March 15

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1928 - Launch Vehicle: Opel.

  • First rocket car Nation: Germany.

    Max Valier campaigned to get automobile magnate Fritz von Opel interested in rocket-powered automobiles. Valier proposed to use different combinations of compressed black powder rockets manufactured by Friedrich Wilhelm Sander of Wesermuende. Sander's rockets were 80 cm long, 12.5 cm in diameter, and could came in two versions. The centre-bore rockets provided 180 kgf for 3 seconds, while the end-burners provided 20 kgf for 30 seconds. Valier proposed to use combinations of these motors to first boost an automobile to high speed with the high-thrust rockets, then use low-thrust units to maintain velocity. This had no practical application but would demonstrate the potential of rockets to the German public, at the same time giving Opel publicity. The first secret test, at Ruesselsheim, used a one high thrust and one low thrust motor in a small stock Opel. The results were unimpressive - the vehicle went only 140 m in 35 seconds.

1934 -
  • Saenger rocket engine Nation: Austria.

    Saenger's Experiment Number 25 is the first to successfully sustain combustion. The water-cooled combustion chamber sustains an internal pressure of 15 atmospheres for 30 seconds.

1944 - Launch Site: Peenemuende. Launch Vehicle: V-2.
  • V-2 problems begin to be understood - but Peenemuende Rocket Team leaders arrested by SS Nation: Germany.

    The cause of early detonation of the warhead during the engine burn time is understood, but the crashes at the end of the trajectory are still a mystery. Dornberger is ordered to report to Hitler at Berchtesgaden. The call is received at 7 pm in the evening, following a bomb raid and ice storm. Dornberger is told that on the following morning Von Braun, Riedel II, and Groettrup are to be arrested for sabotage of the A4 program. Groettrup selects Dr Steinhoff as his representative. The men are accused of not putting all their energy in development of the A4 as a weapon - instead only using the financing of the Reich to support their private plans for manned spaceflight. Dornberger know he cannot complete the program without these men - Von Braun and Riedel were the key leaders, and Groettrup was head of the electrical systems section. Dornberger finally achieves their release by demonstrating to the SS that the biggest impediment to the program was Hitler's dream that the A4 would never reach London. After a few days in detention, Von Braun was moved to Schwedt, and then freed. The others were allowed out a bit later.

1945 - Launch Vehicle: EA 1941. FAILURE: Exploded after 5 seconds.
  • EA 1941 Nation: France. Apogee: 1.00 km (0.60 mi).

    Launched from Toulon, France. Intended to take a 25 kg payload to 100 km altitude, the rocket instead veered off course and crashed after 5 seconds of flight.

1945 - 08:45 GMT - Launch Site: V-2 Gruppe Nord. Launch Vehicle: V-2.
  • V-2 launched at Antwerp, impacted 8 km north of city. Nation: Germany. Agency: Wehrmacht. Apogee: 90 km (55 mi).

    7 dead, 74 were injured, 10 houses destroyed.

1946 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC33. Launch Vehicle: V-2. LV Configuration: V-2 number 1.
  • V-2 static fired Nation: USA.

    First American-assembled V-2 static fired at White Sands Proving Ground.

1950 -
  • Tikhonravov wrote a seminal paper on the potential uses of artificial satellites. Nation: USSR.

1951 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC33. Launch Vehicle: Hermes A-1. LV Configuration: Hermes A-1 5.
  • Hermes A-1 Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 24 km (14 mi).

1953 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Vehicle: R-5. FAILURE: Failure.
  • R-5 Phase I state trials launch Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88.

    Unsuccessful. First Phase I trials launch of the 8 remaining rockets of the first production lot were fired, of which 6 reached the target area. The first launch was on 15 March 1953. The first successful flight was on 2 April 1953. The first full range flight came on 19 April 1953.

1956 - 00:36 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC6. Launch Vehicle: Redstone. Model: Jupiter A. LV Configuration: Redstone RS-18. FAILURE: Early cut-off caused by Incorrect guidance cut-off equation pre-setting. ST-80 gyro spilled at 310 sec.
  • Redstone Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 90 km (55 mi).

