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1951 - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: SLED. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Snark. Model: MX-775.

  • Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

1951 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-1. Model: R-1. LV Configuration: R-1 IIIB-5.
  • Operational test Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1953 - 19:10 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee RTV-A-1a. LV Configuration: Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 38.
  • AF / Utah Ionosphere 3 Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: ARDC. Apogee: 135 km (83 mi).

    Ionosphere research. Launched at 1210 local time. Reached 135.2 km.

1954 - 13:24 GMT - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-1. Model: R-1D. LV Configuration: R-1D 1.
  • Test / biology / ionosphere / aeronomy mission Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 106 km (65 mi).

1956 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC3. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: X-17. LV Configuration: X-17 D-6A.
  • Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. Apogee: 140 km (80 mi).

    USAF X-17 flight test program started at Cape Canaveral to study reentry problems by simulating reentry velocities and conditions with three-stage solid-fuel Lockheed X-17. A total of 26 X-17 flights were conducted until March 1957.

1956 - 18:26 GMT - Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: A. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee AJ10-34. LV Configuration: Aerobee AJ10-34 USAF 70.
  • E-layer Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 111 km (68 mi).

    Ionosphere research. Launched at 1120 local time. Reached 111.1 km.

1957 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC9. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Navaho. Model: Navaho G-26. LV Configuration: Navaho II SM-64 08. FAILURE: One booster engine failed during ascent; did not achieve speed/altitude required for cruise stage ignition.
  • Navaho G-26 Flight 4 Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi).

    The missile launched from the repaired LC-9 on the third attempt. At T+42 seconds, Mach 1.63, and 7,000 m altitude, a fire occurred in the engine compartment after a failure of a regenerative cooling valve to the gas generator. The turbopump shut down, and one engine went out. Nevertheless the vehicle continued, first on one engine, then coasting, to 12,000 m altitude, and the booster separated successfully. But the cruise stage was below ramjet ignition velocity. Again ground control could bring the cruise stage under control as a glider, flying it to an impact 87 km downrange

1957 - 11:09 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC6. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Redstone. Model: Jupiter A. LV Configuration: Jupiter A CC-31. FAILURE: Human error in calculation of takeoff weight.
  • Jupiter A Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 90 km (55 mi).

    Launched at 0609 hours EST from AMR to test performance of the inertial guidance system, angle-of-attack meters, separation of explosive screws, and impact and radar fusing systems. Range instrumentation difficulties and deteriorating weather delayed the firing from the initially scheduled time of 0230 hours EST. The flight was successful. Actual range was 135.425 nm; 0.42 nm over; and 389 meters left of the intended impact point. Missed aimpoint by 785 m.

1958 -
  • Materials for thermal protection of satellite reentry vehicles Nation: USA. Spacecraft: Mercury.

    Meetings were held with NACA, AVCO, and Lockheed representatives in attendance to consider materials for thermal protection of satellite reentry vehicles.

1958 - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Exos.
  • Model 1 test Nation: USA. Agency: NACA/AFCRL. Apogee: 370 km (220 mi).

1958 - 05:00 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC18A. Launch Pad: LC18A. Launch Vehicle: Vanguard. Model: Vanguard. LV Configuration: Vanguard SLV-2. FAILURE: Premature second stage cutoff. Unknown cause.
  • Vanguard 2C Nation: USA. Program: Vanguard. Payload: Lyman Alpha satellite. Mass: 10 kg (22 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Spacecraft: Vanguard 2. Agency: U.S. Navy. Apogee: 165 km (102 mi). COSPAR: F580626A. Decay Date: 1958-06-26.

1959 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Terrier. Model: Terrier ASROC Cajun. LV Configuration: Terrier ASROC Cajun Terasca.
  • Radar beacon test Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1959 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC18B. Launch Pad: LC18B. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Thor DM-18A. LV Configuration: Thor DM-18A 198.
  • Series IV research and development launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 520 km (320 mi).

1960 - 06:17 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Trailblazer. Model: Trailblazer 1. LV Configuration: Trailblazer 1 TB Ib.
  • D58 Trailblazer re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 294 km (182 mi).

