation. Spacecraft: Tsiklon. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 978 km (607 mi). Apogee: 1,009 km (626 mi). Inclination: 83.00 deg. Period: 105.00 min. COSPAR: 1976-011A. USAF Sat Cat: 8645.

    Military navigation satellite.

1976 - 21:15 GMT - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Poseidon.
  • FOT-17? Follow-on operational missile test Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1976 - 21:16 GMT - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Poseidon.
  • FOT-17? Follow-on operational missile test Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1976 - 21:47 GMT - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Poseidon.
  • FOT-17? Follow-on operational missile test Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1977 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC103. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-36M.
  • Missile accuracy test launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1979 -
  • Complete combined systems test, Palmdale, Columbia Nation: USA. Program: STS. Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Columbia.

1980 - 01:12 GMT - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Poseidon.
  • FOT-38? Follow-on operational missile test Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1980 - 01:13 GMT - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Poseidon.
  • FOT-38? Follow-on operational missile test Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1980 - 01:13 GMT - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Poseidon.
  • FOT-38? Follow-on operational missile test Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1982 - 16:30 GMT - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Polaris. Model: Polaris A3. LV Configuration: Polaris A3TK.
  • Chevaline demonstration and shakedown operations launch Nation: USA. Agency: RN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1984 - 13:00 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC39A. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. LV Configuration: Space Shuttle STS-11/41-B.
  • STS-41-B Nation: USA. Program: STS. Payload: Challenger F04 / SPAS 1A. Mass: 15,362 kg (33,867 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Challenger. Agency: NASA JSC. Perigee: 307 km (190 mi). Apogee: 316 km (196 mi). Inclination: 28.50 deg. Period: 90.80 min. COSPAR: 1984-011A. USAF Sat Cat: 14681. Duration: 7.97 days. Decay Date: 1984-02-11. Crew: Brand, Gibson, McCandless, McNair, Stewart. Flight: STS-41-B.

    Manned five crew. Deployed Westar 6, Palapa B2; tested Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU). Payloads: PALAPA-B2 (Indonesian communications satellite) with Payload Assist Module (PAM)-D and WESTAR (Western Union communications satellite)-Vl with PAM-D. Both satellites were deployed but the PAM-D in each satellite failed to ignite, leaving both satellites in earth orbit. Both satellites were retrieved and returned to earth for renovation on the STS-51-A mission. The manned maneuvering unit (MMU) was tested with extravehicular astronauts as free flyers without tethers as far as 98 m from the orbiter. Shuttle Pallet Satellite (SPAS)-01 experiments, Monodisperse Latex Reactor (MLR), Isoelectric Focusing Experiment (lEF), Acoustic Containerless Experiment System (ACES), Cinema 360 cameras, five getaway specials (GAS), Aerodynamic Coefficient Identification (ACIP)/High Resolution Accelerom-eter Package (HIRAP).

  • Westar 6 Nation: USA. Program: Westar. Payload: Westar 6 [PAM-D]. Mass: 1,200 kg (2,600 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 376. Agency: WUTC. Perigee: 307 km (190 mi). Apogee: 1,220 km (750 mi). Inclination: 27.70 deg. Period: 100.10 min. COSPAR: 1984-011B. USAF Sat Cat: 14688. Decay Date: 1984-11-16.

    Deployed from STS 41B 4 February 1984; failed to reach proper orbit; recovered by STS-51A. The Westar series of geostationary spacecraft provide commercial communications services for Western Union. Westar 6 failed to achieve geosynchronous orbit after being deployed from the Space Shuttle. It was later retrieved by another Shuttle mission (November 14, 1984) and returned for refurbishment and relaunch. All Westars have been launched by NASA on a reimbursable basis. Spacecraft: Westar uses the Hughes HS-376 spacecraft design. Spin stabilised with a despun antenna section. Body mounted solar cells. Once on orbit, an outer cylinder deploys downward in 'dixie-cup' fashion to increase the solar panel area. Payload: Westar spacecraft typically carried 12 to 24 transponders in the 4-6 GHz range. A single antenna reflector (72 inch diameter) is used with an array of offset feed horns. The reflector uses two polarisation-selective surfaces for horizontal and vertical polarised signals.

