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1789 -

  • William Herschel's Discovery of Saturn Moon Mimas Nation: UK.

1948 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-1. Model: R-1. LV Configuration: R-1 I-4. FAILURE: Veered 51 degrees from flight path.
  • Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 0 km ( mi).

    First of 9 rockets of first test series. Veered 51 degrees from flight path.

1949 - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-1. Model: R-1. LV Configuration: R-1 II-8.
  • Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1955 - Launch Vehicle: DF-1.
  • Tsien Hsue-shen deported from the United States. Nation: China. Program: Long March.

    After five years of wrangling, and secret talks in Geneva between the Red Chinese and US governments, Tsien is deported from the United States. Upon arrival in China, he was immediately put to work as head of the Chinese missile program. He had to introduce US systems engineering approaches to Chinese engineers, and build the technical infrastructure to enable China to build rockets.

1958 -
  • X-1E Flight 22 Nation: USA. Payload: X-1E flight 22. Class: Manned. Type: Rocketplane. Spacecraft: X-1E. Crew: Walker Joseph.

    NACA flight 21. Stability and control with ventral fins and a new stabilizer bell crank permitting greater stabilizer travel.

1958 -
  • NASA/ARPA Manned Satellite Panel Nation: USA. Spacecraft: Mercury.

    A joint National Aeronautics and Space Administration/Advanced Research Projects Agency Manned Satellite Panel was formed. This panel, with the aid of technical studies prepared by the Langley and Lewis Research Centers and assistance from the military services, drafted specific plans for a program of research leading to manned space flight.

1958 - 18:00 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC6. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Redstone. Model: Redstone. LV Configuration: Redstone CC-56. FAILURE: Programmed maneuver at re-entry and impact in deep water. Accurate survey not possible. CC-57.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 90 km (55 mi).

    Missile test failure. Missed aimpoint by 990 m.

1959 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC17A. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Thor Able II. LV Configuration: Thor Able II-M1 136. FAILURE: Third stage failed.
  • Transit 1A Nation: USA. Program: Transit. Payload: Transit 1A. Mass: 119 kg (262 lb). Class: Navigation. Spacecraft: Transit. Agency: DARPA. COSPAR: F590917A. Decay Date: 1959-09-17.

    First Transit test satellite; failed to reach orbit.

1959 - 00:12 GMT - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 SL. Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Model: Skylark 2. LV Configuration: Skylark-2 SL12.
  • Mass spectrometer / La / Solar X Ionosphere-solar mission Ionosphere-solar mission Nation: Australia. Agency: WRE/RAE. Apogee: 132 km (82 mi).

1959 - 02:09 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC13. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas D. LV Configuration: Atlas D 17D. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Research and development launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1959 - 16:08 GMT - Launch Site: Rosamund Dry Lake DZ. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 34.7 N x 118.1 W. Launch Vehicle: X-15. LV Configuration: X-15 2-1-3. FAILURE: Turbopump failure and fire.
  • X-15A test Nation: USA. Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 15 km (9 mi).

    First flight for X-15 # 2. First powered flight. Maximum Speed - 2241 kph. Maximum Altitude - 15954 m. Turbopump case failure resulted in fire in engine compartment.

1959 - 18:37 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee 150. LV Configuration: Aerobee 150 NASA 04.02II.
  • DRTE.01 Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 256 km (159 mi).

1959 - 21:09 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC2W. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Thor DM-18A. LV Configuration: Thor DM-18A 228.
  • IWST Nation: USA. Agency: RAF. Apogee: 520 km (320 mi).

1960 - 00:50 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC11. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas D. LV Configuration: Atlas D 76D.
  • Research and development launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 1,800 km (1,100 mi).

1961 - Launch Vehicle: Saturn V.
  • 36 companies invited to bid on the first stage of advanced Saturn Nation: USA. Program: Apollo.

    NASA invited 36 companies to bid on a contract to produce the first stage of the advanced Saturn launch vehicle. Representatives of interested companies would attend a pre-proposal conference in New Orleans, La., on September 26. Bids were to be submitted by October 16 and NASA would then select the contractor, probably in November.

1961 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41/4. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-16. LV Configuration: R-16 15L.
  • Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

1961 - 04:47 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Trailblazer. Model: Trailblazer 1. LV Configuration: Trailblazer 1 TB Ii.
  • Re-entry Vehicle test Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 260 km (160 mi).

