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1951 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-1. Model: R-1. LV Configuration: R-1 IIIA-1.

  • Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

    First launch in winter test series. Carried dogs.

1952 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Corporal. Model: Corporal. LV Configuration: Corporal 15-13 R.
  • Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA?. Apogee: 30 km (18 mi).

1954 - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Deacon. Model: Double HPAG Deacon.
  • F-102 Model test Nation: USA. Agency: NACA. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

1955 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-1. Model: R-1 8A11. LV Configuration: R-1 8A11 No 920.
  • Operational test Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1957 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC3. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: X-17. LV Configuration: X-17 R-20 4203-20. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Re-entry vehicle test Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. Apogee: 0 km ( mi).

1958 -
  • Zarya renamed Leninsk. Nation: USSR.

    Kazakh VS Decree 'On renaming town of Zarya to Leninsk at site 10 at Tyuratam' was issued.

1958 - 19:06 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Cajun. Model: Nike Cajun. LV Configuration: Nike Cajun AM6.03.
  • Sphere Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 170 km (100 mi).

1958 - 21:15 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: R-7. LV Configuration: R-7 No. 11. FAILURE: The missile exploded a few seconds after liftoff.
  • M1-12 (I-5) test Nation: USSR. Agency: MVS. Apogee: 1,350 km (830 mi).

    Last test of the original R-7 8K71 test series. Suborbital launch test.

1960 - 18:51 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee 150. LV Configuration: Aerobee 150 AA3.125C.
  • Extreme ultraviolet monochromator Solar extreme ultraviolet mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 226 km (140 mi).

1962 - 20:00 GMT - Launch Site: Eglin. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Astrobee. Model: Astrobee 200. LV Configuration: Astrobee 200 CRL AA15.109.
  • Day Airglow Test / aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 250 km (150 mi).

1962 - 23:30 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC19. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Titan. Model: Titan 1. LV Configuration: Titan I M-7.
  • Mk 4 re-entry vehicle test Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1963 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: 395-A1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Titan. Model: Titan 1. LV Configuration: Titan I SM-8.
  • Research and development Category II test Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1964 -
  • Contract for Apollo tracking antennae Nation: USA. Program: Apollo.

    NASA announced the award of a $1.356 million contract to the Blaw-Knox Company for design and construction of three parabolic antennas, each 26 meters (85 feet) in diameter, for the Manned Space Flight Network stations at Goldstone, Calif.; Canberra, Australia; and near Madrid, Spain.

1964 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF03. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 1. Model: Minuteman 1B. LV Configuration: Minuteman 1B 808.
  • Demonstration and shakedown operations launch Nation: USA. Agency: SAC 1STRAD. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1964 - 03:09 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee 300A. LV Configuration: Aerobee 300A NASA 06.09GA.
  • Thermosphere probe Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 309 km (192 mi).

1964 - 04:11 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Cajun. Model: Nike Cajun. LV Configuration: Nike Cajun NASA 10.71GA.
  • Grenades Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 254 km (157 mi).

1964 - 04:18 GMT - Launch Site: Ascension. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Cajun. Model: Nike Cajun. LV Configuration: Nike Cajun NASA 10.81GA.
  • Grenades Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 124 km (77 mi).

1964 - 10:00 GMT - Launch Site: Thumba. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Apache. Model: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache NASA 14.81UE UNH64-3.
  • ISRO 20.03? E'jet Magnetospheric mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 167 km (103 mi).

1964 - 16:25 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC37B. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Saturn I. Model: Saturn I. LV Configuration: Saturn I-Blk2 SA-5.
  • Saturn 5 Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Payload: Saturn-SA 5. Mass: 17,100 kg (37,600 lb). Class: Technology. Type: RV. Spacecraft: Jupiter nose cone. Agency: NASA MSF. Perigee: 274 km (170 mi). Apogee: 740 km (450 mi). Inclination: 31.40 deg. Period: 94.80 min. COSPAR: 1964-005A. USAF Sat Cat: 744. Decay Date: 1966-04-30.

    First first mission of Block II Saturn with two live stages. SA-5, a vehicle development flight, was launched from Cape Kennedy Complex 37B at 11:25:01.41, e.s.t. This was the first flight of the Saturn I Block II configuration (i.e., lengthened fuel tanks in the S-1 and stabilizing tail fins), as well as the first flight of a live (powered) S-IV upper stage. The S-1, powered by eight H-1 engines, reached a full thrust of over 680,400 kilograms (1.5 million pounds) the first time in flight. The S-IV's 41,000 kilogram (90,000-pound-thrust cluster of six liquid-hydrogen RL-10 engines performed as expected. The Block II SA-5 was also the first flight test of the Saturn I guidance system.

