January 28

See also Born on this Day
On this day in:

1921 -

  • Goddard begins liquid propellant rocket research Nation: USA.

    Goddard realises after three years of unsuccessful tests that the cartridge rocket concept is too complex and that a new approach is needed. Smokeless powder solid fuels were too unstable for rocket use. Therefore Goddard turned to liquid oxygen and gasoline as propellants. On this date he bought his first can of liquid oxygen from Linde Corporation in Worcester. He had to haggle for it; the liquid form was then only a by-product in the process of extracting gaseous oxygen from the atmosphere. Goddard was charged $ 10 per 2 gallon flask, the minimum Linde would sell to him.

1949 - 17:20 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC33. Launch Vehicle: V-2. LV Configuration: V-2 45. FAILURE: Failure.
  • V-2 Solar mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 60 km (37 mi).

    Launched 10:20 local time. Reached 60 km. Carried cosmic and solar radiation, pressure, temperature, photo experiments for Naval Research Lab.

1952 - Launch Complex: Le Cardo. Launch Vehicle: Veronique. Model: Veronique R. LV Configuration: Veronique R R6.
  • Veronique Test mission Nation: France. Agency: FR. Apogee: 1.00 km (0.60 mi).

    Launched from Le Cardonnet, France - Latitude: 43.58 N - Longitude: 3.64 E.

1952 - Launch Complex: Le Cardo. Launch Vehicle: Veronique. Model: Veronique P6. LV Configuration: Veronique P6 P6-2.
  • Veronique Test mission Nation: France. Agency: FR. Apogee: 1.00 km (0.60 mi).

    Launched from Le Cardonnet, France - Latitude: 43.58 N - Longitude: 3.64 E.

1958 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC17. Launch Pad: LC17A. Launch Vehicle: Thor DM-18. LV Configuration: Thor DM-18 114. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Thor DM-18 Research and development Series II Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW.

    Thor IRBM successfully fired from Cape Canaveral, flew prescribed course, and impacted in preselected area.

1959 - Launch Site: Wallops Island.
  • Third space balloon test. Nation: USA.

    Nike-Cajun successfully launched 12-foot-diameter test inflatable sphere to a height of 75 miles over NASA Wallops Island, the sphere inflating satisfactorily.

1959 - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Nike-Cajun. Model: Nike Cajun.
  • Nike-Cajun Beacon Test 4 Satellite test mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA LaRC. Apogee: 122 km (75 mi).

1960 -
  • NASA's Ten-Year Plan presented to Congress Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo CSM.

    In testimony before the House Committee on Science and Astronautics, Richard E. Horner, Associate Administrator of NASA, presented NASA's ten-year plan for 1960-1970. The essential elements had been recommended by the Research Steering Committee on Manned Space Flight. NASA's Office of Program Planning and Evaluation, headed by Homer J. Stewart, formalized the ten-year plan.

    On February 19, NASA officials again presented the ten-year timetable to the House Committee. A lunar soft landing with a mobile vehicle had been added for 1965. On March 28, NASA Administrator T. Keith Glennan described the plan to the Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences. He estimated the cost of the program to be more than $1 billion in Fiscal Year 1962 and at least $1.5 billion annually over the next five years, for a total cost of $12 to $15 billion. - Additional details.

1963 -
  • Philco prime contractor for the Mission Control Center Nation: USA. Program: Apollo.

    NASA announced the selection of the Philco Corporation as prime contractor for the Mission Control Center (MCC) at MSC. To be operational in mid-1964, MCC would link the spacecraft with ground controllers at MSC through the worldwide tracking network.

1964 -
  • Agreement on space tracking station west of Madrid. Nation: USA. Program: Apollo.

    The United States and Spain agreed to the construction and operation of a $1.5 million space tracking and data acquisition station about 48 kilometers (30 miles) west of Madrid, Spain. Linked with the NASA Deep Space Instrumentation Facility, the station included a 26-meter (85-foot)-diameter parabolic antenna and equipment for transmitting, receiving, recording, data handling, and communications with the spacecraft. - Additional details.

1964 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC31. Launch Pad: LC31B. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 1. Model: Minuteman 1B. LV Configuration: Minuteman 1B 448.
  • Minuteman 1 Research and development launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1964 - Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Tomahawk. LV Configuration: Nike Tomahawk Sandia 152-8.
  • Nike Tomahawk Test/Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: Sandia. Apogee: 290 km (180 mi).

