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1945 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC33. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Wac. Model: WAC A. LV Configuration: WAC A 5.

  • Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA OR. Apogee: 72 km (44 mi).

    First 'all-up' Wac Corporal launch. Recovery system failed.

1946 -
  • XS-1 Flight 11 Nation: USA. Payload: XS-1 # 2 flight 1. Class: Manned. Type: Rocketplane. Spacecraft: XS-1. Crew: Goodlin.

    Bell flight 1. Glide flight, pilot familiarization.

1948 - Launch Vehicle: R-1.
  • R-1 flight. Nation: USSR.

    First R-1 flight with scientific experiments.

1949 - 12:45 GMT - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-2. Model: R-2E. LV Configuration: R-2e 5. FAILURE: Fire in tail compartment.
  • Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

    Range achieved 9 km. Deviation from aim point 1.7 km. Launched at 1545 local time.

1957 - 16:33 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC17B. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Thor DM-18. LV Configuration: Thor DM-18 108. FAILURE: Turbopump gearbox failure.
  • Series I research and development launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555 ATW. Apogee: 520 km (320 mi).

    Thor missile launched at Cape Canaveral, the second tested, achieved its designed 1,500-mile range.

1958 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC18A. Launch Pad: LC18/pad?.
  • Thor Able second test. Nation: USA.

    PIONEER I, U.S.-IGY space probe under direction of NASA and with the AFBMD as executive agent, launched from AMR, Cape Canaveral, Fla., by a Thor-Able-I booster. It raveled 70,700 miles before returning to earth, determined radial extent of great radiation belt, first observations of earth's and interplanetary magnetic field, and first measurements of micrometeorite density in interplanetary space.

1958 - Launch Vehicle: Saturn I.
  • Contract for development of the H-1 engine Nation: USA. Program: Apollo.

    Pioneer I, intended as a lunar probe, was launched by a Thor-Able rocket from the Atlantic Missile Range, with the Air Force acting as executive agent to NASA. The 39-pound instrumented payload did not reach escape velocity.

1958 - 08:42 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC17A. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Thor Able I. LV Configuration: Thor Able I 130. FAILURE: Third stage produced insufficient thrust. Partial Failure.
  • Pioneer 1 Nation: USA. Program: Pioneer. Payload: Pioneer 1 / Able 2. Mass: 38 kg (83 lb). Class: Planetary. Type: Lunar. Spacecraft: Pioneer 0-1-2. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1958-Eta-1. USAF Sat Cat: 110. Decay Date: 1958-10-12.

    Set distance record; failed to reach moon.

1958 - 08:42 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Luna 8K72. LV Configuration: Vostok-L 8K72 B1-4. FAILURE: Launcher disintegrated 104 seconds after launch due to longitudinal resonance of strap-ons.
  • Luna failure - booster disintegrated at T+104 seconds Nation: USSR. Program: Luna. Payload: E-1 s/n 2. Class: Planetary. Type: Lunar. Spacecraft: Luna E-1. Agency: MVS. COSPAR: F581011A.

1960 -
  • Plan for first Vostok flight. Nation: USSR. Spacecraft: Vostok.

    Decree 'On plan to launch the first human in space on Vostok' was issued.

1960 - 19:15 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC13. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas E. LV Configuration: Atlas E 3E. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Research and development test Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

    First E missile flown with MA-3 engine, unsuccessful

1960 - 20:33 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC3W. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas Agena A. LV Configuration: Atlas Agena A 57D / Agena A 2101. FAILURE: Second stage failure.
  • Samos 1 Nation: USA. Payload: Samos E-1 no. 1. Mass: 1,845 kg (4,067 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Samos. Agency: U.S. Air Force. COSPAR: F601011A. Decay Date: 1960-10-11.

    First generation photo surveillance; radio relay of images; Satellite and Missile Observation Satellite.

1960 - 21:53 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LE-8. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Thor DM-18A. LV Configuration: Thor DM-18A 186.
  • Combat training launch Nation: USA. Agency: RAF. Apogee: 520 km (320 mi).