1964 - 22:17 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Cajun. Model: Nike Cajun. LV Configuration: Nike Cajun NASA 10.89GA.
  • Grenades Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 122 km (75 mi).

1965 -
  • Emergency defecation capability added to the Apollo LEM Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Gemini.

    ASPO concurred with the requirement to provide an emergency defecation capability aboard the LEM as established by MSC's Center Medical Programs Office. The addition of a Gemini-type defecation glove appeared to present a satisfactory solution. Crew Systems Division was directed to proceed with their recommendation and add the Gemini gloves to the LEM crew provisions.

1965 -
  • Apollo boilerplate 28 second water impact test Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo CSM.

    Apollo boilerplate 28 underwent its second water impact test. Despite its strengthened aft structure, in this and a subsequent drop on February 9 the vehicle again suffered damage to the aft heatshield and bulkhead, though far less severe than that experienced in its initial test. The impact problem, it was obvious, was not yet solved.

1965 - Launch Vehicle: Titan. Model: Titan 2.
  • Qualification testing of the food, water, and waste management systems for the Gemini-Titan 3 mission was completed. Nation: USA. Flight: Gemini 3.

1965 -
  • Manned Vykhod airlock test fails. Nation: USSR. Program: Voskhod. Spacecraft: Voskhod, Berkut. Flight: Voskhod 2.

    The first manned test of the airlock fails before an audience of 60 government and industry leaders. A VVS pilot in a spacesuit was to demonstrate the entire sequence involved in exiting into space. (release of the forward ring, inflation of the airlock, opening of the hatch between the spacecraft and airlock, closing the hatch, evacuation of the air from the airlock, opening of the outer hatch of the airlock, then the sequence in reverse). Two attempts are made at 15 km equivalent altitude, but the hatch from the spacecraft to the airlock cannot be opened due to defects in its construction in the first try. This is fixed, but on the second try the Vega system that monitors the cosmonaut's condition fails.

1965 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC31B. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 2. LV Configuration: Minuteman 2 453.
  • Research and development launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1967 - 01:21 GMT - Launch Site: Dumont d'Urville. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Belier. Model: Dragon 1. LV Configuration: Dragon D-26.
  • FU-151 ionosphere / particles Ionosphere mission Nation: France. Agency: CNES. Apogee: 320 km (190 mi).

1967 - 03:09 GMT - Launch Site: Dumont d'Urville. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Belier. Model: Dragon 1. LV Configuration: Dragon D-27.
  • FU-151 ionosphere / particles Ionosphere mission Nation: France. Agency: CNES. Apogee: 340 km (210 mi).

1968 - Launch Vehicle: Saturn I, Saturn V.
  • Saturn V and Saturn I Workshop designations. Nation: USA. Program: Skylab. Spacecraft: Orbital Workshop, Skylab.

    Nomenclature for the OWS included in the AAP presented in the FY 1969 budget was confirmed by NASA. The ground-outfitted OWS to be launched with Saturn V would be designated the 'Saturn V Workshop.' (This had sometimes been called the 'dry Workshop.') The OWS that would be launched by a Saturn IB would be referred to as the 'Saturn I Workshop.' (Colloquially it had been referred to as the 'wet workshop.') Terminology 'Uprated Saturn I' would not be used officially. This launch vehicle would be referred to as the 'Saturn IB.'

1969 -
  • Lunar systems status Nation: USSR. Program: Lunar L3, Lunar L1. Spacecraft: Soyuz 7K-OK, Soyuz 7K-L1, Soyuz 7K-LOK, Krechet, Yastreb, Berkut.

    Review of spacesuit development at Zvezda Factory with Gay Severin. The specifications for the moon suit are 10 hours life, 80 kg mass, able to handle a heat load of 500 kcal/hour. But this load is insufficient for heavy work. By comparison, the suits used by Leonov and Khrunov could only handle 200-250 kcal/hour. 14 suits have been completed for tests. In the afternoon Soyuz descent systems are reviewed at Aleksander Lobanov's institute. The descent system parachutes are rated for a 10 tonne payload, but 40 tonnes of force are required to pull the parachute out of the compartment in the capsule. Individual parachutes could be provided for the crew, weight 6 kg each. This would evidently be considered as the back-up on L1 and LOK flights where the capsule had a side hatch and no reserve parachute.

