1966 in spaceflight

Last updated

1966 in spaceflight
Gemini 8 docking.jpg
Gemini 8 about to dock with its Agena target vehicle, the first time two spacecraft dock in orbit.
Orbital launches
First7 January
Last29 December
Total131
Successes111
Failures13
Partial failures7
Catalogued 118
Crewed flights
Orbital5
Total travellers10

The year 1966 saw the peak and the end of the Gemini program. The program proved that docking in space and human EVA's could be done safely. It saw the first launch of the Saturn IB rocket, an important step in the Apollo program, and the launch of Luna 9, the first spacecraft to make a soft landing on a celestial object (the Moon).

Contents

Orbital launches

Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload
(⚀ = CubeSat)
Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC)Outcome
Remarks

January

7 January
04:48:23
Flag of the United States.svg Thor-Burner 1 Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg LC-75-2-6 Flag of the United States.svg USAF
Flag of the United States.svg OPS 2394 (DMSP 4A-F5)USAFPlanned: Low Earth Meteorology7 JanuaryLaunch failure
Second stage failed to ignite
7 January
08:24
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Vostok-2 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Baikonur LC-31/6 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kosmos 104 (Zenit-2)Low EarthOptical reconnaissance15 JanuaryPartial Failure
Third stage failed to put spacecraft in correct orbit
19 January
20:10
Flag of the United States.svg Atlas-SLV3 Agena-D Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg PALC-2-4 Flag of the United States.svg USAF
Flag of the United States.svg KH-7 24 (KH-7 Gambit)NROLow EarthOptical Reconnaissance???Successful
Flag of the United States.svg OPS 3179 (Agena Pickaback)Low EarthTechnology23 January 1966Successful
Flag of the United States.svg OPS 7253 Low EarthFilm return25 January 1966Successful
22 January
08:38
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Vostok-2 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Baikonur LC-31/6 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kosmos 105 (Zenit-2)Low EarthOptical reconnaissance30 JanuarySuccessful
25 January
12:28
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kosmos-2I Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kapustin Yar LC-86/1 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kosmos 106 (DS-P1-I)Low EarthRadar calibrationIn orbitSuccessful
28 January
17:06:00
Flag of the United States.svg Scout-A Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg PALC-D Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg OPS 1593 (Transit-O 7)Low EarthNavigationIn orbitSuccessful
31 January
11:41:37
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Molniya-M Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Baikonur LC-31/6 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Luna 9 Lunar transferLunar lander3 February
18:45
Successful
First spacecraft to soft land on the surface of the Moon and of any planetary object.

February

2 February
21:32:13
Flag of the United States.svg Thor-SLV2A Agena-D Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg PALC-1-1 Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg OPS 7291 (KH-4A Corona 1029)NROLow EarthOptical Reconnaissance27 FebruarySuccessful
3 February
07:41:23
Flag of the United States.svg Delta C Flag of the United States.svg Cape Canaveral LC-17A Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg ESSA-1 (Tiros) ESSA Low EarthMeteorologyIn orbitSuccessful
5 February
12:19:49
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg R-36O Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Baikonur Site 67/21 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg RVSN
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg OGCh #02L RVSNSuborbitalMissile test5 FebruarySuccessful
Maiden flight of R-36O, apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
9 February
19:45:01
Flag of the United States.svg Thor-SLV2A Agena-D Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg LC-75-1-2 Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg OPS 1439 ("Heavy Ferret")NROLow EarthELINTIn orbitSuccessful
10 February
08:52
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Vostok-2 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Baikonur LC-31/6 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kosmos 107 (Zenit-2)Low EarthOptical reconnaissance18 FebruarySuccessful
11 February
18:00
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kosmos Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kapustin Yar LC-86/1 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kosmos 108 (DS-U1-G)Low EarthAtmospheric researchIn orbitSuccessful
15 February
20:32
Flag of the United States.svg Atlas-SLV3 Agena-D Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg PALC-2-4 Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg KH-7 25 (KH-7 Gambit)NROLow EarthOptical Reconnaissance???Successful
Flag of the United States.svg OPS 1184 Low EarthFilm return22 February 1966Successful
Flag of the United States.svg OPS 3011 (Bluebell 2 cylinder)Low EarthRadar calibration17 February 1966Successful
Flag of the United States.svg OPS 3031 (Bluebell 2 sphere)Low EarthRadar calibration22 February 1966Successful
17 February
08:33:36
Flag of France.svg Diamant A Flag of Algeria.svg Hammaguira Brigitte Flag of France.svg Armée de Terre
Flag of France.svg Dipason (D-1A)Armée de TerreLow Earth Geodetic science In orbitSuccessful
19 February
08:52
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Voskhod Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Baikonur LC-31/6 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kosmos 109 (Zenit-4 #14L)Low EarthOptical reconnaissance27 FebruarySuccessful
21 February Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kosmos (63S1) Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kapustin Yar LC-86/1 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg DS-K-40 No.2 Planned: Low EarthELINT21 FebruaryFailure
First stage failure at T+83 seconds
22 February
20:09:36
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Voskhod Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Baikonur LC-31/6 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kosmos 110 (Voskhod)Low EarthUncrewed spacecraft16 MarchSuccessful
26 February
16:12:01
Flag of the United States.svg Saturn IB Flag of the United States.svg Cape Canaveral LC-34 Flag of the United States.svg NASA
Flag of the United States.svg Apollo AS-201 NASA Sub-orbitalTest spacecraft26 February
16:49:21
Successful
First flight of the Apollo Spacecraft and launch vehicle
28 February
13:58:00
Flag of the United States.svg Delta E Flag of the United States.svg Cape Canaveral LC-17B Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg ESSA-2 (Tiros) ESSA Low EarthMeteorologyIn orbitSuccessful