1961 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Saturn I.
  • Saturn I barge replacement. Nation: USA. Program: Apollo.

    A Navy YFNB barge was obtained by NASA to serve as a replacement for the Palaemon in transporting of the Saturn booster to Cape Canaveral.

1961 - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Polaris. Model: Polaris A2. LV Configuration: Polaris A2X-11. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1961 - 15:15 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee 150A. LV Configuration: Aerobee 150A NASA 04.20GT.
  • Attitude control test Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 187 km (116 mi).

1962 - 08:38 GMT - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: HAD. LV Configuration: HAD 108.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: Australia. Agency: WRE. Apogee: 116 km (72 mi).

1962 - 10:57 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: 576B3. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas D. LV Configuration: Atlas D 21D.
  • NTMP K-1 Target mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,800 km (1,100 mi).

    First launch of an Atlas from Vandenberg AFB as a target for an Army Nike-Zeus from Kwajalein.

1962 - 11:30 GMT - Launch Site: Kwajalein. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus. Model: Nike Zeus. LV Configuration: Nike Zeus-3. FAILURE: Failure.
  • First launch of an Army Nike-Zeus from Kwajalein Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

    First launch of an Army Nike-Zeus from Kwajalein against an Atlas from Vandenberg AFB.

1963 -
  • First full-scale firing of the Apollo SM engine Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo CSM.

    The first full-scale firing of the SM engine was conducted at the Arnold Engineering Development Center. At the start of the shutdown sequence, the engine thrust chamber valve remained open because of an electrical wiring error in the test facility. Consequently the engine ran at a reduced chamber pressure while the propellant in the fuel line was exhausted. During this shutdown transient, the engine's nozzle extension collapsed as a result of excessive pressure differential across the nozzle skin.

1963 -
  • Frictionless platform to simulate extravehicular activity Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: A7L.

    MSC announced that it had contracted with the Martin Company to develop a frictionless platform to simulate the reactions of an extravehicular astronaut in five degrees of freedom-pitch, yaw, roll, forward-backward, and side-to-side. MSC Crew Systems Division would use the simulator to test and evaluate space suits, stabilization devices, tethering lines, and tools.

1964 - 00:52 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Apache. Model: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache NASA 14.157GE.
  • B Field 3 Magnetosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 156 km (96 mi).

1966 - Launch Vehicle: Spiral 50-50.
  • Development of Spiral spaceplane authorised Nation: USSR. Spacecraft: Spiral OS, MiG 105-11.

    Lozino-Lozinsky was selected as project manager. The Spiral system consisted of three main components: the GSR reusable hypersonic air-breathing launch aircraft; RB expendable two stage rocket; and the OS orbital spaceplane.

1966 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC60/7. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.
  • Palma-1 Operational test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

1966 - 15:34 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: 576B2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas D. LV Configuration: Atlas D 147D.
  • NTMP KX-20 re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,800 km (1,100 mi).

1966 - 21:47 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Apache. Model: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache Ferdinand 13.
  • 50 / 70 Hz probe Ionosphere mission Nation: Norway. Agency: NDRE. Apogee: 138 km (85 mi).

1967 - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Model: Kosmos 11K65M. FAILURE: Launch vehicle failed to orbit - unknown cause.
  • Tselina-O GVM Nation: USSR. Program: Tselina. Payload: Tselina-O Mass Model. Class: Sigint. Spacecraft: Tselina-O. Agency: RVSN. COSPAR: F670626A.

1968 -
  • November manned circumlunar flight set Nation: USSR. Program: Lunar L1. Class: Manned. Type: Spacecraft. Spacecraft: Soyuz 7K-L1.

    State commission sets November as date for manned circumlunar flight. The next L1 flight was set for July, with flights to continue at monthly intervals at each translunar launch window. 3 or 4 unmanned flights had to be successful before a manned flight would be attempted.

1968 -
  • State Commission on L1 failure. Nation: USSR. Program: Lunar L1. Spacecraft: Soyuz 7K-L1.

