1957 in spaceflight

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

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

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


Launches

January

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

February

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

March

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

April

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

May

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

June

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

July

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

August

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

September

September launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
1 September
22:28
United StatesAerobee Hi AM4.001 CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
AFCRC / University of Michigan Suborbital Aeronomy 1 September Successful
Apogee: 160 kilometres (99 mi)
5 September Soviet UnionR-5M M1-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
Soviet UnionGenerator-5 OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 5 September Successful
7 September
11:39
Soviet UnionR-7 Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 1/5 Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 7 September Successful
9 September
15:50
Soviet UnionR-2A Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
RAS Suborbital Ionospheric / Biological 9 September Successful
Apogee: 212 kilometres (132 mi)
12 September Soviet UnionR-5M Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 12 September Successful
12 September
15:19:30
United StatesNike-Deacon NN7.46F United StatesSan Nicolas United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Solar UV / X-ray 12 September Launch failure
Apogee: 3 kilometres (1.9 mi)
14 September Soviet UnionR-5M Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 14 September Successful
15 September
20:43
United StatesNike-Deacon NN7.47F United StatesSan Nicolas United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Solar UV / X-ray 15 September Launch failure
17 September
14:04
United StatesAerobee RTV-N-10 NRL 21 United StatesWhite Sands LC-35 United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Solar UV 17 September Successful
Apogee: 51 kilometres (32 mi), final flight of the RTV-N-10
18 September
17:42
United StatesNike-Deacon NN7.48F United StatesSan Nicolas United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Solar UV / X-ray 18 September Launch failure
Apogee: 21 kilometres (13 mi)
18 September
17:54
United StatesNike-Deacon NN7.49F United StatesSan Nicolas United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Solar UV / X-ray 18 September Successful
Apogee: 77 kilometres (48 mi), final flight of the Nike-Deacon
19 September
16:30
United StatesAerobee (unknown type) United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
AFCRC Suborbital Aeronomy 19 September Successful
Released caesium
20 September
14:25
United StatesXSM-75 Thor 105 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-17B United StatesUS Air Force
ARDC Suborbital Missile test 20 September Successful
First successful Thor launch
21 September Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionUrda, Kazakhstan Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 21 September Successful
Launched with tactical launcher
21 September Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionUrda, Kazakhstan Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 21 September Successful
Launched with tactical launcher
22 September Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionUrda, Kazakhstan Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 22 September Successful
Launched with tactical launcher
23 September Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionUrda, Kazakhstan Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 23 September Successful
Launched with tactical launcher
25 September United StatesFarside Shot 1 Trust Territory of the Pacific IslandsEniwetok United StatesUS Air Force
AFOSR Suborbital Ionospheric 25 September Launch failure
Maiden flight of the Farside, stage zero (balloon) malfunction
25 September
19:57
United StatesXSM-65A Atlas 6A United StatesCape Canaveral LC-14 United StatesUS Air Force
ARDC Suborbital Test flight 25 September Partial failure
Apogee: 4 kilometres (2.5 mi), destroyed by range safety following fuel system malfunction, flight considered partial success
26 September Soviet UnionR-5M Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 26 September Successful
26 September
18:21
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 74 United StatesUSS Glacier, Atlantic Ocean United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Test flight 26 September Successful
26 September
20:00
United StatesNike-Asp NN8.50F United StatesSan Nicolas United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Test flight 26 September Launch failure
Apogee: 16 kilometres (9.9 mi), maiden flight of the Nike-Asp
27 September
14:27
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 75 United StatesUSS Glacier, east of The Bahamas United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Chemical release 27 September Successful
Apogee: 119 kilometres (74 mi)
29 September Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionUrda, Kazakhstan Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 29 September Successful
Launched with tactical launcher
30 September Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionUrda, Kazakhstan Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 30 September Successful
Launched with tactical launcher

