1957 in spaceflight

1957 in spaceflight
Artist's impression of Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite, in orbit
Orbital launches
First4 October
Last6 December
Total3
Successes1
Failures1
Partial failures1
Catalogued2
National firsts
Spaceflight Australia
 United Kingdom
Satellite Soviet Union
Orbital launch Soviet Union
Rockets
Maiden flightsUnited States Vanguard
United States Farside
United States Nike-Asp
United States Polaris FTV-5
United States Polaris FTV-3
United States HJ-Nike-Nike
United States SM-78 Jupiter
United States XSM-75 Thor
United States XSM-65A Atlas
Soviet Union R-2A
Soviet Union R-7 Semyorka
Soviet Union Sputnik-PS
Soviet Union R-12 Dvina
United Kingdom Skylark (Raven 1)
Australia Long Tom
RetirementsUnited States Viking (second model)
United States Aerobee RTV-N-10
United States Aerobee RTV-N-10c
United States Aerobee RTV-A-1a
United States Loki rockoon
United States Farside
United States Nike-Deacon
United States Terrapin
United States Polaris FTV-5
United States Polaris FTV-3
Soviet Union Sputnik-PS

The first orbital flight of an artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, was launched in October 1957, by the Soviet Union. In November, the second orbital flight took place. The Soviet Union launched the first animal to orbit the Earth, a dog, Laika, who died in orbit a few hours after launch.

  • Thor, Atlas, and R-7 rocket families all have maiden flights this year, all three of which will have long legacies for the next 50+ years
  • Australia and the UK go to space with sounding rockets; first space launches from Australia
  • The R-12 makes its maiden flight
  • The US makes its first orbital attempt and fails (Vanguard TV-3)


Orbital launches[edit]

January-December[edit]

January-December launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
4 October
19:28:34
Soviet UnionSputnik-PS (8K71PS) PS-1 Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 1/5 Soviet UnionMVS
Soviet UnionSputnik 1 (PS-1) MVS Low Earth Technology demonstration 4 January 1958 Successful
First orbital launch, first artificial satellite of Earth, maiden flight of the Sputnik rocket[1]
3 November
02:30:42
Soviet UnionSputnik-PS (8K71PS) PS-2 Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 1/5 Soviet UnionMVS
Soviet UnionSputnik 2 (PS-2) MVS Low Earth Biological 14 April 1958 Partial spacecraft failure
Carried Laika, the first animal in orbit. Laika died prior to completion of experiments. Final flight of the Sputnik-PS.[1]
6 December
16:44:35
United StatesVanguard TV-3 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-18A United StatesUS Navy
United StatesVanguard 1A NRL Intended: Medium Earth Geodesy 6 December Launch failure
First all up Vanguard flight, first US orbital launch attempt, and first orbital launch attempt failure. Lost thrust and exploded on launch pad after 2 seconds.[2]

Suborbital launches[edit]

January[edit]

January launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
8 January United StatesX-17 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-3 United StatesUS Air Force
ARDC Suborbital REV test 8 January Successful
Apogee: 140 kilometres (87 mi)[3]
13 January Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 13 January Successful[4]
14 January Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 14 January Successful[4]
15 January United StatesX-17 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-3 United StatesUS Air Force
ARDC Suborbital REV test 15 January Launch failure
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)[3]
19 January Soviet UnionR-5M Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
MVS Suborbital Nuclear weapon test 19 January Successful[5]
24 January United StatesHJ-Nike United StatesWallops Island United StatesNACA
NACA Suborbital Cone REV test 24 January Successful
Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi)[6]
26 January United StatesXSM-75 Thor 101 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-17B United StatesUS Air Force
ARDC Suborbital Missile test 26 January Launch failure
Maiden launch of the SM-75 Thor missile, designated XSM-75 to indicate it was an experimental R&D launch; exploded on launch pad[7]
29 January United StatesX-17 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-3 United StatesUS Air Force
ARDC Suborbital REV test 29 January Launch failure
Apogee: 0 kilometres (0 mi)[3]