    The State Commission determines the cause of the Proton booster shutdown in April was a short in the L1 abort system. This sent an incorrect abort signal to the launch vehicle, triggering it to shut down its engines. The next L1 launch is set for 19 July, followed by one launch per month thereafter. After 3 or 4 successful unmanned circumlunar missions, the spacecraft will be cleared for a manned lunar flyby.

1968 - 04:30 GMT - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: MR-12.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USSR. Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 173 km (107 mi).

1968 - 09:21 GMT - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: MR-12.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USSR. Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 168 km (104 mi).

1968 - 11:00 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Voskhod 11A57.
  • Cosmos 229 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Zenit-4. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 207 km (128 mi). Apogee: 327 km (203 mi). Inclination: 72.90 deg. Period: 89.90 min. COSPAR: 1968-054A. USAF Sat Cat: 3304. Duration: 8.00 days. Decay Date: 1968-07-04.

    High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule

1969 - Launch Site: Green River. Launch Complex: Pad 1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Athena RTV. LV Configuration: Athena V142D.
  • USAF V142D re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

1969 - 18:30 GMT - Launch Site: Natal. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Javelin. LV Configuration: Javelin NASA 8.53UI.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 795 km (493 mi).

1970 -
  • Soyuz 9 crew improving. Nation: USSR. Program: Soyuz. Flight: Soyuz 9.

    The Soyuz 9 crew are still suffering from the effects of their flight, but getting better each day. Tereshkova was taken ill last night.

1970 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF22. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 2. LV Configuration: Minuteman 2 2559.
  • OT GT59F operational test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1970 - 03:23 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Molniya 8K78M.
  • Molniya 1-14 Nation: USSR. Program: Molniya. Payload: Molniya-1. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Molniya-1. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 459 km (285 mi). Apogee: 39,172 km (24,340 mi). Inclination: 65.50 deg. Period: 703.10 min. COSPAR: 1970-049A. USAF Sat Cat: 4430. Decay Date: 1976-02-16.

    Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network.

1970 - 12:00 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: LC1 or LC31. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Voskhod 11A57.
  • Cosmos 350 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Zenit-2M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 180 km (110 mi). Apogee: 274 km (170 mi). Inclination: 51.70 deg. Period: 89.00 min. COSPAR: 1970-050A. USAF Sat Cat: 4425. Duration: 12.00 days. Decay Date: 1970-07-08.

    Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule.

1970 - 18:20 GMT - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: MR-12.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USSR. Apogee: 145 km (90 mi).

1971 -
  • Soyuz 11 Day 21 Nation: USSR. Program: Salyut. Spacecraft: Soyuz 7KT-OK, Salyut 1. Flight: Soyuz 11.

    The crew has completed all scientific and technical experiments aboard the Salyut station. They will spend the last two to three days concentrating on physical training, medical observations, and preparation for landing. They will turn off all station equipment not required for autonomous flight, prepare the Soyuz for landing, and measure the water and consumable reserves available for the next crew. The experiments have produced many film cartridges, experiment samples, and so on that should be returned to earth. However there is not enough space or mass reserves in the Soyuz capsule for them all so they are only to return those specifically listed by ground control.

1971 - Launch Site: Biscarosse. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: MSBS. Model: MSBS M1.
  • Operational test Nation: France. Agency: DMA. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1971 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC142/34. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tsiklon. Model: R-36 8K67M.
  • Operational missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1971 - 19:44 GMT - Launch Site: South Uist. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Petrel. Model: Petrel 1. LV Configuration: Petrel P120H.
  • Solar La / X / ne Ionosphere / solar extreme ultraviolet mission Nation: UK. Agency: SRC. Apogee: 143 km (88 mi).

1971 - 23:15 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC110L. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: N1. Model: N1. LV Configuration: N-1 11A52 6L. FAILURE: First stage failed.
  • N1 6L Nation: USSR. Program: Lunar L3. Payload: Soyuz 7K-LOK / LK Mockups. Class: Manned. Type: Spacecraft. Spacecraft: Soyuz 7K-LOK. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1.00 km (0.60 mi). COSPAR: F710626A. Decay Date: 1971-07-21.