March

1 March
11:03:49
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Molniya 8K78M Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Baikonur LC-31/6 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kosmos 111 (Luna E-6S series)Intended: Lunar transferLunar orbiter1 MarchLaunch failure
9 March
22:02:03
Flag of the United States.svg Thor-SLV2A Agena-D Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg PALC-1-1 Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg OPS 3488 (KH-4A Corona 1030)NROLow EarthOptical Reconnaissance29 MarchSuccessful
16 March
15:00:03
Flag of the United States.svg Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D Flag of the United States.svg Cape Canaveral LC-14 Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg GATV 5003 US Air ForceLow EarthDocking target15 September 1967Successful
16 March
16:41:02
Flag of the United States.svg Titan II GLV Flag of the United States.svg Cape Canaveral LC-19 Flag of the United States.svg US Air Force
Flag of the United States.svg Gemini VIII NASALow EarthTechnology/Biological/Target17 March
03:22:28
Successful
First docking with the Agena target vehicle
17 March
10:28:42
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Vostok-2 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Plesetsk LC-41/1 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kosmos 112 (Zenit-2)Low EarthOptical reconnaissance25 March 1966
05:31
Successful
18 March
20:00
Flag of the United States.svg Atlas-SLV3 Agena-D Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg PALC-2-4 Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg KH-7 26 (KH-7 Gambit)NROLow EarthOptical Reconnaissance???Successful
Flag of the United States.svg OPS 0879 Low EarthFilm return23 March 1966Successful
Flag of the United States.svg OPS 0974 Low EarthFilm return24 March 1966Successful
21 March
09:40
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Voskhod 11A57 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Baikonur LC-31/6 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kosmos 113 (Zenit-4 #17L)Low EarthOptical reconnaissance29 MarchSuccessful
24 March
14:39
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg UR-500 (Proton) Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Baikonur Site 81/23 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Proton N-4 #3 (N-4 #3)Intended: Low EarthPhysics24 MarchLaunch failure
2nd stage engine failure T+122 seconds. Suspected collision with the first stage following separation.
26 March
03:31:00
Flag of the United States.svg Scout-A Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 5 (PALC-D) Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg Transit-O 8Low EarthNavigationIn orbitSuccessful
27 March
07:20
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Molniya 8K78M Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Baikonur LC-31/6 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Molniya-1 #5 Intended: Molniya Communications technology27 MarchLaunch failure
Booster failure
30 March
09:20:12
Flag of the United States.svg SM-65D Atlas D Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg ABRES-B-3 Flag of the United States.svg US Air Force
Flag of the United States.svg OV1-4 US Air ForceLow EarthREV testIn orbitSuccessful
Flag of the United States.svg OV1-5 Low EarthREV testIn orbitSuccessful
31 March
05:41:04
Flag of the United States.svg Thor-Burner 1 Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg LC-75-2-6 Flag of the United States.svg USAF
Flag of the United States.svg OPS 0340 (DMSP-Block-4A F6)USAFLow EarthMeteorologyIn orbitSuccessful
31 March
10:46:59
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Molniya 8K78M Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Baikonur LC-31/6 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Luna 10 Lunar transferLunar orbiter30 May (last contact)Successful
First Soviet lunar orbiter, first discoverer of lunar mascons; Last contact: 30 May 1966

April

6 April
11:40
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Voskhod 11A57 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Plesetsk LC-41/1 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kosmos 114 (Zenit-4 #19L)Low EarthOptical reconnaissance14 April [2] Successful
7 April
22:02:55
Flag of the United States.svg Thor SLV-2A Agena D Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg PALC1-1 Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg OPS 1612 (KH-4 Corona 1031)NROLow EarthOptical Reconnaissance26 April 1966Successful
Flag of the United States.svg SRV 1031-1Low Earth ??????Successful
Flag of the United States.svg SRV 1031-2Low EarthFilm return???Successful
8 April
01:00:02
Flag of the United States.svg Atlas LV-3C Centaur-D Flag of the United States.svg Canaveral LC-36B Flag of the United States.svg NASA
Flag of the United States.svg Atlas Centaur 8 Surveyor SM-2 NASAHighly ellipticalTechnology14 AprilFailure [3]
Launch vehicle development flight. It carried a mass model of the Surveyor spacecraft. The second Centaur engine firing was unsuccessful.
8 April
19:35:00
Flag of the United States.svg Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D Flag of the United States.svg Cape Canaveral LC-12 Flag of the United States.svg US Air Force
Flag of the United States.svg OAO 1 NASALow EarthIn orbitSpacecraft failure
19 April
19:15
Flag of the United States.svg Atlas-SLV3 Agena-D Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg PALC-2-4 Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg KH-7 27 (KH-7 Gambit SV 977)NROLow EarthOptical Reconnaissance26 April 1966Successful
Flag of the United States.svg OPS 0910 Low EarthFilm return22 April 1966Successful
20 April
10:40
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Vostok-2 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Baikonur LC-31 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kosmos 115 (Zenit-2 No. 35L)Low EarthOptical reconnaissance28 April 1966Successful
22 April
09:45
Flag of the United States.svg Scout-B Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg PALC-D Flag of the United States.svg US Air Force
Flag of the United States.svg OV3-1 USAFLow EarthRadiation belt particle and fields experimentsIn orbitSuccessful
25 April
07:10
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Molniya 8K78M Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Baikonur LC-31 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Molniya-1 #6 Molniya Communications technology11 June 1973Successful
Third successful Molniya; also transmitted cloud cover images
26 April
10:04
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kosmos-2I Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kapustin Yar LC-86/1 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kosmos 116 (DS-P1-Yu No. 6)Low EarthRadar calibrationIn orbitSuccessful


