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On this day in:

1946 -

  • Army begins test of guided missiles. Nation: USA.

    Army announced creation by AAF of the First Experimental Guided Missiles Group to develop and test rocket missiles at Eglin Field, Fla.

1949 -
  • Samolyot 5 supersonic rocketplane glide flight. Nation: USSR. Spacecraft: Samolyot 5.

    The 5-2 second aircraft, with rocket engine installed, made its first glide flight.

1952 - Launch Site: Le Cardonnet. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Veronique. Model: Veronique R. LV Configuration: Veronique R R7.
  • Test mission Nation: France. Agency: FR. Apogee: 1.00 km (0.60 mi).

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

    Council of Soviet Ministers (SM) Decree 'On approval of work on the R-11FM' was issued.

1956 -
  • Satellite symposium. Nation: USA.

    Symposium on "The Scientific Uses of Earth Satellites" held at the University of Michigan under sponsorship of the Upper Atmosphere Rocket Research Panel, James A. Van Allen of the State University of Iowa, Chairman.

1956 - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Deacon. Model: Tandem Double Deacon.
  • E15 Model test flight Nation: USA. Agency: NACA. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

1957 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC17B. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Thor DM-18. LV Configuration: Thor DM-18 101. FAILURE: Lox contamination, led to a valve failure. Thrust decayed, the booster settled back through the thrust ring, causing an oxygen fire, followed by booster explosion.
  • Series I research and development launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555 ATW. Apogee: 0 km ( mi).

    First attempted test flight of USAF Thor IRBM, only 13 months after first production contracts were signed, failed to launch.

1958 - 04:18 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee Hi. LV Configuration: Aerobee Hi NN3.03F.
  • NRL NN3.03F Aeronomy/Plasma/Fields mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 180 km (110 mi).

1959 -
  • NASA completed negotiations with McDonnell for the Mercury spacecraft. Nation: USA. Program: Mercury. Spacecraft: Mercury.

    NASA completed contract negotiations with McDonnell for the design and development of the Mercury spacecraft. At that time, McDonnell estimated that the first 3 spacecraft could be delivered in 10 months. Spacecraft refinements slipped this estimated goal by only 2 months.

1959 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: RW30/12. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Navaho. Model: Navaho X-10. LV Configuration: X-10 s/n 10 GM-52-3.
  • Navaho X-10 Drone BOMARC target mission 3 Nation: USA. Program: Navaho. Agency: USAF.

    The X-10 was launched with only one electrical generator due to a lack of any remaining spares. As it headed out over the ocean, that generator failed. It lost all electrical power, and crashed into the ocean 105 km downrange.

1960 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Pad: ALA3. Launch Vehicle: Redstone. Model: Redstone. LV Configuration: Redstone 2011.
  • Capsule operational test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 90 km (55 mi).

    Successful missile test with capsule. Missed aimpoint by 277 m.

1960 - 00:48 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC26B. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Jupiter. LV Configuration: Jupiter IRBM AM-28.
  • Research and development test Nation: USA. Agency: USAF/ABMA. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

    Fired from AMR at 1948 hours EST to a prescribed range of: 1,299.4 nm. The nose cone impacted 0.04 nm over and 3.27 nm to the left. All missions were successfully accomplished despite elevated temperatures in the tail section. The primary mission of this flight was to test the two-way deflector launch section and to analyse elevated temperatures in the tail

1960 - 05:42 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Javelin. LV Configuration: Javelin NASA 8.02GT.
  • X248 test Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 951 km (590 mi).

1960 - 23:43 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: 576A3. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas D. LV Configuration: Atlas D 6D. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Initial operational capability demonstration launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,800 km (1,100 mi).

    Two Atlas ICBMs launched within two hours - one by SAC at VAFB, one by GD/A at AMR; both successful.

1961 - Launch Vehicle: Saturn I.
  • Saturn C-1 changed to a two-stage configuration Nation: USA. Program: Apollo.

