January 13

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On this day in:

1949 - 20:26 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC33. Launch Vehicle: Hermes B-1. LV Configuration: Hermes B-1 B-1 No. 1. FAILURE: Failure.

  • Hermes B-1 Hermes II Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 1.00 km (0.60 mi).

1955 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.
  • Nike Hercules Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

1956 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: LC1 or LC2. Launch Vehicle: Snark.
  • Snark Missile test. Nation: USA.

    USAF Northrop Snark launched from Cape Canaveral on 2,000-mile flight.

1960 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC29. Launch Pad: LC29A. Launch Vehicle: Polaris A1. LV Configuration: Polaris A1 A1X-8.
  • Polaris A1 Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1961 - Launch Vehicle: Titan 2.
  • USAF changes Dynasoar launch vehicle to Titan II Nation: USA. Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Dynasoar.

1961 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Vehicle: R-5. LV Configuration: R-5 V-1000 target.
  • R-5 Target mission Nation: USSR. Agency: OKB-30. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).

1962 - Launch Vehicle: Spiral 50-50.
  • VVS Military-Scientific Conference at Monino Nation: USSR. Spacecraft: Spiral OS.

    Recommendations made by Kamanin's space unit included:

    • A KLA aerospace vehicle should be developed. This could be flown in a sub-orbital version at altitudes of 60 to 150 km and as an orbital aero-spaceplane at altitudes of 1000 to 3000 km.
    • An aircraft-launcher should be developed to allow air-launch of the KLA as well as air-to-space and space-to-earth missiles
    • Navigation, reconnaissance, guidance, and environmental control systems should be developed for the KLA suitable for flights of up to 30 days duration
    To achieve this it will be necessary to conduct research and development in air-launch and landing of the KLA, and train cosmonauts in engineering, medicine, and other specialties. The IAKM and TsPK would both need improvements.
1962 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.
  • R-16 State trials missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1962 - 16:15 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee 150. Model: Aerobee 150A. LV Configuration: Aerobee 150A NASA 04.68GT.
  • Aerobee 150 Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 209 km (129 mi).

    Attitude control mission.

1962 - 21:41 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: 75. Launch Pad: 75-3-4. Launch Vehicle: Thor Agena B. Model: Thor Agena B. LV Configuration: Thor Agena B 327 / Agena B 1120. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Discoverer 37 Nation: USA. Payload: KH-3 s/n 9030. Mass: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: KH-3. Agency: U.S. Air Force. COSPAR: F620113A. Decay Date: 1962-01-13.

    KH-3. Mission failed. Last attempted flight of KH-3 series.

  • SRV 571 Nation: USA. Spacecraft: KH-3. Agency: USAF. COSPAR: F620113B.

1963 - Launch Site: Cuxhaven.
  • DRG launches at Cuxhaven Nation: Germany.

    The DRG (German Rocket Society) launched three model rockets but they fell in the flats and were not recovered.

1964 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: ETR. Launch Pad: SLBM Launch Area. Launch Vehicle: Polaris A2. LV Configuration: Polaris A2 A2P-243. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Polaris A2 Operational Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1964 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: ETR. Launch Pad: SLBM Launch Area. Launch Vehicle: Polaris A2. LV Configuration: Polaris A2 A2P-244.
  • Polaris A2 Operational Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1965 -
  • OKB-1 program review Nation: USSR. Program: Voskhod. Spacecraft: Voskhod, Berkut. Flight: Voskhod 2.

    All systems development is complete, and the two boosters for Vykhod are ready. The launch of the pathfinder spacecraft with mannequins aboard will take place at the end of January, with the manned mission scheduled for March. Leonov's spacesuit is complete, but Zaikin's will not be finished until 5 February, and there will exist only the metal detail parts for Gorbatko's suit.

1965 - 15:49 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee 150. Model: Aerobee 150. LV Configuration: Aerobee 150 KP3.9.
  • Aerobee 150 Dayglow Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: KPNO. Apogee: 228 km (141 mi).

1965 - 17:12 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Javelin. LV Configuration: Javelin NASA 8.28UI.
  • Javelin Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 1,006 km (625 mi).

1965 - 18:51 GMT - Launch Site: Edwards. Launch Vehicle: X-15A. LV Configuration: X-15 3-39-62. FAILURE: Control system problems.
  • X-15A 3D,HT,Fric,BLN Test mission Nation: USA. Program: X-15. Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: X-15A. Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 30 km (18 mi). Crew: Thompson.

