This article outlines notable events occurring in 2005 in spaceflight , including major launches and EVAs. 2005 saw Iran launch its first satellite.
Orbital launches | |
---|---|
First | 12 January |
Last | 29 December |
Total | 55 |
Successes | 52 |
Failures | 3 |
Partial failures | 0 |
Catalogued | 52 |
National firsts | |
Satellite | Iran |
Rockets | |
Maiden flights | Ariane 5GS Atlas V 431 H-IIA 2022 |
Retirements | Atlas IIIB Titan IVB |
Crewed flights | |
Orbital | 4 |
Total travellers | 15 |
Date and time (UTC) | Rocket | Flight number | Launch site | LSP | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Payload (⚀ = CubeSat) | Operator | Orbit | Function | Decay (UTC) | Outcome | ||
Remarks | |||||||
January | |||||||
12 January 18:47:08 [1] | Delta II 7925 | Cape Canaveral SLC-17B | Boeing IDS | ||||
Deep Impact | NASA | Heliocentric | Comet flyby | In orbit | Successful | ||
Deep Impact impactor | NASA | Heliocentric | Comet impactor | 4 July 05:52 | Successful | ||
Visited 9P/Tempel. Impactor impacted comet to test composition, main probe subsequently reused for EPOXI mission to study extrasolar planets and conduct a flyby of comet 103P/Hartley. Stardust-NExT mission will fly past comet to inspect the crater caused by the impactor, as debris thrown up prevented Deep Impact from doing so. | |||||||
20 January 03:00:07 [1] | Kosmos-3M | Plesetsk Site 132/1 | |||||
Kosmos 2414 (Parus) | Low Earth | Navigation | In orbit | Operational | |||
Universitetsky-Tatyana (RS-23) | MGU | Low Earth | Technology [2] | In orbit | Successful | ||
Universitetsky-Tatyana ceased operations at around 21:00 UTC on 6 March 2007 [3] | |||||||
February | |||||||
3 February 02:27:32 | Proton-M/Briz-M | Baikonur Site 81/24 | International Launch Services | ||||
AMC-12 (WORLDSAT 2) | SES Americom | Geosynchronous | Communication | In orbit | Operational | ||
3 February 07:41 | Atlas IIIB | Cape Canaveral SLC-36B | International Launch Services | ||||
USA-181 (NOSS-3 F3A) | NRO | Low Earth | ELINT | In orbit | Operational | ||
USA-181 (NOSS-3 F3B) | NRO | Low Earth | ELINT | In orbit | Operational | ||
NRO Launch 23 "Canis Minor", final flight of Atlas IIIB | |||||||
12 February 21:03:01 | Ariane 5ECA | Kourou ELA-3 | Arianespace | ||||
XTAR-EUR | XTAR [4] | Geosynchronous | Communication | In orbit | Operational | ||
Maqsat-B2 | Arianespace | Geosynchronous transfer | Technology | 3 December 2012 | Successful | ||
Sloshsat-FLEVO | SRON | Geosynchronous transfer | Microgravity | In orbit | Successful | ||
Sloshsat-FLEVO deployed from Maqsat-B2 | |||||||
26 February 09:25 | H-IIA 2022 | Tanegashima LA-Y1 | JAXA | ||||
Himawari 6 (MTSAT 1R) | MLIT/JMA | Geosynchronous | ATC/Weather | In orbit | Operational | ||
Maiden flight of H-IIA 2022 | |||||||
28 February 19:09:18 | Soyuz-U | Baikonur Site 1/5 | Roskosmos | ||||
Progress M-52 | Roskosmos | Low Earth (ISS) | Logistics | 16 June 00:02 | Successful | ||
TNS-0 | RNII KP | Low Earth | Technology | 30 August [5] | Successful | ||
ISS flight 17P, TNS-0 deployed from the International Space Station at 08:30 UTC on 28 March, during an EVA | |||||||
March | |||||||
1 March 03:50:59 | Zenit-3SL | Ocean Odyssey | Sea Launch | ||||
XM-3 "Rhythm" | XM | Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Operational | ||
11 March 21:42 | Atlas V 431 | Cape Canaveral SLC-41 | International Launch Services | ||||
Inmarsat-4 F1 | Inmarsat | Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Operational | ||
Maiden flight of Atlas V 431 | |||||||
29 March 22:31L00 | Proton-K/DM-2M | Baikonur Site 200/39 | VKS | ||||
Ekspress AM-2 | RSCC | Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Operational | ||
April | |||||||
11 April 13:35 | Minotaur I | Vandenberg SLC-8 | Orbital Sciences | ||||
USA-165 (XSS-11) | USAFRL | Low Earth | Technology | 11 November 2013 | Successful | ||
12 April 12:00 | Long March 3B | Xichang LA-2 | CASC | ||||
Apstar VI | APT | Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Operational | ||
15 April 00:46:25 | Soyuz-FG | Baikonur Site 1/5 | Roskosmos | ||||
Soyuz TMA-6 | Roskosmos | Low Earth (ISS) | Expedition 11 | 11 October 01:09:00 | Successful | ||
Crewed orbital flight with 3 cosmonauts | |||||||
15 April 17:26:50 | Pegasus-XL | Stargazer, Vandenberg | Orbital Sciences | ||||
DART | NASA | Low Earth | Technology | 7 May 2016 08:32 | Spacecraft failure | ||
Rendezvous with MUBLCOM communications satellite failed due to navigation malfunction which led to satellites colliding in orbit. Deactivated eleven hours after launch. | |||||||
26 April 07:31:29 | Zenit-3SL | Ocean Odyssey | Sea Launch | ||||
Spaceway 1 | DirecTV | Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Operational | ||
30 April 00:50 | Titan IV(405)B | Cape Canaveral SLC-40 | Lockheed Martin | ||||
USA-182 (Lacrosse 5) | NRO | Low Earth | Radar imaging | In orbit | Operational | ||
NRO Launch 16, final Titan launch from Cape Canaveral | |||||||
May | |||||||
5 May 04:45 | PSLV | Satish Dhawan SLP | ISRO | ||||
CARTOSAT-1 | ISRO | Sun-synchronous | Remote sensing | In orbit | Operational | ||
HAMSAT (VUSat-Oscar 52) | AMSAT-India | Sun-synchronous | Amateur radio | In orbit | Operational | ||
20 May 10:22:01 | Delta II 7320 | Vandenberg SLC-2W | Boeing IDS | ||||
NOAA-18 (NOAA-N) | NOAA | Sun-synchronous | Weather | In orbit | Operational | ||
22 May 17:59:08 | Proton-M/Briz-M | Baikonur Site 200/39 | International Launch Services | ||||
DirecTV-8 | DirecTV | Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Operational | ||
31 May 12:00 | Soyuz-U | Baikonur Site 1/5 | Roskosmos | ||||
Foton-M2 | Roskosmos/ESA | Low Earth | Microgravity | 16 June | Successful | ||
Recovered intact | |||||||
June | |||||||
16 June 23:09:34 | Soyuz-U | Baikonur Site 1/5 | Roskosmos | ||||