  • IRT Nation: USA. Payload: Challenger F4 / Westar 6 [PAM-D] / Palapa B2 [PAM-. Mass: 91 kg (200 lb). Class: Technology. Spacecraft: IRT. Agency: NASA JSC. Perigee: 279 km (173 mi). Apogee: 288 km (178 mi). Inclination: 28.50 deg. Period: 90.20 min. COSPAR: 1984-011C. USAF Sat Cat: 14689. Decay Date: 1984-02-11.

    Deployed from STS 41B on 5 February 1984; Integrated Rendezvous Target.

  • Palapa B2 Nation: Indonesia. Program: Palapa. Payload: Palapa B2 [PAM-D]. Mass: 1,200 kg (2,600 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 376. Agency: Perumtel. Perigee: 280 km (170 mi). Apogee: 1,190 km (730 mi). Inclination: 28.20 deg. Period: 99.50 min. COSPAR: 1984-011D. USAF Sat Cat: 14692. Decay Date: 1984-11-16.

    Deployed from STS 41B 4 February 1984; failed to reach proper orbit; recovered by STS-51A.

  • MMU 3 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1984-011xx.

  • MMU 2 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1984-011xx.

  • SPAS 1A Nation: USA. Class: Military. Type: SDI. Spacecraft: SPAS. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1984-011xx. USAF Sat Cat: 14681. Decay Date: 1984-02-11.

    German-built Shuttle Pallet Satellite (SPAS), first flown on STS-7, became first satellite refurbished and flown again. SPAS remained in payload bay due to electrical problem with Remote Manipulator System (RMS).

1988 - 05:53 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC3W. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas E. LV Configuration: Atlas E 54E / Star-37S-ISS.
  • USA 29 Nation: USA. Program: DMSP. Payload: DMSP S-8/Star 37S S/N 15021. Mass: 750 kg (1,650 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Weather. Spacecraft: DMSP Block 5D-2. Agency: USAF. Perigee: 807 km (501 mi). Apogee: 817 km (507 mi). Inclination: 98.50 deg. Period: 101.10 min. COSPAR: 1988-006A. USAF Sat Cat: 18822.

    Defense Meteorological Satellite Program.

1988 - 12:15 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: LC1 or LC31. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U.
  • Cosmos 1916 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,600 kg (14,500 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Yantar-4K1. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 168 km (104 mi). Apogee: 352 km (218 mi). Inclination: 64.90 deg. Period: 89.70 min. COSPAR: 1988-007A. USAF Sat Cat: 18823. Duration: 24.00 days. Decay Date: 1988-02-29.

    High resolution photo reconnaissance. Spacecraft failed. Blown up in orbit on February 27.

1993 - 02:55 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC17A. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Delta 7925. LV Configuration: Delta 7925 D218.
  • USA 88 Nation: USA. Program: Navstar. Payload: GPS 2A-18 / GPS SVN 22. Mass: 1,816 kg (4,003 lb). Class: Navigation. Spacecraft: GPS Block 2 and 2A. Manufacturer: Boeing North American, Seal Beach (formerly Rockwell). Agency: USAF. Perigee: 20,006 km (12,431 mi). Apogee: 20,359 km (12,650 mi). Inclination: 54.80 deg. Period: 718.00 min. COSPAR: 1993-007A. USAF Sat Cat: 22446.

    Global Positioning System. Placed in Plane Plane B Slot 1.

1994 - 12:10 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC39A. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. LV Configuration: Space Shuttle STS-60.
  • STS-60 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Payload: Discovery F18 / GBA-6. Mass: 13,006 kg (28,673 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Discovery. Agency: NASA JSC. Perigee: 348 km (216 mi). Apogee: 351 km (218 mi). Inclination: 56.40 deg. Period: 91.50 min. COSPAR: 1994-006A. USAF Sat Cat: 22977. Duration: 8.30 days. Decay Date: 1994-02-28. Crew: Bolden, Chang-Diaz, Davis, Krikalyov, Reightler, Sega. Flight: STS-60.