October

October launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
October AustraliaLong Tom LT1 AustraliaWoomera LA-2 SL AustraliaWRE
WRE Suborbital Test flight Same Day Successful
Maiden flight of the Long Tom and first Australian spaceflight
1 October Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 1 October Successful
2 October Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 2 October Successful
3 October United StatesFarside Shot 2 Trust Territory of the Pacific IslandsEniwetok United StatesUS Air Force
AFOSR Suborbital Ionospheric 3 October Launch failure
3 October United StatesXSM-75 Thor 107 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-17A United StatesUS Air Force
ARDC Suborbital Missile test 3 October Launch failure
4 October
19:28:34
Soviet UnionSputnik-PS (8K71PS) PS-1 Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 1/5 Soviet UnionMVS
Soviet UnionSputnik 1 (PS-1) MVS Low Earth Technology demonstration 4 January 1958 Successful
First orbital launch, first artificial satellite of Earth, maiden flight of the Sputnik rocket
4 October
20:36
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 76 United StatesUSS Glacier, Pacific Ocean, Southwest of Costa Rica United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Chemical release 4 October Successful
Apogee: 113 kilometres (70 mi)
6 October Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 6 October Successful
6 October Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 6 October Successful
7 October United StatesFarside Shot 3 Trust Territory of the Pacific IslandsEniwetok United StatesUS Air Force
AFOSR Suborbital Ionospheric 7 October Launch failure
11 October United StatesFarside Shot 4 Trust Territory of the Pacific IslandsEniwetok United StatesUS Air Force
AFOSR Suborbital Ionospheric 11 October Launch failure
11 October
16:33
United StatesXSM-75 Thor 108 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-17B United StatesUS Air Force
ARDC Suborbital Missile test 11 October Partial launch failure
Turbopump gearbox malfunctioned, still met primary test objectives
12 October Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 12 October Successful
12 October Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 12 October Successful
13 October Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 13 October Successful
13 October Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 13 October Successful
13 October Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 13 October Successful
13 October
18:15
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 77 United StatesUSS Glacier, Central Pacific Ocean, east of Kiribati United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Chemical release 13 October Successful
14 October Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 14 October Successful
14 October Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 14 October Successful
14 October
15:08
United StatesAerobee (unknown type) USAF 87 United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
AFCRC Suborbital Meteorite research 14 October Successful
Apogee: 146 kilometres (91 mi)
14 October
22:31
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 78 United StatesUSS Glacier, Central Pacific Ocean, east of Kiribati United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Aeronomy / Fields 14 October Successful
Apogee: 113 kilometres (70 mi)
16 October
21:17
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 79 United StatesUSS Glacier, Central Pacific Ocean, near Kiribati United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Aeronomy / Fields 16 October Successful
17 October
00:09
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 80 United StatesUSS Glacier, Central Pacific Ocean, near Kiribati United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Aeronomy / Fields 17 October Launch failure
17 October
02:18
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 81 United StatesUSS Glacier, Central Pacific Ocean, near Kiribati United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Aeronomy / Fields 17 October Launch failure
17 October
05:05
United StatesAerobee (unknown type) USAF 88 United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
United StatesArtificial Meteor AFCRC / Caltech Suborbital Meteorite research 17 October Successful
Apogee: 114 kilometres (71 mi)
17 October
21:16
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 82 United StatesUSS Glacier, Central Pacific Ocean, near Kiribati United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Aeronomy / Fields 17 October Launch failure
Apogee: 44 kilometres (27 mi)
18 October
00:59
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 83 United StatesUSS Glacier, Central Pacific Ocean, near Kiribati United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Fields 18 October Successful
Apogee: 127 kilometres (79 mi)
18 October
09:35
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 84 United StatesUSS Glacier, Central Pacific Ocean, near Kiribati United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Chemical release 18 October Successful
18 October
20:58
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 85 United StatesUSS Glacier, Central Pacific Ocean, near Kiribati United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Aeronomy / Fields 18 October Successful
Apogee: 121 kilometres (75 mi)
