Wikiwand AI

1959 in spaceflight (July–December)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article lists orbital and suborbital launches during the second half of the year 1959.

For all other spaceflight activities, see 1959 in spaceflight. For launches in the first half of 1959 see List of spaceflight launches in January–June 1959.^[1]

Orbital launches

More information Date and time (UTC), Rocket ...

Date and time (UTC)

Flight number

Payload
(⚀ = CubeSat)

Operator

Function

Decay (UTC)

Outcome

Remarks

July

16 July
17:37:03^[2]

AM-16

Cape Canaveral LC-5

Explorer S-1^[3]

NASA

Intended: Low Earth

Scientific

+5.5 seconds

Launch failure

Destroyed by range safety after rocket went out of control.

August

7 August
14:24:20^[4]

Thor DM-18 Able-III

Cape Canaveral LC-17A

Explorer 6 (S-2)^[5]

US Air Force

Highly elliptical

Radiation
Imaging

30 June 1961

Successful

13 August
19:00:08^[6]

Thor DM-18 Agena-A

Vandenberg SLC-1W (75-3-4)

US Air Force

Discoverer 5 (KH-1 2)^[7]

CIA DST

Low Earth

Optical imaging

11 February 1961

Spacecraft failure

SRV 111

CIA DST

Low Earth

Technology

Electrical system malfunction. Deorbit burn conducted in incorrect direction, raising orbit.

15 August
00:31:00^[8]

Juno II

AM-19B

Cape Canaveral LC-26B

ABMA

Intended: Low Earth

Technology

15 August

Launch failure

Premature cutoff of first stage, failed to reach orbit.

19 August
19:24:44^[10]

Thor DM-18 Agena-A

Vandenberg SLC-1E (75-3-5)

US Air Force

Discoverer 6 (KH-1 3)^[11]

CIA DST

Low Earth

Optical imaging

20 October

Spacecraft failure

SRV 105

CIA DST

Low Earth

Technology

Retrorocket malfunctioned.

September

12 September
06:39:42^[12]

Luna (8K72)

I1-7B

Baikonur Site 1/5

Luna 2 (Ye-1A №6)^[13]

MVS

Heliocentric

Lunar impactor

14 September
22:02

Successful

First probe to impact the surface of the Moon in history. First probe to take detailed photos of the lunar surface.

17 September
14:34^[14]

Thor DM-18 Able-II

Cape Canaveral LC-17A

US Air Force

Transit 1A^[15]

US Air Force

Intended: Low Earth

Navigation
Technology

17 September

Launch failure

Third stage malfunctioned.

18 September
05:20:07^[16]

Vanguard / Altair

SLV-7 (TV-4BU)

Cape Canaveral LC-18A

Vanguard 3 (Magne-Ray Satellite)^[17]

NRL

Medium Earth

Scientific

In orbit

Successful

Final flight of Vanguard rocket, satellite failed to separate from carrier rocket, otherwise successful, spacecraft operated until 11 December.

24 September^[18]

Cape Canaveral LC-14

US Air Force

Pioneer P-1^[19]

Planned: Selenocentric

N/A

Destroyed prior to launch

Destroyed prior to launch.

October

4 October
00:43:39^[20]

Luna (8K72)

I1-8

Baikonur Site 1/5

MVS

Luna 3 (Ye-2A №1)^[21]

MVS

Lunar flyby

29 April 1960

Successful

First probe to fly over the far side of the Moon on a circumlunar trajectory. First pictures of the far side of the Moon.

13 October
15:30:04^[22]

Juno II

AM-19A

Cape Canaveral LC-5

ABMA

Explorer 7 (S-1A)^[23]

NASA

Low Earth

Scientific

In orbit

Successful

Broadcast data until 24 August 1961.