Progress M-53 | Roskosmos | Low Earth (ISS) | Logistics | 7 September 14:12:40 | Successful | ||
ISS flight 18P | |||||||
21 June 00:49:37 | Molniya-M/ML | Plesetsk Site 16/2 | VKS | ||||
Molniya-3K #12L | VKS | Intended: Molniya | Communications | +6 minutes | Launch failure | ||
Failed to achieve orbit following third stage malfunction | |||||||
21 June 19:46:09 | Volna | K-496 Borisoglebsk, Barents Sea | VMF | ||||
Cosmos 1 | Planetary Society | Intended: Low Earth | Technology | 21 June | Launch failure | ||
Experimental solar sail, first stage engine failure 83 seconds after launch | |||||||
23 June 14:03:00 | Zenit-3SL | Ocean Odyssey | Sea Launch | ||||
Intelsat Americas 8 (2005–2007) Galaxy 28 (2007—) | Intelsat | Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Operational | ||
Originally ordered as Telstar 8 for Loral Space & Communications, sold to Intelsat before launch | |||||||
24 June 19:41:00 | Proton-K/DM-2 | Baikonur Site 200/39 | VKS | ||||
Ekspress AM-3 | RSCC | Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Operational | ||
July | |||||||
5 July 22:40 | Long March 2D | Jiuquan LA-4/SLS-1 [6] | CASC | ||||
Shijian 7 | CASC | Low Earth | Scientific | In orbit | Operational | ||
10 July 03:30 | M-V | Uchinoura | JAXA | ||||
Suzaku (ASTRO-EII) | JAXA | Low Earth | X-ray astronomy | In orbit | Operational | ||
26 July 14:39:00 | Space Shuttle Discovery | Kennedy LC-39B | United Space Alliance | ||||
STS-114 | NASA | Low Earth (ISS) | ISS assembly | 9 August 12:11:22 | Successful | ||
Raffaello MPLM | ASI/NASA | Low Earth (ISS) | Logistics | Successful | |||
Crewed orbital flight with seven astronauts, first Return to Flight mission after Columbia accident, Orbiter required repairs whilst in orbit. | |||||||
August | |||||||
2 August 07:30 [1] | Long March 2C | Jiuquan | CNSA | ||||
FSW-21 (FSW-3 #4) [8] | CNSA | Low Earth | Remote sensing | 28 August 23:38 [9] | Successful | ||
Recovered after reentry | |||||||
11 August 08:20:44 | Ariane 5GS | Kourou ELA-3 | Arianespace | ||||
Thaicom 4 (iPSTAR) | Shin Satellite | Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Operational | ||
Maiden flight of Ariane 5GS | |||||||
12 August 11:43:00 | Atlas V 401 | Cape Canaveral SLC-41 | International Launch Services | ||||
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter | NASA | Areocentric | Mars orbiter | In orbit | Operational | ||
13 August 23:28:26 | Soyuz-FG/Fregat | Baikonur Site 31/6 | Starsem | ||||
Galaxy 14 | PanAmSat (2005–2006) Intelsat (2006—) | Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Operational | ||
23 August 21:09:59 | Dnepr | Baikonur Site 109/95 | ISC Kosmotras | ||||
Kirari (OICETS) | JAXA | Low Earth | Technology | In orbit | Successful | ||
Reimei (INDEX) | JAXA | Low Earth | Technology | In orbit | Operational | ||
Kirari deactivated on 24 September 2009 [10] | |||||||
26 August 18:34:28 [11] | Rokot / Briz-KM | Plesetsk Site 133/3 | VKS | ||||
Monitor-E | Roscosmos | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth observation | 22 September 2020 00:00 [12] | Successful | ||
Control issues shortly after launch, resolved within a few months. | |||||||
29 August 18:45 | Long March 2D | Jiuquan LA-4 | CASC | ||||
FSW-22 (FSW-3 #5) | CNSA | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | 17 October | Successful | ||
September | |||||||
2 September 09:50 | Soyuz-U | Baikonur Site 31/6 | VKS | ||||
Kosmos 2415 (Yantar-1KFT/Kometa) | VKS | Low Earth | Optical imaging | 15 October 21:44 | Successful | ||
1,700th launch of R-7 derived rocket, film capsule and camera recovered after reentry | |||||||
8 September 13:07:54 | Soyuz-U | Baikonur Site 1/5 | Roskosmos | ||||
Progress M-54 | Roskosmos | Low Earth (ISS) | Logistics | 3 March 2006 13:05 | Successful | ||
RadioSkaf (SuitSat/AO-54) | AMSAT | Low Earth | Amateur radio | 7 September 2006 16:00 | Partial spacecraft failure | ||
ISS flight 19P. RadioSkaf integrated into Orlan-M No. 14 to form SuitSat, which was deployed from the ISS at 23:05 UTC on 3 February 2006, during an EVA. SuitSat transmissions significantly weaker than expected. | |||||||
8 September 21:53:40 | Proton-M/Briz-M | Baikonur Site 200/39 | International Launch Services | ||||
Anik F1R | Telesat | Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Operational | ||
23 September 02:24:29 | Minotaur I | Vandenberg SLC-8 | Orbital Sciences | ||||
USA-185 (STP-R1/Streak) | DARPA | Low Earth | Technology | In orbit | Operational | ||
26 September 03:37:00 | Delta II 7925-9.5 | Cape Canaveral SLC-17A | Boeing IDS | ||||
USA-183 (GPS IIR-14/M1) | US Air Force | Medium Earth | Navigation | In orbit | Operational | ||
October | |||||||
1 October 03:54:53 | Soyuz-FG | Baikonur Site 1/5 | Roskosmos | ||||
Soyuz TMA-7 | Roskosmos | Low Earth (ISS) | Expedition 12 | 8 April 2006 23:48 | Successful | ||
Crewed orbital flight with three cosmonauts | |||||||
8 October 15:02:00 | Rokot/Briz-KM | Plesetsk Site 133/3 | Eurockot | ||||
CryoSat | ESA | Intended: Low Earth | Environmental | 8 October | Launch failure | ||
Second stage failed to shut down and separate, failed to orbit. | |||||||
12 October 01:00 | Long March 2F | Jiuquan LA-4/SLS-1 | CALT | ||||
Shenzhou 6 | CMSA | Low Earth | Technology/Biological | 16 October 04:32:50 | Successful | ||
Carried two crewmembers, first Chinese spaceflight with multiple crew | |||||||
13 October 22:32:00 | Ariane 5GS | Kourou ELA-3 | Arianespace | ||||
Syracuse 3A | DGA | Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Operational | ||
Galaxy 15 | PanAmSat (2005–2006) Intelsat (2006—) | Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Spacecraft failure | ||
19 October 18:05 | Titan IV(404)B | Vandenberg SLC-4E | Lockheed Martin | ||||
USA-186 (Improved Crystal) | NRO | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational | ||
