1958 in spaceflight

1958 in spaceflight
A Juno I launches the first American satellite, Explorer 1
Orbital launches
First1 February
Last18 December
Total28
Successes6
Failures20
Partial failures2
Catalogued8
National firsts
Spaceflight Canada
Satellite United States
Orbital launch United States
Rockets
Maiden flightsJuno I
Sputnik 8A91
Pilot
Thor-Able
Luna
Juno II
Atlas B
RetirementsSputnik 8A91
Pilot
Juno I

Explorer 1 was the first American satellite to reach orbit on 31 January 1958.

1958 in spaceflight
← 1957
1959 →

Orbital launches

[edit]

January-December

[edit]
January-December launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
1 February
03:48:56
United StatesJuno I United StatesCape Canaveral LC-26A United StatesABMA
United StatesExplorer 1 ARPA Initial: Medium Earth
Decayed to: Low Earth
Magnetospheric 31 March 1970 Successful
First successful American satellite launch, discovered Van Allen belts
5 February
07:33
United StatesVanguard United StatesCape Canaveral LC-18A United StatesUS Navy
United StatesVanguard Test Vehicle 3 Backup (6.5 in Satellite)[1] NRL Intended: Medium Earth Geodesy 5 February Launch failure
Loss of control 57 seconds after launch
5 March
18:27:57
United StatesJuno I United StatesCape Canaveral LC-26A United StatesABMA
United StatesExplorer 2 ARPA Intended: Medium Earth Magnetospheric 5 March Launch failure
Fourth stage failed to ignite
17 March
12:15:41
United StatesVanguard United StatesCape Canaveral LC-18A United StatesUS Navy
United StatesVanguard 1 (6.5in Satellite 3)[1] NRL Medium Earth Geodesy In orbit Successful
Oldest spacecraft still in orbit, in addition to its upper launch stage
26 March
17:38:03
United StatesJuno I United StatesCape Canaveral LC-5 United StatesABMA
United StatesExplorer 3 ARPA Initial: Medium Earth
Decayed to: Low Earth
Magnetospheric 27 June Successful
27 April
09:01
Soviet UnionSputnik 8A91 Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 1/5 Soviet UnionMVS
Soviet UnionISZ-D1 No.1 MVS Intended: Low Earth Magnetospheric +88 seconds Launch failure
Rocket disintegrated during ascent
28 April
02:53:00
United StatesVanguard United StatesCape Canaveral LC-18A United StatesUS Navy
United StatesVanguard Test Vehicle 5 (20 in X-ray)[1] NRL Intended: Medium Earth Solar 29 April Launch failure
Third stage failed to ignite
15 May
07:00
Soviet UnionSputnik 8A91 Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 1/5 Soviet UnionMVS
Soviet UnionSputnik 3 (ISZ-D1 No.2) MVS Low Earth Magnetospheric 6 April 1960 Partial spacecraft failure
Faulty data recorder limited return of experimental results
28 May
03:46:20
United StatesVanguard United StatesCape Canaveral LC-18A United StatesUS Navy
United States20in Lyman-Alpha 1[1] NRL Intended: Medium Earth Solar 28 May Launch failure
Loss of control before or during third stage burn
26 June
05:00:52
United StatesVanguard United StatesCape Canaveral LC-18A United StatesUS Navy
United States20in Lyman-Alpha 2[1] NRL Intended: Medium Earth Solar 26 June Launch failure
Premature cutoff of second stage
25 July United StatesNOTS-EV-1 Pilot II United StatesF4D, Point Mugu United StatesUS Navy
United StatesPilot-1 (D1) US Navy Intended: Medium Earth
Achieved: Unknown
Technology 25 July
(presumed)
Launch failure
Maiden flight of Pilot II. Unexpected loss of signal during ascent. Unclear if spacecraft reached orbit, but no confirmed contact was made with it, and no objects from the launch were catalogued.
26 July
15:00:57
United StatesJuno I United StatesCape Canaveral LC-5 United StatesABMA
United StatesExplorer 4 ARPA Initial: Medium Earth
Decayed to: Low Earth
Magnetospheric 23 October 1959 Successful
12 August United StatesNOTS-EV-1 Pilot II United StatesF4D, Point Mugu United StatesUS Navy
United StatesPilot-2 (D2) US Navy Intended: Medium Earth Technology +0 seconds Launch failure
Exploded during first stage ignition
17 August
12:18
United StatesThor DM-18 Able-I United StatesCape Canaveral LC-17A United StatesUS Air Force
