Ionosphere research. Launched at 1052 local time. Reached 138.4 km.

Council of Soviet Ministers (SM) Decree 'On unification of the First and Third Chief Directorates of Council of Ministers into the new Ministry of Medium Machine Building' was issued. References: 474 .

Solar radiation research. Launched at 0830 local time. Reached 103 km.

Atmospheric composition research. Launched at 0247 local time. Reached 95.6 km.

Council of Soviet Ministers (SM) Decree 'On transferring all missile work on guided missiles to the Ministry of Medium Machine Building' was issued. References: 474 .

Preliminary studies were completed by C. E. Brown, W. J. O'Sullivan, Jr., and C. H. Zimmerman at the Langley Aeronautical Laboratory relative to the study of the problems of manned space flight and a suggested test vehicle to investigate these problems. One of the possibilities considered from the outset of the effort in mid-1952 was modification of the X-2 airplane to attain greater speeds and altitudes of the order of 200,000 feet. It was believed that such a vehicle could not only resolve some of the aerodynamic heating problems, but also that the altitude objective would provide an environment with a minimum atmospheric density, representing many problems of outer space flight. However, there was already a feeling among many NACA scientists that the speed and altitude exploratory area should be raised. In fact, a resolution to this effect, presented as early as July 1952, stated that '. . . the NACA devote . . . effort to problems of unmanned and manned flights at altitudes from 50 miles to infinity and at speeds from mach 10 to the velocity of escape from the earth's gravity.' The Executive Committee of NACA actually adopted this resolution as an objective on July 14, 1952. References: 483 .

The explosion of the RD5-6 400 kiloton warhead at Semiplatinsk proved the design of a lightweight thermonuclear warhead. Korolev began work in 1953 to develop a re-entry vehicle for this warhead.

Redstone missile No. 1 was fired by Army Redstone Arsenal personnel at AFMTC, Cape Canaveral. Missile test failure. Missed aimpoint by 240,000 m. References: 439 .

Flying Douglas D-558-II (No. 2) Skyrocket research aircraft which had been launched from a B-29 Superfortress at an altitude of 34,000 feet, Lt. Col. Marion E. Carl, USMC, attained an altitude of 83,235 feet at Edwards AFB, Calif. References: 17 .

At Santa Susana, Calif., a complete liquid-rocket engine assembly (Navaho) having a thrust in excess of 200,000 pounds was fired for the first time. References: 17 , 278 .

Density research. Launched at 2205 local time. Reached 107.8 km.

Sky brightness research. Launched at 0802 local time. Reached 32.2 km.

Council of Soviet Ministers (SM) Decree 2498-1031 'On order of scientific-design work on new weapons systems' was issued. References: 474 .

Density research. Launched at 1350 local time. Reached 58 km.