NRO Launch 20, Final flight of Titan IVB and the Titan family of rockets. | |||||||
27 October 06:52:26 | Kosmos-3M | Plesetsk Site 132/1 | NPO Polyot | ||||
Beijing-1 (China-DMC+4) | Tsinghua | Low Earth | Optical imaging | In orbit | Operational | ||
TopSat | MoD | Low Earth | Optical imaging | In orbit | Operational | ||
Sinah-1 | ISA | Low Earth | Remote sensing | In orbit | Operational | ||
SSETI Express (XO-53) | SSETI/ESA | Low Earth | Technology, CubeSat deployer | In orbit | Spacecraft failure | ||
⚀ CubeSat XI-V (CO-58) | University of Tokyo | Low Earth | Technology | In orbit | Operational | ||
⚀ UWE-1 | UWE | Low Earth | Technology | In orbit | Successful | ||
⚀ nCUBE-2 | NSSP | Low Earth | Amateur radio | In orbit | Spacecraft failure | ||
Mozhaets-5 (RS-25) | Mozhaiskiy/NPO PM | Low Earth | Technology Amateur radio | In orbit | Spacecraft failure | ||
Rubin-5-ASOLANT | OHB System/AATiS | Low Earth | Technology | Successful | |||
Sinah-1 was the first Iranian satellite, SSETI Express lost due to power failure twelve and a half hours after launch as solar arrays were unable to recharge batteries; [13] Mozhaets 5 failed to separate from the carrier rocket, NCUBE-2 failed to contact the ground and Rubin-5 remained intentionally attached to the carrier rocket. UWE-1 operated until 17 November. [14] | |||||||
November | |||||||
8 November 14:06:59 | Zenit-3SL | Ocean Odyssey | Sea Launch | ||||
Inmarsat-4 F2 | Inmarsat | Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Operational | ||
9 November 03:33:34 | Soyuz-FG / Fregat | Baikonur Site 31/6 | Starsem | ||||
Venus Express | ESA | Cytherocentric | Venus orbiter | Late January 2015 | Successful | ||
16 November 23:46:00 | Ariane 5 ECA | Kourou ELA-3 | Arianespace | ||||
Spaceway-2 | DirecTV | Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Operational | ||
Telkom-2 | PT Telkom | Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Successful [15] [16] | ||
December | |||||||
21 December 18:38:20 | Soyuz-U | Baikonur Site 1/5 | Roskosmos | ||||
Progress M-55 | Roskomsos | Low Earth (ISS) | Logistics | 19 June 2006 17:53 | Successful | ||
ISS flight 20P | |||||||
21 December 19:34:20 | Kosmos-3M | Plesetsk Site 132/1 | VKS | ||||
Gonets-M No.1 | Gonets Satellite System | Low Earth | Communications | In orbit | Operational | ||
Kosmos 2416 (Rodnik) | VKS | Low Earth | Communications | In orbit | Operational | ||
21 December 22:33 | Ariane 5GS | Kourou ELA-3 | Arianespace | ||||
Meteosat-9 (MSG-2) | Eumetsat | Geosynchronous | Weather | In orbit | Operational | ||
INSAT-4A | ISRO | Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Operational | ||
25 December 05:07:10 | Proton-K/DM-2 | Baikonur Site 81/24 | VKS | ||||
Kosmos 2417 (GLONASS-M) | VKS | Medium Earth | Navigation | In orbit | Operational | ||
Kosmos 2418 (GLONASS-M) | VKS | Medium Earth | Navigation | In orbit | Operational | ||
Kosmos 2419 (GLONASS) | VKS | Medium Earth | Navigation | In orbit | Operational | ||
28 December 05:19 | Soyuz-FG/Fregat | Baikonur Site 31/6 | Starsem | ||||
GIOVE A | ESA | Medium Earth | Navigation Technology | In orbit | Successful | ||
The satellite was deactivated on 24 November 2021. [17] | |||||||
29 December 02:28 | Proton-M/Briz-M | Baikonur Site 200/39 | International Launch Services | ||||
AMC-23 (2005–2007) GE-23 (2007—) | SES Americom (2005–2007) SAT-GE (2007—) | Geosynchronous | Communication | In orbit | Operational | ||
Originally ordered by GE Americom as GE-2i, transferred to SES Americom before launch and renamed AMC-13, then transferred to Worldsat as Worldsat-3 before being transferred back to SES Americom as AMC-23 in early 2005. Transferred to SAT-GE when it split from SES Americom in 2007. [18] |
Date and time (UTC) | Rocket | Flight number | Launch site | LSP | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Payload (⚀ = CubeSat) | Operator | Orbit | Function | Decay (UTC) | Outcome | ||
Remarks | |||||||
January | |||||||
18 January 13:58:00 [19] | Super Loki | Andøya | DLR | ||||
ROMA 2005 RWCH05 [20] | DLR | Suborbital | Weather | 18 January | Successful | ||
18 January 16:07 [19] | Super Loki | Andøya | DLR | ||||
ROMA 2005 RWCH08 [20] | DLR | Suborbital | Weather | 18 January | Successful | ||
18 January 17:57 [19] | Super Loki | Andøya | DLR | ||||
ROMA 2005 RWCH11 [20] | DLR | Suborbital | Weather | 18 January | Successful | ||
20 January 09:16 [19] | Super Loki | Andøya | DLR | ||||
ROMA 2005 RWCH14 [20] | DLR | Suborbital | Weather | 18 January | Successful | ||
February | |||||||
1 February | M45 | Biscarosse | French Navy | ||||
French Navy | Suborbital | Missile test | 1 February | Successful | |||
Apogee: 800 kilometres (500 mi) [21] | |||||||
2 February 20:57:00 [21] | Terrier-Orion | Barking Sands | NASA | ||||
NAWC | Suborbital | Target [21] | 2 February | Successful | |||
Apogee: 130 kilometres (81 mi) [21] | |||||||
14 February 06:22 [21] | UGM-27 Polaris (STARS) | Kodiak | SMDC | ||||
IFT-14 Target | MDA | Suborbital | Target [21] | 14 February | Successful | ||
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi), [21] interceptor launch cancelled [22] | |||||||
24 February 21:03 [21] | Aries | Barking Sands | US Navy | ||||
FTM-04-1 Target | MDA | Suborbital | Target [21] | 24 February | Successful | ||
Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi), [21] intercepted by SM-3 | |||||||
24 February 21:04 [21] | RIM-161 Standard Missile 3 | USS Lake Erie [23] | MDA | ||||
FTM-04-1 Interceptor | MDA | Suborbital | Aegis test | 24 February | Successful | ||
"Stellar Dragon", apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi), [21] intercepted Aries | |||||||
March | |||||||
1 March 23:13:00 [21] | Terrier-Orion | Barking Sands | NASA | ||||
NAWC | Suborbital | Target | 1 March | Successful | |||
Apogee: 130 kilometres (81 mi) | |||||||
