February 8

See also Born on this Day
On this day in:

1962 - 12:43 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC17. Launch Pad: LC17A. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Thor Delta. LV Configuration: Thor Delta 317/D7.

  • Tiros 4 Nation: USA. Program: Tiros. Payload: Tiros D (A-9). Mass: 129 kg (284 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Weather. Spacecraft: Tiros. Agency: NASA. Perigee: 693 km (430 mi). Apogee: 812 km (504 mi). Inclination: 48.30 deg. Period: 99.90 min. COSPAR: 1962-Beta-1. USAF Sat Cat: 226.

    Returned 32593 cloud cover photos. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C).

1963 -
  • Department of Defense objectives in the Gemini program. Nation: USA. Program: Gemini. Spacecraft: Gemini.

    Colonel Kenneth W Schultz of Headquarters, Air Force Office of Development Planning, outlined Department of Defense objectives in the Gemini program at the first meeting of the Gemini Program Planning Board. He defined three general objectives: conducting orbital experiments related to such possible future missions as the inspection and interception of both cooperative and passive or noncooperative objects in space under a variety of conditions, logistic support of a manned orbiting laboratory, and photo reconnaissance from orbit; gaining military experience and training in all aspects of manned space flight; and assessing the relationship between man and machine in the areas of potential military missions.

1963 -
  • Further construction of Vostok spacecraft approved. Nation: USSR. Spacecraft: Vostok.

    Decree 24 'On the Manufacture of 'Vostok' Objects --manufacture of Vostok spacecraft in 1963' was issued.

1965 -
  • Scientists invited to a conference on the Gemini and Apollo missions Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Gemini.

    NASA invited 113 scientists and 23 national space organizations to a conference at MSC to brief them on the Gemini and Apollo missions. As a result of the conference, NASA hoped to receive proposals for biomedical experiments to be performed in Gemini and Apollo spacecraft.

1965 -
  • Requirement deleted for a rendezvous radar in the Apollo CSM Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo CSM.

    MSC deleted the requirement for a rendezvous radar in the CSM.

1965 - Launch Vehicle: Titan 2.
  • Manned Spacecraft Center announced the selection of L. Gordon Cooper, Jr., as command pilot and Charles Conrad, Jr., as pilot for the seven-day Gemini-Titan 5 mission. Nation: USA. Flight: Gemini 5.

    Backup crew would be Neil A. Armstrong and Elliot M. See, Jr.

1965 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF09. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 1. Model: Minuteman 1B. LV Configuration: Minuteman 1B 1142.
  • Minuteman 1 Operational missile test Nation: USA. Agency: SAC 1STRAD. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1965 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: ETR. Launch Pad: SLBM Launch Area. Launch Vehicle: Polaris A3. LV Configuration: Polaris A3 A3P-5.
  • Polaris A3 Operational Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1965 -
  • Voskhod 2 crew vacuum chamber tests Nation: USSR. Program: Voskhod. Spacecraft: Voskhod. Flight: Voskhod 1.

    Belyayev and Leonov practice deploying and exiting the airlock at 37 km equivalent altitude in the TBK-60 chamber. The Vega system for keeping track of the spacewalking cosmonaut's life signs fails again. Kamanin is infuriated. Later he discusses future spaceflight plans with Korolev, who was supposed to deliver five Voskhods in 1965. Korolev says that three spacecraft will only be completed by October, and should only be available for flights at the end of the year. He wants to use one as a biosat in an unmanned flight of organisms for 30 days; a second for the flight of a cosmonaut pilot and physician for 15 days; and the third for flight of a cosmonaut and engineer to perform an artificial gravity experiment. Two further spacecraft will be finished to the Vykhod configuration in October 1965 for flights in March 1966. Nothing is official yet, and Kamanin urges that the necessary resolutions be passed as soon as possible so that training can begin. He thought before that there was little chance that Yegorov's back-ups, Lazarev and Sorokin would fly, but now he puts them back in training so they will be ready for this flight schedule. But Korolev remains opposed to flying either candidate.

1965 - 22:15 GMT - Launch Site: Point Barrow. Launch Vehicle: Nike-Cajun. Model: Nike Cajun. LV Configuration: Nike Cajun NASA 10.126GA.
  • Nike-Cajun Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 124 km (77 mi).

1965 - 22:53 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Nike-Cajun. Model: Nike Cajun. LV Configuration: Nike Cajun NASA 10.120GA.
  • Nike-Cajun Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 107 km (66 mi).