November

7 November
20:28:41^[24]

Thor DM-18 Agena-A

Vandenberg SLC-1W (75-3-4)

US Air Force

Discoverer 7 (KH-1 4)^[25]

CIA DST

Low Earth

Optical imaging

26 November

Spacecraft failure

CIA DST

Low Earth

Technology

Satellite tumbled out of control.

20 November
19:25:24^[26]

Thor DM-18 Agena-A

Vandenberg SLC-1E (75-3-5)

US Air Force

Discoverer 8 (KH-1 5)^[27]

CIA DST

Low Earth

Optical imaging

8 March 1960

Launch failure

CIA DST

Low Earth

Technology

8 March 1960

Launch failure

Inserted into useless orbit with greater eccentricity than planned.

26 November
07:26^[28]

Cape Canaveral LC-14

US Air Force

Pioneer P-3^[29]

NASA

Intended: Selenocentric

Lunar orbiter

+45 seconds

Launch failure

Maiden flight of Atlas-Able. Payload fairing broke up at T+45 seconds, leading to loss of the upper stages and payload. Atlas performed normally.

Close

Suborbital flights

More information Date and time (UTC), Rocket ...


Date and time (UTC)	Rocket		Flight number	Launch site		LSP
		Payload (⚀ = CubeSat)	Operator	Orbit	Function	Decay (UTC)	Outcome
		Remarks
2 July 06:40	R-2			Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital		2 July	Successful
		Apogee: 220 kilometres (140 mi)
7 July 11:15	Javelin			Wallops Island		US Air Force

			AFSWC	Suborbital	Test flight	7 July	Successful
		Apogee: 1,045 kilometres (649 mi)
10 July 01:01	PGM-19 Jupiter			Cape Canaveral LC-26B		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	10 July	Successful
		Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
10 July 04:47	R-2			Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital		10 July	Successful
		Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
14 July 03:40	R-2			Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital		14 July	Successful
		Apogee: 203 kilometres (126 mi)
14 July 17:45	Nike-Asp			Point Arguello LC-A		US Navy

			NASA	Suborbital	Solar	14 July	Successful
		Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
15 July 16:59	UGM-27 Polaris AX			Cape Canaveral LC-25A		US Navy

			US Navy	Suborbital	Missile test	15 July	Launch failure
		Apogee: 2 kilometres (1.2 mi)
17 July 17:40	Nike-Asp			Point Arguello LC-A		US Navy

			US Navy	Suborbital		17 July	Launch failure
		Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi)
18 July 18:15	R-7 Semyorka			Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	18 July	Successful
		Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
20 July	R-11A Zemlya			Kapustin Yar		AN

			AN	Suborbital		20 July	Successful
		Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
21 July 02:00	R-11A Zemlya			Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital		21 July	Successful
		Apogee: 105 kilometres (65 mi)
21 July 05:22	SM-65C Atlas			Cape Canaveral LC-12		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	21 July	Successful
		Apogee: 900 kilometres (560 mi)
21 July 07:33	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A			Cape Canaveral LC-17B		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	21 July	Launch failure
		Apogee: 1 kilometre (0.62 mi)
21 July 14:00	Aerobee-150 (Hi)			White Sands LC-35		US Navy

			NRL	Suborbital		21 July	Successful
		Apogee: 197 kilometres (122 mi)
21 July 14:00	R-11A Zemlya			Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital		21 July	Successful
		Apogee: 105 kilometres (65 mi)
21 July	R-2			Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital		21 July	Successful
		Apogee: 105 kilometres (65 mi)
21 July	Javelin			Wallops Island		US Air Force

			AFSWC	Suborbital	Test flight	21 July	Launch failure
		Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
22 July 01:14	R-11A Zemlya			Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital		22 July	Successful
		Apogee: 211 kilometres (131 mi)
24 July 12:47	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A			Cape Canaveral LC-18B		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	24 July	Successful
		Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
24 July 16:34	Nike-Asp			Point Arguello LC-A		US Navy