1964 - 19:00 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee 150. Model: Aerobee 150. LV Configuration: Aerobee 150 NASA 04.88GT.
  • Aerobee 150 Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 126 km (78 mi).

    Attitude control mission.

1964 - 20:11 GMT - Launch Site: Edwards. Launch Vehicle: X-15A. LV Configuration: X-15 1-44-70.
  • X-15A Stability Test mission Nation: USA. Program: X-15. Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: X-15A. Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 32 km (19 mi). Crew: Rushworth.

    Maximum Speed - 5821 kph. Maximum Altitude - 32736 m. First test of hypersonic speed brakes.

1965 - Launch Vehicle: Saturn V.
  • First major Saturn V flight component delivered Nation: USA. Program: Apollo.

    The first major Saturn V flight component, a 10-m (33-ft) diameter, 27,215 kg (60,000 lb corrugated tail section which would support the booster's 6,672 kilonewtons (1.5-million-lb) thrust engines, arrived at MSFC from NASA's Michoud Operations near New Orleans. The section was one of five major structural units comprising Saturn V's first stage.

1965 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC18. Launch Pad: CCLC18A. Launch Vehicle: Blue Scout Junior. Model: Blue Scout Jr. LV Configuration: Blue Scout Jr 22-3. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Blue Scout Junior OAR 22-3/AFCRL-309 Magnetospheric mission Nation: USA. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

1966 -
  • OKB-1 Program Review Nation: USSR. Program: Voskhod. Spacecraft: Voskhod. Flight: Voskhod 3.

    Kamanin, Gagarin, Komarov, and other VVS staff attend the first program review held since Korolev's death. Mishin reviews spacecraft build status. Voskhod s/n 5 is to be shipped to Tyuratam on 1 February and launched in the first half of February. This is the spacecraft fitted for the 30-day unmanned biosat mission with dogs. Kamanin had argued with Korolev over the last year that this flight was unnecessary, but Korolev did not want to expose the cosmonauts to the risk of a long-duration spaceflight with a heavily modified spacecraft without an unmanned precursor flight. The manned flight of Voskhod s/n 6 on an 18-day mission can only begin after the landing of s/n 5, e.g. launch in the period 10-20 March.

1966 - 17:06 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: PALC. Launch Pad: PALC-D. Launch Vehicle: Scout A. Model: Scout A. LV Configuration: Scout A S142C.
  • Transit O-7 Nation: USA. Program: Transit. Mass: 50 kg (110 lb). Class: Navigation. Spacecraft: Transit. Agency: USN. Perigee: 850 km (520 mi). Apogee: 1,180 km (730 mi). Inclination: 90.00 deg. Period: 105.40 min. COSPAR: 1966-005A. USAF Sat Cat: 1952.

    Naval Avionics Facility-assembled production spacecraft. Failed after a few weeks operation.

1967 -
  • Apollo 204 Review Board established to investigate the AS-204 accident Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 204.

    The Apollo 204 Review Board was established by NASA's Deputy Administrator Robert C. Seamans, Jr., to investigate the Apollo 204 accident that had killed the 204 prime crew January 27. The Board would report to the NASA Administrator. - Additional details.

1967 - 05:16 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Nike Tomahawk. LV Configuration: Nike Tomahawk NASA 18.23GE.
  • Nike Tomahawk Aeronomy/Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 204 km (126 mi).

1967 - 12:05 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Dragon. LV Configuration: Dragon D-27.
  • Dragon Ionosphere mission Nation: France. Agency: CNES. Apogee: 400 km (240 mi).

    Launched from Dumont d'Urville, Terre Adelie - Latitude: 64.67 S - Longitude: 140.02 E.

1968 - Launch Vehicle: N1.
  • Sergei Osipovich Okhapkin put in charge of the N1 at TsKBEM Nation: USSR. Program: Lunar L3.

    This decision led to one of Mishin's famous 'illnesses', putting him out of action for a period.

1969 -
  • Soyuz 4/5 crew feted Nation: USSR. Program: Soyuz. Flight: Soyuz 4, Soyuz 5, Soyuz 4/5.

    The last few days have been occupied with daily press conferences or meetings with the state leadership by the Soyuz 4/5 crews.