May

3 May
19:25:25
Flag of the United States.svg Thor SLV-2A Agena D Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg 75-3-5 Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg OPS 1508 (KH-4A Corona 1032)NROLow EarthOptical Reconnaissance3 MayFailure
Flag of the United States.svg SRV 1032-1Low EarthFilm return3 MayFailure
Flag of the United States.svg SRV 1032-2Low EarthFilm return3 MayFailure
6 May
10:58
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Vostok-2 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Baikonur LC-31 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kosmos 117 (Zenit-2 No. 39L)Low EarthOptical reconnaissance14 May 1966Successful
11 May
14:10
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Vostok-2M Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Baikonur LC-31/6 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kosmos 118 (Meteor #4L)Low EarthWeather23 November 1988Successful
14 May
19:02
Flag of the United States.svg Atlas-SLV3 Agena-D Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg PALC-2-4 Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg KH-7 28 (KH-7 Gambit SV 978)NROLow EarthOptical Reconnaissance27 October 1970Successful
Flag of the United States.svg OPS 1950 Low EarthFilm return17 May 1966Successful
Flag of the United States.svg OPS 6785 Low EarthFilm return21 May 1966Successful
15 May
07:55:34
Flag of the United States.svg Thor SLV-2 Agena-B Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg LC-75-1-1 Flag of the United States.svg US Air Force
Flag of the United States.svg Nimbus 2 (Nimbus C)NASALow EarthWeather
Technology
In orbitSuccessful
17 May
11:00
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Voskhod 11A57 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Plesetsk LC-41/1 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Unnamed Kosmos (Zenit-4 #18L)Low EarthOptical reconnaissance17 MayFailure
17 May
15:15:03
Flag of the United States.svg Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D Flag of the United States.svg Cape Canaveral LC-14 Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg GATV 5004 US Air ForceLow EarthDocking target17 MayLaunch failure
19 May
02:27:00
Flag of the United States.svg Scout-A Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 5 (PALC-D) Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg Transit-O 9Low EarthNavigationIn orbitSuccessful
19 May
19:30
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg R-36O Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Baikonur Site 67/22 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg RVSN
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg OGCh #04L RVSNSuborbitalMissile test19 MaySuccessful
24 May
02:00:33
Flag of the United States.svg Thor SLV-2A Agena D Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 3 (PALC-1-1) Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg OPS 1778 KH-4A Corona 1033 NROLow EarthOptical Reconnaissance9 June 1966Successful
Flag of the United States.svg SRV 1033-1Low EarthFilm return???Successful
Flag of the United States.svg SRV 1033-2Low EarthFilm return???Successful
24 May
05:31?
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kosmos-2I Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kapustin Yar LC-86/1 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kosmos 119 (DS-U2-I No. 1)Low EarthIonospheric researchIn orbitSuccessful
25 May
14:00
Flag of the United States.svg Thor Delta C1 Flag of the United States.svg Cape Canaveral LC-17B Flag of the United States.svg US Air Force
Flag of the United States.svg Explorer 32 (AE-B)NASALow EarthAtmospheric22 February 1985Successful
30 May
14:41:01
Flag of the United States.svg Atlas LV-3C Centaur-DAC-10 Flag of the United States.svg Canaveral LC-36A Flag of the United States.svg NASA
Flag of the United States.svg Surveyor 1 NASA Translunar injection Lunar lander2 June 1966Successful
First American lunar soft-lander

June

1 June
15:00:02
Flag of the United States.svg Atlas SLV-3 Flag of the United States.svg Cape Canaveral LC-14 Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg ATDA No. 02186 US Air ForceLow EarthDocking target11 JuneSpacecraft failure
Shroud failed to come off target adapter precluding docking
3 June
13:39:33
Flag of the United States.svg Titan II GLV Flag of the United States.svg Cape Canaveral LC-19 Flag of the United States.svg US Air Force
Flag of the United States.svg Gemini IX-A NASALow EarthTechnology/Biological/Target6 June
02:00:23
Successful
Failed attempt to dock with ATDA; two hour EVA by Eugene Cernan
3 June
19:25
Flag of the United States.svg Atlas-SLV3 Agena-D Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg PALC-2-4 Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg KH-7 29 (KH-7 Gambit SV 979)NROLow EarthOptical Reconnaissance6 JuneSuccessful
Flag of the United States.svg OPS 1577 Low EarthFilm return9 JuneSuccessful
Flag of the United States.svg OPS 1856 Low EarthFilm return9 JuneSuccessful
7 June
02:48
Flag of the United States.svg Atlas-SLV3 Agena-B Flag of the United States.svg Cape Canaveral LC-12 Flag of the United States.svg US Air Force
Flag of the United States.svg OGO-3 (OGO-B)NASALow EarthIonospheric
Magnetospheric
14 September 1981Successful
Routine spacecraft operation was discontinued on 1 December 1969, after which only data from Heppner's experiment (E-11) was acquired. All spacecraft support terminated on 29 February 1972.
8 June
11:00
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Voskhod 11A57 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Baikonur LC-31 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kosmos 120 (Zenit-2 No. 41L)Low EarthOptical reconnaissance16 JuneSuccessful
9 June
20:15
Flag of the United States.svg Atlas-SLV3 Agena-D Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg PALC-1-2 Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg Midas 10 (Midas RTS-I F1)USAFLow EarthEarly Warning3 DecemberSuccessful
Flag of the United States.svg ERS 16 (ORS 2)Low EarthTechnology (performed metal-to-metal bonding experiments)12 March 1967Successful
Flag of the United States.svg SECOR 6 (Secor Type II S/N 7, EGRS VI)Low EarthGeodetic6 July 1967Successful
10 June
04:15
Flag of the United States.svg Scout-B Flag of the United States.svg Wallops Flight Facility Launch Area 3A Flag of the United States.svg US Air Force
Flag of the United States.svg OV3-4 (Personnel Hazards Associated with Space Radiation (PHASR)), OPS-1427 [4] USAFLow EarthTissue equivalent radiation chamber, linear energy transfer spectrometer, electron and proton spectrometers, a solid state charged particle spectrometer and a tri-axial magnetometer.In orbitSuccessful
16 June
14:01
Flag of the United States.svg Titan IIIC Flag of the United States.svg Cape Canaveral LC-41 Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg GGTS USAFGeosynchronousGravity Gradient stabilization testIn orbitPartial spacecraft failure [5]
Flag of the United States.svg IDCSP 1GeosynchronousMilitary communicationsIn orbitSuccessful
Flag of the United States.svg IDCSP 2GeosynchronousMilitary communicationsIn orbitSuccessful
Flag of the United States.svg IDCSP 3GeosynchronousMilitary communicationsIn orbitSuccessful
Flag of the United States.svg IDCSP 4GeosynchronousMilitary communicationsIn orbitSuccessful
Flag of the United States.svg IDCSP 5GeosynchronousMilitary communicationsIn orbitSuccessful
Flag of the United States.svg IDCSP 6GeosynchronousMilitary communicationsIn orbitSuccessful
Flag of the United States.svg IDCSP 7GeosynchronousMilitary communicationsIn orbitSuccessful
GGTS experiment partially failed because magnetic field in one of the dampers was compromised
17 Jun
11:00
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Voskhod 11A57 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Plesetsk LC-41/1 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kosmos 121 (Zenit-4 #20L)Low EarthOptical reconnaissance25 JunSuccessful
21 Jun
21:23:30
Flag of the United States.svg Thor SLV-2A Agena D Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg 75-3-5 Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg OPS 1599 (KH-4A Corona 1034)NROLow EarthOptical Reconnaissance14 JulySuccessful
Flag of the United States.svg SRV 1034-1Low EarthFilm returnBefore 14 JulySuccessful
Flag of the United States.svg SRV 1034-2Low EarthFilm returnBefore 14 JulySuccessful
24 Jun
21:31:30
Flag of the United States.svg Thor-SLV2A Agena-D Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg LC-75-1-1 Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg PAGEOS NASALow EarthGeodetic1975 - 2016Successful
25 Jun
10:30
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Vostok-2M Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Baikonur LC-31/6 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kosmos 122 (Meteor #5L)Low EarthWeather14 November 1989Successful