			US Navy	Suborbital	Solar	24 July	Successful
		Apogee: 227 kilometres (141 mi)
24 July	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	24 July	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
25 July	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	25 July	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
26 July	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	26 July	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
28 July	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	28 July	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
29 July 04:10	SM-65D Atlas			Cape Canaveral LC-11		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	29 July	Successful
		Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi)
30 July 04:00	R-7 Semyorka			Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	30 July	Successful
		Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
31 July	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	31 July	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
3 August 21:41	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A			Vandenberg LC-75-1-1		Royal Air Force

			Royal Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	3 August	Successful
		Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
6 August 02:48	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A			Cape Canaveral LC-17B		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	6 August	Successful
		Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
6 August	UGM-27 Polaris AX			Cape Canaveral LC-25A		US Navy

			US Navy	Suborbital	Missile test	6 August	Launch failure
		Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi)
7 August 17:05	Nike-Asp			Point Arguello LC-A		US Navy

			US Navy	Suborbital	Solar	7 August	Successful
		Apogee: 225 kilometres (140 mi)
7 August	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	7 August	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
7 August	Arcon			Wallops Island		NASA

			NASA	Suborbital	Test flight	7 August	Launch failure
		Apogee: 20 kilometres (12 mi)
7 August	Arcon			Wallops Island		NASA

			NASA	Suborbital	Test flight	7 August	Launch failure
		Apogee: 50 kilometres (31 mi)
7 August	Arcon			Wallops Island		NASA

			NASA	Suborbital	Test flight	7 August	Launch failure
		Apogee: 104 kilometres (65 mi)
11 August 18:01	SM-65D Atlas			Cape Canaveral LC-13		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	11 August	Successful
		Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi)
12 August	Terrier-ASROC-Cajun			Point Arguello		US Navy

			US Navy	Suborbital		12 August	Launch failure
13 August 23:14	R-7 Semyorka			Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	13 August	Successful
		Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
13 August	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	13 August	Launch failure
14 August 09:00	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A			Cape Canaveral LC-18B		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	14 August	Successful
		Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
14 August 16:00	HGM-25A Titan I			Cape Canaveral LC-19		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	+0 seconds	Launch failure
		First all-up test of Titan I, hold-down bolts released prematurely, rocket exploded on launch pad^[30]
14 August 16:00	Nike-Asp			Point Arguello LC-A		US Navy

			US Navy	Suborbital	Solar	14 August	Successful
		Apogee: 237 kilometres (147 mi)
14 August 19:30	UGM-27 Polaris AX			Cape Canaveral LC-25B		US Navy

			US Navy	Suborbital	Missile test	14 August	Successful
		Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
14 August 19:36:04	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A			Vandenberg LC-75-2-6		Royal Air Force

			Royal Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	14 August	Launch failure
17 August 09:18	Nike-Asp			Wallops Island		NASA

			US Navy	Suborbital	Aeronomy	17 August	Successful
		Apogee: 236 kilometres (147 mi), released sodium
19 August 00:20	Skylark-2			Woomera LA-2		RAE

			UCL	Suborbital	Ionospheric	19 August	Successful
		Apogee: 144 kilometres (89 mi)
19 August 00:34	Nike-Asp			Wallops Island		NASA

			NASA	Suborbital	Aeronomy	19 August	Launch failure
		Apogee: 30 kilometres (19 mi), released sodium
22 August 00:45	Aerobee-150 (Hi)			White Sands LC-35		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital		22 August	Successful
		Apogee: 230 kilometres (140 mi)
22 August 02:30	Nike-Asp			Point Arguello LC-A		US Navy

			US Navy	Suborbital	Solar	22 August	Successful
		Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
24 August 15:33	SM-65C Atlas			Cape Canaveral LC-12		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	24 August	Successful
		Apogee: 1,400 kilometres (870 mi)
24 August 22:47	Nike-Asp			Point Arguello LC-A		US Navy

			US Navy	Suborbital		24 August	Successful
		Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
25 August	UGM-27 Polaris AX			Cape Canaveral LC-25A		US Navy

