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On this day in:

1943 -

  • BI-1 Flight 2 Nation: USSR. Payload: BI-1 # 2 flight 1. Class: Manned. Type: Rocketplane. Spacecraft: BI-1. Crew: Bakhchivangi.

    Maximum Speed - 400 kph. Maximum Altitude - 1110 m.

1946 -
  • First meeting of UN General Assembly opens in London Nation: International.

1947 - 21:13 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC33. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: V-2. LV Configuration: V-2 18.
  • Chemical release missio Nation: USA. Agency: USA/NRL. Apogee: 116 km (72 mi).

    Launched 14:13 local time. Reached 116.5 km. Carried cosmic radiation experiments for Naval Research Lab.

1956 - Launch Vehicle: Saturn V.
  • First test of 400,000+ lb thrust engine. Nation: USA. Program: Apollo.

    First U.S.-built complete liquid-rocket engine having a thrust in excess of 400,000 pounds was fired for the first time at Santa Susana, Calif.

1958 - 15:48 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC12. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas A. LV Configuration: Atlas A 10A.
  • Research and development test Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 120 km (70 mi).

    A successful limited flight was made by the fourth Atlas fired from Cape Canaveral.

1958 - 19:38 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC9. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Navaho. Model: Navaho G-26. LV Configuration: Navaho II SM-64 13.
  • Navaho G-26 Flight 8 Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 22 km (13 mi).

    The booster functioned well, the cruise stage separated at 22 km and Mach 3.15. The ramjets ignited and the cruise stage flew at a sustained speed of Mach 2.8 for forty minutes over a distance of 2000 km. Then the vehicle began a turn for the return to the Cape for recovery. However it seemed the turn was not fast enough; ground control took over, and yet again the right ramjet flamed out in a ground-piloted bank. The missile was commanded into a terminal dive at sea.

1959 - 11:00 GMT - Launch Site: Kheysa. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-1. Model: A-1.
  • Ionosphere / aeronomy mission Nation: USSR. Agency: MVS. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1961 - 17:15 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC29A. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Polaris. Model: Polaris A2. LV Configuration: Polaris A2X-3.
  • Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1962 - 20:28 GMT - Launch Site: Mud Lake DZ. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 37.9 N x 117.1 W. Launch Vehicle: X-15. LV Configuration: X-15 1-25-44. FAILURE: Emergency landing at Mud Lake.
  • X-15A High alpha, Aero test Nation: USA. Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 13 km (8 mi).

    Emergency landing on Mud Lake after engine failed to light. Maximum Speed - 1038 kph. Maximum Altitude - 13,640 m.

1963 - Launch Vehicle: Saturn I.
  • Unmanned Apollo spacecraft to be flown on Saturn C-1 Nation: USA. Program: Apollo.

    MSC and OMSF agreed that an unmanned Apollo spacecraft must be flown on the Saturn C-1 before a manned flight. SA-10 was scheduled to be the unmanned flight and SA-111, the first manned mission.

1963 -
  • Soviet Air Force Cosmonaut Training Group 2 selected. Nation: USSR.

    The group was selected to provide astronauts for the Soyuz manned spaceflight program.. Qualifications: Military pilots, engineers, or navigators under 40 years of age; graduate of military academy or civilian university; under 170 cm tall; under 70 kg in weight..

1963 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC16. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Titan. Model: Titan 2. LV Configuration: Titan II N-15. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Mk 6 re-entry vehicle test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1964 -
  • Manned Orbiting Laboratory "an ominous harbinger...". Nation: USA. Spacecraft: MOL.

    James J. Haggerty, Jr., Space Editor for the Army-Navy-Air Force Journal and Register, called the assignment of the Manned Orbiting Laboratory to the Department of Defense 'an ominous harbinger of a reversal in trend, an indication that the military services may play a more prominent role in future space exploration at NASA's expense.... Whether you label it development platform, satellite platform, satellite or laboratory, it is clearly intended as a beginning for space station technology. It is also clearly the intent of this administration that, at least in the initial stages, space station development shall be under military rather than civil cognizance....'