1961 -
  • Presentations by industrial teams on the Apollo spacecraft Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo CSM.

    Officials of STG heard oral reports from representatives of five industrial teams bidding on the contract for the Apollo spacecraft: General Dynamics/Astronautics in conjunction with the Avco Corporation; General Electric Company, Missile and Space Vehicle Department, in conjunction with Douglas Aircraft Company, Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation, and Space Technology Laboratories, Inc.; McDonnell Aircraft Corporation in conjunction with Lockheed Aircraft Corporation, Hughes Aircraft Company, and Chance Vought Corporation of Ling-Temco-Vought, Inc.; The Martin Company; and North American Aviation, Inc. - Additional details.

1961 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41/4. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U. LV Configuration: R-16U 1LU. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km ( mi).

1961 - 20:20 GMT - Launch Site: Mud Lake DZ. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 37.9 N x 117.1 W. Launch Vehicle: X-15. LV Configuration: X-15 2-20-36. FAILURE: Left windshield cracks.
  • X-15A Alt, Aero, Low q test Nation: USA. Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 66 km (41 mi).

    Outer panel of left windshield cracked. Maximum Speed - 5868 kph. Maximum Altitude - 66150 m.

1962 - Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Honest John. Model: HJ Nike.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF?. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1964 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41/4. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.
  • State trials missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

1964 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41/4. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.
  • State trials missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

1965 -
  • Apollo AAP objectives described. Nation: USA. Spacecraft: Apollo X.

    In a paper presented at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics' fourth manned space flight meeting in St. Louis, AAP Director William B. Taylor described the focus and importance of the AAP. In contrast to Apollo, with its clear objective of lauding on the Moon, AAP's objectives were much less obvious. Under AAP, Taylor said, NASA planned to exploit the capabilities being developed for Apollo as a technological bridge to more extensive manned space flight missions of the 1970s and 1980s. AAP was not an end in itself, but rather a beginning to build flight experience, technology, and scientific data. - Additional details.

1965 - Launch Site: Green River. Launch Complex: Pad 2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Athena RTV. LV Configuration: Athena C016.
  • USAF C016 re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

1966 - Launch Vehicle: Titan. Model: Titan 2.
  • The tanking test of Gemini launch vehicle (GLV) 12 was conducted. Nation: USA. Flight: Gemini 12.

    While the GLV was being cleaned up after the tanking test, the Final Systems Test of spacecraft No. 12 was conducted October 17-19. Spacecraft and GLV were mechanically mated October 25 and the erector was cycled. The spacecraft guidance system was retested October 26-27, and the spacecraft/GLV electrical interface was revalidated October 28. The Simultaneous Launch Demonstration on November 1 and the Simulated Flight Test on November 2 completed prelaunch testing and checkout.

1966 - 19:59 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: 576A2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas F. LV Configuration: Atlas F 115F. FAILURE: Failure.
  • ABRES SBGRV-1 re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 50 km (31 mi).

1966 - 23:22 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee 150. LV Configuration: Aerobee 150 KP3.16.
  • Infrared dayglow Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: KPNO. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).

1967 - Launch Site: Green River. Launch Complex: Pad 2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Athena RTV. LV Configuration: Athena B030.
  • USN B030 re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

1967 - 07:57 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC10W. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Thor Burner 2. LV Configuration: Thor Burner 2 268.
  • DMSP-Block-4A F10 Nation: USA. Program: DMSP. Payload: DAPP 4417 (FTV-5). Mass: 130 kg (280 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Weather. Spacecraft: DMSP Block 4A. Agency: USAF. Perigee: 638 km (396 mi). Apogee: 796 km (494 mi). Inclination: 99.20 deg. Period: 99.10 min. COSPAR: 1967-096A. USAF Sat Cat: 2980.

    Defense Meteorological Satellite Program.