1961 - 10:03 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Asp. Model: Nike Asp. LV Configuration: Nike Asp NASA 03.19CA.
  • Sodium release Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 273 km (169 mi).

1961 - 21:00 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC2E. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Thor Agena B. LV Configuration: Thor Agena B 324 / Agena B 1114.
  • Discoverer 31 Nation: USA. Payload: KH-3 s/n 9024 / Agena B 1114. Mass: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: KH-3. Agency: U.S. Air Force. Perigee: 231 km (143 mi). Apogee: 403 km (250 mi). Inclination: 82.60 deg. Period: 90.80 min. COSPAR: 1961-A-Beta-1. USAF Sat Cat: 186. Decay Date: 1961-10-26.

    KH-3; film capsule recovery failed. Mission failed. Power failure and loss of control gas on orbit 33.

1962 - 23:46 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC1W. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Thor Agena B. LV Configuration: Thor Agena B 350 / Agena B 1133.
  • KH-4 9043 / TRS 1 (ERS 2) Nation: USA. Payload: KH-4 s/n 9043 / TRS 1 (ERS 2) / Agena B 1133. Mass: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: KH-4. Agency: U.S. Air Force. Perigee: 204 km (126 mi). Apogee: 668 km (415 mi). Inclination: 81.80 deg. Period: 93.30 min. COSPAR: 1962-A-Chi-1. USAF Sat Cat: 396. Decay Date: 1962-11-16.

    KH-4; film capsule recovered 1.1 days later; ERS-2 subsatellite failed to deploy. Capping shutter malfunction, slight corona and radiation fog.

  • TRS Nation: USA. Payload: ERS 2. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Spacecraft: ERS. Agency: USAF. COSPAR: 1962-A-Chi-xx.

1963 -
  • Cosmonaut training group formed for planned 1964 Vostok flights Nation: USSR. Spacecraft: Vostok. Flight: Vostok 7, Vostok 8, Vostok 9, Vostok 10.

    Belyaev, Komarov, Shonin, Khrunov, Zaikin, Gorbatko, Volynov, and Leonov are assigned.

1963 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: 395-A2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Titan. Model: Titan 1. LV Configuration: Titan I SM-83.
  • Demonstration and shakedown operations launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1964 - 05:56 GMT - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 SL. Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Model: Skylark 7C. LV Configuration: Skylark-7C SL120.
  • X-ray pinhole / ne Ionosphere / solar x-rays mission Nation: Australia. Agency: WRE/RAE. Apogee: 192 km (119 mi).

1965 - Launch Vehicle: Titan. Model: Titan 2.
  • Gemini launch vehicle (GLV) 6 and spacecraft No. 6 were mechanically mated at complex 19. Nation: USA. Flight: Gemini 6.

    The Electrical Interface Integrated Validation and Joint Guidance and Control Test was completed September 21. The spacecraft/GLV Joint Combined Systems Test was run September 23. GLV tanking test was performed September 29 and the Flight Configuration Mode Test October 1, completing systems testing for Gemini-Titan 6.

1965 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC131. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: UR-100. FAILURE: Failure.
  • State trials missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km ( mi).

1965 - 15:44 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Apache. Model: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache NASA 14.235UE.
  • Auroral electrons Aurora mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 160 km (90 mi).

1965 - 19:00 GMT - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: V-2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: MR-12.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USSR. Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 165 km (102 mi).

1965 - 21:51 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee 150A. LV Configuration: Aerobee 150A NASA 04.138II.
  • FR-1 test / ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 182 km (113 mi).

1966 - Launch Vehicle: N1, UR-700.
  • Competing lunar landing designs to be evaluated. Nation: USSR. Spacecraft: LK-700, LK, Soyuz 7K-LOK.

    Military-Industrial Commission (VPK) Decree 'On creation of a commission to compare the UR-700-LK-700 and the N1-L3' was issued.

1966 - 02:53 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tomahawk Sandia. Model: Nike Tomahawk. LV Configuration: Nike Tomahawk NASA 18.19UE.
  • Auroral radiation Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 243 km (150 mi).

1966 - 22:35 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC162/36. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tsiklon. Model: R-36-O. LV Configuration: R-36O 8K69 U22502 No. 05L.
  • OGCh Nation: USSR. Mass: 1,700 kg (3,700 lb). Class: Military. Type: FOBS. Spacecraft: OGCh. Agency: RVSN. Perigee: 138 km (85 mi). Apogee: 792 km (492 mi). Inclination: 49.60 deg. Period: 93.90 min. COSPAR: 1966-088A. USAF Sat Cat: 2437. Decay Date: 1966-11-11.

