January 31

See also Born on this Day
On this day in:

1947 -

  • XS-1 Flight 22 Nation: USA. Payload: XS-1 # 2 flight 12. Class: Manned. Type: Rocketplane. Spacecraft: XS-1. Crew: Goodlin.

    Bell flight 12. Buffet boundary investigation. Mach 0.7.

1950 -
  • Truman orders development of hydrogen bomb Nation: USA.

1958 -
  • USAF proposes NACA participation in the Air Force effort in the manned ballistic rocket program. Nation: USA. Program: Mercury. Spacecraft: Mercury, Project 7969.

    Lieutenant General Donald Putt, Air Force Director of Research and Development, sent a letter to Dr. Hugh Dryden, Director of NACA, inviting NACA participation in the Air Force effort in the manned ballistic rocket program. Dr. Dryden informed the Air Force that NACA was preparing manned spacecraft designs for submission in March 1958.

1959 - Launch Site: Tonopah. Launch Vehicle: Doorknob. Model: Doorknob 1.
  • Doorknob Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: Sandia. Apogee: 24 km (14 mi).

1960 - Launch Vehicle: Redstone, Atlas D. Model: Redstone Mercury.
  • Six chimpanzees ready for Mercury missions. Nation: USA. Program: Mercury.

    Six chimpanzees were rated as being trained and ready to support Mercury-Redstone or Mercury-Atlas missions. Other chimpanzees were being shipped from Africa to enter the animal training program.

1960 -
  • RCA completes study on an anti-satellite system Nation: USA. Spacecraft: SAINT, SAINT II.

    Radio Corporation of America completes an ARPA-funded feasibility study on the topic.

1961 - 16:54 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC5. Launch Vehicle: Redstone. Model: Redstone Mercury. LV Configuration: Redstone MRLV-2.
  • Redstone Mercury MR-2 Nation: USA. Program: Mercury. Payload: Mercury. Class: Manned. Type: Spacecraft. Spacecraft: Mercury. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 251 km (155 mi).

    Ham, a 37-pound chimpanzee, was aboard the spacecraft. The over-acceleration of the launch vehicle coupled with the velocity of the escape rocket caused the spacecraft to attain a higher altitude and a longer range than planned. In addition, the early depletion of the liquid oxygen caused a signal that separated the spacecraft from the launch vehicle a few seconds early. However spacecraft recovery was effected, although there were some leaks and the spacecraft was taking on water. Ham appeared to be in good physiological condition, but sometime later when he was shown the spacecraft it was visually apparent that he had no further interest in cooperating with the space flight program. Despite the over-acceleration factor, the flight was considered to be successful.

1961 - 20:21 GMT - Launch Site: Point Arguello. Launch Complex: LC1-1. Launch Pad: LC1-1. Launch Vehicle: Atlas LV-3A / Agena A. Model: Atlas Agena A. LV Configuration: Atlas Agena A 70D / Agena A 2102.
  • Samos 2 Nation: USA. Payload: Samos E-1 no. 2. Mass: 1,900 kg (4,100 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Samos. Agency: U.S. Air Force. Perigee: 474 km (294 mi). Apogee: 557 km (346 mi). Inclination: 97.40 deg. Period: 95.00 min. COSPAR: 1961-Alpha-1. USAF Sat Cat: 70. Decay Date: 1973-10-21.

    First generation photo surveillance; radio relay of images; micrometeoroid impact data. Poor results.

1963 -
  • Smirnov opposed to dual female Vostok flight. Nation: USSR. Program: Vostok. Spacecraft: Vostok. Flight: Vostok 5, Vostok 6, Vostok 6A.

    Smirnov only wants to fly two, not four Vostoks this year. One male, and one female cosmonaut would be launched in a group flight. Correct approvals cannot be obtained in time for manufacture of four Vostoks until August of this year. Later Kamanin has another scene with Titov. The cosmonaut was drunk on a factory visit, and defied the militia when confronted.