    Wernher von Braun, Director of Marshall Space Flight Center, proposed that the Saturn C-1 launch vehicle be changed from a three-stage to a two-stage configuration to meet Apollo program schedules. The planned third stage (S-V) would be dropped.

1962 - Launch Vehicle: Titan. Model: Titan 2.
  • Titan II plans to ensure flight safety and enhance reliability. Nation: USA.

    After investigating potential malfunction problems of the modified Titan II/Gemini launch vehicle, Martin-Baltimore prepared a study report with plans to provide the components necessary to ensure flight safety and enhance reliability. Martin defined the malfunction problem quantitatively in terms of the probability of each cause and its characteristic effect on the system and vehicle. Martin intended to keep the launch vehicle as much like the weapon system as possible; thus the data obtained from the Air Force's weapon system development program would be applicable to the launch vehicle. Only minimal modifications to enhance probability of mission success, to increase pilot safety, and to accommodate the Gemini spacecraft as the payload were to be made. These included a malfunction detection system; backup guidance, control, and hydraulic systems; and selective electrical redundancies.

1962 - 20:30 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC12. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas Agena B. LV Configuration: Atlas Agena B 121D (AA3) / Agena B 6003 (AA3). FAILURE: Agena B second stage guidance system failure.
  • Ranger 3 Nation: USA. Program: Ranger. Payload: NASA P-34 (RA-3). Mass: 327 kg (720 lb). Class: Planetary. Type: Lunar. Spacecraft: Ranger 3-4-5. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1962-Alpha-1. USAF Sat Cat: 221.

    Lunar impact probe; missed the moon by 36,874 km and went into solar orbit. A malfunction in the booster guidance system resulted in excessive spacecraft speed. Reversed command signals caused the telemetry antenna to lose earth acquisition, and mid-course correction was not possible. Some useful data were obtained from the flight. Of four scientific experiments only one was partially completed: gamma-ray readings of the lunar surface. Attempts to relay television pictures of the moon and to bounce radar signals off the moon at close range were unsuccessful.

1963 -
  • New assignments for the seven original astronauts Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Gemini.

    MSC announced new assignments for the seven original astronauts: L. Gordon Cooper, Jr., and Alan B. Shepard, Jr., would be responsible for the remaining pilot phases of Project Mercury; Virgil I. Grissom would specialize in Project Gemini; John H. Glenn, Jr., would concentrate on Project Apollo; M. Scott Carpenter would cover lunar excursion training; and Walter M. Schirra, Jr., would be responsible for Gemini and Apollo operations and training. As Coordinator for Astronaut Activities, Donald K. Slayton would maintain overall supervision of astronaut duties.

    Specialty areas for the second generation were: trainers and simulators, Neil A. Armstrong; boosters, Frank Borman; cockpit layout and systems integration, Charles Conrad, Jr.; recovery system, James A. Lovell, Jr.; guidance and navigation, James A. McDivitt; electrical, sequential, and mission planning, Elliot M. See, Jr.; communications, instrumentation, and range integration, Thomas P. Stafford; flight control systems, Edward H. White II; and environmental control systems, personal equipment, and survival equipment, John W. Young.

1964 - 21:59 GMT - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Polaris. Model: Polaris A2. LV Configuration: Polaris A2P-191.
  • Operational test Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1965 -
  • Apollo Lunar Landing Research Vehicle results Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LLRV.

    Warren J. North, Chairman of the Lunar Landing Research Vehicle (LLRV) Coordination Panel, reported to MSC Director Robert R. Gilruth that the LLRV had been flown 10 times by Flight Research Center pilots - eight times by Joe Walker and twice by Don Mallick. Maximum altitude achieved was 91 m (300 ft) and maximum forward velocity was 12 m (40 ft) per sec. - Additional details.

1965 - 09:40 GMT - Launch Site: Atlantic Ocean. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 35.1 S x 35.5 W. Launch Vehicle: Iris. Model: Hydra-Iris. LV Configuration: Hydra-Iris SAP-2.
  • LRL SAP-2 (SAA) Ionosphere / magnetosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN NMC. Apogee: 289 km (179 mi).

