This article lists orbital and suborbital launches during the second half of the year 1959.
For all other spaceflight activities, see 1959 in spaceflight. For launches in the first half of 1959 see List of spaceflight launches in January–June 1959. [1] [2]
Date and time (UTC) | Rocket | Flight number | Launch site | LSP | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Payload (⚀ = CubeSat) | Operator | Orbit | Function | Decay (UTC) | Outcome | |||
Remarks | ||||||||
July | ||||||||
16 July 17:37:03 | ![]() | AM-16 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | NASA | Intended: Low Earth | Scientific | +5.5 seconds | Launch failure | |||
Destroyed by range safety after rocket went out of control. | ||||||||
August | ||||||||
7 August 14:24:20 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |||||
![]() | US Air Force | Highly elliptical | Radiation Imaging | 30 June 1961 | Successful | |||
13 August 19:00:08 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |||||
![]() | CIA DST | Low Earth | Optical imaging | 11 February 1961 | Spacecraft failure | |||
![]() | CIA DST | Low Earth | Technology | |||||
Electrical system malfunction. Deorbit burn conducted in incorrect direction, raising orbit. | ||||||||
15 August 00:31:00 | ![]() | AM-19B | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | NASA/US Army | Intended: Low Earth | Technology | 15 August | Launch failure | |||
Premature cutoff of first stage, failed to reach orbit. | ||||||||
19 August 19:24:44 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |||||
![]() | CIA DST | Low Earth | Optical imaging | 20 October | Spacecraft failure | |||
![]() | CIA DST | Low Earth | Technology | |||||
Retrorocket malfunctioned. | ||||||||
September | ||||||||
12 September 06:39:42 | ![]() | I1-7B | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | MVS | Heliocentric | Lunar impactor | 14 September 22:02 | Successful | |||
First spacecraft to reach the surface of the Moon. | ||||||||
17 September 14:34 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |||||
![]() | US Air Force | Intended: Low Earth | Navigation Technology | 17 September | Launch failure | |||
Third stage malfunctioned. | ||||||||
18 September 05:20:07 | ![]() | SLV-7 (TV-4BU) | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | NRL | Medium Earth | Scientific | In orbit | Partial launch failure | |||
Final flight of Vanguard rocket, satellite failed to separate from carrier rocket, otherwise successful, spacecraft operated until 11 December. | ||||||||
24 September | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |||||
![]() | NASA | Planned: Selenocentric | Lunar Orbiter | N/A | Destroyed prior to launch | |||
Destroyed prior to launch. | ||||||||
October | ||||||||
4 October 00:43:39 | ![]() | I1-8 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | MVS | High Earth | Lunar flyby | 29 April 1960 | Successful | |||
Placed on a circumlunar trajectory, returned first images of the far side of the Moon. | ||||||||
13 October 15:30:04 | ![]() | AM-19A | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | NASA | Low Earth | Scientific | In orbit | Successful | |||
Broadcast data until 24 August 1961. | ||||||||
November | ||||||||
7 November 20:28:41 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |||||
![]() | CIA DST | Low Earth | Optical imaging | 26 November | Spacecraft failure | |||
![]() | CIA DST | Low Earth | Technology | |||||
Satellite tumbled out of control. | ||||||||
20 November 19:25:24 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |||||
![]() | CIA DST | Low Earth | Optical imaging | 8 March 1960 | Launch failure | |||
![]() | CIA DST | Low Earth | Technology | 8 March 1960 | Launch failure | |||
Inserted into useless orbit with greater eccentricity than planned. | ||||||||
26 November 07:26 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |||||
![]() | NASA | Intended: Selenocentric | Lunar orbiter | +45 seconds | Launch failure | |||
Payload fairing separated prematurely, rocket disintegrated. | ||||||||
Date and time (UTC) | Rocket | Flight number | Launch site | LSP | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Payload (⚀ = CubeSat) | Operator | Orbit | Function | Decay (UTC) | Outcome | ||
Remarks | |||||||
2 July 06:40 | ![]() ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
MVS | Suborbital | 2 July | Successful | ||||
Apogee: 220 kilometres (140 mi) | |||||||
7 July 11:15 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
AFSWC | Suborbital | Test flight | 7 July | Successful | |||
Apogee: 1,045 kilometres (649 mi) | |||||||
10 July 01:01 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 10 July | Successful | |||
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi) | |||||||
10 July 04:47 | ![]() ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
MVS | Suborbital | 10 July | Successful | ||||
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi) | |||||||
14 July 03:40 | ![]() ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
MVS | Suborbital | 14 July | Successful | ||||
Apogee: 203 kilometres (126 mi) | |||||||
14 July 17:45 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
NASA | Suborbital | Solar | 14 July | Successful | |||
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi) | |||||||
15 July 16:59 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Navy | Suborbital | Missile test | 15 July | Launch failure | |||
Apogee: 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) | |||||||
17 July 17:40 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Navy | Suborbital | 17 July | Launch failure | ||||
Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) | |||||||
18 July 18:15 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 18 July | Successful | |||
Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi) | |||||||
20 July | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
AN | Suborbital | 20 July | Successful | ||||
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi) | |||||||
21 July 02:00 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
MVS | Suborbital | 21 July | Successful | ||||
Apogee: 105 kilometres (65 mi) | |||||||
21 July 05:22 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 21 July | Successful | |||
Apogee: 900 kilometres (560 mi) | |||||||
21 July 07:33 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 21 July | Launch failure | |||
Apogee: 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) | |||||||
21 July 14:00 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
NRL | Suborbital | 21 July | Successful | ||||
