1954 in spaceflight

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1954 in spaceflight
Viking-10.jpg
Viking 10 was launched in May
National firsts
SpaceflightFlag of France.svg  France
Rockets
Maiden flights Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Aerobee RTV-N-10b
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Nike-Nike-T40-T55
Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg A-1
Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-1D
Flag of France.svg Véronique-NA
Retirements Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Aerobee RTV-N-10b
Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-1D
Flag of France.svg Véronique-NA
1954 in spaceflight
  1953
1955  

The year 1954 saw the conception of Project Orbiter, the first practicable satellite launching project, utilizing the Redstone, a newly developed Short Range Ballistic Missile.

Contents

A variety of sounding rockets continued to return scientific data from beyond the 100 kilometres (62 mi) boundary of space (as defined by the World Air Sports Federation), [1] including the Viking and Aerobee rockets, University of Iowa and Naval Research Laboratory ship-launched rockoons, and derivatives of the Soviet R-1 missile. The French also launched their first sounding rocket into space, the Véronique-NA.

1954 also marked a year of development of the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM). The United States prioritized the development of its Atlas while the Soviet Union authorized the draft proposal for the R-7 Semyorka, its first ICBM.

Space exploration highlights

US Navy

After ten months of salvage, testing, and troubleshooting following the failed launch of Viking 10 on 30 June 1953, a successful static firing of the rebuilt rocket took place at the end of April 1954. Launch was scheduled for 4 May. Control issues revealed in the static firing as well as gusty, sand-laden winds caused a delay of three days. At 10:00 AM local time, Viking 10 blasted off from its pad at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, reaching an altitude of 136 mi (219 km)—a tie with the highest altitude ever reached by a first-generation Viking (Viking 7 on 7 August 1951). Data was received from the rocket for all stages of the flight, and its scientific package returned the first measurement of positive ion composition at high altitudes. [2]

Viking 11, which was ready for erection on 5 May, also had a successful static test and was ready for launch, 24 May 1954. Again, the countdown went without hold, and Viking 11, the heaviest rocket yet in the series, was launched at 10:00 AM. Forty seconds into the flight, several puffs of smoke issued from the vehicle, but these accidental excitations of the rocket's roll jets did no harm. Viking 11 ultimately reached 158 mi (254 km) in altitude, a record for the series, snapping the highest altitude photographs of the Earth to date. Both Vikings 10 and 11 carried successful emulsions experiments, measuring cosmic rays at high altitudes. [2]

Three more Viking flights were scheduled, one of which would fly in 1955, [2] the other two later incorporated into the subsequent Project Vanguard. [3]

American civilian efforts

For the third summer in a row, members of the State University of Iowa (SUI) physics department embarked 15 July 1954 on an Atlantic expedition to launch a series of balloon-launched Deacon rockets (rockoons), this time aboard the icebreaker, USS Atka. Once again, a Naval Research Laboratory team accompanied them to launch their own rockoons. Beginning with the fourth SUI launch on 21 July 1954 off the northern tip of Labrador, eleven rockoon launches (seven of them successful) over a five-day period probed the heart of the auroral zone at high altitude. Each rockoon carried two geiger counters with different thicknesses of shielding; two of the flights determined that aurorae produced detectable "soft" (lower energy/penetrative) radiation. [4]

Scientific results

By 1954, the array of Viking, Aerobee, V-2, Deacon Rockoon, and other high altitude sounding rocket flights had returned a bonanza of knowledge about the upper atmosphere. Previously, it had been believed that, at altitudes above 20 mi (32 km), Earth's atmosphere was highly stratified and peaceful, an indefinite continuation of the stratosphere. Rocket research discovered winds, turbulence, and mixing up to heights of 80 mi (130 km), and wind velocities of 180 mph (290 km/h) were measured 125 mi (201 km) above the Earth's surface. The density of the upper atmosphere was found to be thinner than expected: the estimated average distance an air atom or molecule must travel before colliding with another (mean free path) was refined to .5 mi (0.80 km). Ionized particles were discovered in what were previously thought to be distinct gaps between the E and F layers in the ionosphere. [2]

