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March 31
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See also Born on this Day On this day in: 1948 -
1948 -
1958 - Launch Complex: White Se. Launch Vehicle: R-11FM. -
R-11FM Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).
1960 - 16:42 GMT - Launch Site: Edwards. Launch Vehicle: X-15A. LV Configuration: X-15 2-8-16.
1961 -
1961 -
1961 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC20. Launch Vehicle: Titan 1. Model: Titan I. LV Configuration: Titan I AJ-15. FAILURE: Failure. -
Titan 1 Mk 4 re-entry vehicle test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF.
1962 - -
The configuration of the Gemini spacecraft was formally frozen. Nation: USA. Program: Gemini. Spacecraft: Gemini. Following receipt of the program go-ahead on December 22, 1961, McDonnell began defining the Gemini spacecraft. At that time, the basic configuration was already firm. During the three-month period, McDonnell wrote a series of detailed specifications to define the overall vehicle, its performance, and each of the major subsystems. These were submitted to NASA and approved. During the same period, the major subsystems specification control drawings - the specifications against which equipment was procured - were written, negotiated with NASA, and distributed to potential subcontractors for bid.
1964 - Launch Vehicle: Titan 2. -
Electrical and mechanical modification of Gemini launch vehicle (GLV) 1 airborne components was completed. Nation: USA. GLV-1 had been shipped to the Cape equipped with several items to be used only for ground tests. These were replaced with flight units, beginning January 31. The GLV-1 Wet Mock Simulated Launch, a complete countdown exercise including propellant loading, was successfully completed April 2. Testing concluded on April 5 with a Simulated Flight Test.
1964 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF04. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 1. Model: Minuteman 1A. LV Configuration: Minuteman 1A 557. -
Minuteman 1 Operational missile test Nation: USA. Agency: SAC 1STRAD. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).
1966 - Launch Site: Green River. Launch Complex: Pad 3. Launch Vehicle: Athena. LV Configuration: Athena D019. -
Athena USAF D019 re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).
1966 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: ETR. Launch Pad: SLBM Launch Area. Launch Vehicle: Polaris A3. LV Configuration: Polaris A3 A3P-396. -
Polaris A3 Operational Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).
1966 - Launch Site: Green River. Launch Complex: Pad 1. Launch Vehicle: Athena. LV Configuration: Athena B009. -
Athena USN B009 re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).
1966 - 05:41 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: 4300. Launch Pad: 4300B6. Launch Vehicle: Thor Burner. Model: Thor Burner 1. LV Configuration: Thor Burner 1 147.
1966 - 10:47 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC31. Launch Pad: LC31. Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M. Model: Molniya 8K78M. LV Configuration: Molniya 8K78M N103-42. -
Luna 10 Nation: USSR. Program: Luna. Payload: E-6S s/n 206 ISL. Mass: 1,597 kg (3,520 lb). Class: Planetary. Type: Lunar. Spacecraft: Luna E-6S. Agency: NII-88. COSPAR: 1966-027A. USAF Sat Cat: 2126. Lunar Orbit (Selenocentric). Development of system to permit the creation of an artificial lunar satellite for the investigation of circumlunar space; development of onboard systems for putting a station into a selenocentric (circumlunar) orbit. Orbit: Lunar Orbiter. The Luna 10 spacecraft was launched towards the Moon from an Earth orbiting platform. The spacecraft entered lunar orbit 3 50 x 1017 km, inclination 71.9 deg to plane of the lunar equator. on April 4, 1966. Scientific instruments included a gamma-ray spectrometer for energies between 0.3--3 MeV, a triaxial magnetometer, a meteorite detector, instruments for solar-plasma studies, and devices for measuring infrared emissions from the Moon and radiation conditions of the lunar environment. Gravitational studies were also conducted. The spacecraft played back to Earth the `Internationale' during the Twenty-third Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Luna 10 was battery powered and operated for 460 lunar orbits and 219 active data transmissions before radio signals were discontinued on May 30, 1966.
1967 - -
Soviet lunar maps prepared. Nation: USSR. Program: Lunar L3. Kamanin examines maps of the moon, executed at scales of 1:5,000,000 and 1:10,000,000. 2000 are to be printed for use by the cosmonauts in preparation for the Soviet lunar landings. Mishin doesn't see the point - he is very aggressively anti-pilot for his lunar spacecraft.