1966 - 02:10 GMT - Launch Site: Kagoshima. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kappa. Model: S-250. LV Configuration: S-250 BT-250-1.
  • Test mission Nation: Japan. Agency: ISAS. Apogee: 6.00 km (3.70 mi).

1966 - 10:32 GMT - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: HAD. LV Configuration: HAD 176.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: Australia. Agency: WRE. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1966 - 23:50 GMT - Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Apache. Model: Nike Apache.
  • Sandia 154-60 Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: Sandia. Apogee: 110 km (60 mi).

1967 -
  • NASA planned to form an "embryonic space station" in 1968-69 by clustering four AAP payloads. Nation: USA. Spacecraft: Orbital Workshop.

    At a NASA Hq briefing, Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight George E. Mueller stated that NASA planned to form an 'embryonic space station' in 1968-69 by clustering four AAP payloads launched at different times. The first mission would be the launch of a manned spacecraft followed several days later by a spent S-IVB stage converted into an OWS. After the two spacecraft had docked, the crew would enter the Workshop through an airlock. Twenty-eight days later they would passivate the OWS and return to Earth in their spacecraft. In three to six months, a second manned spacecraft would be launched on a 56-day mission to deliver a resupply module to the OWS and to rendezvous with an unmanned ATM, the fourth and last launch of the series. The cluster would be joined together using the multiple docking adapter. Emphasizing the importance of manning the ATM, Mueller said that 'if there is one thing the scientific community is agreed on it is that when you want to have a major telescope instrument in space it needs to be manned.'

1967 - 17:31 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC2E. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Thor Delta E. LV Configuration: Thor Delta E 472/D45.
  • ESSA 4 Nation: USA. Program: Tiros. Payload: TOS B. Mass: 132 kg (291 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Weather. Spacecraft: TOS. Agency: ESSA. Perigee: 1,326 km (823 mi). Apogee: 1,440 km (890 mi). Inclination: 102.00 deg. Period: 113.40 min. COSPAR: 1967-006A. USAF Sat Cat: 2657.

    Replaced ESSA 2. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C).

1967 - 18:45 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Arcas. Model: Boosted Arcas.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 104 km (64 mi).

1968 -
  • Unsuccessful L1 SAS abort system test at Vladimirovka. Nation: USSR. Program: Lunar L1. Spacecraft: Soyuz 7K-L1, Soyuz 7K-OK.

    The parachute failed to inflate after the capsule separated from the escape tower. The recovery apparatus on both the Soyuz and L1 versions of the capsule continue to perform badly. The soft landing engines have ignited at altitudes of 2000 to 4000 m instead of the 1.2 m required for a soft landing. On the first UR-500K abort the SAS functioned, but the parachute failed to separate after landing, dragging the capsule for 600 m across the steppes. On the second UR-500K abort, there was a premature opening of the parachute, and reaction control system venting led to burn-through of some of the parachute lines.

1968 - 04:00 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee 150. LV Configuration: Aerobee 150 NASA 04.205GG.
  • Stellar astronomy Ultraviolet astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 160 km (90 mi).

1969 - 09:45 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee 350. LV Configuration: Aerobee 350 NASA 17.03GE.
  • Electron gun Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 271 km (168 mi).

1970 -
  • HL-10 Flight 33 Nation: USA. Program: NASA Lifting Body. Payload: HL-10 flight 33. Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: HL-10. Crew: Dana.

    Maximum Speed - 1443 kph. Maximum Altitude - 26730 m. Flight Time - 411 sec.

1970 - 22:30 GMT - Launch Site: Natal. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Javelin. LV Configuration: Javelin N-J-19.
  • DLR N-J-19 Ionosphere mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DLR. Apogee: 800 km (490 mi).

1971 -
  • ECS technology review. Nation: USSR. Program: Salyut. Spacecraft: Salyut 1, MKBS, Aelita.