19 October
00:59
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 86 United StatesUSS Glacier, Central Pacific Ocean, near Kiribati United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Fields 19 October Successful
Apogee: 121 kilometres (75 mi)
19 October
20:07
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 87 United StatesUSS Glacier, Central Pacific Ocean, near Kiribati United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Fields 19 October Successful
Apogee: 122 kilometres (76 mi)
20 October United StatesFarside Shot 5 Trust Territory of the Pacific IslandsEniwetok United StatesUS Air Force
AFOSR Suborbital Ionospheric 20 October Spacecraft failure
Apogee: 3,200 to 5,000 kilometres (2,000 to 3,100 mi), returned no data due to transmitter malfunction
20 October
02:19
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 88 United StatesUSS Glacier, Central Pacific Ocean, near Kiribati United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Aeronomy / Fields 20 October Successful
Apogee: 104 kilometres (65 mi)
20 October
03:57
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 89 United StatesUSS Glacier, Central Pacific Ocean, near Kiribati United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Chemical release 20 October Successful
20 October
20:11
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 90 United StatesUSS Glacier, Central Pacific Ocean, southwest of Kiribati United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Chemical release 20 October Successful
22 October United StatesFarside Shot 6 Trust Territory of the Pacific IslandsEniwetok United StatesUS Air Force
AFOSR Suborbital Ionospheric 22 October Spacecraft failure
Apogee: 3,200 to 5,000 kilometres (2,000 to 3,100 mi), returned no data due to transmitter malfunction
22 October
22:31
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 91 United StatesUSS Glacier, South Pacific Ocean, near the Cook Islands United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Chemical release 22 October Successful
23 October
01:07
United StatesSM-78 Jupiter United StatesCape Canaveral LC-26B United StatesUS Air Force
ABMA Suborbital Missile test 23 October Successful
23 October United StatesAerobee (unknown type) United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
AFCRC Suborbital Aeronomy 23 October Successful
23 October
19:22:54
United StatesVanguard TV-2 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-18A United StatesUS Navy
United StatesVanguard TV-2 NRL Suborbital Test flight 23 October Successful
Maiden flight of the Vanguard, battleship upper stages, apogee: 175 kilometres (109 mi)
24 October Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 24 October Successful
24 October Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 24 October Successful
24 October Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 24 October Successful
24 October
14:30
United StatesPolaris FTV-3 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-3 United StatesUS Navy
USNSPO Suborbital REV test 24 October Successful
Technology test for development of the UGM-27 Polaris
24 October
16:38
United StatesXSM-75 Thor 109 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-17A United StatesUS Air Force
ARDC Suborbital Missile test 24 October Successful
Final flight of R&D Series I; long range test
25 October United StatesAerobee (unknown type) United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
AFCRC Suborbital Ionospheric 25 October Successful
25 October United StatesHJ-Nike-Nike United StatesWallops Island United StatesUS Air Force
ARDC Suborbital REV test 25 October Successful
Maiden flight of the HJ-Nike-Nike, although it wouldn't go to space until 1962
26 October Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 26 October Successful
26 October
19:47
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 92 United StatesUSS Glacier, South Pacific Ocean, east of New Zealand United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Chemical release 26 October Successful
27 October
02:46
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 93 United StatesUSS Glacier, South Pacific Ocean, east of New Zealand United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Chemical release 27 October Launch failure
27 October Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 27 October Successful
29 October
00:13
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 94 United StatesUSS Glacier, South Pacific Ocean, southeast of New Zealand United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Aeronomy / Chemical release 29 October Launch failure
Apogee: 8 kilometres (5.0 mi)
30 October
22:50
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 95 United StatesUSS Glacier, Southern Ocean, southeast of New Zealand United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Aeronomy / Chemical release 30 October Successful
31 October
01:44
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 96 United StatesUSS Glacier, Southern Ocean, southeast of New Zealand United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Aeronomy / Chemical release 31 October Successful
31 October
19:51
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 97 United StatesUSS Glacier, Southern Ocean, southeast of New Zealand United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Aeronomy / Fields 31 October Successful

