March 18 home
topic index

See also Born on this Day
On this day in:

1942 - Launch Site: Peenemuende. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: V-2.

  • V-2 s/n 1 explodes during engine test run. Nation: Germany.

    The missile was being tested on Test Stand VII; no launch had been planned. G Harry Stine noticed that the German rocket scientists at White Sands were very reluctant to talk about the details of the failure, but finally managed to get the real story from Konrad Dannenberg:

    The first A.4 missile was a hand-made job. Motor tests preceding the first flight were to be carried out in a huge, mobile test stand, which held the entire missile. However, this first A.4 never flew; it found its end in the test stand. In order to clamp the missile into the stand without attaching the thrust mounts to the missile structure, a large steel corset was built. Unfortunately, the builders of this corset did not take into account the shrinkage of the missile components when the frigid liquid oxygen was pumped aboard. The first A4 shrank, dropped out of the corset, and was a total wash-out.
    The test was to have examined the behavior of the guidance system and the graphite steering vanes in the exhaust flow. The corset had pivot mountings on it to allow the missile to be deflected while its motor was being fired, to see how fast the steering vanes responded, and what amount of corrective force they developed. After the failure, the Peenemuende team was embarrassed by the fact that they had overlooked something as obvious as the fact that cold things shrink.
1948 - Launch Vehicle: V-2.
  • V-2 project winding down. Nation: Germany.

    V-2 Upper Atmosphere Research Panel, representing all U.S. interested agencies, was renamed the Upper Atmosphere Rocket Research Panel.

1952 - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -.
  • Solid fuel ramjet. Nation: USA.

    First successful solid-fuel ramjet research model flown at NACA's Wallops Island.

1953 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-5. Model: R-5. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Phase I state trials launch Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 0 km ( mi).

1957 - Launch Vehicle: Saturn C-3, Saturn I, Saturn V.
  • NERVA research cut back. Nation: USA. Program: NERVA.

    As a result of guidance from the Secretary of Defense as to desired level of effort, the Atomic Energy Commission reduced its program on nuclear rocket propulsion to a single laboratory effort, phasing out work at the University of California Radiation Laboratory and concentrating AEC development efforts at Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory.

1958 -
  • Preliminary Studies of Manned Satellites, Wingless Configuration, Non-Lifting Nation: USA. Spacecraft: Mercury.

    An NACA report was published entitled, 'Preliminary Studies of Manned Satellites, Wingless Configuration, Non-Lifting,' by Maxime A. Faget, Benjamine Garland, and James J. Buglia. Later this document became the basic working paper for the Project Mercury development program, and was reissued as NASA Technical Note D-1254, March 1962.

1958 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Apache. Model: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache AA5.025.
  • Solar ultraviolet mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 107 km (66 mi).

1960 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC25B. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Polaris. Model: Polaris A1. LV Configuration: Polaris A1X-15.
  • Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1961 - 16:49 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: LA1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Little Joe. Model: Little Joe 1 4C. LV Configuration: Little Joe 1-4C LJ-5A. FAILURE: Escape tower fired prematurely.
  • Mercury LJ-5A Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi).

    Mercury Little Joe 5A (LJ-5A), the sixth in the series of Little Joe missions, was launched from Wallops Island. This flight was intended to satisfy test objectives, which were not met previously because of the failure of the spacecraft to separate from the launch vehicle during the Little Joe 5 (LJ-5) mission flown on November 8, 1960. For reference, the purpose of this test was to demonstrate primarily the structural integrity of the spacecraft and the escape system during an escape maneuver initiated at the highest dynamic pressure anticipated during an Atlas launch for orbital flight. Little Joe 5A (LJ-5A) lifted off normally, but 19 seconds later the escape tower fired prematurely, a situation closely resembling the November 1960 flight. The signal to initiate the abort maneuver was given; and the launch vehicle-adapter clamp ring was released as intended, but the spacecraft remained on the launch vehicle since the escape motor was already expended. The separation was effected by using the retrorockets, but this command was transmitted before the flight had reached its apex, where separation had been planned. Therefore, the separation was rather violent. The parachutes did deploy at about 40,000 feet, and after recovery it was found that the spacecraft had actually incurred only superficial structural damage. In fact, this spacecraft was later used for the subsequent Little Joe 5B (LJ-5B) flight test. Test objectives of the Little Joe 5A (LJ-5A) were not met.