    First attempted orbital Fractional Orbital Bombardment System test. The second stage of the booster placed the third stage and dummy warhead into a 214 km x 523 km parking orbit. altitude. The third stage was evidently wrongly oriented, and instead of braking the warhead into an impact at Kapustin Yar, boosted it into a higher 280 km x 1,010 km orbit. The dummy warhead seperated but was commanded to self destruct, resulting in over 100 catalogued orbiting objects.

1967 - Launch Vehicle: UR-700.
  • LK-700 manned lunar landing spacecraft authorised Nation: USSR. Spacecraft: LK-700.

    Development of the LK-700 manned lunar landing spacecraft was undertaken in accordance with decree 1070-363 of the Soviet Ministers and Central Committee of the Communist Party on 17 September 1967 and MOM decree 472 of 28 September 1967. Study index number 4855CC by TsNIIMASH in 1966 showed that any development of improved versions of the N1 would be practically equivalent to design and qualification of a new rocket, while the UR-700 modular approach allowed a range of payloads without requalification. The UR-700/LK-700 combination could support the DLB lunar base better, as well as Venus/Mars manned flybys and Mars landing expeditions. Work would continue through the mock-up stage until 1974.

1968 -
  • Zond 5 midcourse using earth sensor Nation: USSR. Program: Lunar L1. Spacecraft: Soyuz 7K-L1.

    It is decided to orient Zond 5 using the earth sensor. This is not as accurate as the star tracker, but it is good enough to ensure the spacecraft can be put on a course that will take it back to earth. However it is not accurate enough to allow a a lifting re-entry with a double skip manoeuvre and landing in the Soviet Union. It means the spacecraft must follow a high-G ballistic re-entry and land in the Indian Ocean. Afanasyev is personally supervising the midcourse orientation and engine burn.

1968 - 07:10 GMT - Launch Site: Tanegashima. Launch Complex: T. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: S. Model: SA-II. LV Configuration: SA-II SA-II A9.
  • Test mission Nation: Japan. Agency: STA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1969 - 16:37 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC25D. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Poseidon. LV Configuration: Poseidon C3XD-13.
  • Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1969 - 18:45 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee 150 MI. LV Configuration: Aerobee 150 MI-20 NASA 04.166DS.
  • Solar mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 218 km (135 mi).

1970 -
  • New Gagarin book in the works. Nation: USSR.

    Kamanin works with the authors of a new Gagarin book.

1970 - 08:10 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: LC1 or LC31. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Voskhod 11A57.
  • Cosmos 363 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Zenit-2M. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 207 km (128 mi). Apogee: 294 km (182 mi). Inclination: 65.00 deg. Period: 89.50 min. COSPAR: 1970-074A. USAF Sat Cat: 4538. Duration: 12.00 days. Decay Date: 1970-09-29.

    Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule.

1970 - 15:42 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Cajun. Model: Nike Cajun. LV Configuration: Nike Cajun NASA 10.324GM.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 127 km (78 mi).

1970 - 15:58 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Apache. Model: Nike Apache. LV Configuration: Nike Apache NASA 14.385UM.
  • UM Pitot 50 Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 156 km (96 mi).

1970 - 18:00 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF26. Launch Pad: LF26?. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 2.
  • OT GT68F operational test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1971 - 05:00 GMT - Launch Site: Green River. Launch Complex: Pad 3. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Athena RTV. LV Configuration: Athena V126D.
  • Re-entry Vehicle test Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

1971 - 06:40 GMT - Launch Site: Tanegashima. Launch Complex: T. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: S. Model: JCR. LV Configuration: JCR-6.
  • Test mission Nation: Japan. Agency: NASDA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

1974 - 15:33 GMT - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA8. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee 200. LV Configuration: Aerobee 200 CRL A05.391-3.
  • HISTAR Infrared astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: AFCRL. Apogee: 193 km (119 mi).

1975 - 07:10 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Model: Kosmos 11K65M. LV Configuration: Kosmos 11K65M 53746-311.
  • Cosmos 761 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-1M no. 97. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-1M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,400 km (800 mi). Apogee: 1,482 km (920 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 114.70 min. COSPAR: 1975-086A. USAF Sat Cat: 8285.