    The first Jupiter A launching, by ABMA at Cape Canaveral. RS-18 was launched at 1936 hours EST from AMR. The flight was successful. The scheduled launching date of this missile was 13 March. Three holds were called because of LOX difficulties, telemetry difficulties, and replacement of a gate valve. The actual range was 133.58 nm; 10.3 nm under; and 5.66 nm right of the intended impact point. Separation occurred before the missile gained its correct velocity. Improper assumption of propellant flow for the trajectory calculation was primarily responsible for the incorrect cut-off. The primary test objectives were to test the complete guidance and control system to establish the performance qualities of the complete missile system. Missed aimpoint by 19,100 m.

1960 - Launch Vehicle: Saturn I.
  • Saturn I transferred to NASA. Nation: USA. Program: Apollo.

    The Army Ballistic Missile Agency's Development Operations Division and the Saturn program were transferred to NASA after the expiration of the 60-day limit for congressional action on the President's proposal of January 14. (The President's decision had been made on October 21, 1959.) By Executive Order, the President named the facilities the "George C. Marshall Space Flight Center." Formal transfer took place on July 1.

1960 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC37. Launch Pad: ALA3?. Launch Vehicle: Redstone. LV Configuration: Redstone 2014.
  • Redstone T-1 Capsule operational test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 90 km (55 mi).

    Successful missile test with T-1 Capsule. Missed aimpoint by 295 m.

1961 -
  • Mercury Bermuda tracking station agreement. Nation: USA. Program: Mercury.

    United States and United Kingdom signed formal agreement covering Mercury tracking stations on Bermuda.

1961 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC29. Launch Pad: LC29A. Launch Vehicle: Polaris A2. LV Configuration: Polaris A2 A2X-10.
  • Polaris A2 Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1961 - 17:47 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Nike-Cajun. Model: Nike Cajun. LV Configuration: Nike Cajun NASA 10.49GT.
  • Nike-Cajun Cajun fin test mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 130 km (80 mi).

1962 - Launch Vehicle: Atlas D.
  • Carpenter replaces Slayton on Mercury-Atlas 7 (MA-7) Nation: USA. Program: Mercury. Flight: Mercury MA-7.

    NASA Headquarters publicly announced that Scott Carpenter would pilot the Mercury-Atlas 7 (MA-7) manned orbital mission replacing Donald Slayton. The latter, formerly scheduled for the flight, was disqualified because of a minor erratic heart rate.

1963 - 11:38 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: 576. Launch Pad: 576B1. Launch Vehicle: Atlas D. LV Configuration: Atlas D 46D. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Atlas D TALL TREE 1 operational test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).

1964 - 02:44 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Vehicle: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache Ferdinand 7.
  • Nike Apache Ferdinand 7 Ionosphere/Plasma mission Nation: Norway. Agency: NDRE. Apogee: 134 km (83 mi).

1965 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: ETR. Launch Pad: SLBM Launch Area. Launch Vehicle: Polaris A3. LV Configuration: Polaris A3 A3P-21.
  • Polaris A3 Operational Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1965 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: ETR. Launch Pad: SLBM Launch Area. Launch Vehicle: Polaris A3. LV Configuration: Polaris A3 A3P-158.
  • Polaris A3 Operational Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1965 -
  • Cosmos 57 lands. Nation: USSR. Program: Voskhod. Spacecraft: Voskhod, Zenit-4. Flight: Voskhod 2.

    The Zenit-4 fitted with the airlock attachment ring successfully lands at 12:09, 170 km south of Kustanin (and 50 km north of the aim point). Later procedures for emergency landing on the first, second, and third orbits are discussed. The cosmonauts want to discuss the possibility of their taking action if the airlock fails to jettison (even though there are redundant systems to ensure this). Leonov discuses a method of inflating the airlock, his opening the hatch from the spacecraft, checking all connections, then returning to the capsule and attempting again. Data arrives in the evening from the recovered Zenit - the rotation rates are acceptable, Voskhod-2 is clear to launch on 18 March. In the evening the cosmonauts conduct interviews with journalists.