United StatesPioneer (Pioneer 0) US Air Force Intended: Selenocentric Lunar probe +77 seconds Launch failure
Maiden flight of Thor-Able I, exploded at an altitude of 16 kilometres (9.9 mi)
22 August United StatesNOTS-EV-1 Pilot II United StatesF4D, Point Mugu United StatesUS Navy
United StatesPilot-3 (D3) US Navy Intended: Medium Earth
Achieved: Unknown
Technology 22 August
(presumed)
Launch failure
Unexpected loss of signal during ascent. Unclear if spacecraft reached orbit, but no confirmed contact was made with it, and no objects from the launch were catalogued.
24 August
06:17:22
United StatesJuno I United StatesCape Canaveral LC-5 United StatesABMA
United StatesExplorer 5 ARPA Intended: Medium Earth Magnetospheric 24 August Launch failure
Loss of control after recontact between first and second stages
25 August United StatesNOTS-EV-1 Pilot II United StatesF4D, Point Mugu United StatesUS Navy
United StatesPilot-4 (R1) US Navy Intended: Medium Earth Radiation +0 seconds Launch failure
Exploded during first stage ignition
26 August United StatesNOTS-EV-1 Pilot II United StatesF4D, Point Mugu United StatesUS Navy
United StatesPilot-5 (R2) US Navy Intended: Medium Earth Radiation 26 August Launch failure
Failed to ignite
28 August United StatesNOTS-EV-1 Pilot II United StatesF4D, Point Mugu United StatesUS Navy
United StatesPilot-6 (R3) US Navy Intended: Medium Earth Radiation 28 August Launch failure
One second stage engine failed to ignite, final flight of Pilot
23 September Soviet UnionLuna 8K72 Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 1/5 Soviet UnionMVS
Soviet UnionLuna E-1 #1 MVS Planned: Heliocentric Lunar probe +92 seconds Launch failure
Maiden flight of Luna 8K72, rocket disintegrated
26 September
15:38
United StatesVanguard United StatesCape Canaveral LC-18A United StatesUS Navy
United States20in Cloud Cover 1[1] NRL Intended: Medium Earth Atmospheric 26 September Launch failure
Second stage underperformed
11 October
08:42:13
United StatesThor DM-18 Able-I United StatesCape Canaveral LC-17A United StatesNASA
United StatesPioneer 1 NASA Intended: Selenocentric Lunar probe 13 October
03:46
Launch failure
Third stage underperformed, failed to reach the Moon, catalogued despite being on a suborbital trajectory. Returned data on radiation between the Earth and Moon.
11 October Soviet UnionLuna 8K72 Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 1/5 Soviet UnionMVS
Soviet UnionLuna E-1 #2 MVS Intended: Heliocentric Lunar probe +104 seconds Launch failure
Rocket disintegrated
23 October
03:21:04
United StatesJuno I United StatesCape Canaveral LC-5 United StatesABMA
United StatesBeacon 1 US Army Intended: Low Earth Atmospheric +149 seconds Launch failure
Structural failure, final flight of Juno I
8 November
07:30:21
United StatesThor DM-18 Able-I United StatesCape Canaveral LC-17A United StatesNASA
United StatesPioneer 2 NASA Intended: Selenocentric Lunar probe 8 November Launch failure
Third stage failed to ignite
4 December Soviet UnionLuna 8K72 Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 1/5 Soviet UnionMVS
Soviet UnionLuna E-1 #3 MVS Intended: Heliocentric Lunar probe +245 seconds Launch failure
Hydrogen peroxide pump failed due to loss of lubrication, shutting down core stage engine
6 December
05:44:52
United StatesJuno II United StatesCape Canaveral LC-5 United StatesABMA
United StatesPioneer 3 NASA Intended: Heliocentric Lunar flyby 7 December
19:51
Launch failure
Maiden flight of Juno II, premature first stage cutoff and erroneous angle during orbital insertion resulted in failure to reach orbit. Catalogued despite being on a suborbital trajectory. Returned data on radiation between the Earth and Moon.
18 December
23:02
United StatesSM-65B Atlas United StatesCape Canaveral LC-11 United StatesUS Air Force
United StatesSCORE ARPA Low Earth Communication 12 January 1959 Successful
First communications satellite, only orbital launch of Atlas B