1963 - 08:51 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: 576. Launch Pad: 576A3. Launch Vehicle: Atlas D. LV Configuration: Atlas D 176D.
  • Atlas D NTMP K-12 ABM Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,800 km (1,100 mi).

1964 - 13:30 GMT - Launch Site: Thumba. Launch Vehicle: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache NASA 14.82UE.
  • Nike Apache ISRO 20.04? E'jet Magnetospheric mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 167 km (103 mi).

1965 - 05:01 GMT - Launch Site: Kagoshima. Launch Complex: L. Launch Vehicle: Lambda 3. LV Configuration: Lambda 3 L-3-2.
  • Lambda 3 Ionosphere mission Nation: Japan. Agency: ISAS. Apogee: 1,040 km (640 mi).

1966 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.
  • R-16 Military training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1966 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: ETR. Launch Pad: SLBM Launch Area. Launch Vehicle: Polaris A3. LV Configuration: Polaris A3 A3P-388.
  • Polaris A3 Operational Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1966 -
  • Voskhod sinks from sight Nation: USSR. Program: Voskhod. Spacecraft: Voskhod. Flight: Voskhod 3, Voskhod 4, Voskhod 5.

    After Korolev's death, the leadership simply "forgets" about the instructions to fly a new series of Voskhods. The decrees ordering the flights are never rescinded, but the issue is not seriously raised again.

1966 - 11:41 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC31. Launch Pad: LC31. Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M. Model: Molniya 8K78M. LV Configuration: Molniya 8K78M U103-32.
  • Luna 9 Nation: USSR. Program: Luna. Payload: E-6M s/n 13. Mass: 1,580 kg (3,480 lb). Class: Planetary. Type: Lunar. Spacecraft: Luna E-6. Agency: MOM. COSPAR: 1966-006A. USAF Sat Cat: 1954. Decay Date: 1966-02-03.

    Soft landed on Moon; photographed surface for 3 days. Landed on Moon 3 February 1966 at 18:44:52 GMT, Latitude 7.08 N, Longitude 295.63 E - Oceanus Procellarum. The Luna 9 spacecraft was the first spacecraft to achieve a lunar soft landing and to transmit photographic data to Earth. Seven radio sessions, totaling 8 hours and 5 minutes, were transmitted as were three series of TV pictures. When assembled, the photographs provided a panoramic view of the nearby lunar surface. The pictures included views of nearby rocks and of the horizon 1.4 Km away from the spacecraft.

1967 -
  • Launch preparation for Apollo AS-501 to proceed as planned Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo CSM. Flight: Apollo 204.

    A TWX from NASA Headquarters to MSC, MSFC, and KSC ordered checkout and launch preparation of AS-501 to proceed as planned, except that the CM would not be pressurized in an oxygen environment pending further direction. If AS-501 support, facility, or work force should conflict with the activities of the AS-204 Review Board, the Board would be given priority.

1967 -
  • Funeral services for the Apollo 204 crewmen Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 204.

    Funeral services were held for the Apollo crewmen who died in the January 27 spacecraft 012 (Apollo 204 mission) flash fire at Cape Kennedy. All three were buried with full military honors: Virgil I. Grissom (Lt. Col., USAF), and Roger B. Chaffee (Lt. Cdr., USN), in Arlington, Va., National Cemetery; and Edward H. White II (Lt. Col., USAF), at West Point, N.Y. Memorial services had been held in Houston January 29 and 30.

1967 -
  • Energia Engineer Cosmonaut Training Group 1 Supplemental selected. Nation: USSR.

1967 - 02:05 GMT - Launch Site: Kagoshima. Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Model: Kappa 9M. LV Configuration: Kappa 9M K-9M-22.
  • Kappa 9 Ionosphere/Solar Radio Frequency mission Nation: Japan. Agency: ISAS. Apogee: 327 km (203 mi).

1967 - 12:45 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC5. Launch Pad: SLC5. Launch Vehicle: Scout B. Model: Scout B. LV Configuration: Scout B S151C. FAILURE: Failure.
  • OV3-05 Nation: USA. Payload: OV3-05. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Spacecraft: OV3. Agency: AFSC. COSPAR: F670131A. Decay Date: 1967-01-21.