1965 - 11:00 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/15. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 65S3. Model: Kosmos 65S3. LV Configuration: Kosmos 65S3 04L.
  • Cosmos 61 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Mass: 50 kg (110 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-1. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 262 km (162 mi). Apogee: 1,737 km (1,079 mi). Inclination: 56.00 deg. Period: 105.10 min. COSPAR: 1965-020A. USAF Sat Cat: 1267. Decay Date: 1968-01-15.

  • Cosmos 62 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Mass: 50 kg (110 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-1. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 259 km (160 mi). Apogee: 1,712 km (1,063 mi). Inclination: 56.00 deg. Period: 104.80 min. COSPAR: 1965-020B. USAF Sat Cat: 1268. Decay Date: 1968-09-24.

  • Cosmos 63 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Mass: 50 kg (110 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-1. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 259 km (160 mi). Apogee: 1,673 km (1,039 mi). Inclination: 56.00 deg. Period: 104.40 min. COSPAR: 1965-020C. USAF Sat Cat: 1269. Decay Date: 1967-11-04.

1966 -
  • Cosmos 110 landing commission Nation: USSR. Program: Voskhod. Spacecraft: Voskhod. Flight: Voskhod 3.

    The State Commission meets on the 21st day of flight. The life forms are still alive, although the atmosphere in the cabin isgradually worsening (oxygen has gone from 143 to 136 mm Hg and the carbon dioxide level has gone up from 0.89% to 0.91%). The flight duration objective has been fulfilled, and although the designers say the ECS could run for a total of 36 days, it is decided to bring the capsule down within the next two days. A landing commission of 25 military and engineering representatives is formed to oversee the process. It is decided to bring the capsule down on the 330th orbit, on 16 March, with an emergency re-entry possible at 15:30 on 15 March if the cabin parameters worsen.

1967 - Launch Vehicle: N1.
  • CIA reports on Soviet space developments Nation: USSR. Program: Lunar L3. Class: Manned. Type: Spacecraft. Spacecraft: Soyuz 7K-LOK.

    CIA reports accurately development of N-1, Almaz, Proton, etc.... even states 100,000 kg large space station in development for launch by N-1 by 1969. CIA does not expect lunar landing until early 1970's.

1967 -
  • Plans for recovery of returning manned lunar spacecraft. Nation: USSR.

    Military-Industrial Commission (VPK) Decree 42 'On search service for returning missions from the Moon' was issued.

1968 -
  • HL-10 Flight 2 Nation: USA. Program: NASA Lifting Body. Payload: HL-10 flight 2. Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: HL-10. Crew: Gentry.

    Maximum Speed - 684 kph. Maximum Altitude - 13720 m. Flight Time - 243 sec.

1968 - Launch Site: Kerguelen. Launch Vehicle: Dragon. Model: Dragon 2B. LV Configuration: Dragon 2B D-251A.
  • Dragon Ionosphere mission Nation: France. Agency: CNES. Apogee: 440 km (270 mi).

1968 - 07:10 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Nike Iroquois. LV Configuration: Nike Iroquois CRL AE07.290.
  • Nike Iroquois Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: AFCRL. Apogee: 160 km (90 mi).

1968 - 19:04 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee 150. Model: Aerobee 150. LV Configuration: Aerobee 150 NASA 04.209CS.
  • Aerobee 150 Solar X-ray mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 155 km (96 mi).

1968 - 19:11 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Nike Tomahawk. LV Configuration: Nike Tomahawk NASA 18.10UI.
  • Nike Tomahawk Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 290 km (180 mi).

1969 - 05:06 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Vehicle: HJ Nike Hydac.
  • HJ Nike Hydac Fir Ba Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: ARPA. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1969 - 12:15 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Voskhod 11A57. Model: Voskhod 11A57.
  • Cosmos 271 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Zenit-4. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 196 km (121 mi). Apogee: 324 km (201 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 89.70 min. COSPAR: 1969-023A. USAF Sat Cat: 3807. Duration: 8.00 days. Decay Date: 1969-03-23.