Suborbital launches

[edit]

January

[edit]
January launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
8 January United StatesNike-Asp United StatesWhite Sands United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital 8 January Successful
Apogee: 145 kilometres (90 mi)
10 January
15:48
United StatesSM-65A Atlas United StatesCape Canaveral LC-12 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 10 January Successful
Apogee: 120 kilometres (75 mi)
11 January United StatesUGM-27 Polaris TV United StatesPoint Mugu United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 11 January Successful
Maiden flight of Polaris, apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
17 January United StatesUGM-27 Polaris TV United StatesCape Canaveral LC-3 United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 17 January Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
25 January
19:12
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 25 January Successful
Apogee: 157 kilometres (98 mi)
26 January
04:18:56
United StatesAerobee-150 (Hi) CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Auroral 26 January Successful
Apogee: 180 kilometres (110 mi)
27 January
06:04
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 27 January Successful
Apogee: 129 kilometres (80 mi)
27 January
18:49
United StatesAerobee CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Army
US Army Suborbital Aeronomy 27 January Successful
Apogee: 143 kilometres (89 mi)
28 January
20:16
United StatesPGM-17 Thor DM-18 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-17A United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 28 January Launch failure
29 January
19:06
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 29 January Successful
Apogee: 170 kilometres (110 mi)
29 January
22:15
Soviet UnionR-7 Semyorka Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 1/5 Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 29 January Successful
Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)

February

[edit]
February launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
3 February
18:02
United StatesAerobee-150 (Hi) CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Ionospheric 3 February Successful
Apogee: 138 kilometres (86 mi)
4 February
06:17
United StatesAerobee-150 (Hi) CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Ionospheric 4 February Successful
Apogee: 234 kilometres (145 mi)
7 February
19:37
United StatesSM-65A Atlas United StatesCape Canaveral LC-14 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 7 February Launch failure
Apogee: 120 kilometres (75 mi)
13 February
06:37
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Auroral 13 February Successful
Apogee: 129 kilometres (80 mi)
16 February
06:17
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Auroral 16 February Successful
Apogee: 121 kilometres (75 mi)
20 February
17:46
United StatesSM-65A Atlas United StatesCape Canaveral LC-12 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 20 February Launch failure
Apogee: 90 kilometres (56 mi)
21 February
07:40
Soviet UnionR-5A Pobeda Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionAN
AN Suborbital 21 February Successful
Apogee: 470 kilometres (290 mi)
21 February
08:42
Soviet UnionR-5A Pobeda Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionAN
AN Suborbital 21 February Successful
Apogee: 400 kilometres (250 mi)
21 February
09:40
East GermanySoviet UnionA-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Ionospheric
Solar
21 February Successful
Apogee: 206 kilometres (128 mi)
21 February
15:20
Soviet UnionR-5A Pobeda Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionAN
AN Suborbital 21 February Successful
Apogee: 473 kilometres (294 mi)
22 February
02:02
United StatesAerobee-150 (Hi) CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Ionospheric
Auroral
22 February Successful
Apogee: 225 kilometres (140 mi)
22 February
05:35
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Auroral 22 January Successful
Apogee: 129 kilometres (80 mi)
24 February
07:00
United StatesAerobee-150 (Hi) CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Aeronomy 24 February Successful
Apogee: 207 kilometres (129 mi)
24 February
07:35
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 24 February Successful
Apogee: 145 kilometres (90 mi)
26 February
02:35
East GermanySoviet UnionA-1 Soviet UnionErnst Krenkel Observatory Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Ionospheric
Aeronomy
26 February Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
26 February
05:49
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Auroral 26 February Successful
Apogee: 129 kilometres (80 mi)
26 February
22:18
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Army
BRL Suborbital Technology 26 February Launch failure
Apogee: 37 kilometres (23 mi), tested longer nosecone
28 February
13:08
United StatesPGM-17 Thor DM-18 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-17B United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 28 February Launch failure