    Keldysh heads a review of spacecraft environmental control system development. The work of the IMBP is not well organised. They have been developing systems for eight years with no concrete results. G I Voronin is responsible for oxygen regenerator and thermal regulation systems; G I Severin, for space suits; O G Gazenko for biosensors, medicines, and space food. Two problems need to be solved: to understand and counter the effects of zero gravity on the human organism; and to develop a reliable environmental control system with a guaranteed life of two to three years. Keldysh declares that in the next five to ten years the Soviet Union will not fly space stations with artificial gravity. Therefore, due to the inevitable deterioration of the human body in zero gravity, crews will have to be rotated every 30 to 60 days. Development must continue with an eye to supporting eventual lunar bases and manned expeditions to Mars.

1971 - 00:36 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC36A. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: SLV-3C Centaur. LV Configuration: SLV-3C Centaur AC-25 / Centaur D-1A 5005C.
  • Intelsat 4 F-2 Nation: International. Program: Intelsat. Mass: 706 kg (1,556 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Intelsat 4. Agency: Intelsat. Perigee: 36,151 km (22,463 mi). Apogee: 36,236 km (22,515 mi). Inclination: 15.30 deg. Period: 1,457.00 min. COSPAR: 1971-006A. USAF Sat Cat: 4881. Completed Operations Date: 1983-05-11.

    Launch vehicle put payload into geosynchronous transfer orbit; the satellite performed the apogee burn and positioned itself in geosynchronous orbit over the Atlantic Ocean at 24.5 deg W. Subsequently at 23 deg W in 1971-1975; over the Atlantic Ocean 1-6 deg W in 1976-1980; over the Atlantic Ocean 0-5 deg E in 1980-1983. As of 3 September 2001 at 31.91 deg E drifting at 5.168 deg W per day. As of 2006 Dec 18 located at 133.93E drifting at 5.166W degrees per day. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C).

1971 - 10:50 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Complex: C. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Belier. Model: Centaure. LV Configuration: Centaure C60/2.
  • ESRO C60 / 2 Chemical release / particles mission Nation: Europe. Agency: ESRO. Apogee: 167 km (103 mi).

1971 - 12:44 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC133/1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 2. Model: Kosmos 11K63.
  • Cosmos 393 Nation: USSR. Program: DS. Payload: DS-P1-Yu s/n 34. Mass: 325 kg (716 lb). Class: Military. Type: Target. Spacecraft: DS-P1-Yu. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 272 km (169 mi). Apogee: 485 km (301 mi). Inclination: 71.00 deg. Period: 92.10 min. COSPAR: 1971-007A. USAF Sat Cat: 4884. Completed Operations Date: 1971-06-12. Decay Date: 1971-06-16.

    Development of systems for air defence and the control of outer space.

1971 - 13:22 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Petrel. Model: Petrel 1. LV Configuration: Petrel ESRO P40/1.
  • ESRO P40 / 1 Ionosphere mission Nation: Europe. Agency: ESRO. Apogee: 145 km (90 mi).

1971 - 17:23 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 5B. LV Configuration: Black Brant VB AMD-VB-26.
  • Airglow Ionosphere / solar mission Nation: Canada. Agency: NRCC. Apogee: 282 km (175 mi).

1971 - 22:58 GMT - Launch Site: Eglin. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tomahawk Sandia. Model: Terrier Tomahawk. LV Configuration: Terrier Tomahawk SECEDE.
  • Cert.Round (Probe C) test Nation: USA. Agency: Sandia. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).

1971 - 23:50 GMT - Launch Site: Eglin. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Nike. Model: Nike Iroquois. LV Configuration: Nike Iroquois SECEDE R14.
  • REDWOOD Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 252 km (156 mi).

1972 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF02. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3.
  • OT GT11GM operational test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1973 -
  • Ames requested six R4D rocket engines surplus to the Apollo program for Pioneer-Venus Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Pioneer 12.

    Ames Research Center requested that six R4D rocket engines designed for use in the Apollo program be transferred from MSC to Ames. Possibly the engines would be suitable for the retro-injection function in the Pioneer Venus series of atmospheric probe and orbiter missions. First launch was planned for early 1977.

