January 23 home
topic index

See also Born on this Day
On this day in:

1941 -

  • Glenn Research Center founded. Nation: USA.

1947 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Redstone.
  • Hermes telemetry system test. Nation: USA.

    Telemetry operated successfully in a V-2 firing at WSPG, Army Ordnance's Hermes telemetry system.

1947 -
  • XS-1 Flight 20 Nation: USA. Payload: XS-1 # 2 flight 10. Class: Manned. Type: Rocketplane. Spacecraft: XS-1. Crew: Goodlin.

    Bell flight 10. Buffet boundary investigation. Full-power climb.

1948 -
  • XS-1 Flight 68 Nation: USA. Payload: XS-1 # 2 flight 28. Class: Manned. Type: Rocketplane. Spacecraft: XS-1. Crew: Hoover.

    NACA flight 8. Attempted high-speed run aborted at mach 0.83, drop in chamber pressure.

1958 -
  • X-1B Flight 27 Nation: USA. Payload: X-1B flight 27. Class: Manned. Type: Rocketplane. Spacecraft: X-1B. Crew: Armstrong.

    NACA flight 17. Reaction-control investigation. Mach 1.5 at 16775 m. Last NACA flight.

1959 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC17A. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Thor Able II. LV Configuration: Thor Able II 128. FAILURE: Failure.
  • RVX-1 Re-entry Vehicle test Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 0 km ( mi).

1961 - 21:02 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC12. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas D. LV Configuration: Atlas D 90D.
  • Research and development test Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 1,800 km (1,100 mi).

    Final test flight of USAF Atlas D traveled 5,000 miles to target down Atlantic Missile Range, representing 35 successes, 8 partials, and 6 failures in 49 test launchings for D model. 75th Atlas launched at AMR, successful

1962 - 17:05 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC29A. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Polaris. Model: Polaris A2. LV Configuration: Polaris A2X-17 (A2G-2). FAILURE: Failure.
  • Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 0 km ( mi).

1962 - 21:28 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: 576B3. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas D. LV Configuration: Atlas D 132D.
  • Operational missile test Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,800 km (1,100 mi).

1963 -
  • VVS Generals discuss Soyuz Nation: USSR. Spacecraft: Soyuz A, Soyuz B, Soyuz V. Flight: Soyuz 11.

    They decide that the VVS must insist on spacesuits or at least light pressure garments for the crew, and windows that will allow the crew to view the parachute cupola and ground during landings. It is agreed that the insistence on ejection seats and wings can be dropped.

1963 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC26A. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Jupiter. LV Configuration: Jupiter IRBM CM-106.
  • Combat training launch Nation: Italy. Agency: Italia. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1963 - Launch Site: Tonopah. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Deacon. Model: Deacon Arrow II.
  • Tracking Flare test Nation: USA. Agency: Sandia. Apogee: 90 km (55 mi).

1963 - Launch Site: Tonopah. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Deacon. Model: Deacon Arrow II.
  • Tracking Flare test Nation: USA. Agency: Sandia. Apogee: 90 km (55 mi).

1963 - 18:10 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC32B. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 1. Model: Minuteman 1B. LV Configuration: Minuteman 1B 419.
  • Research and development launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1964 -
  • Military Soviet on cosmonaut assignments Nation: USSR. Program: Vostok, Lunar L1. Spacecraft: Vostok, Soyuz A. Flight: Soyuz A-1, Soyuz A-2, Soyuz A-3, Soyuz A-4, Vostok 7, Vostok 8, Vostok 9, Vostok 10.