Sounding rockets returned the first measurements of extraterrestrial X-rays, blocked from observation from the ground by the lower layers of the atmosphere. It was determined that these X-rays were one of the major producers of atmospheric ionization. Ultraviolet radiation was extensively observed as well as its contribution to the ozone layer. Solar radiation data determined that the Sun was hotter than had been calculated from strictly earthbound measurements. Cosmic rays were found to consist mainly of protons, alpha particles, and heavier atomic nuclei; the range of measured elements extended to iron, with greater abundance in even mass numbered elements. [2]

Vehicle development

US Air Force

On February 1, 1954, [5] the Strategic Missiles Evaluation Committee or 'Teapot Committee', comprising eleven of the top scientists and engineers in the country, issued a report recommending prioritization of the development of the Atlas, the nation's first ICBM. Trevor Gardner, special assistant for research and development to Secretary of the Air Force, Harold Talbott, selected Ramo Wooldridge (R-W) to handle the systems engineering and technical direction for the entire project, a considerable expansion of duties for the year-old company, which had hitherto been contracted by the Air Force to advise and perform research. [6] :178–9 From spring 1954 through the end of the year, R-W's work was confined to the evaluation of the project and the accumulation of personnel to handle development of the ICBM. [6] :185 Convair, which had been developing the Atlas for the prior eight years, remained the manufacturer of the missile proper. [5]

The public first became aware of the Atlas project with the publication of the 8 March 1954 issue of Aviation Weekly, in which appeared the short item: "Convair is developing a long range ballistic missile known as the Atlas. Its development was begun in the era when Floyd Odlum's Atlas Corp. was the controlling stockholder in Convair." [5]

Before the Teapot commission had determined the likely weight of a thermonuclear payload, the Atlas specification had called for a missile 90 ft (27 m) long and 10 ft (3.0 m) wide, carrying five rocket engines, and a full-scale wooden model as well as a metal test example of the tank were built in 1954. By the time the design was frozen at the end of the year, the specifications had been downscaled to 75 ft (23 m) long, retaining the same width, and the number of engines was reduced to three. [5]

Project Orbiter

At a meeting of Project Orbiter on March 16, 1954, Fred C. Durant is seen seated at the table, second from the left. Proj orbiter 17mar54 dc 01.jpg
At a meeting of Project Orbiter on March 16, 1954, Fred C. Durant is seen seated at the table, second from the left.

By 1954, there was growing consensus in the United States that rocket technology had evolved to the point the launch of an Earth orbiting satellite was becoming feasible. A 16 March meeting in Washington D.C. involving several of the nation's leading space specialists was arranged by past president of the American Rocket Society Frederick C. Durant III. They included Fred Singer, proposer of the "MOUSE" (Minimum Orbiting Unmanned Satellite of the Earth), rocket scientist Wernher von Braun, David Young of the Army Ballistic Missile Agency, Commander George Hoover and Alexander Satin of the Air Branch of the Office of Naval Research (ONR), and noted astronomer, Fred Whipple. They determined that a slightly modified Redstone (a 200 miles (320 km) range surface-to-surface missile developed the prior year) [7] combined with upper stages employing 31 Loki solid-propellant rockets could put a 5 lb (2.3 kg) satellite into orbit, which could be tracked optically. [8]

Whipple approached the National Science Foundation (NSF) to sponsor a conference for further study of the idea, particularly to develop instrumentation for a satellite. The NSF took no immediate action. Hoover, however, was able to secure interest from the ONR, and by November 1954, a satellite-launching plan had been developed. Dubbed Project Orbiter, the "no-cost satellite" would be built largely from existing hardware; the Army would design and construct the booster system (using Redstone and Loki) while the Navy would handle creation of the satellite, tracking facilities, and the acquisition and analysis of data. By the end of the year, ONR had let $60,000 in three contracts for feasibility studies and initial design. [8]