1973 -
  • Rocco A. Petrone became the new NASA MSFC Director. Nation: USA.

    MSFC Director Eberhard F. M. Rees retired. He had served as Director since 1 March 1970. Rocco A. Petrone, NASA Apollo Program Director, became the new MSFC Director.

1973 - 11:44 GMT - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: LC107/1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Model: Kosmos 11K65M. LV Configuration: Kosmos 11K65M Yu149-37.
  • Cosmos 546 Nation: USSR. Payload: Tsiklon Mass Model. Mass: 750 kg (1,650 lb). Class: Navigation. Spacecraft: Tsiklon. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 537 km (333 mi). Apogee: 564 km (350 mi). Inclination: 50.70 deg. Period: 95.70 min. COSPAR: 1973-005A. USAF Sat Cat: 6350.

    Military navigation satellite.

1974 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: UR-100N. Model: UR-100N.
  • State trials missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1974 - 09:59 GMT - Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Complex: LC12. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tomahawk Sandia. Model: Terrier Tomahawk. LV Configuration: Terrier Tomahawk Sandia 152-202. FAILURE: Failure.
  • LRL ACS-7C X-ray astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: Sandia. Apogee: 0 km ( mi).

1974 - 14:00 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF25. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3.
  • OT GT24GB-1 operational test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1975 - 02:37 GMT - Launch Site: Kerguelen. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Stromboli. Model: Eridan. LV Configuration: Eridan E012A.
  • ARAKS Northward Ionosphere / plasma mission Nation: France. Agency: CNES. Apogee: 190 km (110 mi).

1976 - Launch Site: Tonopah. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Recruit. Model: Pedro Recruit. LV Configuration: Pedro Recruit FLAME 8.
  • FLAME test Nation: USA. Apogee: 17 km (10 mi).

1977 - 08:25 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries NRL NB24.276.
  • Astro 8-1 (A8) X-ray astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 347 km (215 mi).

1978 - 04:58 GMT - Launch Site: Jiuquan. Launch Complex: LA2B. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: CZ. Model: CZ-2C. LV Configuration: Chang Zheng 2C CZ2C-3 (6).
  • FSW-0 No. 3 Nation: China. Payload: FSW-0 No. 03. Mass: 2,500 kg (5,500 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: FSW. Agency: MAI. Perigee: 186 km (115 mi). Apogee: 507 km (315 mi). Inclination: 57.00 deg. Period: 91.40 min. COSPAR: 1978-011A. USAF Sat Cat: 10611. Duration: 5.00 days. Decay Date: 1978-02-07.

    Photo surveillance; film capsule; capsule returned January 30. Second fully successful FSW mission.

1978 - 17:36 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC17A. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Delta 2914. LV Configuration: Delta 2914 628/D138.
  • IUE 1 Nation: USA. Payload: IUE. Mass: 672 kg (1,481 lb). Class: Astronomy. Spacecraft: IUE. Agency: NASA/ESA. Perigee: 30,285 km (18,818 mi). Apogee: 41,296 km (25,660 mi). Inclination: 34.30 deg. Period: 1,436.30 min. COSPAR: 1978-012A. USAF Sat Cat: 10637. Completed Operations Date: 1996-09-30.

    International Ultraviolet Explorer. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). Positioned in geosynchronous orbit over the Atlantic Ocean at 30 deg W in-60 deg W in 1978-1996 As of 3 September 2001 located at 35.66 deg E drifting at 0.773 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 8 located at 14.14W drifting at 0.700W degrees per day.

1979 - 11:01 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Terrier. Model: Terrier Malemute. LV Configuration: Terrier Malemute NASA 29.13UE. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 186 km (115 mi).

1980 -
  • Voyager 1's Discovery of Saturn Moon Epimetheus Nation: USA. Spacecraft: Voyager.