    The General Staff of the VVS considers future cosmonaut assignments. The acceptance of Beregovoi into the active cosmonaut corps is hotly contested. He has passed all the tests, but is 43 years old, and the official maximum age for a cosmonaut is 35. Finally it is decided that on 25 January six cosmonauts will begin training for Vostok flights (Volynov, Khrunov, Belyayev, Leonov, Komarov, and Beregovoi). On 1 February four crews will begin training for Soyuz flights: Crew 1: Nikolayev, Shonin, Demin, Kugno; Crew 2: Bykovsky, Zaikin, Artyukhin, Gulyayev; Crew 3: Popovich, Gorbatko, Ponomaryova, Kolodin; Crew 4: Titov, Shatalov, Solovyova, Zholobov.

1964 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: 395-C. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Titan. Model: Titan 2. LV Configuration: Titan II N-26.
  • Research and development test Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1965 -
  • Department of Defense requesting proposals for design / development of the MOL. Nation: USA. Spacecraft: MOL.

    Defense Secretary Robert S. McNamara announced that the Department of Defense was requesting proposals from the aerospace industry for design studies to support development of the MOL (especially cost and technical data). Three contractors would be chosen to conduct the studies, a step preliminary to any DOD decision to proceed with full-scale development of the space laboratory.

1965 - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Polaris. Model: Polaris A3. LV Configuration: Polaris A3P-157.
  • Operational test Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1965 - 20:09 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC4W. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: SLV-3 Agena D. LV Configuration: SLV-3 Agena D 7106 / Agena D 7106.
  • KH 7-15 Nation: USA. Payload: KH-7 no. 15. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: KH-7. Agency: NRO/USAF. Perigee: 146 km (90 mi). Apogee: 291 km (180 mi). Inclination: 102.50 deg. Period: 88.90 min. COSPAR: 1965-005A. USAF Sat Cat: 980. Decay Date: 1965-01-29.

    KH-7 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1967 - Launch Vehicle: CZ-1.
  • Tsien removed Nation: China. Spacecraft: DFH-1.

    Tsien was overthrown by the 916 (Mao) Clique. Ye Zhengguang, a missile engineer, with the approval off Zhou En Lai and Marshall Nie, confronts Tsien and removes him from his post as head of the Seventh Ministry. Minister of Machine Building Wang Bingzhang was also deposed. However Tsien was protected by the leadership, made a 'Vice Minister', and claimed he supports the coup. Wang refused to cooperate and would not hand over the chops of his office to the 916 Clique.

1967 - 07:00 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Apache. Model: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache Sphere 37.
  • STV? Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: AFCRL. Apogee: 108 km (67 mi).

1967 - 10:00 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Apache. Model: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache Sphere.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: AFCRL. Apogee: 108 km (67 mi).

1968 - Launch Vehicle: MR-UR-100, N1, RT-2, UR-100N.
  • Three-launch Soviet lunar expedition pitched Nation: USSR. Program: Lunar L3, Lunar L1. Spacecraft: LK, Soyuz 7K-LOK, Soyuz 7K-L1, L3M-1970.

    The 'big' Soviet of Chief Designers meets and the three-launch landing concept developed a month earlier is presented in detail. Pilyugin pointed out that this was a typical contradiction. Mishin had just made a presentation to the expert commission justifying that the one-launch scheme was safe and reliable. Now they wanted to put forward a new scheme because the one-launch scheme was unsafe and unfeasible. - Additional details.

1968 - Launch Site: Biscarosse. Launch Complex: BLB. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: SSBS. Model: SSBS S01.
  • S01V-3 test Nation: France. Agency: DMA. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1968 - 05:33 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tomahawk Sandia. Model: Nike Tomahawk. LV Configuration: Nike Tomahawk NASA 18.13UE.
  • Ionosphere currents Aurora / ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 270 km (160 mi).

1968 - 05:58 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 2. LV Configuration: Black Brant II ADD-2-109/ADD-VB-109.
  • Fields / Ionosphere / Micrometeorites Aurora / ionosphere / fields mission Nation: Canada. Agency: NRCC. Apogee: 151 km (93 mi).

1969 - Launch Vehicle: N1.
  • N1 stormclouds Nation: USSR. Program: Lunar L3. Spacecraft: LK, Soyuz 7K-LOK.