			US Navy	Suborbital	Missile test	25 August	Launch failure
		Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi)
26 August 17:35	Nike-Zeus A			White Sands LC-38		US Army

			US Army	Suborbital	Test flight	26 August	Launch failure
26 August	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	26 August	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
27 August 01:30	PGM-19 Jupiter			Cape Canaveral LC-5		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	27 August	Successful
		Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
27 August 16:57	UGM-27 Polaris AX			USNS Observation Island, ETR		US Navy

			US Navy	Suborbital	Missile test	27 August	Successful
		Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
28 August 16:10	Nike-Asp			Point Arguello LC-A		US Navy

			US Navy	Suborbital	Solar	28 August	Successful
		Apogee: 214 kilometres (133 mi)
27 August 12:30	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A			Cape Canaveral LC-17B		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	27 August	Successful
		Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
28 August 18:45	Aerobee-150 (Hi)			White Sands LC-35		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital		28 August	Successful
		Apogee: 235 kilometres (146 mi)
28 August	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	28 August	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
31 August 22:53	Nike-Asp			Point Arguello LC-A		US Navy

		Sunflare II	US Navy	Suborbital	Solar	31 August	Successful
		Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
1 September 01:01	Nike-Asp			Point Arguello LC-A		US Navy

			US Navy	Suborbital	Solar	1 September	Successful
		Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
1 September 19:00	Nike-Asp			Point Arguello LC-A		US Navy

			US Navy	Suborbital		1 September	Successful
		Apogee: 210 kilometres (130 mi)
2 September 00:03	Nike-Asp			Point Arguello LC-A		US Navy

			US Navy	Suborbital	Solar	2 September	Successful
		Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
2 September	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	2 September	Launch failure
5 September 15:27	Black Brant I			Churchill		CARDE

			CARDE	Suborbital	Test flight	5 September	Successful
		Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), maiden flight of Black Brant
5 September	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	5 September	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
8 September 15:14	Black Brant I			Churchill		CARDE

			CARDE	Suborbital	Test flight	8 September	Successful
		Apogee: 130 kilometres (81 mi)
9 September 08:19	SM-65D Atlas			Cape Canaveral LC-14		US Air Force

		Big Joe 1	NASA	Suborbital	Test flight	08:32	Partial launch failure
		Apogee: 153 kilometres (95 mi), Boilerplate Mercury test, booster engines failed to separate, spacecraft recovered
9 September 17:50:42	SM-65D Atlas			Vandenberg LC-576A-2		SAC

			SAC	Suborbital	Missile test	9 September	Successful
		Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi)
10 September 21:48	Black Brant I			Churchill		CARDE

			CARDE	Suborbital	Test flight	10 September	Successful
		Apogee: 127 kilometres (79 mi)
11 September 19:12	Aerobee-150 (Hi)			Churchill		NASA

			NASA	Suborbital		11 September	Successful
		Apogee: 227 kilometres (141 mi)
12 September	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A			Cape Canaveral LC-18B		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	12 September	Successful
		Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
14 September 17:27	Aerobee-150 (Hi)			Churchill		NASA

			NASA	Suborbital		14 September	Successful
		Apogee: 218 kilometres (135 mi)
15 September 21:45	PGM-19 Jupiter			Cape Canaveral LC-26B		US Air Force

		Bioflight 3	US Air Force	Suborbital	Biological Missile test	15 September	Launch failure
		Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
15 September	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	15 September	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
15 September	Aerobee			White Sands LC-35		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Test flight	15 September	Successful
		Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
17 September 00:12	Skylark-2			Woomera LA-2		RAE

			Birmingham UCL	Suborbital	Ionospheric Solar	17 September	Successful
		Apogee: 132 kilometres (82 mi)
17 September 02:09	SM-65D Atlas			Cape Canaveral LC-13		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	17 September	Launch failure
		Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
17 September 18:37	Aerobee-150 (Hi)			Churchill		NASA