    Deployed ODERACS A-F, Bremsat, carried Wake Shield Facility. Payloads: Wake Shield Facility (WSF) 1 and SPACEHAB 02. Getaway special bridge assembly experiments: Capillary Pumped Loop (CAPL), Orbital Debris Radar Calibration Spheres (ODERACS), University of Bremen Satellite (BREMSAT), G-514, G-071, and G-536. Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment (SAREX) II; Auroral Photography Experiment (APE-B).

  • ODERACS A Nation: USA. Payload: Discovery F18 / WSF 1 / BremSat 1 / ODERACS A, ... Mass: 4.00 kg (8.80 lb). Class: Calibration. Spacecraft: ODERACS. Agency: NASA JSC. Perigee: 327 km (203 mi). Apogee: 352 km (218 mi). Inclination: 57.00 deg. Period: 91.30 min. COSPAR: 1994-006B. USAF Sat Cat: 22990. Decay Date: 1994-10-02.

    Orbital Debris Radar Calibration Sphere; deployed from STS-60. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

  • ODERACS B Nation: USA. Payload: Discovery F18 / WSF 1 / BremSat 1 / ODERACS A, ... Mass: 4.00 kg (8.80 lb). Class: Calibration. Spacecraft: ODERACS. Agency: NASA JSC. Perigee: 332 km (206 mi). Apogee: 352 km (218 mi). Inclination: 57.00 deg. Period: 91.40 min. COSPAR: 1994-006C. USAF Sat Cat: 22991. Decay Date: 1994-10-04.

    Orbital Debris Radar Calibration Sphere; deployed from STS-60. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

  • ODERACS C Nation: USA. Payload: Discovery F18 / WSF 1 / BremSat 1 / ODERACS A, ... Mass: 1.00 kg (2.20 lb). Class: Calibration. Spacecraft: ODERACS. Agency: NASA JSC. Perigee: 329 km (204 mi). Apogee: 353 km (219 mi). Inclination: 56.90 deg. Period: 91.35 min. COSPAR: 1994-006D. USAF Sat Cat: 22992. Decay Date: 1994-12-31.

    Orbital Debris Radar Calibration Sphere; deployed from STS-60.

  • ODERACS D Nation: USA. Payload: Discovery F18 / WSF 1 / BremSat 1 / ODERACS A, ... Mass: 1.00 kg (2.20 lb). Class: Calibration. Spacecraft: ODERACS. Agency: NASA JSC. Perigee: 329 km (204 mi). Apogee: 353 km (219 mi). Inclination: 56.90 deg. Period: 91.35 min. COSPAR: 1994-006E. USAF Sat Cat: 22993. Decay Date: 1994-12-31.

    Orbital Debris Radar Calibration Sphere; deployed from STS-60.

  • ODERACS E Nation: USA. Payload: Discovery F18 / WSF 1 / BremSat 1 / ODERACS A, ... Mass: 5.00 kg (11.00 lb). Class: Calibration. Spacecraft: ODERACS. Agency: NASA JSC. Perigee: 337 km (209 mi). Apogee: 356 km (221 mi). Inclination: 57.00 deg. Period: 91.50 min. COSPAR: 1994-006F. USAF Sat Cat: 22994. Decay Date: 1995-03-03.

    Orbital Debris Radar Calibration Sphere; deployed from STS-60. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

  • ODERACS F Nation: USA. Payload: Discovery F18 / WSF 1 / BremSat 1 / ODERACS A, ... Mass: 5.00 kg (11.00 lb). Class: Calibration. Spacecraft: ODERACS. Agency: NASA JSC. Perigee: 338 km (210 mi). Apogee: 356 km (221 mi). Inclination: 57.00 deg. Period: 91.50 min. COSPAR: 1994-006G. USAF Sat Cat: 22995. Decay Date: 1995-02-24.