1965 - 23:00 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Nike-Cajun. Model: Nike Cajun. LV Configuration: Nike Cajun NASA 10.123GA.
  • Nike-Cajun Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 125 km (77 mi).

1967 - 08:00 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: 4300. Launch Pad: 4300B6. Launch Vehicle: Thor Burner. Model: Thor Burner 2. LV Configuration: Thor Burner 2 169.
  • DMSP-Block-4A F8 Nation: USA. Program: DMSP. Payload: DAPP 2418 (FTV-2). Mass: 130 kg (280 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Weather. Spacecraft: DMSP Block 4A. Agency: USAF. Perigee: 771 km (479 mi). Apogee: 846 km (525 mi). Inclination: 99.10 deg. Period: 101.10 min. COSPAR: 1967-010A. USAF Sat Cat: 2669.

    Defense Meteorological Satellite Program; lower than planned orbit, but still operational.

1967 - 09:39 GMT - Launch Site: Hammaguira. Launch Complex: Brigitte. Launch Pad: Brigitte. Launch Vehicle: Diamant A. Model: Diamant A. LV Configuration: Diamant A No. 3. FAILURE: Partial Failure - injected into too low an orbit.
  • Diademe 1 Nation: France. Payload: Diademe D-1C. Mass: 23 kg (50 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Geodetic. Spacecraft: Diadem. Agency: CNES. Perigee: 545 km (338 mi). Apogee: 1,084 km (673 mi). Inclination: 40.00 deg. Period: 101.20 min. COSPAR: 1967-011A. USAF Sat Cat: 2674.

    Orbit too low. Launch time of Diadem I was 10:39:40 on 8 Feb 1967. Launch time of Diadem II was 11:06:57 on 15 Feb 1967.

1967 - 10:19 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/1. Launch Vehicle: Voskhod 11A57. Model: Voskhod 11A57.
  • Cosmos 141 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Zenit-4. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 205 km (127 mi). Apogee: 316 km (196 mi). Inclination: 72.90 deg. Period: 89.70 min. COSPAR: 1967-012A. USAF Sat Cat: 2670. Duration: 8.00 days. Decay Date: 1967-02-16.

    High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule

1968 -
  • Decision to forego a second unmanned Apollo LM flight using LM-2 Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM.

    Grumman President L. J. Evans wrote ASPO Manager George M. Low stating his agreement with NASA's decision to forego a second unmanned LM flight using LM-2. (Grumman's new position - the company had earlier strongly urged such a second flight - was reached after discussions with Low and LM Manager G. H. Bolender at the end of January and after flight data was presented at the February 6 meeting of the OMSF Management Council.) Although the decision was not irreversible, being subject to further investigations by both contractor and customer, both sides now were geared for a manned flight on the next LM mission. - Additional details.

1968 -
  • VVS officers inspect TsPK. Nation: USSR. Program: Lunar L1, Lunar L3, Almaz. Spacecraft: Almaz OPS.

    It is currently organised in three cosmonaut detachments: Nikolayev commands the first detachment, which is training for L3, L1, and Soyuz fiights. Popovich commands the second, training for Almaz and 7K-VI military space missions. Nikeryasov commands the third, which is the 'observer' detachment.

1968 - 06:01 GMT - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 SL. Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Model: Skylark 6. LV Configuration: Skylark 6 SL583A.
  • Skylark UK SL583A Test mission Nation: Australia. Agency: WRE/RAE. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).

1969 - 03:19 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee 150. Model: Aerobee 150. LV Configuration: Aerobee 150 NASA 04.308UA.
  • Aerobee 150 Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 164 km (101 mi).

1969 - 04:40 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache NASA 14.269UI.
  • Nike Apache Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 133 km (82 mi).

1970 -
  • Leonov wants to send letter to Brezhnev Nation: USSR.

    Work continues at the Gagarin Centre even on Sundays. Kamanin studies the reorganization of space units within the Ministry of Defence. Leonov wants to write a letter to Brezhnev, complaining about the management of the space programme. He wants to finger Mishin, Keldysh, Sminrov, Serbin, Ustinov, Krylov, Zakharov, and Grechko by name. Kamanin asks him -- can all the cosmonauts write to the head of state whenever they want? Who will protect them from the inferno of backlash that would result? He doesn't support Leonov's idea.