March

[edit]
March launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
4 March
06:02
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 4 March Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
4 March
19:30
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 4 March Successful
Apogee: 181 kilometres (112 mi)
16 March
04:54
United StatesAerobee-150 (Hi) CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Auroral 16 March Successful
Apogee: 144 kilometres (89 mi)
18 March United StatesNike Apache United StatesWhite Sands United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital 18 March Successful
Apogee: 107 kilometres (66 mi)
19 March
01:12
United StatesAerobee CanadaHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 19 March Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
21 March United StatesAerobee CanadaHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Ionospheric 21 March Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
22 March
06:41
United StatesAerobee-150 (Hi) CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Auroral 22 March Successful
Apogee: 168 kilometres (104 mi)
23 March
18:07
United StatesAerobee-150 (Hi) CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Auroral
Aeronomy
23 March Successful
Apogee: 202 kilometres (126 mi)
23 March United StatesUGM-27 Polaris TV United StatesSan Clemente United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 23 March Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
24 March
18:30
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy
Imaging
24 March Successful
Apogee: 119 kilometres (74 mi)
24 March
22:00
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 24 March Successful
Apogee: 137 kilometres (85 mi)
29 March
14:40
Soviet UnionR-7 Semyorka Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 1/5 Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 29 March Successful
Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
31 March Soviet UnionR-11FM Zemlya Soviet UnionB-67, Beloye More Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 31 March Successful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)

April

[edit]
April launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
4 April
15:30
Soviet UnionR-7 Semyorka Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 1/5 Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 4 April Successful
Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
5 April
17:01
United StatesSM-65A Atlas United StatesCape Canaveral LC-14 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 5 April Launch failure
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
7 April United StatesNike-Cajun United StatesWallops Island United StatesARPA
United StatesHi Ball 1 ARPA Suborbital Technology 7 April Successful
Apogee: 244 kilometres (152 mi)
11 April United StatesUGM-27 Polaris TV United StatesSan Clemente United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 11 April Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
17 April
10:57
United KingdomSkylark-1 AustraliaWoomera LA-2 United KingdomRAE
RAE Suborbital Test flight
Aeronomy
17 April Successful
Apogee: 152 kilometres (94 mi)
18 April United StatesUGM-27 Polaris TV United StatesCape Canaveral LC-25A United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 18 April Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
19 April
13:30
United StatesPGM-17 Thor DM-18 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-17B United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 19 April Launch failure
24 April
00:10
United StatesThor DM-18 Able United StatesCape Canaveral LC-17A United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital REV test +150 seconds Launch failure
Maiden flight of Thor-Able, turbopump gearbox failed. REV carried Mia, a mouse
24 April United StatesNike-Cajun United StatesWallops Island United StatesARPA
United StatesBeacon Test 1 ARPA Suborbital Technology 24 April Successful
Apogee: 122 kilometres (76 mi)

May

[edit]
May launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
1 May United StatesNike-Cajun United StatesHolloman United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Meteorite research 1 May Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
5 May
14:15
United StatesAerobee United StatesWhite Sands LC-35 United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Solar 5 May Successful
Apogee: 214 kilometres (133 mi)
8 May United StatesUGM-27 Polaris TV United StatesCape Canaveral LC-25A United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 8 May Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
18 May
05:05
United StatesPGM-19 Jupiter United StatesCape Canaveral LC-26B United StatesABMA
US Air Force Suborbital REV test 05:21 Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi), carried a Gaslight re-entry vehicle which was recovered
20 May
04:26
United KingdomSkylark-2 AustraliaWoomera LA-2 United KingdomRAE
RAE Suborbital Test flight
Aeronomy
20 May Successful
Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi)
20 May
09:34:35
United StatesNike-Cajun United StatesHolloman United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 20 May Successful
Apogee: 101 kilometres (63 mi), released caesium and sodium
21 May
11:31:59
United StatesNike-Cajun United StatesHolloman United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 21 May Successful
Apogee: 128 kilometres (80 mi), released caesium and sodium
22 May
00:57
United StatesNike-Cajun United StatesWallops Island United StatesARPA
United StatesHi Ball 2 ARPA Suborbital Technology 22 May Successful
Apogee: 240 kilometres (150 mi)
22 May
11:29:59
United StatesNike-Cajun United StatesHolloman United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 22 May Successful
Apogee: 116 kilometres (72 mi), released sodium
24 May
10:30
Soviet UnionR-7 Semyorka Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 1/5 Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 24 May Launch failure
Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
25 May United StatesNike-Cajun United StatesWallops Island United StatesARPA
United StatesBeacon Test 2 ARPA Suborbital Technology 25 May Successful
Apogee: 122 kilometres (76 mi)
25 May Soviet UnionR-11FM Zemlya Soviet UnionB-67, Beloye More Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 25 May Successful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
26 May Soviet UnionR-11FM Zemlya Soviet UnionB-67, Beloye More Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 26 May Successful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
May Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test   Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)