February[edit]

February launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
2 February
08:05
United StatesAerobee AJ10-34 USAF 76 United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
United StatesFirefly AFCRC Suborbital Aeronomy 2 February Successful
Apogee: 143 kilometres (89 mi)[8]
7 February United StatesX-17 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-3 United StatesUS Air Force
ARDC Suborbital REV test 7 February Successful
Apogee: 107 kilometres (66 mi)[3]
12 February
20:30
United StatesLoki Rockoon II5.097 GuamGuam United StatesUniversity of Iowa
University of Iowa Suborbital Fields 12 February Successful
Apogee: 75 kilometres (47 mi)[9]
13 February
01:51
United KingdomSkylark (Raven 1) SL01 AustraliaWoomera LA-2 SL AustraliaWRE / United KingdomRAE
WRE / RAE Suborbital Test flight 13 February Successful
Apogee: 12 kilometres (7.5 mi), maiden flight of the Skylark[10]
14 February
20:05
United StatesLoki Rockoon II5.098 GuamGuam United StatesUniversity of Iowa
University of Iowa Suborbital Fields 14 February Successful
Apogee: 75 kilometres (47 mi)[9]
14 February United StatesX-17 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-3 United StatesUS Air Force
ARDC Suborbital REV test 14 February Successful
Apogee: 141 kilometres (88 mi)[3]
17 February
21:36
United StatesLoki Rockoon II5.099 GuamGuam United StatesUniversity of Iowa
University of Iowa Suborbital Fields 17 February Successful
Apogee: 75 kilometres (47 mi)[9]
19 February Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 19 February Successful[4]
28 February Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 28 February Successful[11]

March[edit]

March launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
1 March United StatesX-17 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-3 United StatesUS Air Force
ARDC Suborbital REV test 1 March Successful
Apogee: 151 kilometres (94 mi)[3]
1 March
21:51
United StatesSM-78 Jupiter United StatesCape Canaveral LC-5 United StatesUS Air Force
ABMA Suborbital Missile test 1 March Launch failure
Apogee: 14 kilometres (8.7 mi), maiden flight of the SM-78 Jupiter missile; overheated and disintegrated[12]
11 March Soviet UnionR-5M Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 11 March Successful[5]
11 March United StatesX-17 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-3 United StatesUS Air Force
ARDC Suborbital REV test 11 March Successful
Apogee: 134 kilometres (83 mi)[3]
18 March Soviet UnionR-5M Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 18 March Successful[5]
18 March Soviet UnionR-5M Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 18 March Successful[5]
Live warhead used
21 March Soviet UnionR-5M Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 21 March Successful[5]
21 March United StatesX-17 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-3 United StatesUS Air Force
ARDC Suborbital REV test 21 March Successful
Apogee: 103 kilometres (64 mi)[3]
28 March Soviet UnionR-5M Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 28 March Successful[5]
29 March
04:51
United StatesAerobee RTV-N-10c NRL 31 United StatesWhite Sands LC-35 United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital UV Astronomy 29 March Successful
Apogee: 135 kilometres (84 mi), final flight of the Aerobee RTV-N-10c[8]

April[edit]

April launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
10 April United StatesHJ-Nike United StatesWallops Island United StatesNACA
NACA Suborbital Heat transfer REV test 10 April Successful[6]
11 April
16:31
United StatesAerobee Hi NRL 40 United StatesWhite Sands LC-35 United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Vanguard instrumentation test 11 April Successful
Apogee: 204 kilometres (127 mi), Navy variant designation: RV-N-13c; tested equipment for the Vanguard rocket[8]
12 April Soviet UnionR-2A Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Test flight 12 April Successful
Maiden flight of the R-2A, a scientific variant of the R-2[13]
13 April United StatesPolaris FTV-5 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-3 United StatesUS Navy
USNSPO Suborbital REV test 13 April Launch failure
Technology test for development of the UGM-27 Polaris; maiden flight of the Polaris FTV-5[14]
14 April Soviet UnionR-2A Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Test flight 14 April Successful[13]
20 April
04:31
United StatesXSM-75 Thor 102 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-17B United StatesUS Air Force
ARDC Suborbital Missile test 20 April Launch failure
Destroyed by range safety officer after console error gave erroneous indications that the missile was off course[7][15]
26 April
20:12
United StatesSM-78 Jupiter United StatesCape Canaveral LC-5 United StatesUS Air Force
ABMA Suborbital Test flight 26 April Partial failure
Apogee: 18 kilometres (11 mi)[12]
30 April
15:10
United StatesAerobee Hi NRL 41 United StatesWhite Sands LC-35 United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Meteorite research 30 April Successful
Apogee: 289 kilometres (180 mi), Navy variant designation: RV-N-13c[8]

May[edit]

May launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
1 May
06:29
United StatesViking (second model) United StatesCape Canaveral LC-18A United StatesUS Navy
United StatesVanguard TV-1 NRL Suborbital Vanguard third stage test 1 May Successful
Apogee: 195 kilometres (121 mi), final flight of the Viking; a second stage tested the future Vanguard third stage[16]
3 May
14:04
United StatesAerobee Hi NRL 44 United StatesWhite Sands LC-35 United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Solar UV 3 May Successful
Apogee: 204 kilometres (127 mi), Navy variant designation: RV-N-13c[8]
15 May
07:55
United StatesJupiter-C United StatesCape Canaveral LC-6 United StatesABMA
ABMA Suborbital Nose cone re-entry test 15 May Launch failure
Apogee: 655 kilometres (407 mi); gyroscope malfunctioned 134 seconds after launch and the nose cone was not recovered, but instruments indicated that the test may have been successful[17]
15 May
16:01
Soviet UnionR-7 Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 1/5 Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 15 May Launch failure
Maiden flight of the R-7 and first launch of an ICBM. Engine fire in Block D booster rocket at liftoff, followed by premature separation 98 seconds after launch.[1]
16 May
02:14
Soviet UnionR-2A Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 / RAS Suborbital Test flight 16 May Successful[13]
16 May
03:18
Soviet UnionR-2A Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
RAS Suborbital Biological 16 May Successful
Apogee: 212 kilometres (132 mi), carried dogs[13]
22 May
05:20
United KingdomSkylark (Raven 1) SL02 AustraliaWoomera LA-2 SL AustraliaWRE / United KingdomRAE
WRE / RAE Suborbital Test flight 22 May Successful
Apogee: 75 kilometres (47 mi)[10]
22 May United StatesXSM-75 Thor 103 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-17B United StatesUS Air Force
ARDC Suborbital Missile test 22 May Launch failure
Exploded on pad after valve malfunction caused pressure build up[7][15]
24 May Soviet UnionR-2A Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
RAS Suborbital 24 May Successful[13]
29 May Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 29 May Successful[11]
31 May
18:08
United StatesSM-78 Jupiter United StatesCape Canaveral LC-5 United StatesUS Air Force
ABMA Suborbital Missile test 31 May Successful
Apogee: 402 to 482 kilometres (250 to 300 mi), first successful IRBM launched in the western world[12]

June[edit]

June launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
June Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test Same day Successful[4]
June Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test Same day Successful[4]
5 June Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 5 June Successful[11]
7 June Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 7 June Successful[11]
7 June Soviet UnionR-2A Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital ABM target 7 June Successful[13]
10 June Soviet UnionR-2A Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital ABM target 10 June Successful[13]
11 June
19:37
United StatesXSM-65A Atlas 4A United StatesCape Canaveral LC-14 United StatesUS Air Force
ARDC Suborbital Test flight 11 June Partial failure
Apogee: 3 kilometres (1.9 mi), maiden flight of the XSM-65A Atlas missile; destroyed by range safety after fuel system malfunction, but succeeded at other primary mission goals including launch mechanisms, airframe integrity, subsystems performance, and operating procedures[18]
14 June Soviet UnionR-5M Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
Soviet UnionVibrator OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 14 June Successful[5]
The Vibrator system was a non-contact explosive device
18 June
14:00
United StatesAerobee Hi USAF 78 United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
AFCRC / University of Utah Suborbital Ionospheric 18 June Successful
Apogee: 171 kilometres (106 mi)[8]
22 June Soviet UnionR-2A Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital ABM target 22 June Successful[13]
22 June Soviet UnionR-12 LKI1-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 22 June Successful[19]
Maiden flight of the R-12 missile
23 June Soviet UnionR-2A Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital ABM target 23 June Successful[13]
25 June
14:07
United StatesAerobee Hi USAF 79 United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
AFCRC / University of Utah Suborbital Ionospheric 25 June Successful
Apogee: 202 kilometres (126 mi)[8]
28 June Soviet UnionR-2A Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital ABM target 28 June Successful[13]
28 June Soviet UnionR-5M Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 28 June Successful[5]
28 June Soviet UnionR-5M Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
Soviet UnionVibrator OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 28 June Successful[5]
The Vibrator system was a non-contact explosive device
29 June Soviet UnionR-2A Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital ABM target 29 June Successful[13]

July[edit]

July launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
1 July
19:00
United StatesNike-Deacon NN7.37F United StatesSan Nicolas United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Solar UV / X-ray 1 July Successful
Apogee: 93 kilometres (58 mi)[20]
3 July
16:29
United StatesNike-Deacon NN7.38F United StatesSan Nicolas United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Solar UV / X-ray 3 July Successful
Apogee: 113 kilometres (70 mi)[20]
4 July Soviet UnionR-2A Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital ABM target 4 July Successful[13]
4 July Soviet UnionR-12 LKI1-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 4 July Successful[19]
4 July
18:15:40
United StatesAerobee Hi NN3.08F CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Ionospheric 4 July Successful
Apogee: 237 kilometres (147 mi)[8]
5 July Soviet UnionR-2A Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital ABM target 5 July Successful[13]
5 July
06:17:56
United StatesAerobee Hi NN3.09F CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Ionospheric 5 July Launch failure
Apogee: 16 kilometres (9.9 mi)[8]
7 July Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 7 July Successful[11]
8 July Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 8 July Successful[21]
9 July Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 9 July Successful[21]