November

November launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
1 November
01:00
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 98 United StatesUSS Glacier, Southern Ocean, southeast of New Zealand United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Aeronomy / Fields 1 November Launch failure
3 November
02:30:42
Soviet UnionSputnik-PS (8K71PS) PS-2 Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 1/5 Soviet UnionMVS
Soviet UnionSputnik 2 (PS-2) MVS Low Earth Biological 14 April 1958 Partial spacecraft failure
Carried Laika, the first animal in orbit. Laika died prior to completion of experiments. Final flight of the Sputnik-PS.
3 November Soviet UnionR-5M M1-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
Soviet UnionGenerator-5 OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 3 November Successful
3 November
20:08
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 99 United StatesUSS Glacier, Southern Ocean, north of McMurdo Station United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Aeronomy / Fields 3 November Launch failure
4 November
00:39
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 100 United StatesUSS Glacier, Southern Ocean, north of McMurdo Station United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Aeronomy / Chemical release 4 November Successful
4 November
02:50
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 101 United StatesUSS Glacier, Southern Ocean, north of McMurdo Station United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Aeronomy / Fields 4 November Successful
Apogee: 113 kilometres (70 mi)
4 November
03:47
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 102 United StatesUSS Glacier, Southern Ocean, north of McMurdo Station United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Aeronomy / Fields 4 November Launch failure
4 November
07:16
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 103 United StatesUSS Glacier, Southern Ocean, north of McMurdo Station United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Aeronomy / Chemical release 4 November Launch failure
4 November Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 4 November Successful
4 November
18:52
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 104 United StatesUSS Glacier, Southern Ocean, north of McMurdo Station United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Aeronomy / Fields 4 November Successful
5 November
01:25
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 105 United StatesUSS Glacier, Southern Ocean, north of McMurdo Station United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Aeronomy / Chemical release 5 November Successful
5 November
20:23
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 106 United StatesUSS Glacier, Southern Ocean, north of McMurdo Station United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Aeronomy / Fields 5 November Successful
Apogee: 97 kilometres (60 mi)
5 November
23:17
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 107 United StatesUSS Glacier, Southern Ocean, north of McMurdo Station United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Aeronomy / Fields 5 November Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
7 November
16:05
United StatesAerobee (unknown type) USAF 89 United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
AFCRC Suborbital Ionospheric 7 November Successful
8 November United StatesPolaris FTV-3 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-3 United StatesUS Navy
USNSPO Suborbital REV test 8 November Successful
Technology test for development of the UGM-27 Polaris, final flight of the Polaris FTV-3
8 November
14:57
United StatesAerobee (unknown type) USAF 90 United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
AFCRC Suborbital Ionospheric 8 November Launch failure
8 November
22:00
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 108 United StatesUSS Glacier, South Pacific Ocean, near New Zealand United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Aeronomy / Chemical release 8 November Successful
Apogee: 110 kilometres (68 mi)
9 November
00:00
United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 109 United StatesUSS Glacier, South Pacific Ocean, near New Zealand United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Aeronomy / Chemical release 9 November Successful
Apogee: 110 kilometres (68 mi), final flight of the Loki Rockoon
9 November
16:54
Soviet UnionA-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
RAS Suborbital Ionospheric / Aeronomy 9 November Successful
Apogee: 330 kilometres (210 mi)
10 November United StatesAerobee (unknown type) United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
AFCRC Suborbital Aeronomy 10 November Successful
13 November
11:52
United KingdomSkylark (Raven 1) SL04 AustraliaWoomera LA-2 SL AustraliaWRE / United KingdomRAE
University College London Suborbital Aeronomy 13 November Successful
Apogee: 127 kilometres (79 mi), first British spaceflight
19 November
16:29:56
United StatesAerobee (unknown type) United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
United StatesSmoke Puff AFCRC Suborbital Aeronomy 19 November Successful
Apogee: 121 kilometres (75 mi), released potassium nitrate and aluminium to create a temporary 'radio mirror'
26 November
12:55
United StatesAerobee (unknown type) United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
AFCRC Suborbital Aeronomy 26 November Successful
27 November
02:10
United StatesSM-78 Jupiter United StatesCape Canaveral LC-26B United StatesUS Air Force
ABMA Suborbital Missile test 27 November Partial failure
Apogee: 20 kilometres (12 mi), mechanical failure of turbo-pump caused loss of thrust and missile exploded. Other primary and secondary flight objectives were considered successful.
30 November Soviet UnionR-5M Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 30 November Successful