Soviet Union

The R-5 missile, able to carry the same 1,000 kilograms (2,200 lb) payload as the R-1 and R-2 but over a distance of 1,200 kilometres (750 mi) [9] :242 underwent its third series of test launches, beginning 12 August 1954 and continuing through 7 February 1955. These tests confirmed the soundness of the design and cleared the way for nuclear and sounding rocket variants. [10] :120,138

Paralleling developments in the United States, 1954 marked the authorization of the R-7 Semyorka ICBM (on 20 May). Mikhail Tikhonravov, whose team at had completed the ICBM studies that formed the conceptual framework for the R-7, on 27 May, at the urging of OKB-1 Chief Designer Sergei Korolev, submitted a memorandum entitled, "A Report on an Artificial Satellite of the Earth" to Deputy Minister of Medium Machine Building Vasiliy Rabikov and Georgiy Pashkov, Rabikov's department chief in charge of missiles. This memorandum, containing summaries of both Soviet research of recent years as well as translations of Western articles on satellites, served as the catalyst for the Soviet satellite program. [10] :139–144

Launches

February

February launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC)Outcome
Remarks
2 February
18:35
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Aerobee RTV-N-10 NRL 20 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg White Sands LC-35 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg US Navy
NRL Suborbital Solar UV 2 FebruarySuccessful
Apogee: 101 kilometres (63 mi) [11]
20 February Flag of France.svg Véronique-NA [12] Flag of France.svg Hammaguir Bechar Flag of France.svg LRBA
LRBASuborbitalTest flight20 FebruaryLaunch failure
Apogee: 29 kilometres (18 mi), maiden flight of the Véronique-NA [13]
21 February Flag of France.svg Véronique-NA [12] Flag of France.svg Hammaguir Bechar Flag of France.svg LRBA
LRBASuborbitalTest flight21 FebruarySuccessful
Apogee: 135 kilometres (84 mi), first French spaceflight [13]

March

March launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC)Outcome
Remarks
11 March Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-1 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test11 MarchSuccessful [14]
16 March Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-1 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test16 MarchSuccessful [14]
16 March Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-1 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test16 MarchSuccessful [14]
20 March Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-1 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test20 MarchSuccessful [14]

April

April launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC)Outcome
Remarks
9 April
21:12
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Aerobee RTV-N-10 NRL 18 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg White Sands LC-35 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg US Navy
NRL Suborbital Spectrometry 9 AprilSuccessful
Apogee: 143 kilometres (89 mi) [11]
10 April
09:00
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Aerobee RTV-N-10NRL 19 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg White Sands LC-35 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg US Navy
NRLSuborbitalSpectrometry10 AprilLaunch Failure
Apogee: 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) [11]
23 April Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-1 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test23 AprilSuccessful [14]
24 April Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-1 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test24 AprilSuccessful [14]
26 April Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-1 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test26 AprilSuccessful [14]
29 April Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-1 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test29 AprilSuccessful [14]

May

May launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC)Outcome
Remarks
May Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-2 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile testSame Day
First of ten production missile test launches, eight of which were successful [15]
May Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-2 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile testSame Day
Second of ten production missile test launches, eight of which were successful [15]
May Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-2 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile testSame Day
Third of ten production missile test launches, eight of which were successful [15]
May Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-2 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile testSame Day
Fourth of ten production missile test launches, eight of which were successful [15]
May Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-2 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile testSame Day
Fifth of ten production missile test launches, eight of which were successful [15]
May Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-2 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile testSame Day
Sixth of ten production missile test launches, eight of which were successful [15]
May Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-2 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile testSame Day
Seventh of ten production missile test launches, eight of which were successful [15]
May Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-2 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile testSame Day
Eighth of ten production missile test launches, eight of which were successful [15]
May Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-2 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile testSame Day
Ninth of ten production missile test launches, eight of which were successful [15]
May Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-2 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile testSame Day
Tenth of ten production missile test launches, eight of which were successful [15]
3 May Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-1 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test3 MaySuccessful [14]
4 May Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-1 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test4 MaySuccessful [14]
4 May Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-1 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test4 MaySuccessful [14]
7 May Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-1 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test7 MaySuccessful [14]
7 May
17:00
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Viking (second model) Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg White Sands LC-33 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg US Navy
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Viking 10 NRL Suborbital Ionospheric / Aeronomy 7 MaySuccessful
Apogee: 219 kilometres (136 mi) [16]
11 May
15:00
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 46 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Holloman LC-A Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg US Air Force
AFCRC SuborbitalBeacon test11 MaySuccessful
Apogee: 98 kilometres (61 mi) [17] :135–136
21 May Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-1 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test21 MaySuccessful [14]
24 May
17:00
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Viking (second model) Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg White Sands LC-33 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg US Navy
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Viking 11NRLSuborbital REV test / Photography24 MaySuccessful
Apogee: 254 kilometres (158 mi) [16]
26 May
14:24
Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg A-1 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
MVS SuborbitalIonospheric26 MaySuccessful
Apogee: 106 kilometres (66 mi), maiden flight of the A-1 [18]