1962 - Launch Vehicle: Saturn V.
  • Saturn C-5 first launch scheduled in the last quarter of 1965 Nation: USA. Program: Apollo.

    Marshall Space Flight Center's latest schedule on the Saturn C-5 called for the first launch in the last quarter of 1965 and the first manned launch in the last quarter of 1967. If the C-5 could be man-rated on the eighth research and development flight in the second quarter of 1967, the spacecraft lead time would be substantially reduced.

1963 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC31B. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 1. Model: Minuteman 1B. LV Configuration: Minuteman 1B 425.
  • Research and development launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1963 - 21:13 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1W. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Thor SLV-2A Agena D. LV Configuration: Thor SLV-2A Agena D 360 / Agena D 1164 (No solids). FAILURE: Failure.
  • KH-6 8001 Nation: USA. Payload: KH-6 s/n 8001. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: KH-6. Agency: U.S. Air Force. COSPAR: F630318A. Decay Date: 1963-03-18.

    First launch of KH-6. Mission failed.

  • P-11 No. 1 Nation: USA. Payload: P-11 No. 1. Mass: 80 kg (176 lb). Class: Sigint. Spacecraft: SSF. Agency: U.S. Air Force. COSPAR: F630318B. Decay Date: 1963-03-18.

    Ferret subsatellite aboard first launch of KH-6. Mission failed.

  • P-11 Nation: USA. Payload: P-11. Spacecraft: P 11. Agency: USAF. COSPAR: F630318C.

1964 - Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tomahawk Sandia. Model: Nike Tomahawk. LV Configuration: Nike Tomahawk-9 Sandia 152-45.
  • Ballistic Test / aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: Sandia. Apogee: 315 km (195 mi).

1964 - 06:11 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Apache. Model: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache NASA 14.151UE.
  • Auroral photometry Aurora mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 151 km (93 mi).

1964 - 14:36 GMT - Launch Site: Sonmiani. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Loki. Model: Judi-Dart.
  • SUPARCO Aeronomy mission Nation: Pakistan. Agency: SUPARCO. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).

1964 - 15:07 GMT - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: Mayak-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 2. Model: Kosmos 63S1.
  • Cosmos 26 Nation: USSR. Program: DS. Payload: DS-MG s/n 1. Mass: 365 kg (804 lb). Class: Technology. Spacecraft: DS-MG. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 268 km (166 mi). Apogee: 376 km (233 mi). Inclination: 48.90 deg. Period: 91.00 min. COSPAR: 1964-013A. USAF Sat Cat: 766. Completed Operations Date: 1964-04-01. Decay Date: 1964-09-28.

    Payload developed by VNIIEM to test electric gyrodyne orientation systems. Also obtained radiation data.

1965 - 04:43 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC10W. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Thor MG-18. LV Configuration: Thor MG-18 306.
  • DMSP-Block-4A F2 Nation: USA. Program: DMSP. Payload: DAPP 11. Mass: 130 kg (280 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Weather. Spacecraft: DMSP Block 4A. Agency: USAF. Perigee: 139 km (86 mi). Apogee: 146 km (90 mi). Inclination: 99.00 deg. Period: 87.30 min. COSPAR: 1965-021A. USAF Sat Cat: 1273. Decay Date: 1989-12-31.

    Defense Meteorological Satellite Program. A fully successful launch with all objectives met. The night launch time of 2100 hrs Vandenberg time with a 5 minute launch window was the same for both the first and second Burner I launches.

1965 - 06:04 GMT - Launch Site: Pacific Ocean. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 12.8 S x 77.8 W. Launch Vehicle: Apache. Model: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache NASA 14.172GE.
  • B field Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).