1964 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF07. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 1. Model: Minuteman 1B. LV Configuration: Minuteman 1B 883.
  • Demonstration and shakedown operations launch Nation: USA. Agency: SAC 1STRAD. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1966 -
  • Korolev hospitalised Nation: USSR.

    Korolev is in the hospital, requiring an operation on his colon. It is not expected to be difficult, although it carries some risk like all surgeries. He is expected to be in the hospital for two to three weeks.

1966 - 17:14 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Apache. Model: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache NASA 14.248UI.
  • Electron density Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 186 km (115 mi).

1968 - 09:58 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF25. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 2. LV Configuration: Minuteman 2 2437.
  • ST Olympic Trials 6 operational test launch Nation: USA. Agency: SAC 1STRAD. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1969 - 02:43 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee 150. LV Configuration: Aerobee 150 NASA 04.206UA.
  • JHU UVT F3 (Venus) Ultraviolet astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 166 km (103 mi).

1969 - 05:51 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: LC1 or LC31. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Molniya 8K78M.
  • Venera 6 Nation: USSR. Program: Venera. Payload: 2V (V-69) s/n 331. Mass: 1,128 kg (2,486 lb). Class: Planetary. Type: Venus. Spacecraft: Venera 2V (V-69). Agency: MOM. COSPAR: 1969-002A. USAF Sat Cat: 3648. Decay Date: 1969-05-17.

    Venera 6 was launched towards Venus to obtain atmospheric data. When the atmosphere of Venus was approached, a capsule weighing 405 kg was jettisoned from the main spacecraft. This capsule contained scientific instruments. During descent towards the surface of Venus, a parachute opened to slow the rate of descent. For 51 min on May 17, 1969, while the capsule was suspended from the parachute, data from the Venusian atmosphere were returned. The spacecraft also carried a medallion bearing the coat of arms of the U.S.S.R. and a bas-relief of V.I. Lenin to the night side of Venus.

1970 -
  • Cosmonaut Pavel Ivanovich Belyayev dies in hospital at age of 44 -- complications from surgery for stomach ulcers. Nation: USSR.

    After getting progressively worse after his surgery, Belyayev dies in the hospital. Meanwhile initial planning is underway for the Soyuz 9 mission.

1970 - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Cajun. Model: Nike Cajun. LV Configuration: Nike Cajun NASA 10.330GM.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 103 km (64 mi).

1970 - Launch Site: Point Barrow. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Cajun. Model: Nike Cajun. LV Configuration: Nike Cajun NASA 10.337GM.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 103 km (64 mi).

1974 -
  • Studies on Skylab 1 OWS revisit at some future date. Nation: USA. Program: Skylab. Spacecraft: Skylab.

    Studies had been conducted to determine an end-of-mission configuration for the Orbital Workshop and for maintaining the option of an OWS revisit at some future date. MSFC assessed the special deactivation requirements for the AM, MDA, and the Workshop required to establish a satisfactory, economical configuration. JSC made an evaluation of ground support monitoring and control options. The OWS would be left in a configuration that would permit a revisit at some future date without reactivation.

1975 - 02:27 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: 395-C. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Titan. Model: Titan 2. LV Configuration: Titan II B-27.
  • SOFT Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1975 - 21:43 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511.
  • Soyuz 17 Nation: USSR. Program: Salyut. Payload: Soyuz 7K-T s/n 38. Mass: 6,800 kg (14,900 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spacecraft. Spacecraft: Soyuz 7K-T. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 185 km (114 mi). Apogee: 249 km (154 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 88.80 min. COSPAR: 1975-001A. USAF Sat Cat: 7604. Duration: 29.56 days. Decay Date: 1975-02-09. Crew: Grechko, Gubarev. Flight: Soyuz 17.

    Manned two crew. Docked with Salyut 4. Joint experiments with the Salyut scientific orbital station.

1976 - 14:16 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: LA5. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 5C. LV Configuration: Black Brant VC NASA 12.29GT-IT.
  • SSC S19A Technology mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 290 km (180 mi).