    In the morning Mishin advised his staff of comments made by Afanasyev at the Kremlin reception the previous evening. He had called a Soviet of the chief designers for 27 January to discuss the fate of the N1 programme.

1969 -
  • Cosmonauts shot at in assassination attempt Nation: USSR. Program: Soyuz. Flight: Soyuz 4, Soyuz 5, Soyuz 4/5.

    The assassination attempt is made on Brezhnev, instead hitting the cosmonaut's car, on the way to the Kremlin. A muted press conference follows. All the cosmonauts are there, except Feoktistov, who is on honeymoon with his second wife, and Nikolyaev, who has the Hong Kong flu.

1969 - Launch Site: Green River. Launch Complex: Pad 2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Athena RTV. LV Configuration: Athena B038.
  • USAF B038 re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

    The Athena was designed to simulate the re-entry environment of an intercontinental ballistic missile and was one of the few examples of sustained interstate missile tests within the United States.

1969 - 09:15 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Voskhod 11A57.
  • Cosmos 264 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Zenit-4M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 209 km (129 mi). Apogee: 295 km (183 mi). Inclination: 69.90 deg. Period: 89.60 min. COSPAR: 1969-008A. USAF Sat Cat: 3667. Duration: 13.00 days. Decay Date: 1969-02-05.

    High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; carried radio astronony and gamma ray experiments; maneuverable.

1969 - 12:02 GMT - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: MR-12.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USSR. Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 174 km (108 mi).

1969 - 20:00 GMT - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 SL. Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Model: Skylark 7C. LV Configuration: Skylark-7C SL726.
  • B / Ion / Te Ionosphere mission Nation: Australia. Agency: WRE/RAE. Apogee: 149 km (92 mi).

1969 - 23:00 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Cajun. Model: Nike Cajun. LV Configuration: Nike Cajun NASA 10.315IM.
  • RTG SNC 2A / 3 Aeronomy mission Nation: Sweden. Agency: NASA/RTG. Apogee: 116 km (72 mi).

1970 - Launch Vehicle: Shuttle.
  • NASA Houston in-house study of shuttle concepts Nation: USA.

    The study was in an attempt to resolve disputes between the centres as to the best approach. Houston's Faget straight-wing two-stage vehicle was in competition with concepts from other centres - recoverable versions of Saturn boosters, and an advanced single-stage-to-orbit Aerospaceplane. Payload for the Faget vehicle was to be only 5,700 to 6,800 kg to low earth orbit, and the system was to be operational by the end of 1975, after the last Apollo flight.

1970 - 11:31 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC2W. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Thor Delta N6. LV Configuration: Thor Delta N6 542/D76.
  • ITOS 1 Nation: USA. Program: Tiros. Payload: Tiros M. Mass: 309 kg (681 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Weather. Spacecraft: ITOS. Agency: NOAA. Perigee: 1,434 km (891 mi). Apogee: 1,479 km (919 mi). Inclination: 101.80 deg. Period: 115.00 min. COSPAR: 1970-008A. USAF Sat Cat: 4320.

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

  • Oscar 5 Nation: Australia. Program: Oscar. Payload: Australis-Oscar 5. Mass: 18 kg (39 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Amateur Radio. Spacecraft: Oscar. Agency: Australi. Perigee: 1,434 km (891 mi). Apogee: 1,478 km (918 mi). Inclination: 101.80 deg. Period: 115.00 min. COSPAR: 1970-008B. USAF Sat Cat: 4321.

    Australis-OSCAR 5 was launched piggyback with ITOS-1 (TIROS-M weather satellite. Weight 17.7 kg (9 kg of which was battery mass). Box shaped 304 x 431 x 152 mm. 2 meter monopole and 10 meter dipole antennas. It was the first amateur satellite to be remotely controlled. Built by students at The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Battery powered, Australis-OSCAR 5 transmitted telemetry on both 2 meter (144.050 MHz at 50 mW) and 10 meter (29.450 MHz at 250 mW) bands that operated for 23 and 46 days respectively. Passive magnetic attitude stabilization was performed by carrying two bar magnets to align with the Earth's magnetic field in order to provide a favorable antenna footprint. The University of Melbourne compiled tracking reports from hundreds of stations in 27 countries.