1967 - 11:30 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC41/1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Voskhod 11A57.
  • Cosmos 181 Nation: USSR. Payload: Zenit-2 11F61 s/n 55. Mass: 4,720 kg (10,400 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Zenit-2. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 198 km (123 mi). Apogee: 325 km (201 mi). Inclination: 65.60 deg. Period: 89.70 min. COSPAR: 1967-097A. USAF Sat Cat: 2981. Duration: 8.00 days. Decay Date: 1967-10-19.

    Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite.

1967 - 11:30 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: 576B3. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas D. LV Configuration: Atlas D 69D.
  • ABRES TVX-13 re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,800 km (1,100 mi).

1968 -
  • Soyuz 3 preparations. Nation: USSR. Program: Soyuz. Spacecraft: Soyuz 7K-OK. Flight: Soyuz 3.

    At Area 31 one of the Soyuz has thermoregulation system problems and is in repair - it can't be used for flight training. Kamanin notes that Apollo 7 has been launched - the Americans are back in space after almost two years and on the schedule announced a month ago.

1968 - 12:05 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC41/1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Voskhod 11A57.
  • Cosmos 247 Nation: USSR. Payload: Zenit-2 11F61 s/n 65. Mass: 4,720 kg (10,400 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Zenit-2. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 199 km (123 mi). Apogee: 345 km (214 mi). Inclination: 65.40 deg. Period: 89.90 min. COSPAR: 1968-088A. USAF Sat Cat: 3484. Duration: 8.00 days. Decay Date: 1968-10-19.

    Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite.

1968 - 15:02 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC34. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Saturn I. Model: Saturn IB. LV Configuration: Saturn IB SA-205.
  • Apollo 7 Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Payload: Apollo CSM 101 / S-IVB-205. Mass: 14,674 kg (32,350 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Lunar spacecraft. Spacecraft: Apollo CSM. Location of Spacecraft: Frontiers of Flight Museum, Dallas Love Field, Dallas, Texas. Agency: NASA MSC. Perigee: 229 km (142 mi). Apogee: 306 km (190 mi). Inclination: 31.60 deg. Period: 89.90 min. COSPAR: 1968-089A. USAF Sat Cat: 3486. Duration: 10.84 days. Decay Date: 1968-10-22. Crew: Cunningham, Eisele, Schirra. Flight: Apollo 7.

    Apollo 7 (AS-205), the first manned Apollo flight, lifted off from Launch Complex 34 at Cape Kennedy Oct. 11, carrying Walter M. Schirra, Jr., Donn F. Eisele, and R. Walter Cunningham. The countdown had proceeded smoothly, with only a slight delay because of additional time required to chill the hydrogen system in the S-IVB stage of the Saturn launch vehicle. Liftoff came at 11:03 a.m. EDT. Shortly after insertion into orbit, the S-IVB stage separated from the CSM, and Schirra and his crew performed a simulated docking with the S-IVB stage, maneuvering to within 1.2 meters of the rocket. Although spacecraft separation was normal, the crew reported that one adapter panel had not fully deployed. Two burns using the reaction control system separated the spacecraft and launch stage and set the stage for an orbital rendezvous maneuver, which the crew made on the second day of the flight, using the service propulsion engine.

    Crew and spacecraft performed well throughout the mission. During eight burns of the service propulsion system during the flight, the engine functioned normally. October 14, third day of the mission, witnessed the first live television broadcast from a manned American spacecraft.

1969 - 02:00 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Nike. Model: Nike Iroquois. LV Configuration: Nike Iroquois CRL AH07.890.
  • AH7.893 in FC Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 118 km (73 mi).

1969 - 11:05 GMT - Launch Site: Atlantic Ocean. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 45.0 N x 46.0 W. Launch Vehicle: MR-12.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USSR. Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 158 km (98 mi).

1969 - 11:10 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC31. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511.
  • Soyuz 6 Nation: USSR. Program: Soyuz. Payload: Soyuz 7K-OK s/n 14. Mass: 6,577 kg (14,499 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spacecraft. Spacecraft: Soyuz 7K-OK. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 212 km (131 mi). Apogee: 218 km (135 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 88.80 min. COSPAR: 1969-085A. USAF Sat Cat: 4122. Duration: 4.95 days. Decay Date: 1969-10-16. Crew: Kubasov, Shonin. Flight: Soyuz 6, Soyuz 7, Soyuz 8.