2 March 04:00:14 [21] | UGM-133 Trident II D5 | USS Tennessee, ETR LP-5 | US Navy | ||||
US Navy | Suborbital | Missile test | 2 March | Successful | |||
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi), FCET-33 | |||||||
2 March 05:09:16 [21] | UGM-133 Trident II D5 | USS Tennessee, ETR LP-5 | US Navy | ||||
US Navy | Suborbital | Missile test | 2 March | Successful | |||
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi), FCET-33 | |||||||
2 March 21:11:00 [21] | Terrier-Orion | Barking Sands | NASA | ||||
NAWC | Suborbital | Target | 2 March | Successful | |||
Apogee: 130 kilometres (81 mi) | |||||||
2 March 22:05:00 [21] | Terrier-Oriole | Barking Sands | NASA | ||||
NAWC | Suborbital | Target | 2 March | Successful | |||
Apogee: 300 kilometres (190 mi) | |||||||
6 March 10:31:17 [24] | Black Brant XII | Poker Flat LC-4 | NASA | ||||
CASCADES | Dartmouth | Intended: Suborbital | Auroral | 6 March | Launch failure | ||
Third stage failed to ignite, [25] apogee: 29 kilometres (18 mi) [24] | |||||||
15 March 05:45:00 [21] | Improved Orion | Poker Flat LC-3 | NASA | ||||
DUST | Dartmouth | Suborbital | Micrometeoroids [26] | 15 March | Successful [27] | ||
Apogee: 105 kilometres (65 mi) | |||||||
15 March 07:45:00 [21] | Improved Orion | Poker Flat LC-2 | NASA | ||||
DUST | Dartmouth | Suborbital | Micrometeoroids [26] | 15 March | Successful [27] | ||
Apogee: 105 kilometres (65 mi) | |||||||
19 March | Shaheen-II | Sonmiani | Army of Pakistan | ||||
Army of Pakistan | Suborbital | Missile test | 19 March | Successful | |||
Apogee: 300 kilometres (190 mi) | |||||||
April | |||||||
8 April 05:56 | RH-300 Mk.II | Satish Dhawan | ISRO | ||||
PRL | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 8 April | Successful | |||
Apogee: 130 kilometres (81 mi) | |||||||
8 April 17:30 | Castor 4B MRT | C-17, Pacific Ocean | Orbital Sciences | ||||
Orbital Sciences | Suborbital | Test flight | 8 April | Successful | |||
Apogee: 300 kilometres (190 mi) | |||||||
May | |||||||
2 May 05:00 | Skylark 7 | Esrange Skylark Tower | Sounding Rocket Services [28] | ||||
Maser-10 | ESA | Suborbital | Microgravity | 2 May | Successful | ||
Final Skylark launch, apogee: 252 kilometres (157 mi) | |||||||
5 May 09:35:00 | Terrier-Orion | Wallops | NASA | ||||
MCAFT-1/IBSi | IBSi | Suborbital | Biological | 5 May | Successful | ||
Apogee: 156 kilometres (97 mi) | |||||||
27 May | R-17 Elbrus (B) | Minakh | Syrian Army | ||||
Syrian Army | Suborbital | Missile test | 27 May | Successful | |||
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi) | |||||||
27 May | R-17 Elbrus (D) | Minakh | Syrian Army | ||||
Syrian Army | Suborbital | Missile test | 27 May | Successful | |||
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi) | |||||||
27 May | R-17 Elbrus (D) | Minakh | Syrian Army | ||||
Syrian Army | Suborbital | Missile test | 27 May | Launch failure | |||
Disintegrated over Turkey | |||||||
June | |||||||
12 June | Ju Lang 2 | Submarine, Yellow Sea | PLAN | ||||
PLAN | Suborbital | Missile test | 12 June | Successful | |||
28 June 22:54 | Terrier-ASAS | Wallops | NASA | ||||
NASA | Suborbital | Test flight | 28 June | Successful | |||
July | |||||||
4 July 08:41 | Improved Orion | Andøya | FFI | ||||
IMEF | Oslo | Suborbital | Aeronomy/Ionospheric | 4 July | Successful | ||
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi) | |||||||
7 July 16:20:00 | Black Brant IX | White Sands | NASA | ||||
VAULT 3 | NRL | Suborbital | Solar | 7 July | Successful | ||
7 July 16:20:00 | Dong Feng 21 | Xichang | PLA | ||||
PLA | Suborbital | ASAT test | 7 July | Launch failure | |||
Intercept failed | |||||||
21 July 08:01 | LGM-30G Minuteman III | Vandenberg LF-10 | US Air Force | ||||
SERV-1 | US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 21 July | Successful | ||
August | |||||||
3 August 18:45 | Black Brant IX | White Sands | NASA | ||||
USC-6 | USCLA | Suborbital | Solar | 3 August | Successful | ||
3 August | Castor 4B | Barking Sands | US Army | ||||
CHCM-1 | US Army | Suborbital | Test flight | 3 August | Successful | ||
Apogee: 400 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
17 August 07:06 | R-29RMU Sineva | Severodvinsk, Barents Sea | VMF | ||||
VMF | Suborbital | Missile test | 17 August | Successful | |||
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) | |||||||
18 August | Castor 4B | Barking Sands | US Army | ||||
CHCM-1 | US Army | Suborbital | Test flight | 18 August | Successful | ||
Apogee: 400 kilometres (250 mi) | |||||||
26 August 08:01 | LGM-30G Minuteman III | Vandenberg LF-26 | US Air Force | ||||
GT-188GM/SERV-2 | US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 26 August | Successful | ||
Apogee: 1,300 kilometres (810 mi) | |||||||
September | |||||||
7 September 08:53 | LGM-30G Minuteman III | Vandenberg LF-04 | US Air Force | ||||
GT-187-1GM | US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 7 September | Successful | ||
Apogee: 1,300 kilometres (810 mi) | |||||||
14 September 08:01 | LGM-30G Minuteman III | Vandenberg LF-09 | US Air Force | ||||
GT-189GM/ALCS | US Air Force | Suborbital | Missile test | 14 September | Successful | ||
Apogee: 1,300 kilometres (810 mi) | |||||||
26 September | LRALT | C-17, Midway | MDA | ||||
MDA | Suborbital | Target | 26 September | Successful | |||
Apogee: 300 kilometres (190 mi), test of COBRA DANE radar system | |||||||
27 September 13:22 | RSM-56 Bulava | Dmitri Donskoi, White Sea | VMF | ||||
VMF | Suborbital | Missile test | 27 September | Successful | |||
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi), maiden flight of Bulava, launched whilst submarine was surfaced | |||||||
30 September 07:06 | R-29R Volna | Svyatoy Georgiy Pobedonosets, Okhotsk Sea | VMF | ||||
VMF | Suborbital | Missile test | 30 September | Successful | |||