June

[edit]
June launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
3 June
21:28
United StatesSM-65A Atlas United StatesCape Canaveral LC-12 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 3 June Successful
Apogee: 120 kilometres (75 mi), final flight of Atlas A
4 June
15:15
United StatesAerobee-150 (Hi) United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Solar 4 June Successful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
4 June
21:17
United StatesPGM-17 Thor DM-18 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-18B United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 4 June Successful
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
5 June
11:30
United KingdomSkylark-1 AustraliaWoomera LA-2 United KingdomRAE
RAE Suborbital Test flight 5 June Successful
Apogee: 153 kilometres (95 mi)
6 June United StatesX-17 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-25A United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital REV test 6 June Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
13 June
15:06
United StatesPGM-17 Thor DM-18 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-17B United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 13 June Successful
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
18 June
10:35
United KingdomSkylark-1 AustraliaWoomera LA-2 United KingdomRAE
RAE Suborbital Aeronomy 18 June Launch failure
Apogee: 3 kilometres (1.9 mi)
18 June
15:15
United KingdomSkylark-2 AustraliaWoomera LA-2 United KingdomRAE
RAE Suborbital Aeronomy 18 June Successful
Apogee: 144 kilometres (89 mi)
19 June
21:15
United KingdomSkylark-2 AustraliaWoomera LA-2 United KingdomRAE
RAE Suborbital Test flight
Aeronomy
19 June Successful
Apogee: 154 kilometres (96 mi)
24 June United StatesX-17 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-25A United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital REV test 24 June Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
26 June United StatesExos United StatesWallops Island United StatesNACA/AFCRL
NACA/AFCRL Suborbital Test flight 26 June Successful
Apogee: 370 kilometres (230 mi), maiden flight of Exos
27 June United StatesWS-199B Bold Orion I United StatesB-47, Cape Canaveral United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 27 June Launch failure
Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi)
June Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test   Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
June Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test   Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
June Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test   Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)