    Launched at 1965 Croatan MRF Expedition LP12 - - Latitude: 12.83 S - Longitude: 77.83 W.

1965 - 06:41 GMT - Launch Site: Pacific Ocean. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 12.8 S x 77.9 W. Launch Vehicle: Apache. Model: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache NASA 14.178GI.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

    Launched at 1965 Croatan MRF Expedition LP13 - - Latitude: 12.80 S - Longitude: 77.93 W.

1965 - 07:00 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Voskhod 11A57. LV Configuration: Voskhod 11A57 R15000-05.
  • Voskhod 2 Nation: USSR. Program: Voskhod. Payload: Voskhod 3KD s/n 4. Mass: 5,682 kg (12,526 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spacecraft. Spacecraft: Voskhod. Location of Spacecraft: RKK Energia Museum, Korolev, Russia. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 167 km (103 mi). Apogee: 475 km (295 mi). Inclination: 64.80 deg. Period: 90.90 min. COSPAR: 1965-022A. USAF Sat Cat: 1274. Duration: 1.08 days. Decay Date: 1965-03-19. Crew: Belyayev, Leonov. Flight: Voskhod 2.

    First spacewalk, with a two man crew of Colonel Pavel Belyayev and Lt. Colonel Aleksey Leonov. During Voskhod 2's second orbit, Leonov stepped from the vehicle and performed mankind's first "walk in space." After 10 min of extravehicular activity, he returned safely to the spacecraft through an inflatable airlock.

    This mission was originally named 'Vykhod ('Exit/Advance'). It almost ended in disaster when Leonov was unable to reenter the airlock due to stiffness of the inflated spacesuit. He had to bleed air from the suit in order to get into the airlock. After Leonov finally managed to get back into the spacecraft cabin, the primary hatch would not seal completely. The environmental control system compensated by flooding the cabin with oxygen, creating a serious fire hazard in a craft only qualified for sea level nitrogen-oxygen gas mixes (Cosmonaut Bondarenko had burned to death in a ground accident in such circumstances, preceding the Apollo 204 disaster by many years). - Additional details.

1965 - 08:34 GMT - 1965 - 10:07 GMT - Launch Site: Kagoshima. Launch Complex: L. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Lambda. Model: Lambda 3. LV Configuration: Lambda 3 L-3-3.
  • X-ray astronomy mission Nation: Japan. Agency: ISAS. Apogee: 1,085 km (674 mi).

1965 - 16:01 GMT - Launch Site: Pacific Ocean. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 12.7 S x 77.7 W. Launch Vehicle: Apache. Model: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache NASA 14.176GE.
  • B field Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 149 km (92 mi).

    Launched at 1965 Croatan MRF Expedition LP14 - - Latitude: 12.67 S - Longitude: 77.67 W.

1965 - 16:38 GMT - Launch Site: Pacific Ocean. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 12.8 S x 78.0 W. Launch Vehicle: Apache. Model: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache NASA 14.179GI.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

    Launched at 1965 Croatan MRF Expedition LP15 - - Latitude: 12.78 S - Longitude: 77.98 W.

1965 - 20:43 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Apache. Model: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache NASA 14.62UA.
  • Composition Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 158 km (98 mi).

1966 - Launch Site: Hammaguira. Launch Complex: Brigitte. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Diamant. Model: Saphir. LV Configuration: Saphir VE231 G2.
  • Re-entry Vehicle test Nation: France. Agency: CNES. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1966 - 01:15 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Trailblazer. Model: Trailblazer 2. LV Configuration: Trailblazer 2-M Meteor 8.
  • Re-entry vehicle test Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 280 km (170 mi).

1966 - 20:30 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC4E. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: SLV-3 Agena D. LV Configuration: SLV-3 Agena D 7116 / Agena D 7116.
  • KH 7-26 Nation: USA. Payload: KH-7 no. 26. Mass: 60 kg (132 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: KH-7. Agency: NRO/USAF. Perigee: 162 km (100 mi). Apogee: 308 km (191 mi). Inclination: 101.00 deg. Period: 89.30 min. COSPAR: 1966-022A. USAF Sat Cat: 2109. Decay Date: 1966-03-24.