    Orbital Debris Radar Calibration Sphere; deployed from STS-60. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

  • BremSat 1 Nation: Germany. Payload: Discovery F18 / WSF 1 / BremSat 1 / ODERACS A, ... Mass: 63 kg (138 lb). Class: Technology. Type: RV. Spacecraft: BremSat. Agency: DARA/Bre. Perigee: 156 km (96 mi). Apogee: 160 km (90 mi). Inclination: 57.00 deg. Period: 87.70 min. COSPAR: 1994-006H. USAF Sat Cat: 22998. Decay Date: 1995-02-12.

    Atomic oxygen, dust particle, microgravity, reentry experiments.

  • GBA-6 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1994-006xx. USAF Sat Cat: 22977. Decay Date: 1994-02-11.

  • Wake Shield Facility Nation: USA. Program: STS. Payload: WSF. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1994-006xx. USAF Sat Cat: 22977. Decay Date: 1994-02-11.

  • Spacehab SH-02 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Payload: Spacehab 2. Class: Manned. Type: Spacelab. Spacecraft: Spacehab. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1994-006xx. USAF Sat Cat: 22977. Decay Date: 1994-02-11.

1994 - 22:20 GMT - Launch Site: Tanegashima. Launch Complex: Y. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: H-2. Model: H-II. LV Configuration: H-II H-II-1F.
  • OREX Nation: Japan. Payload: Ryusei. Mass: 865 kg (1,906 lb). Class: Technology. Type: RV. Spacecraft: OREX. Agency: NASDA/NA. Perigee: 450 km (270 mi). Apogee: 451 km (280 mi). Inclination: 30.50 deg. Period: 93.50 min. COSPAR: 1994-007A. USAF Sat Cat: 22978. Decay Date: 1994-02-03.

    Orbital Reentry Experiment. Orbital Re-entry Experiment Vehicle (OREX) Ryusei. Acquisition of data related to atmospheric reentry. Launch vehicle H-II rocket test flight H-II 1F. Launching organization NASDA. Launch time 2220:00 UT.

  • VEP Nation: Japan. Payload: Myojo / LAPS. Mass: 2,391 kg (5,271 lb). Class: Technology. Spacecraft: VEP. Agency: NASDA. Perigee: 449 km (278 mi). Apogee: 36,261 km (22,531 mi). Inclination: 28.60 deg. Period: 645.00 min. COSPAR: 1994-007B. USAF Sat Cat: 22979.

    Vehicle Evaluation Payload; monitored H-2 performance. Vehicle Evaluation Payload (VEP) MYOJO. Provides a ranging function as well as functions to measure the acceleration and deformation, in order to confirm the accuracy of the H-II rocket orbit injection and understand the environment of the payload equipme nt. Launch vehicle H-II rocket test flight H-II 1F. Launching organization NASDA. Launch time 2220:00 UT.

1995 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC39B. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. LV Configuration: Space Shuttle STS-63.
  • ODERACS IIF Nation: USA. Class: Calibration. Spacecraft: ODERACS. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1995-004H. USAF Sat Cat: 23476.

    Reentered?

  • STS-63 Nation: USA. Program: Mir. Payload: Discovery F20 / Spacehab SH03 / CGP / ODERACS. Mass: 8,641 kg (19,050 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Discovery. Agency: NASA JSC. Perigee: 275 km (170 mi). Apogee: 342 km (212 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 92.30 min. COSPAR: 1995-004A. USAF Sat Cat: 23469. Duration: 8.27 days. Decay Date: 1995-02-11. Crew: Collins Eileen, Foale, Harris, Titov Vladimir, Voss Janice, Wetherbee. Flight: STS-63, Mir EO-17, Mir LD-4.