June

June launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC)Outcome
Remarks
2 June
16:10
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 47 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Holloman LC-A Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg US Air Force
AFCRC / University of Colorado SuborbitalSolar UV2 JuneSuccessful
Apogee: 93 kilometres (58 mi) [17] :137–138
8 June Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-2 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test8 JuneSuccessful [15]
9 June Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-2 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test9 JuneSuccessful [15]
11 June Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-1 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test11 JuneSuccessful [14]
12 June Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-1 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test12 JuneSuccessful [14]
14 June Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-1 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test14 JuneSuccessful [14]
26 June
13:24
Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-1D Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalBiology / Ionosphere / Aeronomy26 JuneSuccessful
Apogee: 106 kilometres (66 mi), maiden flight of R-1D [19]

July

July launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC)Outcome
Remarks
2 July Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-1D Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalBiology / Ionosphere / Aeronomy2 JulySuccessful
Payload, instruments, left and right animal containers all recovered. Smoke container failed. Carried dogs Lyza and Ryjik. [19]
7 July Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-1D Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalBiology / Ionosphere / Aeronomy7 JulySuccessful
Final flight of the R-1D [19]
14 July
13:55
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 48 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Holloman LC-A Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg US Air Force
AFCRC / University of Michigan SuborbitalAeronomy14 JulySuccessful
Apogee: 92 kilometres (57 mi) [17] :139–140
16 July
12:13
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Deacon Rockoon SUI 24 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg USS Atka, [20] Atlantic Ocean, 360 kilometres (220 mi) east of Boston Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg US Navy
University of Iowa SuborbitalIonospheric / Aeronomy16 JulyLaunch failure [21]
Apogee: 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) [4]
16 July
21:58
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Deacon RockoonSUI 25 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg USS Atka, Atlantic Ocean, 360 kilometres (220 mi) east of Boston Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg US Navy
University of IowaSuborbitalIonospheric / Aeronomy16 JulyLaunch failure
Apogee: 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) [21]
19 July
16:00
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Deacon RockoonNRL Rockoon 7 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg USS Atka, Labrador Sea Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg US Navy
NRL SuborbitalAeronomy19 JulySuccessful
Apogee: 88 kilometres (55 mi) [21]
19 July
20:30
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Deacon RockoonSUI 26 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg USS Atka, Labrador Sea Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg US Navy
University of IowaSuborbitalIonospheric / Aeronomy19 JulySpacecraft failure [4]
Apogee: 43 kilometres (27 mi) [21]
20 July
02:55
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Deacon RockoonNRL Rockoon 8 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg USS Atka, Labrador Sea Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg US Navy
NRLSuborbitalIonospheric / Aeronomy20 JulySuccessful
Apogee: 90 kilometres (56 mi) [21]
21 July
09:03
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Deacon RockoonSUI 27 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg USS Atka, Labrador Sea Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg US Navy
University of IowaSuborbitalIonospheric / Aeronomy21 JulySuccessful [4]
Apogee: 60 kilometres (37 mi); [21] first in series of 11 SUI flights, 7 of which were successful [4]
21 July
12:45
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Deacon RockoonSUI 28 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg USS Atka, Labrador Sea Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg US Navy
University of IowaSuborbitalIonospheric / Aeronomy21 July
Apogee: 90 kilometres (56 mi); [21] second in series of 11 SUI flights, 7 of which were successful [4]
21 July
20:49