July

1 Jul
16:02:25
Flag of the United States.svg Thor Delta E1 Flag of the United States.svg Cape Canaveral LC-17A Flag of the United States.svg US Air Force
Flag of the United States.svg Explorer 33 (AIMP D)NASAHigh Earth Magnetospheric researchIn orbitSuccessful
5 July
16:12:01
Flag of the United States.svg Saturn IB Flag of the United States.svg Cape Canaveral LC-37B Flag of the United States.svg NASA
Flag of the United States.svg Apollo AS-203 NASA Low Earth S-IVB test5 JulySuccessful
The spacecraft inadvertently destroyed after four orbits
6 July
12:57
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg UR-500 (Proton) Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Baikonur Site 81/23 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Proton 3 (N-4 #4)Low EarthCosmic rays and particles research16 SeptemberSuccessful
8 July
05:31
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kosmos (63S1) Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kapustin Yar Site 86/1 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kosmos 123 (DS-P1-Yu #5L)Low EarthRadar calibrationIn orbitSuccessful
12 July
17:55
Flag of the United States.svg Atlas-SLV3 Agena-D Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg SLC 4E Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg KH-7 30 (KH-7 Gambit SV 980)NROLow EarthOptical Reconnaissance20 Jul 1966Successful
Flag of the United States.svg OPS 1850 SRV Mission 4030Low EarthFilm returnJulySuccessful
14 July
02:10:02
Flag of the United States.svg SM-65D Atlas Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg ABRES-B-3 Flag of the United States.svg US Air Force
Flag of the United States.svg OV1-8 (PasComSat)USAFLow EarthCommunications4 Jan 1978Successful
Flag of the United States.svg OV1-7 USAFLow EarthX-Ray Astronomy/Ionosphere14 JulyFailed to orbit
14 July
10:25
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Voskhod 11A57 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Baikonur LC-31 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kosmos 124 (Zenit-2 No. 42L)Low EarthOptical reconnaissance22 JulySuccessful
18 July
20:39:46
Flag of the United States.svg Atlas-Agena Flag of the United States.svg Cape Canaveral LC-14 Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg TDA-1A US Air ForceLow EarthDocking target29 DecSuccessful
18 July
22:20:27
Flag of the United States.svg Titan II GLV Flag of the United States.svg Cape Canaveral LC-19 Flag of the United States.svg US Air Force
Flag of the United States.svg Gemini X NASALow EarthTechnology/Biological/Target21 July
21:07:05
Successful
Second successful docking with Agena target vehicle; First EVA to another spacecraft, by Michael Collins
20 July
08:58
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soyuz/Vostok Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Baikonur LC-31 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kosmos 125 (US-A) No. 111Low Earth ELINT 2 Aug 1966Successful
28 Jul
10:50
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Voskhod 11A57 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Baikonur LC-31 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kosmos 126 (Zenit-4 #21L)Low EarthOptical reconnaissance2 AugSuccessful
29 July
18:30:20
Flag of the United States.svg Titan IIIB Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 4W Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg KH-8 Gambit #1 (OPS 3014)NROLow EarthOptical Reconnaissance6 Aug 1966Successful
Flag of the United States.svg SRV Mission 4301-1Low EarthFilm returnbefore 6 Aug 1966Successful