1981 - 07:20 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 4B. LV Configuration: Black Brant IVB AAF-4B-36.
  • Substorm Auroral mission Nation: Canada. Agency: NRCC. Apogee: 584 km (362 mi).

1982 - 12:50 GMT - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Trident. Model: Trident C-4.
  • DASO-10 demonstration and shakedown operations launch Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1983 - 02:17 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC2W. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Delta 3910. LV Configuration: Delta 3910 650/D166.
  • IRAS Nation: USA. Payload: IRAS / PIX 2 #. Mass: 1,073 kg (2,365 lb). Class: Astronomy. Spacecraft: IRAS. Agency: JPL/NIVR. Perigee: 885 km (549 mi). Apogee: 903 km (561 mi). Inclination: 99.00 deg. Period: 102.90 min. COSPAR: 1983-004A. USAF Sat Cat: 13777.

    All-sky survey of astronomical IR bodies. Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space (US Cat B).

  • PIX 2 Nation: USA. Payload: PIX II. Spacecraft: IRAS. Agency: NASA GSF. Perigee: 856 km (532 mi). Apogee: 887 km (551 mi). Inclination: 100.03 deg. Period: 102.30 min. COSPAR: 1983-004B. USAF Sat Cat: 13778.

1983 - 23:00 GMT - Launch Site: Tanegashima. Launch Complex: T. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: S. Model: TT-500A. LV Configuration: TT-500A TT-500A-12F.
  • Microgravity mission Nation: Japan. Agency: NASDA. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).

1984 - 08:50 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: LC1 or LC31. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U2.
  • Cosmos 1533 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Zenit-6U. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 222 km (137 mi). Apogee: 354 km (219 mi). Inclination: 70.40 deg. Period: 90.30 min. COSPAR: 1984-006A. USAF Sat Cat: 14666. Duration: 14.00 days. Decay Date: 1984-02-09.

    Photo surveillance; returned film capsule.

1984 - 12:00 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Model: Kosmos 11K65M. LV Configuration: Kosmos 11K65M 53793-469.
  • Cosmos 1534 Nation: USSR. Class: Calibration. Spacecraft: Taifun-1. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 305 km (189 mi). Apogee: 334 km (207 mi). Inclination: 65.80 deg. Period: 90.90 min. COSPAR: 1984-007A. USAF Sat Cat: 14668. Decay Date: 1990-09-19.

    Radar calibration mission.

1984 - 15:52 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Super Chief. Model: Talos Sergeant Hydac.
  • HAVE SLED II Target mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF BMO. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1986 -
  • Voyager 2 spacecraft reports secrets of Uranus Nation: USA.

1988 - 11:20 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U.
  • Cosmos 1915 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Landsat. Spacecraft: Zenit-8. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 190 km (110 mi). Apogee: 372 km (231 mi). Inclination: 73.00 deg. Period: 90.20 min. COSPAR: 1988-004A. USAF Sat Cat: 18809. Duration: 14.00 days. Decay Date: 1988-02-09.

    Military cartographic satellite; returned film capsule.

1989 - 09:16 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC200/40. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Proton. Model: Proton-K/DM-2. LV Configuration: Proton-K/DM-2 351-02.
  • Gorizont 17 Nation: USSR. Payload: Gorizont s/n 29L. Mass: 2,120 kg (4,670 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Gorizont . Agency: MOM. Perigee: 36,034 km (22,390 mi). Apogee: 36,224 km (22,508 mi). Inclination: 8.40 deg. Period: 1,453.60 min. COSPAR: 1989-004A. USAF Sat Cat: 19765. Completed Operations Date: 1997-02-08.

    Stationed at 53 deg E. Provision of telephone and telegraph radiocommunications and television broadcasting. The Rimsat network was initiated when Gorizont 17 was leased to the corporation and transferred from 53 degrees E (where it was then a backup to Gorizont 27) to 134 degrees E during late-June and July, 1993. At the close of 1994, Gorizont 17 was still on station but nearing the end of its operational life after six years. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 53 deg E in 1989-1993; 134 deg E in 1993-1995; 34 deg E in 1995-1997 As of 30 August 2001 located at 22.84 deg W drifting at 4.340 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 147.41W drifting at 4.350W degrees per day.