9 July Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 9 July Successful[11]
9 July Soviet UnionR-5M Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 9 July Successful[5]
10 July Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 10 July Successful[21]
10 July Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 10 July Successful[11]
12 July
12:53
Soviet UnionR-7 Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 1/5 Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 12 July Launch failure
Control system short-circuited resulting in loss of control, boosters fell off 33 seconds after launch[1]
13 July Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 13 July Successful[21]
13 July Soviet UnionR-12 LKI1-3 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 13 July Successful[19]
15 July
21:23
United StatesNike-Deacon NN7.39F United StatesSan Nicolas United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Solar UV / X-ray 15 July Launch failure
Apogee: 28 kilometres (17 mi)[20]
16 July
13:30
United StatesAerobee RTV-A-1a[22]: 43  USAF 80 United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
AFCRC Suborbital Meteorite research 16 July Successful
Apogee: 122 kilometres (76 mi),[8] final known flight of the Aerobee RTV-A-1a
18 July Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 18 July Successful[11]
18 July Soviet UnionR-5M Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 18 July Successful[5]
18 July
14:30
United StatesAerobee (unknown type) USAF 81 United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
AFCRC Suborbital Meteorite research 18 July Launch failure[8]
19 July Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 19 July Successful[11]
19 July United StatesPolaris FTV-3 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-3 United StatesUS Navy
USNSPO Suborbital REV test 19 July Successful
Apogee: 130 kilometres (81 mi), technology test for development of the UGM-27 Polaris; maiden flight of the Polaris FTV-3[14]
22 July Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 22 July Successful[11]
22 July
04:16:28
United StatesAerobee (unknown type) SM1.02 CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Army
United StatesGrenades SCEL / University of Michigan Suborbital Aeronomy 22 July Successful
Apogee: 92 kilometres (57 mi)[8]
22 July United StatesX-17 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-3 United StatesUS Air Force
ARDC Suborbital REV test 22 July Successful
Apogee: 114 kilometres (71 mi)[3]
23 July
03:02
United KingdomSkylark (Raven 1) SL03 AustraliaWoomera LA-2 SL AustraliaWRE / United KingdomRAE
RAE / QUB Suborbital Test flight / Airglow 23 July Successful
Apogee: 85 kilometres (53 mi)[10]
23 July
23:31:52
United StatesNike-Deacon NN7.40F United StatesSan Nicolas United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Solar UV / X-ray 23 July Successful
Apogee: 129 kilometres (80 mi)[20]
24 July Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 24 July Successful[21]
24 July Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 24 July Successful[11]
24 July Soviet UnionR-5M Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 24 July Successful[5]
24 July
05:29:50
United StatesAerobee (unknown type) SM1.03 CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Army
United StatesGrenades SCEL / University of Michigan Suborbital Aeronomy 24 July Successful
Apogee: 88 kilometres (55 mi)[8]
27 July Soviet UnionR-12 LKI1-4 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 27 July Successful[19]
29 July Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 29 July Successful[11]
29 July
21:59
United StatesAerobee Hi NN3.13F CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Aeronomy 29 July Successful
Apogee: 210 kilometres (130 mi)[8]
30 July
18:10:02
United StatesNike-Cajun AM6.32 CanadaChurchill United StatesUniversity of Michigan / US Army
University of Michigan Suborbital Aeronomy 30 July Launch failure
Apogee: 25 kilometres (16 mi)[20]