    High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule

1969 - 17:55 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Vehicle: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache K-NA-11.
  • Nike Apache DLR K-NA-11 Aeronomy/Ionosphere/Fields mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DFVLR. Apogee: 226 km (140 mi).

1969 - 20:54 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Complex: S. Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Model: Skylark 2. LV Configuration: Skylark 2 S43/2.
  • Skylark ESRO S43/2 Auroral mission Nation: Europe. Agency: ESRO. Apogee: 211 km (131 mi).

1969 - 22:31 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Complex: C. Launch Vehicle: Centaure. LV Configuration: Centaure C52/1.
  • Centaure ESRO C52/1 Auroral mission Nation: Europe. Agency: ESRO. Apogee: 136 km (84 mi).

1970 -
  • Definition studies for a second Orbital Workshop (Skylab II). Nation: USA. Program: Skylab. Spacecraft: Skylab. Flight: Skylab B.

    Definition studies for a second Orbital Workshop (Skylab II) were under study. Mission objectives would respond to the following major objectives: continued development and expansion of the ability to live, work, and operate effectively in space; exploitation of space for practical benefits through the observation of Earth and its environment; and the use of space for scientific research.

1970 - 13:35 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant IVA.
  • Black Brant DLR A-BB4-28 Eva Ionosphere/Plasma mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DFVLR. Apogee: 650 km (400 mi).

1971 -
  • Major DOS training exercise by third crew. Nation: USSR. Program: Salyut. Spacecraft: Salyut 1. Flight: Soyuz 10, Soyuz 11, Soyuz 12 / DOS 1.

    The third, back-up DOS crew of Dobrovolsky, Volkov and Patsayev train in the DOS trainer. All of the crews have made good runs, with no mistakes or failures. Shatalov, after training on the DOS simulator, now supports Mishin's 30 day flight approach. He has also talked to Yeliseyev and Sevastyanov about the matter. He believes there may be a very different reaction to zero-G from individual to individual, and the Soyuz 9 crew may have been the wrong two individuals.

1971 - Launch Vehicle: Nike Tomahawk. LV Configuration: Nike Tomahawk NASA 18.126GE.
  • Nike Tomahawk Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 270 km (160 mi).

    Launched from FOX-MAIN DEW site, Hall Beach, Nunavut, Canada - Latitude: 68.70 N - Longitude: 81.20 W.

1971 - Launch Vehicle: Nike Tomahawk. LV Configuration: Nike Tomahawk NASA 18.122GE.
  • Nike Tomahawk Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 270 km (160 mi).

    Launched from Cape Parry, PIN Main DEW, Inuvik Region, Northwest Territory, Canada - Latitude: 70.17 N - Longitude: 124.72 W.

1971 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Vehicle: UR-100. Model: UR-100K.
  • UR-100 Last State trials launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1971 - 17:55 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Complex: S. Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Model: Skylark 2. LV Configuration: Skylark 2 S87/1.
  • Skylark ESRO S87/1 Ionosphere mission Nation: Europe. Agency: ESRO. Apogee: 188 km (116 mi).

1971 - 18:17 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 - 23:00 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: ETR. Launch Pad: SLBM Launch Area. Launch Vehicle: Poseidon. LV Configuration: Poseidon C3 C3E-39.
  • Poseidon Demonstration and shakedown operations launch Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1972 - Launch Vehicle: Shuttle.
  • Shuttle booster decision Nation: USA.

    NASA decided that the shuttle booster will be 2 x 156 inch solid rocket motors. This would reduce the total development cost by $700 million, from $ 5.85 billion to $ 5.15 billion. It was also decided to delete the requirement for the shuttle to be equipped with air-breathing engines for final approach and ferry, and to add Abort Solid Rocket Motors that would pull the shuttle away from the external tank in case of a failure of the solid rocket boosters or external tank during the first portion of the ascent to orbit.