1969 - 10:34 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF02. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 2. LV Configuration: Minuteman 2 2504.
  • ST Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1969 - 13:52 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF08. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 2. LV Configuration: Minuteman 2 2240.
  • ST Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1970 -
  • Kamanin is subject to a government audit of the Gagarin Centre and its future plans. Nation: USSR.

    The audit reveals that the institute should receive an 850,000 rouble budget increase, and construct new training facilities.

1971 -
  • Space vehicle for the Apollo 14 mission determined ready for launch Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 14.

    The space vehicle for the Apollo 14 mission was determined ready for launch on January 31. The Flight Readiness Review had been held at KSC on December 17, 1970; all required action and open work had been completed; and the Pre-Liftoff Readiness Review had been favorably completed January 29.

1971 -
  • Plans for test of DOS ABM sensor technology at Baikonur. Nation: USSR. Program: Salyut. Spacecraft: Salyut 1.

    Three DOS-7K crews are to fly on two Tu-104's to Baikonur on 30 January. The Tu-104's are fitted with the Svinets equipment, which the cosmonauts will use to capture spectral data on two rocket launches. This training will prepare them for use of the Svinets equipment aboard the DOS station. Lots of bigwigs from the VVS plan to tag along as well.

1971 - 02:10 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF09. Launch Pad: LF09?. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 1. Model: Minuteman 1B.
  • FOT GT90B Follow-on Test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1971 - 08:25 GMT - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 SL. Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Model: Skylark 3 AC. LV Configuration: Skylark 3 AC SL1001.
  • XRB anisotropy X-ray astronomy mission Nation: UK. Agency: BAC. Apogee: 203 km (126 mi).

1971 - 17:03 GMT - Launch Site: Keweenaw. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Apache. Model: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache NASA 14.167GI.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 132 km (82 mi).

1971 - 19:48 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Arcas. Model: Boosted Arcas 2. LV Configuration: Boosted Arcas 2 NASA 15.50UE.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 122 km (75 mi).

1971 - 23:52 GMT - Launch Site: Eglin. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Nike. Model: Nike Iroquois. LV Configuration: Nike Iroquois SECEDE R16.
  • OLIVE (352 kg) Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 190 km (110 mi).

1972 - Launch Site: Kagoshima. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: S. Model: S-210. LV Configuration: S-210 DT-210-1.
  • Structural Dynamics test Nation: Japan. Agency: ISAS. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1972 - 05:00 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Astrobee. Model: Astrobee D. LV Configuration: Astrobee D CRL A30.116-2.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF CRL. Apogee: 122 km (75 mi).

1973 - 05:02 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 4B. LV Configuration: Black Brant IVB AAF-4B-27.
  • Aurora mission Nation: Canada. Agency: NRCC. Apogee: 760 km (470 mi).

1975 - 15:20 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF04. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3.
  • FOT GT48GM Follow-on Test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1976 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF07. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 2.
  • FOT GT125M Follow-on Test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1976 - 08:30 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: LC1 or LC31. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Voskhod 11A57.
  • Cosmos 799 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Zenit-2M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 205 km (127 mi). Apogee: 306 km (190 mi). Inclination: 71.40 deg. Period: 89.60 min. COSPAR: 1976-009A. USAF Sat Cat: 8616. Duration: 12.00 days. Decay Date: 1976-02-10.

    Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule.

1976 - 23:56 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC36B. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: SLV-3D Centaur. LV Configuration: SLV-3D Centaur AC-37 / Centaur D-1AR 501.
  • Intelsat 4A F-2 Nation: International. Program: Intelsat. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Intelsat 4A. Agency: Intelsat. Perigee: 35,924 km (22,322 mi). Apogee: 35,981 km (22,357 mi). Inclination: 9.00 deg. Period: 1,444.60 min. COSPAR: 1976-010A. USAF Sat Cat: 8620. Completed Operations Date: 1985-12-19.

    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 Atlantic Ocean at 29.5 deg W in 1976-79; over the Atlantic Ocean 27.5 deg W in 1979-1980; over the Atlantic Ocean 21.5 deg W in 1980-1983; over the Indian Ocean 57 deg E in 1983-1984; over the Atlantic Ocean 2-4 deg W in 1984-1985 As of 3 September 2001 located at 151.88 deg E drifting at 2.088 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 130.98W drifting at 2.123W degrees per day.