    Not identified as a subsatellite ferret by McDowell.

  • OPS 0974/Agena D Nation: USA. Payload: NRL PL137. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Class: Sigint. Spacecraft: SSF. Agency: USAF. Perigee: 149 km (92 mi). Apogee: 285 km (177 mi). Inclination: 101.00 deg. Period: 88.80 min. COSPAR: 1966-022B. USAF Sat Cat: 2112. Decay Date: 1966-03-23.

    Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1967 - 05:47 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Javelin. LV Configuration: Javelin NASA 8.47UE.
  • Rice auroral Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 794 km (493 mi).

1968 - Launch Site: Biscarosse. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Belier. Model: Belier III. LV Configuration: Belier III 301. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Test mission Nation: France. Agency: CNES. Apogee: 0 km ( mi).

1968 - 07:00 GMT - Launch Site: Arecibo. Launch Complex: VB. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Apache. Model: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache NASA 14.333UM.
  • UM Pitot 36 Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 148 km (91 mi).

1968 - 17:51 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tomahawk Sandia. Model: Nike Tomahawk. LV Configuration: Nike Tomahawk NASA 18.36UE.
  • Auroral P / F Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 270 km (160 mi).

1968 - 21:30 GMT - Launch Site: Kheysa. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: MR-12.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USSR. Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 174 km (108 mi).

1968 - 22:15 GMT - Launch Site: Kheysa. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: MR-12.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USSR. Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 181 km (112 mi).

1969 - 05:17 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Honest John. Model: HJ Nike Hydac. LV Configuration: HJ Nike Hydac SECEDE R7.
  • GUM Barium release Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: ARPA. Apogee: 168 km (104 mi).

1969 - 07:40 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: 576A2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas F. LV Configuration: Atlas F 104F / OV-1 (3x).
  • OV1-17S Nation: USA. Mass: 142 kg (313 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Spacecraft: OV1. Agency: USAF OAR. Perigee: 400 km (240 mi). Apogee: 466 km (289 mi). Inclination: 99.10 deg. Period: 93.20 min. COSPAR: 1969-025A. USAF Sat Cat: 3823. Decay Date: 1970-03-05.

    Solar radiation experiments. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

  • OV1-18S Nation: USA. Mass: 125 kg (275 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Spacecraft: OV1. Agency: USAF OAR. Perigee: 466 km (289 mi). Apogee: 583 km (362 mi). Inclination: 98.90 deg. Period: 95.20 min. COSPAR: 1969-025B. USAF Sat Cat: 3824. Decay Date: 1972-08-27.

    Ionospheric, radiation, electric field data. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

  • OV1-19S Nation: USA. Mass: 124 kg (273 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Spacecraft: OV1. Agency: USAF OAR. Perigee: 483 km (300 mi). Apogee: 5,551 km (3,449 mi). Inclination: 104.80 deg. Period: 151.10 min. COSPAR: 1969-025C. USAF Sat Cat: 3825.

    Radiation experiments. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

  • OV1-17A Orbiscal 2 Nation: USA. Payload: OV1-17P. Mass: 221 kg (487 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Spacecraft: OV1. Agency: USAF OAR. Perigee: 175 km (108 mi). Apogee: 309 km (192 mi). Inclination: 99.10 deg. Period: 89.40 min. COSPAR: 1969-025D. USAF Sat Cat: 3826. Decay Date: 1969-03-24.

    Radio beacon mountedon OV17 propulsion module. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1969 - 18:16 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Petrel. Model: Petrel 1. LV Configuration: Petrel P11K.
  • E-region E field Ionosphere mission Nation: UK. Agency: SRC. Apogee: 170 km (100 mi).

1970 -
  • Shonin on report Nation: USSR. Program: Soyuz. Flight: Soyuz 9.