1970 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: ABRES. Launch Pad: ABRESA3. Launch Vehicle: Atlas F. Model: Atlas F/Trident. LV Configuration: Atlas F/Trident 96F.
  • Atlas F RMP-B-15 re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,400 km (800 mi).

1971 -
  • Repercussions of Shonin incident. Nation: USSR. Program: Salyut.

    Kamanin has a meeting with Leonov and Shonin on the KIS incident. Shonin claims he was sober. Mishin calls. He says Khrunov and Shonin were not ready for training anyway; they had to be led by the nose the whole time. He would prefer that Yeliseyev, Kubasov, and Rukavishnikov be assigned to the mission.

1971 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF07. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 1. Model: Minuteman 1B.
  • Minuteman 1 FOT GT91B Follow-on Test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1971 - 13:56 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee 170. Model: Aerobee 170. LV Configuration: Aerobee 170 NASA 13.51UA.
  • Aerobee 170 Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 265 km (164 mi).

1972 - 09:45 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant III. LV Configuration: Black Brant III ADD-3A-54.
  • Black Brant Aeronomy/Ionosphere/Infrared Astronomy mission Nation: Canada. Agency: Canada. Apogee: 121 km (75 mi).

1973 - 13:15 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Voskhod 11A57. Model: Voskhod 11A57.
  • Cosmos 548 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Zenit-4M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 205 km (127 mi). Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 89.60 min. COSPAR: 1973-008A. USAF Sat Cat: 6359. Duration: 13.00 days. Decay Date: 1973-02-21.

    High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1974 -
  • Landing of Skylab 4 Nation: USA. Program: Skylab. Flight: Skylab 4.

    Skylab 4 landed at 15:16 GMT.

1976 - Launch Site: Vandenberg.
  • Final launch of a Thor/Burner IIA from Vandenberg Nation: USA.

    Final launch of a Thor/Burner IIA from Vandenberg AFB (first launch on 14 October 1971).

1977 - 17:58 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Complex: S. Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Model: Skylark 3. LV Configuration: Skylark 3 S22.
  • Skylark SSC S22 Auroral Arc Auroral mission Nation: Sweden. Agency: SSC. Apogee: 212 km (131 mi).

1977 - 22:11 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Model: Skylark 7. LV Configuration: Skylark 7 PHA F1B AF6-F1.
  • Skylark DLR A-GR-79 Silvia Aeronomy mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DFVLR. Apogee: 272 km (169 mi).

1978 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF26. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3.
  • Minuteman 3 FOT GT62GB Follow-on Test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1978 - 12:15 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Model: Soyuz 11A511U.
  • Cosmos 988 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Zenit-4MT. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 201 km (124 mi). Apogee: 335 km (208 mi). Inclination: 72.80 deg. Period: 89.90 min. COSPAR: 1978-015A. USAF Sat Cat: 10666. Duration: 12.00 days. Decay Date: 1978-02-20.

    Military topography satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable; also performed mapping, geodesy, earth resources tasks.

1979 - 04:37 GMT - Launch Site: Kheysa. Launch Vehicle: MR-12. LV Configuration: MR-12 MR-12.
  • MR-12 Aeronomy/Ionosphere/Chemical release/Plasma mission Nation: USSR. Apogee: 155 km (96 mi).

1979 - 10:00 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132. Launch Pad: LC132/2. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 11K65M. Model: Kosmos 11K65M. LV Configuration: Kosmos 11K65M 53782-417.
  • Cosmos 1075 Nation: USSR. Mass: 1,080 kg (2,380 lb). Class: Calibration. Spacecraft: Taifun-1. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 473 km (293 mi). Apogee: 516 km (320 mi). Inclination: 65.80 deg. Period: 94.40 min. COSPAR: 1979-010A. USAF Sat Cat: 11262. Decay Date: 1981-10-19.

    Radar calibration mission.

1982 - 1982 - 18:30 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: ETR. Launch Pad: SLBM Launch Area. Launch Vehicle: Polaris A3. LV Configuration: Polaris A3 A3TK.
  • Polaris A3 Chevaline demonstration and shakedown operations launch Nation: USA. Agency: RN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1983 - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Topol. Model: Topol'.
  • Topol Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1984 - 09:23 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC32. Launch Pad: LC32. Launch Vehicle: Tsyklon 3. Model: Tsiklon-3.
  • Cosmos 1536 Nation: USSR. Program: Tselina. Payload: Tselina-D no. 44. Mass: 2,200 kg (4,800 lb). Class: Sigint. Spacecraft: Tselina-D. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 602 km (374 mi). Apogee: 631 km (392 mi). Inclination: 82.50 deg. Period: 97.00 min. COSPAR: 1984-013A. USAF Sat Cat: 14699.