1969 - 05:49 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Nike Tomahawk. LV Configuration: Nike Tomahawk NASA 18.25UG.
  • Nike Tomahawk Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 224 km (139 mi).

1969 - 07:16 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant II. LV Configuration: Black Brant II AEF-2-118.
  • Black Brant Aeronomy mission Nation: Canada. Agency: NRCC. Apogee: 149 km (92 mi).

1971 -
  • Spiral negotiations continue. Nation: USSR. Spacecraft: Spiral OS.

    An article Kamanin has written on aircraft designer Ilyushin has been published in Pravda. Kamanin is impressed by a new book by Orlov on possible civilian medical applications of technology developed for spaceflight. Negotiations continue with the Military Soviet on the resolution on future manned military space projects.

1971 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF09. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 1. Model: Minuteman 1B.
  • Minuteman 1 FOT GT90B Follow-on Test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1971 - 05:10 GMT - Launch Site: Thumba. Launch Vehicle: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache NASA 14.409II.
  • Nike Apache ISRO 10.37 Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 163 km (101 mi).

1971 - 05:40 GMT - Launch Site: Thumba. Launch Vehicle: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache NASA 14.410II.
  • Nike Apache ISRO 10.38 Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 189 km (117 mi).

1971 - 15:55 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Vehicle: Nike Tomahawk. LV Configuration: Nike Tomahawk A-NT-38.
  • Nike Tomahawk DLR A-NT-38 Erika Ionosphere/Fields mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DLR. Apogee: 276 km (171 mi).

1971 - 18:33 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Complex: S. Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Model: Skylark 2. LV Configuration: Skylark 2 S46/2.
  • Skylark ESRO S46/2 Ionosphere mission Nation: Europe. Agency: ESRO. Apogee: 218 km (135 mi).

1971 - 22:57 GMT - Launch Site: Eglin. Launch Vehicle: Terrier Tomahawk. LV Configuration: Terrier Tomahawk Probe F.
  • Terrier Tomahawk REDWOOD Aeronomy/Fields mission Nation: USA. Agency: Sandia. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).

1972 - 21:08 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Astrobee D. LV Configuration: Astrobee D CRL A30.116-1.
  • Astrobee D Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF CRL. Apogee: 117 km (72 mi).

1973 - Launch Site: Kagoshima. Launch Complex: L. Launch Vehicle: Lambda 4. Model: Lambda 4SC. LV Configuration: Lambda 4SC L-4SC-2.
  • Lambda 4 TVC test mission Nation: Japan. Agency: ISAS. Apogee: 1,500 km (900 mi).

1975 - Launch Site: Kwajalein. Launch Vehicle: Nike Tomahawk. LV Configuration: Nike Tomahawk Barium cloud.
  • Nike Tomahawk Magnetospheric mission Nation: USA. Agency: Sandia. Apogee: 185 km (114 mi).

1975 - 12:05 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC133. Launch Pad: LC133/1. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 11K63. Model: Kosmos 11K63.
  • Cosmos 705 Nation: USSR. Program: DS. Payload: DS-P1-Yu s/n 75. Mass: 400 kg (880 lb). Class: Military. Type: Target. Spacecraft: DS-P1-Yu. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 271 km (168 mi). Apogee: 502 km (311 mi). Inclination: 71.00 deg. Period: 92.30 min. COSPAR: 1975-006A. USAF Sat Cat: 7623. Completed Operations Date: 1975-11-20. Decay Date: 1975-11-18.

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

1976 - 10:39 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132. Launch Pad: LC132/1. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 11K65M. Model: Kosmos 11K65M. LV Configuration: Kosmos 11K65M 53731-281.
  • Cosmos 791 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-1M no. 105. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-1M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,401 km (870 mi). Apogee: 1,486 km (923 mi). Inclination: 74.10 deg. Period: 114.80 min. COSPAR: 1976-008A. USAF Sat Cat: 8607.

    Eight satellites launched by a single carrier rocket.

  • Cosmos 792 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-1M no. 106. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-1M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,436 km (892 mi). Apogee: 1,490 km (920 mi). Inclination: 74.10 deg. Period: 115.20 min. COSPAR: 1976-008B. USAF Sat Cat: 8608.

  • Cosmos 793 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-1M no. 107. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-1M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,418 km (881 mi). Apogee: 1,490 km (920 mi). Inclination: 74.10 deg. Period: 115.00 min. COSPAR: 1976-008C. USAF Sat Cat: 8609.