1967 - 18:50 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache NASA 14.275UI.
  • Nike Apache Aeronomy/Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 195 km (121 mi).

1967 - 19:11 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Nike-Cajun. Model: Nike Cajun. LV Configuration: Nike Cajun NASA 10.207GM.
  • Nike-Cajun Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 110 km (60 mi).

1967 - 22:57 GMT - Launch Site: Kheysa. Launch Vehicle: MR-12.
  • MR-12 Aeronomy mission Nation: USSR. Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 172 km (106 mi).

1967 - 23:17 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache NASA 14.319UM.
  • Nike Apache Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 127 km (78 mi).

1967 - 23:20 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache NASA 14.310CM.
  • Nike Apache Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 154 km (95 mi).

1967 - 23:48 GMT - Launch Site: Point Barrow. Launch Vehicle: Nike-Cajun. Model: Nike Cajun. LV Configuration: Nike Cajun NASA 10.216GM.
  • Nike-Cajun Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 126 km (78 mi).

1968 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: ETR. Launch Pad: SLBM Launch Area. Launch Vehicle: Polaris A2. LV Configuration: Polaris A2 A2P-91.
  • Polaris A2 Operational Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1968 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: ABRES. Launch Pad: ABRESA3. Launch Vehicle: Atlas F. Model: Atlas F/Trident. LV Configuration: Atlas F/Trident 94F.
  • Atlas F RMP-B-5 re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,400 km (800 mi).

1969 -
  • Symbolic activities for the first Apollo moon landing Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM.

    NASA Hq. asked Center directors for ideas for symbolic activities on the moon during the first landing to dramatize international agreements regarding exploration of the moon. Possible ideas were flying a U.N. flag with the U.S. flag on the moon; placing decal flags of the U.N. member nations on the LM descent stage; and leaving an appropriate information capsule at the landing site.

1969 -
  • Kamanin meets with Vershinin. Nation: USSR. Program: Lunar L1, Soyuz. Spacecraft: Soyuz 7K-OK, Soyuz 7K-L1, Spiral OS. Flight: Soyuz 5, Soyuz 4/5.

    Plans for purchase of ten Soyuz spacecraft for the VVS are discussed. They next turn to Volynov's problems during the Soyuz 5 re-entry. The fault can be attributed entirely to the modular design of the spacecraft, requiring that two modules be jettisoned before re-entry. Vershinin declares that what was needed was a true KLA space flight craft, which would be winged, set toward orbit by aircraft-type booster stages, and could be recovered at a conventional air base borne on wings or rotor blades. - Additional details.

1969 - Launch Vehicle: N1.
  • Preparations for the first N1 launch. Nation: USSR. Program: Lunar L3.

    Mishin was staying in Korolev's cottage at the launch centre. The other chief designers were staying at the cosmodrome's hotel, while the technicians and workers were at the new apartments at Area 113. Afanasyev headed the 'Little Soviet', the State Commission, that would oversee the launch. The commission met in the conference hall in the huge horizontal assembly building for the N1 at Area 112. The commission gave the approval, and the first flight-ready N1 was rolled out of its assembly building over the 4 km of track to the launch pad. The huge dimensions of the booster had required a new method of building the booster at the launch site. Simulators were able to check all of he booster functions up to the point of engine ignition.

1969 - 03:15 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee 150. Model: Aerobee 150. LV Configuration: Aerobee 150 NASA 04.266DG.
  • Aerobee 150 Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 179 km (111 mi).

1969 - 17:00 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache NASA 14.391UI.
  • Nike Apache Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 227 km (141 mi).

1969 - 17:30 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Nike Iroquois. LV Configuration: Nike Iroquois CRL AH07.891.
  • Nike Iroquois Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 137 km (85 mi).

1969 - 17:57 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Nike-Cajun. Model: Nike Cajun. LV Configuration: Nike Cajun NASA 10.307GM.
  • Nike-Cajun Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 121 km (75 mi).