August

4 Aug
10:45:01
Flag of the United States.svg Scout-B Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 5 Flag of the United States.svg US Air Force
Flag of the United States.svg OV3-3 USAFLow EarthRadiation belt particle and fields experimentsIn orbitSuccessful
8 Aug
11:29
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Voskhod 11A57 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Baikonur LC-31 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kosmos 127 (Zenit-4 #22L)Low EarthOptical reconnaissance16 AugSuccessful
9 Aug
20:46:03
Flag of the United States.svg Thorad SLV-2G Agena D Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1W Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg OPS 1545 CORONA J-32NROLow EarthOptical Reconnaissance11 SepSuccessful
Flag of the United States.svg SRV 715Low EarthFilm returnBefore 11 SepSuccessful
Flag of the United States.svg SRV 716Low EarthFilm returnBefore 11 SepSuccessful
10 Aug
19:26:00
Flag of the United States.svg Atlas SLV-3 Agena D Flag of the United States.svg Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 13 Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg Lunar Orbiter 1 LunarMapping29 Oct 13:29Successful
First US spacecraft to orbit Moon. First spacecraft to photograph Earth from the Moon.
16 Aug
18:30
Flag of the United States.svg Atlas-SLV3 Agena-D Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 4E Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg KH-7 31 (OPS 1832)NROLow EarthOptical Reconnaissance24 Aug 1966Successful
Flag of the United States.svg SRV Mission 4031Low EarthFilm returnbefore 24 Aug 1966Successful
Flag of the United States.svg SAMPAN 1NROLow EarthELINT Reconnaissance5 Mar 1970Successful
Flag of the United States.svg SOUSEA 1Low EarthELINT Reconnaissance5 Mar 1970Successful
17 August
15:20:17
Flag of the United States.svg Delta E1 Flag of the United States.svg Cape Canaveral LC-17A Flag of the United States.svg NASA
Flag of the United States.svg Pioneer 7 (Pioneer B)NASAHeliocentricScientificIn orbitSuccessful
18 Aug
02:25:02
Flag of the United States.svg Scout-A Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 5 (PALC-D) Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg Transit-O 10Low EarthNavigationIn orbitSuccessful
19 Aug
1925
Flag of the United States.svg Atlas-SLV3 Agena-D Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3E Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg Midas 11 (Midas RTS-I F2)USAFLow EarthEarly WarningIn orbitSuccessful
Flag of the United States.svg ERS 15Low EarthTechnology (performed metal-to-metal bonding experiments)12 March 1967Successful
Flag of the United States.svg SECOR 7 (Secor Type II S/N 8, EGRS VII)Low EarthGeodeticIn orbitSuccessful
24 Aug
08:03:21
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Molniya 8K78M Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Baikonur LC-31/6 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Luna 11 Lunar transferLunar orbiterIn orbitPartial spacecraft failure
TV camera failed to return usable images; Last contact: 1 October 1966
25 Aug
17:15:32
Flag of the United States.svg Saturn IB Flag of the United States.svg Cape Canaveral LC-34 Flag of the United States.svg NASA
Flag of the United States.svg Apollo AS-202 NASA Sub-orbitalTest spacecraft25 Aug
18:48:34
Successful
Second flight of the Apollo Spacecraft and launch vehicle; resulted in man-rating of Block 1 Apollo and Saturn 1B rocket
26 Aug
13:59:56
Flag of the United States.svg Titan IIIC Flag of the United States.svg Cape Canaveral LC-41 Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg IDCSP Low EarthGeosynchronous Communications26 AugLaunch failure
Flag of the United States.svg IDCSP Low EarthGeosynchronous Communications26 AugLaunch failure
Flag of the United States.svg IDCSP Low EarthGeosynchronous Communications26 AugLaunch failure
Flag of the United States.svg IDCSP Low EarthGeosynchronous Communications26 AugLaunch failure
Flag of the United States.svg IDCSP Low EarthGeosynchronous Communications26 AugLaunch failure
Flag of the United States.svg IDCSP Low EarthGeosynchronous Communications26 AugLaunch failure
Flag of the United States.svg IDCSP Low EarthGeosynchronous Communications26 AugLaunch failure
Flag of the United States.svg IDCSP Low EarthGeosynchronous Communications26 AugLaunch failure
27 Aug
09:50
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Voskhod 11A57 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Baikonur Cosmodrome Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kosmos 128 (Zenit-4 #23L)Low EarthOptical reconnaissance4 SepSuccessful

September

12 Sep
13:05:02
Flag of the United States.svg Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D Flag of the United States.svg Cape Canaveral LC-14 Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg GATV-5006 US Air ForceLow EarthDocking target30 DecSuccessful
12 Sep
14:42:27
Flag of the United States.svg Titan II GLV Flag of the United States.svg Cape Canaveral LC-19 Flag of the United States.svg US Air Force
Flag of the United States.svg Gemini XI NASALow EarthTechnology/Biological/Target15 Sep
13:59:35
Successful
First-ever direct-ascent (first orbit) rendezvous with an Agena Target Vehicle, highest apogee orbit for Earth-orbiting crewed mission to date.
16 Sep
09:30
Flag of the United States.svg Thor-Burner 2 Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg LC-75-2-6 Flag of the United States.svg USAF
Flag of the United States.svg DMSP-Block-4A 7 (OPS 6026)USAFLow EarthMeteorologyIn orbitSuccessful
16 Sep
09:30
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Voskhod 11A57 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Baikonur Cosmodrome Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Unnamed Zenit-4 (Zenit-4 #40L)Low EarthOptical reconnaissance16 SepFailure
16 Sep
17:59
Flag of the United States.svg Atlas-SLV3 Agena-D Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 4E Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg KH-7 32 (OPS 1686)NROLow EarthOptical Reconnaissance23 SepSuccessful
Flag of the United States.svg SRV Mission 4032Low EarthFilm returnbefore 23 SepSuccessful
Flag of the United States.svg FANION 2NROLow EarthELINT Reconnaissance9 May 1968Successful
Flag of the United States.svg TRIPOS 2Low EarthELINT Reconnaissance9 May 1968Successful
17 Sep
22:35
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg R-36O Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 162/36 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg RVSN
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg OGCh #05L RVSNLEOMissile test11 NovPartial launch failure
First attempted orbital Fractional Orbital Bombardment System test.
20 Sep
12:32:00
Flag of the United States.svg Atlas LV-3C Centaur-D Flag of the United States.svg Canaveral LC-36A Flag of the United States.svg NASA
Flag of the United States.svg Surveyor 2 NASAHighly ellipticalLunar Lander23 SepSpacecraft failure
Mid-course correction failure resulted in the spacecraft losing control. Contact was lost with the spacecraft at 9:35 UTC, September 22.
20 Sep
21:14:05
Flag of the United States.svg Thor SLV-2A Agena D Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3W Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg KH-4A Corona 1035 (OPS 1703)NROLow EarthOptical Reconnaissance12 OctSuccessful
Flag of the United States.svg SRV 1035-1Low EarthFilm returnBefore 12 OctSuccessful
Flag of the United States.svg SRV 1035-2Low EarthFilm returnBefore 12 OctSuccessful
26 Sep
02:58
Flag of Japan.svg Lambda 4S Flag of Japan.svg Kagoshima Pad L Flag of Japan.svg JAXA
Flag of Japan.svg L-4S-1JAXA26 SepLaunch failure
28 Sep
19:07
Flag of the United States.svg Titan IIIB Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 4W Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg KH-8 Gambit #2 (OPS 4096)NROLow EarthOptical Reconnaissance7 OctSuccessful
Flag of the United States.svg SRV Mission 4302-1Low EarthFilm returnbefore 7 OctSuccessful