1984 - 12:07 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC31. Launch Pad: LC31. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Model: Soyuz 11A511U.
  • Soyuz T-10 Nation: USSR. Program: Salyut 7. Payload: Soyuz 7K-ST s/n 15L. Mass: 6,850 kg (15,100 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spacecraft. Spacecraft: Soyuz T. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 199 km (123 mi). Apogee: 219 km (136 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 88.70 min. COSPAR: 1984-014A. USAF Sat Cat: 14701. Duration: 62.95 days. Decay Date: 1984-04-11. Crew: Atkov, Kizim, Solovyov Vladimir. Flight: Salyut 7 EO-3.

    Manned three crew. Docked with Salyut 7. Transported a crew consisting of ship's commander L D Kizim, flight engineer V A Solovyov and cosmonaut-research O Y Atkov to the SALYUT-7 orbital station to conduct scientific and technical studies and experiments.

1985 - 06:10 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC4. Launch Pad: SLC4W. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Model: Titan 34B. LV Configuration: Titan 34B 34B-10 (3B-69) / Ascent Agena D.
  • USA 9 Nation: USA. Payload: SDS no. 6. Mass: 700 kg (1,540 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military. Spacecraft: SDS. Agency: NRO/USAF. Perigee: 400 km (240 mi). Apogee: 39,775 km (24,714 mi). Inclination: 63.00 deg. Period: 717.80 min. COSPAR: 1985-014A. USAF Sat Cat: 15546.

    Satellite Data Systems 2.

1985 - 18:14 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.48UU.
  • Taurus Orion Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

1985 - 23:22 GMT - Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: ELA1. Launch Pad: ELA1. Launch Vehicle: Ariane 2/3. Model: Ariane 3. LV Configuration: Ariane 3 V12.
  • Arabsat 1A Nation: Arab States. Program: Arabsat. Mass: 532 kg (1,172 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Spacebus 100. Agency: Arabsat. Perigee: 35,724 km (22,197 mi). Apogee: 35,753 km (22,215 mi). Inclination: 8.20 deg. Period: 1,433.70 min. COSPAR: 1985-015A. USAF Sat Cat: 15560. Completed Operations Date: 1992-07-31.

    Stationed at 19 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 19 deg E in 1985-1991 As of 27 August 2001 located at 76.76 deg E drifting at 0.635 deg E per day. As of 2007 Feb 28 located at 87.85E drifting at 0.629E degrees per day.

  • Brasilsat A1 Nation: Brazil. Program: Brasilsat. Mass: 671 kg (1,479 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 376. Agency: Telebras. Perigee: 35,983 km (22,358 mi). Apogee: 35,999 km (22,368 mi). Inclination: 5.90 deg. Period: 1,446.60 min. COSPAR: 1985-015B. USAF Sat Cat: 15561.

    Stationed at 65 deg W. Brazilsat 1 & 2 provide telecommunications services to Brazil. Canada's Spar Aerospace was awarded a $125 million contract to build, under license, two satellites based on Hughes' HS-376 design (similar to Anik D). Brazilsat 1 & 2 were the first two elements of Brazil's national Sistema Barasilero de Telecommunicacoes por Satelite (SBTS) network. Spacecraft: Based on Hughes HS-376, single antenna on despun platform, spin stabilised, hydrazine thrusters, body mounted solar cells provide 982 W BOL. Payload: 24 C-band transponders with 6 spares, 10 W TWTA, EIRP >34 dBW over most of Brazilian territory
    Financial/Operational:
    Contract issued in 1990 for 2 units HS-376W. B1-B2 have dedicated transponders for government use. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 65 deg W in 1985-1994; 63 deg W in 1994-1996; 79 deg W in 1996-1998; 144 deg W in 1998-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 143.96 deg W drifting at 0.005 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 145.69E drifting at 2.591W degrees per day.

1988 - 22:08 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC17. Launch Pad: LC17B. Launch Vehicle: Delta 3000. Model: Delta 3910. LV Configuration: Delta 3910 D181.
  • USA 30 Nation: USA. Payload: Delta 181 Canister Cluster. Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Class: Military. Type: SDI. Spacecraft: SDI. Agency: SDIO. Perigee: 225 km (139 mi). Apogee: 342 km (212 mi). Inclination: 28.60 deg. Period: 90.20 min. COSPAR: 1988-008A. USAF Sat Cat: 18847. Decay Date: 1988-03-01.

