1961 in spaceflight (January–June)

This is a list of spaceflights launched between January and June 1961. For launches between July and December, see 1961 in spaceflight (July–December). For an overview of the whole year, see 1961 in spaceflight.

Launches

Date and time (UTC) Rocket Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
6 January
00:10
United StatesMGM-31 Pershing I United StatesCape Canaveral LC-30 United StatesUS Army
US Army Suborbital Missile test 6 January Launch failure
7 January
17:33:42
United StatesRM-89 Blue Scout I United StatesCape Canaveral LC-18B United StatesUS Air Force
HCO Suborbital Plasma research
Astronomy
7 January Successful
Apogee: 1,600 kilometres (990 mi)
10 January
17:15
United StatesUGM-27 Polaris A2 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-29A United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 10 January Successful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
10 January Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 10 January Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
11 January
18:40
United StatesUGM-27 Polaris A1 United StatesUSS Robert E. Lee, ETR United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 11 January Launch failure
Apogee: 20 kilometres (12 mi)
12 January
16:54
United StatesNike-Cajun ItalySalto di Quirra ItalyCRA
ROSAP Suborbital Aeronomy 12 January Successful
Apogee: 160 kilometres (99 mi), first Italian spaceflight
13 January Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 13 January Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
13 January Soviet UnionR-5 Pobeda Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-30
OKB-30 Suborbital Target 13 January Successful
Apogee: 300 kilometres (190 mi)
14 January
01:19:04
Soviet UnionR-7A Semyorka Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 31/6 Soviet UnionRVSN
RVSN Suborbital Missile test 14 January Successful
Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi), first launch from Site 31
14 January Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 14 January Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
14 January Soviet UnionR-5 Pobeda Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-30
OKB-30 Suborbital Target 14 January Successful
Apogee: 300 kilometres (190 mi)
14 January United StatesUGM-27 Polaris A1 United StatesUSS Robert E. Lee, ETR United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 14 January Launch failure
Apogee: 20 kilometres (12 mi)
17 January
21:25
United StatesNike-Asp United StatesWallops Island United StatesNASA
NASA Suborbital Test flight 17 January Successful
Apogee: 209 kilometres (130 mi)
18 January
04:00
United StatesTrailblazer 1 United StatesWallops Island United StatesNASA
NASA Suborbital REV Test 18 January Successful
Apogee: 260 kilometres (160 mi)
19 January
12:42
United StatesIris United StatesWallops Island LA-1 United StatesNASA
NASA Suborbital Aeronomy 19 January Launch failure
Apogee: 138 kilometres (86 mi)
20 January
20:53
United StatesHGM-25A Titan I United StatesCape Canaveral LC-19 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 20 January Launch failure
23 January
21:02
United StatesSM-65D Atlas United StatesCape Canaveral LC-12 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 23 January Successful
Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi)
24 January
21:55
United StatesSM-65E Atlas United StatesCape Canaveral LC-13 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 24 January Launch failure
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi), went out of control
26 January
00:30
United StatesMGM-31 Pershing I United StatesCape Canaveral LC-30A United StatesUS Army
US Army Suborbital Missile test 26 January Successful
Apogee: 250 kilometres (160 mi)
30 January
23:20
United StatesAerobee-150 (Hi) United StatesEglin United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 30 January Successful
Apogee: 204 kilometres (127 mi)
31 January
16:54:51
United StatesRedstone MRLV United StatesCape Canaveral LC-5 United StatesNASA
United StatesMercury-Redstone 2 NASA Suborbital Test flight 31 January Successful
Apogee: 251 kilometres (156 mi), carried Ham the Chimp
31 January
20:21:19
United StatesAtlas LV-3A Agena-A United StatesPoint Arguello LC-1-1 United StatesUS Air Force
United StatesSamos 2 US Air Force Low Earth Optical imaging 21 October 1973 Successful
Electro-optical satellite
January Soviet UnionR-14 Chusovaya Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionRVSN
RVSN Suborbital Missile test January Successful
Apogee: 675 kilometres (419 mi)
January Soviet UnionR-14 Chusovaya Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionRVSN
RVSN Suborbital Missile test January Successful
Apogee: 675 kilometres (419 mi)
January Soviet UnionR-14 Chusovaya Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionRVSN
RVSN Suborbital Missile test January Successful
Apogee: 675 kilometres (419 mi)
January Soviet UnionR-14 Chusovaya Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionRVSN
RVSN Suborbital Missile test January Successful
Apogee: 675 kilometres (419 mi)
January Soviet UnionR-14 Chusovaya Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionRVSN
RVSN Suborbital Missile test January Successful
Apogee: 675 kilometres (419 mi)
January United StatesKisha-Judi United StatesTonopah United StatesSandia
Sandia Suborbital Test flight January Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
1 February
15:59
United StatesLGM-30A Minuteman IA United StatesCape Canaveral LC-31A United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 1 February Successful
Apogee: 1,300 kilometres (810 mi)
1 February Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 1 February Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
2 February
19:00
Soviet UnionR-16 Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 41 Soviet UnionRVSN
RVSN Suborbital Missile test 2 February Launch failure
4 February
01:18:03
Soviet UnionMolniya Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 1/5 Soviet UnionRVSN
Soviet UnionVenera-1VA 1 RVSN Intended: Heliocentric
Achieved: Low Earth
Venus flyby 26 February Launch failure
Upper stage failed to ignite
5 February
13:48
United StatesAerobee-150A United StatesWallops Island United StatesNASA
NASA Suborbital Technology 5 February Successful
Apogee: 152 kilometres (94 mi)
6 February
21:40
United StatesUGM-27 Polaris A2 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-25A United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 6 February Launch failure
7 February
12:46
United KingdomBlack Knight 201 AustraliaWoomera LA-5A United KingdomRAE
RAE Suborbital REV Test 7 February Successful
Apogee: 687 kilometres (427 mi)
8 February Soviet UnionR-14 Chusovaya Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionRVSN
RVSN Suborbital Missile test 8 February Successful
Apogee: 675 kilometres (419 mi)
10 February
05:55
United StatesHGM-25A Titan I United StatesCape Canaveral LC-20 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 10 February Successful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
10 February Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 10 February Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
10 February Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 10 February Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
12 February
00:43:46
Soviet UnionMolniya Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 1/5 Soviet UnionRVSN
Soviet UnionVenera 1 (Venera-1VA 2) RVSN Heliocentric Venus flyby In orbit Spacecraft failure
First probe to fly past Venus, contact lost before flyby
13 February
04:39
Soviet UnionR-7A Semyorka Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 31/6 Soviet UnionRVSN
RVSN Suborbital Missile test 13 February Successful
Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
13 February
13:58
United KingdomSkylark-2 AustraliaWoomera LA-2 United KingdomRAE
UCL Suborbital Aeronomy 13 February Successful
Apogee: 146 kilometres (91 mi)
13 February FranceVéronique FranceHammaguira Blandine FranceCASDN
LPA Suborbital Aeronomy 13 February Launch failure
14 February
23:50
United StatesNike-Cajun United StatesWallops Island United StatesNASA
NASA Suborbital Aeronomy 14 February Successful
Apogee: 130 kilometres (81 mi)
14 February United StatesStrongarm United StatesWallops Island United StatesBallistic Research Laboratory
US Air Force/BRL Suborbital Test flight 14 February Launch failure
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
15 February
22:01
FranceVéronique FranceHammaguira Blandine FranceCASDN
LPA Suborbital Aeronomy 15 February Successful
Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi)
16 February
01:27
United StatesMGM-31 Pershing I United StatesCape Canaveral LC-30 United StatesUS Army
US Army Suborbital Missile test 16 February Successful
Apogee: 250 kilometres (160 mi)
16 February
13:05
United StatesScout X-1 United StatesWallops Island LA-3 United StatesNASA
United StatesExplorer 9 (S-56A) NASA Medium Earth Air density 9 April 1964 Successful
17 February
07:17
United StatesNike Apache United StatesWallops Island United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Test flight 17 February Successful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
17 February
19:04
United StatesAerobee-150 (Hi) United StatesEglin United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Solar 17 February Successful
Apogee: 275 kilometres (171 mi)
17 February
20:25
United StatesThor DM-21 Agena-B United StatesVandenberg LC-75-3-4 United StatesUS Air Force
United StatesDiscoverer 20 (KH-5 9014A) US Air Force Low Earth Optical imaging 28 July 1962 Successful
United StatesSRV 520 US Air Force Low Earth Film return 31 October Spacecraft failure
Film recovery failed
18 February
22:58
United StatesThor DM-21 Agena-B United StatesVandenberg LC-75-3-5 United StatesUS Air Force
United StatesDiscoverer 21 (MIDAS RM-2) US Air Force Low Earth Technology
Missile defence
20 April 1962 Successful
18 February United StatesStrongarm United StatesWallops Island United StatesBRL
US Air Force/BRL Suborbital Test flight 18 February Successful
Apogee: 2,027 kilometres (1,260 mi)
18 February Soviet UnionR-5 Pobeda Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-30
OKB-30 Suborbital Target 18 February Successful
Apogee: 300 kilometres (190 mi)
18 February FranceVéronique FranceHammaguira Blandine FranceCASDN
LPA Suborbital Aeronomy 18 February Launch failure
Apogee: 16 kilometres (9.9 mi)
20 February United StatesHGM-25A Titan I United StatesCape Canaveral LC-19 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 20 February Successful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
21 February
14:12
United StatesAtlas LV-3B United StatesCape Canaveral LC-14 United StatesUS Air Force
United StatesMercury-Atlas 2 NASA Suborbital Test flight 14:28 Successful
Apogee: 182 kilometres (113 mi)
22 February
07:00
FranceVéronique FranceHammaguira Blandine FranceCASDN
CERMA Suborbital Biological research 22 February Successful
Apogee: 110 kilometres (68 mi)
22 February
20:25
United StatesThor DM-21 Ablestar United StatesCape Canaveral LC-17B United StatesUS Air Force
United StatesTransit 3B US Navy Low Earth Navigation
Technology
30 March Partial launch failure
United StatesLOFTI-1 NRL Low Earth Technology
Ionospheric
Spacecraft failed to separate from upper stage, some data still returned
22 February Soviet UnionR-5 Pobeda Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-30
OKB-30 Suborbital Target 22 February Successful
Apogee: 300 kilometres (190 mi)
24 February
00:19
United StatesNike-Cajun United StatesEglin United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 24 February Successful
Apogee: 133 kilometres (83 mi)
24 February
18:29
United StatesSM-65E Atlas United StatesCape Canaveral LC-13 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 24 February Successful
Apogee: 1,500 kilometres (930 mi)
25 February
00:13:16
United StatesJuno II United StatesCape Canaveral LC-26B United StatesABMA
United StatesS-45 NASA Intended: Highly elliptical Ionospheric 25 February Launch failure
Third stage failed to ignite
27 February
00:52
Soviet UnionR-7 Semyorka Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 31/6 Soviet UnionRVSN
RVSN Suborbital Missile test 27 February Successful
Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi), final flight of R-7 Semyorka
February Soviet UnionR-14 Chusovaya Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionRVSN
RVSN Suborbital Missile test February Successful
Apogee: 675 kilometres (419 mi)
February Soviet UnionR-14 Chusovaya Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionRVSN
RVSN Suborbital Missile test February Successful
Apogee: 675 kilometres (419 mi)
1 March
15:42
United StatesNike-Asp United StatesEglin United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Solar 1 March Successful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
1 March
18:19
United StatesUGM-27 Polaris A2 United StatesUSNS Observation Island, ETR United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 1 March Successful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
2 March
05:07
United StatesMGM-31 Pershing I United StatesCape Canaveral LC-30A United StatesUS Army
US Army Suborbital Missile test 2 March Successful
Apogee: 250 kilometres (160 mi)
2 March Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionMakat Soviet UnionOKB-30
OKB-30 Suborbital Target 2 March Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
3 March
03:39
United StatesNike-Cajun United StatesEglin United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Ionospheric 3 March Launch failure
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
3 March
13:59:19
Soviet UnionR-16 Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 41 Soviet UnionRVSN
RVSN Suborbital Missile test 3 March Successful
Apogee: 1,210 kilometres (750 mi)
3 March
16:02
United StatesRM-90 Blue Scout II United StatesCape Canaveral LC-18B United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Plasma research 3 March Successful
Apogee: 2,540 kilometres (1,580 mi)
3 March FranceAntares (OPd-56-39-22D) FranceCERES FranceONERA
ONERA Suborbital REV Test 3 March Successful
Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi)
3 March United StatesHGM-25A Titan I United StatesCape Canaveral LC-20 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 3 March Launch failure
4 March Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionMakat Soviet UnionOKB-30
OKB-30 Suborbital Target 4 March Successful
Apogee: 460 kilometres (290 mi)
6 March
09:56
United KingdomSkylark-2C AustraliaWoomera LA-2 United KingdomRAE
UCL/QUB Suborbital Aeronomy 6 March Successful
Apogee: 231 kilometres (144 mi)
6 March FranceAntares (OPd-56-39-22D) FranceCERES FranceONERA
ONERA Suborbital REV Test 6 March Successful
Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi)
7 March FranceAntares (OPd-56-39-22D) FranceCERES FranceONERA
ONERA Suborbital REV Test 7 March Successful
Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi)
8 March
16:53
United StatesAerobee-300 United StatesEglin United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Ionospheric 8 March Successful
Apogee: 400 kilometres (250 mi)
8 March
17:53
United StatesAstrobee-1500 United StatesEglin United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Ionospheric 8 March Successful
Apogee: 431 kilometres (268 mi)
9 March
06:29:00
Soviet UnionVostok-K Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 1/5 Soviet UnionRVSN
Soviet UnionKorabl'-Sputnik 4 (Vostok-3KA 1) RVSN Low Earth Test flight 08:09:54 Successful
Carried a dog and a mannequin
9 March United StatesUGM-27 Polaris A2 United StatesUSNS Observation Island, ETR United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 9 March Successful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
10 March Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 10 March Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
11 March Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 11 March Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
14 March
04:17
United StatesSM-65E Atlas United StatesCape Canaveral LC-13 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 14 March Launch failure
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi), propellant system malfunctioned
14 March
21:52
United StatesNike-Cajun United StatesEglin United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Ionospheric 14 March Successful
Apogee: 118 kilometres (73 mi)
15 March
17:47
United StatesNike-Cajun United StatesWallops Island United StatesNASA
NASA Suborbital Test flight 15 March Successful
Apogee: 130 kilometres (81 mi)
15 March United StatesUGM-27 Polaris A2 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-29A United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 15 March Successful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
16 March
01:19
United StatesMGM-31 Pershing I United StatesCape Canaveral LC-30A United StatesUS Army
US Army Suborbital Missile test 16 March Successful
Apogee: 250 kilometres (160 mi)
17 March Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 17 March Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
23 March
16:25
United StatesUGM-27 Polaris A1 United StatesUSS Theodore Roosevelt, ETR United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 23 March Launch failure
Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi)
23 March
19:25
United StatesUGM-27 Polaris A1 United StatesUSS Theodore Roosevelt, ETR United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 23 March Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
23 March
22:41
United StatesUGM-27 Polaris A1 United StatesUSS Theodore Roosevelt, ETR United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 23 March Launch failure
Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi)
24 March
17:30
United StatesRedstone MRLV United StatesCape Canaveral LC-5 United StatesNASA
United StatesMercury-Redstone BD NASA Suborbital Test flight 24 March Successful
Apogee: 181 kilometres (112 mi)
24 March
19:17
United StatesNike-Cajun United StatesEglin United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Ionospheric 24 March Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
25 March
01:49
United StatesSM-65E Atlas United StatesCape Canaveral LC-13 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 25 March Launch failure
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi), electrical system malfunctioned
25 March
05:54:00
Soviet UnionVostok-K Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 1/5 Soviet UnionRVSN
Soviet UnionKorabl'-Sputnik 5 (Vostok-3KA 2) RVSN Low Earth Test flight 07:40 Successful
Carried a dog and a mannequin
25 March
15:17:04
United StatesThor DM-19 Delta United StatesCape Canaveral LC-17A United StatesUS Air Force
United StatesExplorer 10 (P-14) NASA Highly elliptical Magnetospheric
Plasma research
In orbit Successful
Successfully completed operations fifty two hours after launch
25 March Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 25 March Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
26 March
16:54
United StatesAerobee-300A United StatesWallops Island United StatesNASA
Michigan Suborbital Ionospheric 26 March Successful
Apogee: 386 kilometres (240 mi)
26 March Soviet UnionR-5 Pobeda Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-30
OKB-30 Suborbital Target 26 March Successful
Apogee: 300 kilometres (190 mi)
27 March
04:08
JapanKappa-8 JapanAkita JapanISAS
ISAS/RRL Suborbital Ionospheric 27 March Successful
Apogee: 172 kilometres (107 mi)
28 March Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 28 March Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
28 March Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 28 March Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
28 March United StatesHGM-25A Titan I United StatesCape Canaveral LC-19 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 28 March Successful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
30 March
05:13:43
United StatesPGM-17 Thor DM-18A United StatesVandenberg LC-75-2-7 United KingdomRoyal Air Force
Royal Air Force Suborbital Missile test 30 March Successful
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
30 March
20:34:43
United StatesThor DM-21 Agena-B United StatesVandenberg LC-75-3-4 United StatesUS Air Force
United StatesDiscoverer 22 (KH-2 9015) US Air Force Intended: Low Earth Optical imaging 30 March Launch failure
United StatesSRV 509 US Air Force Intended: Low Earth Film return
Second stage attitude control system failure[1]
31 March
19:42
United StatesHGM-25A Titan I United StatesCape Canaveral LC-20 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 31 March Launch failure
March Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test March Launch failure
1st Quarter United StatesNike Zeus United StatesWhite Sands LC-38 United StatesUS Army
US Army Suborbital Missile test 1st Quarter Successful
Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi)
1 April
03:25
JapanKappa-9L JapanAkita JapanISAS
ISAS Suborbital Test flight 1 April Successful
Apogee: 350 kilometres (220 mi)
2 April
14:06
Soviet UnionR-16 Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 41 Soviet UnionRVSN
RVSN Suborbital Missile test 2 April Successful
Apogee: 1,210 kilometres (750 mi)
3 April Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 3 April Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
4 April Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 4 April Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
5 April
10:56
United KingdomSkylark-2 AustraliaWoomera LA-2 United KingdomRAE
UCL Suborbital Aeronomy 5 April Successful
Apogee: 158 kilometres (98 mi)
5 April
12:57
United StatesNike-Cajun United StatesWallops Island United StatesNASA
NASA Suborbital Aeronomy 5 April Successful
Apogee: 116 kilometres (72 mi)
6 April United StatesUGM-27 Polaris A1 United StatesUSS Theodore Roosevelt, ETR United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 6 April Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
7 April Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 7 April Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
8 April
19:21
United StatesThor DM-21 Agena-B United StatesVandenberg LC-75-3-5 United StatesUS Air Force
United StatesDiscoverer 23 (KH-5 9016A) US Air Force Low Earth Optical imaging 16 April 1962 Successful
United StatesSRV 509 US Air Force Low Earth Film return 23 May 1962 Spacecraft failure
SRV raised orbit during deorbit burn
9 April
09:16
Soviet UnionR-9 Desna Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 51 Soviet UnionRVSN
RVSN Suborbital Missile test 9 April Successful
Apogee: 1,160 kilometres (720 mi)
10 April Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 10 April Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
11 April
15:40
United StatesUGM-27 Polaris A2 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-29A United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 11 April Launch failure
Apogee: 50 kilometres (31 mi)
11 April
15:40
United StatesUGM-27 Polaris A2 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-29A United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 11 April Launch failure
Apogee: 50 kilometres (31 mi)
12 April
06:07:00
Soviet UnionVostok-K Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 1/5 Soviet UnionRVSN
Soviet UnionVostok 1 RVSN Low Earth Test flight 07:55 Successful
Carried Yuri Gagarin, first manned spaceflight. Equipment module did not fully separate until reentry was underway. Gagarin ejected from spacecraft following reentry due to predicted hard landing, and landed separately at 08:05.
12 April
06:07
United StatesRM-90 Blue Scout II United StatesCape Canaveral LC-18B United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Plasma research 12 April Successful
Apogee: 1,931 kilometres (1,200 mi)
14 April
17:15
United StatesAerobee-150A United StatesWallops Island United StatesNASA
NASA Suborbital Test flight 14 April Successful
Apogee: 206 kilometres (128 mi)
14 April Soviet UnionR-7A Semyorka Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 31/6 Soviet UnionRVSN
RVSN Suborbital Missile test 14 April Launch failure
15 April
13:58:29
Soviet UnionR-16 Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 41 Soviet UnionRVSN
RVSN Suborbital Missile test 15 April Launch failure
18 April
04:40
United StatesAerobee-150 (Hi) United StatesWhite Sands LC-35 United StatesNRL
NRL Suborbital UV Astronomy 18 April Successful
Apogee: 242 kilometres (150 mi)
18 April
12:27
JapanKappa-8 JapanAkita JapanISAS
TAO/TOK Suborbital Ionospheric 18 April Successful
Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi)
19 April
09:36
United StatesNike-Asp United StatesWallops Island United StatesNASA
GCA Suborbital Aeronomy 19 April Successful
Apogee: 164 kilometres (102 mi)
19 April
18:37
United StatesNike-Asp ItalySalto di Quirra ItalyCRA
ROSAP Suborbital Aeronomy 19 April Successful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
19 April United StatesUGM-27 Polaris A1 United StatesUSS Robert E. Lee, ETR United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 19 April Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
19 April Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 19 April Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
20 April
03:46
United StatesNike-Asp ItalySalto di Quirra ItalyCRA
ROSAP Suborbital Aeronomy 20 April Successful
Apogee: 190 kilometres (120 mi)
20 April
18:39
United StatesNike-Asp ItalySalto di Quirra ItalyCRA
ROSAP Suborbital Aeronomy 20 April Successful
Apogee: 188 kilometres (117 mi)
20 April
18:43
United StatesNike-Asp ItalySalto di Quirra ItalyCRA
ROSAP Suborbital Aeronomy 20 April Successful
Apogee: 190 kilometres (120 mi)
21 April
00:12
United StatesNike-Asp United StatesWallops Island United StatesNASA
GCA Suborbital Aeronomy 21 April Launch failure
Apogee: 180 kilometres (110 mi)
21 April
02:26:14
Soviet UnionR-9 Desna Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 51 Soviet UnionRVSN
RVSN Suborbital Missile test 21 April Successful
Apogee: 1,160 kilometres (720 mi)
21 April
05:56:20
United StatesTrailblazer 1 United StatesWallops Island United StatesNASA
US Air Force Suborbital REV Test 21 April Successful
Apogee: 280 kilometres (170 mi)
21 April
09:34
United StatesNike-Asp United StatesWallops Island United StatesNASA
GCA Suborbital Aeronomy 21 April Launch failure
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
21 April
09:39
United StatesNike-Asp United StatesWallops Island United StatesNASA
GCA Suborbital Aeronomy 21 April Successful
Apogee: 165 kilometres (103 mi)
21 April
12:00
United StatesAerobee-150A United StatesWallops Island United StatesNASA
NASA Suborbital Technology 21 April Successful
Apogee: 154 kilometres (96 mi)
21 April
15:53
United StatesMGM-31 Pershing I United StatesCape Canaveral LC-30A United StatesUS Army
US Army Suborbital Missile test 21 April Successful
Apogee: 250 kilometres (160 mi)
21 April Soviet UnionR-16 Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 41 Soviet UnionRVSN
RVSN Suborbital Missile test 21 April Launch failure
22 April United StatesPGM-19 Jupiter United StatesCape Canaveral LC-26A United StatesUS Army
US Army Suborbital Missile test 22 April Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
25 April
02:26
Soviet UnionR-9 Desna Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 51 Soviet UnionRVSN
RVSN Suborbital Missile test 25 April Launch failure
25 April
16:15
United StatesAtlas LV-3B United StatesCape Canaveral LC-14 United StatesUS Air Force
United StatesMercury-Atlas 3 NASA Intended: Low Earth Test flight 16:23 Launch failure
Carrier rocket destroyed by range safety 43.4 seconds after launch, following failure of guidance system to execute pitch and roll commands, spacecraft separated by launch escape system and travelled 1.8 kilometres (1.1 mi) downrange, reaching an apogee of 7.2 kilometres (4.5 mi)
27 April
14:16:38
United StatesJuno II United StatesCape Canaveral LC-26B United StatesABMA
United StatesExplorer 11 (S-15) NASA Low Earth GR astronomy In orbit Partial spacecraft failure
Onboard recorder failed during or immediately after launch, data returned through direct transmission
27 April
20:02
United StatesJavelin United StatesWallops Island United StatesNASA
NASA Suborbital Ionospheric 27 April Successful
Apogee: 724 kilometres (450 mi)
27 April
22:32
United StatesNike-Cajun United StatesWallops Island United StatesNASA
NASA Suborbital Aeronomy 27 April Launch failure
Apogee: 18 kilometres (11 mi)
27 April Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 27 April Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
28 April Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 28 April Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
1 May
12:10
United KingdomSkylark-2 AustraliaWoomera LA-2 United KingdomRAE
UCL Suborbital UV Astronomy 1 May Successful
Apogee: 155 kilometres (96 mi)
1 May United StatesUGM-27 Polaris A2 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-29A United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 1 May Successful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
3 May
17:00
United StatesUGM-27 Polaris A1 United StatesUSS Abraham Lincoln, ETR United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 3 May Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
5 May
14:34
United StatesRedstone MRLV United StatesCape Canaveral LC-5 United StatesNASA
United StatesMercury-Redstone 3 NASA Suborbital Manned flight 14:49 Successful
Carried Alan Shepard, first American in space, apogee 187 kilometres (116 mi)
5 May
23:00
United StatesNike-Cajun United StatesWallops Island United StatesNASA
NASA Suborbital Aeronomy 5 May Successful
Apogee: 117 kilometres (73 mi)
6 May
04:54
United StatesNike-Cajun United StatesWallops Island United StatesNASA
NASA Suborbital Aeronomy 6 May Successful
Apogee: 117 kilometres (73 mi)
8 May
17:10
United StatesUGM-27 Polaris A2 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-29A United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 8 May Successful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
9 May
11:53
United StatesNike-Cajun United StatesWallops Island United StatesNASA
NASA Suborbital Aeronomy 9 May Successful
Apogee: 117 kilometres (73 mi)
9 May
12:07
United KingdomBlack Knight 201 AustraliaWoomera LA-5B United KingdomRAE
RAE Suborbital REV Test 9 May Launch failure
Apogee: 415 kilometres (258 mi)
9 May
16:00:22
United StatesRM-89 Blue Scout I United StatesCape Canaveral LC-18B United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Plasma research 9 May Launch failure
Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi)
10 May Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 10 May Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
13 May
02:00
United StatesSM-65E Atlas United StatesCape Canaveral LC-11 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 13 May Successful
Apogee: 1,500 kilometres (930 mi)
13 May FranceAntares (OPd-56-39-22D) FranceHammaguira FranceONERA
ONERA Suborbital Ionospheric 13 May Successful
Apogee: 280 kilometres (170 mi)
16 May
15:45
United StatesAerobee-150 (Hi) United StatesWhite Sands LC-35 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Solar 16 May Successful
Apogee: 294 kilometres (183 mi)
16 May
17:00
United StatesAerobee-150 (Hi) United StatesWhite Sands LC-35 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Solar 16 May Successful
Apogee: 312 kilometres (194 mi)
16 May
19:23:27
Soviet UnionR-16 Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 41 Soviet UnionRVSN
RVSN Suborbital Missile test 16 May Successful
Apogee: 1,210 kilometres (750 mi)
17 May United StatesUGM-27 Polaris A1 United StatesUSS Abraham Lincoln, ETR United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 17 May Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
17 May United StatesUGM-27 Polaris A1 United StatesUSS Abraham Lincoln, ETR United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 17 May Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
17 May United StatesUGM-27 Polaris A1 United StatesUSS Abraham Lincoln, ETR United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 17 May Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
17 May United StatesUGM-27 Polaris A1 United StatesUSS Abraham Lincoln, ETR United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 17 May Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
17 May United StatesUGM-27 Polaris A1 United StatesUSS Abraham Lincoln, ETR United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 17 May Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
18 May
06:10
United StatesTrailblazer 1 United StatesWallops Island United StatesNASA
NASA Suborbital REV Test 18 May Successful
Apogee: 260 kilometres (160 mi)
19 May
02:00
United StatesMGM-31 Pershing I United StatesCape Canaveral LC-30 United StatesUS Army
US Army Suborbital Missile test 19 May Successful
Apogee: 250 kilometres (160 mi)
19 May
14:18
United StatesLGM-30A Minuteman IA United StatesCape Canaveral LC-31A United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 19 May Launch failure
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
23 May United StatesHGM-25A Titan I United StatesCape Canaveral LC-20 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 23 May Successful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
24 May
03:18:06
Soviet UnionR-16 Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 41/4 Soviet UnionRVSN
RVSN Suborbital Missile test 24 May Launch failure
24 May
19:48:05
United StatesJuno II United StatesCape Canaveral LC-26B United StatesABMA
United StatesS-45A NASA Intended: Highly elliptical Ionospheric 27 April Launch failure
Second stage failed to ignite, final flight of Juno II
24 May
21:50:38
United StatesSM-65D Atlas United StatesVandenberg LC-576B-2 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 24 May Successful
Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi)
25 May
17:03
United StatesNike-Apache United StatesWallops Island United StatesNASA
NASA Suborbital Test flight 25 May Successful
Apogee: 116 kilometres (72 mi)
25 May United StatesAerobee-150 (Hi) United StatesWhite Sands LC-35 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Solar 25 May Successful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
25 May United StatesNike Zeus United StatesWhite Sands LC-38 United StatesUS Army
US Army Suborbital Missile test 25 May Successful
Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi)
25 May United StatesUGM-27 Polaris A2 United StatesUSNS Observation Island, ETR United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 25 May Launch failure
26 May
02:26
United StatesSM-65E Atlas United StatesCape Canaveral LC-13 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 26 May Successful
Apogee: 1,500 kilometres (930 mi)
27 May FranceCentaure FranceHammaguira Bacchus FranceCNES
CNET Suborbital Test flight 27 May Successful
Apogee: 130 kilometres (81 mi)
29 May
01:44:23
Soviet UnionR-9 Desna Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 51 Soviet UnionRVSN
RVSN Suborbital Missile test 29 May Launch failure
29 May Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 29 May Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
29 May FranceCentaure FranceHammaguira Bacchus FranceCNES
CNET Suborbital Test flight 29 May Successful
Apogee: 130 kilometres (81 mi)
30 May
05:15
United KingdomSkylark-2 AustraliaWoomera LA-2 United KingdomRAE
RAE/WRE Suborbital Test flight 30 May Successful
Apogee: 149 kilometres (93 mi)
May United StatesKiva-Hopi United StatesWallops Island United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy May Successful
Apogee: 273 kilometres (170 mi)
2 June
05:12:14
Soviet UnionR-9 Desna Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 51 Soviet UnionRVSN
RVSN Suborbital Missile test 2 June Launch failure
2 June
17:24:30
Soviet UnionR-16 Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 41/4 Soviet UnionRVSN
RVSN Suborbital Missile test 2 June Successful
Apogee: 1,210 kilometres (750 mi)
4 June Soviet UnionR-14 Chusovaya Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionRVSN
RVSN Suborbital Missile test 4 June Successful
Apogee: 675 kilometres (419 mi)
6 June
12:31
United StatesAerobee-150 (Hi) United StatesWhite Sands LC-35 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Meteorite research 6 June Successful
Apogee: 165 kilometres (103 mi)
6 June
18:00
Soviet UnionR-16 Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 41/4 Soviet UnionRVSN
RVSN Suborbital Missile test 6 June Launch failure
6 June
21:48
United StatesNike-Cajun United StatesWallops Island United StatesNASA
Michigan Suborbital Aeronomy 6 June Successful
Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi)
7 June
00:40
United KingdomSkylark-2 AustraliaWoomera LA-2 United KingdomRAE
RAE/WRE Suborbital Test flight 7 June Successful
Apogee: 184 kilometres (114 mi)
7 June
11:20
United KingdomBlack Knight 201 AustraliaWoomera LA-5 United KingdomRAE
UCL Suborbital REV test
Ionospheric
7 June Launch failure
Apogee: 583 kilometres (362 mi)
7 June
21:37:31
United StatesSM-65E Atlas United StatesVandenberg OSTF-1 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 7 June Launch failure
8 June
21:16
United StatesThor DM-21 Agena-B United StatesVandenberg LC-75-3-4 United StatesUS Air Force
United StatesDiscoverer 24 (KH-5 9018A) US Air Force Intended: Low Earth Optical imaging 8 June Launch failure
United StatesSRV 541 US Air Force Intended: Low Earth Film return
Failed to orbit
9 June
05:11
United StatesMGM-31 Pershing I United StatesCape Canaveral LC-30 United StatesUS Army
US Army Suborbital Missile test 9 June Successful
Apogee: 250 kilometres (160 mi)
9 June
18:02
United StatesNike-Cajun United StatesWallops Island United StatesNASA
Michigan Suborbital Aeronomy 9 June Successful
Apogee: 142 kilometres (88 mi)
9 June Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 9 June Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
9 June Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionMakat Soviet UnionOKB-30
OKB-30 Suborbital Target 9 June Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
10 June FranceVéronique AlgeriaHammaguira Blandine FranceCRS
CNRS Suborbital Aeronomy 10 June Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
12 June
15:53
United StatesUGM-27 Polaris A2 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-25A United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 12 June Successful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
13 June
05:12
United StatesJavelin United StatesWallops Island United StatesNASA
NASA Suborbital Ionospheric 13 June Successful
Apogee: 867 kilometres (539 mi)
15 June
00:02:59
United StatesJavelin United StatesWallops Island United StatesNASA
DRTE/CRC Suborbital Ionospheric 15 June Successful
Apogee: 901 kilometres (560 mi)