August[edit]

August launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
2 August Soviet UnionR-12 LKI1-5 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 2 August Launch Failure[19]
2 August United StatesHJ-Nike United StatesWallops Island United StatesNACA
NACA Suborbital Flat REV test 2 August Successful[6]
5 August Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 5 August Successful[11]
5 August
19:10
United StatesNike-Deacon NN7.41F United StatesSan Nicolas United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Solar UV / X-ray 5 August Launch Failure
Apogee: 14 kilometres (8.7 mi)[20]
5 August
13:22
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 56 United StatesUSS Plymouth Rock, Labrador Sea[23] United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Aeronomy / Chemical Release 5 August Successful[9]
5 August
16:59
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 57 United StatesUSS Plymouth Rock, Labrador Sea[23] United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Fields 5 August Successful[9]
6 August Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 6 August Successful[11]
6 August
13:13
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 58 United StatesUSS Plymouth Rock, southern Davis Strait[23] United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Aeronomy / Auroral / Chemical Release 6 August Successful
Apogee: 116 kilometres (72 mi)[9]
6 August
15:30
United StatesAerobee AJ10-34 USAF 82 United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
AFCRC Suborbital Solar UV 6 August Successful
Apogee: 145 kilometres (90 mi)[8]
6 August
17:23
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 59 United StatesUSS Plymouth Rock, Davis Strait[23] United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Ionospheric 6 August Successful
Apogee: 117 kilometres (73 mi)[9]
7 August
03:28
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 60 United StatesUSS Plymouth Rock, northern Davis Strait[23] United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Aeronomy / Chemical Release 7 August Launch failure[9]
7 August Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 7 August Successful[11]
7 August
22:04
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 61 United StatesUSS Plymouth Rock, Baffin Bay[23] United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Fields 7 August Launch failure[9]
8 August Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 8 August Successful[11]
8 August
06:59
United StatesJupiter-C United StatesCape Canaveral LC-6 United StatesABMA
ABMA Suborbital REV test 8 August Successful
Apogee: 460 kilometres (290 mi), re-entry nose cone recovered[17]
8 August
07:17
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 62 United StatesUSS Plymouth Rock, Baffin Bay[23] United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Aeronomy / Chemical Release 8 August Successful
Apogee: 132 kilometres (82 mi)[9]
9 August United StatesPolaris FTV-3 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-3 United StatesUS Navy
USNSPO Suborbital REV test 9 August Successful
Apogee: 116 kilometres (72 mi), technology test for development of the UGM-27 Polaris[14]
10 August
06:29
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 63 United StatesUSS Plymouth Rock, Baffin Bay[23] United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Aeronomy / Auroral / Chemical Release 10 August Successful
Apogee: 117 kilometres (73 mi)[9]
10 August
23:36
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 64 United StatesUSS Plymouth Rock, Baffin Bay[23] United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Aeronomy / Auroral / Chemical Release 10 August Successful
Apogee: 77 kilometres (48 mi)[9]
11 August
05:16
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 65 United StatesUSS Plymouth Rock, Baffin Bay[23] United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Aeronomy / Chemical Release 11 August Launch failure[9]
11 August
20:30
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 66 United StatesUSS Plymouth Rock, Davis Strait[23] United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Aeronomy / Chemical Release 11 August Successful[9]
12 August
07:48
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 67 United StatesUSS Plymouth Rock, Davis Strait[23] United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Aeronomy / Auroral / Chemical Release 12 August Launch failure[9]
12 August
15:15
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 68 United StatesUSS Plymouth Rock, Davis Strait[23] United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Auroral / Fields 12 August Successful[9]
12 August
15:59:31
United StatesAerobee (unknown type) SM1.04 CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Army
United StatesGrenades SCEL / University of Michigan Suborbital Aeronomy 12 August Successful
Apogee: 74 kilometres (46 mi)[8]
13 August
01:58
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 69 United StatesUSS Plymouth Rock, southern Davis Strait[23] United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Aeronomy / Auroral / Chemical Release 13 August Successful[9]
13 August Soviet UnionR-2A Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
Soviet UnionSOI RAS Suborbital Solar UV 13 August Successful[24]
14 August
09:24
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 70 United StatesUSS Plymouth Rock, Labrador Sea[23] United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Aeronomy / Auroral / Chemical Release 14 August Successful[9]
14 August
15:07
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 71 United StatesUSS Plymouth Rock, Labrador Sea[23] United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Auroral / Fields 14 August Successful