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Deacon RockoonSUI 29 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg USS Atka, Labrador Sea Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg US Navy
University of IowaSuborbitalIonospheric / Aeronomy21 JulyLaunch failure [21]
Apogee: 40 kilometres (25 mi); [21] third in series of 11 SUI flights, 7 of which were successful [4]
22 July Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-2 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test22 JulySuccessful [15]
23 July
14:46
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Deacon RockoonSUI 30 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg USS Atka, Labrador Sea Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg US Navy
University of IowaSuborbitalIonospheric / Aeronomy23 July
Apogee: 90 kilometres (56 mi); [21] fourth in series of 11 SUI flights, 7 of which were successful [4]
23 July
17:09
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Deacon RockoonNRL Rockoon 9 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg USS Atka, Labrador Sea Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg US Navy
Naval Research LaboratorySuborbitalIonospheric / Aeronomy23 JulySuccessful
Apogee: 90 kilometres (56 mi) [21]
23 July
17:54
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Deacon RockoonSUI 31 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg USS Atka, Labrador Sea Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg US Navy
University of IowaSuborbitalIonospheric / Aeronomy23 July
Apogee: 90 kilometres (56 mi); [21] fifth in series of 11 SUI flights, 7 of which were successful [4]
23 July
19:37
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Deacon RockoonSUI 32 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg USS Atka, Labrador Sea Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg US Navy
University of IowaSuborbitalIonospheric / Aeronomy23 JulyLaunch failure
Apogee: 23 kilometres (14 mi); [21] sixth in series of 11 SUI flights, 7 of which were successful [4]
24 July
08:57
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Deacon RockoonSUI 33 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg USS Atka, Labrador Sea Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg US Navy
University of IowaSuborbitalIonospheric / Aeronomy24 July
Apogee: 90 kilometres (56 mi); [21] seventh in series of 11 SUI flights, 7 of which were successful [4]
24 July
13:16
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Deacon RockoonSUI 34 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg USS Atka, Labrador Sea Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg US Navy
University of IowaSuborbitalIonospheric / Aeronomy24 July
Apogee: 90 kilometres (56 mi); [21] eighth in series of 11 SUI flights, 7 of which were successful [4]
25 July
06:51
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Deacon RockoonSUI 35 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg USS Atka, Labrador Sea Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg US Navy
University of IowaSuborbitalIonospheric / Aeronomy25 July
Apogee: 90 kilometres (56 mi); [21] ninth in series of 11 SUI flights, 7 of which were successful [4]
25 July
12:36
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Deacon RockoonSUI 36 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg USS Atka, Labrador Sea Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg US Navy
University of IowaSuborbitalIonospheric / Aeronomy25 JulySuccessful [4]
Apogee: 90 kilometres (56 mi); [21] tenth in series of 11 SUI flights, 7 of which were successful [4]
25 July
15:30
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Deacon RockoonSUI 37 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg USS Atka, Labrador Sea Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg US Navy
University of IowaSuborbitalIonospheric / Aeronomy25 July
Apogee: 90 kilometres (56 mi); [21] eleventh in series of 11 SUI flights, 7 of which were successful [4]
25 July
18:45
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Deacon RockoonNRL Rockoon 10 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg USS Atka, Labrador Sea Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg US Navy
Naval Research LaboratorySuborbitalAeronomy25 JulySuccessful
Apogee: 85 kilometres (53 mi) [21]
26 July
00:29
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Deacon RockoonNRL Rockoon 11 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg USS Atka, Labrador Sea Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg US Navy
NRLSuborbitalIonospheric / Aeronomy26 JulyLaunch failure
Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) [21]
26 July
11:02
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Deacon RockoonNRL Rockoon 12 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg USS Atka, southern Davis Strait Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg US Navy
NRLSuborbitalIonospheric / Aeronomy26 JulySuccessful
Apogee: 90 kilometres (56 mi) [21]

