| astronautix.com | May 22 |
1947 - Nation: USSR. Launch Vehicle: G-1.
The G-1 was Groettrup's first design after the German engineering team had been moved to Russia. The first group of 234 specialists was given the task of designing a 600 km range rocket (the G-1/R-10). Work had begun on this already in Germany but the initial challenge in Russia was that the technical documentation was somehow still 'in transit' from the Zentralwerke. The other obstacle was Russian manufacturing technology, which was equivalent to that of Germany at the beginning of the 1930's. The Germans worked at two locations, NII-88 (Korolev OKB) and Gorodmlya Island to complete the design of the G-1. Other groups of Germans worked at Factory 88 (R-1 production) and Factory 456 (Glushko OKB / engine production).
1947 - Nation: USA.
Bell flight 17. Pilot familiarization flight. Mach 0.72, 8 g pullout. References: 49 , 97 .
1956 - Nation: USA.
Sixth powered flight, mach 2.53 at 17.803 m. References: 49 , 97 .
1957 - Nation: USA.
NACA flight 7. Control pulses at mach 1.45 at 18300 m. Flight for instrumentation check. References: 49 , 97 .
1958 - Nation: USSR. Launch Site: Kapustin Yar . Launch Vehicle: Burya. LV Configuration: Burya s/n 2-01.
As in previous flight, cruise stage 30% below design weight, and propellant tanks mainly filled with water. The flight continued to T+120 seconds. The boosters worked normally and shut off at T+90.5 seconds, with the vehicle at 17.3 km altitude and flying at Mach 2.95-2.97. Simultaneously the ramjets of the cruise stage ignited. Stage separation was normal and the aerodynamic sensors and diffuser worked normally.
1959 - Nation: USA.
The Space Task Group oficials determined that the spacecraft could be tested environmentally in the Lewis Research Center's altitude wind tunnel. This included correct temperature and altitude simulations to 80,000 feet. The pilot could exercise the attitude control system and retrorockets could be fired in the tunnel. Because an active contract did exist with the Air Force, it was decided the two balloon drop tests with unmanned boiler-plate spacecraft would be accomplished. References: 483 .
1959 - Nation: Russia.
Due to a bitter fight with the military over the nature and priority of the manned spacecraft and photo-reconnaissance space programs, the final decree for the Vostok manned spacecraft was delayed until seven months after drawing release began. This authorised production of a single design that could be used either as a manned spacecraft or as a military reconnaissance satellite. These were the Zenit-2 and Zenit-4 spacecraft based on the Vostok design. This marked the end of the original Zenit configuration.
1959 - Nation: USSR.
Central Committee of the Communist Party and Council of Soviet Ministers Decree 569-264 'On work on a reconnaissance satellite and piloted spaceship' was issued. Due to a bitter fight with the military over the nature and priority of the manned spacecraft and photo-reconnaissance space programs, the final decree for the Vostok manned spacecraft was delayed until seven months after drawing release began. This authorised production of a single design that could be used either as a manned spacecraft or as a military reconnaissance satellite. These were the Zenit-2 and Zenit-4 spacecraft based on the Vostok design. This marked the end of the original Zenit configuration. The military had to develop the recovery forces and techniques for both spacecraft, including appropriate aircraft, helicopters, and handling equipment. At that time it was felt that there was a 60% chance on each launch of an abort requiring rescue operations for the cosmonaut. References: 474 .
1961 - Nation: USA.
The second draft of a Statement of Work for the development of an advanced manned spacecraft was completed, incorporating results from NASA in-house and contractor feasibility studies. References: 16 .
1962 - Nation: USA. Launch Site: Edwards . Launch Vehicle: X-15A. LV Configuration: X-15 No. 1 Flight 28.
Maximum Speed - 5551 kph. Maximum Altitude - 30600 m. Roller coaster flight with 3 peaks for local airflow investigation. References: 38 , 49 , 97 .
1963 - Nation: USA.
President Kennedy at a regular press conference responded to a question regarding the desirability of another Mercury flight by saying that NASA should and would make that final judgement. References: 483 .
1963 - Nation: USA. Launch Site: Wallops Island . Launch Vehicle: Scout X-3.
Suborbital. References: 5 .
1963 - - 03:00 GMT. Nation: USSR. Launch Site: Kapustin Yar . Launch Complex: Mayak-2. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 63S1.
Investigation of the upper atmosphere and outer space. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 99 .
1964 - Nation: USSR.
Central Committee of the Communist Party and Council of Soviet Ministers Decree 'On termination of work on the Kosmoplan and Raketoplan at OKB-52 and approval for the LK-1' was issued. References: 474 .
1965 - Nation: USA. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral . Launch Vehicle: Atlas D. LV Configuration: Atlas D / Antares-2.
Suborbital reentry heating experiment using the FIRE subscale Apollo capsule. An Atlas D booster propelled the instrumented probe, called a "flying thermometer," into a ballistic trajectory over 805 km (500 mi) high. After 26 minutes of flight, when the spacecraft began its descent, a solid-fueled Antares rocket accelerated its fall.
The probe entered the atmosphere at a speed of 40,877 km (25,400 mph) and generated temperatures of about 11,206K (20,000 degrees F). Data on heating were transmitted to ground stations throughout the descent. Thirty-two minutes after the launch - and but six minutes after the Antares was fired - the device impacted in the Atlantic about 8,256 km (5,130 mi) southeast of the Cape. References: 5 , 16 , 26 , 27 , 278 .
1967 - - 13:55 GMT. Nation: USSR. Launch Site: Plesetsk . Launch Vehicle: Voskhod 11A57.