1967 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: PU32. Launch Vehicle: R-36. Model: R-36 8K67. -
R-36 Operational missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).
1967 - Launch Site: Green River. Launch Complex: Pad 1. Launch Vehicle: Athena. LV Configuration: Athena E002. -
Athena USAF E002 re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).
1967 - 00:01 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Nike Tomahawk. LV Configuration: Nike Tomahawk NASA 18.09GE. -
Nike Tomahawk Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 321 km (199 mi).
1967 - 03:03 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache NASA 14.283CA. -
Nike Apache Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 176 km (109 mi).
1967 - 06:44 GMT - Launch Site: Johnston Island. Launch Complex: LE1. Launch Vehicle: Thor DSV-2J. LV Configuration: Thor DSV-2J 168. -
Thor DSV-2J AFP-437 combat evaluation interceptor mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 484 km (300 mi).
1967 - 17:19 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Nike-Cajun. Model: Nike Cajun. LV Configuration: Nike Cajun NASA 10.208GM. -
Nike-Cajun Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 115 km (71 mi).
1968 - 00:07 GMT - Launch Site: Thumba. Launch Vehicle: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache ISRO 10.18. -
Nike Apache ISRO 10.18 Ionosphere mission Nation: India. Agency: ISRO. Apogee: 211 km (131 mi).
1968 - 12:15 GMT - Launch Site: Thumba. Launch Vehicle: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache ISRO 10.17. -
Nike Apache ISRO 10.17 Ionosphere mission Nation: India. Agency: ISRO. Apogee: 169 km (105 mi).
1969 - 14:18 GMT - Launch Site: Sonmiani. Launch Vehicle: Centaure. Model: Centaure 2B. LV Configuration: Centaure 2B SUP. -
Centaure Rehnuma 1 Aeronomy mission Nation: Pakistan. Agency: SUPARCO. Apogee: 138 km (85 mi).
1970 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF26. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 2. LV Configuration: Minuteman 2 2594. -
Minuteman 2 OT GT23F operational test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).
1971 - -
Cosmonaut delegates to Communist Party Congress. Nation: USSR. The Communist Party Congress is addressed for five hours by Brezhnev. There are 5,000 delegates, including 101 international delegations from 90 countries. Brezhnev promises that the imperialist lackeys will be wiped out one by one until communism triumphs over the whole planet. Five cosmonauts are delegates - Nikolayev, Beregovoi, Shatalov, Yeliseyev, and Tereshkova.
1971 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF05. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 2. -
Minuteman 2 OT GT82M operational test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).
1972 - Launch Vehicle: Shuttle.
1972 - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee 150. Model: Aerobee 150. LV Configuration: Aerobee 150 NASA 04.329UA. -
Aerobee 150 Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).
1972 - 04:02 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC31. Launch Pad: LC31. Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M. Model: Molniya 8K78M. FAILURE: The escape stage Block L's engine cut off 125 seconds after ignition due to timer failure. -
Cosmos 482 Nation: USSR. Program: Venera. Payload: 3V (V-72) s/n 671. Mass: 1,180 kg (2,600 lb). Class: Planetary. Type: Venus. Spacecraft: Venera 3V (V-72). Agency: MOM. Perigee: 204 km (126 mi). Apogee: 9,806 km (6,093 mi). Inclination: 52.00 deg. Period: 201.40 min. COSPAR: 1972-023A. USAF Sat Cat: 5919. Decay Date: 1981-05-05.
1973 - 03:17 GMT - Launch Site: South Uist. Launch Vehicle: Petrel. LV Configuration: Petrel P44H. -
Petrel Ionosphere mission Nation: UK. Agency: SRC. Apogee: 126 km (78 mi).
1973 - 12:27 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Vehicle: Nike Tomahawk. LV Configuration: Nike Tomahawk NASA 18.148GE. -
Nike Tomahawk Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 232 km (144 mi).
1976 - 06:39 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant VC. LV Configuration: Black Brant VC NASA 21.03UI. -
Black Brant Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 231 km (143 mi).
1976 - 12:50 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511M. Model: Soyuz 11A511M.
1977 - Launch Site: Natal. Launch Vehicle: Sonda 3. LV Configuration: Sonda 3 XV-03. -
Sonda 3 Ionosphere mission? Nation: Brazil. Agency: IAE. Apogee: 546 km (339 mi).