December

December launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
6 December
16:44:35
United StatesVanguard TV-3 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-18A United StatesUS Navy
United StatesVanguard 1A NRL Intended: Medium Earth Geodesy 6 December Launch failure
First all up Vanguard flight, first US orbital launch attempt, and first orbital launch attempt failure. Lost thrust and exploded on launch pad after 2 seconds.
7 December
22:11
United StatesXSM-75 Thor 112 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-17B United StatesUS Air Force
ARDC Suborbital Missile test 7 December Successful
Start of R&D Series II
10 December
17:35
United StatesNike-Cajun OB6.02F United StatesWhite Sands United StatesUniversity of Michigan / US Army
BRL Suborbital Ionospheric / Fields 10 December Successful
Apogee: 145 kilometres (90 mi)
10 December
18:12
United StatesNike-Asp NN8.51F United StatesSan Nicolas United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Test flight 10 December Successful
Apogee: 169 kilometres (105 mi)
10 December
21:36
United StatesNike-Cajun SS6.39 CanadaChurchill United StatesUniversity of Michigan / US Army
USASC Suborbital Aeronomy 10 December Launch failure
12 December
04:00
United StatesAerobee (unknown type) SM1.07 CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Army
United StatesGrenades AFCRC / University of Michigan Suborbital Aeronomy 12 December Successful
Apogee: 80 kilometres (50 mi)
14 December
21:00
United StatesAerobee (unknown type) SM1.08 CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Army
United StatesGrenades USASC / University of Michigan Suborbital Aeronomy 14 December Successful
Apogee: 97 kilometres (60 mi)
15 December
00:38
United StatesNike-Cajun AM6.34 CanadaChurchill United StatesUniversity of Michigan / US Army
University of Michigan / ARDC Suborbital Aeronomy 15 December Launch failure
Apogee: 9 kilometres (5.6 mi)
17 December
17:39
United StatesXSM-65A Atlas 12A United StatesCape Canaveral LC-14 United StatesUS Air Force
ARDC Suborbital Test flight 17 December Successful
First successful Atlas launch
19 December
00:07
United StatesSM-78 Jupiter United StatesCape Canaveral LC-26B United StatesUS Air Force
ABMA Suborbital Missile test 19 December Partial failure
Apogee: 92 kilometres (57 mi), mechanical failure of turbo-pump caused loss of thrust at 116.87 seconds. Other primary and secondary flight objectives were considered successful.
19 December
19:57
United StatesXSM-75 Thor 113 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-17A United StatesUS Air Force
ARDC Suborbital Missile test 19 December Successful
23 December United StatesNike-Cajun United StatesWallops Island United StatesNACA
United StatesHUGO 2 New Mexico State University Suborbital Aeronomy / Hurricane photography 23 December Launch failure
26 December Soviet UnionR-5M M1-3 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
Soviet UnionGenerator-5 OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 26 December Successful
Unknown United StatesTerrapin United StatesWallops Island United StatesNSA
University of Maryland Suborbital Chemical Release Same day Successful
Unknown United StatesTerrapin United StatesWallops Island United StatesNSA
University of Maryland Suborbital Chemical Release Same day Successful
Unknown United StatesTerrapin United StatesWallops Island United StatesNSA
University of Maryland Suborbital Chemical Release Same day Successful
Unknown United StatesTerrapin United StatesWallops Island United StatesNSA
University of Maryland Suborbital Chemical Release Same day Successful
Final flight of the Terrapin