1972 - 13:00 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Voskhod 11A57. Model: Voskhod 11A57.
  • Cosmos 478 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Zenit-4M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 176 km (109 mi). Apogee: 282 km (175 mi). Inclination: 65.00 deg. Period: 89.00 min. COSPAR: 1972-015A. USAF Sat Cat: 5885. Duration: 13.00 days. Decay Date: 1972-03-28.

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

1972 - 16:00 GMT - Launch Site: San Marco. Launch Vehicle: Nike Apache.
  • Nike Apache ISRC-PO-6 Aeronomy mission Nation: Italy. Agency: ISRC. Apogee: 185 km (114 mi).

1973 -
  • Post-Apollo Lunar Programs Office established Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo ALSEP. Flight: Apollo 15.

    A Lunar Programs Office, under which the Lunar Data Analysis and Synthesis Program would be conducted, was established in the Office of Space Science, NASA Hq. The office was responsible for continued operation and collection of data from the Apollo lunar surface experiment packages and the Apollo 15 subsatellite; Apollo surface and orbital science data analysis by principal investigators; development of selenodetic, cartographic, and photographic products; continued lunar laser ranging experiment; continued lunar sample analysis; lunar supporting research and technology; and advanced program studies.

1973 - Launch Site: Biscarosse. Launch Complex: BLB. Launch Vehicle: SSBS. Model: SSBS S02. LV Configuration: SSBS S02 2602.
  • SSBS S02C 2602 Test mission Nation: France. Agency: DMA. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1973 -
  • San Juan Capistrano Meteorite Fall

1974 - 20:00 GMT - Launch Site: Kheysa. Launch Vehicle: MR-12. LV Configuration: MR-12 MR-12.
  • MR-12 Aeronomy/Ionosphere/Chemical release/Plasma mission Nation: USSR. Apogee: 173 km (107 mi).

1975 - 04:10 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee 350. LV Configuration: Aerobee 350 NASA 17.15UG.
  • Aerobee 350 Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 214 km (132 mi).

1975 - 07:00 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee 200. Model: Aerobee 200A. LV Configuration: Aerobee 200A NASA 26.39UG.
  • Aerobee 200 Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 261 km (162 mi).

1975 - 16:34 GMT - Launch Site: Thumba. Launch Vehicle: Petrel. LV Configuration: Petrel P70T/C.
  • Petrel ISRO-18.17 Ionosphere mission Nation: UK. Agency: SRC. Apogee: 147 km (91 mi).

1976 -
  • Start functional checkout, Enterprise Nation: USA. Program: STS. Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Enterprise.

    Start functional checkout, Enterprise (OV-101).

1976 - 01:25 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC40. Launch Pad: LC40. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3C. Model: Titan IIIC. LV Configuration: Titan IIIC 23C-12.
  • LES 8 Nation: USA. Mass: 454 kg (1,000 lb). Class: Technology. Type: Comsat. Spacecraft: LES. Agency: USAF. Perigee: 35,728 km (22,200 mi). Apogee: 35,835 km (22,266 mi). Inclination: 11.40 deg. Period: 1,435.80 min. COSPAR: 1976-023A. USAF Sat Cat: 8746. Completed Operations Date: 1992-01-01.

    Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication. Also tested pulsed plasma engines. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit over the Atlantic Ocean at 1976-77; over the Americas at 106-110 deg W in 1978-1986; over the Atlantic Ocean 60-70 deg W in 1987-1991;over the Americas at 94-106 deg W in 1991-1992. As of 6 September 2001 located at 105.16 deg W drifting at 0.010 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 107.51W drifting at 0.001E degrees per day.

  • LES 9 Nation: USA. Mass: 454 kg (1,000 lb). Class: Technology. Type: Comsat. Spacecraft: LES. Agency: USAF. Perigee: 35,745 km (22,210 mi). Apogee: 35,825 km (22,260 mi). Inclination: 17.00 deg. Period: 1,436.00 min. COSPAR: 1976-023B. USAF Sat Cat: 8747. Completed Operations Date: 1992-01-01.

    Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication. Also tested pulsed plasma engines. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit over the Atlantic Ocean at 30-40 deg W in 1976-78; over the Americas at 90-100 deg W in 1980-81; over the Americas at 100-106 deg W in 1981-1990; over the Atlantic Ocean 10 deg W in 1991; over the Americas at 105 deg W in 1992-on. As of 1 September 2001 located at 103.85 deg W drifting at 0.023 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 107.07W drifting at 0.018W degrees per day.

  • Solrad 11A Nation: USA. Mass: 181 kg (399 lb). Class: Solar. Spacecraft: Solrad. Agency: USAF. Perigee: 118,383 km (73,559 mi). Apogee: 119,180 km (74,050 mi). Inclination: 25.70 deg. Period: 7,344.30 min. COSPAR: 1976-023C. USAF Sat Cat: 8748.

    Solar radiation data. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C).

  • Solrad 11B Nation: USA. Mass: 181 kg (399 lb). Class: Solar. Spacecraft: Solrad. Agency: USAF. Perigee: 115,720 km (71,900 mi). Apogee: 116,645 km (72,479 mi). Inclination: 25.60 deg. Period: 7,116.70 min. COSPAR: 1976-023D. USAF Sat Cat: 8749.

    Solar radiation data. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C).

1978 - 15:57 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132. Launch Pad: LC132/2. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 11K65M. Model: Kosmos 11K65M. LV Configuration: Kosmos 11K65M 53746-315.
  • Cosmos 994 Nation: USSR. Mass: 920 kg (2,020 lb). Class: Navigation. Spacecraft: Tsiklon. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 971 km (603 mi). Apogee: 1,007 km (625 mi). Inclination: 82.90 deg. Period: 104.90 min. COSPAR: 1978-028A. USAF Sat Cat: 10731.

    Military navigation satellite.

1979 - 02:58 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132. Launch Pad: LC132/2. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 11K65M. Model: Kosmos 11K65M. LV Configuration: Kosmos 11K65M 47168-312.
  • Cosmos 1081 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-1M no. 169. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-1M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,404 km (872 mi). Apogee: 1,465 km (910 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 114.50 min. COSPAR: 1979-024A. USAF Sat Cat: 11296.

    Eight satellites launched by a single carrier rocket.

  • Cosmos 1082 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-1M no. 170. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-1M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,423 km (884 mi). Apogee: 1,465 km (910 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 114.80 min. COSPAR: 1979-024B. USAF Sat Cat: 11297.

  • Cosmos 1083 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-1M no. 171. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-1M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,443 km (896 mi). Apogee: 1,466 km (910 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 115.00 min. COSPAR: 1979-024C. USAF Sat Cat: 11298.

  • Cosmos 1084 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-1M no. 172. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-1M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,462 km (908 mi). Apogee: 1,464 km (909 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 115.20 min. COSPAR: 1979-024D. USAF Sat Cat: 11299.

  • Cosmos 1085 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-1M no. 173. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-1M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,465 km (910 mi). Apogee: 1,504 km (934 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 115.70 min. COSPAR: 1979-024E. USAF Sat Cat: 11300.

  • Cosmos 1086 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-1M no. 174. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-1M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,466 km (910 mi). Apogee: 1,482 km (920 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 115.40 min. COSPAR: 1979-024F. USAF Sat Cat: 11301.

  • Cosmos 1087 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-1M no. 175. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-1M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,465 km (910 mi). Apogee: 1,524 km (946 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 115.90 min. COSPAR: 1979-024G. USAF Sat Cat: 11302.

  • Cosmos 1088 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-1M no. 176. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-1M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,465 km (910 mi). Apogee: 1,548 km (961 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 116.10 min. COSPAR: 1979-024H. USAF Sat Cat: 11303.

1979 - 05:20 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Astrobee F. LV Configuration: Astrobee F NASA 25.45UH.
  • Astrobee F X-ray Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 216 km (134 mi).