1970 - 18:00 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC25C. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Poseidon. LV Configuration: Poseidon C3XT-19.
  • Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1971 -
  • Meeting of VVS leadership. Nation: USSR. Spacecraft: Spiral OS.

    Kamanin reviews his public relations operations. In ten years the cosmonauts have made 6,000 speeches and gone on 200 publicity tours. Tereshkova is the most in demand. 30 documentary films have been produced, as well as hundreds of books and brochures. The Star City Museum had 13,000 visitors in 1970.

1971 - 02:30 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee 150. LV Configuration: Aerobee 150 NASA 04.260GG.
  • Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

1971 - 04:44 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 5B. LV Configuration: Black Brant VB ADD-VB-24.
  • Auroral VUV Aurora / ionosphere / plasma mission Nation: Canada. Agency: NRCC. Apogee: 375 km (233 mi).

1971 - 13:20 GMT - Launch Site: Kagoshima. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kappa. Model: Kappa 9M. LV Configuration: Kappa 9M K-9M-35.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: Japan. Agency: ISAS. Apogee: 338 km (210 mi).

1971 - 20:08 GMT - Launch Site: Kheysa. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: MR-12.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USSR. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).

1972 - 00:12 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC36B. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: SLV-3C Centaur. LV Configuration: SLV-3C Centaur AC-28 / Centaur D-1A 5008C.
  • Intelsat 4 F-4 Nation: International. Program: Intelsat. Mass: 1,410 kg (3,100 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Intelsat 4. Agency: Intelsat. Perigee: 35,905 km (22,310 mi). Apogee: 35,917 km (22,317 mi). Inclination: 10.50 deg. Period: 1,442.50 min. COSPAR: 1972-003A. USAF Sat Cat: 5775. Completed Operations Date: 1983-05-10.

    Over Pacific. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). Launch vehicle put payload into geosynchronous transfer orbit Positioned in geosynchronous orbit over the Pacific Ocean at 174 deg E in 1972-1974; over the Pacific Ocean 179 deg E in 1975-1982; over the Atlantic Ocean 1 deg W in 1982-1983 As of 28 August 2001 located at 178.00 deg E drifting at 1.569 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 7 located at 155.84W drifting at 1.593W degrees per day.

1972 - 11:22 GMT - Launch Site: Kagoshima. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kappa. Model: Kappa 9M. LV Configuration: Kappa 9M K-9M-37.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: Japan. Agency: ISAS. Apogee: 340 km (210 mi).

1973 - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Poseidon.
  • FOT-5 Follow-on operational missile test Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1973 - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Poseidon.
  • FOT-5 Follow-on operational missile test Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1973 - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Poseidon.
  • FOT-5 Follow-on operational missile test Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1973 - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Poseidon.
  • FOT-5 Follow-on operational missile test Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1974 - 02:30 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF06. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 1. Model: Minuteman 1B.
  • SSTTP M2-28 Target mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1974 - 06:06 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 5B. LV Configuration: Black Brant VB AMD-VB-34.
  • Aurora / aeronomy / ionosphere mission Nation: Canada. Agency: NRCC. Apogee: 208 km (129 mi).

1974 - 11:30 GMT - Launch Site: El Arenosillo. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Skua. Model: Skua 4. LV Configuration: Skua 4 MS4CLO-7402.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: UK. Agency: INTA/DLR. Apogee: 106 km (65 mi).

1975 - 11:00 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Voskhod 11A57.
  • Cosmos 704 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 205 km (127 mi). Apogee: 305 km (189 mi). Inclination: 72.90 deg. Period: 89.60 min. COSPAR: 1975-005A. USAF Sat Cat: 7617. Duration: 14.00 days. Decay Date: 1975-02-06.

