March 13

See also Born on this Day
On this day in:

1781 -

  • William Herschel's Discovery of Uranus

1953 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC33. Launch Vehicle: Hermes A-3. LV Configuration: Hermes A-3A 1.
  • Hermes A-3 RV-A-8 Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 30 km (18 mi).

1957 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC22. Launch Vehicle: Goose. Model: Bull Goose. LV Configuration: Bull Goose Dummy.
  • Goose Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1959 -
  • Saturn System Study Nation: USA. Program: Apollo.

    The Army Ordnance Missile Command (AOMC) submitted the "Saturn System Study" which had been requested by the Advanced Research Projects Agency ARPA on December 18, 1958. From the 1375 possible configurations screened, and the 14 most promising given detailed study, the Atlas and Titan families were selected as the most attractive for upper staging. Either the 120-inch or the 160inch diameter was acceptable. The study included the statement: "An immediate decision by ARPA as to choice of upper stages on the first generation vehicle is mandatory if flight hardware is to be available to meet the proposed Saturn schedule." - Additional details.

1959 - 15:30 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee 150. Model: Aerobee Hi. LV Configuration: Aerobee Hi NN3.24F.
  • Aerobee 150 Solar Ultraviolet/Solar Extreme ultraviolet mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 170 km (100 mi).

1962 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC38. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nike Zeus Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).

1962 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC38. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nike Zeus Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).

1963 - Launch Vehicle: Saturn I.
  • First long-duration static test of Saturn SA-5 first stage Nation: USA. Program: Apollo.

    The first stage of the Saturn SA-5 launch vehicle was static fired at MSFC for 144.44 seconds in the first long-duration test for a Block II S-1. The cluster of eight H-1 engines produced 680 thousand kilograms (1.5 million pounds) of thrust. An analysis disclosed anomalies in the propulsion system. In a final qualification test two weeks later, when the engines were fired for 143.47 seconds, the propulsion problems had been corrected.

1964 -
  • Voskhod spacecraft approved. Nation: USSR. Program: Voskhod, Vostok. Spacecraft: Voskhod. Flight: Voskhod 1, Voskhod 2, Vostok 7, Vostok 8, Vostok 9, Vostok 10.

    Military-Industrial Commission (VPK) Decree 59 'On approval of work to convert Vostok to Voskhod and use it for three-person space missions' is issued. The resolution instructs GKOT to complete four Vostok spacecraft to the multi-passenger Voskhod configuration. The first is to be completed by 15 June 1964; the second by 30 June; the third and fourth, in July. The crew for the first mission will consist of a pilot-cosmonaut, a scientist, and a physician. Launch is set for the first half of August 1965.

1964 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC32. Launch Pad: LC32B. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 1. Model: Minuteman 1B. LV Configuration: Minuteman 1B 440.
  • Minuteman 1 Research and development launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1964 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: 395. Launch Pad: 395-C. Launch Vehicle: Titan 2. Model: Titan II. LV Configuration: Titan 2 s/n N-30 / 61-2753.
  • Titan 2 Apple Pie Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

    Research and development launch

1964 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC18. Launch Pad: CCLC18A. Launch Vehicle: Blue Scout Junior. Model: Blue Scout Jr. LV Configuration: Blue Scout Jr 22-2/AD-623. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Blue Scout Junior OAR 22-2/AFCRL-9 Magnetospheric mission Nation: USA. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 600 km (370 mi).

1964 - 17:46 GMT - Launch Site: Edwards. Launch Vehicle: X-15A. LV Configuration: X-15 3-27-44.
  • X-15A SUV,Boundary Layer Test mission Nation: USA. Program: X-15. Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: X-15A. Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 23 km (14 mi). Crew: McKay.

    Maximum Speed - 5458 kph. Maximum Altitude - 23165 m.

1965 - 03:38 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee 150. Model: Aerobee 150. LV Configuration: Aerobee 150 NASA 04.56GG.
  • Aerobee 150 Ultraviolet Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

1965 - 03:55 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee 150. Model: Aerobee 150. LV Configuration: Aerobee 150 AE3.516.
  • Aerobee 150 Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 105 km (65 mi).