    Superbooster failure of N1 serial number 6L. This was a substantially improved vehicle, incorporating filters in the propellant lines to prevent any foreign objects from getting into the pumps. The shape of the tail of the booster was modified, and ventilation and refrigeration systems were added to keep the engine compartment cool. It was painted white overall to reduce temperatures while sitting on the pad. After liftoff and ascent, an axial rotation was introduced by gas dynamics interactions of the thirty engines with the air slipstream. The launch vehicle developed a roll beyond the capability of the control system to compensate. and began to break up as it went through Max Q. Control was lost at 50.2 seconds into the flight and it was destroyed by range safety a second later. The engines functioned well and did not shut down up to the point of vehicle destruction. No functional payload was carried. It has been stated that this launch did not have a working launch escape system. - Additional details.

1972 -
  • No foreseeable mission for Apollo Apollo CSMs 115 and 115a Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo CSM.

    NASA Deputy Administrator George M. Low and Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight Dale D. Myers met and decided there was no foreseeable mission for CSMs 115 and 115a; funds would not be authorized for any work on these spacecraft; and skills would not be retained specifically to work on them.

1972 -
  • AUOS satellite development approved. Nation: USSR. Spacecraft: AUOS.

    Ministry of General Machine Building (MOM) Decree 'On the Creation of Automatic Universal Orbital Stations (AUOS)-on approval of work on the AUOS satellite bus' was issued.

1972 - 14:53 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511.
  • Cosmos 496 Nation: USSR. Program: Salyut. Payload: Soyuz 7K-T s/n 33L. Mass: 6,675 kg (14,715 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spacecraft. Spacecraft: Soyuz 7K-T. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 176 km (109 mi). Apogee: 253 km (157 mi). Inclination: 51.50 deg. Period: 88.70 min. COSPAR: 1972-045A. USAF Sat Cat: 6066. Duration: 9.95 days. Decay Date: 1972-07-02.

    Recovered July 6, 1972 13:54 GMT. Soyuz 7K-T redesign test.

1973 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC4W. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Titan. Model: Titan 24B. LV Configuration: Titan 24B 24B-9 (3B-43). FAILURE: Agena upper stage failed to orbit.
  • OPS 4018 Nation: USA. Payload: KH-8 no. 39 / Agena D. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: KH-8. Agency: USAF. COSPAR: F730626AA. Decay Date: 1973-06-26.

1973 - 01:22 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Model: Kosmos 11K65M. LV Configuration: Kosmos 11K65M Yu47121-16. FAILURE: Nine persons were killed in the explosion of the vehicle.
  • Nine killed in fuelling accident at Plesetsk Nation: USSR. Program: Tselina. Class: Sigint. Spacecraft: Tselina-O. Agency: RVSN. COSPAR: F730626BA.

    Nine were killed at the LC-133 Voskhod complex during preparation of a Kosmos-3M booster. Oxidiser and propellant were accidentally mixed together during fuelling.

1973 - 17:00 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC4W. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Titan. Model: Titan 24B. LV Configuration: Titan 24B 3B-43 (24B-9). FAILURE: Failure.
  • SRV-1 Nation: USA. Spacecraft: KH-8. Agency: USAF. COSPAR: F730626AC.

  • SRV-2 Nation: USA. Spacecraft: KH-8. Agency: USAF. COSPAR: F730626AD.

1974 - 12:30 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC133/1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 2. Model: Kosmos 11K63.
  • Cosmos 662 Nation: USSR. Program: DS. Payload: DS-P1-I s/n 14. Mass: 400 kg (880 lb). Class: Military. Type: Target. Spacecraft: DS-P1-I. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 271 km (168 mi). Apogee: 812 km (504 mi). Inclination: 70.90 deg. Period: 95.50 min. COSPAR: 1974-047A. USAF Sat Cat: 7347. Completed Operations Date: 1975-03-17. Decay Date: 1976-08-28.

    Operational radar target for the ABM forces.