Apogee: 97 kilometres (60 mi)[9]
14 August
21:19
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 72 United StatesUSS Plymouth Rock, Labrador Sea[23] United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Aeronomy / Auroral / Chemical Release 14 August Successful
Apogee: 130 kilometres (81 mi)[9]
15 August
00:11
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 73 United StatesUSS Plymouth Rock, Labrador Sea[23] United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Aeronomy / Auroral / Chemical Release 15 August Successful
Apogee: 97 kilometres (60 mi)[9]
15 August Soviet UnionR-12 LKI1-6 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 15 August Successful[19]
16 August United StatesPolaris FTV-5 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-3 United StatesUS Navy
USNSPO Suborbital REV test 16 August Successful
Apogee: 169 kilometres (105 mi), technology test for development of the UGM-27 Polaris; final flight of the Polaris FTV-5[14]
19 August United StatesAerobee (unknown type) USAF 83 United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
AFCRC Suborbital Aeronomy 19 August Successful
Apogee: 178 kilometres (111 mi)[8]
20 August
02:29:51
United StatesAerobee (unknown type) SM1.05 CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Army
United StatesGrenades SCEL / University of Michigan Suborbital Aeronomy 20 August Successful
Apogee: 88 kilometres (55 mi)[8]
20 August Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 20 August Successful[11]
20 August
16:50:04
United StatesNike-Deacon NN7.42F United StatesSan Nicolas United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Solar UV / X-ray 20 August Successful
Apogee: 96 kilometres (60 mi)[20]
21 August
12:25
Soviet UnionR-7 Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 1/5 Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 21 August Successful
First successful R-7 launch[1]
21 August United StatesAerobee (unknown type) USAF 84 United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
AFCRC Suborbital Aeronomy 21 August Successful[8]
22 August Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 22 August Successful[11]
23 August Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 23 August Successful[11]
23 August
21:54:05
United StatesNike-Cajun RP6.X1 CanadaChurchill United StatesUniversity of Michigan / US Army
BRL Suborbital Test flight 23 August Successful
Apogee: 114 kilometres (71 mi)[20]
24 August
06:00
United StatesNike-Cajun SS6.38 CanadaChurchill United StatesUniversity of Michigan / US Army
USASC Suborbital Aeronomy 24 August Launch failure[20]
25 August
02:23
Soviet UnionR-2A Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
NIIAM Suborbital Ionospheric / Biological 25 August Successful
Apogee: 206 kilometres (128 mi)[24]
25 August
02:29
United StatesAerobee (unknown type) SM2.05 CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Army
SCEL / University of Michigan Suborbital Aeronomy 25 August Successful
Apogee: 51 kilometres (32 mi)[8]
25 August
03:27
Soviet UnionR-2A Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
RAS Suborbital Test flight 25 August Successful
Apogee: 208 kilometres (129 mi)[24]
25 August
14:08:05
United StatesAerobee (unknown type) SM2.06 CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Army
United StatesGrenades SCEL / University of Michigan Suborbital Aeronomy 25 August Successful
Apogee: 130 kilometres (81 mi)[8]
27 August Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 27 August Successful[11]
27 August Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 27 August Successful[11]
27 August Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 27 August Successful[11]
27 August
15:54
United StatesNike-Deacon NN7.43F United StatesSan Nicolas United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Solar UV / X-ray 27 August Launch failure
Apogee: 16 kilometres (9.9 mi)[20]
28 August
04:15:03
United StatesNike-Cajun II6.22F CanadaChurchill United StatesUniversity of Michigan
University of Iowa Suborbital Auroral particles 28 August Successful[20]
28 August
20:21:40
United StatesNike-Deacon NN7.44F United StatesSan Nicolas United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Solar UV / X-ray 28 August Successful
Apogee: 96 kilometres (60 mi)[20]
28 August
21:02
United StatesSM-78 Jupiter United StatesCape Canaveral LC-26A United StatesUS Air Force
ABMA Suborbital Missile test 28 August Successful[12]
29 August Soviet UnionR-12 LKI1-7 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 29 August Successful[19]
29 August
21:12:25
United StatesNike-Deacon NN7.45F United StatesSan Nicolas United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Solar UV / X-ray 29 August Successful
Apogee: 113 kilometres (70 mi)[20]
30 August
20:10
United StatesXSM-75 Thor 104 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-17A United StatesUS Air Force
ARDC Suborbital Missile test 30 August Launch failure
Disintegrated 96 seconds after launch[7][15]
31 August
04:57
United StatesNike-Cajun II6.23F CanadaChurchill United StatesUniversity of Michigan / US Air Force
University of Iowa Suborbital Auroral particles 31 August Successful
Apogee: 115 kilometres (71 mi)[20]
31 August
05:30
Soviet UnionR-2A Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
NIIAM Suborbital Ionospheric / Biological 31 August Successful
Apogee: 185 kilometres (115 mi)[24]

September[edit]

September launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
1 September
22:28
United StatesAerobee Hi AM4.001 CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
AFCRC / University of Michigan Suborbital Aeronomy 1 September Successful
Apogee: 160 kilometres (99 mi)[8]
5 September Soviet UnionR-5M M1-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar