1959 in spaceflight
| File:Luna 2 Soviet moon probe.jpg | |
| Orbital launches | |
|---|---|
| First | 2 January |
| Last | 26 November |
| Total | 23 |
| Successes | 10 |
| Failures | 11 |
| Partial failures | 2 |
| Catalogued | 14 |
| Rockets | |
| Maiden flights | Thor-Agena Atlas-Able Atlas D (suborbital test) |
| Retirements | Vanguard |
Luna 1 was the first spacecraft to leave the gravitational influence of Earth.
Launches
| Date and time (UTC) | Rocket | Flight number | Launch site | LSP | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Payload (⚀ = CubeSat) |
Operator | Orbit | Function | Decay (UTC) | Outcome | ||
| Remarks | |||||||
January | |||||||
| 2 January 16:41:21 |
 Luna 8K72
|
Baikonur Site 1/5
|
MVS
| ||||
| Mechta (Luna 1/E1-4)
|
MVS | Intended: HEO to Lunar impact Achieved: Heliocentric |
Lunar impactor | In orbit | Launch failure | ||
| Missed Moon due to premature cutoff of upper stage caused by control system malfunction. First spacecraft to be placed in Heliocentric orbit. | |||||||
| 10 January 11:00 |
A-1
|
Ostrov Kheysa
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Ionospheric Aeronomy |
10 January | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi) | |||||||
| 16 January 04:00 |
 SM-65B Atlas
|
Cape Canaveral LC-14
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 16 January | Launch failure | |||
| Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi) | |||||||
| 19 January 15:42 |
UGM-27 Polaris AX
|
Cape Canaveral LC-25A
|
US Navy
| ||||
| US Navy | Suborbital | Missile test | 19 January | Launch failure | |||
| Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi) | |||||||
| 22 January 00:10 |
PGM-19 Jupiter
|
Cape Canaveral LC-5
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 22 January | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi) | |||||||
| 23 January | Thor DM-18 Able-II
|
Cape Canaveral LC-17A
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| RVX-1
|
US Air Force | Suborbital | REV test | 23 January | Launch failure | ||
| 27 January 17:00 |
 Daniel
|
CERES
|
ONERA
| ||||
| ONERA | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 27 January | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 127 kilometres (79 mi) | |||||||
| 27 January 23:34 |
SM-65C Atlas
|
Cape Canaveral LC-12
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 27 January | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 990 kilometres (620 mi) | |||||||
| 28 January | Nike-Cajun
|
Wallops Island
|
ARPA
| ||||
| Beacon Test 4
|
ARPA/NASA | Suborbital | Technology | 28 January | Successful | ||
| Apogee: 122 kilometres (76 mi) | |||||||
| 30 January 22:53 |
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A
|
Cape Canaveral LC-17B
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 30 January | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
February | |||||||
| 4 February 08:01 |
SM-65B Atlas
|
Cape Canaveral LC-11
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 4 February | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 990 kilometres (620 mi), final flight of Atlas B | |||||||
| 5 February 14:45 |
Aerobee-150 (Hi)
|
Holloman LC-A
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | 5 February | Successful | ||||
| Apogee: 212 kilometres (132 mi) | |||||||
| 6 February 21:22 |
HGM-25A Titan I
|
Cape Canaveral LC-15
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 6 February | Successful | |||
| Maiden flight of Titan I, battleship second stage, apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) | |||||||
| 17 February 15:55 |
Vanguard
|
Cape Canaveral LC-18A
|
US Navy
| ||||
| Vanguard 2 (20in Cloud Cover 2)[1]
|
NRL | Medium Earth | Atmospheric | In orbit | Partial spacecraft failure | ||
| Transmitted data for 19 days, poor quality data returned due to uncontrolled rotation of spacecraft | |||||||
| 20 February 05:38 |
SM-65C Atlas
|
Cape Canaveral LC-12
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 20 February | Launch failure | |||
| Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi) | |||||||
| 25 February 19:45 |
HGM-25A Titan I
|
Cape Canaveral LC-15
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 25 February | Successful | |||
| Battleship second stage, apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) | |||||||
| 27 February 15:44 |
Aerobee
|
Holloman LC-A
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Solar | 27 February | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 210 kilometres (130 mi) | |||||||
| 27 February 19:16 |
UGM-27 Polaris AX
|
Cape Canaveral LC-25A
|
US Navy
| ||||
| US Navy | Suborbital | Missile test | 27 February | Launch failure | |||
| Apogee: 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) | |||||||
| 27 February 23:50 |
PGM-19 Jupiter
|
Cape Canaveral LC-26B
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 28 February | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi) | |||||||
| 28 February 07:58 |
Thor DM-18 Able-II
|
Cape Canaveral LC-17A
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| RVX-1
|
US Air Force | Suborbital | REV test | 28 February | Successful | ||
| Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
| 28 February 21:41:16 |
Thor DM-18 Agena-A
|
Vandenberg LC-75-3-4
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| Discoverer 1 (KH-1 prototype)
|
CIA DST | Low Earth (Polar) | Technology | 6 March | Successful | ||
| Maiden flight of Thor-Agena, first spacecraft to be placed in polar orbit | |||||||
March | |||||||
| 3 March 05:10:56 |
Juno II
|
Cape Canaveral LC-5
|
ABMA
| ||||
| Pioneer 4
|
NASA/ABMA | Heliocentric | Lunar flyby | In orbit | Partial launch failure | ||
| Second stage burned for longer than planned, resulting in more distant flyby than planned[2] | |||||||
| 3 March | Trailblazer 1
|
Wallops Island
|
NASA
| ||||
| NASA | Suborbital | REV test | 3 March | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 260 kilometres (160 mi) | |||||||
| 4 March 11:14 |
 Skylark-2
|
 Woomera LA-2
|
RAE
| ||||
| RAE UCL Queen's |
Suborbital | Aeronomy | 4 March | Launch failure | |||
| Apogee: 30 kilometres (19 mi) | |||||||
| 7 March 19:34 |
Véronique
|
Hammaguira Blandine
|
CASDN
| ||||
| CASDN | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 7 March | Launch failure | |||
| Apogee: 35 kilometres (22 mi), released sodium | |||||||
| 10 March 18:40 |
Véronique
|
Hammaguira Blandine
|
CASDN
| ||||
| CASDN | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 10 March | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 124 kilometres (77 mi), released sodium | |||||||
| 12 March 05:44 |
Véronique
|
Hammaguira Blandine
|
CASDN
| ||||
| CASDN | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 12 March | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 174 kilometres (108 mi), released sodium | |||||||
| 12 March 10:50 |
Black Knight 201
|
Woomera LA-5A
|
RAE
| ||||
| RAE | Suborbital | Test flight | 12 March | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 537 kilometres (334 mi) | |||||||
| 12 March 15:44 |
Aerobee-150 (Hi)
|
Holloman LC-A
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | 12 March | Successful | ||||
| Apogee: 210 kilometres (130 mi) | |||||||
| 13 March 13:50 |
Aerobee-150 (Hi)
|
White Sands LC-35
|
US Navy
| ||||
| NRL | Suborbital | 13 March | Successful | ||||
| Apogee: 170 kilometres (110 mi) | |||||||
| 17 March 01:46 |
R-7 Semyorka
|
Baikonur Site 1/5
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 17 March | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi) | |||||||
| 17 March | Honest John-Nike-Nike-20"SM
|
Wallops Island
|
NASA
| ||||
| NASA | Suborbital | Test flight | 17 March | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 1,380 kilometres (860 mi) | |||||||
| 19 March 00:59 |
SM-65C Atlas
|
Cape Canaveral LC-12
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 19 March | Launch failure | |||
| Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi) | |||||||
| 21 March 06:19 |
Thor DM-18 Able-II
|
Cape Canaveral LC-17A
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| RVX-1
|
US Air Force | Suborbital | REV test | 21 March | Successful | ||
| Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
| 22 March 00:58 |
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A
|
Cape Canaveral LC-18B
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 22 March | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
| 25 March 05:25 |
R-7 Semyorka
|
Baikonur Site 1/5
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 25 March | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi) | |||||||
| 27 March 04:02 |
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A
|
Cape Canaveral LC-17B
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 27 March | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
| 30 March 15:01 |
Aerobee-150 (Hi)
|
Holloman LC-A
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | 30 March | Successful | ||||
| Apogee: 201 kilometres (125 mi) | |||||||
| 30 March 16:45 |
Aerobee-150 (Hi)
|
White Sands LC-35
|
US Navy
| ||||
| NRL | Suborbital | 30 March | Successful | ||||
| Apogee: 238 kilometres (148 mi) | |||||||
| 30 March 22:53 |
R-7 Semyorka
|
Baikonur Site 1/5
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 30 March | Launch failure | |||
| Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) | |||||||
| 30 March | R-12 Dvina
|
Kapustin Yar
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 30 March | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
April | |||||||
| 3 April 17:11 |
HGM-25A Titan I
|
Cape Canaveral LC-15
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 3 April | Successful | |||
| Battleship second stage, apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) | |||||||
| 4 April 00:34 |
PGM-19 Jupiter
|
Cape Canaveral LC-26B
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 4 April | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi) | |||||||
| 4 April | WS-199B Bold Orion II
|
B-47, Cape Canaveral
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 4 April | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi) | |||||||
| 7 April 14:46 |
Aerobee-150 (Hi)
|
White Sands LC-35
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | 7 April | Launch failure | ||||
| Apogee: 317 kilometres (197 mi) | |||||||
| 8 April 06:35 |
Thor DM-18 Able-II
|
Cape Canaveral LC-17A
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| RVX-1
|
US Air Force | Suborbital | REV test | 8 April | Successful | ||
| Apogee: 1,230 kilometres (760 mi) | |||||||
| 11 April | R-12 Dvina
|
Kapustin Yar
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 11 April | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
| 13 April 21:18:39 |
Thor DM-18 Agena-A
|
Vandenberg LC-75-3-4
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| Discoverer 2 (KH-1 prototype)
|
CIA DST | Low Earth | Technology | 26 April | Partial spacecraft failure | ||
| Capsule recovery failed due to timer error. May have been recovered by the Soviet Union, inspiring plot of 1963 Alistair MacLean novel Ice Station Zebra | |||||||
| 14 April 02:49:46 |
Vanguard
|
Cape Canaveral LC-18A
|
US Navy
| ||||
| 20in Radiation Balance 1[1]
|
NRL | Intended: Medium Earth | Radiation | 14 April | Launch failure | ||
| Vanguard Balloon[1]
|
NRL | Intended: Medium Earth | Air density | ||||
| Second stage damaged during separation, failed to reach orbit, first launch of multiple satellites on a single rocket | |||||||
| 14 April 21:46 |
SM-65D Atlas
|
Cape Canaveral LC-13
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 14 April | Launch failure | |||
| Apogee: 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) | |||||||
| 14 April | R-12 Dvina
|
Kapustin Yar
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 14 April | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
| 15 April 14:46 |
Aerobee-150 (Hi)
|
Holloman LC-A
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | 15 April | Successful | ||||
| Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi) | |||||||
| 16 April 20:46 |
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A
|
Vandenberg LC-75-2-8
|
Royal Air Force
| ||||
| Royal Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 16 April | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
| 20 April 15:30 |
UGM-27 Polaris AX
|
Cape Canaveral LC-25A
|
US Navy
| ||||
| US Navy | Suborbital | Missile test | 20 April | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi) | |||||||
| 21 April 01:05 |
Aerobee-150 (Hi)
|
Holloman LC-A
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | 21 April | Successful | ||||
| Apogee: 235 kilometres (146 mi) | |||||||
| 22 April 19:29 |
Nike-Cajun
|
Holloman
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Ionospheric | 22 April | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi) | |||||||
| 23 April 05:30 |
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A
|
Cape Canaveral LC-17B
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 23 April | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
| 25 April 05:00 |
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A
|
Cape Canaveral LC-18B
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 25 April | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
| 29 April | R-12 Dvina
|
Kapustin Yar
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 29 April | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
May | |||||||
| 1 May | Terrier-ASROC-Cajun
|
Point Arguello
|
US Navy
| ||||
| US Navy | Suborbital | Test flight | 1 May | Launch failure | |||
| 2 May | OPd-56-39-22D (Antares)
|
CERES
|
ONERA
| ||||
| ONERA | Suborbital | REV test | 2 May | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi) | |||||||
| 4 May 18:30 |
HGM-25A Titan I
|
Cape Canaveral LC-15
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 4 May | Successful | |||
| Battleship second stage, apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) | |||||||
| 5 May 01:45 |
Aerobee AJ10-34
|
White Sands LC-35
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 5 May | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 113 kilometres (70 mi) | |||||||
| 7 May 01:47 |
PGM-19 Jupiter
|
Cape Canaveral LC-26B
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 7 May | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi) | |||||||
| 8 May 19:28 |
UGM-27 Polaris AX
|
Cape Canaveral LC-25A
|
US Navy
| ||||
| US Navy | Suborbital | Missile test | 8 May | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi) | |||||||
| 9 May 18:59 |
R-7 Semyorka
|
Baikonur Site 1/5
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 9 May | Launch failure | |||
| Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) | |||||||
| 12 May 11:39 |
Aerobee-150 (Hi)
|
Holloman LC-A
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | 12 May | Successful | ||||
| Apogee: 145 kilometres (90 mi) | |||||||
| 12 May 17:35 |
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A
|
Cape Canaveral LC-17B
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 12 May | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
| 12 May | R-12 Dvina
|
Kapustin Yar
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 12 May | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
| 14 May 05:52 |
PGM-19 Jupiter
|
Cape Canaveral LC-5
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 14 May | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi) | |||||||
| 14 May | R-12 Dvina
|
Kapustin Yar
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 14 May | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
| 15 May 22:10 |
Arcon
|
Wallops Island
|
NASA
| ||||
| NASA | Suborbital | Test flight | 15 May | Launch failure | |||
| Apogee: 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) | |||||||
| 15 May | R-12 Dvina
|
Kapustin Yar
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 15 May | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
| 18 May 23:16 |
UGM-27 Polaris AX
|
Cape Canaveral LC-25A
|
US Navy
| ||||
| US Navy | Suborbital | Missile test | 18 May | Launch failure | |||
| Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) | |||||||
| 19 May 04:30 |
SM-65D Atlas
|
Cape Canaveral LC-14
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 19 May | Launch failure | |||
| Apogee: 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) | |||||||
| 21 May 06:40 |
Thor DM-18 Able-II
|
Cape Canaveral LC-17A
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| RVX-1
|
US Air Force | Suborbital | REV test | 21 May | Successful | ||
| Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
| 22 May 11:15 |
Aerobee-150 (Hi)
|
Holloman LC-A
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | 22 May | Successful | ||||
| Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi) | |||||||
| 23 May 02:42 |
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A
|
Cape Canaveral LC-18B
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 23 May | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
| 27 May 04:51 |
Nike-Cajun
|
White Sands
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 27 May | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 169 kilometres (105 mi) | |||||||
| 27 May 19:55 |
Nike-Cajun
|
White Sands
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 27 May | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 177 kilometres (110 mi) | |||||||
| 28 May 07:35:02 |
PGM-19 Jupiter
|
Cape Canaveral LC-26B
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| Bioflight 2
|
US Air Force | Suborbital | Biological Missile test |
28 May | Successful | ||
| Apogee: 483 kilometres (300 mi) | |||||||
| 30 May 21:42 |
R-7 Semyorka
|
Baikonur Site 1/5
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 30 May | Launch failure | |||
| Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) | |||||||
| 30 May | R-12 Dvina
|
Kapustin Yar
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 30 May | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
| May | Long Tom
|
Woomera LA-2
|
WRE
| ||||
| WRE | Suborbital | Aeronomy | Successful | ||||
| Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi) | |||||||
June | |||||||
| 2 June | R-12 Dvina
|
Kapustin Yar
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 2 June | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
| 3 June 20:09:20 |
Thor DM-18 Agena-A
|
Vandenberg LC-75-3-4
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| Discoverer 3 (KH-1 Prototype)
|
CIA DST | Intended: Low Earth | Technology | 3 June | Launch failure | ||
| Loss of signal after upper stage ignition | |||||||
| 5 June 04:15 |
Trailblazer 1
|
Wallops Island
|
NASA
| ||||
| NASA | Suborbital | REV test | 6 June | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 260 kilometres (160 mi) | |||||||
| 6 June 17:39 |
SM-65D Atlas
|
Cape Canaveral LC-13
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 6 June | Launch failure | |||
| Apogee: 80 kilometres (50 mi) | |||||||
| 8 June | WS-199B Bold Orion I
|
B-47, Cape Canaveral
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 8 June | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi) | |||||||
| 9 June 20:34 |
R-7 Semyorka
|
Baikonur Site 1/5
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 9 June | Launch failure | |||
| Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) | |||||||
| 10 June 16:40 |
Aerobee-150 (Hi)
|
Holloman LC-A
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | 10 June | Successful | ||||
| Apogee: 225 kilometres (140 mi) | |||||||
| 11 June 06:44 |
Thor DM-18 Able-II
|
Cape Canaveral LC-17A
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| RVX-1
|
US Air Force | Suborbital | REV test | 11 June | Successful | ||
| Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
| 11 June 13:03 |
Black Knight 201
|
Woomera LA-5A
|
RAE
| ||||
| RAE | Suborbital | Test flight | 11 June | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 803 kilometres (499 mi) | |||||||
| 12 June 18:57 |
UGM-27 Polaris AX
|
Cape Canaveral LC-25A
|
US Navy
| ||||
| US Navy | Suborbital | Missile test | 12 June | Launch failure | |||
| Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) | |||||||
| 15 June | R-12 Dvina
|
Kapustin Yar
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 15 June | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
| 16 June 21:45 |
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A
|
Vandenberg LC-75-2-7
|
Royal Air Force
| ||||
| Royal Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 16 June | Launch failure | |||
| Guidance system failed to engage as remove before flight safety wires had not been removed. Vehicle ascended vertically before being destroyed by range safety.[3] | |||||||
| 17 June | R-12 Dvina
|
Kapustin Yar
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 17 June | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
| 18 June 08:08 |
Luna 8K72
|
Baikonur Site 1/5
|
MVS
| ||||
| Luna-E1A-1
|
MVS | Intended: Heliocentric | Lunar impactor | 18 June | Launch failure | ||
| Inertial guidance system failed 153 seconds after launch | |||||||
| 19 June | WS-199B Bold Orion I
|
B-47, Cape Canaveral
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 19 June | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi) | |||||||
| 21 June | R-5V Pobeda
|
Kapustin Yar
|
AN
| ||||
| AN | Suborbital | Solar | 21 June | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 400 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
| 22 June 14:32 |
Aerobee
|
Holloman LC-A
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Solar | 22 June | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 110 kilometres (68 mi) | |||||||
| 22 June 20:16:09 |
Vanguard
|
Cape Canaveral LC-18A
|
US Navy
| ||||
| 20in Radiation Balance[1]
|
NRL | Intended: Medium Earth | Radiation | 22 June | Launch failure | ||
| Second stage propulsion system malfunctioned, failed to reach orbit | |||||||
| 23 June 01:26 |
Skylark-1
|
Woomera LA-2
|
RAE
| ||||
| RAE | Suborbital | Test flight | 23 June | Launch failure | |||
| Apogee: 91 kilometres (57 mi) | |||||||
| 24 June 12:10 |
Aerobee-150 (Hi)
|
Holloman LC-A
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | 24 June | Successful | ||||
| Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi) | |||||||
| 25 June 22:47:45 |
Thor DM-18 Agena-A
|
Vandenberg LC-75-3-5
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| Discoverer 4 (KH-1 9001)
|
CIA DST | Intended: Low Earth | Optical imaging | 25 June | Launch failure | ||
| Upper stage underperformed, failed to reach orbit | |||||||
| 26 June | PGM-17 Thor DM-18A
|
Cape Canaveral LC-18B
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 26 June | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
| 26 June | Terrier-ASROC-Cajun
|
Point Arguello
|
US Navy
| ||||
| US Navy | Suborbital | 26 June | Successful | ||||
| Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi) | |||||||
| 29 June 11:33 |
Black Knight 201
|
Woomera LA-5A
|
RAE
| ||||
| RAE | Suborbital | Test flight | 29 June | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 442 kilometres (275 mi) | |||||||
| 30 June 02:37 |
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A
|
Cape Canaveral LC-17B
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 30 June | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) | |||||||
| 29 June 15:42 |
UGM-27 Polaris AX
|
Cape Canaveral LC-25A
|
US Navy
| ||||
| US Navy | Suborbital | Missile test | 29 June | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi) | |||||||
| June | R-13
|
Kapustin Yar
|
VMF
| ||||
| VMF | Suborbital | Missile test | Successful | ||||
| Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi) | |||||||
July | |||||||
| 2 July 06:40 |
 R-2
|
Kapustin Yar
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | 2 July | Successful | ||||
| Apogee: 220 kilometres (140 mi) | |||||||
| 7 July 11:15 |
 Javelin
|
Wallops Island
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| AFSWC | Suborbital | Test flight | 7 July | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 1,045 kilometres (649 mi) | |||||||
| 10 July 01:01 |
PGM-19 Jupiter
|
Cape Canaveral LC-26B
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 10 July | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi) | |||||||
| 10 July 04:47 |
R-2
|
Kapustin Yar
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | 10 July | Successful | ||||
| Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi) | |||||||
| 14 July 03:40 |
R-2
|
Kapustin Yar
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | 14 July | Successful | ||||
| Apogee: 203 kilometres (126 mi) | |||||||
| 14 July 17:45 |
Nike-Asp
|
Point Arguello LC-A
|
US Navy
| ||||
| NASA | Suborbital | Solar | 14 July | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi) | |||||||
| 15 July 16:59 |
UGM-27 Polaris AX
|
Cape Canaveral LC-25A
|
US Navy
| ||||
| US Navy | Suborbital | Missile test | 15 July | Launch failure | |||
| Apogee: 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) | |||||||
| 16 July 17:37:03 |
Juno II
|
Cape Canaveral LC-5
|
ABMA
| ||||
| Explorer S-6
|
NASA | Intended: Low Earth | Scientific | +5.5 seconds | Launch failure | ||
| Destroyed by range safety after rocket went out of control | |||||||
| 17 July 17:40 |
Nike-Asp
|
Point Arguello LC-A
|
US Navy
| ||||
| US Navy | Suborbital | 17 July | Launch failure | ||||
| Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) | |||||||
| 18 July 18:15 |
R-7 Semyorka
|
Baikonur Site 1/5
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 18 July | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi) | |||||||
| 20 July | R-11A Zemlya
|
Kapustin Yar
|
AN
| ||||
| AN | Suborbital | 20 July | Successful | ||||
| Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi) | |||||||
| 21 July 02:00 |
R-11A Zemlya
|
Kapustin Yar
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | 21 July | Successful | ||||
| Apogee: 105 kilometres (65 mi) | |||||||
| 21 July 05:22 |
SM-65C Atlas
|
Cape Canaveral LC-12
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 21 July | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 900 kilometres (560 mi) | |||||||
| 21 July 07:33 |
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A
|
Cape Canaveral LC-17B
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 21 July | Launch failure | |||
| Apogee: 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) | |||||||
| 21 July 14:00 |
Aerobee-150 (Hi)
|
White Sands LC-35
|
US Navy
| ||||
| NRL | Suborbital | 21 July | Successful | ||||
| Apogee: 197 kilometres (122 mi) | |||||||
| 21 July 14:00 |
R-11A Zemlya
|
Kapustin Yar
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | 21 July | Successful | ||||
| Apogee: 105 kilometres (65 mi) | |||||||
| 21 July | R-2
|
Kapustin Yar
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | 21 July | Successful | ||||
| Apogee: 105 kilometres (65 mi) | |||||||
| 21 July | Javelin
|
Wallops Island
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| AFSWC | Suborbital | Test flight | 21 July | Launch failure | |||
| Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi) | |||||||
| 22 July 01:14 |
R-11A Zemlya
|
Kapustin Yar
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | 22 July | Successful | ||||
| Apogee: 211 kilometres (131 mi) | |||||||
| 24 July 12:47 |
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A
|
Cape Canaveral LC-18B
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 24 July | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
| 24 July 16:34 |
Nike-Asp
|
Point Arguello LC-A
|
US Navy
| ||||
| US Navy | Suborbital | Solar | 24 July | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 227 kilometres (141 mi) | |||||||
| 24 July | R-12 Dvina
|
Kapustin Yar
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 24 July | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
| 25 July | R-12 Dvina
|
Kapustin Yar
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 25 July | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
| 26 July | R-12 Dvina
|
Kapustin Yar
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 26 July | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
| 28 July | R-12 Dvina
|
Kapustin Yar
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 28 July | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
| 29 July 04:10 |
SM-65D Atlas
|
Cape Canaveral LC-11
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 29 July | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi) | |||||||
| 30 July 04:00 |
R-7 Semyorka
|
Baikonur Site 1/5
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 30 July | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi) | |||||||
| 31 July | R-12 Dvina
|
Kapustin Yar
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 31 July | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
August | |||||||
| 3 August 21:41 |
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A
|
Vandenberg LC-75-1-1
|
Royal Air Force
| ||||
| Royal Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 3 August | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
| 6 August 02:48 |
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A
|
Cape Canaveral LC-17B
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 6 August | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
| 6 August | UGM-27 Polaris AX
|
Cape Canaveral LC-25A
|
US Navy
| ||||
| US Navy | Suborbital | Missile test | 6 August | Launch failure | |||
| Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) | |||||||
| 7 August 14:24:20 |
Thor DM-18 Able-III
|
Cape Canaveral LC-17A
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| Explorer 6
|
US Air Force | Highly elliptical | Radiation Imaging |
30 June 1961 | Successful | ||
| 7 August 17:05 |
Nike-Asp
|
Point Arguello LC-A
|
US Navy
| ||||
| US Navy | Suborbital | Solar | 7 August | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 225 kilometres (140 mi) | |||||||
| 7 August | R-12 Dvina
|
Kapustin Yar
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 7 August | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
| 7 August | Arcon
|
Wallops Island
|
NASA
| ||||
| NASA | Suborbital | Test flight | 7 August | Launch failure | |||
| Apogee: 20 kilometres (12 mi) | |||||||
| 7 August | Arcon
|
Wallops Island
|
NASA
| ||||
| NASA | Suborbital | Test flight | 7 August | Launch failure | |||
| Apogee: 50 kilometres (31 mi) | |||||||
| 7 August | Arcon
|
Wallops Island
|
NASA
| ||||
| NASA | Suborbital | Test flight | 7 August | Launch failure | |||
| Apogee: 104 kilometres (65 mi) | |||||||
| 11 August 18:01 |
SM-65D Atlas
|
Cape Canaveral LC-13
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 11 August | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi) | |||||||
| 12 August | Terrier-ASROC-Cajun
|
Point Arguello
|
US Navy
| ||||
| US Navy | Suborbital | 12 August | Launch failure | ||||
| 13 August 19:00:08 |
Thor DM-18 Agena-A
|
Vandenberg LC-75-3-4
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| Discoverer 5 (KH-1 9002)
|
CIA DST | Low Earth | Optical imaging | 11 February 1961 | Spacecraft failure | ||
| Electrical system malfunction. Deorbit burn conducted in incorrect direction, raising orbit | |||||||
| 13 August 23:14 |
R-7 Semyorka
|
Baikonur Site 1/5
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 13 August | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi) | |||||||
| 13 August | R-12 Dvina
|
Kapustin Yar
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 13 August | Launch failure | |||
| 14 August 09:00 |
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A
|
Cape Canaveral LC-18B
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 14 August | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
| 14 August 16:00 |
HGM-25A Titan I
|
Cape Canaveral LC-19
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | +0 seconds | Launch failure | |||
| First all-up test of Titan I, hold-down bolts released prematurely, rocket exploded on launch pad[4] | |||||||
| 14 August 16:00 |
Nike-Asp
|
Point Arguello LC-A
|
US Navy
| ||||
| US Navy | Suborbital | Solar | 14 August | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 237 kilometres (147 mi) | |||||||
| 14 August 19:30 |
UGM-27 Polaris AX
|
Cape Canaveral LC-25B
|
US Navy
| ||||
| US Navy | Suborbital | Missile test | 14 August | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi) | |||||||
| 14 August 19:36:04 |
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A
|
Vandenberg LC-75-2-6
|
Royal Air Force
| ||||
| Royal Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 14 August | Launch failure | |||
| 15 August 00:31:00 |
Juno II
|
Cape Canaveral LC-26B
|
ABMA
| ||||
| Beacon 2
|
NASA/US Army | Intended: Low Earth | Technology | 15 August | Launch failure | ||
| Premature cutoff of first stage, failed to reach orbit | |||||||
| 17 August 09:18 |
Nike-Asp
|
Wallops Island
|
NASA
| ||||
| US Navy | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 17 August | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 236 kilometres (147 mi), released sodium | |||||||
| 19 August 00:20 |
Skylark-2
|
Woomera LA-2
|
RAE
| ||||
| UCL | Suborbital | Ionospheric | 19 August | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 144 kilometres (89 mi) | |||||||
| 19 August 00:34 |
Nike-Asp
|
Wallops Island
|
NASA
| ||||
| NASA | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 19 August | Launch failure | |||
| Apogee: 30 kilometres (19 mi), released sodium | |||||||
| 19 August 19:24:44 |
Thor DM-18 Agena-A
|
Vandenberg LC-75-3-5
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| Discoverer 6 (KH-1 9003)
|
CIA DST | Low Earth | Optical imaging | 20 October | Spacecraft failure | ||
| Retrorocket malfunctioned | |||||||
| 22 August 00:45 |
Aerobee-150 (Hi)
|
White Sands LC-35
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | 22 August | Successful | ||||
| Apogee: 230 kilometres (140 mi) | |||||||
| 22 August 02:30 |
Nike-Asp
|
Point Arguello LC-A
|
US Navy
| ||||
| US Navy | Suborbital | Solar | 22 August | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi) | |||||||
| 24 August 15:33 |
SM-65C Atlas
|
Cape Canaveral LC-12
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 24 August | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 1,400 kilometres (870 mi) | |||||||
| 24 August 22:47 |
Nike-Asp
|
Point Arguello LC-A
|
US Navy
| ||||
| US Navy | Suborbital | 24 August | Successful | ||||
| Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi) | |||||||
| 25 August | UGM-27 Polaris AX
|
Cape Canaveral LC-25A
|
US Navy
| ||||
| US Navy | Suborbital | Missile test | 25 August | Launch failure | |||
| Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) | |||||||
| 26 August 17:35 |
Nike-Zeus A
|
White Sands LC-38
|
US Army
| ||||
| US Army | Suborbital | Test flight | 26 August | Launch failure | |||
| 26 August | R-12 Dvina
|
Kapustin Yar
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 26 August | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
| 27 August 01:30 |
PGM-19 Jupiter
|
Cape Canaveral LC-5
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 27 August | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi) | |||||||
| 27 August 16:57 |
UGM-27 Polaris AX
|
USNS Observation Island, ETR
|
US Navy
| ||||
| US Navy | Suborbital | Missile test | 27 August | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi) | |||||||
| 28 August 16:10 |
Nike-Asp
|
Point Arguello LC-A
|
US Navy
| ||||
| US Navy | Suborbital | Solar | 28 August | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 214 kilometres (133 mi) | |||||||
| 27 August 12:30 |
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A
|
Cape Canaveral LC-17B
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 27 August | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
| 28 August 18:45 |
Aerobee-150 (Hi)
|
White Sands LC-35
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | 28 August | Successful | ||||
| Apogee: 235 kilometres (146 mi) | |||||||
| 28 August | R-12 Dvina
|
Kapustin Yar
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 28 August | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
| 31 August 22:53 |
Nike-Asp
|
Point Arguello LC-A
|
US Navy
| ||||
| Sunflare II
|
US Navy | Suborbital | Solar | 31 August | Successful | ||
| Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi) | |||||||
September | |||||||
| 1 September 01:01 |
Nike-Asp
|
Point Arguello LC-A
|
US Navy
| ||||
| US Navy | Suborbital | Solar | 1 September | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi) | |||||||
| 1 September 19:00 |
Nike-Asp
|
Point Arguello LC-A
|
US Navy
| ||||
| US Navy | Suborbital | 1 September | Successful | ||||
| Apogee: 210 kilometres (130 mi) | |||||||
| 2 September 00:03 |
Nike-Asp
|
Point Arguello LC-A
|
US Navy
| ||||
| US Navy | Suborbital | Solar | 2 September | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi) | |||||||
| 2 September | R-12 Dvina
|
Kapustin Yar
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 2 September | Launch failure | |||
| 5 September 15:27 |
 Black Brant I
|
Fort Churchill
|
CARDE
| ||||
| CARDE | Suborbital | Test flight | 5 September | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), maiden flight of Black Brant | |||||||
| 5 September | R-12 Dvina
|
Kapustin Yar
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 5 September | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
| 8 September 15:14 |
Black Brant I
|
Fort Churchill
|
CARDE
| ||||
| CARDE | Suborbital | Test flight | 8 September | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 130 kilometres (81 mi) | |||||||
| 9 September 08:19 |
SM-65D Atlas
|
Cape Canaveral LC-14
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| Big Joe 1
|
NASA | Suborbital | Test flight | 08:32 | Partial launch failure | ||
| Apogee: 153 kilometres (95 mi), Boilerplate Mercury test, booster engines failed to separate, spacecraft recovered | |||||||
| 9 September 17:50:42 |
SM-65D Atlas
|
Vandenberg LC-576A-2
|
SAC
| ||||
| SAC | Suborbital | Missile test | 9 September | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi) | |||||||
| 10 September 21:48 |
Black Brant I
|
Fort Churchill
|
CARDE
| ||||
| CARDE | Suborbital | Test flight | 10 September | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 127 kilometres (79 mi) | |||||||
| 11 September 19:12 |
Aerobee-150 (Hi)
|
Fort Churchill
|
NASA
| ||||
| NASA | Suborbital | 11 September | Successful | ||||
| Apogee: 227 kilometres (141 mi) | |||||||
| 12 September 06:39:42 |
Luna 8K72
|
Baikonur Site 1/5
|
MVS
| ||||
| Luna 2 (E-1A-2)
|
MVS | Heliocentric | Lunar impactor | 14 September 22:02 |
Successful | ||
| First spacecraft to reach the surface of the Moon | |||||||
| 12 September | PGM-17 Thor DM-18A
|
Cape Canaveral LC-18B
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 12 September | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
| 14 September 17:27 |
Aerobee-150 (Hi)
|
Fort Churchill
|
NASA
| ||||
| NASA | Suborbital | 14 September | Successful | ||||
| Apogee: 218 kilometres (135 mi) | |||||||
| 15 September 21:45 |
PGM-19 Jupiter
|
Cape Canaveral LC-26B
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| Bioflight 3
|
US Air Force | Suborbital | Biological Missile test |
15 September | Launch failure | ||
| Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi) | |||||||
| 15 September | R-12 Dvina
|
Kapustin Yar
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 15 September | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
| 15 September | Aerobee
|
White Sands LC-35
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Test flight | 15 September | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi) | |||||||
| 17 September 00:12 |
Skylark-2
|
Woomera LA-2
|
RAE
| ||||
| Birmingham UCL |
Suborbital | Ionospheric Solar |
17 September | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 132 kilometres (82 mi) | |||||||
| 17 September 02:09 |
SM-65D Atlas
|
Cape Canaveral LC-13
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 17 September | Launch failure | |||
| Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) | |||||||
| 17 September 14:34 |
Thor DM-18 Able-II
|
Cape Canaveral LC-17A
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| Transit 1A
|
US Air Force | Intended: Low Earth | Navigation Technology |
17 September | Launch failure | ||
| Third stage malfunctioned | |||||||
| 17 September 18:37 |
Aerobee-150 (Hi)
|
Fort Churchill
|
NASA
| ||||
| DRTE.01
|
NASA | Suborbital | Ionospheric | 17 September | Successful | ||
| Apogee: 256 kilometres (159 mi) | |||||||
| 17 September 21:09 |
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A
|
Vandenberg LC-75-1-2
|
Royal Air Force
| ||||
| Royal Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 17 September | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
| 18 September 05:20:07 |
Vanguard/Altair
|
Cape Canaveral LC-18A
|
US Navy
| ||||
| Vanguard 3 (20in MXE)[1]
|
NRL | Medium Earth | Scientific | In orbit | Partial launch failure | ||
| Final flight of Vanguard rocket, satellite failed to separate from carrier rocket, otherwise successful, spacecraft operated until 11 December | |||||||
| 18 September 16:02 |
R-7 Semyorka
|
Baikonur Site 1/5
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 18 September | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi) | |||||||
| 18 September 16:55 |
Nike-Cajun
|
Elgin
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 18 September | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi) | |||||||
| 20 September 17:35 |
Aerobee-150 (Hi)
|
Fort Churchill
|
NASA
| ||||
| DRTE.02
|
NASA | Suborbital | Ionospheric | 20 September | Launch failure | ||
| Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi) | |||||||
| 21 September | UGM-27 Polaris A1
|
Cape Canaveral LC-29A
|
US Navy
| ||||
| US Navy | Suborbital | Missile test | 21 September | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi) | |||||||
| 22 September 18:00 |
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A
|
Cape Canaveral LC-17B
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 22 September | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
| 22 September | Aerobee-100
|
White Sands LC-35
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Test flight | 22 September | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 110 kilometres (68 mi) | |||||||
| 24 September 00:29 |
Skylark-2
|
Woomera LA-2
|
RAE
| ||||
| Birmingham UCL |
Suborbital | Ionospheric | 24 September | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 158 kilometres (98 mi) | |||||||
| 25 September | R-12 Dvina
|
Kapustin Yar
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 25 September | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
| 28 September | R-12 Dvina
|
Kapustin Yar
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 28 September | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
| 28 September | UGM-27 Polaris AX
|
Cape Canaveral LC-25A
|
US Navy
| ||||
| US Navy | Suborbital | Missile test | 28 September | Launch failure | |||
| Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) | |||||||
| 29 September 10:59 |
Nike-Cajun
|
Elgin
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 29 September | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 124 kilometres (77 mi) | |||||||
| 30 September 10:57 |
Nike-Cajun
|
Elgin
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 30 September | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 122 kilometres (76 mi) | |||||||
| 30 September | Terrier-Asp
|
Point Arguello
|
US Navy
| ||||
| US Navy | Suborbital | 30 September | Successful | ||||
| Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi) | |||||||
October | |||||||
| 1 October 01:28 |
PGM-19 Jupiter
|
Cape Canaveral LC-6
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 1 October | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi) | |||||||
| 1 October 10:49 |
Nike-Cajun
|
Elgin
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 1 October | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 138 kilometres (86 mi) | |||||||
| 2 October 11:00 |
Nike-Cajun
|
Elgin
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 2 October | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 143 kilometres (89 mi) | |||||||
| 2 October 18:11 |
UGM-27 Polaris AX
|
Cape Canaveral LC-25A
|
US Navy
| ||||
| US Navy | Suborbital | Missile test | 2 October | Launch failure | |||
| Apogee: 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) | |||||||
| 3 October 11:03 |
Nike-Cajun
|
Elgin
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 3 October | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 122 kilometres (76 mi) | |||||||
| 4 October 00:43:39 |
Luna 8K72
|
Baikonur Site 1/5
|
MVS
| ||||
| Luna 3 (E-2A-1)
|
MVS | High Earth | Lunar flyby | 29 April 1960 | Successful | ||
| Placed on a circumlunar trajectory, returned first images of the far side of the Moon | |||||||
| 5 October 11:01 |
Nike-Cajun
|
Elgin
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 5 October | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 127 kilometres (79 mi) | |||||||
| 6 October 05:55 |
SM-65D Atlas
|
Cape Canaveral LC-11
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 6 October | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi) | |||||||
| 6 October 16:41 |
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A
|
Cape Canaveral LC-18B
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 6 October | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
| 6 October 18:26 |
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A
|
Vandenberg LC-75-2-8
|
Royal Air Force
| ||||
| Royal Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 6 October | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
| 8 October | R-12 Dvina
|
Kapustin Yar
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 8 October | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
| 9 October 08:40 |
Nike-Cajun
|
Elgin
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 9 October | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 143 kilometres (89 mi) | |||||||
| 9 October 11:17 |
Nike-Cajun
|
Elgin
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 9 October | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 143 kilometres (89 mi) | |||||||
| 9 October | R-12 Dvina
|
Kapustin Yar
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 9 October | Launch failure | |||
| 9 October | R-12 Dvina
|
Kapustin Yar
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 9 October | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
| 10 October 03:10 |
SM-65D Atlas
|
Cape Canaveral LC-13
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 10 October | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi) | |||||||
| 10 October 12:00 |
Aerobee AJ10-34
|
White Sands LC-35
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Meteorite research | 10 October | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 111 kilometres (69 mi) | |||||||
| 12 October 09:00 |
Nike-Cajun
|
Elgin
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 12 October | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 123 kilometres (76 mi) | |||||||
| 12 October 10:12 |
Nike-Cajun
|
Elgin
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 12 October | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 123 kilometres (76 mi) | |||||||
| 12 October 18:18 |
UGM-27 Polaris A1
|
Cape Canaveral LC-29A
|
US Navy
| ||||
| US Navy | Suborbital | Missile test | 12 October | Launch failure | |||
| Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) | |||||||
| 13 October 11:17 |
Nike-Cajun
|
Elgin
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 13 October | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 116 kilometres (72 mi) | |||||||
| 13 October 15:30:04 |
Juno II
|
Cape Canaveral LC-5
|
ABMA
| ||||
| Explorer 7 (S-1A)
|
NASA | Low Earth | Scientific | In orbit | Successful | ||
| Broadcast data until 24 August 1961 | |||||||
| 13 October | WS-199B Bold Orion II
|
B-47, Cape Canaveral
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 13 October | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi) | |||||||
| 14 October 04:15 |
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A
|
Cape Canaveral LC-17B
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 14 October | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
| 15 October 11:05 |
Nike-Cajun
|
Elgin
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 15 October | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 122 kilometres (76 mi) | |||||||
| 16 October 11:17 |
Nike-Cajun
|
Elgin
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 16 October | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 139 kilometres (86 mi) | |||||||
| 15 October | R-11A Zemlya
|
Ostrov Kheysa
|
AN
| ||||
| AN | Suborbital | 15 October | Successful | ||||
| Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi) | |||||||
| 15 October | R-11A Zemlya
|
Ostrov Kheysa
|
AN
| ||||
| AN | Suborbital | 15 October | Successful | ||||
| Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi) | |||||||
| 20 October 14:25 |
Aerobee AJ10-34
|
White Sands
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Ionospheric | 20 October | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 113 kilometres (70 mi) | |||||||
| 21 October 22:57 |
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A
|
Vandenberg LC-75-1-1
|
Royal Air Force
| ||||
| Royal Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 21 October | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
| 22 October 03:20 |
PGM-19 Jupiter
|
Cape Canaveral LC-26A
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 22 October | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi) | |||||||
| 22 October 17:30 |
R-7 Semyorka
|
Baikonur Site 1/5
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 22 October | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi) | |||||||
| 22 October | OPd-56-39-22D (Antares)
|
CERES
|
ONERA
| ||||
| ONERA | Suborbital | REV test | 22 October | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi) | |||||||
| 24 October | R-12 Dvina
|
Kapustin Yar
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 24 October | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
| 25 October 17:32 |
R-7 Semyorka
|
Baikonur Site 1/5
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 25 October | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi) | |||||||
| 25 October 17:44 |
Aerobee-300
|
Fort Churchill
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force/Utah | Suborbital | Ionospheric | 25 October | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 386 kilometres (240 mi) | |||||||
| 26 October 17:00 |
Nike-Cajun
|
Fort Churchill
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Ionospheric | 26 August | Launch failure | |||
| 27 October | R-12 Dvina
|
Kapustin Yar
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 27 October | Launch failure | |||
| 28 October 14:47 |
Aerobee-300
|