Apogee: 197 kilometres (122 mi) | |||||||
21 July 14:00 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
MVS | Suborbital | 21 July | Successful | ||||
Apogee: 105 kilometres (65 mi) | |||||||
21 July | ![]() ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
MVS | Suborbital | 21 July | Successful | ||||
Apogee: 105 kilometres (65 mi) | |||||||
21 July | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
AFSWC | Suborbital | Test flight | 21 July | Launch failure | |||
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi) | |||||||
22 July 01:14 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
MVS | Suborbital | 22 July | Successful | ||||
Apogee: 211 kilometres (131 mi) | |||||||
24 July 12:47 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 24 July | Successful | |||
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
24 July 16:34 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Navy | Suborbital | Solar | 24 July | Successful | |||
Apogee: 227 kilometres (141 mi) | |||||||
24 July | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 24 July | Successful | |||
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
25 July | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 25 July | Successful | |||
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
26 July | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 26 July | Successful | |||
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
28 July | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 28 July | Successful | |||
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
29 July 04:10 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 29 July | Successful | |||
Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi) | |||||||
30 July 04:00 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 30 July | Successful | |||
Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi) | |||||||
31 July | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 31 July | Successful | |||
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
3 August 21:41 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
Royal Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 3 August | Successful | |||
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
6 August 02:48 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 6 August | Successful | |||
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
6 August | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Navy | Suborbital | Missile test | 6 August | Launch failure | |||
Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) | |||||||
7 August 17:05 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Navy | Suborbital | Solar | 7 August | Successful | |||
Apogee: 225 kilometres (140 mi) | |||||||
7 August | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 7 August | Successful | |||
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
7 August | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
NASA | Suborbital | Test flight | 7 August | Launch failure | |||
Apogee: 20 kilometres (12 mi) | |||||||
7 August | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
NASA | Suborbital | Test flight | 7 August | Launch failure | |||
Apogee: 50 kilometres (31 mi) | |||||||
7 August | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
NASA | Suborbital | Test flight | 7 August | Launch failure | |||
Apogee: 104 kilometres (65 mi) | |||||||
11 August 18:01 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 11 August | Successful | |||
Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi) | |||||||
12 August | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Navy | Suborbital | 12 August | Launch failure | ||||
13 August 23:14 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 13 August | Successful | |||
Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi) | |||||||
13 August | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 13 August | Launch failure | |||
14 August 09:00 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 14 August | Successful | |||
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
14 August 16:00 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | +0 seconds | Launch failure | |||
First all-up test of Titan I, hold-down bolts released prematurely, rocket exploded on launch pad [4] | |||||||
14 August 16:00 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Navy | Suborbital | Solar | 14 August | Successful | |||
Apogee: 237 kilometres (147 mi) | |||||||
14 August 19:30 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Navy | Suborbital | Missile test | 14 August | Successful | |||
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi) | |||||||
14 August 19:36:04 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
Royal Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 14 August | Launch failure | |||
17 August 09:18 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Navy | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 17 August | Successful | |||
Apogee: 236 kilometres (147 mi), released sodium | |||||||
19 August 00:20 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
UCL | Suborbital | Ionospheric | 19 August | Successful | |||
Apogee: 144 kilometres (89 mi) | |||||||
19 August 00:34 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
NASA | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 19 August | Launch failure | |||
Apogee: 30 kilometres (19 mi), released sodium | |||||||
22 August 00:45 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | 22 August | Successful | ||||
Apogee: 230 kilometres (140 mi) | |||||||
22 August 02:30 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Navy | Suborbital | Solar | 22 August | Successful | |||
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi) | |||||||
24 August 15:33 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 24 August | Successful | |||
Apogee: 1,400 kilometres (870 mi) | |||||||
24 August 22:47 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Navy | Suborbital | 24 August | Successful | ||||
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi) | |||||||
25 August | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Navy | Suborbital | Missile test | 25 August | Launch failure | |||
Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) | |||||||
26 August 17:35 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Army | Suborbital | Test flight | 26 August | Launch failure | |||
26 August | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 26 August | Successful | |||