October

2 October
10:39:03
Flag of the United States.svg Delta E Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg SLC 2E Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg ESSA-3 (Tiros) ESSA Low EarthMeteorologyIn orbitSuccessful
5 Oct
22:00
Flag of the United States.svg Atlas-SLV3 Agena-D Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg Vandenberg SLC 3E Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg Midas 12 (Midas RTS-I F3)USAFLow EarthEarly WarningIn orbitSuccessful
Flag of the United States.svg EGRS VIII (SECOR Type II S/N 9 )Low EarthGeodeticIn orbitSuccessful
12 Oct
19:15
Flag of the United States.svg Atlas-SLV3 Agena-D Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 4E Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg KH-7 33 (OPS 2055)NROLow EarthOptical Reconnaissance20 OctSuccessful
Flag of the United States.svg SRV Mission 4033Low EarthFilm returnbefore 20 OctSuccessful
Flag of the United States.svg Space Ground Link System (SLGS) 1 (OPS 5345)NROLow EarthTechnology21 OctSuccessful
14 Oct
12:13:08
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Vostok-2 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Plesetsk LC-41/1 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kosmos 129 (Zenit-2 No. 33L)Low EarthOptical reconnaissance21 OctSuccessful
20 Oct
07:50
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Molniya 8K78M Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Baikonur Site 1 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Molniya-1 #7 Molniya Communications technology11 Sep 1968Successful
20 Oct
08:46
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Voskhod 11A57 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Baikonur Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kosmos 130 (Zenit-4 #24L)Low EarthOptical reconnaissance28 OctSuccessful
22 Oct
08:42:26
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Molniya 8K78M Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Baikonur LC-31/6 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Luna 12 Lunar transferLunar orbiterIn orbitSuccessful
Took high-resolution photos of the Moon's surface from lunar orbit. Last contact: 19 Jan 1967
26 Oct
11:12:02
Flag of the United States.svg Atlas LV-3C Centaur-D Flag of the United States.svg Canaveral LC-36B Flag of the United States.svg NASA
Flag of the United States.svg Atlas Centaur 9 Surveyor SM-3 NASAHighly ellipticalTechnologyIn orbitSuccessful
Launch vehicle development flight. It carried a mass model of the Surveyor spacecraft.
26 Oct
23:05:00
Flag of the United States.svg Delta E1 Flag of the United States.svg Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17B Flag of the United States.svg NASA
Flag of the United Nations.svg Intelsat II F-1 (Blue Bird) Intelsat GeosynchronousCommunicationsIn orbitSuccessful
28 Oct
11:56:02
Flag of the United States.svg Scout-B Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 5 Flag of the United States.svg US Air Force
Flag of the United States.svg OV3-2 USAFLow EarthRadiation belt particle and fields experiments29 Sep 1971Successful

November

2 Nov
00:45:03
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg R-36O Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 162/36 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg RVSN
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg OGCh #06L RVSNLEOMissile test29 NovSpacecraft failure
Second attempted orbital Fractional Orbital Bombardment System test.
2 Nov
20:24
Flag of the United States.svg Atlas-SLV3 Agena-D Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 4E Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg KH-7 34 (OPS 2070)NROLow EarthOptical Reconnaissance10 NovSuccessful
Flag of the United States.svg SRV Mission 4034Low EarthFilm returnbefore 10 NovSuccessful
Flag of the United States.svg Space Ground Link System (SLGS) 2 (OPS 5424)NROLow EarthTechnology16 NovSuccessful
3 Nov
13:50:42
Flag of the United States.svg Titan IIIC Flag of the United States.svg Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 40 Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg Manned Orbiting Laboratory mockup USAFLow EarthMOL mockup9 Jan 1967Successful
Flag of the United States.svg OV4-1R Low EarthCommunications5 Jan 1967Successful
Flag of the United States.svg OV4-1T Low EarthCommunications11 Jan 1967Successful
Flag of the United States.svg OV1-6S Low EarthOptical target deployment31 DecSuccessful
Flag of the United States.svg Gemini B Low EarthGeosynchronous Communications3 Nov (suborbital test)Successful
6 Nov
23:21:00
Flag of the United States.svg Atlas SLV-3 Agena D Flag of the United States.svg Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 13 Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg Lunar Orbiter 2 LunarMapping11 Oct 67Successful
8 Nov
19:53:02
Flag of the United States.svg Thorad SLV-2G Agena D Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 1W Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg OPS 1866 CORONA J-38NROLow EarthOptical Reconnaissance29 NovSuccessful
Flag of the United States.svg SRV 727Low EarthFilm returnBefore 29 NovSuccessful
Flag of the United States.svg SRV 728Low EarthFilm returnBefore 29 NovSuccessful
11 Nov
19:07:59
Flag of the United States.svg Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D Flag of the United States.svg Cape Canaveral LC-14 Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg GATV-5007 NASALow EarthDocking target23 DecSuccessful
11 Nov
20:46:33
Flag of the United States.svg Titan II GLV Flag of the United States.svg Cape Canaveral LC-19 Flag of the United States.svg US Air Force
Flag of the United States.svg Gemini XII NASALow EarthTechnology/Biological/Target15 Nov
19:21:04
Successful
Final Gemini flight
12 Nov
09:50
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Voskhod 11A57 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Plesetsk LC-41/1 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kosmos 131 (Zenit-4 #25L)Low EarthOptical reconnaissance20 NovSuccessful
16 Nov
13:00
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kosmos-3 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Plesetsk LC-41/5 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Strela-2 #2LLow EarthCommunications16 NovLaunch failure
19 Nov
08:00
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Vostok-2 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Baikonur LC-31 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kosmos 132 (Zenit-4 #46L)Low EarthOptical reconnaissance27 NovSuccessful
28 Nov
11:00:00
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soyuz (rocket) Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Baikonur LC-31 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kosmos 133 (Soyuz 7K-OK No. 2)Low EarthCrewed spacecraft30 Nov 10:21Successful
First test of Soyuz 7K-OK crewed spacecraft