1978 -
  • Vertical stabilizer on dock, Palmdale, Columbia Nation: USA. Program: STS. Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Columbia.

1978 - 06:15 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Astrobee. Model: Astrobee F. LV Configuration: Astrobee F NASA 25.12UH.
  • X-ray astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 196 km (121 mi).

1978 - 12:26 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U.
  • Soyuz 27 Nation: USSR. Program: Salyut 6. Payload: Soyuz 7K-T s/n 44. Mass: 6,800 kg (14,900 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spacecraft. Spacecraft: Soyuz 7K-T. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 190 km (110 mi). Apogee: 237 km (147 mi). Inclination: 51.70 deg. Period: 88.70 min. COSPAR: 1978-003A. USAF Sat Cat: 10560. Duration: 64.95 days. Decay Date: 1978-03-16. Crew: Dzhanibekov, Makarov. Flight: Salyut 6 EP-1, Salyut 6 EO-1.

    Manned two crew. Carried Oleg Makarov, Vladimir Dzhanibekov to Salyut 6; returned crew of Soyuz 26 to Earth. Docked with Salyut 6.

1978 - 13:23 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Vostok 8A92M.
  • Cosmos 975 Nation: USSR. Program: Tselina. Payload: Tselina-D no. 14. Mass: 4,000 kg (8,800 lb). Class: Sigint. Spacecraft: Tselina-D. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 513 km (318 mi). Apogee: 522 km (324 mi). Inclination: 81.20 deg. Period: 95.00 min. COSPAR: 1978-004A. USAF Sat Cat: 10561. Decay Date: 2001-09-19.

1978 - 20:51 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Model: Kosmos 11K65M. LV Configuration: Kosmos 11K65M 53716-319.
  • Cosmos 976 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-1M no. 137. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-1M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,455 km (904 mi). Apogee: 1,464 km (909 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 115.10 min. COSPAR: 1978-005A. USAF Sat Cat: 10581.

    Eight satellites launched by a single carrier rocket.

  • Cosmos 977 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-1M no. 138. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-1M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,400 km (800 mi). Apogee: 1,464 km (909 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 114.50 min. COSPAR: 1978-005B. USAF Sat Cat: 10584.

  • Cosmos 978 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-1M no. 139. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-1M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,419 km (881 mi). Apogee: 1,464 km (909 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 114.70 min. COSPAR: 1978-005C. USAF Sat Cat: 10585.

  • Cosmos 979 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-1M no. 140. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-1M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,437 km (892 mi). Apogee: 1,464 km (909 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 114.90 min. COSPAR: 1978-005D. USAF Sat Cat: 10586.

  • Cosmos 980 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-1M no. 141. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-1M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,462 km (908 mi). Apogee: 1,477 km (917 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 115.30 min. COSPAR: 1978-005E. USAF Sat Cat: 10587.

  • Cosmos 981 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-1M no. 142. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-1M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,463 km (909 mi). Apogee: 1,496 km (929 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 115.50 min. COSPAR: 1978-005F. USAF Sat Cat: 10588.

  • Cosmos 982 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-1M no. 143. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-1M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,463 km (909 mi). Apogee: 1,516 km (941 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 115.80 min. COSPAR: 1978-005G. USAF Sat Cat: 10589.

  • Cosmos 983 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-1M no. 144. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-1M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,464 km (909 mi). Apogee: 1,538 km (955 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 116.00 min. COSPAR: 1978-005H. USAF Sat Cat: 10590.

1981 - 18:22 GMT - Launch Site: Siple. Launch Complex: RAG. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tomahawk Sandia. Model: Nike Tomahawk. LV Configuration: Nike Tomahawk NASA 18.205UE.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 198 km (123 mi).

1983 - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Poseidon.
  • Follow-on operational missile test Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1983 - 09:19 GMT - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Poseidon.
  • Follow-on operational missile test Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1989 - 02:05 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC200/39. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Proton. Model: Proton-K/DM-2. LV Configuration: Proton-K/DM-2 350-02.
  • Cosmos 1987 Nation: USSR. Payload: Glonass s/n 27L. Mass: 1,400 kg (3,000 lb). Class: Navigation. Spacecraft: Glonass . Agency: MOM. Perigee: 19,119 km (11,879 mi). Apogee: 19,141 km (11,893 mi). Inclination: 66.00 deg. Period: 675.70 min. COSPAR: 1989-001A. USAF Sat Cat: 19749.