August

August launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC)Outcome
Remarks
2 August Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-1 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test2 AugustSuccessful [14]
11 August
17:25
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 49 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Holloman LC-A Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg US Air Force
AFCRC / University of Utah SuborbitalIonospheric11 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 92 kilometres (57 mi) [17] :141–142
12 August Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-5 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test12 AugustPartial failure
First flight of range test series [22]
17 August Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-5 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test17 AugustSuccessful [22]
19 August Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-5 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test19 AugustSuccessful [22]
24 August Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-5 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test24 AugustSuccessful [22]
25 August Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-5 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test25 AugustSuccessful [22]
27 August Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-1 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test27 AugustSuccessful [14]
27 August Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-1 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test27 AugustSuccessful [14]

September

September launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC)Outcome
Remarks
5 September Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-5 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test5 SeptemberSuccessful [22]
8 September Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-5 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test8 SeptemberSuccessful [22]
17 September
14:31
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Aerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 50 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Holloman LC-A Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg US Air Force
AFCRC / University of Rhode Island SuborbitalSolar UV17 SeptemberSuccessful
Apogee: 94.6 kilometres (58.8 mi) [17] :143–144
30 September Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-2 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test30 SeptemberSuccessful [15]

October

October launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC)Outcome
Remarks
1 October Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-2 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test1 OctoberSuccessful [15]
5 October Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-2 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test5 OctoberSuccessful [15]
5 October
18:15
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Aerobee RTV-N-10b Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg White Sands LC-35 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg US Navy
NRL Suborbital Remote sensing 5 OctoberSuccessful
Apogee: 158 kilometres (98 mi); maiden (and only) flight of the RTV-N-10b; [11] returned first images of a complete hurricane [23] [24]
9 October Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-5 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test9 OctoberSuccessful
Airborne destruction of warhead [22]
14 October
21:20
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Nike-Nike-T40-T55 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Wallops Island Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg NACA
NACASuborbitalHypersonic research14 OctoberSuccessful
Apogee: 352 kilometres (219 mi), maiden flight of the Nike-Nike-T40-T55 [25]
16 October Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-2 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test16 OctoberSuccessful [15]
17 October Flag of France.svg Véronique-NA [12] Flag of France.svg Hammaguir Bechar Flag of France.svg LRBA
LRBASuborbitalIonospheric17 OctoberLaunch failure
Apogee: 39 kilometres (24 mi) [13]
19 October Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-5 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test19 OctoberSuccessful
End of range test series [22]
29 October Flag of France.svg Véronique-NA [12] Flag of France.svg Hammaguir Bechar Flag of France.svg LRBA
LRBASuborbitalTest flight29 OctoberSuccessful
Apogee: 90 kilometres (56 mi); [13] final flight of the Véronique-NA
30 October Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-1 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test30 OctoberSuccessful [14]

November

November launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC)Outcome
Remarks
27 November Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-2 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test27 NovemberSuccessful [15]
30 November Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-1 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test30 NovemberSuccessful [14]

December

December launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC)Outcome
Remarks
1 December Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-1 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test1 DecemberSuccessful [14]
1 December Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-2 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test1 DecemberSuccessful [15]
6 December Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-2 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test6 DecemberSuccessful [15]
9 December Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-2 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test9 DecemberSuccessful [15]
23 December Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-2 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test23 DecemberSuccessful [15]
25 December Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-2 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test25 DecemberSuccessful [15]
30 December Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg R-5 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg Kapustin Yar Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg OKB-1
OKB-1SuborbitalMissile test30 DecemberSuccessful
Start of validity test series [22]

Suborbital launch statistics

By country

Launches by country
CountryLaunchesSuccessesFailuresPartial
failures
Flag of France.svg  France 4220
Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg  Soviet Union 595621
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg  United States 322390
World9581131

By rocket

6
12
18
24
30
R-1
R-2
Launches by rocket
RocketCountryLaunchesSuccessesFailuresPartial
failures
Remarks
Viking (second model) Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg  United States 2200
Aerobee RTV-N-10 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg  United States 3210
Aerobee RTV-N-10b Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg  United States 1100Maiden flight, retired
Aerobee RTV-A-1a Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg  United States 5500
Deacon rockoon (SUI)Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg  United States 14770
Deacon rockoon (NRL)Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg  United States 6510
Nike-Nike-T40-T55 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg  United States 1100Maiden flight
R-1 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg  Soviet Union 222200
A-1 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg  Soviet Union 1100Maiden flight
R-1D Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg  Soviet Union 3300Maiden flight, retired
R-2 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg  Soviet Union 232120
R-5 Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg  Soviet Union 10901
Véronique-NA Flag of France.svg  France 4220Maiden flight, first French Spaceflight, retired