1989 - 15:36 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Model: Kosmos 11K65M. LV Configuration: Kosmos 11K65M 65079-812.
  • Cosmos 1992 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Mass: 900 kg (1,980 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-2M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 764 km (474 mi). Apogee: 798 km (495 mi). Inclination: 74.10 deg. Period: 100.50 min. COSPAR: 1989-005A. USAF Sat Cat: 19769.

1990 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC37. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: HEDI.
  • KITE-1 test Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

1990 - 12:09 GMT -
  • EVA Mir EO-5-3 Nation: USSR. Program: Mir. Class: Manned. Type: Space station. Spacecraft: Mir. Crew: Viktorenko, Serebrov. Flight: Mir EO-5. EVA Duration: 0.13 days.

    Tested spacesuit. Examined exterior of Kvant 2.

1991 - 00:28 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 - 06:25 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 9. LV Configuration: Black Brant IX NASA 36.057UG.
  • JHU FOT 10 (Io) Ultraviolet astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).

1991 - 09:00 GMT - 1991 - 19:46 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).

1993 - 15:55 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC16/2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Molniya 8K78M. LV Configuration: Molniya 8K78M-2BL.
  • Cosmos 2232 Nation: Russia. Payload: Oko #72. Mass: 1,900 kg (4,100 lb). Class: Early Warning. Spacecraft: Oko. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 4,502 km (2,797 mi). Apogee: 35,870 km (22,280 mi). Inclination: 67.60 deg. Period: 718.10 min. COSPAR: 1993-006A. USAF Sat Cat: 22321.

    Covered Oko constellation plane 4 - 34 degree longitude of ascending node.

1998 - 12:26 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Hawk. Model: Nike Orion. LV Configuration: Nike Orion DLR K-NO2-230.
  • SSC MERMAID Microgravity / education mission Nation: Europe. Agency: SSC/DLR. Apogee: 132 km (82 mi).

2001 - 03:57 GMT - Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries NTW Aegis Target.
  • TTV-2 (FTR-1A) Target mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).

2001 - 04:03 GMT - Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Complex: POA. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Standard-ER. Model: Standard SM-3. LV Configuration: SM-3 Aegis FTR-1A.
  • Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

2002 - 02:00 GMT - Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries NTW Aegis Target.
  • SMD FM-2 TTV-3 Target mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).

2002 - 02:08 GMT - Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Complex: POA. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Standard-ER. Model: Standard SM-3. LV Configuration: SM-3 Aegis FM-2.
  • SDACS Intercept Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

2005 - 07:43 GMT -
  • EVA ISS EO-10-1 Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Crew: Chiao, Sharipov. Flight: ISS EO-10. EVA Duration: 0.23 days.

    The EO-10 crew, wearing Orlan spacesuits, first installed a work platform on the exterior of the Zvezda Service Module. Station systems were put on autopilot for the duration of the spacewalk. Atop the platform the astronauts mounted a German experiment, a small remote-controlled manipulator arm, meant to test the operation of lightweight robotic joints in space. They also moved a Japanese micrometeoroid experiment and inspected the station's environmental control system vents for blockages. They completed their work by placing Russian biological experiments on the station exterior.


Born on this day in:
  • 1909 - Friedrich Duerr.  German Rocket engineer. Birth City: Munich. Birth Country: Germany.
  • 1952 - Mario Runco Jr.  American Mission Specialist Astronaut. Birth City: Bronx. Birth State: New York. Birth Country: USA.

Died on this day in:
  • 1961 - Aleksandr Vasiliyevich Domrachev.  Russian Government Official.
  • 1995 - William M Holaday.  American Manager.
  • 1996 - Mikhail Fedorovich Reshetnev.  Russian Engineer.
  • 1997 - Karl Ludwig Heimberg.  German Rocket engineer.
  • 2008 - Klaus Eduard Scheufelen.  German Engineer.

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