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

  • Cosmos 1988 Nation: USSR. Payload: Glonass s/n 45L. Mass: 1,400 kg (3,000 lb). Class: Navigation. Spacecraft: Glonass. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 19,111 km (11,875 mi). Apogee: 19,147 km (11,897 mi). Inclination: 65.00 deg. Period: 675.70 min. COSPAR: 1989-001B. USAF Sat Cat: 19750.

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

  • Cosmos 1989 Nation: USSR. Payload: Etalon PKA s/n 1L. Mass: 1,415 kg (3,119 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Geodetic. Spacecraft: Etalon. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 19,097 km (11,866 mi). Apogee: 19,152 km (11,900 mi). Inclination: 64.90 deg. Period: 675.50 min. COSPAR: 1989-001C. USAF Sat Cat: 19751.

    Etalon series. Acquisition of data to enhance accuracy in identifying and forecasting movements of space apparatus, and for geophysical and geodetic research.

1995 - 06:18 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC36B. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas IIAS. LV Configuration: Atlas IIAS AC-113 / Centaur II 8203.
  • Intelsat 704 Nation: International. Program: Intelsat. Mass: 3,656 kg (8,060 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: FS-1300. Agency: Intelsat. Perigee: 35,776 km (22,230 mi). Apogee: 35,796 km (22,242 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. COSPAR: 1995-001A. USAF Sat Cat: 23461.

    Stationed at 66.0 deg E. Launch vehicle put payload into supersynchronous earth orbit with MRS trajectory option. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 66 deg E in 1995-1999 As of 29 August 2001 located at 66.03 deg E drifting at 0.005 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 66.03E drifting at 0.002W degrees per day.

1996 - Launch Site: Taiyuan. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: DF-21.
  • Test mission Nation: China. Agency: PRC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1997 - Launch Site: Plesetsk . Launch Complex: LC16/2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Molniya 8K78M. LV Configuration: Molniya 8K78M (Block-2BL).
  • Oko launch abort Nation: USA. Class: Early Warning. Spacecraft: Oko. Manufacturer: NPO Lavochkin, Moskva. Agency: Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.

    Oko launch aborted at moment of engine ignition. Spacecraft was intended to cover Oko constellation planes 8/9 - 209 degree longitude of ascending node.

1998 - 00:32 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC17B. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Delta 7925-9.5. LV Configuration: Delta 7925-9.5 D252.
  • Skynet 4D Nation: UK. Program: Skynet. Class: Communications. Type: Military. Spacecraft: ECS/OTS. Manufacturer: MMS/UK. Agency: UK MOD. Perigee: 35,776 km (22,230 mi). Apogee: 35,795 km (22,241 mi). Inclination: 3.90 deg. Period: 1,436.00 min. COSPAR: 1998-002A. USAF Sat Cat: 25134.

    Geostationary at 52.8 degrees E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 53 deg E in 1998-1999; moving As of 4 September 2001 located at 34.00 deg W drifting at 0.004 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 34.33W drifting at 0.016W degrees per day.

2001 - 22:09 GMT - Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: ELA2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Ariane. Model: Ariane 44P. LV Configuration: Ariane 44P-3 V137.
  • Turksat 2A Nation: Turkey. Payload: Eurasiasat 1. Mass: 3,535 kg (7,793 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Spacebus 3000. Manufacturer: Alcatel Space. Agency: Eurasisa. Perigee: 35,764 km (22,222 mi). Apogee: 35,808 km (22,250 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2001-002A. USAF Sat Cat: 26666.