    Nikolayev and crew go to Sochi. Tereshkova is back from sick leave, and she goes there as well. Kamanin meets with Shonin, the topic: many bad reports he has received of Shonin's behaviour since Soyuz 6. He tells him to watch out, or he'll end up on a five-year flight suspension like Titov.

1970 - 02:45 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 4A.
  • DLR A-BB4-29 Gerda Ionosphere / plasma mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DFVLR. Apogee: 665 km (413 mi).

1970 - 14:39 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC133/1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 2. Model: Kosmos 11K63.
  • Cosmos 327 Nation: USSR. Program: DS. Payload: DS-P1-I s/n 8. Mass: 300 kg (660 lb). Class: Military. Type: Target. Spacecraft: DS-P1-I. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 280 km (170 mi). Apogee: 819 km (508 mi). Inclination: 71.00 deg. Period: 95.70 min. COSPAR: 1970-020A. USAF Sat Cat: 4351. Completed Operations Date: 1970-09-11. Decay Date: 1971-01-19.

    Operational radar target for the ABM forces.

1970 - 22:00 GMT - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 SL. Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Model: Skylark 3 AC. LV Configuration: Skylark 3 AC SL901.
  • X-ray BCS Sco X-1 X-ray astronomy mission Nation: UK. Agency: BAC. Apogee: 208 km (129 mi).

1971 - Launch Site: Hall Beach. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tomahawk Sandia. Model: Nike Tomahawk. LV Configuration: Nike Tomahawk NASA 18.127GE.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 270 km (160 mi).

1971 - 17:10 GMT - Launch Site: Kheysa. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: MR-12.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USSR. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).

1971 - 19:39 GMT - Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: ALFS. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Cajun. Model: Nike Cajun. LV Configuration: Nike Cajun NASA 10.380GM.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 125 km (77 mi).

1971 - 21:45 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Model: Kosmos 11K65M. LV Configuration: Kosmos 11K65M 65027-118.
  • Cosmos 400 Nation: USSR. Payload: DS-P1-M s/n 3. Mass: 650 kg (1,430 lb). Class: Military. Type: ASAT Target. Spacecraft: DS-P1-M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 990 km (610 mi). Apogee: 995 km (618 mi). Inclination: 65.80 deg. Period: 105.00 min. COSPAR: 1971-020A. USAF Sat Cat: 5050. Completed Operations Date: 1972-08-22.

    ASAT target for Cosmos 404 interceptor.

1972 - Launch Site: Biscarosse. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Berenice. Model: Tibere.
  • ELECTRE Re-entry Vehicle test Nation: France. Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 159 km (98 mi).

1972 - 09:03 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Ute. Model: Ute Apache.
  • Aurora / airglow mission Nation: USA. Agency: NSF. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

1974 - 20:15 GMT - Launch Site: Kheysa. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: MR-12.
  • Aeronomy/Ionosphere/Chemical release/Plasma mission Nation: USSR. Apogee: 167 km (103 mi).

1975 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC103. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-36M.
  • SLI POR test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1975 - 08:27 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tomahawk Sandia. Model: Nike Tomahawk. LV Configuration: Nike Tomahawk NASA 18.165UE.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 270 km (160 mi).

1976 - 00:28 GMT - Launch Site: Kheysa. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: MR-12.
  • Chemical release/Plasma/Fields mission Nation: USSR. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).

1976 - 08:08 GMT - Launch Site: Kheysa. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: MR-12.
  • Aeronomy/Chemical release/Plasma mission Nation: USSR. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).

1976 - 09:15 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: LC1 or LC31. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U.
  • Cosmos 809 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Zenit-2M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 205 km (127 mi). Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). Inclination: 65.00 deg. Period: 89.60 min. COSPAR: 1976-025A. USAF Sat Cat: 8758. Duration: 12.00 days. Decay Date: 1976-03-30.

    Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule.