Fort Churchill
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force/Utah | Suborbital | Ionospheric | 28 October | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 135 kilometres (84 mi) | |||||||
| 28 October 22:40 |
Shotput
|
Wallops Island
|
NASA
| ||||
| Echo E60
|
NASA/ARPA | Suborbital | Technology | 28 October | Successful | ||
| Apogee: 400 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
| 29 October 02:12 |
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A
|
Cape Canaveral LC-18B
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 29 October | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
| 29 October 07:20 |
SM-65D Atlas
|
Cape Canaveral LC-11
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 29 October | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi) | |||||||
| 30 October 11:49 |
Black Knight 201
|
Woomera LA-5A
|
RAE
| ||||
| RAE | Suborbital | REV test | 30 October | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 732 kilometres (455 mi) | |||||||
November | |||||||
| 1 November 21:23 |
R-7 Semyorka
|
Baikonur Site 1/5
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 1 November | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi) | |||||||
| 3 November | PGM-17 Thor DM-18A
|
Cape Canaveral LC-17B
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 3 November | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
| 4 November 21:37 |
SM-65D Atlas
|
Cape Canaveral LC-13
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 4 November | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi) | |||||||
| 5 November 00:38 |
PGM-19 Jupiter
|
Cape Canaveral LC-6
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 5 November | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi) | |||||||
| 6 November 07:25 |
Aerobee-150 (Hi)
|
White Sands LC-35
|
US Navy
| ||||
| NRL | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 6 November | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 142 kilometres (88 mi) | |||||||
| 6 November 16:36 |
Aerobee-300
|
Fort Churchill
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force/Utah | Suborbital | Ionospheric | 6 November | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 393 kilometres (244 mi) | |||||||
| 7 November 20:28:41 |
Thor DM-18 Agena-A
|
Vandenberg LC-75-3-4
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| Discoverer 7 (KH-1 9004)
|
CIA DST | Low Earth | Optical imaging | 26 November | Spacecraft failure | ||
| Satellite tumbled out of control | |||||||
| 10 November 12:00 |
Strongarm
|
Wallops Island
|
US Army
| ||||
| BRL | Suborbital | Ionospheric | 10 November | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi), maiden flight of Strongarm | |||||||
| 12 November 19:24 |
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A
|
Vandenberg LC-75-1-2
|
Royal Air Force
| ||||
| Royal Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 12 November | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
| 14 November 22:38 |
Aerobee-300
|
Fort Churchill
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 14 November | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 138 kilometres (86 mi) | |||||||
| 18 November 19:30 |
Nike-Asp
|
Elgin
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Ionospheric | 18 November | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 206 kilometres (128 mi) | |||||||
| 18 November 22:17 |
Nike-Asp
|
Wallops Island
|
NASA
| ||||
| NASA | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 18 November | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 250 kilometres (160 mi), released sodium | |||||||
| 18 November | Strongarm
|
Wallops Island
|
US Army
| ||||
| BRL | Suborbital | Ionospheric | 18 November | Launch failure | |||
| Apogee: 20 kilometres (12 mi) | |||||||
| 19 November 01:31 |
PGM-19 Jupiter
|
Cape Canaveral LC-26B
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 19 November | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi) | |||||||
| 19 November 07:44 |
Aerobee-150 (Hi)
|
Fort Churchill
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Ionospheric | 19 November | Launch failure | |||
| Apogee: 106 kilometres (66 mi) | |||||||
| 19 November 10:36 |
Nike-Cajun
|
Fort Churchill
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 19 November | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 119 kilometres (74 mi) | |||||||
| 19 November 10:51 |
Nike-Asp
|
Wallops Island
|
NASA
| ||||
| NASA | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 19 November | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 255 kilometres (158 mi), released sodium | |||||||
| 19 November | PGM-17 Thor DM-18A
|
Cape Canaveral LC-17B
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 19 November | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
| 20 November 10:51 |
Nike-Asp
|
Wallops Island
|
NASA
| ||||
| NASA | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 20 November | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 236 kilometres (147 mi), released sodium | |||||||
| 20 November 17:11 |
UGM-27 Polaris A1
|
Cape Canaveral LC-29A
|
US Navy
| ||||
| US Navy | Suborbital | Missile test | 20 November | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi) | |||||||
| 20 November 18:16 |
Nike-Cajun
|
Fort Churchill
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 20 November | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 119 kilometres (74 mi) | |||||||
| 20 November 19:25:24 |
Thor DM-18 Agena-A
|
Vandenberg LC-75-3-5
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| Discoverer 8 (KH-1 9005)
|
CIA DST | Low Earth | Optical imaging | 8 March 1960 | Launch failure | ||
| Inserted into useless orbit with greater eccentricity than planned | |||||||
| 20 November 21:06 |
R-7 Semyorka
|
Baikonur Site 1/5
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 20 November | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi) | |||||||
| 22 November 18:35 |
Aerobee-300
|
Fort Churchill
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force/Utah | Suborbital | Ionospheric | 22 November | Launch failure | |||
| Apogee: 35 kilometres (22 mi) | |||||||
| 24 November 19:48 |
SM-65D Atlas
|
Cape Canaveral LC-13
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 24 November | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi) | |||||||
| 26 November 07:26 |
Atlas-Able
|
Cape Canaveral LC-14
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| Pioneer P-3
|
NASA | Intended: Selenocentric | Lunar orbiter | +45 seconds | Launch failure | ||
| Payload fairing separated prematurely, rocket disintegrated | |||||||
| 27 November 01:12:33 |
R-7 Semyorka
|
Baikonur Site 1/5
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 27 November | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi) | |||||||
| 30 November 09:58 |
Aerobee
|
White Sands
|
US Navy
| ||||
| NRL | Suborbital | UV Astronomy | 30 November | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 140 kilometres (87 mi) | |||||||
| 30 November 10:16 |
Skylark-2
|
Woomera LA-2
|
RAE
| ||||
| Queen's | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 30 November | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 151 kilometres (94 mi), released sodium | |||||||
| 30 November 12:35 |
Skylark-2
|
Woomera LA-2
|
RAE
| ||||
| UCL | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 30 November | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 163 kilometres (101 mi) | |||||||
| 30 November | R-12 Dvina
|
Kapustin Yar
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 30 November | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
| November | R-13
|
Project 611 submarine
|
VMF
| ||||
| VMF | Suborbital | Missile test | Successful | ||||
| Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi) | |||||||
December | |||||||
| 1 December 11:36 |
Skylark-2
|
Woomera LA-2
|
RAE
| ||||
| UCL Birmingham |
Suborbital | Aeronomy | 1 December | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 159 kilometres (99 mi) | |||||||
| 1 December 17:00 |
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A
|
Cape Canaveral LC-18B
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 1 December | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
| 1 December | Trailblazer 1
|
Wallops Island
|
NASA
| ||||
| NASA | Suborbital | REV test | 1 December | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 260 kilometres (160 mi) | |||||||
| 2 December 05:29 |
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A
|