    Communications satellite. Launch delayed from December 8, 2000 and January 8. The Turksat 2A (Eurasiasat 1) satellite was an Alcatel Spacebus 3000B3 with a dry mass of 1577 kg (launch mass 3535 kg) and a 37m solar panel span. The satellite was placed in a 162 x 36742 km x 2.9 deg orbit; by January 13 the perigee had been raised to 21185 km. The satellite had 36 Ku-band transponders and three antennae. The dual name was probably due to the dual ownership of the spacecraft: 75% by Turk Telecom and 25% by the manufacturer Alcatel Space Company. The 3.4 tonne, 9 kW spacecraft was to provide direct-to-home voice, video, and data transmissions to countries between central Europe and the Indian subcontinent, through its 32 "BSS- and FSS-bands" transponders, after parking over 42 deg-E longitude (replacing the aging Turksat 1C). Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 42 deg E in 2001 As of 4 September 2001 located at 41.96 deg E drifting at 0.016 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 42.03E drifting at 0.008E degrees per day.

2002 - 2007 - 04:16 GMT - Launch Site: Sriharikota. Launch Complex: PSLV. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: PSLV. Model: PSLV. LV Configuration: PSLV-C7.
  • LAPAN Tubsat Nation: Indonesia. Mass: 56 kg (123 lb). Class: Technology. Perigee: 620 km (380 mi). Apogee: 638 km (396 mi). Inclination: 97.90 deg. Period: 97.30 min. COSPAR: 2007-001A. USAF Sat Cat: 29709.

    Experimental satellite developed with assistance from TUB (Berlin Technical University. It carried a 5-meter-resolution surveillance camera.

  • Cartosat-2 Nation: India. Mass: 680 kg (1,490 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Civilian. Spacecraft: IRS. Perigee: 629 km (390 mi). Apogee: 644 km (400 mi). Inclination: 98.00 deg. Period: 97.40 min. COSPAR: 2007-001B. USAF Sat Cat: 29710.

    The satellite was the twelfth in the Indian Remote Sensing satellite series and was capable of providing scene-specific spot imagery. The panchromatic camera provided imagery with a spatial resolution of better than one metre and a swath of 9.6 km. Data from the satellite was to be used for detailed mapping.

  • SRE-1 Nation: India. Mass: 550 kg (1,210 lb). Class: Technology. Type: Re-entry. Spacecraft: SRE. Perigee: 620 km (380 mi). Apogee: 643 km (399 mi). Inclination: 97.90 deg. Period: 97.40 min. COSPAR: 2007-001C. USAF Sat Cat: 29711.

    India's Space Recovery Experiment-1 India's SRE-1 first lowered to its orbit to 485 km x 643 km on January 20. A 10-minute deorbit burn began at 03:30 GMT on January 22, with re-entry beginning at 04:07 and a successful splashdown at 04:16 GMT in the Bay of Bengal near 13.3 N / 81.4E. The capsule was successfully recovered by the Indian Navy. The capsule returned two microgravity payloads as well as proving basic technologies for any eventual Indian manned space program. It was also announced that the capsule could be used to orbit further microgravity payloads at low cost to customers.

  • Pehuensat Nation: Argentina. Mass: 6.00 kg (13.20 lb). Class: Technology. Perigee: 621 km (385 mi). Apogee: 641 km (398 mi). Inclination: 97.90 deg. Period: 97.30 min. COSPAR: 2007-001D. USAF Sat Cat: 29712.

    Experimental satellite developed by the Universidad Nacional del Comahue and AMSAT-LU. The satellte remained attached to the PSLV's Dual Launch Adapter.


Born on this day in:
  • 1937 - Gene Nora Stumough.  American Pilot Astronaut. Birth City: Springfield. Birth State: Illinois. Birth Country: USA.

Died on this day in:
  • 1970 - Pavel Ivanovich Belyayev.  Russian Pilot Cosmonaut. Cause of Death: Natural causes - Complications from stomach ulcer - pneumonia after stomach operation for an ulcer due to pancreatitis.
  • 1989 - Earl D Hilburn.  American Manager.
  • 1989 - Valentin Petrovich Glushko.  Russian Engineer.
  • 1989 - Vladimir Andreyevich Vitka.  Russian Engineer.

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