  • Cosmos 794 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-1M no. 108. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-1M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,452 km (902 mi). Apogee: 1,493 km (927 mi). Inclination: 74.10 deg. Period: 115.40 min. COSPAR: 1976-008D. USAF Sat Cat: 8610.

  • Cosmos 795 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-1M no. 109. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-1M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,467 km (911 mi). Apogee: 1,498 km (930 mi). Inclination: 74.10 deg. Period: 115.60 min. COSPAR: 1976-008E. USAF Sat Cat: 8611.

  • Cosmos 796 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-1M no. 110. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-1M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,472 km (914 mi). Apogee: 1,516 km (941 mi). Inclination: 74.10 deg. Period: 115.80 min. COSPAR: 1976-008F. USAF Sat Cat: 8612.

  • Cosmos 797 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-1M no. 111. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-1M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,478 km (918 mi). Apogee: 1,530 km (950 mi). Inclination: 74.10 deg. Period: 116.10 min. COSPAR: 1976-008G. USAF Sat Cat: 8613.

  • Cosmos 798 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-1M no. 112. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-1M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,479 km (919 mi). Apogee: 1,554 km (965 mi). Inclination: 74.10 deg. Period: 116.40 min. COSPAR: 1976-008H. USAF Sat Cat: 8614.

1977 -
  • Simulated crew module on dock, Palmdale (STA-099) Nation: USA. Program: STS.

1977 - 00:49 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC17. Launch Pad: LC17A. Launch Vehicle: Delta 2000. Model: Delta 2914. LV Configuration: Delta 2914 613/D128.
  • NATO 3B Nation: NATO. Program: NATO. Mass: 701 kg (1,545 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military. Spacecraft: NATO 3. Agency: NATO. Perigee: 37,079 km (23,039 mi). Apogee: 37,421 km (23,252 mi). Inclination: 10.50 deg. Period: 1,511.50 min. COSPAR: 1977-005A. USAF Sat Cat: 9785. Completed Operations Date: 1993-07-29.

    Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). Positioned in geosynchronous orbit over the Pacific Ocean at 135 deg W in 1977-1979 over the Atlantic Ocean 20 deg W in 1979-1982 over the Atlantic Ocean 18 deg W in 1983-1986 over the Atlantic Ocean60 deg W in 1987-1993 As of 5 September 2001 located at 74.61 deg W drifting at 18.018 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 40.43E drifting at 18.015W degrees per day.

1977 - 22:36 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: ETR. Launch Pad: SLBM Launch Area. Launch Vehicle: Poseidon.
  • Poseidon Operational Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1977 - 22:37 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: ETR. Launch Pad: SLBM Launch Area. Launch Vehicle: Poseidon.
  • Poseidon Operational Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1977 - 22:37 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: ETR. Launch Pad: SLBM Launch Area. Launch Vehicle: Poseidon.
  • Poseidon Operational Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1977 - 22:37 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: ETR. Launch Pad: SLBM Launch Area. Launch Vehicle: Poseidon.
  • Poseidon Operational Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1978 - 20:20 GMT - Launch Site: Syowa Base. Launch Vehicle: S-210. LV Configuration: S-210 S-210JA-30.
  • S-210 Auroral mission? Nation: Japan. Agency: NIPR. Apogee: 125 km (77 mi).

1979 - 03:07 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Astrobee F. LV Configuration: Astrobee F NASA 25.41UE.
  • Astrobee F Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

1979 - 06:06 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries GL A24.7S2-01.
  • Aries SPICE 1 Infrared Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF GL. Apogee: 249 km (154 mi).

1980 - 01:30 GMT - Launch Site: Tanegashima. Launch Complex: T. Launch Vehicle: TT-500. LV Configuration: TT-500 TT-500-7F.
  • TT-500 Test mission Nation: Japan. Agency: NASDA. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).

1982 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Vehicle: Perimetr. Model: Perimetr 15A11. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Perimetr Joint flight trials launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN.

1984 - 17:01 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Vehicle: Viper. LV Configuration: Viper 3A MAP/WINE.
  • Viper M-F 38 Aeronomy mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DFVLR. Apogee: 110 km (60 mi).