  • Cosmos 762 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-1M no. 98. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-1M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,438 km (893 mi). Apogee: 1,485 km (922 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 115.10 min. COSPAR: 1975-086B. USAF Sat Cat: 8286.

  • Cosmos 763 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-1M no. 99. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-1M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,474 km (915 mi). Apogee: 1,510 km (930 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 115.80 min. COSPAR: 1975-086C. USAF Sat Cat: 8287.

  • Cosmos 764 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-1M no. 100. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-1M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,479 km (919 mi). Apogee: 1,526 km (948 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 116.00 min. COSPAR: 1975-086D. USAF Sat Cat: 8288.

  • Cosmos 765 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-1M no. 101. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-1M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,478 km (918 mi). Apogee: 1,550 km (960 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 116.30 min. COSPAR: 1975-086E. USAF Sat Cat: 8289.

  • Cosmos 766 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-1M no. 102. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-1M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,418 km (881 mi). Apogee: 1,484 km (922 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 114.90 min. COSPAR: 1975-086F. USAF Sat Cat: 8290.

  • Cosmos 767 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-1M no. 103. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-1M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,455 km (904 mi). Apogee: 1,487 km (923 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 115.40 min. COSPAR: 1975-086G. USAF Sat Cat: 8291.

  • Cosmos 768 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-1M no. 104. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-1M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,471 km (914 mi). Apogee: 1,491 km (926 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 115.60 min. COSPAR: 1975-086H. USAF Sat Cat: 8292.

1976 -
  • Complete on-stand construction, NSTL Nation: USA. Program: STS.

1979 -
  • 37K space station module authorised Nation: USSR. Spacecraft: 37KB, 37KS, NPG, 37K-Mir, LO, Kvant.

    The basic 37K design consisted of a 4.2 m diameter pressurised cylinder with a docking port at the forward end. It was not equipped with its own propulsion system. The original authorisation was for a total of eight 37K's of various configurations. Of these, only the 37K-E (Kvant module of Mir) and the 37KS (instrumentation module in Buran) would fly.

1980 - Launch Site: Kwajalein. Launch Complex: RN. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: DOT.
  • DOT 3 Interceptor mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 296 km (183 mi).

1980 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF09. Launch Pad: LF09?. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3.
  • FOT GT77GM Follow-on Test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).

1982 - 20:56 GMT - Launch Site: Natal. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Sonda. Model: Sonda 3. LV Configuration: Sonda 3 XV-14.
  • Colored Bubbles Ionosphere mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DLR/US. Apogee: 335 km (208 mi).

1983 - 11:15 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U.
  • Cosmos 1499 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Zenit-6U. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 193 km (119 mi). Apogee: 367 km (228 mi). Inclination: 72.80 deg. Period: 90.10 min. COSPAR: 1983-097A. USAF Sat Cat: 14339. Duration: 14.00 days. Decay Date: 1983-10-01.

    Photo surveillance; returned film capsule.

1985 - 12:38 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U2. LV Configuration: Soyuz 11A511U2 007.
  • Soyuz T-14 Nation: USSR. Program: Salyut 7. Payload: Soyuz T s/n 20L. Mass: 6,850 kg (15,100 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spacecraft. Spacecraft: Soyuz T. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 196 km (121 mi). Apogee: 223 km (138 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 88.70 min. COSPAR: 1985-081A. USAF Sat Cat: 16051. Duration: 64.91 days. Decay Date: 1985-11-21. Crew: Grechko, Vasyutin, Volkov Aleksandr. Flight: Salyut 7 EO-4-2, Salyut 7 EP-5, Salyut 7 EO-4-1a, Salyut 7 EO-4-1b.

    Docked with Salyut 7. Transported a crew comprising ship's commander V V Vasyutin, flight engineer G M Grechko and cosmonaut-researcher A A Volkov to the Salyut-7 orbital station to conduct scientific and technical studies and experiments. Grechko returned in Soyuz T-13 on 25 September 1985 - emergency return.

1986 - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Trident. Model: Trident C-4.
  • Follow-on operational missile test Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1986 - 07:59 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: LC1 or LC31. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U.
  • Cosmos 1781 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Landsat. Spacecraft: Zenit-8. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 203 km (126 mi). Apogee: 379 km (235 mi). Inclination: 70.40 deg. Period: 90.40 min. COSPAR: 1986-072A. USAF Sat Cat: 16966. Duration: 14.00 days. Decay Date: 1986-10-01.

    Military cartographic satellite; returned film capsule.