1977 - Launch Site: Barents Sea Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 69.5 N x 34.2 E. Launch Vehicle: R-29. Model: Vysota.
  • Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: VMF. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1977 - 20:10 GMT - Launch Site: Kheysa. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: MR-12.
  • Aeronomy/Ionosphere/Plasma mission Nation: USSR. Apogee: 162 km (100 mi).

1977 - 21:05 GMT - Launch Site: Kheysa. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: MR-12.
  • Aeronomy/Fields mission Nation: USSR. Apogee: 170 km (100 mi).

1980 - 16:01 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC43/4. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Vostok 8A92M. FAILURE: Booster exploded on pad during servicing. Severe pad damage, 48 people killed. Cause found to be change in solder with tin to that with lead in H2O2 filters, causing decomposition and explosion.
  • Tselina-D Nation: USSR. Program: Tselina. Class: Sigint. Spacecraft: Tselina-D. Agency: RVSN. COSPAR: F800318A. Decay Date: 1980-03-18.

    This was the worst disaster since the Nedelin Catastrophe on 24 October 1964. A commission of military officers and chief designers reviewed the incident and requested changes to equipment and procedures, especially as regarded liquid oxygen handling. Another source reports that the explosion occurred during the fuelling of the Block E upper stage, and was due to hydrogen peroxide being present in a lox line filter and a confusion between fuel and lox lines. This error had always been possible, but had never happened in the 20 years of use of the booster before the explosion. The launch pad was badly damaged and not put back into service until April 1983.

1981 - 04:40 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC200/40. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Proton. Model: Proton-K/DM. LV Configuration: Proton-K/DM 306-01.
  • Raduga 8 Nation: USSR. Payload: Raduga s/n 18L. Mass: 1,940 kg (4,270 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Raduga . Agency: MOM. Perigee: 35,411 km (22,003 mi). Apogee: 36,115 km (22,440 mi). Inclination: 10.80 deg. Period: 1,434.90 min. COSPAR: 1981-027A. USAF Sat Cat: 12351. Completed Operations Date: 1981-04-11.

    Provision of uninterrupted round the clock telephone and telegraph radiocommunication in the USSR and simultaneous transmission of colour and black-and-white USSR central television programmes to stations in the Orbita network. As of 3 September 2001 located at 8.37 deg E drifting at 0.322 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 69.95E drifting at 0.520E degrees per day.

1982 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF04. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 2.
  • FOT GT141MS Follow-on Test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1985 - 00:05 GMT - Launch Site: Atlantic Ocean. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 18.0 N x 30.0 W. Launch Vehicle: MR-12. Model: MR-20.
  • Plazma Plasma/Active mission Nation: USSR. Apogee: 250 km (150 mi).

1985 - 08:50 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 5C. LV Configuration: Black Brant VC NASA 21.70UH.
  • X-ray astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 213 km (132 mi).

1987 - 08:30 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC45/1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Zenit. Model: Zenit-2.
  • Cosmos 1833 Nation: USSR. Program: Tselina. Payload: Tselina-2 no. 5 (Mass Model). Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Class: Sigint. Spacecraft: Tselina-2. Agency: MO RF. Perigee: 845 km (525 mi). Apogee: 855 km (531 mi). Inclination: 70.90 deg. Period: 101.90 min. COSPAR: 1987-027A. USAF Sat Cat: 17589.

1988 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-36M. Model: R-36M2 15A18M. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Joint flight trials launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km ( mi).

1989 - 16:00 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Hawk. Model: Nike Orion. LV Configuration: Nike Orion NASA 31.73UU.
  • CWAS 17 Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 140 km (80 mi).

1989 -
  • Landing of STS-29 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Flight: STS-29.

    STS-29 landed at 14:31 GMT.

1991 - 10:15 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 9. LV Configuration: Black Brant IX NASA 36.077UH.
  • Colorado SXT X-ray astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).

1992 - Launch Site: Salto di Quirra. Launch Complex: SL. Launch Pad: SL?. Launch Vehicle: Scout. Model: Scout II TV. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Test mission Nation: Italy. Agency: ASI. Apogee: 1.00 km (0.60 mi).