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

1975 - 11:05 GMT - Launch Site: Kagoshima. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kappa. Model: Kappa 9M. LV Configuration: Kappa 9M K-9M-50.
  • X-ray astronomy mission Nation: Japan. Agency: ISAS. Apogee: 353 km (219 mi).

1976 -
  • MPTA-098 truss on dock, Downey Nation: USA. Program: STS.

1976 - 1976 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF06. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 1. Model: Minuteman 1B.
  • SFT-105 re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1976 - 22:34 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tomahawk Sandia. Model: Ute Tomahawk. LV Configuration: Ute Tomahawk GL A09.402-2.
  • Winter Anomaly Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF GL. Apogee: 124 km (77 mi).

1976 - 22:45 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tomahawk Sandia. Model: Nike Tomahawk. LV Configuration: Nike Tomahawk GL A08.608-1.
  • Winter Anomaly Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 117 km (72 mi).

1977 - 19:18 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tomahawk Sandia. Model: Nike Tomahawk. LV Configuration: Nike Tomahawk NASA 18.1005UE.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 222 km (137 mi).

1979 - 15:00 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC25C. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Trident. Model: Trident C-4. LV Configuration: Trident C-4 C4X-21.
  • Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1980 - 07:00 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC32/1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tsiklon. Model: Tsiklon-3.
  • Cosmos 1151 Nation: USSR. Program: Okean. Payload: Okean-E no. 2. Mass: 1,950 kg (4,290 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Radarsat. Spacecraft: Okean-E. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 566 km (351 mi). Apogee: 589 km (365 mi). Inclination: 82.50 deg. Period: 96.20 min. COSPAR: 1980-005A. USAF Sat Cat: 11671. Completed Operations Date: 1981-10-13.

    Test mission of Okean satellite without the radar. Testing of methods for obtaining operational information on the oceans.

1981 - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC32/1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tsiklon. Model: Tsiklon-3. FAILURE: Payload shroud failed to separate.
  • Geo-IK no. 1 Nation: USSR. Payload: Geo-IK no. 1. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Geodetic. Spacecraft: Geo-IK. Agency: RVSN. COSPAR: F810123A. Decay Date: 1981-01-23.

1982 - 08:00 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries GL A24.7S2-02.
  • FIRSSE (BMP) ABM infrared sensor technology / infrared technology mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF GL. Apogee: 378 km (234 mi).

1982 - 12:12 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Hawk. Model: Nike Orion. LV Configuration: Nike Orion NASA 31.25GE.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 140 km (80 mi).

1982 - 12:13 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Hawk. Model: Nike Orion. LV Configuration: Nike Orion NASA 31.19GE.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 101 km (62 mi).

1984 - 07:58 GMT - Launch Site: Tanegashima. Launch Complex: N. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: N-2. LV Configuration: N-2 N-12(F).
  • Yuri 2A Nation: Japan. Program: BS. Payload: BS-2a. Mass: 670 kg (1,470 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: AS 3000. Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin. Agency: NASDA. Perigee: 36,072 km (22,414 mi). Apogee: 36,191 km (22,488 mi). Inclination: 4.90 deg. Period: 1,453.80 min. COSPAR: 1984-005A. USAF Sat Cat: 14659. Completed Operations Date: 1989-07-01.

    TV. BS-2a (Yuri-2a). Domestic satellite broadcasting; development of broadcasting satellite technology. Launch 0758 GMT. N launch vehicle flight no 12. Launching organization NASDA. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 110 deg E in 1984-1985; 108 deg E in 1985-1987; 110 deg E in 1987-1988 As of 28 August 2001 located at 69.57 deg E drifting at 4.403 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 153.52W drifting at 4.395W degrees per day.