1965 - 07:42 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee 150. Model: Aerobee 150. LV Configuration: Aerobee 150 AE3.612.
  • Aerobee 150 Meteorites/Auroral mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 184 km (114 mi).

1966 - Launch Site: Hammaguira. Launch Complex: Brigitte. Launch Vehicle: Saphir. Model: Saphir VE231. LV Configuration: Saphir VE231 G1.
  • Saphir Re-entry Vehicle Test mission Nation: France. Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1967 - Launch Site: Hammaguira. Launch Complex: Blandine. Launch Vehicle: Vesta. LV Configuration: Vesta 005.
  • Vesta FU-147 Biological mission Nation: France. Agency: CNES. Apogee: 234 km (145 mi).

1967 - 00:14 GMT - Launch Site: Thumba. Launch Vehicle: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache NASA 14.267IA.
  • Nike Apache ISRO 10.11 Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 155 km (96 mi).

1967 - 12:10 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/1. Launch Vehicle: Vostok 8A92. Model: Vostok 8A92.
  • Cosmos 147 Nation: USSR. Payload: Zenit-2 11F61 s/n 44. Mass: 4,720 kg (10,400 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Zenit-2. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 195 km (121 mi). Apogee: 298 km (185 mi). Inclination: 64.50 deg. Period: 89.40 min. COSPAR: 1967-022A. USAF Sat Cat: 2710. Duration: 8.00 days. Decay Date: 1967-03-21.

    Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite. Program partially completed.

1968 - Launch Vehicle: N1.
  • Lunar cosmonaut training program approved. Nation: USSR. Spacecraft: Soyuz 7K-LOK, LK.

    Decree 'On approval of the training program for lunar cosmonauts' was issued. This incuded the final moon landing plan.

1968 - Launch Vehicle: N1.
  • L3 project plan. Nation: USSR. Program: Lunar L3. Spacecraft: Soyuz 7K-LOK, LK.

    Titov is going to Italy, Feoktistov to Hungary. The 30 month program for the L3 lunar landing is settled. The cosmonauts already began training in January. The first LK lunar lander will be tested in low earth orbit in the second half of 1969. The first Soviet manned lunar landing cannot take place any earlier than 1970-1971. The resolution had set the date as 1967-1968, but the N1 and L3 will not be ready in time. The L3 is still conceptual, a purely paper spacecraft. The first N1 was to have been moved to the pad by March of this year, but it won't even make that milestone by May.

1968 - 19:55 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC4. Launch Pad: SLC4W. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Model: Titan IIIB. LV Configuration: Titan IIIB 3B-14.
  • OPS 5057 Nation: USA. Payload: KH-8 no. 12 / Agena D. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: KH-8. Agency: NRO/USAF. Perigee: 128 km (79 mi). Apogee: 407 km (252 mi). Inclination: 99.90 deg. Period: 89.90 min. COSPAR: 1968-018A. USAF Sat Cat: 3148. Decay Date: 1968-03-24.

    KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1969 - 16:45 GMT - Launch Site: Kheysa. Launch Vehicle: MR-12.
  • MR-12 Aeronomy mission Nation: USSR. Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 174 km (108 mi).

1969 - 18:17 GMT - Launch Site: Kheysa. Launch Vehicle: MR-12.
  • MR-12 Aeronomy mission Nation: USSR. Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 170 km (100 mi).

1969 - 21:33 GMT - Launch Site: Kheysa. Launch Vehicle: MR-12.
  • MR-12 Aeronomy mission Nation: USSR. Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 170 km (100 mi).

1969 - 22:23 GMT - Launch Site: Kheysa. Launch Vehicle: MR-12.
  • MR-12 Aeronomy mission Nation: USSR. Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 170 km (100 mi).

1969 -
  • Landing of Apollo 9 Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 9.

    The Apollo 9 CM splashed down in the Atlantic 290 kilometers east of the Bahamas at 17:01 GMT. The crew was picked up by helicopter and flown to the recovery ship U.S.S. Guadalcanal within one hour after splashdown. Primary objectives of the flight were successfully accomplished.