    Deployed ODERACS 2A-2E; deployed and retrieved Spartan 204. Discovery rendezvoused with Russia's space station, Mir, to a distance of 11 m and performed a fly-around, but did not dock with Mir. Payloads: SPACEHAB 03, Shuttle Pointed Autonomous Research Tool for Astronomy (SPARTAN) 204, Cryo Systems Experiment (CSE)/GLO-2 Experi-ment Payload (CGP)/Orbital Debris Radar Calibration Spheres (ODERACS) 2, Solid Surface Combustion Experiment (SSCE), Air Force Maui Optical Site (AMOS), IMAX Cargo Bay Camera (ICBC)

  • Spartan 204 Nation: USA. Class: Astronomy. Spacecraft: Spartan. Agency: NRL. Perigee: 388 km (241 mi). Apogee: 389 km (241 mi). Inclination: 51.70 deg. Period: 92.30 min. COSPAR: 1995-004B. USAF Sat Cat: 23470. Decay Date: 1995-02-11.

    Retrievable payload to observe galactic dust in far UV; deployed from STS 63 2/7/95, retrieved 2/9/95.

  • ODERACS 2A Nation: USA. Mass: 5.00 kg (11.00 lb). Class: Calibration. Spacecraft: ODERACS. Agency: NASA JSC. Perigee: 268 km (166 mi). Apogee: 280 km (170 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 87.10 min. COSPAR: 1995-004C. USAF Sat Cat: 23471. Decay Date: 1996-03-13.

    Orbital Debris Radar Calibration spheres; deployed from STS 63 2/4/95.

  • ODERACS 2B Nation: USA. Mass: 4.00 kg (8.80 lb). Class: Calibration. Spacecraft: ODERACS. Agency: NASA JSC. Perigee: 177 km (109 mi). Apogee: 179 km (111 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 88.10 min. COSPAR: 1995-004D. USAF Sat Cat: 23472. Decay Date: 1995-09-29.

    Orbital Debris Radar Calibration spheres; deployed from STS 63 2/4/95. Reentered Sep 29

  • ODERACS 2C Nation: USA. Mass: 1.00 kg (2.20 lb). Class: Calibration. Spacecraft: ODERACS. Agency: NASA JSC. COSPAR: 1995-004E. USAF Sat Cat: 23473. Decay Date: 1996-02-07.

    Orbital Debris Radar Calibration spheres; deployed from STS 63 2/4/95. Reentered?

  • ODERACS 2D Nation: USA. Mass: 1.00 kg (2.20 lb). Class: Calibration. Spacecraft: ODERACS. Agency: NASA JSC. Perigee: 246 km (152 mi). Apogee: 265 km (164 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 89.60 min. COSPAR: 1995-004F. USAF Sat Cat: 23474. Decay Date: 1995-03-02.

    Orbital Debris Radar Calibration spheres; deployed from STS 63 2/4/95. Reentered Mar 2

  • ODERACS 2E Nation: USA. Mass: 1.00 kg (2.20 lb). Class: Calibration. Spacecraft: ODERACS. Agency: NASA JSC. Perigee: 261 km (162 mi). Apogee: 270 km (160 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 89.80 min. COSPAR: 1995-004G. USAF Sat Cat: 23475. Decay Date: 1995-02-27.

    Orbital Debris Radar Calibration spheres; deployed from STS 63 2/4/95. Reentered Feb 27

  • ODERACS 2F Nation: USA. Program: Mir. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1995-004xx.

  • CGP/ODERACS Nation: USA. Program: Mir. Payload: HH-M. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1995-004xx. USAF Sat Cat: 23469. Decay Date: 1995-02-11.

  • Spacehab SH-03 Nation: USA. Program: Mir. Class: Manned. Type: Spacelab. Spacecraft: Spacehab. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1995-004xx. USAF Sat Cat: 23469. Decay Date: 1995-02-11.