December

3 Dec
08:15
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Vostok-2 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Baikonur LC-31 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kosmos 134 (Zenit-4 #26L)Low EarthOptical reconnaissance11 DecSuccessful
5 Dec
21:09
Flag of the United States.svg Atlas-SLV3 Agena-D Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 4E Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg KH-7 35 (OPS 1890)NROLow EarthOptical Reconnaissance14 DecSuccessful
Flag of the United States.svg SRV Mission 4035Low EarthFilm returnbefore 14 DecSuccessful
Flag of the United States.svg Agena Engine Diagnostic 1NROLow EarthTechnology8 DecSuccessful
7 Dec
02:12:01
Flag of the United States.svg Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D Flag of the United States.svg Cape Canaveral LC-12 Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg ATS-1 (Applications Technology Satellite)NASAGeostationaryCommunications/weatherIn orbitSuccessful
The first experimental equatorial synchronous satellite.
11 Dec
21:09:57
Flag of the United States.svg SM-65D Atlas D Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg ABRES-B-3 Flag of the United States.svg US Air Force
Flag of the United States.svg OV1-9 US Air ForceLow EarthRadiation studiesIn orbitSuccessful
Flag of the United States.svg OV1-10 Low EarthRadiation studies30 Nov 2002Successful
12 December
20:38?
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kosmos-2I Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kapustin Yar LC-86/1 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kosmos 135 Planned: Low EarthMicrometeoroid12 April 1967Successful
14 Dec
11:00:00
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soyuz (rocket) Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Baikonur LC-31 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soyuz 7K-OK No.1 Low EarthCrewed spacecraft14 DecLaunch failure
Second test of Soyuz 7K-OK crewed spacecraft
14 Dec
18:14
Flag of the United States.svg Titan IIIB Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 4W Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg KH-8 Gambit #3 (OPS 8968)NROLow EarthOptical Reconnaissance24 DecSuccessful
Flag of the United States.svg SRV Mission 4303Low EarthFilm returnbefore 24 DecSuccessful
14 December
19:20:03
Flag of the United States.svg Delta G Flag of the United States.svg Cape Canaveral LC-17A Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg Biosatellite 1 NASALow EarthBioscience15 February 1967Successful
19 Dec
12:00:01
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Vostok-2 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Plesetsk LC-41/1 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kosmos 136 (Zenit-4 #47L)Low EarthOptical reconnaissance27 DecSuccessful
20 Dec
02:20
Flag of Japan.svg Lambda 4S Flag of Japan.svg Kagoshima Pad L Flag of Japan.svg JAXA
Flag of Japan.svg L-4S-2JAXA20 DecLaunch failure
21 Dec
10:17:08
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Molniya-M Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Baikonur Site 1 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Luna 13 Lunar transferLunar lander24 DecSuccessful
Last contact: 28 December 1966, 06:13
21 Dec
13:12?
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kosmos (63S1) Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kapustin Yar LC-86/1 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Kosmos 137 Planned: Low EarthMagnetosphere23 Nov 1967Successful
Last contact: 12 May 1967
21 Dec
22:15:02
Flag of the United States.svg Atlas SLV-3 Flag of the United States.svg Cape Canaveral Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3E Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg SV-5D FV-1US Air ForceLow EarthLifting body reentry test21 DecSuccessful
First test of PRIME
29 Dec
12:00:06
Flag of the United States.svg Thor SLV-2A Agena D Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2W Flag of the United States.svg
Flag of the United States.svg MULTIGROUP 1/SETTER 1A (OPS 1584)NROLow EarthELINT5 Apr 1969Successful

Suborbital launches

Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload
(⚀ = CubeSat)
Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC)Outcome
Remarks

January-December

14 July [6] Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg T-7A-S2 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Shijiedu Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg SIED
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Capsule with a dog SuborbitalBiology experiment14 JulySuccessful
Apogee: 100 km
28 July [6] Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg T-7A-S2 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Shijiedu Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg SIED
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Capsule with a dog SuborbitalBiology experiment28 JulySuccessful
Apogee: 100 km

Gemini and Apollo launches

Launch Date/Time Rocket Launch
Site
Launch ContractorPayloadOperator Orbit Mission/
Function
Re-Entry/
Destruction
OutcomeRemarks
16 March
15:00 GMT
Atlas D LC-14, Cape Canaveral US Air Force GATV 5003 NASA LEO Gemini docking target.15 September 1967SuccessfulUsed by Gemini 8 and Gemini 10
16 March
16:41 GMT
Titan II LC-19, Cape Canaveral US Air Force Gemini 8, 2 Astronauts NASA LEO Crewed Orbital Flight17 March 1966Partial FailureFirst docking in space. (with GATV).
OAMS malfunction caused loss of control. Spacecraft became low on fuel after recovering. Terminated early.
17 May
15:12 GMT
Atlas D LC-14, Cape Canaveral US Air Force GATV 5004 NASA LEO Gemini docking target.17 May 1966FailureFailed to reach orbit.
Intended for use by Gemini 9
1 June
15:00 GMT
Atlas SLV-3 LC-14, Cape Canaveral US Air Force ATDA 02186 NASA LEO Gemini docking target.11 June 1966FailureFairing failed to separate
Intended for use by Gemini 9A
3 June
16:41 GMT
Titan II LC-19, Cape Canaveral US Air Force Gemini 9A, 2 Astronauts NASA LEO Crewed Orbital Flight6 June 1966Partial FailureUnable to complete primary objective - Docking with ATDA - due to ATDA payload fairing malfunction
5 July
14:53 GMT
Saturn IB (C-1B) LC-37B, Cape Canaveral NASA (none)N/AN/ATest launch vehicle N/ASuccessful
18 July
20:39 GMT
Atlas D LC-14, Cape Canaveral US Air Force GATV 5005 NASA LEO Gemini docking target.29 December 1966SuccessfulUsed by Gemini 10
18 July
22:20 GMT
Titan II LC-19, Cape Canaveral US Air Force Gemini 10, 2 Astronauts NASA LEO Crewed Orbital Flight21 July 1966Successful
25 August
17:15 GMT
Saturn IB (C-1B) LC-34, Cape Canaveral NASA Apollo Spacecraft (AS-202) NASA Sub-orbital Test Apollo Spacecraft and Launch Vehicle25 August 1966
18:48 GMT
Successful
12 September
13:05 GMT
Atlas D LC-14, Cape Canaveral US Air Force GATV 5006 NASA LEO Gemini docking target.30 December 1966SuccessfulUsed by Gemini 11
12 September
14:42 GMT
Titan II LC-19, Cape Canaveral US Air Force Gemini 11, 2 Astronauts NASA LEO Crewed Orbital Flight15 September 1966SuccessfulAltitude record for crewed Earth-Orbit flight
11 November
20:46 GMT
Atlas D LC-14, Cape Canaveral US Air Force GATV 5001A NASA LEO Gemini docking target.23 December 1966FailureFailed to ignite.
Used by Gemini 12
11 November
20:46 GMT
Titan II LC-19, Cape Canaveral US Air Force Gemini 12, 2 Astronauts NASA LEO Crewed Orbital Flight15 November 1966SuccessfulFinal Gemini flight