    Tested spacecraft systems and designs, manoeuvring of space craft with respect to each other in orbit, conducted scientific, technical and medico-biological experiments in group flight. Carried Vulkan welding furnace for vacuum welding experiments in depressurized orbital module. Was to have taken spectacular motion pictures of Soyuz 7 - Soyuz 8 docking but failure of rendezvous electronics in all three craft due to new helium pressurization integrity test prior to mission did not permit successful rendezvous and dockings. - Additional details.

1969 - 19:36 GMT - Launch Site: South Uist. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Petrel. Model: Petrel 1. LV Configuration: Petrel P38H.
  • E fields Ionosphere mission Nation: UK. Agency: SRC. Apogee: 140 km (80 mi).

1972 - 03:00 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 5A. LV Configuration: Black Brant VA NRL NF9.250.
  • Auroral infrared Aurora mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 144 km (89 mi).

1972 - 11:30 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: 395-C. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Titan. Model: Titan 2. LV Configuration: Titan II B-78.
  • Operational Test M2-14 Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

    SSTTP M2-14 Target mission

1972 - 11:31 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: PLC-C. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee 170. LV Configuration: Aerobee 170 CRL A04.116-4.
  • CHASER ABM infrared sensor technology mission Nation: USA. Agency: AFCRL. Apogee: 151 km (93 mi).

1972 - 13:13 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tomahawk Sandia. Model: Sandhawk Tomahawk. LV Configuration: Sandhawk Tomahawk Sandia 152-192. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Barium release FAISON Aeronomy / Fields mission Nation: USA. Agency: Sandia. Apogee: 0 km ( mi).

1972 - 13:19 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC133/1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 2. Model: Kosmos 11K63.
  • Cosmos 524 Nation: USSR. Program: DS. Payload: DS-P1-Yu s/n 49. Mass: 325 kg (716 lb). Class: Military. Type: Target. Spacecraft: DS-P1-Yu. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 266 km (165 mi). Apogee: 510 km (310 mi). Inclination: 70.00 deg. Period: 92.30 min. COSPAR: 1972-080A. USAF Sat Cat: 6229. Completed Operations Date: 1973-03-25. Decay Date: 1973-03-25.

    Development of systems for air defence and the control of outer space.

1974 - 11:30 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Model: Kosmos 11K65M. LV Configuration: Kosmos 11K65M 53721-225.
  • Cosmos 687 Nation: USSR. Mass: 400 kg (880 lb). Class: Calibration. Spacecraft: Taifun-1. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 286 km (177 mi). Apogee: 698 km (433 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 94.50 min. COSPAR: 1974-076A. USAF Sat Cat: 7469. Decay Date: 1978-02-05.

    Radar calibration mission.

1976 - Launch Vehicle: Spiral 50-50.
  • MiG 105-11 first flight Nation: USSR. Spacecraft: MiG 105-11.

    The EPOS spaceplane made its first flight, taking off from an old dirt airstrip near Moscow, flying straight ahead to an altitude of 560 m, and landing at the Zhukovskii flight test center 19 km away. Pilot was A. G. Festovets.

1977 - 15:14 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U.
  • Cosmos 958 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Zenit-6U. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 257 km (159 mi). Apogee: 351 km (218 mi). Inclination: 62.80 deg. Period: 90.60 min. COSPAR: 1977-100A. USAF Sat Cat: 10403. Duration: 13.00 days. Decay Date: 1977-10-24.

    Photo surveillance; returned film capsule.

1977 -
  • Landing of Soyuz 25 Nation: USSR. Program: Salyut 6. Flight: Soyuz 25.

    Soyuz 25 landed at 03:24 GMT.