1986 - 15:52 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC3W. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas E. LV Configuration: Atlas E 52E / Star-37S-ISS.
  • NOAA 10 Nation: USA. Program: Tiros. Payload: NOAA G. Mass: 1,700 kg (3,700 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Weather. Spacecraft: Advanced Tiros N. Agency: NOAA. Perigee: 795 km (493 mi). Apogee: 816 km (507 mi). Inclination: 98.50 deg. Period: 101.00 min. COSPAR: 1986-073A. USAF Sat Cat: 16969.

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

1986 - 19:04 GMT - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Trident. Model: Trident C-4.
  • Follow-on operational missile test Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1987 - 14:59 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U.
  • Cosmos 1886 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,600 kg (14,500 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Yantar-4K1. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 170 km (100 mi). Apogee: 321 km (199 mi). Inclination: 67.10 deg. Period: 89.40 min. COSPAR: 1987-081A. USAF Sat Cat: 18366. Duration: 46.00 days. Decay Date: 1987-11-02.

    High resolution photo reconnaissance; returned film in two small SpK capsules during the mission and with the main capsule at completion of the mission.

1991 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF02. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Peacekeeper. LV Configuration: Peacekeeper 07PA.
  • Operational test Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1991 - 10:20 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-36M. Model: R-36M2 15A18M.
  • State trials missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

1991 - 20:01 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC43/4. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Molniya 8K78M. LV Configuration: Molniya 8K78M-ML.
  • Molniya 3-41 Nation: USSR. Program: Molniya. Payload: Molniya-3 s/n 48. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Molniya-3. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 1,209 km (751 mi). Apogee: 39,145 km (24,323 mi). Inclination: 63.10 deg. Period: 717.80 min. COSPAR: 1991-065A. USAF Sat Cat: 21706.

    Operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radio communications system in the USSR; transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to stations in the Orbita network and within the framework of international cooperation.

1991 - 23:43 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Hawk. Model: Nike Orion. LV Configuration: Nike Orion DLR A-NO-190.
  • Turbo-Metal Aeronomy mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DLR. Apogee: 140 km (80 mi).

1993 - 00:43 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC90/19. Launch Pad: LC90/pad?. Launch Vehicle: Tsiklon. Model: Tsiklon-2.
  • Cosmos 2264 Nation: Russia. Program: EORSAT. Payload: US-PM s/n 4. Mass: 3,150 kg (6,940 lb). Class: Sigint. Type: Naval reconnaisance. Spacecraft: US-PU. Agency: MO RF. Perigee: 401 km (249 mi). Apogee: 417 km (259 mi). Inclination: 65.00 deg. Period: 92.80 min. COSPAR: 1993-060A. USAF Sat Cat: 22808. Duration: 564.00 days. Decay Date: 1995-08-07.

    EORSAT, first of three to be stationed at 120 degree intervals on the same orbit with a 215 degree ascending node. However cutbacks in program resulted in the constellation not being completed. Ocean surveillance.

1997 - 08:01 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF05. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Peacekeeper. LV Configuration: Peacekeeper 25PA.
  • 7 RVs operational test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 90SW. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

2004 - 08:12 GMT - Launch Site: Kwajalein. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Terrier. Model: Terrier Improved Orion. LV Configuration: Terrier Improved Orion NASA 41.047UE.
  • EQUIS II Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA GSFC. Apogee: 130 km (80 mi).

2004 - 09:02 GMT - Launch Site: Kwajalein. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 5C. LV Configuration: Black Brant VC NASA 21.133GE.
  • EQUIS II Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 250 km (150 mi).

2004 - 09:02 GMT - Launch Site: Kwajalein. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 8C. LV Configuration: Black Brant 8C NASA 27.146UE.
  • EQUIS II Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA GSFC. Apogee: 340 km (210 mi).

2006 - 21:06 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Hawk. Model: Nike Orion.
  • ECOMA 2 Meteors / dust mission Nation: Norway. Agency: ARR/DLR. Apogee: 129 km (80 mi).


Born on this day in:
  • 1945 - Mary Helen Johnston.  American Payload Specialist Astronaut. Birth City: West Palm Beach. Birth State: Florida. Birth Country: USA.
  • 1961 - Pamela Ann Melroy.  American Pilot Astronaut. Birth City: Palo Alto. Birth State: California. Birth Country: USA.

Died on this day in:
  • 1996 - Spiro T Agnew.  American Manager.

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