See also

References

Generic references:
RocketSunIcon.svg Spaceflightportal

Footnotes

  1. Voosen, Paul (24 July 2018). "Outer space may have just gotten a bit closer". Science . doi:10.1126/science.aau8822. S2CID   126154837. Archived from the original on 11 November 2020. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Milton W. Rosen (1955). The Viking Rocket Story. New York: Harper & Brothers. pp. 221–236. OCLC   317524549.
  3. Ordway, Frederick I. ; Wakeford, Ronald C. International Missile and Spacecraft Guide Archived 6 July 2022 at the Wayback Machine , N.Y., McGraw-Hill, 1960, p. 208
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 George Ludwig (2011). Opening Space Research. Washington D.C.: geopress. pp. 36–37. OCLC   845256256.
  5. 1 2 3 4 John L. Chapman (1960). Atlas The Story of a Missile. New York: Harper & Brothers. pp. 73–77. OCLC   492591218.
  6. 1 2 Davis Dyer (1998). TRW: Pioneering Technology and Innovation since 1900. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Press. OCLC   1064465832.
  7. "Installation History 1953 - 1955". U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Life Cycle Management Command. 2017. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  8. 1 2 Constance Green and Milton Lomask (1970). Vanguard — a History. Washington D.C.: National Aeronautics and Space Administration. pp. 17–18. ISBN   978-1-97353-209-5. OCLC   747307569. SP-4202. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  9. Boris Chertok (June 2006). Rockets and People, Volume II: Creating a Rocket Industry. Washington D.C.: NASA. OCLC   946818748.
  10. 1 2 Asif A. Siddiqi. Challenge to Apollo: The Soviet Union and the Space Race, 1945-1974 (PDF). Washington D.C.: NASA. OCLC   1001823253. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 September 2008. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  11. 1 2 3 4 McDowell, Jonathan C. "General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects, Launches, Aerobee". Jonathan's Space Report. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  12. 1 2 3 4 Gunter Krebs. "Veronique Family". Gunter's Space Page. Archived from the original on 30 June 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  13. 1 2 3 4 Wade, Mark. "Veronique". Archived from the original on 7 November 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Wade, Mark. "R-1 8A11". Archived from the original on 28 December 2016. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Wade, Mark. "R-2". Archived from the original on 20 August 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  16. 1 2 Wade, Mark. "Viking Sounding Rocket". Archived from the original on 28 December 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 Charles P. Smith Jr. (April 1958). Naval Research Laboratory Report No. 4276: Upper Atmosphere Research Report No. XXI, Summary of Upper Atmosphere Rocket Research Firings (pdf). Washington D.C.: Naval Research Laboratory. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  18. Wade, Mark. "A-1 (R-1)". astronautix.com. Archived from the original on 27 December 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  19. 1 2 3 Wade, Mark. "R1-D". astronautix.com. Archived from the original on 27 December 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  20. "Atka (AGB-3)". Naval History and Heritage Command. US Navy. Archived from the original on 9 May 2017. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Wade, Mark. "Deacon Rockoon". Archived from the original on 28 December 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Asif Siddiqi (2021). "R-5 Launches 1953-1959". Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  23. "NASA History Office - Aeronautics and Astronautics Chronology, 1950-1954". Archived from the original on 14 July 2019. Retrieved 19 November 2007.
  24. "View of tropical cyclone centered near del Rio, Texas. This picture showed thepromise of satellite monitoring of weather. The picture was made from moviecameras mounted in a Navy Aerobee rocket fired from White Sands Proving Ground.Operational Use".
  25. Wade, Mark. "Nike Nike T40 T55". Archived from the original on 28 December 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2021.