1970 -
  • Wernher von Braun made NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Planning Nation: USA. Program: Apollo.

    Wernher von Braun was sworn in as NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Planning. He left MSFC on March 1 and was succeeded as MSFC Director by Eberhard F. M. Rees.

1970 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: ABRES. Launch Pad: ABRESA3. Launch Vehicle: Atlas F. Model: Atlas F/Trident. LV Configuration: Atlas F/Trident 28F.
  • Atlas F RMP-B-16 re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,400 km (800 mi).

1970 - 06:18 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee 150. Model: Aerobee 150. LV Configuration: Aerobee 150 CRL A03.006-1.
  • Aerobee 150 Active Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

1970 - 08:00 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC43. Launch Pad: LC43/4. Launch Vehicle: Voskhod 11A57. Model: Voskhod 11A57.
  • Cosmos 326 Nation: USSR. Payload: Zenit-2 11F61 s/n 74. Mass: 4,720 kg (10,400 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Zenit-2. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 208 km (129 mi). Apogee: 232 km (144 mi). Inclination: 81.30 deg. Period: 88.90 min. COSPAR: 1970-018A. USAF Sat Cat: 4346. Duration: 8.00 days. Decay Date: 1970-03-21.

    Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite.

1970 - 20:30 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC32. Launch Pad: LC32B. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3. LV Configuration: Minuteman 3 FTM-212. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Minuteman 3 Research and development launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC.

1971 - 00:50 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache NASA 14.388UA.
  • Nike Apache Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

1971 - 16:15 GMT - Launch Site: Kheysa. Launch Vehicle: MR-12. LV Configuration: MR-12 MR-12.
  • MR-12 Aeronomy mission Nation: USSR. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).

1971 - 16:15 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC17. Launch Pad: LC17A. Launch Vehicle: Delta M. Model: Thor Delta M6. LV Configuration: Thor Delta M6 562/D83.
  • Explorer 43 Nation: USA. Program: Explorer. Payload: IMP I. Mass: 288 kg (634 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Spacecraft: IMP. Agency: NASA GSF. Perigee: 1,845 km (1,146 mi). Apogee: 203,130 km (126,210 mi). Inclination: 31.20 deg. Period: 5,957.90 min. COSPAR: 1971-019A. USAF Sat Cat: 5043. Decay Date: 1974-10-02.

    Earth magnetosphere research. Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space (US Cat B).

1971 - 22:55 GMT - Launch Site: Kheysa. Launch Vehicle: MR-12. LV Configuration: MR-12 MR-12.
  • MR-12 Aeronomy mission Nation: USSR. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).

1972 - 16:00 GMT - Launch Site: San Marco. Launch Vehicle: Nike Apache.
  • Nike Apache ISRC-PO-4 Aeronomy mission Nation: Italy. Agency: ISRC. Apogee: 185 km (114 mi).

1974 - 19:55 GMT - Launch Site: Kheysa. Launch Vehicle: MR-12. LV Configuration: MR-12 MR-12.
  • MR-12 Ionosphere mission Nation: USSR. Apogee: 171 km (106 mi).

1975 - 17:02 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Vehicle: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache SSC S16/1.
  • Nike Apache SSC S16/1 Aeronomy mission Nation: Sweden. Agency: SSC. Apogee: 106 km (65 mi).

1977 - Launch Site: Eglin. Launch Complex: SRI A-15. Launch Vehicle: HJ Nike Hydac.
  • HJ Nike Hydac STRESS ESTER Aeronomy/Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1977 - 18:41 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC4. Launch Pad: SLC4W. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Model: Titan 24B. LV Configuration: Titan 24B 24B-19 (3B-54).
  • OPS 4915 Nation: USA. Payload: KH-8 no. 48 / Agena D. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: KH-8. Agency: NRO/USAF. Perigee: 141 km (87 mi). Apogee: 329 km (204 mi). Inclination: 96.40 deg. Period: 89.10 min. COSPAR: 1977-019A. USAF Sat Cat: 9863. Decay Date: 1977-05-26.

    KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1977 - 21:31 GMT - Launch Site: Kheysa. Launch Vehicle: MR-12. LV Configuration: MR-12 MR-12.
  • MR-12 Aeronomy/Ionosphere/Plasma mission Nation: USSR. Apogee: 163 km (101 mi).

1978 -
  • Ferry Enterprise from Texas to Huntsville Nation: USA. Program: STS. Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Enterprise.

    Ferry Enterprise (OV-101) atop shuttle carrier aircraft from Ellington AFB to Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala.

1978 - 07:05 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Astrobee F. LV Configuration: Astrobee F NASA 25.31UE.
  • Astrobee F Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 198 km (123 mi).

1979 - 00:30 GMT - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 SL. Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Model: Skylark 7 AC. LV Configuration: Skylark 7 AC DLR W-GR-95.
  • Skylark Astro 4-1 Astronomy mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DFVLR. Apogee: 258 km (160 mi).

1979 - 21:52 GMT - Launch Site: Kheysa. Launch Vehicle: MR-12. LV Configuration: MR-12 MR-12.
  • MR-12 Aeronomy/Ionosphere/Plasma mission Nation: USSR. Apogee: 160 km (90 mi).

1981 - 16:00 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Nike Orion. LV Configuration: Nike Orion NASA 31.17UL.
  • Nike Orion CWAS 2 Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 140 km (80 mi).

1982 - Launch Site: El Arenosillo. Launch Vehicle: Petrel. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Petrel FOCCA II Aeronomy mission Nation: Spain. Agency: INTA. Apogee: 140 km (80 mi).

1982 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee 350. LV Configuration: Aerobee 350 NASA 17.18DG.
  • Aerobee 350 NRL Mk II UV Camera Ultraviolet Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).

1982 - 17:00 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: ETR. Launch Pad: SLBM Launch Area. Launch Vehicle: Trident C-4.
  • Trident C-4 DASO-11 demonstration and shakedown operations launch Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1985 - 02:00 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC3. Launch Pad: SLC3W. Launch Vehicle: Atlas E. Model: Atlas E/OIS. LV Configuration: Atlas E/OIS 41E.
  • Geosat Nation: USA. Mass: 635 kg (1,399 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Radarsat. Spacecraft: Geosat. Agency: USN. Perigee: 775 km (481 mi). Apogee: 779 km (484 mi). Inclination: 108.10 deg. Period: 100.40 min. COSPAR: 1985-021A. USAF Sat Cat: 15595.

    Ocean sea height mapping. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C).

1986 -
  • Giotto, Comet Halley Flyby Spacecraft: Giotto.

1986 - 10:54 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant IX. LV Configuration: Black Brant IX NASA 36.17DL.
  • Black Brant Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).

1986 - 11:20 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant VB. LV Configuration: Black Brant VB NASA 21.95UG.
  • Black Brant Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 231 km (143 mi).

1986 - 12:33 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: LC1. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U2. Model: Soyuz 11A511U2. LV Configuration: Soyuz 11A511U2 012.
  • Soyuz T-15 Nation: USSR. Program: Mir. Payload: Soyuz T 11F732 s/n 21L. Mass: 7,020 kg (15,470 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spacecraft. Spacecraft: Soyuz T. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 331 km (205 mi). Apogee: 366 km (227 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 91.50 min. COSPAR: 1986-022A. USAF Sat Cat: 16643. Duration: 125.00 days. Decay Date: 1986-07-16. Crew: Kizim, Solovyov Vladimir. Flight: Mir EO-1.

    Mir Main Expedition EO-01. Epic repair mission. The crew, consisting of ship's commander L D Kizim and flight engineer V A Solovyov first docked with the Mir orbital station to conduct scientific and technical studies and experiments. Mir then maneuvered 17 April to match Salyut 7's orbit at 4000 km separation, then again on 4 May to catch up. After six weeks aboard Mir, Soyuz T-15 undocked on 5 May, then rendezvoused and manually docked with the inoperative Salyut 7 station. This was the only flight in history by a single spacecraft between two space stations. The Salyut-7 station was found to be ice bound and without electrical power. The crew repaired the station, regaining power, heat, and environmental control. The also removed experimental results left behind by last crew. Soyuz T-15 undocked Salyut 7 on 25 June, and redocked with Mir on 26 June, delivering 400 kg of scientific material from Salyut 7, including a multichannel spectrometer. Following further work aboard Mir, the crew landed on July 16, 1986 at 12:34 GMT. No crew ever revisited Salyut 7; it made an uncontrolled reentry over Argentina.