1986 - 08:35 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Model: Soyuz 11A511U.
  • Cosmos 1728 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Landsat. Spacecraft: Zenit-8. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 204 km (126 mi). Apogee: 278 km (172 mi). Inclination: 70.00 deg. Period: 89.30 min. COSPAR: 1986-009A. USAF Sat Cat: 16512. Duration: 14.00 days. Decay Date: 1986-02-11.

    Military cartographic satellite; returned film capsule.

1986 - 16:38 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC39. Launch Pad: LC39B. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. Model: Space Shuttle. LV Configuration: Space Shuttle 51-L. FAILURE: Seal on SRB failed, allowed hot gas to burn through External Tank.
  • STS-51-L Nation: USA. Program: STS. Payload: Challenger F10 / TDRS 2 [IUS]. Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Challenger. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 15 km (9 mi). COSPAR: F860128A. Duration: 0.0008 days. Decay Date: 1986-01-28. Crew: Jarvis, McAuliffe, McNair, Onizuka, Resnik, Scobee, Smith. Flight: STS-51-L.

    Exploded 73 seconds after launch, all 7 crewmembers were killed; carried TDRSS satellite.

  • Spartan-Halley Nation: USA. Program: STS. Payload: Spartan-Halley. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 15 km (9 mi). COSPAR: F860128B.

  • TDRS B Nation: USA. Program: STS. Payload: TDRS B. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: TDRS. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 15 km (9 mi). COSPAR: F860128C.

1987 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF09. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3.
  • Minuteman 3 FOT GT119GM Follow-on Test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1987 - 19:15 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant IX. LV Configuration: Black Brant IX NASA 36.16UL.
  • Black Brant PACE Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).

1988 - 02:00 GMT - Launch Site: Kagoshima. Launch Complex: K. Launch Vehicle: S-310. LV Configuration: S-310 S-310-18.
  • S-310 Ionosphere/Aeronomy mission Nation: Japan. Agency: ISAS. Apogee: 202 km (125 mi).

1989 - 12:30 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Model: Soyuz 11A511U.
  • Cosmos 1993 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,600 kg (14,500 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Yantar-4K1. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 171 km (106 mi). Apogee: 347 km (215 mi). Inclination: 64.80 deg. Period: 89.70 min. COSPAR: 1989-007A. USAF Sat Cat: 19774. Duration: 58.00 days. Decay Date: 1989-03-27.

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

1990 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 8C.
  • Black Brant Test mission? Nation: Canada. Agency: BAL. Apogee: 340 km (210 mi).

1991 - 17:55 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Al Hussein.
  • Al Hussein Combat launch - target: Riyadh. Nation: Iraq. Agency: IRAQ. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

    Launched from Mobile launchers in Iraq, SE of Basra - Latitude: 30.50 N - Longitude: 48.00 E.

1991 - 18:03 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF03. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 1. Model: Minuteman 1B.
  • Minuteman 1 GBI-1 ERIS Target mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1991 - 18:24 GMT - Launch Site: Kwajalein. Launch Complex: Meck. Launch Vehicle: ERIS. LV Configuration: ERIS 1.
  • ERIS Interceptor mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 270 km (160 mi).

    During the mission the TRW team monitored a mission telephone com channel real time in Redondo Beach. Participants recall the intense, "nail biting" anxiety as they waited the approximate 30 minutes it took for the RV to reach the nominal intercept point, over the Pacific and closer to Hawaii than to Kwajalein Atoll. Launch of the Minuteman I target from Vandenberg AFB came at 1803:00.3, launch of the ERIS interceptor at 1824:24.2, and kinetic intercept over Pacific at 1832:08.2.

1992 - 12:00 GMT - Launch Site: Kagoshima. Launch Complex: K. Launch Vehicle: S-310. LV Configuration: S-310 S-310-21.
  • S-310 Aeronomy mission Nation: Japan. Agency: ISAS. Apogee: 223 km (138 mi).

1993 - Launch Site: Wake Island. Launch Vehicle: HPB. LV Configuration: HPB TCMP 1B.
  • HPB Re-entry Vehicle Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: OSC. Apogee: 400 km (240 mi).

1994 - 02:12 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: LC1. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Model: Soyuz 11A511U. LV Configuration: Soyuz 11A511U N15000-635.
  • Progress M-21 Nation: Russia. Program: Mir. Payload: Progress M s/n 221. Mass: 7,130 kg (15,710 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Logistics. Spacecraft: Progress M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 194 km (120 mi). Apogee: 236 km (146 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 88.50 min. COSPAR: 1994-005A. USAF Sat Cat: 22975. Duration: 54.13 days. Completed Operations Date: 1994-03-21 05:24:50. Decay Date: 1994-03-21 05:24:50. Flight: Mir EO-15, Mir LD-4.