1979 - 16:36 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Model: Kosmos 11K65M. LV Configuration: Kosmos 11K65M 47172-407.
  • Cosmos 1140 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Mass: 750 kg (1,650 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-2M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 765 km (475 mi). Apogee: 787 km (489 mi). Inclination: 74.10 deg. Period: 100.40 min. COSPAR: 1979-089A. USAF Sat Cat: 11573.

1980 - 21:57 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Honest John. Model: HJ Orion. LV Configuration: HJ Orion NASA 33.16GE.
  • E-Field (MAE) Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 120 km (70 mi).

1980 -
  • Landing of Soyuz 37 Nation: USSR. Program: Salyut 6. Flight: Salyut 6 EO-4.

    Soyuz 37 landed at 09:50 GMT with the crew of Popov and Ryumin aboard.

1984 - 1984 - 14:43 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Model: Kosmos 11K65M. LV Configuration: Kosmos 11K65M 53734-125.
  • Cosmos 1605 Nation: USSR. Mass: 810 kg (1,780 lb). Class: Navigation. Spacecraft: Parus. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 949 km (589 mi). Apogee: 1,015 km (630 mi). Inclination: 82.90 deg. Period: 104.70 min. COSPAR: 1984-109A. USAF Sat Cat: 15359.

    Military navigation satellite. Replaced Cosmos 1459.

1988 - 08:01 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC32. Launch Pad: LC32/pad?. Launch Vehicle: Tsiklon. Model: Tsiklon-3.
  • Cosmos 1975 Nation: USSR. Program: Tselina. Payload: Tselina-D no. 67. Class: Sigint. Spacecraft: Tselina-D. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 604 km (375 mi). Apogee: 636 km (395 mi). Inclination: 82.50 deg. Period: 97.10 min. COSPAR: 1988-093A. USAF Sat Cat: 19573.

    Investigation of outer space.

1993 - 21:33 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U. LV Configuration: Soyuz 11A511U 77044270.
  • Progress M-20 Nation: Russia. Program: Mir. Payload: Progress M s/n 220. Mass: 7,250 kg (15,980 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Logistics. Spacecraft: Progress M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 187 km (116 mi). Apogee: 226 km (140 mi). Inclination: 51.80 deg. Period: 88.60 min. COSPAR: 1993-064A. USAF Sat Cat: 22867. Duration: 40.48 days. Decay Date: 1993-11-21. Flight: Mir EO-14.

    Unmanned resupply vessel to Mir, carried a Raduga reentry capsule for return of experimental materials to earth. Docked with Mir on 13 Oct 1993 23:24:46 GMT. Undocked on 21 Nov 1993 02:38:43 GMT. Capsule landed in Kazakhstan on 21 Nov 1993 09:06:00 GMT. Total free-flight time 2.35 days. Total docked time 38.13 days.

1994 - 14:30 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC32/2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tsiklon. Model: Tsiklon-3.
  • Okean-O1 no. 7 Nation: Russia. Program: Okean. Payload: Okean-O1 no. 7. Mass: 1,950 kg (4,290 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Radarsat. Spacecraft: Okean-O1. Agency: RKA. Perigee: 631 km (392 mi). Apogee: 665 km (413 mi). Inclination: 82.54 deg. Period: 97.70 min. COSPAR: 1994-066A. USAF Sat Cat: 23317.

    Oceanography.

1994 -
  • Landing of STS-68 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Flight: STS-68.

    STS-68 landed at 17:03 GMT.

1995 -
  • Problems with Galileo tape recorder Nation: USA. Spacecraft: Galileo.

    Problem forced workarounds and reduced data return.

1995 - 16:26 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC81/23. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Proton. Model: Proton-K/DM-2. LV Configuration: Proton-K/DM-2 386-01.
  • Luch 1 Nation: Russia. Payload: Luch. Mass: 2,400 kg (5,200 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Luch. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 35,754 km (22,216 mi). Apogee: 35,817 km (22,255 mi). Inclination: 2.60 deg. Period: 1,436.00 min. COSPAR: 1995-054A. USAF Sat Cat: 23680. Completed Operations Date: 1999-06-01.