July

[edit]
July launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
2 July
05:00
East GermanySoviet UnionR-2A Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionAN
AN Suborbital 2 July Successful
Apogee: 210 kilometres (130 mi)
2 July United StatesX-17 United StatesUSS Norton Sound, San Clemente United StatesUS Navy
United StatesWinder 1 US Navy Suborbital Missile test 2 July Successful
Apogee: 560 kilometres (350 mi), delivery test ahead of Operation Argus
3 July
18:52
United StatesAerobee CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Ionospheric 3 July Successful
Apogee: 262 kilometres (163 mi)
6 July
12:02
United StatesAerobee CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Ionospheric 6 July Successful
Apogee: 250 kilometres (160 mi)
7 July
18:50
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy
Imaging
7 July Successful
Apogee: 121 kilometres (75 mi)
7 July
23:18
United StatesNike-Asp United StatesPoint Mugu United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital 7 July Successful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
8 July
23:15
United StatesNike-Asp United StatesPoint Mugu United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital 8 July Successful
Apogee: 225 kilometres (140 mi)
10 July
02:30
United StatesThor DM-18 Able United StatesCape Canaveral LC-17A United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital REV test 10 July Successful
Apogee: 1,600 kilometres (990 mi), REV carried Mia II, a mouse
10 July
07:42
Soviet UnionR-7 Semyorka Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 1/5 Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 10 July Launch failure
11 July
18:30
United StatesAerobee CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Ionospheric 11 July Successful
Apogee: 243 kilometres (151 mi)
11 July United StatesJason (Argo-E5) United StatesWallops Island United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Test flight 11 July Launch failure
Apogee: 20 kilometres (12 mi), maiden flight of Jason
12 July
20:30
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy
Imaging
12 July Successful
Apogee: 114 kilometres (71 mi)
13 July
06:36
United StatesPGM-17 Thor DM-18 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-17B United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 13 July Successful
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
15 July
20:07
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 15 July Successful
Apogee: 126 kilometres (78 mi)
16 July
22:40
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital 16 July Successful
Apogee: 142 kilometres (88 mi)
16 July United StatesArcon United StatesWallops Island United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Test flight 16 July Launch failure
Apogee: 1 kilometre (0.62 mi)
17 July
07:21
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 17 July Successful
Apogee: 169 kilometres (105 mi)
17 July
09:04
United StatesPGM-19 Jupiter United StatesCape Canaveral LC-26B United StatesABMA
US Air Force Suborbital REV test 17 July Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi), carried a Gaslight re-entry vehicle which was recovered
17 July
17:48
United StatesNike-Asp United StatesPoint Mugu United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital 17 July Successful
Apogee: 225 kilometres (140 mi)
17 July United StatesJason (Argo-E5) United StatesWallops Island United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Test flight 17 July Launch failure
Apogee: 20 kilometres (12 mi)
18 July United StatesWS-199B Bold Orion I United StatesB-47, Cape Canaveral United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 18 July Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
19 July
17:36
United StatesSM-65B Atlas United StatesCape Canaveral LC-11 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 19 July Launch failure
Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi), maiden flight of Atlas B
21 July United StatesArcon United StatesWallops Island United StatesUS Army
SRDL Suborbital Test flight 21 July Launch failure
Apogee: 1 kilometre (0.62 mi)
22 July United StatesArcon United StatesWallops Island United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Test flight 22 July Launch failure
Apogee: 20 kilometres (12 mi)
23 July
22:13
United StatesThor DM-18 Able United StatesCape Canaveral LC-17A United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital REV test 23 July Successful
Apogee: 1,600 kilometres (990 mi), REV carried Wickie, a mouse
24 July United StatesX-17 United StatesUSS Norton Sound, San Clemente United StatesUS Navy
United StatesWinder 4 US Navy Suborbital Missile test 24 July Successful
Apogee: 560 kilometres (350 mi), delivery test ahead of Operation Argus
25 July
05:01
United StatesNike-Asp United StatesPoint Mugu United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital 25 July Successful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
26 July
06:40
United StatesPGM-17 Thor DM-18 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-17B United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 26 July Successful
29 July
05:03
United StatesNike-Asp United StatesPoint Mugu United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital 29 July Successful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
31 July East GermanySoviet UnionR-2A Soviet UnionKapustin Yar SP-2 Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Target 31 July Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
July United StatesX-17 United StatesUSS Norton Sound, San Clemente United StatesUS Navy
United StatesWinder 2 US Navy Suborbital Missile test   Launch failure
Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi), delivery test ahead of Operation Argus
July United StatesX-17 United StatesUSS Norton Sound, San Clemente United StatesUS Navy
United StatesWinder 3 US Navy Suborbital Missile test   Launch failure
Delivery test ahead of Operation Argus

August

[edit]
August launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
1 August United StatesJason (Argo-E5) United StatesWallops Island United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Test flight 1 August Successful
Apogee: 750 kilometres (470 mi)
1 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 1 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Teak nuclear explosion or its effects
1 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 1 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Teak nuclear explosion or its effects
1 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 1 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Teak nuclear explosion or its effects
1 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 1 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Teak nuclear explosion or its effects
1 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 1 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Teak nuclear explosion or its effects
1 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 1 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Teak nuclear explosion or its effects
1 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 1 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Teak nuclear explosion or its effects
1 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 1 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Teak nuclear explosion or its effects
1 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 1 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Teak nuclear explosion or its effects
1 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 1 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Teak nuclear explosion or its effects
1 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 1 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Teak nuclear explosion or its effects
1 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 1 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Teak nuclear explosion or its effects
1 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 1 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Teak nuclear explosion or its effects
2 August
05:47
East GermanySoviet UnionR-2A Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital 2 August Successful
Apogee: 211 kilometres (131 mi)
2 August
22:16
United StatesSM-65B Atlas United StatesCape Canaveral LC-13 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 2 August Successful
Apogee: 900 kilometres (560 mi)
6 August United StatesPGM-17 Thor DM-18 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-18B United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 6 August Successful
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
7 August East GermanySoviet UnionR-2A Soviet UnionKapustin Yar SP-2 Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Target 7 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
12 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 12 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Orange nuclear explosion or its effects
12 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 12 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Orange nuclear explosion or its effects
12 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 12 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Orange nuclear explosion or its effects
12 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 12 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Orange nuclear explosion or its effects
12 August