Vandenberg LC-75-1-2
|
Royal Air Force
| ||||
| Royal Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 2 December | Launch failure | |||
| 3 December | R-11A Zemlya
|
Ostrov Kheysa
|
AN
| ||||
| AN | Suborbital | 3 December | Successful | ||||
| Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi) | |||||||
| 3 December | R-11A Zemlya
|
Ostrov Kheysa
|
AN
| ||||
| AN | Suborbital | 3 December | Successful | ||||
| Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi) | |||||||
| 12 December 17:11 |
HGM-25A Titan I
|
Cape Canaveral LC-16
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | +0 seconds | Launch failure | |||
| Vibrations from ignition erroneously triggered self-destruct system whilst rocket was still on pad[4][5] | |||||||
| 17 December 20:13 |
UGM-27 Polaris A1
|
Cape Canaveral LC-29A
|
US Navy
| ||||
| US Navy | Suborbital | Missile test | 7 December | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi) | |||||||
| 9 December 00:10 |
SM-65D Atlas
|
Cape Canaveral LC-13
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 9 December | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi) | |||||||
| 10 December 00:08 |
PGM-19 Jupiter
|
Cape Canaveral LC-6
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 10 December | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi) | |||||||
| 15 December 02:14 |
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A
|
Vandenberg LC-75-1-1
|
Royal Air Force
| ||||
| Royal Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 15 December | Launch failure | |||
| 15 December | OPd-56-39-22D (Antares)
|
CERES
|
ONERA
| ||||
| ONERA | Suborbital | REV test | 15 December | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi) | |||||||
| 16 December 04:50 |
UGM-27 Polaris A1
|
Cape Canaveral LC-29A
|
US Navy
| ||||
| US Navy | Suborbital | Missile test | 16 December | Launch failure | |||
| Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi) | |||||||
| 16 December | R-12 Dvina
|
Kapustin Yar
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 16 December | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
| 16 December | Nike-Zeus A
|
White Sands LC-38
|
US Army
| ||||
| US Army | Suborbital | Test flight | 16 December | Launch failure | |||
| Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) | |||||||
| 17 December 00:03 |
PGM-19 Jupiter
|
Cape Canaveral LC-26B
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 17 December | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi) | |||||||
| 17 December | PGM-17 Thor DM-18A
|
Cape Canaveral LC-17B
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 17 December | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
| 18 December | R-12 Dvina
|
Kapustin Yar
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 18 December | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
| 19 December 00:48 |
SM-65D Atlas
|
Cape Canaveral LC-13
|
US Air Force
| ||||
| US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 19 December | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi) | |||||||
| 21 December | R-12 Dvina
|
Kapustin Yar
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 21 December | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
| 22 December 07:56 |
Javelin
|
Wallops Island
|
NASA
| ||||
| NASA | Suborbital | Test flight | 22 December | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 901 kilometres (560 mi) | |||||||
| 23 December 19:05 |
R-7A Semyorka
|
Baikonur Site 1/5
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 23 December | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi) | |||||||
| 23 December | UGM-27 Polaris A1
|
Cape Canaveral LC-25B
|
US Navy
| ||||
| US Navy | Suborbital | Missile test | 23 December | Launch failure | |||
| Apogee: 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) | |||||||
| 26 December | R-5A Pobeda
|
Chelkar
|
RVSN
| ||||
| RVSN | Suborbital | Target | 26 December | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi) | |||||||
| 27 December | R-12 Dvina
|
Kapustin Yar
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 27 December | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
| 28 December | R-12 Dvina
|
Kapustin Yar
|
MVS
| ||||
| MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 28 December | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
| December | R-5A Pobeda
|
Chelkar
|
RVSN
| ||||
| RVSN | Suborbital | Target | December | Successful | |||
| Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi) | |||||||
| Unknown | R-11FM Zemlya
|
B-67, Beloye More
|
VMF
| ||||
| VMF | Suborbital | Missile test | Launch failure | ||||
| Unknown | ALSOR
|
F-104, Edwards
|
NASA
| ||||
| NASA | Suborbital | Test flight | Successful | ||||
| Apogee: 117 kilometres (73 mi) | |||||||
Deep Space Rendezvous
| Date (GMT) | Spacecraft | Event | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 January | Luna 1 | First Lunar flyby | Failed impactor, closest approach: 6,000 kilometres (3,700 mi) |
| 4 March | Pioneer 4 | Lunar flyby | Closest approach: 60,200 kilometres (37,400 mi) |
| 14 September | Luna 2 | First Lunar impact | Landed in Mare Imbrium, first spacecraft to reach the surface of a celestial body |
| 6 October | Luna 3 | Lunar flyby | First Circumlunar flight, returned 29 pictures including first images of the far side of the Moon; closest approach 6,200 kilometres (3,900 mi) |
Orbital launch summary
By country
|
| |||||
| Orbital launch attempts by country in 1959 | ||||||
| Country | Launches | Successes | Failures | Partial failures |
Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soviet Union |
4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
 United States |
19 | 8 | 9 | 2 |
By rocket
| Rocket | Country | Launches | Successes | Failures | Partial failures | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlas-Able | United States |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | Maiden flight |
| Juno II | United States |
4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | |
| Luna 8K72 | Soviet Union |
4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| Thor DM-18 Agena-A | United States |
8 | 5 | 3 | 0 | Maiden flight |
| Thor DM-18 Able-II | United States |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Thor DM-18 Able-III | United States |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Vanguard | United States |
4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | Final flight |
By orbit
| Orbital regime | Launches | Successes | Failures | Accidentally Achieved |
Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low Earth | 12 | 7 | 5 | 0 | |
| Medium Earth | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | |
| High Earth | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Including Highly elliptical orbits |
| Heliocentric | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
References
- Bergin, Chris. "NASASpaceFlight.com".
- Clark, Stephen. "Spaceflight Now".
- Kelso, T.S. "Satellite Catalog (SATCAT)". CelesTrak.[dead link]
- Krebs, Gunter. "Chronology of Space Launches".
- Kyle, Ed. "Space Launch Report". Archived from the original on 5 October 2009. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
- McDowell, Jonathan. "GCAT Orbital Launch Log".
- Pietrobon, Steven. "Steven Pietrobon's Space Archive".
- Wade, Mark. "Encyclopedia Astronautica".
- Webb, Brian. "Southwest Space Archive".
- Zak, Anatoly. "Russian Space Web".
- "ISS Calendar". Spaceflight 101.
- "NSSDCA Master Catalog". NASA Space Science Data Coordinated Archive. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.
- "Space Calendar". NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.[dead link]
- "Space Information Center". JAXA.[dead link]
- "Хроника освоения космоса" [Chronicle of space exploration]. CosmoWorld (in Russian).
Footnotes
- ^ a b c d e Krebs, Gunter. "Vanguard". Gunter's Space Page. Archived from the original on 12 February 2009. Retrieved 2 March 2009.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Lafleur, Claude. "Pioneer 4". Spacecrafts launched in 1959. The Spacecraft Encyclopedia. Retrieved 10 March 2009.
- ^ Eleazer, Wayne (31 January 2011). "Launch failures: the "Oops!" factor". The Space Review. Retrieved 13 August 2011.
- ^ a b Powell, Joel W.; LeBrun, Art (2006). Go For Launch: An Illustrated History of Cape Canaveral. Canada: Apogee Books. p. 128. ISBN 1-894959-43-4.
- ^ Powell, Joel W.; LeBrun, Art (2006). Go For Launch: An Illustrated History of Cape Canaveral. Canada: Apogee Books. pp. 81–85. ISBN 1-894959-43-4.