1987 - 13:11 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC32. Launch Pad: LC32. Launch Vehicle: Tsyklon 3. Model: Tsiklon-3.
  • Cosmos 1827 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-3 no. 11. Mass: 220 kg (480 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-3. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,396 km (867 mi). Apogee: 1,411 km (876 mi). Inclination: 82.60 deg. Period: 113.90 min. COSPAR: 1987-026A. USAF Sat Cat: 17582.

    First fully operational Strela-3 launch. Military store-dump communications satellite. Six satellites launched by a single carrier rocket.

  • Cosmos 1828 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-3 no. 12. Mass: 220 kg (480 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-3. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,385 km (860 mi). Apogee: 1,411 km (876 mi). Inclination: 82.60 deg. Period: 113.70 min. COSPAR: 1987-026B. USAF Sat Cat: 17583.

  • Cosmos 1829 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-3 no. 13. Mass: 220 kg (480 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-3. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,411 km (876 mi). Apogee: 1,414 km (878 mi). Inclination: 82.60 deg. Period: 114.10 min. COSPAR: 1987-026C. USAF Sat Cat: 17584.

  • Cosmos 1830 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-3 no. 14. Mass: 220 kg (480 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-3. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,407 km (874 mi). Apogee: 1,411 km (876 mi). Inclination: 82.60 deg. Period: 114.00 min. COSPAR: 1987-026D. USAF Sat Cat: 17585.

  • Cosmos 1831 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-3 no. 15. Mass: 220 kg (480 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-3. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,391 km (864 mi). Apogee: 1,411 km (876 mi). Inclination: 82.60 deg. Period: 113.80 min. COSPAR: 1987-026E. USAF Sat Cat: 17586.

  • Cosmos 1832 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-3 no. 16. Mass: 220 kg (480 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-3. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,401 km (870 mi). Apogee: 1,411 km (876 mi). Inclination: 82.60 deg. Period: 113.90 min. COSPAR: 1987-026F. USAF Sat Cat: 17587.

1988 - 13:34 GMT - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 N. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant IX. LV Configuration: Black Brant IX NASA 36.027UG.
  • Black Brant Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).

1989 - 14:57 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC39. Launch Pad: LC39B. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. Model: Space Shuttle. LV Configuration: Space Shuttle STS-29R.
  • STS-29 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Payload: Discovery F08 / SHARE. Mass: 17,280 kg (38,090 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Discovery. Agency: NASA JSC. Perigee: 297 km (184 mi). Apogee: 308 km (191 mi). Inclination: 28.50 deg. Period: 90.60 min. COSPAR: 1989-021A. USAF Sat Cat: 19882. Duration: 4.99 days. Decay Date: 1989-03-18. Crew: Bagian, Blaha, Buchli, Coats, Springer. Flight: STS-29.

    Manned five crew. Deployed TDRS 4. Payloads: Deploy IUS (Inertial Upper Stage) with Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS)-D. Protein Crystal Growth (PCG); Chromosome and Plant Cell Division in Space; IMAX 70mm camera; Shuttle Student Involvement Project (SSIP) experiments: SSIP 82-8, Effects of Weightlessness in Space Flight on the Healing of Bone Fractures, and SSIP 83-9, Chicken Embryo Development in Space; Air Force Maui Optical Site (AMOS) experiment.

  • TDRS 4 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Payload: TDRS D. Mass: 2,120 kg (4,670 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: TDRS. Agency: NASA GSF. Perigee: 35,773 km (22,228 mi). Apogee: 35,803 km (22,246 mi). Inclination: 4.60 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min. COSPAR: 1989-021B. USAF Sat Cat: 19883.