    Maximum Speed - 5973 kph. Maximum Altitude - 30297 m. Immediately after burnout aircraft gyrated around all 3 axes for 7 seconds.

1965 - 23:48 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee 150. Model: Aerobee 150. LV Configuration: Aerobee 150 NASA 04.111NA.
  • Aerobee 150 Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 178 km (110 mi).

1966 - Launch Vehicle: Saturn IB.
  • Land impact program for the Apollo CM Block I deleted Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo CSM.

    A decision made at a Program Management Review eliminated the requirement for a land impact program for the CM to support Block I flights. Post-abort CM land impact for Saturn IB launches had been eliminated from Complex 37 by changes to the sequence timers in the launch escape system abort mode. The Certification Test Specification and related Certification Test Requirements would reflect the new Block II land impact requirements.

1966 - Launch Site: Kwajalein. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nike Zeus Interceptor mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

1966 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: HIBEX.
  • HIBEX 10 Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA/ARPA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1967 - 07:24 GMT - Launch Site: Hammaguira. Launch Complex: Blandine. Launch Vehicle: Veronique. Model: Veronique AGI. LV Configuration: Veronique AGI AGI 63.
  • Veronique Solar Ultraviolet mission Nation: France. Agency: FR. Apogee: 123 km (76 mi).

    FU160 Solar corona (UV) / Ptr mission.

1968 - Launch Site: Biscarosse. Launch Complex: BLB. Launch Vehicle: MSBS. Model: MSBS M012. LV Configuration: MSBS M012 A1.
  • MSBS A1 Test mission Nation: France. Agency: DMA. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1969 -
  • Soyuz 4 launch scrubbed Nation: USSR. Program: Soyuz. Spacecraft: Soyuz 7K-OK. Flight: Soyuz 4, Soyuz 4/5.

    The 'unlucky' Shatalov entered the spacecraft at 10:30. But the -24 deg C weather was below the limits of the booster's gyroscopes. The launch was scrubbed. The launch was made successfully the next day. Later in the day Mishin discussed the N1/L3 project with Afanasyev.

1969 -
  • Soyuz 4/5 profile still not settled Nation: USSR. Program: Soyuz. Spacecraft: Soyuz 7K-OK. Flight: Soyuz 4, Soyuz 5, Soyuz 4/5.

    In the evening Afanasyev hosts 100 guests - the leadership of the space program - to watch the big Army-Dinamo football game. Space plans are discussed. The State Commission still needs to confirm the crews for Soyuz 4/5. The issue of automatic versus manual rendezvous is again argued. Kamanin believes this reliance on automated systems has cost the Soviet Union the moon race.

1969 -
  • Soyuz 4 scrub Nation: USSR. Program: Soyuz. Spacecraft: Soyuz 7K-OK. Flight: Soyuz 4, Soyuz 5, Soyuz 4/5.

    The launch of the 13th Soviet cosmonaut into space aboard Soyuz 4 is scrubbed - the first launch scrub in the history of Soviet manned launch attempts. Despite -24 deg C temperatures and 8 to 10 m/s winds, the fuelling of the rocket proceeds successfully. Voice communications are lost with Shatalov whenever the television camera is turned on, but it is decided just to leave the camera off and proceed with the launch. Then at T - 9 minutes a problem is detected with the gyro platform of the rocket. It takes three hours to fix, pushing the launch back to 15:00, meaning the landing will have to be in darkness at the end of the mission. It is decided this is too risky, and the launch is cancelled. As Shatalov exits from the spacecraft, he jokes that he has set a new record: shortest space flight, and first to return to its exact point of lift-off. The engineers are concerned with the internal temperature of the SAS abort system solid rockets if left on the pad for 24 hours in these temperatures. The internal temperature of the fuel cannot go below -2 deg C at night. Any lower, the loss of specific impulse of the fuel would reduce the thrust by more than 5%, the limit established for safe operation.

1969 - Launch Vehicle: N1.
  • N1 payload preparation and fuelling are underway. Nation: USSR. Program: Lunar L3.