Orbital launch summary

By country

Soviet Union: 2United States: 1Circle frame.svg
Launches by country
Country Launches Successes Failures Partial
failures
Remarks
 Soviet Union 2 1 0 1 First orbital launch
 United States 1 0 1 0

By rocket

Rocket Country Type Family Launches Successes Failures Partial failures Remarks
Sputnik-PS (8K71PS)  Soviet Union Sputnik R-7 2 1 0 1 Maiden flight, first Soviet orbital flight and satellite, retired
Vanguard  United States Vanguard Viking 1 0 1 0 Maiden flight, first US orbital attempt

By launch site

Site Country Launches Successes Failures Partial failures Remarks
Baikonur  Soviet Union 2 1 0 1
Cape Canaveral  United States 1 0 1 0

By orbit

Orbital regime Launches Successes Failures Accidentally
Achieved
Remarks
Low Earth 2 2 0 0
Medium Earth 2 0 1 0

Launch summary

By country

United States: 170Soviet Union: 106United Kingdom: 4Australia: 1Circle frame.svg
Launches by country
Country Launches Successes Failures Partial
failures
 United States 170 119 46 5
 Soviet Union 106 102 3 1
 United Kingdom 4 4 0 0
 Australia 1 1 0 0

By rocket

Launches by rocket
Rocket Country Launches Successes Failures Partial
failures
Remarks
Viking (second model)  United States 1 1 0 0 Retired
Vanguard  United States 2 1 1 0 Maiden flight, first US orbital attempt
Aerobee RTV-N-10  United States 1 1 0 0 Retired
Aerobee RTV-N-10c  United States 1 1 0 0 Retired
Aerobee Hi (NRL)  United States 6 5 1 0
Aerobee RTV-A-1a  United States 1 1 0 0 Retired
Aerobee Hi (USAF)  United States 3 3 0 0
Aerobee AJ10-34  United States 2 2 0 0
Aerobee (Unknown Type)  United States 21 19 2 0
Loki rockoon  United States 57 44 13 0 Retired
Farside  United States 6 0 6 0 Maiden flight, retired
Nike-Deacon  United States 13 7 6 0 Retired
Nike-Cajun  United States 9 4 5 0
Terrapin  United States 4 4 0 0 Retired
Nike-Asp  United States 2 1 1 0 Maiden flight
X-17  United States 9 7 2 0
Polaris FTV-5  United States 2 1 1 0 Maiden flight, retired
Polaris FTV-3  United States 4 4 0 0 Maiden flight, retired
HJ-Nike  United States 3 3 0 0
HJ-Nike-Nike  United States 1 1 0 0 Maiden flight
Jupiter-C  United States 2 1 1 0
SM-78 Jupiter  United States 7 3 1 3 Maiden flight
XSM-75 Thor  United States 10 4 5 1 Maiden flight
XSM-65A Atlas  United States 3 1 0 2 Maiden flight
R-1  Soviet Union 18 18 0 0
A-1  Soviet Union 1 1 0 0
R-2  Soviet Union 37 37 0 0
R-2A  Soviet Union 18 18 0 0 Maiden flight
R-5M  Soviet Union 19 19 0 0
R-7  Soviet Union 4 2 2 0 Maiden flight
Sputnik-PS (8K71PS)  Soviet Union 2 1 0 1 Maiden flight, first Soviet orbital flight and satellite, retired
R-12  Soviet Union 7 6 1 0 Maiden flight
Skylark (Raven 1)  United Kingdom 4 4 0 0 Maiden flight, first British spaceflight
Long Tom  Australia 1 1 0 0 Maiden flight, first Australian spaceflight

See also


This page was last updated at 2023-03-06 14:50 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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