1976 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC173. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: MR-UR-100. Model: MR-UR-100.
  • State trials missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1976 - 03:00 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC40. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Titan. Model: Titan 3C. LV Configuration: Titan IIIC 23C-10 (3C-28).
  • IMEWS 6 Nation: USA. Payload: DSP Phase 2 s/n 8. Mass: 1,040 kg (2,290 lb). Class: Early Warning. Spacecraft: DSP. Agency: USAF. Perigee: 35,620 km (22,130 mi). Apogee: 35,860 km (22,280 mi). Inclination: 0.50 deg. Period: 1,433.30 min. COSPAR: 1976-059A. USAF Sat Cat: 8916. Completed Operations Date: 1984-07-01.

    Second generation geosynchronous ballistic missile launch detection satellite, remained in service for over eight years. Positioned over the Atlantic Ocean from 1976 to 1981: at 35 deg W in 1976-1977; at 65 deg W in 1977-1979; and 35 deg W in 1979-1980; and 65 deg W in 1980-1981. Then moved over the Pacific Ocean at 125 deg W, then 140 deg W in 1981-1982; then over the Indian Ocean at 75 deg E in 1982-1984.

1976 - 08:58 GMT - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Poseidon.
  • FOT-21? Follow-on operational missile test Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1976 - 09:06 GMT - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Poseidon.
  • FOT-21? Follow-on operational missile test Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1977 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -.
  • Final launch of an Atlas/Agena booster/upper stage Nation: USA.

    Final launch of an Atlas/Agena booster/upper stage combination from Vandenberg AFB (first launch on 11 October 1 960).

1978 - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tomahawk Sandia. Model: Nike Tomahawk. LV Configuration: Nike Tomahawk NASA 18.1019CE.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 315 km (195 mi).

1978 - 20:31 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: MR-12. LV Configuration: MR-12 D-75MG.
  • JASPIC Nation: USSR. Apogee: 165 km (102 mi).

1979 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: MR-UR-100. Model: MR-UR-100U 15A16.
  • SLI? Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1980 - 12:20 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U.
  • Cosmos 1189 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Zenit-6U. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 198 km (123 mi). Apogee: 305 km (189 mi). Inclination: 72.90 deg. Period: 89.60 min. COSPAR: 1980-054A. USAF Sat Cat: 11863. Duration: 14.00 days. Decay Date: 1980-07-10.

    Photo surveillance; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1981 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF26. Launch Pad: LF26?. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3.
  • FOT GT83GB Follow-on Test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1982 - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Poseidon.
  • Follow-on operational missile test Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1982 - Launch Site: Biscarosse. Launch Complex: BLB. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: SSBS. Model: SSBS S3. LV Configuration: SSBS S3 2605.
  • Operational test Nation: France. Agency: DMA. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1982 - 02:57 GMT - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Poseidon.
  • Follow-on operational missile test Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1984 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC39A. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle.
  • Shuttle Discovery Pad Abort Nation: USA. Program: STS. Spacecraft: Discovery. Flight: STS-41-D.

    The countdown for the second launch attempt for Discovery's maiden flight ended at T- 4 seconds when the orbiter's computers detected a sluggish valve in main engine #3. The main engine was replaced and Discovery was finally launched on August 30, 1984.

1984 - 15:35 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U.
  • Cosmos 1576 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,600 kg (14,500 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Yantar-4K1. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 167 km (103 mi). Apogee: 348 km (216 mi). Inclination: 67.10 deg. Period: 89.70 min. COSPAR: 1984-066A. USAF Sat Cat: 15070. Duration: 59.00 days. Decay Date: 1984-08-24.

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

1985 - 12:35 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U.
  • Cosmos 1664 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Landsat. Spacecraft: Zenit-8. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 193 km (119 mi). Apogee: 376 km (233 mi). Inclination: 72.80 deg. Period: 90.20 min. COSPAR: 1985-054A. USAF Sat Cat: 15860. Duration: 9.00 days. Decay Date: 1985-07-05.

    Military cartographic satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable.

1985 - 17:46 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Hawk. Model: Nike Orion. LV Configuration: Nike Orion NASA 31.54UE.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 140 km (80 mi).