    Deployed from STS 29 13 March 1989; NASA communications; 41 deg W. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 41 deg W in 1989-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 41.04 deg W drifting at 0.010 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 45.81W drifting at 0.008W degrees per day.

1990 - 04:21 GMT - Launch Site: Biscarosse. Launch Vehicle: Nike Orion. LV Configuration: Nike Orion DLR C-NO-177.
  • Nike Orion Dyana Aeronomy mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DLR. Apogee: 140 km (80 mi).

1992 - Launch Site: Kwajalein. Launch Complex: Meck. Launch Vehicle: ERIS. LV Configuration: ERIS 2.
  • ERIS Interceptor mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 290 km (180 mi).

    This second test or ERIS against a Minuteman I was considered successful enough that no further tests were planned. A second launch attempt on 11 May 1991 had been scrubbed after launch of the target missile but before launch of the interceptor. Further develoment of the technology was to be accomplished by the Orbital Sciences' Aries test vehicle with spectacularly poor results.

1992 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF03. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 1. Model: Minuteman 1B.
  • Minuteman 1 GBI-2B ERIS Target mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1994 - Launch Site: Vandenberg.
  • First launch of the Taurus space booster. Nation: USA.

1994 - 22:32 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: 576. Launch Pad: 576E. Launch Vehicle: Taurus. Model: ARPA Taurus. LV Configuration: ARPA Taurus T1 1110.
  • USA 101 Nation: USA. Program: STEP. Payload: STEP-0 / STEP M0. Mass: 502 kg (1,106 lb). Class: Military. Type: SDI. Spacecraft: TAOS. Agency: USAF. Perigee: 555 km (344 mi). Apogee: 561 km (348 mi). Inclination: 105.00 deg. Period: 95.80 min. COSPAR: 1994-017A. USAF Sat Cat: 23030.

    Space Test Experiment Program; 10 satellite subsystem experiments. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

  • USA 102 Nation: USA. Payload: DarpaSat. Mass: 203 kg (447 lb). Class: Technology. Spacecraft: DARPASAT. Agency: DARPA. Perigee: 532 km (330 mi). Apogee: 556 km (345 mi). Inclination: 105.00 deg. Period: 95.50 min. COSPAR: 1994-017B. USAF Sat Cat: 23031.

    GPS receiver and data processor technology tests. Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space (US Cat B).

1997 - 10:20 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant IX. LV Configuration: Black Brant IX NASA 36.139UE.
  • Black Brant Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA GSFC. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).

2001 -
  • EVA STS-102-1 Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Spacecraft: International Space Station. Crew: Thomas Andrew, Richards Paul. Flight: STS-102. EVA Duration: 0.26 days.

    The airlock was depressurized at 0518 GMT and the hatch opened at 0520 GMT. The astronauts took the External Stowage Platform from the ICC carrier to the port side of the Destiny module, and then installed the spare Pump Flow Control System on it. The ESP was used to store on-orbit-spare equipment. Next they hooked up cables on the robot arm's umbilical, and travelled up to the top of the P6 tower to fix a solar array latch - it just needed a good thump - and inspect the FPP experiment. The astronauts returned to the airlock at 1132 GMT and began repressurizing at 1144 GMT.

2004 - 05:40 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Atlas IIIA. LV Configuration: Atlas IIIA AC-202.
  • MBSAT Nation: Japan. Mass: 4,143 kg (9,133 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: FS-1300. Manufacturer: Space Systems/Loral. Agency: Mobile Broadcasting Corp. Perigee: 35,779 km (22,231 mi). Apogee: 35,795 km (22,241 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2004-007A. USAF Sat Cat: 28184.

    Mobile S-band digital broadcasting services for home and automobile users in Japan. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 144.03E drifting at 0.009W degrees per day.


Born on this day in:

Died on this day in:
  • 1982 - Nikolai Petrovich Kamanin.  Russian Military Officer.
  • 1999 - Philip M Prophett.  American Engineer.
  • 2004 - Vladimir Konstantinovich Karrask.  Russian Chief Designer.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Encyclopedia Astronautica
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0 - A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - Ra - Re - Sa - Sf - Sp - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z