Deep Space Rendezvous

Date (UTC)SpacecraftEventRemarks
3 February Luna 9 First lunar landingin Oceanus Procellarum ; first soft landing on a celestial body and first images from lunar surface
27 February Venera 2 Flyby of Venus Communication lost en route
1 March Venera 3 First Venus impactCommunication lost en route
3 April Luna 10 Selenocentric orbit insertionfirst orbiter of the Moon
2 June Surveyor 1 Lunar landingin Oceanus Procellarum
14 August Lunar Orbiter 1 Selenocentric orbit insertionReturned 211 images
27 August Luna 11 Selenocentric orbit insertion
23 September Surveyor 2 Lunar impactFailed lander, impacted Sinus Medii
25 October Luna 12 Selenocentric orbit insertion
29 OctoberLunar Orbiter 1Lunar impact
10 November Lunar Orbiter 2 Selenocentric orbit injectionReturned 184 images
24 December Luna 13 Lunar landingin Oceanus Procellarum

EVAs

Start Date/TimeDurationEnd TimeSpacecraftCrewRemarks
5 June
15:02
2 hours
7 minutes
17:09 Gemini IX-A Flag of the United States.svg Eugene Cernan A complex EVA was planned. [7] Cernan expended four to five times the expected effort, raising his pulse as high as 180 beats per minute. Excess heat and respiration completely fogged visor, causing the EVA to be cut short. Cernan also had difficulty returning to spacecraft and closing the hatch. [8]
19 July
21:44
49 Minutes22:33 Gemini X Flag of the United States.svg Michael Collins Collins performed a stand-up EVA. Instead of climbing completely out of the spacecraft, Collins extended his torso outside the spacecraft to take photos before and after capsule sunrise. Color photography after sunrise was only partly completed due to severe eye irritation of both Collins and Command Pilot Young. Handling the camera proved difficult due to stiffness of spacesuit gloves. [9]
20 July
23:01
39 minutes23:40Gemini X Flag of the United States.svg Michael CollinsUmbilical EVA; with more difficulty than expected, Collins collected the micrometeorite collection package from the outside of Gemini. Then, using the Hand Held Maneuvering Unit, he pushed to the nearby Agena-8 to collect its micrometeorite collection package. Collins then pulled on the umbilical cord to return and re-enter the spacecraft. [10]
13 September
14:44
33 minutes15:17 Gemini XI Flag of the United States.svg Richard F. Gordon Jr. Gordon attached a tether between Gemini and Agena 11 for later orbital mechanics testing. While making the attachment, his work load exceeded the spacesuit cooling system, and his vision became obscured by a fogged visor and sweat in his eyes. Planned activities were curtailed by Command Pilot Conrad and Gordon returned to the spacecraft. [11]
14 September
12:49
2 hours
8 minutes
14:57Gemini XI Flag of the United States.svg Richard F. Gordon Jr.Gordon performed a stand-up EVA. He extended through the hatch to take astronomical photos. Conrad reported the spacewalk was so relaxing they both fell asleep for a moment after sunrise. [12]
12 November
16:15
2 hours
29 minutes
18:44 Gemini XII Flag of the United States.svg Buzz Aldrin Aldrin performed a stand-up EVA. Aldrin stood, took UV still photos and 16 mm color movie pictures, collected external experimental samples, and conducted a light exercise routine. [13]
13 November
15:34
2 hours
6 minutes
17:40Gemini XII Flag of the United States.svg Buzz AldrinFirst completely successful umbilical EVA, with all objectives achieved. Aldrin was able to control his movements and restrict his work load using techniques developed using underwater zero gravity simulations. He also benefited from experiences of the previous American EVAs and was able to move around the outside of the craft, deploy and recover various experimental packages, install and remove cameras, and practice work techniques using a ratchet-type wrench. [14]
14 November
14:52
55 minutes15:47Gemini XII Flag of the United States.svg Buzz AldrinAldrin performed a second stand-up EVA. He again extended outside the hatch to take photographs and repeat the light exercise experiment. Exertion levels during exercise were comparable to preflight simulations. Equipment and waste food containers not needed for reentry were jettisoned from the spacecraft. [15]

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This is a list of spaceflights launched between July and December 1961. For launches between January and June, see 1961 in spaceflight (January–June). For an overview of the whole year, see 1961 in spaceflight.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020s in spaceflight</span>

This article documents expected notable spaceflight events during the 2020s.

References

Generic references:
RocketSunIcon.svg Spaceflightportal

Footnotes

  1. "Recovery Beacon Signals from Kosmos Satellites" . Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  2. "Recovery Beacon Signals from Kosmos Satellites" . Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  3. "Major NASA Launches" (PDF). Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  4. "OV".
  5. "GGTS 1,2". Gunter's Space Report. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  6. 1 2 Wade, Mark. "T-7". astronautix.com. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  7. Jim Dumoulin (25 August 2000). "NASA Project Gemini IX-A (9)". NASA Historical Archive for Manned Missions. NASA. Archived from the original on 19 January 2009. Retrieved 1 January 2009.
  8. Cernan "The Last Man on the Moon", p. 129-144.
  9. Mathews, Charles W.; Low, George M. (August 1966). "Gemini Program Mission Report: Gemini X" (PDF). National Aeronautics and Space Administration. pp. 7‑5, 7‑31. Retrieved 2 January 2009.
  10. Mathews Gemini Program Mission Report: Gemini X, p. 7-32
  11. "Gemini 11". National Space Science Data Center. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. 2008. Retrieved 3 January 2008.
  12. Chaikin, Andrew (1998). A Man on the Moon . New York: Penguin Books. p.  243. ISBN   0-670-81446-6.
  13. Mathews, Charles W.; Low, George M. (January 1967). "Gemini XII Program Mission Report" (PDF). National Aeronautics and Space Administration. pp. 7–27. Retrieved 5 January 2008.
  14. Mathews, Gemini XII Program Mission Report, p. 7-28, 7-29, 7-43
  15. Mathews, Gemini XII Program Mission Report, p. 7-30