    Four N1 launches are planned in 1969: The launch of 3L will be followed by 5L, 6L, and 7L in April, June, and November. But this is probably much too optimistic due to delays in delivery of critical systems needed to complete the boosters. But at least 4L, 5L, and 6L should be launched this year.

1969 - 23:43 GMT - Launch Site: Eglin. Launch Vehicle: Nike Iroquois. LV Configuration: Nike Iroquois CRL AH07.673.
  • Nike Iroquois Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 220 km (130 mi).

1970 - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache NASA 14.384UM.
  • Nike Apache Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

1970 - 04:32 GMT - Launch Site: Tonopah. Launch Vehicle: Nike Tomahawk. LV Configuration: Nike Tomahawk Sandia 152-137.
  • Nike Tomahawk LRL ROX-3 X-ray Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: Sandia. Apogee: 180 km (110 mi).

1971 - 20:10 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant II. LV Configuration: Black Brant II ADD-2-124.
  • Black Brant Aeronomy mission Nation: Canada. Agency: NRCC. Apogee: 146 km (90 mi).

1972 - 20:04 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Vehicle: Nike Tomahawk. LV Configuration: Nike Tomahawk NASA 18.135IE.
  • Nike Tomahawk Ferdinand 29/Electra Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 192 km (119 mi).

1973 - 21:45 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: ETR. Launch Pad: SLBM Launch Area. Launch Vehicle: Poseidon.
  • Poseidon Demonstration and shakedown operations launch Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1977 - 04:22 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant VA. LV Configuration: Black Brant VA AAD-VA-45.
  • Black Brant Auroral/Ionosphere mission Nation: Canada. Agency: NRCC. Apogee: 152 km (94 mi).

1978 - 15:15 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Model: Soyuz 11A511U.
  • Cosmos 984 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Zenit-2M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 206 km (128 mi). Apogee: 291 km (180 mi). Inclination: 62.80 deg. Period: 89.50 min. COSPAR: 1978-006A. USAF Sat Cat: 10592. Duration: 13.00 days. Decay Date: 1978-01-26.

    Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule.

1979 - 15:30 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Model: Soyuz 11A511U.
  • Cosmos 1071 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Zenit-4MKM. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 179 km (111 mi). Apogee: 339 km (210 mi). Inclination: 62.80 deg. Period: 89.70 min. COSPAR: 1979-002A. USAF Sat Cat: 11233. Duration: 13.00 days. Decay Date: 1979-01-26.

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

1980 -
  • Discovery of EETA 79001 (Mars Meteorite)

1984 - 14:40 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Model: Soyuz 11A511U.
  • Cosmos 1532 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,600 kg (14,500 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Yantar-4K1. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 163 km (101 mi). Apogee: 357 km (221 mi). Inclination: 67.10 deg. Period: 89.70 min. COSPAR: 1984-004A. USAF Sat Cat: 14634. Duration: 44.00 days. Decay Date: 1984-02-26.

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

1984 - 18:57 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Vehicle: Viper. LV Configuration: Viper 3A MAP/WINE.
  • Viper M-F 19 Aeronomy mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DFVLR. Apogee: 120 km (70 mi).

1984 - 19:30 GMT - Launch Site: Kagoshima. Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Model: Kappa 9M. LV Configuration: Kappa 9M K-9M-77.
  • Kappa 9 Infrared Astronomy/X-ray Astronomy mission Nation: Japan. Agency: ISAS. Apogee: 317 km (196 mi).

1984 - 19:31 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Vehicle: Viper. LV Configuration: Viper 3A MAP/WINE.
  • Viper M-F 20 Aeronomy mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DFVLR. Apogee: 117 km (72 mi).

1984 - 20:00 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Vehicle: Nike Orion. LV Configuration: Nike Orion DLR A-NO-123.
  • Nike Orion Ferdinand 68 M-T 3 Ionosphere mission Nation: Norway. Agency: NTNF/DLR. Apogee: 122 km (75 mi).

1984 - 20:50 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Vehicle: Viper. LV Configuration: Viper 3A MAP/WINE.
  • Viper M-F 21 Aeronomy mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DFVLR. Apogee: 119 km (73 mi).

1984 - 21:22 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Vehicle: Viper. LV Configuration: Viper 3A MAP/WINE.
  • Viper M-F 22 Aeronomy mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DFVLR. Apogee: 116 km (72 mi).