    Stationed at 77 deg E. Relaying of telegraph and telephone information. Improved Altair/SR geosynchronous satellite for communication with Mir space station and other orbital spacecraft. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 77 deg E in 1995-1999 As of 2 September 2001 located at 75.63 deg E drifting at 0.029 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 77.39E drifting at 0.002E degrees per day.

2000 - 09:30 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Topol. Model: Topol. LV Configuration: Topol 58.
  • Operational test Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN RF. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

2000 - 23:17 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC39A. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. LV Configuration: Space Shuttle STS-92.
  • STS-92 Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Payload: Discovery F28. Mass: 115,127 kg (253,811 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Discovery. Manufacturer: Boeing. Agency: NASA JSC. Perigee: 386 km (240 mi). Apogee: 394 km (245 mi). Inclination: 51.57 deg. Period: 92.28 min. COSPAR: 2000-062A. USAF Sat Cat: 26563. Duration: 12.90 days. Decay Date: 2000-10-24. Crew: Duffy, Melroy, Chiao, McArthur, Wisoff, Lopez-Alegria, Wakata. Flight: STS-92.

    ISS Logistics flight. 100th shuttle flight. Launch delayed from October 6. STS-92 brought the Z-1 Truss (mounted on a Spacelab pallet), Control Moment Gyros, Pressurised Mating Adapter-3 (PMA-3) and two DDCU (Heat pipes) to the International Space Station.

    The RSRM-76 solid rocket boosters separated at 23:19 GMT and main engine cut-off (MECO) came at 23:25 GMT. External tank ET-104 separated into a 74 x 323 km x 51.6 deg orbit. At apogee at 00:01 GMT on Oct 12, Discovery's OMS engines fired to raise perigee to a 158 x 322 km x 51.6 deg orbit; ET-104 re-entered over the Pacific around 00:30 GMT. At Oct 12 on 03:01 GMT the NC1 burn raised the orbit to 180 x 349 km; NC3 on Oct 12 to 311 x 375 km; and the TI burn at 14:09 GMT on Oct 13 to 375 x 381 km x 51.6 deg. Discovery's rendezvous with the International Space Station came at 15:39 GMT on Oct 13, with docking at 17:45 GMT. The spaceship docked with PMA-2, the docking port on the +Y port of the Space Station's Unity module. Hatch was open to PMA-2 at 20:30 GMT the same day.

    STS-92 Cargo Manifest

    • Bay 1-2: Orbiter Docking System + 3 EMU spacesuits
    • Bay 5 Port: Adapter Beam with DDCU-HP control unit
    • Bay 5 Starboard: Adapter Beam with DDCU-HP control unit
    • Bay 7-8: Spacelab Pallet MD003 with PMA-3
    • Bay 10-12: ISS Z1 first segment of the space station truss
    • Bay 13 Adapter Beam with IMAX Cargo Bay Camera
    • Sill: Canadarm RMS 301

    Total payload bay cargo: ca. 14,800 kg

    The Z1 first segment of the space station truss was built by Boeing/Canoga Park and was 3.5 x 4.5 meters in size. It was attached to the +Z port on Unity. Z1 carried the control moment gyros, the S-band antenna, and the Ku-band antenna.

    PMA-3, built by Boeing/Huntington Beach, was docked to the -Z port opposite Z1. PMA-3 was installed on a Spacelab pallet for launch.

    On October 14 at 16:15 GMT the Z1 segment was unberthed from the payload bay and at around 18:20 GMT it was docked to the zenith port on the Unity module.

    On October 15 at 14:20 GMT the ODS airlock was depressurised, beginning a spacewalk by Bill McArthur and Leroy Chiao. Official NASA EVA duration (battery power to repress) was 6 hours 28 minutes.

    The second spacewalk was on October 16, with Jeff Wisoff and Mike Lopez-Alegria. The suits went to battery power at 14:15 GMT and Wisoff left the airlock at 14:21 GMT. Repressurisation began at 21:22 GMT for a duration of 7 hours 07minutes.