1981 - 04:12 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Astrobee. Model: Astrobee F. LV Configuration: Astrobee F NASA 25.60UE.
  • UM Airglow payload Aurora mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 189 km (117 mi).

1981 - 07:00 GMT - Launch Site: Kagoshima. Launch Complex: L. Launch Pad: K. Launch Vehicle: S. Model: S-520. LV Configuration: S-520-2.
  • TPE-2 Ionosphere / tether mission Nation: Japan. Agency: ISAS. Apogee: 323 km (200 mi).

1982 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF08. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3.
  • FOT GT86GM Follow-on Test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1982 - 11:00 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Model: Kosmos 11K65M. LV Configuration: Kosmos 11K65M 65075-115.
  • Cosmos 1335 Nation: USSR. Mass: 550 kg (1,210 lb). Class: Calibration. Spacecraft: Taifun-2. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 476 km (295 mi). Apogee: 513 km (318 mi). Inclination: 74.10 deg. Period: 94.50 min. COSPAR: 1982-007A. USAF Sat Cat: 13042. Decay Date: 1987-04-05.

    Radar calibration; replaced Cosmos 1186. Released 25 Romb radar calibration subsatellites.

1984 - 12:25 GMT - Launch Site: Xichang. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: CZ. Model: CZ-3. LV Configuration: Chang Zheng 3 CZ3-1 (9). FAILURE: Third stage failed to ignite.
  • STTW-T1 Nation: China. Payload: STTW-T1. Mass: 900 kg (1,980 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military. Spacecraft: DFH-2. Agency: MAI. Perigee: 484 km (300 mi). Apogee: 6,446 km (4,005 mi). Inclination: 36.10 deg. Period: 162.00 min. COSPAR: 1984-008A. USAF Sat Cat: 14670.

    First launch of a prototype DFH-2 communications satellite. Payload stranded in low earth orbit, but all subsystems including the communications payload were completely checked and tested.

1987 - 06:14 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Model: Kosmos 11K65M. LV Configuration: Kosmos 11K65M 65096-172.
  • Cosmos 1816 Nation: USSR. Mass: 810 kg (1,780 lb). Class: Navigation. Spacecraft: Tsikada. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 960 km (590 mi). Apogee: 1,010 km (620 mi). Inclination: 82.90 deg. Period: 104.80 min. COSPAR: 1987-009A. USAF Sat Cat: 17359.

    Civilian naval navigation satellite.

1988 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF26. Launch Pad: LF26?. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3.
  • FOT GT125GB-1 Follow-on Test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1988 - 19:03 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 9. LV Configuration: Black Brant IX NASA 36.39UE.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).

1991 - 11:59 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC133/3. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Model: Kosmos 11K65M. LV Configuration: Kosmos 11K65M 53744-158.
  • Oscar 21 Nation: USSR. Program: Oscar. Payload: Informator s/n 1. Mass: 600 kg (1,320 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Amateur Radio. Spacecraft: Informator. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 956 km (594 mi). Apogee: 1,008 km (626 mi). Inclination: 82.90 deg. Period: 104.70 min. COSPAR: 1991-006A. USAF Sat Cat: 21087.

    Prototype satellite for the planned Koskon (Space Conversion) Global Space Communication System. It was planned that the Koskon constellation would consist of a constellation of 32 to 45 satellites in 1997-2001. Also carried amateur radio transponders and performed geological research. Routine communications, collection and relaying of information in the interests of the Ministry of Geology of the USSR and other branches of the country's national economy, and the development of communications between amateur radio-operators.

1992 - 22:19 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC81/23. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Proton. Model: Proton-K/DM-2. LV Configuration: Proton-K/DM-2 372-02.
  • Cosmos 2177 Nation: Russia. Payload: Glonass s/n 68L. Mass: 1,400 kg (3,000 lb). Class: Navigation. Spacecraft: Glonass . Agency: MOM. Perigee: 19,112 km (11,875 mi). Apogee: 19,146 km (11,896 mi). Inclination: 64.80 deg. Period: 675.70 min. COSPAR: 1992-005A. USAF Sat Cat: 21853.

    Glonass navigational satellite. Testing of components and apparatus of the Glonass global space navigation system being set up to determine the position of civil aircraft and vessels of the merchant marine and fishing fleet.