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) | |||||||
October | |||||||
7 October 21:30 | Volna | Borisoglebsk, Barents Sea | VMF | ||||
IRDT-2R | ESA/NPO Lavochkin | Suborbital | Technology | 6 October | Spacecraft failure | ||
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi), recovery failed | |||||||
10 October 21:10:08 [21] | UGM-133 Trident II D5 | HMS Vanguard, ETR | Royal Navy | ||||
Royal Navy | Suborbital | Missile test | 10 October | Successful | |||
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi), DASO-8 | |||||||
20 October 07:30 [21] | RS-18B UR-100NU | Baikonur Site 175/2 [29] | RVSN | ||||
RVSN | Suborbital | Missile test | 20 October | Successful | |||
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) | |||||||
27 October 13:45 | VS-30/Orion | Andøya | DLR | ||||
SHEFEX | DLR | Suborbital | Test flight | 27 October | Successful | ||
Apogee: 211 kilometres (131 mi) | |||||||
November | |||||||
1 November 17:10 | RT-2PM Topol | Kapustin Yar | RVSN | ||||
IP-10 | RVSN | Suborbital | Missile test | 1 November | Successful | ||
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) | |||||||
2 November 22:34 | Terrier Mk.70-Oriole | Barking Sands | NASA | ||||
NAWC | Suborbital | Target | 2 November | Successful | |||
Apogee: 300 kilometres (190 mi) | |||||||
14 November 20:30 | Terrier-Improved Orion | White Sands | NASA | ||||
NAWC | Suborbital | Target | 14 November | Successful | |||
Apogee: 130 kilometres (81 mi) | |||||||
18 November 18:12 | Castor 4B (MRT) | Barking Sands | U.S. Navy | ||||
FTM-04-2 Target | U.S. Navy | Suborbital | Target | 18 November | Successful | ||
Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi), intercepted by SM-3. | |||||||
18 November 18:16 | RIM-161 Standard Missile 3 | USS Lake Erie | U.S. Navy | ||||
FTM-04-2 Interceptor | U.S. Navy | Suborbital | Aegis test | 18 November | Successful | ||
"Stellar Valkyrie", apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi), intercepted MRT. | |||||||
18 November 20:13 | Terrier-Improved Orion | White Sands | NASA | ||||
NAWC | Suborbital | Target | 18 November | Successful | |||
Apogee: 130 kilometres (81 mi) | |||||||
22 November | THAAD | White Sands | Lockheed Martin [21] | ||||
FTT-1 | Lockheed Martin | Suborbital | Test flight | 22 November | Successful | ||
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi) | |||||||
29 November 07:44 | RT-2PM Topol | Plesetsk | RVSN | ||||
RVSN | Suborbital | Missile test | 29 November | Successful | |||
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) | |||||||
December | |||||||
9 December 19:02:42 | UGM-133 Trident II D5 | Submarine, ETR LP-5 | US Navy | ||||
US Navy | Suborbital | Missile test | 9 December | Successful | |||
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi), FCET-34 | |||||||
14 December 03:04 | Orbital Boost Vehicle | Meck | MDA | ||||
FT-1 | MDA | Suborbital | GBI test | 14 December | Successful | ||
Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi) | |||||||
20 December 19:30 | Terrier-Orion | Wallops | NASA | ||||
NASA | Suborbital | Technology | 20 December | Successful | |||
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi) | |||||||
21 December 05:19 | RSM-56 Bulava | Dmitri Donskoi, White Sea | VMF | ||||
VMF | Suborbital | Missile test | 21 December | Successful | |||
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi), first submerged Bulava launch | |||||||
Unknown date | |||||||
Unknown | RH-300 Mk.II | Satish Dhawan | ISRO | ||||
ISRO | Suborbital | Test flight | Successful | ||||
Apogee: 130 kilometres (81 mi) | |||||||
Unknown | UGM-133 Trident II D5 | Submarine, WTR | US Navy | ||||
US Navy | Suborbital | Missile test | Successful | ||||
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) |
Date (GMT) | Spacecraft | Event | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|
14 January | Cassini | Flyby of Titan | Closest approach: 60,000 kilometres (37,000 mi) |
14 January | Huygens | First soft landing on planet's satellite outside Moon and on Titan | |
15 February | Cassini | 3rd flyby of Titan | Closest approach: 950 kilometres (590 mi) |
17 February | Cassini | Flyby of Enceladus | Closest approach: 1,180 kilometres (730 mi) |
4 March | Rosetta | 1st flyby of the Earth | Gravity assist |
9 March | Cassini | Flyby of Enceladus | Closest approach: 500 kilometres (310 mi) |
31 March | Cassini | 4th flyby of Titan | Closest approach: 2,523 kilometres (1,568 mi) |
16 April | Cassini | 5th flyby of Titan | Closest approach: 950 kilometres (590 mi) |
4 July | Deep Impact | First impact to comet | Projectile impacts 9P/Tempel 1 |
14 July | Cassini | Flyby of Enceladus | Closest approach: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) |
2 August | MESSENGER | Flyby of the Earth | Gravity assist |
22 August | Cassini | 6th flyby of Titan | Closest approach: 4,015 kilometres (2,495 mi) |
7 September | Cassini | 7th flyby of Titan | Closest approach: 950 kilometres (590 mi) |
12 September | Hayabusa | Arrival at asteroid 25143 Itokawa | |
26 September | Cassini | Flyby of Hyperion | Closest approach: 990 kilometres (620 mi) |
11 October | Cassini | Flyby of Dione | Closest approach: 500 kilometres (310 mi) |
28 October | Cassini | 8th flyby of Titan | Closest approach: 1,446 kilometres (899 mi) |
12 November | MINERVA | Failed to land on Itokawa | |
19 November | Hayabusa | Accidentally landed on Itokawa The first asteroid ascent | Stayed for 30 min |
25 November | Hayabusa | Made a touch-and-go on Itokawa for sampling | Status unclear |
26 November | Cassini | Flyby of Rhea | Closest approach: 500 kilometres (310 mi) |
26 December | Cassini | 9th flyby of Titan | Closest approach: 10,429 kilometres (6,480 mi) |
Start Date/Time (UTC) | Duration | End Time (UTC) | Spacecraft | Crew | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