1985 - 09:23 GMT - Launch Site: Sonde Stromfjord. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Terrier. Model: Terrier Malemute. LV Configuration: Terrier Malemute NASA 29.23UE.
  • COPE Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1985 - 09:26 GMT - Launch Site: Sonde Stromfjord. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 10. LV Configuration: Black Brant X NASA 35.009UE.
  • COPE Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 769 km (477 mi).

1985 - 19:58 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC90/19. Launch Pad: LC90/pad?. Launch Vehicle: Tsiklon. Model: Tsiklon-2.
  • Cosmos 1625 Nation: USSR. Program: EORSAT. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Class: Sigint. Type: Naval reconnaisance. Spacecraft: US-P. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 118 km (73 mi). Apogee: 390 km (240 mi). Inclination: 65.00 deg. Period: 89.60 min. COSPAR: 1985-008A. USAF Sat Cat: 15492. Decay Date: 1985-01-25.

    Ocean monitoring.

1986 -
  • Brad Smith's Discovery of Uranus Moon Bianca Nation: USA.

1986 - 18:52 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Model: Kosmos 11K65M. LV Configuration: Kosmos 11K65M 47122-334.
  • Cosmos 1727 Nation: USSR. Mass: 810 kg (1,780 lb). Class: Navigation. Spacecraft: Tsikada. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 957 km (594 mi). Apogee: 1,014 km (630 mi). Inclination: 83.00 deg. Period: 104.80 min. COSPAR: 1986-008A. USAF Sat Cat: 16510.

    Civilian naval navigation satellite. Replaced Cosmos 1506.

1988 - 18:30 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 9. LV Configuration: Black Brant IX NASA 36.29GU.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).

1989 - 10:40 GMT - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Trident. Model: Trident C-4.
  • DASO-31 demonstration and shakedown operations launch Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1990 - 02:51 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC43/4. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Molniya 8K78M. LV Configuration: Molniya 8K78M-ML.
  • Molniya 3-37 Nation: USSR. Program: Molniya. Payload: Molniya-3 s/n 53. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Molniya-3. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 982 km (610 mi). Apogee: 39,367 km (24,461 mi). Inclination: 64.90 deg. Period: 717.70 min. COSPAR: 1990-006A. USAF Sat Cat: 20444. Decay Date: 2003-06-23.

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

1990 - 19:40 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 9. LV Configuration: Black Brant IX NASA 36.33UL.
  • PACE Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).

1991 - 10:59 GMT - 1991 - 19:54 GMT - Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. Launch Vehicle: R-17. Model: Al Hussein.
  • Dhahran Nation: Iraq. Agency: IRAQ. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1991 - 19:54 GMT - Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. Launch Vehicle: R-17. Model: Al Hussein.
  • Dhahran Nation: Iraq. Agency: IRAQ. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1991 - 19:54 GMT - Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: IRAQ-W. Launch Vehicle: R-17. Model: Al Hussein.
  • Israel Nation: Iraq. Agency: IRAQ. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1991 - 19:54 GMT - Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. Launch Vehicle: R-17. Model: Al Hussein.
  • Riyadh Nation: Iraq. Agency: IRAQ. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1991 - 19:54 GMT - Launch Site: Scud Batteries. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: IRAQ-S. Launch Vehicle: R-17. Model: Al Hussein.
  • Riyadh Nation: Iraq. Agency: IRAQ. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1992 - 19:19 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 9. LV Configuration: Black Brant IX NASA 36.075UE.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).

1995 - 12:30 GMT - Launch Site: Kagoshima. Launch Complex: L. Launch Pad: K. Launch Vehicle: S. Model: S-520. LV Configuration: S-520-17.
  • Submillimeter radio astronomy mission Nation: Japan. Agency: ISAS. Apogee: 346 km (214 mi).