  • Cosmos 2178 Nation: Russia. Payload: Glonass s/n 69L. Mass: 1,400 kg (3,000 lb). Class: Navigation. Spacecraft: Glonass. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 19,087 km (11,860 mi). Apogee: 19,171 km (11,912 mi). Inclination: 64.90 deg. Period: 675.70 min. COSPAR: 1992-005B. USAF Sat Cat: 21854.

    Glonass navigational satellite. Testing of components and apparatus of the Glonass global space navigation system being set up to determine the position of civil aircraft and vessels of the merchant marine and fishing fleet.

  • Cosmos 2179 Nation: Russia. Payload: Glonass s/n 71L. Mass: 1,400 kg (3,000 lb). Class: Navigation. Spacecraft: Glonass. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 19,120 km (11,880 mi). Apogee: 19,140 km (11,890 mi). Inclination: 65.90 deg. Period: 675.70 min. COSPAR: 1992-005C. USAF Sat Cat: 21855.

    Glonass navigational satellite. Testing of components and apparatus of the Glonass global space navigation system being set up to determine the position of civil aircraft and vessels of the merchant marine and fishing fleet.

1995 - 01:25 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC36A. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas II. LV Configuration: Atlas II AC-112 / Centaur II 8110.
  • USA 108 Nation: USA. Program: UHF. Payload: UHF F/O F4. Mass: 3,023 kg (6,664 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 601. Agency: HCI. Perigee: 35,775 km (22,229 mi). Apogee: 35,799 km (22,244 mi). Inclination: 2.20 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 1995-003A. USAF Sat Cat: 23467.

    UHF Follow-On #4; US Navy communications . Stationed at 177.0 deg W. Launch vehicle put payload into subsynchronous earth orbit with MRS trajectory option. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 177 deg W in 1995-1999.

1996 -
  • France announces end to nuclear tests Nation: France.

1997 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC32. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Storm-2. FAILURE: Failure.
  • MTTV/MTD-2 PAC Targ Target mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA SSDC. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

1998 - 16:33 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U.
  • Soyuz TM-27 Nation: Russia. Program: Mir. Payload: Soyuz TM 11F732 s/n 76. Class: Manned. Type: Spacecraft. Spacecraft: Soyuz TM. Manufacturer: RKK Energiya im. S.P. Korolyov, Kaliningrad-Korolyov. Agency: RKA. Perigee: 363 km (225 mi). Apogee: 373 km (231 mi). Inclination: 51.70 deg. Period: 91.90 min. COSPAR: 1998-004A. USAF Sat Cat: 25146. Duration: 207.53 days. Decay Date: 1998-08-25. Crew: Musabayev, Budarin, Eyharts. Flight: Mir EO-25, Mir Pegase, Mir NASA-5, Mir EO-24, STS-89, Mir NASA-6.

    Soyuz TM-27 carried the Mir EO-25 crew and French astronaut Leopold Eyharts. NASA and the Russian Space Agency had hoped Soyuz TM-27 could dock with Mir while Endeavour was still there, resulting in an on-board crew of 13, a record which would have stood for years or decades. But the French vetoed this, saying the commotion and time wasted would ruin Eyharts Pegase experimental programme. Soyuz TM-27 docked at the Kvant module port at 17:54 GMT on January 31, 1998, less than five hours before Endeavour landed in Florida.

    Solovyov handed over command of Mir to EO-25 commander Musabayev, and the Mir EO-24 crew and Eyharts undocked from the forward port of Mir at 05:52 GMT on February 19 aboard the Soyuz TM-26 for their return home. On February 20, the EO-25 crew and Andy Thomas of the NASA-7 mission boarded Soyuz TM-27 and undocked from the Kvant port at 08:48 GMT. They redocked with the forward port on Mir at 09:32 GMT. This freed up the Kvant port for a test redocking of the Progress M-37 cargo ship, parked in a following orbit with Mir during the crew transfer.

1998 - 18:37 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC36A. Launch Pad: SLC36A. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas IIA. LV Configuration: Atlas IIA AC-109.
  • USA 137 Nation: USA. Payload: CAPRICORN?. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: CAPRICORN. Manufacturer: Hughes Space and Communications, El Segundo. Agency: NRO. Perigee: 200 km (120 mi). Apogee: 39,500 km (24,500 mi). Inclination: 63.40 deg. COSPAR: 1998-005A. USAF Sat Cat: 25148.