    Military tracking exercise; released subsatellites. Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space (US Cat B).

  • Delta 181 Sensor Module Nation: USA. Payload: Thrusted Vector Sensor Mo. Spacecraft: SDI. Agency: SDIO. Perigee: 287 km (178 mi). Apogee: 314 km (195 mi). Inclination: 30.70 deg. Period: 90.53 min. COSPAR: 1988-008B. USAF Sat Cat: 18848. Decay Date: 1988-04-02.

  • Delta 181 Subsatellite 7 Nation: USA. Payload: Group 2 Test Object. Spacecraft: SDI. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1988-008xx.

  • Delta 181 Subsatellite 8 Nation: USA. Payload: Group 2 Test Object. Spacecraft: SDI. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1988-008xx.

  • Delta 181 Subsatellite 9 Nation: USA. Payload: Group 2 Test Object. Spacecraft: SDI. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1988-008xx.

  • Solid Motor Subsatellite Nation: USA. Payload: Group 2 Test Object. Spacecraft: SDI. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1988-008xx.

  • Delta 181 Subsatellite 10 Nation: USA. Payload: Group 2 Test Object. Spacecraft: SDI. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1988-008xx. USAF Sat Cat: 18847. Decay Date: 1988-03-01.

  • Delta 181 Subsatellite 11 Nation: USA. Payload: Group 2 Test Object. Spacecraft: SDI. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1988-008xx. USAF Sat Cat: 18847. Decay Date: 1988-03-01.

  • Delta 181 Subsatellite 5 Nation: USA. Payload: Group 1 Test Object. Spacecraft: SDI. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1988-008xx.

  • Delta 181 Subsatellite 4 Nation: USA. Payload: Group 1 Test Object. Spacecraft: SDI. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1988-008xx.

  • Delta 181 Subsatellite 3 Nation: USA. Payload: Group 1 Test Object. Spacecraft: SDI. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1988-008xx.

  • Delta 181 Subsatellite 2 Nation: USA. Payload: Group 1 Test Object. Spacecraft: SDI. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1988-008xx.

  • Delta 181 Subsatellite 1 Nation: USA. Payload: Group 1 Test Object. Spacecraft: SDI. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1988-008xx. USAF Sat Cat: 18847. Decay Date: 1988-03-01.

  • Sensor Cal Reference Subsat Nation: USA. Payload: Group 1 Cal Object. Spacecraft: SDI. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1988-008xx.

  • SPX Nation: USA. Spacecraft: SDI. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1988-008xx.

1992 -
  • Ulysses Flyby of Jupiter Spacecraft: Ulysses.

1993 - 20:00 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant IX. LV Configuration: Black Brant IX NASA 36.100NS.
  • Black Brant Solar mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 289 km (179 mi).

1994 - 08:34 GMT - Launch Site: Xichang. Launch Complex: LC2. Launch Pad: LC2. Launch Vehicle: CZ-3A. Model: Chang Zheng 3A. LV Configuration: Chang Zheng 3A CZ3A-1 (32).
  • SJ-4 Nation: China. Payload: Shi Jian 4. Mass: 400 kg (880 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Spacecraft: SJ. Agency: CASC. Perigee: 195 km (121 mi). Apogee: 26,837 km (16,675 mi). Inclination: 28.70 deg. Period: 465.40 min. COSPAR: 1994-010A. USAF Sat Cat: 22996.

    Particles and fields research.

  • KF-1 Nation: China. Program: Chinastar. Payload: Kua Fu 1 / DFH-3 mockup. Mass: 2,200 kg (4,800 lb). Class: Technology. Spacecraft: DFH-3. Agency: CASC. Perigee: 178 km (110 mi). Apogee: 36,046 km (22,397 mi). Inclination: 28.50 deg. Period: 635.69 min. COSPAR: 1994-010B. USAF Sat Cat: 23009. Decay Date: 2002-02-07.

    Mass model of DFH-3 satellite.