1980 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF06. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 1. Model: Minuteman 1B.
  • Minuteman 1 ABRES ABRV-3 re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1981 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF03. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 1. Model: Minuteman 1B.
  • Minuteman 1 ABRES TDV-4 re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1982 - 04:39 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC200. Launch Pad: LC200/39. Launch Vehicle: Proton 8K82K / 11S86. Model: Proton-K/DM. LV Configuration: Proton-K/DM 305-02.
  • Gorizont 5 Nation: USSR. Payload: Gorizont s/n 14L. Mass: 2,100 kg (4,600 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Gorizont . Agency: MOM. Perigee: 36,139 km (22,455 mi). Apogee: 36,427 km (22,634 mi). Inclination: 9.70 deg. Period: 1,461.50 min. COSPAR: 1982-020A. USAF Sat Cat: 13092. Completed Operations Date: 1989-11-24.

    Stationed at 53 deg E. Provision of telephone and telegraph radiocommunications and transmission of television programmes. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 53 deg E in 1982-1986; 96 deg E in 1986-1989 As of 28 August 2001 located at 156.27 deg E drifting at 6.267 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 91.82E drifting at 6.281W degrees per day.

1982 - 06:38 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Tomahawk. LV Configuration: Taurus Tomahawk NASA 34.08UE.
  • Taurus Tomahawk Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1983 - 02:33 GMT - Launch Site: Punta Lobos. Launch Vehicle: Terrier Malemute. LV Configuration: Terrier Malemute NASA 29.19UE.
  • Terrier Malemute Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1983 - 22:30 GMT - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: LC107. Launch Pad: LC107. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 65MP. Model: K65M-RB. LV Configuration: K65MP.
  • Cosmos 1445 Nation: USSR. Program: Buran. Mass: 1,000 kg (2,200 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: BOR-4. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 158 km (98 mi). Apogee: 208 km (129 mi). Inclination: 50.70 deg. Period: 88.20 min. COSPAR: 1983-017A. USAF Sat Cat: 13883. Duration: 0.0700 days. Decay Date: 1983-03-16.

    Subscale Spiral spaceplane. After 1.25 revolutions of the earth, deorbited and recovered by Soviet naval forces in the Indian Ocean, 556 km south of the Cocos Islands .

1984 - 17:05 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC32. Launch Pad: LC32. Launch Vehicle: Tsyklon 3. Model: Tsiklon-3.
  • Cosmos 1544 Nation: USSR. Program: Tselina. Payload: Tselina-D no. 45. Class: Sigint. Spacecraft: Tselina-D. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 591 km (367 mi). Apogee: 618 km (384 mi). Inclination: 82.50 deg. Period: 96.80 min. COSPAR: 1984-027A. USAF Sat Cat: 14819.

1985 - Launch Vehicle: Energia.
  • Energia cold flow tests. Nation: USSR. Program: Buran. Spacecraft: Buran.

    From March-October 1985 the Ts core stage was back on the UKSS test/launch stand for cold flow tests. A total of nine cryogenic fuelling cycle were completed with the 4M Energia mock-up, representing the first operational use in the world of super-chilled hydrogen.

1985 - 02:06 GMT - Launch Site: Sonde Stromfjord. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant IX. LV Configuration: Black Brant IX GL A21.426.
  • Black Brant PIIE Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF GL. Apogee: 429 km (266 mi).

1985 - 17:38 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Nike Orion. LV Configuration: Nike Orion NASA 31.50UU.
  • Nike Orion CWAS 9 Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 140 km (80 mi).

1986 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF04. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3.
  • Minuteman 3 FOT GT114GM Follow-on Test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1986 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF09. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3.
  • Minuteman 3 FOT GT113GM-1 Follow-on Test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1988 - 18:50 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC32. Launch Pad: LC32. Launch Vehicle: Tsyklon 3. Model: Tsiklon-3.
  • Cosmos 1933 Nation: USSR. Program: Tselina. Payload: Tselina-D no. 65. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Class: Sigint. Spacecraft: Tselina-D. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 605 km (375 mi). Apogee: 629 km (390 mi). Inclination: 82.50 deg. Period: 97.10 min. COSPAR: 1988-020A. USAF Sat Cat: 18958.