    Classified satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office. It was likely that it was a technology test satellite combining equipment for several future projects, including a prototype COBRA BRASS infrared early warning satellite sensor. The project seemed to have been several years behind schedule (based on the launch vehicle serial number.

2003 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC17B. Launch Pad: SLC17B. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Delta 7925-9.5. LV Configuration: Delta 7925-9.5 D295.
  • USA 166 Nation: USA. Program: Navstar. Payload: GPS 2R-8 / Navstar 51. Mass: 2,032 kg (4,479 lb). Class: Navigation. Spacecraft: GPS Block 2R. Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin Missiles & Space. Agency: USAF. Perigee: 20,163 km (12,528 mi). Apogee: 20,352 km (12,646 mi). Inclination: 55.06 deg. Period: 720.74 min. COSPAR: 2003-005A. USAF Sat Cat: 27663.

    Launch delayed from June 11 and August 16, 2001; March 6, April 29, August 11 and November 7, 2002.

  • XSS-10 Nation: USA. Mass: 28 kg (61 lb). Class: Technology. Type: Rendezvous. Spacecraft: XSS. Manufacturer: USAF Research Laboratory. Agency: USAF. Perigee: 524 km (325 mi). Apogee: 811 km (503 mi). Inclination: 39.75 deg. Period: 97.95 min. COSPAR: 2003-005B. USAF Sat Cat: 27664.

    On-orbit servicing technology demonstrator. XSS-10, a 28 kilogram microsatellite, was launched as a secondary payload aboard the Delta 2 launch vehicle carrying a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) satellite. The mission demonstrated the complex interactions of line-of-sight guidance with basic inertial maneuvering. The micro-satellite was attached to the Delta 2 second stage. Once the second stage separated from the GPS satellite, the microsatellite waited for a sunlit Air Force Space Control Network pass before ejecting from the second stage. Once ejected, the microsatellite commenced an autonomous inspection sequence around the second stage, and live video was transmitted to ground stations. The entire mission lasted only 24 hours. Launch delayed from June 11 and August 16, 2001; March 6, April 29, August 11 and November 7, 2002.

2003 - 13:00 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Loki. Model: Super Loki.
  • MM-LFS- Aeronomy mission Nation: Germany. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 113 km (70 mi).

2004 - 11:58 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz-U. LV Configuration: Soyuz-U D15000-683.
  • Progress M1-11 Nation: Russia. Program: ISS. Payload: Progress M1 s/n 260. Mass: 7,250 kg (15,980 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Logistics. Spacecraft: Progress M1. Manufacturer: Energia. Agency: Rosaviakosmos. Perigee: 192 km (119 mi). Apogee: 263 km (163 mi). Inclination: 51.65 deg. Period: 88.73 min. COSPAR: 2004-002A. USAF Sat Cat: 28142. Duration: 116.00 days. Decay Date: 2004-06-03. Flight: ISS EO-8.

    ISS resupply, to dock at the Zvezda module of the station 13:15 GMT on 31 January. Launch delayed from November 20, 2003. Payload delivered amounted to 2345 kg and included a new flex hose for the Destiny module's leaky window, replacement parts for the Russian Elektron oxygen-generating unit, a spare Elektron, new Russian Solid Fuel Oxygen Generator candles, batteries for the Zarya and Zvezda modules, gas analyser equipment, updated fire suppression and detection equipment, a new Russian Orlan spacesuit, film, cameras, data cassettes and the Matreshka experiment package for installation on Zvezda's exterior during a spacewalk.

    A few days prior to its departure from the ISS, ground controllers fired the Progress M1-11's engines for 11 minutes, boosting the Station's altitude by 3.7 km and adjusting its inclination by one one-hundredth of a degree. Progress M1-11 undocked from the Station at 11:19 GMT on 24 May 2005, clearing the way for the arrival of Progress M-49. It was thereafter commanded to a destructive re-entry over the Pacific Ocean.


Born on this day in:
  • 1942 - Arnaldo Tamayo-Mendez.  African Cuban Pilot Cosmonaut. Birth City: Guantanamo. Birth Country: Cuba.
  • 1948 - Mamoru Mohri.  Japanese Mission Specialist Astronaut. Birth City: Yoichi. Birth State: Hokkaido. Birth Country: Japan.

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