1969 - 18:36 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Nike Iroquois. LV Configuration: Nike Iroquois CRL AH07.573.
  • Nike Iroquois Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 188 km (116 mi).

1969 - 19:10 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache NASA 14.389UA.
  • Nike Apache Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 115 km (71 mi).

1969 - 21:12 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache NASA 14.396GM.
  • Nike Apache Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 116 km (72 mi).

1969 - 21:53 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Nike Iroquois. LV Configuration: Nike Iroquois CRL AH07.576.
  • Nike Iroquois Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 188 km (116 mi).

1971 - 13:55 GMT - Launch Site: Keweenaw. Launch Vehicle: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache NASA 14.373GI.
  • Nike Apache Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 185 km (114 mi).

1971 - 21:03 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC39. Launch Pad: LC39A. Launch Vehicle: Saturn V. Model: Saturn V. LV Configuration: Saturn V SA-509.
  • Apollo 14 Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Payload: Apollo CSM 110 / Apollo LM 8 / ALSEP / S-IVB-509. Mass: 29,230 kg (64,440 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Lunar spacecraft. Spacecraft: Apollo CSM. Location of Spacecraft: United States Astronaut Hall of Fame, Titusville, FL. Agency: NASA MSC. Perigee: 170 km (100 mi). Apogee: 183 km (113 mi). Inclination: 31.12 deg. Period: 88.18 min. COSPAR: 1971-008A. USAF Sat Cat: 4900. Duration: 9.00 days. Decay Date: 1971-02-09. Crew: Mitchell, Roosa, Shepard. Flight: Apollo 14.

    The Apollo 14 (AS-509) mission - manned by astronauts Alan B. Shepard, Jr., Stuart A. Roosa, and Edgar D. Mitchell - was launched from Pad A, Launch Complex 39, KSC, at 4:03 p.m. EST January 31 on a Saturn V launch vehicle. A 40-minute hold had been ordered 8 minutes before scheduled launch time because of unsatisfactory weather conditions, the first such delay in the Apollo program. Activities during earth orbit and translunar injection were similar to those of the previous lunar landing missions. However, during transposition and docking, CSM 110 Kitty Hawk had difficulty docking with LM-8 Antares. A hard dock was achieved on the sixth attempt at 9:00 p.m. EST, 1 hour 54 minutes later than planned. Other aspects of the translunar journey were normal and proceeded according to flight plan. A crew inspection of the probe and docking mechanism was televised during the coast toward the moon. The crew and ground personnel were unable to determine why the CSM and LM had failed to dock properly, but there was no indication that the systems would not work when used later in the flight.

    Apollo 14 entered lunar orbit at 1:55 a.m. EST on February 4. At 2:41 a.m. the separated S-IVB stage and instrument unit struck the lunar surface 174 kilometers southeast of the planned impact point. The Apollo 12 seismometer, left on the moon in November 1969, registered the impact and continued to record vibrations for two hours.

    After rechecking the systems in the LM, astronauts Shepard and Mitchell separated the LM from the CSM and descended to the lunar surface. The Antares landed on Fra Mauro at 4:17 a.m. EST February 5, 9 to 18 meters short of the planned landing point. The first EVA began at 9:53 a.m., after intermittent communications problems in the portable life support system had caused a 49-minute delay. The two astronauts collected a 19.5-kilogram contingency sample; deployed the TV, S-band antenna, American flag, and Solar Wind Composition experiment; photographed the LM, lunar surface, and experiments; deployed the Apollo lunar surface experiments package 152 meters west of the LM and the laser-ranging retroreflector 30 meters west of the ALSEP; and conducted an active seismic experiment, firing 13 thumper shots into the lunar surface.

    A second EVA period began at 3:11 a.m. EST February 6. The two astronauts loaded the mobile equipment transporter (MET) - used for the first time - with photographic equipment, tools, and a lunar portable magnetometer. They made a geology traverse toward the rim of Cone Crater, collecting samples on the way. On their return, they adjusted the alignment of the ALSEP central station antenna in an effort to strengthen the signal received by the Manned Space Flight Network ground stations back on earth.