1994 -
  • Landing of STS-62 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Flight: STS-62.

    STS-62 landed at 13:10 GMT.

1995 - 08:01 GMT - Launch Site: Tanegashima. Launch Complex: Y. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: H-2. Model: H-II. LV Configuration: H-II H-II-3F.
  • SFU Nation: Japan. Mass: 4,000 kg (8,800 lb). Class: Materials. Spacecraft: SFU. Agency: NASDA. Perigee: 471 km (292 mi). Apogee: 483 km (300 mi). Inclination: 28.50 deg. Period: 94.10 min. COSPAR: 1995-011A. USAF Sat Cat: 23521. Decay Date: 1996-01-20.

    Space Flyer Unit; carried materials, astronomy, biological experiments; retrieved by STS-72 1/20/96.

  • Himawari 5 Nation: Japan. Payload: GMS 5. Mass: 746 kg (1,644 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Weather. Spacecraft: GMS. Agency: NASDA. Perigee: 35,784 km (22,235 mi). Apogee: 35,791 km (22,239 mi). Inclination: 0.60 deg. Period: 1,436.00 min. COSPAR: 1995-011B. USAF Sat Cat: 23522.

    Geostationary Meteorological Satellite; carried search and rescue package. Stationed at 140.2 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 160 deg E in 1995; 140 deg E in 1995-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 139.99 deg E drifting at 0.028 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 45.88E drifting at 3.134W degrees per day.

1995 -
  • Landing of STS-67 Nation: USA. Program: Spacelab. Flight: STS-67.

    STS-67 landed at 21:48 GMT.

1997 - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Trident. Model: Trident D-5. LV Configuration: Trident D-5 FCET-17.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1997 - 00:16 GMT - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Trident. Model: Trident D-5. LV Configuration: Trident D-5 FCET-17.
  • Operational test Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

2001 - Launch Site: Kiritimati. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 0.0 N x 154.0 W. Launch Vehicle: Zenit. Model: Zenit-3SL.
  • XM-2 Rock Nation: USA. Mass: 4,666 kg (10,286 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 702. Manufacturer: Boeing Satellite Systems. Agency: XM Radio. Perigee: 35,785 km (22,235 mi). Apogee: 35,788 km (22,237 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2001-012A. USAF Sat Cat: 26724.

    The XM Radio satellites (using Boeing 702 buses) provided digital radio entertainment broadcast to the US. The XM-2 Rock satellite was accompanied by the XM-1 Roll spacecraft launched later in 2001. A Boeing Sea Launch Zenit-3SL took off from the Odyssey floating launch platform at 154W 0 N in the Pacific. The two-stage Zenit put the Blok DM in a suborbital trajectory with a 190 km apogee; the DM first burn went to a 180 x 990 km x 1.3 deg orbit, with the second burn delivering Rock to geostationary transfer orbit. The 4.7 tonne (with fuel), 18 kW satellite carried two transmitters (3 kW each) in the S-band to relay 100 channels of digital quality music uplinked in the X-band from one or more ground stations. It was parked over 114.9 deg-W longitude. The investors include several auto manufacturers who were to be equipping the special receivers in their models. As of 4 September 2001 located at 114.98 deg W drifting at 0.001 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 115.14W drifting at 0.003W degrees per day.


Born on this day in:
  • 1880 - Walter Hohmann.  German German Spaceflight theoretician. Birth City: Hardheim. Birth Country: Germany.
  • 1954 - Dr James Francis Reilly II.  American Mission Specialist Astronaut. Birth City: Mountain Home Air Force Base. Birth State: Idaho. Birth Country: USA.

Died on this day in:
  • 1999 - Boris Ivanovich Gubanov.  Russian Engineer.

Contact us with any corrections, additions, or comments.
Conditions for use of drawings, pictures, or other materials from this site..
To contact astronauts or cosmonauts.

© Mark Wade, 1997 - 2008 except where otherwise noted.