		DRTE.01	NASA	Suborbital	Ionospheric	17 September	Successful
		Apogee: 256 kilometres (159 mi)
17 September 21:09	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A			Vandenberg LC-75-1-2		Royal Air Force

			Royal Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	17 September	Successful
		Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
18 September 16:02	R-7 Semyorka			Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	18 September	Successful
		Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
18 September 16:55	Nike-Cajun			Elgin		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Aeronomy	18 September	Successful
		Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
20 September 17:35	Aerobee-150 (Hi)			Churchill		NASA

		DRTE.02	NASA	Suborbital	Ionospheric	20 September	Launch failure
		Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
21 September	UGM-27 Polaris A1			Cape Canaveral LC-29A		US Navy

			US Navy	Suborbital	Missile test	21 September	Successful
		Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
22 September 18:00	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A			Cape Canaveral LC-17B		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	22 September	Successful
		Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
22 September	Aerobee-100			White Sands LC-35		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Test flight	22 September	Successful
		Apogee: 110 kilometres (68 mi)
24 September 00:29	Skylark-2			Woomera LA-2		RAE

			Birmingham UCL	Suborbital	Ionospheric	24 September	Successful
		Apogee: 158 kilometres (98 mi)
25 September	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	25 September	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
28 September	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	28 September	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
28 September	UGM-27 Polaris AX			Cape Canaveral LC-25A		US Navy

			US Navy	Suborbital	Missile test	28 September	Launch failure
		Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi)
29 September 10:59	Nike-Cajun			Elgin		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Aeronomy	29 September	Successful
		Apogee: 124 kilometres (77 mi)
30 September 10:57	Nike-Cajun			Elgin		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Aeronomy	30 September	Successful
		Apogee: 122 kilometres (76 mi)
30 September	Terrier-Asp			Point Arguello		US Navy

			US Navy	Suborbital		30 September	Successful
		Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
1 October 01:28	PGM-19 Jupiter			Cape Canaveral LC-6		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	1 October	Successful
		Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
1 October 10:49	Nike-Cajun			Elgin		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Aeronomy	1 October	Successful
		Apogee: 138 kilometres (86 mi)
2 October 11:00	Nike-Cajun			Elgin		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Aeronomy	2 October	Successful
		Apogee: 143 kilometres (89 mi)
2 October 18:11	UGM-27 Polaris AX			Cape Canaveral LC-25A		US Navy

			US Navy	Suborbital	Missile test	2 October	Launch failure
		Apogee: 2 kilometres (1.2 mi)
3 October 11:03	Nike-Cajun			Elgin		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Aeronomy	3 October	Successful
		Apogee: 122 kilometres (76 mi)
5 October 11:01	Nike-Cajun			Elgin		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Aeronomy	5 October	Successful
		Apogee: 127 kilometres (79 mi)
6 October 05:55	SM-65D Atlas			Cape Canaveral LC-11		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	6 October	Successful
		Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi)
6 October 16:41	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A			Cape Canaveral LC-18B		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	6 October	Successful
		Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
6 October 18:26	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A			Vandenberg LC-75-2-8		Royal Air Force

			Royal Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	6 October	Successful
		Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
8 October	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	8 October	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
9 October 08:40	Nike-Cajun			Elgin		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Aeronomy	9 October	Successful
		Apogee: 143 kilometres (89 mi)
9 October 11:17	Nike-Cajun			Elgin		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Aeronomy	9 October	Successful
		Apogee: 143 kilometres (89 mi)
9 October	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	9 October	Launch failure
9 October	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	9 October	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
10 October 03:10	SM-65D Atlas			Cape Canaveral LC-13		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	10 October	Successful
		Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi)
10 October 12:00	Aerobee AJ10-34			White Sands LC-35		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Meteorite research	10 October	Successful
		Apogee: 111 kilometres (69 mi)
12 October 09:00	Nike-Cajun			Elgin		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Aeronomy	12 October	Successful
		Apogee: 123 kilometres (76 mi)
12 October 10:12	Nike-Cajun			Elgin		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Aeronomy	12 October	Successful
		Apogee: 123 kilometres (76 mi)
12 October 18:18	UGM-27 Polaris A1			Cape Canaveral LC-29A		US Navy