    Leroy Chiao and Bill McArthur began the third STS-92 EVA at 15:30 GMT on October 17, completing their work at 22:18 GMT for a total time of 6 hours 48 minutes.

    After the spacewalk, Discovery completed the second of the three station reboosts scheduled for STS-92. They fired reaction control system jets in a series of pulses of 1.4 seconds each, over a 30-minute period, gently raising the station's orbit by about 3.1 km.

    The last of four successful spacewalks began on 18 October at 16:00 GMT and ended at 22:56 GMT, lasting 6 hours and 56 minutes. Jeff Wisoff and Mike Lopez-Alegria each jetted slowly through space above Discovery's cargo bay.

    After the space walk, Discovery completed the third and final reboost of the space station.

    On 19 October the astronauts worked within the ISS. They completed connections for the newly installed Z1 external framework structure and transferred equipment and supplies for the Expedition One first resident crew of the Station. The crew also tested the four 290-kg gyroscopes in the truss, called Control Moment Gyros, which will be used to orient the ISS as it orbits the Earth. They will ultimately assume attitude control of the ISS following the arrival of the U.S. Laboratory Destiny. The tests and the transfer of supplies into the Russian Zarya Module took longer than expected. As a result, the crew's final departure from the Station's Unity module was delayed. Melroy and Wisoff took samples from surfaces in Zarya to study the module's environment. They then unclogged the solid waste disposal system in the Shuttle's toilet, which was restored to full operation after a brief interruption in service.

    Discovery undocked from the ISS at 16:08 GMT on 20 October. The final separation burn was executed about 45 minutes after undocking. The crew had added 9 tonnes to the station's mass, bringing it to about 72 tonnes. The return to earth, planned for 22 October, was delayed repeatedly due to high winds at the Kennedy landing site. The landing was finally made at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on October 24, at 22:00 GMT.

2001 - 02:32 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC36B. Launch Pad: SLC36B. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas IIAS. LV Configuration: Atlas IIAS AC-162.
  • USA 162 Nation: USA. Payload: Aquila / MLV-12. Mass: 3,600 kg (7,900 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military. Spacecraft: SDS-3. Agency: U.S. Air Force (U.S.). COSPAR: 2001-046A. USAF Sat Cat: 26948.

    The Atlas AC-162 Centaur entered a 176 x 907 km x 28.2 deg parking orbit at 0242 GMT and then made a second burn to deploy its payload in a 274 x 37538 km x 26.5 deg geostationary transfer orbit at 0301 GMT. USA 162 was rumoured to be a data relay satellite used to return data from imaging satellites similar to the one launched on October 5 2001. It was also possible that the satellite is a signals intelligence payload. The satellite is owned and operated by the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).

2005 -
  • Cassini, Dione Flyby, Successful Nation: USA. Spacecraft: Cassini.

2005 - 01:09 GMT - 2007 - 00:22 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: SLC41. Launch Vehicle: Atlas V. Model: Atlas V 421. LV Configuration: Atlas V 421 AV-011.
  • USA 195 Nation: USA. Payload: WGS SV-1. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 702. Perigee: 32,586 km (20,247 mi). Apogee: 39,016 km (24,243 mi). Inclination: 0.20 deg. Period: 1,436.80 min. COSPAR: 2007-046A. USAF Sat Cat: 32258.

    First USAF Wideband Global Satcom satellite, designed to replace the DSCS series, was placed by the Atlas booster in an initial 477 km x 66,847 km x 20.1 deg geosynchronous transfer orbit. The satellite carried X-band and Ka-band communications payloads.


Born on this day in:
  • 1897 - Cai Qiao.  Chinese Scientist. Birth City: Jieyang. Birth State: Guangdong. Birth Country: China.
  • 1936 - Charles Gordon Fullerton.  American Pilot Astronaut. Birth City: Rochester. Birth State: New York. Birth Country: USA.

Died on this day in:
  • 1960 - Piotr Dolgov.  Phantom cosmonaut. Cause of Death: Reported killed in an orbital flight on October 11, 1960.

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