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
27 August 01:30 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 27 August | Successful | |||
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi) | |||||||
27 August 16:57 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Navy | Suborbital | Missile test | 27 August | Successful | |||
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi) | |||||||
28 August 16:10 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Navy | Suborbital | Solar | 28 August | Successful | |||
Apogee: 214 kilometres (133 mi) | |||||||
27 August 12:30 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 27 August | Successful | |||
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
28 August 18:45 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | 28 August | Successful | ||||
Apogee: 235 kilometres (146 mi) | |||||||
28 August | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 28 August | Successful | |||
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
31 August 22:53 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | US Navy | Suborbital | Solar | 31 August | Successful | ||
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi) | |||||||
1 September 01:01 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Navy | Suborbital | Solar | 1 September | Successful | |||
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi) | |||||||
1 September 19:00 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Navy | Suborbital | 1 September | Successful | ||||
Apogee: 210 kilometres (130 mi) | |||||||
2 September 00:03 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Navy | Suborbital | Solar | 2 September | Successful | |||
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi) | |||||||
2 September | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 2 September | Launch failure | |||
5 September 15:27 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
CARDE | Suborbital | Test flight | 5 September | Successful | |||
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), maiden flight of Black Brant | |||||||
5 September | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 5 September | Successful | |||
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
8 September 15:14 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
CARDE | Suborbital | Test flight | 8 September | Successful | |||
Apogee: 130 kilometres (81 mi) | |||||||
9 September 08:19 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | NASA | Suborbital | Test flight | 08:32 | Partial launch failure | ||
Apogee: 153 kilometres (95 mi), Boilerplate Mercury test, booster engines failed to separate, spacecraft recovered | |||||||
9 September 17:50:42 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
SAC | Suborbital | Missile test | 9 September | Successful | |||
Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi) | |||||||
10 September 21:48 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
CARDE | Suborbital | Test flight | 10 September | Successful | |||
Apogee: 127 kilometres (79 mi) | |||||||
11 September 19:12 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
NASA | Suborbital | 11 September | Successful | ||||
Apogee: 227 kilometres (141 mi) | |||||||
12 September | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 12 September | Successful | |||
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
14 September 17:27 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
NASA | Suborbital | 14 September | Successful | ||||
Apogee: 218 kilometres (135 mi) | |||||||
15 September 21:45 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | US Air Force | Suborbital | Biological Missile test | 15 September | Launch failure | ||
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi) | |||||||
15 September | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 15 September | Successful | |||
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
15 September | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Test flight | 15 September | Successful | |||
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi) | |||||||
17 September 00:12 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
Birmingham UCL | Suborbital | Ionospheric Solar | 17 September | Successful | |||
Apogee: 132 kilometres (82 mi) | |||||||
17 September 02:09 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 17 September | Launch failure | |||
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) | |||||||
17 September 18:37 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | NASA | Suborbital | Ionospheric | 17 September | Successful | ||
Apogee: 256 kilometres (159 mi) | |||||||
17 September 21:09 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
Royal Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 17 September | Successful | |||
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
18 September 16:02 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 18 September | Successful | |||
Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi) | |||||||
18 September 16:55 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 18 September | Successful | |||
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi) | |||||||
20 September 17:35 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | NASA | Suborbital | Ionospheric | 20 September | Launch failure | ||
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi) | |||||||
21 September | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Navy | Suborbital | Missile test | 21 September | Successful | |||
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi) | |||||||
22 September 18:00 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 22 September | Successful | |||
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
22 September | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Test flight | 22 September | Successful | |||
Apogee: 110 kilometres (68 mi) | |||||||
24 September 00:29 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
Birmingham UCL | Suborbital | Ionospheric | 24 September | Successful | |||
Apogee: 158 kilometres (98 mi) | |||||||
25 September | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 25 September | Successful | |||
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
28 September | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 28 September | Successful | |||
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
28 September | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Navy | Suborbital | Missile test | 28 September | Launch failure | |||
Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) | |||||||
29 September 10:59 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 29 September | Successful | |||
Apogee: 124 kilometres (77 mi) | |||||||
30 September 10:57 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 30 September | Successful | |||
Apogee: 122 kilometres (76 mi) | |||||||
30 September | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Navy | Suborbital | 30 September | Successful | ||||
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi) | |||||||
1 October 01:28 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 1 October | Successful | |||
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi) | |||||||
1 October 10:49 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 1 October | Successful | |||
Apogee: 138 kilometres (86 mi) | |||||||
2 October 11:00 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 2 October | Successful | |||
Apogee: 143 kilometres (89 mi) | |||||||
2 October 18:11 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Navy | Suborbital | Missile test | 2 October | Launch failure | |||
Apogee: 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) | |||||||
3 October 11:03 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 3 October | Successful | |||
Apogee: 122 kilometres (76 mi) | |||||||
5 October 11:01 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 5 October | Successful | |||
Apogee: 127 kilometres (79 mi) | |||||||
6 October 05:55 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 6 October | Successful | |||
Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi) | |||||||
6 October 16:41 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 6 October | Successful | |||
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
6 October 18:26 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
Royal Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 6 October | Successful | |||
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
8 October | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 8 October | Successful | |||
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
9 October 08:40 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 9 October | Successful | |||
Apogee: 143 kilometres (89 mi) | |||||||
9 October 11:17 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 9 October | Successful | |||
Apogee: 143 kilometres (89 mi) | |||||||
9 October | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 9 October | Launch failure | |||
9 October | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 9 October | Successful | |||
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
10 October 03:10 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 10 October | Successful | |||
Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi) | |||||||
10 October 12:00 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Meteorite research | 10 October | Successful | |||
Apogee: 111 kilometres (69 mi) | |||||||
12 October 09:00 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 12 October | Successful | |||
Apogee: 123 kilometres (76 mi) | |||||||
12 October 10:12 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 12 October | Successful | |||
Apogee: 123 kilometres (76 mi) | |||||||
12 October 18:18 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Navy | Suborbital | Missile test | 12 October | Launch failure | |||
Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) | |||||||
13 October 11:17 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 13 October | Successful | |||
Apogee: 116 kilometres (72 mi) | |||||||
13 October | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 13 October | Successful | |||
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi) | |||||||
14 October 04:15 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 14 October | Successful | |||
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
15 October 11:05 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 15 October | Successful | |||
Apogee: 122 kilometres (76 mi) | |||||||
16 October 11:17 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 16 October | Successful | |||
Apogee: 139 kilometres (86 mi) | |||||||
15 October | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
AN | Suborbital | 15 October | Successful | ||||
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi) | |||||||
15 October | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
AN | Suborbital | 15 October | Successful | ||||
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi) | |||||||
20 October 14:25 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Ionospheric | 20 October | Successful | |||
Apogee: 113 kilometres (70 mi) | |||||||
21 October 22:57 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
Royal Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 21 October | Successful | |||
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
22 October 03:20 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 22 October | Successful | |||
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi) | |||||||
22 October 17:30 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 22 October | Successful | |||
Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi) | |||||||
22 October | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
ONERA | Suborbital | REV test | 22 October | Successful | |||
Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi) | |||||||
24 October | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 24 October | Successful | |||
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
25 October 17:32 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 25 October | Successful | |||
Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi) | |||||||
25 October 17:44 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force/Utah | Suborbital | Ionospheric | 25 October | Successful | |||
Apogee: 386 kilometres (240 mi) | |||||||
26 October 17:00 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Ionospheric | 26 August | Launch failure | |||
27 October | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 27 October | Launch failure | |||
28 October 14:47 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force/Utah | Suborbital | Ionospheric | 28 October | Successful | |||
Apogee: 135 kilometres (84 mi) | |||||||
28 October 22:40 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | NASA/ARPA | Suborbital | Technology | 28 October | Successful | ||
Apogee: 400 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
29 October 02:12 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 29 October | Successful | |||
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
29 October 07:20 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 29 October | Successful | |||
Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi) | |||||||
30 October 11:49 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
RAE | Suborbital | REV test | 30 October | Successful | |||
Apogee: 732 kilometres (455 mi) | |||||||
1 November 21:23 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 1 November | Successful | |||
Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi) | |||||||
3 November | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 3 November | Successful | |||
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
4 November 21:37 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 4 November | Successful | |||
Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi) | |||||||
5 November 00:38 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 5 November | Successful | |||
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi) | |||||||
6 November 07:25 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
NRL | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 6 November | Successful | |||
Apogee: 142 kilometres (88 mi) | |||||||
6 November 16:36 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force/Utah | Suborbital | Ionospheric | 6 November | Successful | |||
Apogee: 393 kilometres (244 mi) | |||||||
10 November 12:00 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
BRL | Suborbital | Ionospheric | 10 November | Successful | |||
Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi), maiden flight of Strongarm | |||||||
12 November 19:24 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
Royal Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 12 November | Successful | |||
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
14 November 22:38 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 14 November | Successful | |||
Apogee: 138 kilometres (86 mi) | |||||||
18 November 19:30 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Ionospheric | 18 November | Successful | |||
Apogee: 206 kilometres (128 mi) | |||||||
18 November 22:17 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
NASA | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 18 November | Successful | |||
Apogee: 250 kilometres (160 mi), released sodium | |||||||
18 November | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
BRL | Suborbital | Ionospheric | 18 November | Launch failure | |||
Apogee: 20 kilometres (12 mi) | |||||||
19 November 01:31 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 19 November | Successful | |||
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi) | |||||||
19 November 07:44 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Ionospheric | 19 November | Launch failure | |||
Apogee: 106 kilometres (66 mi) | |||||||
19 November 10:36 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 19 November | Successful | |||
Apogee: 119 kilometres (74 mi) | |||||||
19 November 10:51 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
NASA | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 19 November | Successful | |||
Apogee: 255 kilometres (158 mi), released sodium | |||||||
19 November | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 19 November | Successful | |||
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
20 November 10:51 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
NASA | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 20 November | Successful | |||
Apogee: 236 kilometres (147 mi), released sodium | |||||||
20 November 17:11 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Navy | Suborbital | Missile test | 20 November | Successful | |||
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi) | |||||||
20 November 18:16 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 20 November | Successful | |||
Apogee: 119 kilometres (74 mi) | |||||||
20 November 21:06 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 20 November | Successful | |||
Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi) | |||||||
22 November 18:35 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force/Utah | Suborbital | Ionospheric | 22 November | Launch failure | |||
Apogee: 35 kilometres (22 mi) | |||||||
24 November 19:48 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 24 November | Successful | |||
Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi) | |||||||
27 November 01:12:33 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 27 November | Successful | |||
Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi) | |||||||
30 November 09:58 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
NRL | Suborbital | UV Astronomy | 30 November | Successful | |||
Apogee: 140 kilometres (87 mi) | |||||||
30 November 10:16 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
Queen's | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 30 November | Successful | |||
Apogee: 151 kilometres (94 mi), released sodium | |||||||
30 November 12:35 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
UCL | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 30 November | Successful | |||
Apogee: 163 kilometres (101 mi) | |||||||
30 November | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 30 November | Successful | |||
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
November | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
VMF | Suborbital | Missile test | Successful | ||||
Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi) | |||||||
1 December 11:36 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
UCL Birmingham | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 1 December | Successful | |||
Apogee: 159 kilometres (99 mi) | |||||||
1 December 17:00 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 1 December | Successful | |||
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
1 December | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
NASA | Suborbital | REV test | 1 December | Successful | |||
Apogee: 260 kilometres (160 mi) | |||||||
2 December 05:29 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
Royal Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 2 December | Launch failure | |||
3 December | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
AN | Suborbital | 3 December | Successful | ||||
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi) | |||||||