1992 - 22:46 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Orion. LV Configuration: Nike Orion NASA 31.82UU.
  • Nike Orion CWAS 22 Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 140 km (80 mi).

1995 - 20:21 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Nike Orion. LV Configuration: Nike Orion NASA 31.106NP.
  • Nike Orion Test mission? Nation: USA. Agency: NASA GSFC. Apogee: 140 km (80 mi).

1996 - 1996 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: DC-X. LV Configuration: DC-XA.
  • DC-XA Rollout Nation: USA.

1999 - 03:06 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: LC1. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Model: Soyuz 11A511U. LV Configuration: Soyuz 11A511U / Ikar ST02.
  • Globalstar M022 Nation: USA. Mass: 222 kg (489 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Globalstar. Agency: Globalst. Perigee: 1,413 km (877 mi). Apogee: 1,414 km (878 mi). Inclination: 52.00 deg. Period: 114.10 min. COSPAR: 1999-012A. USAF Sat Cat: 25649.

    In the second Soyuz/Ikar launch four Globalstar satellites were delivered with the Ikar upper stage into a 235 km x 899 km x 52.0 degree transfer orbit. The Ikar stage then placed itself and its payload into a 897 km x 950 km x 52.0 degree deployment orbit. Satellite M022 was separated first from the top of the dispenser, followed by ejection of the other three satellites from the sides at 06:37 GMT. After dispensing the satellites, the Ikar deorbited itself on March 16.

  • Globalstar M041 Nation: USA. Mass: 222 kg (489 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Globalstar. Agency: Globalst. Perigee: 1,413 km (877 mi). Apogee: 1,414 km (878 mi). Inclination: 52.00 deg. Period: 114.10 min. COSPAR: 1999-012B. USAF Sat Cat: 25650.

  • Globalstar M046 Nation: USA. Mass: 222 kg (489 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Globalstar. Agency: Globalst. Perigee: 1,412 km (877 mi). Apogee: 1,415 km (879 mi). Inclination: 52.00 deg. COSPAR: 1999-012C. USAF Sat Cat: 25651.

  • Globalstar M037 Nation: USA. Mass: 222 kg (489 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Globalstar. Agency: Globalst. Perigee: 1,413 km (877 mi). Apogee: 1,414 km (878 mi). Inclination: 52.00 deg. Period: 114.10 min. COSPAR: 1999-012D. USAF Sat Cat: 25652.

1999 - 09:52 GMT - Launch Site: Alcantara. Launch Vehicle: VS-30. LV Configuration: VS-30 XV-04.
  • VS-30 Operacao San Marcos Microgravity mission Nation: Brazil. Agency: AEB. Apogee: 128 km (79 mi).

2004 - 23:06 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Vehicle: Proton 8K82M. LV Configuration: Proton M/Breeze M.
  • W3A Nation: Europe. Program: Eutelsat. Payload: Eurostar 3000S. Mass: 4,250 kg (9,360 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Spacebus 3000. Manufacturer: EADS Astrium. Agency: Eutelsat. Perigee: 35,761 km (22,220 mi). Apogee: 35,811 km (22,251 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2004-008A. USAF Sat Cat: 28187.

    Moved from Ariane 5. The satellite was to provide a full range of telecommunications applications including digital DVB broadcasting, multimedia, broadband access and pay-per-use bandwidth for corporate networks over a large zone covering Europe and Africa, for a minimum of 12 years. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 6.95E drifting at 0.006W degrees per day.


Born on this day in:
  • 1932 - Alan LaVerne (Al) Bean.  American Pilot Astronaut. Birth City: Wheeler. Birth State: Texas. Birth Country: USA.

Died on this day in:
  • 1974 - Werner Tiller.  German Engineer.
  • 2004 - William H Pickering.  American Manager.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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