15 June
05:45
Soviet UnionR-7A Semyorka Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 31/6 Soviet UnionRVSN
RVSN Suborbital Missile test 15 June Successful
Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
15 June Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 15 June Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
16 June
07:47:23
Soviet UnionR-16 Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 41/4 Soviet UnionRVSN
RVSN Suborbital Missile test 16 June Launch failure
16 June
23:02
United StatesThor DM-21 Agena-B United StatesVandenberg LC-75-1-1 United StatesUS Air Force
United StatesDiscoverer 25 (KH-2 9017) US Air Force Low Earth Optical imaging 12 July Successful
United StatesSRV 510 US Air Force Low Earth Film return 19 June Successful
17 June
07:29
United StatesAerobee-150 (Hi) United StatesWhite Sands LC-35 United StatesNRL
NRL Suborbital Aeronomy 17 June Successful
Apogee: 197 kilometres (122 mi)
18 June
04:35
JapanKappa-4 JapanObachi JapanISAS
TOK Suborbital Cosmic ray research 18 June Successful
Apogee: 105 kilometres (65 mi)
20 June
23:54
United StatesPGM-17 Thor DM-18A United StatesVandenberg LC-75-2-7 United KingdomRoyal Air Force
Royal Air Force Suborbital Missile test 20 June Successful
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
21 June
14:45
United StatesAerobee-150 (Hi) United StatesWhite Sands LC-35 United StatesNRL
NRL Suborbital Solar 21 June Successful
Apogee: 271 kilometres (168 mi)
23 June
03:00
United StatesSM-65E Atlas United StatesCape Canaveral LC-11 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 23 June Launch failure
Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi), went out of control
23 June
15:00
United StatesNike-Cajun United StatesEglin United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Meteorite research 23 June Successful
Apogee: 157 kilometres (98 mi)
23 June
23:40
United StatesNike-Zeus United StatesWhite Sands LC-38 United StatesUS Army
US Army Suborbital Missile test 23 June Successful
Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi)
24 June
03:28
United StatesHGM-25A Titan I United StatesCape Canaveral LC-19 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 24 June Launch failure
Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi)
24 June
23:17
United StatesJavelin United StatesWallops Island United StatesNASA
CRPL Suborbital Ionospheric 24 June Successful
Apogee: 1,018 kilometres (633 mi)
24 June Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionMakat Soviet UnionOKB-30
OKB-30 Suborbital Target 24 June Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
26 June
15:15
United StatesAerobee-150A United StatesWallops Island United StatesNASA
NASA Suborbital Test flight 26 June Successful
Apogee: 187 kilometres (116 mi)
26 June United StatesUGM-27 Polaris A2 United StatesUSNS Observation Island, ETR United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 26 June Launch failure
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
29 June
04:22
United StatesThor DM-21 Ablestar United StatesCape Canaveral LC-17B United StatesUS Air Force
United StatesTransit 4A US Navy Low Earth Navigation
Technology
In orbit Successful
United StatesInjun-1 Iowa Low Earth Ionospheric In orbit Partial spacecraft failure
United StatesSolrad 3 (GRAB-3) US Navy/NRL Low Earth Radiation
ELINT
In orbit Partial spacecraft failure
Injun-1 and Solrad 3 failed to separate from each other, particularly affecting operations of the Injun satellite, Transit 4A carried a SNAP-3 nuclear reactor.

After completing the mission, the Able upper stage exploded in orbit, creating hundreds of space debris.[2]

29 June Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 29 June Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
30 June
17:09
United StatesScout X-1 United StatesWallops Island LA-3 United StatesNASA
United StatesS-55 NASA Intended: Low Earth Technology
Meteorite research
30 June Launch failure
Third stage failed to ignite
30 June
17:20
United StatesAstrobee-200 United StatesEglin United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Test flight 30 June Launch failure
Apogee: 29 kilometres (18 mi)
30 June Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionMakat Soviet UnionOKB-30
OKB-30 Suborbital Target 30 June Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)

References

Generic references:

Footnotes

  1. "Corona Program". Mission and Spacecraft Library. NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Archived from the original on 19 May 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-15.
  2. Orbital Debris: A Chronology (PDF). NASA JSC. January 1999. p. 18. Retrieved 13 February 2016. Two hours after separating from the U.S. Transit 4-A satellite, its Able Star upper stage becomes the first known artificial object to break up unintentionally in space. The cause of the explosion is unknown. The event produces at least 294 trackable pieces, more than tripling the number of known satellites of Earth.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 9/13/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.