| astronautix.com | January 04 |
1931 - Nation: USA. Launch Vehicle: Swan.
William G. Swan stayed aloft for 30 minutes over Atlantic City, N.J., in a glider powered with 10 small rockets. References: 17 .
1935 - Nation: Canada.
1958 - Nation: USA.
The American Rocket Society and the Rocket and Satellite Research Panel issued a summary of their proposals for a National Space Establishment. The consensus was that the new agency should be independent of the Department of Defense and not, in any event, under one of the military services. References: 483 .
1959 - Nation: USA. Launch Site: Vandenberg .
Vandenberg Air Force Base and the Pacific Missile Range declared officially operational for firings. References: 17 .
1963 - - 08:49 GMT. Nation: USSR. Launch Site: Baikonur . Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78. LV Configuration: Molniya 8K78L s/n T103-09. FAILURE: The escape stage's BOZ unit failed to operate due to failure of a DC transformer of the power system. The stage with payload remained in Earth orbit.
1970 - Nation: USA. Launch Vehicle: Saturn V.
NASA had canceled the Apollo 20 mission and stretched out the remaining seven missions to six-month intervals, Deputy Administrator George M. Low told the press in an interview after dedication of the Lunar Science Institute (next to MSC in Houston). Budget restrictions had brought the decision to suspend Saturn V launch vehicle production after vehicle 515 and to use the Apollo 20 Saturn V to launch the first U.S. space station in 1972. References: 16 .