3 December | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
AN | Suborbital | 3 December | Successful | ||||
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi) | |||||||
12 December 17:11 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | +0 seconds | Launch failure | |||
Vibrations from ignition erroneously triggered self-destruct system whilst rocket was still on pad [4] [5] | |||||||
17 December 20:13 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Navy | Suborbital | Missile test | 7 December | Successful | |||
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi) | |||||||
9 December 00:10 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 9 December | Successful | |||
Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi) | |||||||
10 December 00:08 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 10 December | Successful | |||
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi) | |||||||
15 December 02:14 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
Royal Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 15 December | Launch failure | |||
15 December | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
ONERA | Suborbital | REV test | 15 December | Successful | |||
Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi) | |||||||
16 December 04:50 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Navy | Suborbital | Missile test | 16 December | Launch failure | |||
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi) | |||||||
16 December | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 16 December | Successful | |||
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
16 December | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Army | Suborbital | Test flight | 16 December | Launch failure | |||
Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) | |||||||
17 December 00:03 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 17 December | Successful | |||
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi) | |||||||
17 December | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 17 December | Successful | |||
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi) | |||||||
18 December | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 18 December | Successful | |||
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
19 December 00:48 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 19 December | Successful | |||
Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi) | |||||||
21 December | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 21 December | Successful | |||
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
22 December 07:56 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
NASA | Suborbital | Test flight | 22 December | Successful | |||
Apogee: 901 kilometres (560 mi) | |||||||
23 December 19:05 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 23 December | Successful | |||
Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi) | |||||||
23 December | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
US Navy | Suborbital | Missile test | 23 December | Launch failure | |||
Apogee: 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) | |||||||
26 December | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
RVSN | Suborbital | Target | 26 December | Successful | |||
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi) | |||||||
27 December | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 27 December | Successful | |||
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
28 December | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
MVS | Suborbital | Missile test | 28 December | Successful | |||
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
December | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
RVSN | Suborbital | Target | December | Successful | |||
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi) | |||||||
Unknown | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
VMF | Suborbital | Missile test | Launch failure | ||||
Unknown | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
NASA | Suborbital | Test flight | Successful | ||||
Apogee: 117 kilometres (73 mi) |
This article outlines notable events occurring in 2005 in spaceflight, including major launches and EVAs. 2005 saw Iran launch its first satellite.
The year 1967 in spaceflight saw the most orbital launches of the 20th century and more than any other year until 2021, including that of the first Australian satellite, WRESAT, which was launched from the Woomera Test Range atop an American Sparta rocket. The United States National Space Science Data Center catalogued 172 spacecraft placed into orbit by launches which occurred in 1967.
The United States National Space Science Data Center catalogued 157 spacecraft placed into orbit by launches, which occurred in 1968. The first crewed Apollo missions occurred in 1968. It was also the year in which Earth lifeforms first left low Earth orbit, during the successful Zond 5 mission to the Moon and the Zond 6 lunar mission which crashed upon return, and the year that humans first left low Earth orbit, during the successful Apollo 8 mission to the Moon.
Japan and China each launched their first satellites in 1970, bringing the total number of nations with independent launch capability to five.
Luna 1 was the first spacecraft to leave the gravitational influence of Earth. Also in 1959, Luna 2 was the first spacecraft to reach the surface of another celestial body, impacting the Moon, and Luna 3 returned the first images of the far side of the Moon.
Explorer 1 was the first American satellite to reach orbit on 31 January 1958.
1972 saw humanity's last crewed mission to the Moon of the 20th century, Apollo 17.
This article outlines notable events occurring in 2004 in spaceflight, including major launches and EVAs.
1973 saw the launch of the first American Space station known as Skylab on a Saturn V rocket.
The following is an outline of 1983 in spaceflight.
The following is an outline of 1990 in spaceflight.
The following is an outline of 1989 in spaceflight.
The following is an outline of 1987 in spaceflight.
This is a list of spaceflights launched between January and June 1960. For launches between July and December, see 1960 in spaceflight (July–December). For an overview of the whole year, see 1960 in spaceflight.
This article lists orbital and suborbital launches during the first half of the year 1958.
This article lists orbital and suborbital launches during the first half of the year 1959.