26 January 07:43 | 5 hours 28 minutes | 13:11 | Expedition 10 ISS Pirs | Leroy Chiao Salizhan Sharipov | Completed the installation of the Universal Work Platform, mounted the European commercial experiment Rokviss (Robotic Components Verification on ISS) and its antenna, installed the Russian Biorisk experiment, and relocated a Japanese exposure experiment. [30] [31] |
28 March 06:25 | 4 hours 30 minutes | 10:55 | Expedition 10 ISS Pirs | Leroy Chiao Salizhan Sharipov | Installed navigational and communications equipment for the arrival of the first Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), and deployed the 5-kilogram (11-pound) Russian TNS-0 nanosatellite. [30] [32] |
30 July 09:48 | 6 hours 50 minutes | 17:36 | STS-114 Discovery | Soichi Noguchi Stephen Robinson | Performed using Shuttle airlock whilst docked to the ISS. Demonstrated shuttle thermal protection repair techniques and enhancements to the Station's attitude control system. installed a base and cabling for an External Stowage Platform, rerouted power to Control Moment Gyroscope-2 (CMG-2), retrieved two exposure experiments, and replaced a faulty global positioning system antenna on the station. [33] |
1 August 08:42 | 7 hours 14 minutes | 15:56 | STS-114 Discovery | Soichi Noguchi Stephen Robinson | Performed using Shuttle airlock whilst docked to the ISS. Removed faulty CMG-1 from the Z1 truss, installed faulty CMG-1 into Discovery's payload bay, and installed new CMG-1 onto the Z1 truss segment. [34] [35] |
3 August 08:48 | 6 hours 1 minute | 14:49 | STS-114 Discovery | Soichi Noguchi Stephen Robinson | Performed using Shuttle airlock whilst docked to the ISS. Photographed and inspected Discovery's heat shield, removed two protruding gap fillers from between tiles in the forward area of the orbiter's underside, and installed amateur radio satellite PCSAT2. [36] |
18 August 19:02 | 4 hours 58 minutes | 19 August 00:00 | Expedition 11 ISS Pirs | Sergei Krikalyov John L. Phillips | Retrieved one of three canisters from the Biorisk experiment, removed Micro-Particles Capturer experiment and Space Environment Exposure Device from Zvezda, retrieved Matroska experiment, installed an ATV docking television camera. [37] [38] |
7 November 15:32 | 5 hours 22 minutes | 20:54 | Expedition 12 ISS Quest | William S. McArthur Valery Tokarev | Installed and set up the P1 Truss camera, retrieved a failed Rotary Joint Motor Controller (RJMC), jettisoned a Floating Potential Probe, and removed and replaced a remote power controller module on the Mobile Transporter. [39] First Quest-based spacewalk since April 2003. |
Country | Launches | Successes | Failures | Partial failures | Remarks | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
China | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | ||
Europe | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | ||
India | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
Japan | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | ||
Russia | 25 | 22 | 3 | 0 | ||
Ukraine | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | ||
United States | 12 | 12 | 0 | 0 | ||
World | 55 | 52 | 3 | 0 |
Family | Country | Launches | Successes | Failures | Partial failures | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ariane | Europe | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | |
Atlas | United States | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
Delta | United States | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
H-II | Japan | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
Long March | China | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | |
Minotaur | United States | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
Mu | Japan | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
Pegasus | United States | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
PSLV | India | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
R-7 | Russia | 12 | 11 | 1 | 0 | |
R-14 | Russia | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
R-29 | Russia | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
R-36 | Ukraine | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
Space Shuttle | United States | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
Titan | United States | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Final flight |
Universal Rocket | Russia | 9 | 8 | 1 | 0 | |
Zenit | Ukraine | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
Rocket | Country | Family | Launches | Successes | Failures | Partial failures | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ariane 5 | Europe | Ariane | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | |
Atlas III | United States | Atlas | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Final flight |
Atlas V | United States | Atlas | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
Delta II | United States | Delta | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
Dnepr | Ukraine | R-36 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
H-IIA | Japan | H-II | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
Kosmos | Russia | R-12/R-14 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
Long March 2 | China | Long March | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
Long March 3 | China | Long March | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
Minotaur I | United States | Minotaur | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
M-V | Japan | Mu | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
Molniya | Russia | R-7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
Pegasus | United States | Pegasus | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
PSLV | India | PSLV | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