    Unmanned resupply vessel to Mir. Docked with Mir on 30 Jan 1994 03:56:13 GMT. Undocked on 23 Mar 1994 01:20:29 GMT. Destroyed in reentry on 23 Mar 1994 05:13:00 GMT. Total free-flight time 2.23 days. Total docked time 51.89 days.

1995 - 16:00 GMT - Launch Site: Kagoshima. Launch Complex: K. Launch Vehicle: S-520. LV Configuration: S-520 S-520-19.
  • S-520 Extreme ultraviolet Astronomy mission Nation: Japan. Agency: ISAS. Apogee: 330 km (200 mi).

2003 - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Vehicle: Super Loki.
  • Super Loki MM-LFS- aeronomy mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DLR. Apogee: 115 km (71 mi).

2003 - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Vehicle: Super Loki.
  • Super Loki MM-LFS- aeronomy mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DLR. Apogee: 115 km (71 mi).

2003 - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Vehicle: Super Loki.
  • Super Loki MM-LFS- aeronomy mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DLR. Apogee: 115 km (71 mi).

2003 - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Vehicle: Super Loki.
  • Super Loki MM-LFS- aeronomy mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DLR. Apogee: 115 km (71 mi).

2003 - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Vehicle: Super Loki.
  • Super Loki MM-LFS- aeronomy mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DLR. Apogee: 115 km (71 mi).

2003 - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Vehicle: Super Loki.
  • Super Loki MM-LFS- aeronomy mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DLR. Apogee: 115 km (71 mi).

2003 - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Vehicle: Super Loki.
  • Super Loki MM-LFS- aeronomy mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DLR. Apogee: 115 km (71 mi).

2003 - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Vehicle: Super Loki.
  • Super Loki MM-LFS- aeronomy mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DLR. Apogee: 115 km (71 mi).

2003 - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Vehicle: Super Loki.
  • Super Loki MM-LFS- aeronomy mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DLR. Apogee: 115 km (71 mi).

2003 - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Vehicle: Super Loki.
  • Super Loki MM-LFS- aeronomy mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DLR. Apogee: 115 km (71 mi).

2003 - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Vehicle: Super Loki.
  • Super Loki MM-LFS- aeronomy mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DLR. Apogee: 115 km (71 mi).

2003 - 07:50 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant IX. LV Configuration: Black Brant IX NASA 36.200UE.
  • Black Brant HIBAR Auroral mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA GSFC. Apogee: 350 km (210 mi).

2003 - 18:32 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Vehicle: Terrier Orion. LV Configuration: Terrier Orion NASA 41.031GE.
  • Terrier Orion MacWAVE Plasma/Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA GSFC. Apogee: 130 km (80 mi).

2004 -
  • Mars Express, Mapping Orbit Established Spacecraft: Mars Express.


Born on this day in:
  • 1939 - John McCreary Fabian.  American Mission Specialist Astronaut. Birth City: Goosecreek. Birth State: Texas. Birth Country: USA.
  • 1950 - David Carl (Dave) Hilmers.  American Mission Specialist Astronaut. Birth City: Clinton. Birth State: Iowa. Birth Country: USA.

Died on this day in:
  • 1986 - Dr Ronald Erwin McNair.  American Mission Specialist Astronaut. Cause of Death: Challenger explosion.
  • 1986 - Ellison Shoji Onizuka.  American Mission Specialist Astronaut. Cause of Death: Challenger explosion.
  • 1986 - Gregory Bruce Jarvis.  American Payload Specialist Astronaut. Cause of Death: Challenger explosion.
  • 1986 - Michael John Smith.  American Pilot Astronaut. Cause of Death: Challenger explosion.
  • 1986 - Dr Judith Arlene Resnik.  American Mission Specialist Astronaut. Cause of Death: Challenger explosion.
  • 1986 - Sharon Christa Corrigan McAuliffe.  American Payload Specialist Astronaut. Cause of Death: Challenger explosion.
  • 1986 - Francis Richard 'Dick' Scobee.  American Pilot Astronaut. Cause of Death: Challenger explosion.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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