High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule References: 1 , 2 , 6 .
1967 - - 18:30 GMT. Nation: USA. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: SLC4E. Launch Vehicle: SLV-3 Atlas / Agena D. LV Configuration: Atlas s/n 7102 / Agena D.
Not identified as a subsatellite ferret by McDowell. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 172 , 278 .
KH-7 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A). References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 278 .
1969 - - 02:00 GMT. Nation: International. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral . Launch Complex: LC17A. Launch Vehicle: Delta M. LV Configuration: Thor Delta M s/n 533 / Delta s/n 68.
Stationed at 174 deg E. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .
1970 - - 12:39 GMT. Nation: USSR. Launch Site: Plesetsk . Launch Complex: LC133/1. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 11K63. FAILURE: First stage failed 112 seconds after launch.
1971 - - 00:43 GMT. Nation: USSR. Launch Site: Plesetsk . Launch Complex: LC132. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 11K65M. LV Configuration: Kosmos 11K65M s/n 53727-120.
Military navigation satellite. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .
1974 - Nation: USSR.
Decree 'On formation of NPO Energia' was issued. References: 474 .
1975 - Nation: USA.
Max. altitude. Maximum Speed - 1744 kph. Maximum Altitude - 22370 m. Flight Time - 461 sec. References: 49 , 97 .
1975 - - 22:04 GMT. Nation: International. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral . Launch Complex: LC36A. Launch Vehicle: Atlas Centaur SLV-3D. LV Configuration: Atlas SLV-3D s/n AC-35 / Centaur D-1AR s/n 5018D.
Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). Launch vehicle put payload into geosynchronous transfer orbit References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 278 .
1976 - - 07:42 GMT. Nation: USA. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: SLC5. Launch Vehicle: Scout B. LV Configuration: Scout B-1 s/n S179CR.
Communications propagation experiments. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .
1981 - - 07:10 GMT. Nation: USSR. Launch Site: Plesetsk . Launch Complex: LC41/1. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U.
Investigation of the natural resources of the earth in the interests of various branches of the national economy of the USSR and international cooperation. References: 1 , 2 , 6 , 103 .
1981 - - 22:29 GMT. Nation: USA. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral . Launch Complex: LC17A. Launch Vehicle: Delta 3914. LV Configuration: Delta 3914 s/n 645 / Delta s/n 154.
Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .
1984 - - 08:30 GMT. Nation: USSR. Launch Site: Plesetsk . Launch Complex: LC43/4. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U.
Investigation of the natural resources of the earth in the interests of various branches of the national economy of the USSR and international cooperation. References: 1 , 2 , 6 , 103 .
1985 - - 08:38 GMT. Nation: USSR. Launch Site: Plesetsk . Launch Complex: LC41/1. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U.
3rd generation, high resolution photo surveillance; film capsule; maneuverable; also performed earth resource tasks. Investigation of the natural resources of the earth in the interests of various branches of the national economy of the USSR and international cooperation. References: 1 , 2 , 6 .
1990 - - 05:16 GMT. Nation: USSR. Launch Site: Baikonur . Launch Complex: LC45. Launch Vehicle: Zenit-2.
1993 - - 06:41 GMT. Nation: Russia. Launch Site: Baikonur . Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U2.
Unmanned resupply vessel to Mir. Last launch using Soyuz-U2 launch vehicle. Docked with Mir's front port on 24 May 1993 08:24:44 GMT. In addition to other supplies, carried repair equipment for a spacewalk device damaged a month before. Undocked on 3 Jul 1993 15:58:16 GMT, with Soyuz TM-17 docking at the same port only minutes later at 17:45 GMT. Meanwhile, Progress M-17 remained docked to the Kvant rear port on a longevity test. Progress M-18 was destroyed in reentry on 4 Jul 1993 17:13:00 GMT. Total free-flight time 3.12 days. Total docked time 40.31 days. References: 1 , 2 , 6 , 275 .
1994 - - 04:30 GMT. Nation: Russia. Launch Site: Baikonur . Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. LV Configuration: Soyuz 11A511U s/n 76024355.
Unmanned resupply vessel to Mir, with Raduga return capsule. Docked with Mir on 24 May 1994 06:18:35 GMT. Undocked on 2 Jul 1994 08:46:49 GMT. The braking engine was ignited at 14:44 GMT, and the Raduga VBK reentry capsule was ejected at 14:55:45 GMT. The Progress burnt up in the atmosphere at 14:57 GMT. The Raduga deployed its parachute after reentry and landed on 2 Jul 1994 15:09:00 GMT at 51 deg 41 min N, 59 deg 21 min E, in the Orenburg region. Total free-flight time 2.34 days. Total docked time 39.10 days. References: 1 , 2 , 6 , 275 .
1995 - Nation: Russia.
Completed installation of solar array. References: 66 .
1999 - - 09:36 GMT. Nation: USA. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: SLC4E. Launch Vehicle: Titan 4B. LV Configuration: Titan 404B s/n 4B-12.
This classified National Reconnaissance Office satellite represented the first successful Titan launch in four attempts. The payload had been reported to be a Lacrosse radar imaging reconnaissance satellite. However the short 50 foot Titan fairing was used instead of the 66 foot fairing used by Lacrosse. This only seems to be used previously for an Improved Crystal photo-reconnaissance satellite in November 1992. The payload therefore could be related to the ocean surveillance triplets, or be an Improved CRYSTAL derivative.
2000 - Nation: USA.
The crew reattached the US crane, attached the Russian Strela transfer boom, and replaced a faulty antenna on the Unity node. EVA handrails were fixed to the station exterior for use on later spacewalks.