1996 - 2000 -
  • Discovery of GRV 99027 Meteorite (Mars Meteorite)

2000 - 21:24 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC17. Launch Pad: SLC17B. Launch Vehicle: Delta 7000. Model: Delta 7420-10C. LV Configuration: Delta 7420-10C D276.
  • Globalstar M060 Nation: USA. Payload: Globalstar 60. Mass: 450 kg (990 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Globalstar. Manufacturer: Loral/Alenia. Agency: Globalsat. Perigee: 1,413 km (877 mi). Apogee: 1,414 km (878 mi). Inclination: 52.00 deg. Period: 114.10 min. COSPAR: 2000-008A. USAF Sat Cat: 26081.

    Mobile Telephony. These four Globalstar satellites completed the Globalstar initial constellation.

  • Globalstar M062 Nation: USA. Payload: Globalstar 62. Mass: 450 kg (990 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Globalstar. Manufacturer: Loral/Alenia. Agency: Globalsat. Perigee: 1,417 km (880 mi). Apogee: 1,418 km (881 mi). Inclination: 52.01 deg. Period: 114.09 min. COSPAR: 2000-008B. USAF Sat Cat: 26082.

    Mobile Telephony.

  • Globalstar M063 Nation: USA. Payload: Globalstar 63. Mass: 450 kg (990 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Globalstar. Manufacturer: Loral/Alenia. Agency: Globalsat. Perigee: 1,413 km (877 mi). Apogee: 1,415 km (879 mi). Inclination: 52.00 deg. Period: 114.10 min. COSPAR: 2000-008C. USAF Sat Cat: 26083.

    Mobile Telephony.

  • Globalstar M064 Nation: USA. Payload: Globalstar 64. Mass: 450 kg (990 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Globalstar. Manufacturer: Loral/Alenia. Agency: Globalsat. Perigee: 915 km (568 mi). Apogee: 934 km (580 mi). Inclination: 52.01 deg. Period: 103.43 min. COSPAR: 2000-008D. USAF Sat Cat: 26084.

    Mobile Telephony.

2000 - 23:20 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC31. Launch Pad: LC31. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Model: Soyuz 11A511U. LV Configuration: Soyuz 11A511U A15000-079 / Ikar ST07.
  • IRDT Nation: Russia. Mass: 110 kg (240 lb). Class: Technology. Type: Capsule. Spacecraft: IRDT. Manufacturer: Lavochkin. Agency: ESA. Perigee: 580 km (361 mi). Apogee: 613 km (381 mi). Inclination: 64.85 deg. Period: 96.53 min. COSPAR: 2000-009. USAF Sat Cat: 26086.

    After four orbits around the Earth the test vehicle was powered by the launcher’s upper stage to re-enter the atmosphere for a landing about 1800 km northwest of the launch site. The heat shield was inflated and the IRDT separated from the upper stage. It then passed through the upper atmospheric layers that imposed the highest dynamic pressure, heat flux and acceleration loads onto the system. The IRDT landed inside the predicted area at 54 deg E and 51 deg N near the Kazakhstan border. Unfortunately, a tear occurred in the inflatable shield during descent resulting in a higher velocity and a heavier than expected impact on landing, resulting in some damage to the lower part of the IRDT. The IRDT was collected by helicopter so that the memory unit of the sensor package, with all recorded data, could be analysed. An initial data check confirmed that all experiments in the sensor package worked perfectly.

  • Dummy satellite Nation: Russia. Class: Technology. Manufacturer: NPO Lavochkin, Moskva. Agency: Lavochkin. Perigee: 580 km (361 mi). Apogee: 613 km (381 mi). Inclination: 64.85 deg. Period: 96.53 min. COSPAR: 2000-009A. USAF Sat Cat: 26086.

2001 -
  • Discovery of the SAU 094 Meteorite (Mars Meteorite)

2002 - 18:41 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant IX. LV Configuration: Black Brant IX NASA 36.192UE.
  • Black Brant NCAR/CU-8 Ionosphere mission? Nation: USA. Agency: NASA GSFC. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).

2005 -
  • Stardust Exits Solar Conjunction Spacecraft: Stardust.

2006 - 18:47 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant IX. LV Configuration: Black Brant IX s/n NASA 36.193.
  • MOSES Nation: USA. Agency: NASA GSFC MSU/Kankelborg. Apogee: 282 km (175 mi).

    Solar EUV


Born on this day in:

Died on this day in:
  • 1982 - Vladimir Yevgeniyevich Turovets.  Soviet Pilot Cosmonaut. Cause of Death: Crash of Mi-8 helicopter.
  • 1992 - Willi Mrazek.  German Rocket engineer.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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