Proton | Russia | Universal Rocket | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | |
Soyuz | Russia | R-7 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 0 | |
Space Shuttle | United States | Space Shuttle | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
Titan IV | United States | Titan | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Final flight |
UR-100 | Russia | Universal Rocket | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
Volna | Russia | R-29 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
Zenit | Ukraine | Zenit | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
Rocket | Country | Type | Launches | Successes | Failures | Partial failures | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ariane 5 ECA | Europe | Ariane 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
Ariane 5 GS | Europe | Ariane 5 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | Maiden flight |
Atlas IIIB | United States | Atlas III | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Final flight |
Atlas V 401 | United States | Atlas V | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
Atlas V 431 | United States | Atlas V | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Maiden flight |
Delta II 7320 | United States | Delta II | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
Delta II 7925 | United States | Delta II | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
Dnepr | Ukraine | Dnepr | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
H-IIA 2022 | Japan | H-IIA | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Maiden flight |
Kosmos-3M | Russia | Kosmos | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
Long March 2C | China | Long March 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
Long March 2D | China | Long March 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
Long March 2F | China | Long March 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
Long March 3B | China | Long March 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
Minotaur I | United States | Minotaur I | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
M-V | Japan | M-V | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
Molniya-M / ML | Russia | Molniya | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | Final flight |
Pegasus-XL | United States | Pegasus | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
PSLV-G | India | PSLV | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
Proton-K / DM-2 | Russia | Proton | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
Proton-K / DM-2M | Russia | Proton | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
Proton-M / Briz-M | Russia | Proton | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
Rokot / Briz-KM | Russia | UR-100 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
Soyuz-FG | Russia | Soyuz | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
Soyuz-FG / Fregat | Russia | Soyuz | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
Soyuz-U | Russia | Soyuz | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | |
Space Shuttle | United States | Space Shuttle | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
Titan IV-B (404B) | United States | Titan IV | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Final flight |
Titan IV-B (405B) | United States | Titan IV | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Final flight |
Volna | Russia | Volna | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | Maiden flight |
Zenit-3SL | Ukraine | Zenit | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
Site | Country | Launches | Successes | Failures | Partial failures | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Baikonur | Kazakhstan | 19 | 19 | 0 | 0 | |
Barents Sea | Russia | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | Launched from Borisoglebsk submarine |
Cape Canaveral | United States | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | |
Jiuquan | China | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
Kennedy | United States | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
Kourou | France | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | |
Ocean Odyssey | International | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
Plesetsk | Russia | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | |
Satish Dhawan | India | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
Tanegashima | Japan | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
Uchinoura | Japan | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
Vandenberg | United States | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | One launch used Stargazer aircraft |
Xichang | China | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
Total | 55 | 52 | 3 | 0 |
Orbital regime | Launches | Successes | Failures | Accidentally achieved | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Transatmospheric | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Low Earth | 29 | 27 | 2 | 0 | 7 to ISS |
Medium Earth / Molniya | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | |
Geosynchronous / GTO | 19 | 19 | 0 | 0 | |
High Earth / Lunar transfer | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Heliocentric / Planetary transfer | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
Total | 55 | 52 | 3 | 0 |
Venera 2MV-1 No.2, also known as Sputnik 20 in the Western world, was a Soviet spacecraft, which was launched in 1962 as part of the Venera programme. Due to a problem with its upper stage it failed to leave low Earth orbit, and reentered the atmosphere a few days later. It was the second of two Venera 2MV-1 spacecraft, both of which failed to leave Earth orbit. The previous mission, Venera 2MV-1 No.1, was launched several days earlier.