1984 - 22:12 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Vehicle: Viper. LV Configuration: Viper 3A MAP/WINE.
  • Viper M-F 23 Aeronomy mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DFVLR. Apogee: 121 km (75 mi).

1984 - 22:44 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Vehicle: Viper. LV Configuration: Viper 3A MAP/WINE.
  • Viper M-F 24 Aeronomy mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DFVLR. Apogee: 115 km (71 mi).

1986 -
  • Stephen Synnott's Discovery of Uranus Moons Desdemona, Rosalind & Belinda

1993 - 01:49 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC43. Launch Pad: LC43/3. Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M. Model: Molniya 8K78M. LV Configuration: Molniya 8K78M ML.
  • Molniya 1-85 Nation: Russia. Program: Molniya. Payload: Molniya-1T. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Molniya-1T. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 528 km (328 mi). Apogee: 39,822 km (24,744 mi). Inclination: 63.40 deg. Period: 717.70 min. COSPAR: 1993-002A. USAF Sat Cat: 22309.

    Operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radio communications system, transmission of television programmes to stations in the Orbita network. Replaced Molniya 1-78.

1993 - 13:59 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC39. Launch Pad: LC39B. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. Model: Space Shuttle. LV Configuration: Space Shuttle STS-54.
  • STS-54 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Payload: Endeavour F03 / TDRS 6 [IUS]. Mass: 21,156 kg (46,640 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Endeavour. Agency: NASA JSC. Perigee: 302 km (187 mi). Apogee: 309 km (192 mi). Inclination: 28.50 deg. Period: 90.60 min. COSPAR: 1993-003A. USAF Sat Cat: 22313. Duration: 5.98 days. Decay Date: 1993-01-19. Crew: Casper, Harbaugh, Helms, McMonagle, Runco. Flight: STS-54.

    Manned five crew. Deployed TDRSS 6. Payloads: Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS)-F/Inertial Upper Stage (IUS); Diffuse X-ray Spectrometer (DXS); Chromosome and Plant Cell Division in Space (CHROMEX); Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus (CGBA) A; Physiological and Anatomical Rodent Experiment (PARE) 02; Solid Surface Combustion Experiment (SSCE).

  • TDRS 6 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Payload: TDRS F. Mass: 2,530 kg (5,570 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: TDRS. Agency: NASA GSF. Perigee: 35,779 km (22,231 mi). Apogee: 35,792 km (22,240 mi). Inclination: 0.70 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 1993-003B. USAF Sat Cat: 22314.

    NASA communications; deployed from STS-54 1/13/93. Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space (US Cat B). Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 150 deg W in 1993; 138 deg W in 1993; 46 deg W in 1994-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 46.99 deg W drifting at 0.017 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 8 located at 173.51W drifting at 0.006E degrees per day.

1998 - 2003 - 00:45 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Delta 7000. Model: Delta 7320-10. LV Configuration: Delta 7320-10.
  • ICESat Nation: USA. Payload: EOS-LAM. Mass: 1,000 kg (2,200 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Oceansat. Spacecraft: ICESat. Manufacturer: Ball Aerospace & Technology. Agency: NASA. Perigee: 593 km (368 mi). Apogee: 610 km (379 mi). Inclination: 94.01 deg. Period: 96.56 min. COSPAR: 2003-002A. USAF Sat Cat: 27642.

    Oceanography, gravimetry, altimetry mission. Delayed from March 30, May 12, August 30, September 10, December 15 and 20, 2002; and Jan. 11 and 12, 2003.

  • CHIPSat Nation: USA. Payload: CHIPSat BD 2. Mass: 85 kg (187 lb). Class: Astronomy. Spacecraft: CHIPSat. Manufacturer: SpaceDev. Agency: NASA. Perigee: 585 km (363 mi). Apogee: 601 km (373 mi). Inclination: 94.01 deg. Period: 96.39 min. COSPAR: 2003-002B. USAF Sat Cat: 27643.

    Astrophysics mission. Delayed from March 30, May 12, August 30, September 10, December 15 and 20, 2002; and Jan. 11 and 12, 2003.


Born on this day in:
  • 1923 - John W Paup.  American. Birth State: Texas. Birth Country: USA.
  • 1949 - Rakesh Sharma.  Indian Pilot Cosmonaut. Birth City: Patiala. Birth Country: India.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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