1990 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF26. Launch Pad: LF26?. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3.
  • FOT GT140GB Follow-on Test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1991 - 02:39 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF26. Launch Pad: LF26?. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3.
  • FOT GT144GB Follow-on Test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1993 - 13:27 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC17A. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Delta 7925. LV Configuration: Delta 7925 D221.
  • USA 92 Nation: USA. Program: Navstar. Payload: GPS 2A-21 / GPS SVN 39. Mass: 1,816 kg (4,003 lb). Class: Navigation. Spacecraft: GPS Block 2 and 2A. Manufacturer: Boeing North American, Seal Beach (formerly Rockwell). Agency: USAF. Perigee: 20,112 km (12,496 mi). Apogee: 20,250 km (12,580 mi). Inclination: 54.60 deg. Period: 717.90 min. COSPAR: 1993-042A. USAF Sat Cat: 22700.

    Global Positioning System. Placed in Plane A Slot 1.

  • PMG Nation: USA. Program: Navstar. Payload: Plasma Motor Generator. Spacecraft: PMG. Agency: MDAC. Perigee: 185 km (114 mi). Apogee: 677 km (420 mi). Inclination: 25.70 deg. Period: 93.20 min. COSPAR: 1993-042B. USAF Sat Cat: 22701. Decay Date: 1993-08-30.

  • PMG Far End Package Nation: USA. Program: Navstar. Spacecraft: PMG. Agency: MDSSC. COSPAR: 1993-042xx.

1995 - Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Strypi. Model: Strypi IX. FAILURE: Failure.
  • ETCE-11 Target mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA SMDC. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

1996 - 12:17 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF10. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3. LV Configuration: Minuteman 3 GT162GM.
  • FOT GT162GM Follow-on Test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSPC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1996 - 14:59 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF04. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3. LV Configuration: Minuteman 3 GT160GM.
  • FOT GT160GM Follow-on Test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSPC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1996 - 19:00 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 9. LV Configuration: Black Brant IX NASA 36.147US.
  • USC-1 SOHO Cal Solar extreme ultraviolet mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA GSFC. Apogee: 309 km (192 mi).

2002 - 05:36 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U.
  • Progress M-46 Nation: Russia. Program: ISS. Payload: Progress M s/n 246. Mass: 7,250 kg (15,980 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Logistics. Spacecraft: Progress M. Manufacturer: Energia. Agency: Rosaviakosmos (Russia). Perigee: 387 km (240 mi). Apogee: 397 km (246 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 92.40 min. COSPAR: 2002-033A. USAF Sat Cat: 27454. Duration: 110.00 days. Decay Date: 2002-10-14. Flight: ISS EO-5.

    Launch delayed from May 21, then moved forward from July 14. Progress M-46 was launched on ISS mission 8P and docked with the Zvezda module at 0623 UTC on June 29 after carrying out tests of the Kurs rendezvous system on June 28. Seperated from ISS and commanded to destructive re-entry on 14 October 2002.

2003 - 18:55 GMT - Launch Site: Point Arguello WADZ. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 36.0 N x 123.0 W. Launch Vehicle: Pegasus. Model: Pegasus XL. LV Configuration: Pegasus XL F34.
  • Orbview 3 Nation: USA. Mass: 304 kg (670 lb). Class: Remote Sensing. Spacecraft: Orbview. Perigee: 452 km (280 mi). Apogee: 455 km (282 mi). Inclination: 97.30 deg. Period: 93.70 min. COSPAR: 2003-030A. USAF Sat Cat: 27838.

    One-meter-resolution commercial imaging satellite. Orbview-3 used an Orbital Leostar bus and had a launch mass of 304 kg (including ca. 50 kg of hydrazine for orbit raising and the 66 kg science instrument). Launch had been delayed from September 2002, April 30, May 9 and 23


Born on this day in:
  • 1952 - William Arthur Pailes.  American Manned Spaceflight Engineer Astronaut. Birth City: Hackensack. Birth State: New Jersey. Birth Country: USA.
  • 1956 - Dr Bernard Andrew Harris Jr.  American Mission Specialist Astronaut. Birth City: Temple. Birth State: Texas. Birth Country: USA.
  • 1957 - Robert James Wood.  American Payload Specialist Astronaut. Birth City: Fitchburg. Birth State: Massachusetts. Birth Country: USA.

Died on this day in:
  • 2001 - John Finley Yardley.  American Manager.

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