This article outlines notable events occurring in 2006 in spaceflight, including major launches and EVAs. 2006 saw Brazil, Iran, and Sweden all get a national into space for the first time.
The year 2007 contained several significant events in spaceflight, including a Chinese ASAT test, the launches of the US Phoenix and Dawn missions to study Mars and Asteroid belt respectively, Japan's Kaguya Lunar orbiter, and the first Chinese Lunar probe, Chang'e 1.
1971 saw the last three known deaths of cosmonauts of the Soviet space program and the only deaths in space. Their mission was to man humanity's first space station. The experimental bay door failed to separate so the first crew failed to dock and second crew were killed on re-entry. 1971 also saw the launch of the first and only British satellite on top of a British rocket after that success the program was cancelled.
This article outlines notable events occurring in 2004 in spaceflight, including major launches and EVAs.
This article outlines notable events occurring in 2003 in spaceflight, including major launches and EVAs.
Kosmos 116, also known as DS-P1-Yu No.6 was a Soviet satellite which was used as a radar calibration target for tests of anti-ballistic missiles. It was built by the Yuzhnoye Design Bureau, and launched in 1966 as part of the Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik programme.
Kosmos 123, also known as DS-P1-Yu No.5 was a Soviet satellite which was used as a radar calibration target for tests of anti-ballistic missiles. It was built by the Yuzhnoye Design Bureau, and launched in 1966 as part of the Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik programme.
Kosmos 196, also known as DS-U1-G No.2, was a Soviet satellite which was launched in 1967 as part of the Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik programme. It was a 352 kilograms (776 lb) spacecraft, which was built by the Yuzhnoye Design Office, and was used to study the effects of solar activity on the upper atmosphere.
Kosmos 93, also known as DS-U2-V No.1, was a Soviet satellite which was launched in 1965 as part of the Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik programme. It was a 305 kilograms (672 lb) spacecraft, which was built by the Yuzhnoye Design Bureau, and was used to conduct classified technology development experiments for the Soviet armed forces.
Kosmos 95, also known as DS-U2-V No.2, was a Soviet satellite which was launched in 1965 as part of the Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik programme. The spacecraft weighed 325 kilograms (717 lb), and was built by the Yuzhnoye Design Office, and was used to conduct classified technology development experiments for the Soviet armed forces.
Kosmos 97, also known as DS-U2-M No.1, was a Soviet satellite which was launched in 1965 as part of the Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik programme. It was a 267 kilograms (589 lb) spacecraft, which was built by the Yuzhnoye Design Bureau, and used to conduct tests involving atomic clocks.
Kosmos 145, also known as DS-U2-M No.2, was a Soviet satellite which was launched in 1967 as part of the Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik programme. It was a 250 kilograms (550 lb) spacecraft, which was built by the Yuzhnoye Design Bureau, and was used to conduct tests involving atomic clocks.
Kosmos 119, also known as DS-U2-I No.1, was a Soviet satellite which was launched in 1966 as part of the Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik programme. It was a 250 kilograms (550 lb) spacecraft, which was built by the Yuzhnoye Design Bureau, and was used to study the effects on radio waves of passing through the ionosphere.
Kosmos 142, also known as DS-U2-I No.2, was a Soviet satellite which was launched in 1967 as part of the Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik programme. It was a 315 kilograms (694 lb) spacecraft, which was built by the Yuzhnoye Design Bureau, and was used to study the effects on radio waves of passing through the ionosphere.
Kosmos 163, also known as DS-U2-MP No.2, was a Soviet satellite which was launched in 1967 as part of the Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik programme. It was a 357 kilograms (787 lb) spacecraft, which was built by the Yuzhnoye Design Office, and was used to investigate micrometeoroids and cosmic dust particles in near-Earth space.
Kosmos 137, also known as DS-U2-D No.1, was a Soviet satellite which was launched in 1966 as part of the Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik programme. It was a 295 kilograms (650 lb) spacecraft, which was built by the Yuzhnoye Design Bureau, and was used to investigate charged particles in the Earth's magnetosphere.
Kosmos 166, also known as DS-U3-S No.1, was a satellite which was launched by the Soviet Union in 1967 as part of the Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik programme. It was a 400 kilograms (880 lb) spacecraft, which was built by the Yuzhnoye Design Office, and was used to conduct multispectral imaging of the Sun.
Explorer S-45A was a NASA satellite, which was lost in a launch failure in 1961. The satellite was intended to operate in a highly elliptical orbit, from which it was to have provided data on the shape of the ionosphere, and on the Earth's magnetic field. It was part of the Explorer program and would have been designated Explorer 12 had it reached orbit. It was the second of two identical satellites to be launched; the first, Explorer S-45, had also been lost in a launch failure, earlier in the year.
Kosmos 120 or Zenit-2 No.41 was a Soviet, first generation, low resolution, optical film-return reconnaissance satellite launched in 1966. A Zenit-2 spacecraft, Kosmos 120 was the thirty-ninth of eighty-one such satellites to be launched and had a mass of 4,730 kilograms (10,430 lb).