2000 - 09:26 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC45/1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Zenit. Model: Zenit-2. LV Configuration: Zenit-2 45025801.
  • Cosmos 2369 Nation: Russia. Mass: 3,200 kg (7,000 lb). Class: Sigint. Spacecraft: Tselina-2. Manufacturer: KB Yuzhnoe, Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine. Agency: MO RF. Perigee: 849 km (528 mi). Apogee: 860 km (534 mi). Inclination: 71.00 deg. Period: 101.95 min. COSPAR: 2000-006A. USAF Sat Cat: 26069.

    ELINT satellite.

2000 - 23:30 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC36B. Launch Pad: SLC36B. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas IIAS. LV Configuration: Atlas IIAS AC-158.
  • Hispasat 1C Nation: Spain. Program: Hispasat. Mass: 3,112 kg (6,860 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Spacebus 3000. Manufacturer: Alcatel, Cannes. Agency: Hispasat. Perigee: 35,778 km (22,231 mi). Apogee: 35,796 km (22,242 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2000-007A. USAF Sat Cat: 26071.

    Spanish domestic geosynchronous communications satellite. Stationed at 30 deg W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 30 deg W in 2000. As of 3 September 2001 located at 30.14 deg W drifting at 0.013 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 30.01W drifting at 0.005W degrees per day.

2005 - 02:27 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC81/24. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Proton. Model: Proton-M/Briz-M. LV Configuration: Proton-M/Briz-M 535-09.
  • AMC-12 Nation: USA. Program: Americom. Mass: 5,000 kg (11,000 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Spacebus 4000. Manufacturer: Alcatel. Agency: SES Americom. Perigee: 35,782 km (22,233 mi). Apogee: 35,791 km (22,239 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2005-003A. USAF Sat Cat: 28526.

    Americom 12 satellite, also known as Worldsat 2. The first Alcatel Spacebus 4000 satellite to be launched.

2005 - 07:41 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC36B. Launch Pad: SLC36B. Launch Vehicle: Atlas V. Model: Atlas 3B SEC. LV Configuration: Atlas 3B-SEC AC-206.
  • USA 181 Nation: USA. Class: SIGINT. Type: Naval reconnaisance. Spacecraft: NOSS-3. Perigee: 1,011 km (628 mi). Apogee: 1,209 km (751 mi). Inclination: 63.40 deg. COSPAR: 2005-004A. USAF Sat Cat: 28537.

    Last launch of an Atlas model using the original, innovative, balloon propellant tanks conceived in 1947. Third launch of new generation paired satellites used for tracking, characterisation, and intelligence on naval vessels and civilian shipping worldwide.

  • USA 181 companion Nation: USA. Class: SIGINT. Type: Naval reconnaisance. Spacecraft: NOSS-3. Perigee: 1,011 km (628 mi). Apogee: 1,209 km (751 mi). Inclination: 63.40 deg. COSPAR: 2005-004C. USAF Sat Cat: 28541.

2006 - 09:55 GMT -
  • EVA ISS EO-12-2 Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Crew: Tokarev, McArthur. Flight: ISS EO-12. EVA Duration: 0.24 days.

    Wearing Orlan suits, the crew emerged from the Pirs airlock of the station and first released a surplus Orlan suit with its radio transmitter activated, dubbed SuitSat. SuitSat broadcast greetings in six languages to radio amateurs for two orbits before its batteries failed. The crew then moved to the Zarya module and relocated the Strela crane grapple fixture to the Unity module. This cleared Zarya for the future temporary stowage of debris shields. The crew moved on to the station's center truss, where they safed a cutting mechanism on one of two umbilicals to the Mobile Transporter rail car. Returning to Pirs, they retrieved a microorganism experiment and photographed the exterior of Zvezda.


Born on this day in:
  • 1958 - Joe Frank Edwards Jr.  American Pilot Astronaut. Birth City: Richmond. Birth State: Virginia. Birth Country: USA.

Died on this day in:
  • 1991 - Otto August Hoberg.  German Rocket engineer.
  • 1994 - Anatoliy Petrovich Aleksandrov.  Russian Scientist.

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