1998 - 02:48 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC39A. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. LV Configuration: Space Shuttle STS-89.
  • STS-89 Nation: USA. Program: Mir. Payload: Endeavour F12 / Spacehab Double Module. Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Endeavour. Manufacturer: Boeing-HB/Alenia. Agency: NASA JSC. Perigee: 359 km (223 mi). Apogee: 382 km (237 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 92.00 min. COSPAR: 1998-003A. USAF Sat Cat: 25143. Duration: 8.82 days. Decay Date: 1998-01-31. Crew: Wilcutt, Edwards, Reilly, Anderson, Thomas Andrew, Dunbar, Sharipov. Flight: Mir NASA-5, Mir EO-24, STS-89, Mir NASA-6.

    Penultimate Shuttle mission to Mir. Andy Thomas replaced David Wolf as the resident NASA astronaut. Endeavour docked with the SO module on Mir at 20:14 GMT on January 24, 1998.

    Payloads included:

    • Orbiter middeck: CEBAS (German/US biological module with fish and snails); dinosaur skull (part of a museum educational program)
    • Bay 1: Tunnel Adapter
    • Bay 3: Orbiter Docking System/External Airlock
    • Bay 4-7: Transfer Tunnel
    • Bay 8-12: Spacehab Double Module (payloads included supplies for Mir, X-ray crystallography detector planned for the International Space Station)
    • Bay 13P: Getaway Special GABA carrier with G-141, G-145 (German materials processing experiments)
    • Bay 13S: Getaway Special GABA carrier with G-093 (University of Michigan fluid dynamics experiment), G-432 (Chinese materials processing experiment)

    Despite fits problems with his Sokol emergency spacesuit, Andy Thomas replaced David Wolf as a Mir crew member on January 25. Endeavour undocked from Mir on January 29 at 16:57 GMT and made one flyaround of the station before departing and landing at Kennedy Space Center's runway 15 at 22:35 GMT on January 31.

  • Spacehab Double Module Nation: USA. Program: Mir. Class: Manned. Type: Spacelab. Spacecraft: Spacehab. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1998-003xx.

  • External Airlock/ODS Nation: USA. Program: Mir. Payload: EAL/ODS. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1998-003xx. USAF Sat Cat: 25143. Decay Date: 1998-01-31.

2002 - 23:46 GMT - Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: ELA2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Ariane. Model: Ariane 42L. LV Configuration: Ariane 42L-3 V147.
  • Insat 3C Nation: India. Program: Insat. Mass: 2,750 kg (6,060 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Insat 3. Manufacturer: ISRO. Agency: ISRO. Perigee: 35,768 km (22,225 mi). Apogee: 35,805 km (22,248 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2002-002A. USAF Sat Cat: 27298.

    Communications satellite. Launch delayed from January 16. The Ariane placed Insat 3C into a geosynchronous transfer orbit. The Indian communications satellite had a mass of 1050 kg empty, 2750 kg fuelled. It carried 30 C-band and two S-band transponders. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 73.96E drifting at 0.007W degrees per day.

2004 - Launch Site: Balasore. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Prithvi.
  • Test mission Nation: India. Agency: IDRDL. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).


Born on this day in:
  • 1930 - William Reid (Bill) Pogue.  American Pilot Astronaut. Birth City: Okemah. Birth State: Oklahoma. Birth Country: USA.
  • 1949 - Robert (Bob) Donald Cabana.  American Pilot Astronaut. Birth City: Minneapolis. Birth State: Minnesota. Birth Country: USA.

Died on this day in:
  • 1976 - Dr Aleksey Vasilyevich Sorokin.  Russian Physician Cosmonaut. Cause of Death: Heart disease / blood poisoning.
  • 1988 - Georgi Maksimiliyanovich Malenkov.  Russian Government Official.
  • 1994 - Lee A DuBridge.  American Scientist.

Contact us with any corrections, additions, or comments.
Conditions for use of drawings, pictures, or other materials from this site..
To contact astronauts or cosmonauts.

© Mark Wade, 1997 - 2008 except where otherwise noted.