    Just before reentering the LM, astronaut Shepard dropped a golf ball onto the lunar surface and on the third swing drove the ball 366 meters. The second EVA had lasted 4 hours 35 minutes, making a total EVA time for the mission of 9 hours 24 minutes. The Antares lifted off the moon with 43 kilograms of lunar samples at 1:48 p.m. EST February 6.

    Meanwhile astronaut Roosa, orbiting the moon in the CSM, took astronomy and lunar photos, including photos of the proposed Descartes landing site for Apollo 16.

    Ascent of the LM from the lunar surface, rendezvous, and docking with the CSM in orbit were performed as planned, with docking at 3:36 p.m. EST February 6. TV coverage of the rendezvous and docking maneuver was excellent. The two astronauts transferred from the LM to the CSM with samples, equipment, and film. The LM ascent stage was then jettisoned and intentionally crashed on the moon's surface at 7:46 p.m. The impact was recorded by the Apollo 12 and Apollo 14 ALSEPs.

    The spacecraft was placed on its trajectory toward earth during the 34th lunar revolution. During transearth coast, four inflight technical demonstrations of equipment and processes in zero gravity were performed.

    The CM and SM separated, the parachutes deployed, and other reentry events went as planned, and the Kitty Hawk splashed down in mid-Pacific at 4:05 p.m. EST February 9 about 7 kilometers from the recovery ship U.S.S. New Orleans. The Apollo 14 crew returned to Houston on February 12, where they remained in quarantine until February 26.

    All primary mission objectives had been met. The mission had lasted 216 hours 40 minutes and was marked by the following achievements:

    • Third manned lunar landing mission and return.
    • Use of mobile equipment transporter (MET).
    • Payload of 32,500 kilograms placed in lunar orbit.
    • Distance of 3.3 kilometers traversed on lunar surface.
    • Payload of 43.5 kilograms returned from the lunar surface.
    • Lunar surface stay time of 33 hours.
    • Lunar surface EVA of 9 hours 47 minutes.
    • Use of shortened rendezvous technique.
    • Service propulsion system orbit insertion.
    • Active seismic experiment.
    • Inflight technical demonstrations.
    • Extensive orbital science period during CSM solo operations.
  • Apollo 14 LM Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Payload: Apollo LM 8. Mass: 15,279 kg (33,684 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Lunar spacecraft. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Agency: NASA MSC. Perigee: 170 km (100 mi). Apogee: 183 km (113 mi). Inclination: 31.12 deg. Period: 88.18 min. COSPAR: 1971-008x. USAF Sat Cat: 4900. Duration: 9.00 days. Decay Date: 1971-02-09. Flight: Apollo 14.

1972 - 17:20 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC2. Launch Pad: SLC2E. Launch Vehicle: Delta L. Model: Thor Delta L. LV Configuration: Thor Delta L 564/D87.
  • HEOS 2 Nation: Europe. Payload: HEOS A2. Mass: 123 kg (271 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Spacecraft: HEOS. Agency: ESRO. Perigee: 405 km (251 mi). Apogee: 240,164 km (149,230 mi). Inclination: 89.90 deg. Period: 7,477.10 min. COSPAR: 1972-005A. USAF Sat Cat: 5814. Decay Date: 1974-08-02.

    Highly Eccentric Orbiting Satellite; particles and fields data. Fifth satellite of ESRO. Also registered as US object 1972-05A in A/AC.105/INF.248 with orbit 7835.4 min, 439 x 248160 km x 90.2 deg, category B.

1972 - 17:30 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache NASA 14.440UI.
  • Nike Apache Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

1972 - 17:45 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Nike Iroquois. LV Configuration: Nike Iroquois CRL A07.217-1.
  • Nike Iroquois Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: AFCRL. Apogee: 220 km (130 mi).

1972 - 21:50 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Nike Iroquois. LV Configuration: Nike Iroquois CRL AT07.897.
  • Nike Iroquois Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: AFCRL. Apogee: 117 km (72 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).