1978 -
1978 -
1978 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC177. Launch Vehicle: MR-UR-100. Model: MR-UR-100U 15A16. -
MR-UR-100 Joint flight trials launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).
1978 - 14:01 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132. Launch Pad: LC132/1. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 11K65M. Model: Kosmos 11K65M. LV Configuration: Kosmos 11K65M 53768-307.
1978 - 23:36 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Pad: LC36B. Launch Vehicle: Atlas Centaur SLV-3D. Model: SLV-3D Centaur. LV Configuration: SLV-3D Centaur AC-48 / Centaur D-1AR 5028.
1979 - 02:45 GMT - Launch Site: Kheysa. Launch Vehicle: MR-12. LV Configuration: MR-12 MR-12. -
MR-12 Ionosphere mission Nation: USSR. Apogee: 165 km (102 mi).
1979 - 10:45 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Model: Soyuz 11A511U.
1979 - 22:29 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries NASA 24.06IE. -
Aries DLR K-AR-93 Porc. F4 Magnetospheric mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 452 km (280 mi).
1981 - 09:40 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/1. Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M. Model: Molniya 8K78M.
1982 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF26. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3. -
Minuteman 3 FOT GT87GB Follow-on Test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).
1982 - 09:00 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132. Launch Pad: LC132/2. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 11K65M. Model: Kosmos 11K65M. LV Configuration: Kosmos 11K65M 53747-241.
1982 - 16:27 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Vostok 8A92M. Model: Vostok 8A92M. -
Cosmos 1346 Nation: USSR. Program: Tselina. Payload: Tselina-D no. 34. Mass: 2,500 kg (5,500 lb). Class: Sigint. Spacecraft: Tselina-D. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 572 km (355 mi). Apogee: 602 km (374 mi). Inclination: 81.20 deg. Period: 96.40 min. COSPAR: 1982-027A. USAF Sat Cat: 13120. Replaced Cosmos 1222.
1983 -
1983 - 10:50 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Model: Soyuz 11A511U.
1987 - 00:16 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC200. Launch Pad: LC200/39. Launch Vehicle: Proton 8K82K. Model: Proton-K. LV Configuration: Proton-K 336-02. -
Kvant 1 Nation: USSR. Program: Mir. Payload: 37KE s/n 010 / 77KE s/n 16601. Mass: 20,000 kg (44,000 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Space station. Spacecraft: Kvant. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 385 km (239 mi). Apogee: 393 km (244 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 92.30 min. COSPAR: 1987-030A. USAF Sat Cat: 17845. Duration: 2,586.99 days. Decay Date: 2001-03-23. Flight: Mir EO-2, Mir LD-1. MIR module; high energy observatory. Docked with Mir. Rendezvous with Mir 5 April; soft dock 9 April; EVA on 11 April to remove fabric strip from docking apparatus and hard dock; jettisoned service module on 12 April at 22:18
Maneuver Summary: 168 km X 278 km orbit to 172 km X 300 km orbit. Delta V: 7 m/s 169 km X 296 km orbit to 172 km X 314 km orbit. Delta V: 5 m/s 170 km X 313 km orbit to 297 km X 345 km orbit. Delta V: 46 m/s 298 km X 344 km orbit to 345 km X 364 km orbit. Delta V: 18 m/s Service Module only, after undocking with Mir: 345 km X 364 km orbit to 341 km X 363 km orbit. Delta V: 1 m/s 340 km X 361 km orbit to 383 km X 406 km orbit. Delta V: 24 m/s Total Delta V: 101 m/s Officially: Extra-atmospheric astronomic research and resolution of a number of problems with scientific and economic applications.
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FSB Nation: USSR. Program: Mir. Payload: FSB No. 16601. Spacecraft: Kvant. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 380 km (230 mi). Apogee: 404 km (251 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 92.40 min. COSPAR: 1987-030C. USAF Sat Cat: 17851. Decay Date: 1988-08-25. Flight: Mir EO-2, Mir LD-1.
1987 - 04:47 GMT - Launch Site: Sonde Stromfjord. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant IX. LV Configuration: Black Brant IX NASA 36.14UE. -
Black Brant COPE II Main Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 436 km (270 mi).