1976 - 06:44 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant VC. LV Configuration: Black Brant VC NASA 21.27UE.
  • Black Brant ECHO IV Auroral mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 225 km (139 mi).

1977 -
  • Mockup SSME's delivered for Enterprise Nation: USA. Program: STS. Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Enterprise.

    Mass simulated SSMEs on dock, Palmdale, Enterprise (OV-101)

1977 -
  • Enterprise (OV-101) transported to Edwards AFB Nation: USA. Program: STS. Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Enterprise.

1977 -
  • Mass simulated SSMEs on dock, Palmdale, Enterprise Nation: USA. Program: STS. Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Enterprise.

1978 - 14:50 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Model: Soyuz 11A511U.
  • Cosmos 987 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Zenit-4MKM. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 189 km (117 mi). Apogee: 322 km (200 mi). Inclination: 62.80 deg. Period: 89.60 min. COSPAR: 1978-013A. USAF Sat Cat: 10639. Duration: 14.00 days. Decay Date: 1978-02-14.

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

1978 - 18:35 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 8C. LV Configuration: Black Brant 8C NASA 27.29CS.
  • Black Brant Solar mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 273 km (169 mi).

1979 -
  • Mission Control Center ready for shuttle. Nation: USA. Program: STS.

    Mission Control Center-Houston/Goldstone ready for operational flight test early operations.

1979 -
  • Start left-hand OMS Phase I qualification test Nation: USA. Program: STS.

1979 -
  • Start left-hand OMS Phase I qualification test Nation: USA. Program: STS.

1979 - 02:00 GMT - Launch Site: Kagoshima. Launch Vehicle: S-310. LV Configuration: S-310 S-310-5.
  • S-310 Ionosphere/Fields mission Nation: Japan. Agency: ISAS. Apogee: 185 km (114 mi).

1979 - 09:00 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC31. Launch Pad: LC31. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Model: Soyuz 11A511U.
  • Cosmos 1074 Nation: USSR. Program: Salyut 6. Payload: Soyuz T s/n 5L. Mass: 6,850 kg (15,100 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spacecraft. Spacecraft: Soyuz T. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 195 km (121 mi). Apogee: 238 km (147 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 88.80 min. COSPAR: 1979-008A. USAF Sat Cat: 11259. Duration: 60.04 days. Decay Date: 1979-04-01.

    Manned precursor. Recovered April 1, 1979 10:09 GMT. Soyuz T Test.
    Maneuver Summary:
    197 km X 240 km orbit to 255 km X 297 km orbit. Delta V: 33 m/s
    255 km X 297 km orbit to 264 km X 306 km orbit. Delta V: 4 m/s
    264 km X 306 km orbit to 309 km X 321 km orbit. Delta V: 17 m/s
    309 km X 321 km orbit to 279 km X 357 km orbit. Delta V: 18 m/s
    279 km X 357 km orbit to 352 km X 402 km orbit. Delta V: 32 m/s
    352 km X 402 km orbit to 363 km X 384 km orbit. Delta V: 8 m/s
    Total Delta V: 112 m/s
    Officially: Investigation of the upper atmosphere and outer space.

1980 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF21. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3. LV Configuration: Minuteman 3 PVM-18.
  • Minuteman 3 Research and development launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1982 - Launch Vehicle: Energia.
  • Management shake-up at Yuzhnoye. Nation: USSR. Program: Buran. Spacecraft: Buran.

    Continued development problems with the Energia booster rockets led to a management shake-up at the Yuzhnoye design bureau.

1984 - 03:08 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC40. Launch Pad: LC40. Launch Vehicle: Titan 34D. Model: Titan 34D/Transtage. LV Configuration: Titan 34D/Transtage 34D-10 (05D-1).
  • Chalet 4 Nation: USA. Payload: OPS 0441. Mass: 1,043 kg (2,299 lb). Class: Sigint. Spacecraft: Chalet. Agency: NRO/USAF. Perigee: 146 km (90 mi). Apogee: 1,023 km (635 mi). Inclination: 29.40 deg. Period: 96.40 min. COSPAR: 1984-009A. USAF Sat Cat: 14675.