1987 - 04:47 GMT - Launch Site: Sonde Stromfjord. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Nike Tomahawk TNT. Model: Taurus Nike Tomahawk. LV Configuration: Taurus Nike Tomahawk NASA 38.10UE. -
Taurus Nike Tomahawk TNT COPE II Super 1 Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 467 km (290 mi).
1987 - 04:47 GMT - Launch Site: Sonde Stromfjord. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Nike Tomahawk TNT. Model: Taurus Nike Tomahawk. LV Configuration: Taurus Nike Tomahawk NASA 38.11UE. -
Taurus Nike Tomahawk TNT COPE II Super 2 Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 441 km (274 mi).
1988 - 04:18 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC200. Launch Pad: LC200/40. Launch Vehicle: Proton 8K82K / 11S86. Model: Proton-K/DM. LV Configuration: Proton-K/DM 343-02.
1991 - 15:12 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC200. Launch Pad: LC200/40. Launch Vehicle: Proton 8K82K. Model: Proton-K. LV Configuration: Proton-K 365-01. -
Almaz 1 Nation: USSR. Program: Almaz. Payload: Almaz-K s/n 305. Mass: 18,550 kg (40,890 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Radarsat. Spacecraft: Almaz-T. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 337 km (209 mi). Apogee: 351 km (218 mi). Inclination: 72.70 deg. Period: 91.40 min. COSPAR: 1991-024A. USAF Sat Cat: 21213. Decay Date: 1992-10-17. Second flight of Almaz radar imaging satellite. Surveyed the territory of the Soviet Union and of other countries for purposes of geology, cartography, oceanology, ecology and agriculture, and studied the ice situation at high latitudes. Launched eight months after its target date into an initial operational orbit of approximately 270 km with an inclination of 72.7 degrees, slightly higher than the 71.9 degrees inclination of Cosmos 1870. Unfortunately, the failure of one of the SAR antennas to deploy fully rendered that side inoperable. Returned images of 10 to 15 meter resolution through 17 October 1992. Its radiometer provided images of 10 to 30 km radiometer resolution over a 600 km swath. Its engines completed 760,000 firings during its 18 month service life.
1993 - 03:34 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: LC1. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U2. Model: Soyuz 11A511U2. LV Configuration: Soyuz 11A511U2 N15000-069.
1996 -
1999 - 00:15 GMT - Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Pad: C-130. Launch Vehicle: SR19. LV Configuration: SR19 14. -
SR19 SRALT/MBRV-3 Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA/USAF. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).
2001 - Launch Site: Fort Wingate. Launch Complex: LC96. Launch Vehicle: Hera. LV Configuration: Hera MBRV-3. -
Hera MBRV-3/PAC-3 DT-8a Target mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA SSDC. Apogee: 114 km (70 mi).
2001 - 06:00 GMT - Launch Site: Balasore. Launch Vehicle: Prithvi. LV Configuration: Prithvi 18. -
Prithvi Solid fuel test mission Nation: India. Agency: IDRDL. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).
2003 - 22:09 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC17. Launch Vehicle: Delta 7000. Model: Delta 7925-9.5. -
USA 168 Nation: USA. Program: Navstar. Payload: GPS 2R-9 / Navstar 52. Mass: 2,032 kg (4,479 lb). Class: Navigation. Spacecraft: GPS Block 2R. Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin Space Systems. Agency: USAF. Perigee: 19,985 km (12,418 mi). Apogee: 20,376 km (12,661 mi). Inclination: 55.00 deg. Period: 717.90 min. COSPAR: 2003-010A. USAF Sat Cat: 27704. Delayed from May 16, July 25, November 14, 2002, and February 6, 2003. Timely replenishment of GPS constellation.
2004 - Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Vehicle: Tier One.
2005 - - Cassini, Titan Flyby Spacecraft: Cassini.
2006 - - Cassini, Titan Flyby Spacecraft: Cassini.
Born on this day in:
- 1939 - Lutz T Kayser. German German Rocket engineer. Birth City: Stuttgart. Birth Country: Germany.
- 1957 - Patrick Graham Forrester. American Mission Specialist Astronaut. Birth City: El Paso. Birth State: Texas. Birth Country: USA.
Died on this day in: - 1967 - Rodion Yakovlevich Malinovskiy
. Russian Military Officer.
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© Mark Wade, 1997 - 2007 except where otherwise noted.
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