    Chalet ELINT satellite.

1984 - 18:23 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Vehicle: Viper. LV Configuration: Viper 3A MAP/WINE.
  • Viper M-F 39 Aeronomy mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DFVLR. Apogee: 118 km (73 mi).

1984 - 18:31 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Vehicle: Nike Orion. LV Configuration: Nike Orion DLR A-NO-125.
  • Nike Orion Ferdinand 70 M-T 5 Ionosphere mission Nation: Norway. Agency: NTNF/DLR. Apogee: 115 km (71 mi).

1984 - 18:53 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Vehicle: Nike Orion.
  • Nike Orion Ferdinand 73 M-M 1 Aeronomy mission Nation: Norway. Agency: NTNF. Apogee: 113 km (70 mi).

1984 - 20:03 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Vehicle: Viper. LV Configuration: Viper 3A MAP/WINE.
  • Viper M-F 40 Aeronomy mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DFVLR. Apogee: 115 km (71 mi).

1986 - Launch Vehicle: Energia.
  • Buran project in crisis Nation: USSR. Program: Buran. Spacecraft: Buran.

    By January 1986 it was clear that the project, now three years behind schedule, had no prospect of completion due to problems in obtaining deliveries of equipment for Buran, numerous problems in assembling the orbiters and lack of manpower at Baikonur, and a general loss of management focus. Minister O D Bakhnov called a large group of industry leaders to the cosmodrome to review measures to concentrate and accelerate the remaining work. Three 'Tiger Teams' were set up. The first, led by Semenov, was to finish the flight Buran orbiter and associated facilities in time for a third quarter 1987 launch. The second, led by B I Gubanov, was to finish the Energia launch vehicle and fly it, without the Buran mock-ups if necessary, at the earliest possible date. The third group, led by S S Banin, was to complete the assembly and launch facilities.

1986 - 08:00 GMT - Launch Site: Kagoshima. Launch Vehicle: Kappa 9. Model: Kappa 9M. LV Configuration: Kappa 9M K-9M-79.
  • Kappa 9 Ionosphere mission Nation: Japan. Agency: ISAS. Apogee: 319 km (198 mi).

1987 - 09:32 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant IX. LV Configuration: Black Brant IX NASA 36.04UE.
  • Black Brant Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).

1987 - 19:30 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: ETR. Launch Pad: SLBM Launch Area. Launch Vehicle: Poseidon.
  • Poseidon Demonstration and shakedown operations launch Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1992 - 11:55 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant IX. LV Configuration: Black Brant IX NASA 36.096UH.
  • Black Brant X-ray Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).

1997 - 01:55 GMT - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Vehicle: MR-12. LV Configuration: MR-12 AGRE.
  • MR-12 Flaksus-1 (Fluxus) Plasma/Active mission Nation: Russia. Agency: AN RF/APL. Apogee: 160 km (90 mi).

1998 - 04:30 GMT - Launch Site: Kagoshima. Launch Complex: K. Launch Vehicle: S-520. LV Configuration: S-520 S-520-22.
  • S-520 XUV Doppler Telescope Solar X-ray/Ultraviolet mission Nation: Japan. Agency: ISAS. Apogee: 270 km (160 mi).

1998 - 23:43 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Vehicle: VS-30. LV Configuration: VS-30 XV-03 RONALD 2.
  • VS-30 DLR AL-VS30-229 Aeronomy mission Nation: Germany. Agency: INPE/DLR. Apogee: 120 km (70 mi).

1998 - 2004 -
  • Opportunity Rover Drives Onto Martian Surface Spacecraft: MER.


Born on this day in:
  • 1931 - Jay Farrar.  American Engineer. Birth City: Johnson. Birth State: Kansas. Birth Country: USA.

Died on this day in:
  • 1972 - Matvey Vasilyevich Zakharov.  Russian Military Officer.
  • 1990 - Samuel C Phillips.  American Manager. Cause of Death: Palos Verdes Peninsula, Los Angeles, CA, SSN 520-09-0207.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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