			US Navy	Suborbital	Missile test	12 October	Launch failure
		Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi)
13 October 11:17	Nike-Cajun			Elgin		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Aeronomy	13 October	Successful
		Apogee: 116 kilometres (72 mi)
13 October	WS-199B Bold Orion II			B-47, Cape Canaveral		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	13 October	Successful
		Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
14 October 04:15	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A			Cape Canaveral LC-17B		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	14 October	Successful
		Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
15 October 11:05	Nike-Cajun			Elgin		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Aeronomy	15 October	Successful
		Apogee: 122 kilometres (76 mi)
16 October 11:17	Nike-Cajun			Elgin		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Aeronomy	16 October	Successful
		Apogee: 139 kilometres (86 mi)
15 October	R-11A Zemlya			Ostrov Kheysa		AN

			AN	Suborbital		15 October	Successful
		Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
15 October	R-11A Zemlya			Ostrov Kheysa		AN

			AN	Suborbital		15 October	Successful
		Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
20 October 14:25	Aerobee AJ10-34			White Sands		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Ionospheric	20 October	Successful
		Apogee: 113 kilometres (70 mi)
21 October 22:57	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A			Vandenberg LC-75-1-1		Royal Air Force

			Royal Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	21 October	Successful
		Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
22 October 03:20	PGM-19 Jupiter			Cape Canaveral LC-26A		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	22 October	Successful
		Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
22 October 17:30	R-7 Semyorka			Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	22 October	Successful
		Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
22 October	OPd-56-39-22D (Antares)			CERES		ONERA

			ONERA	Suborbital	REV test	22 October	Successful
		Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi)
24 October	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	24 October	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
25 October 17:32	R-7 Semyorka			Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	25 October	Successful
		Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
25 October 17:44	Aerobee-300			Churchill		US Air Force

			US Air Force/Utah	Suborbital	Ionospheric	25 October	Successful
		Apogee: 386 kilometres (240 mi)
26 October 17:00	Nike-Cajun			Churchill		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Ionospheric	26 August	Launch failure
27 October	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	27 October	Launch failure
28 October 14:47	Aerobee-300			Churchill		US Air Force

			US Air Force/Utah	Suborbital	Ionospheric	28 October	Successful
		Apogee: 135 kilometres (84 mi)
28 October 22:40	Shotput			Wallops Island		NASA

		Echo E60	NASA/ARPA	Suborbital	Technology	28 October	Successful
		Apogee: 400 kilometres (250 mi)
29 October 02:12	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A			Cape Canaveral LC-18B		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	29 October	Successful
		Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
29 October 07:20	SM-65D Atlas			Cape Canaveral LC-11		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	29 October	Successful
		Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi)
30 October 11:49	Black Knight 201			Woomera LA-5A		RAE

			RAE	Suborbital	REV test	30 October	Successful
		Apogee: 732 kilometres (455 mi)
1 November 21:23	R-7 Semyorka			Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	1 November	Successful
		Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
3 November	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A			Cape Canaveral LC-17B		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	3 November	Successful
		Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
4 November 21:37	SM-65D Atlas			Cape Canaveral LC-13		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	4 November	Successful
		Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi)
5 November 00:38	PGM-19 Jupiter			Cape Canaveral LC-6		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	5 November	Successful
		Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
6 November 07:25	Aerobee-150 (Hi)			White Sands LC-35		US Navy

			NRL	Suborbital	Aeronomy	6 November	Successful
		Apogee: 142 kilometres (88 mi)
6 November 16:36	Aerobee-300			Churchill		US Air Force

			US Air Force/Utah	Suborbital	Ionospheric	6 November	Successful
		Apogee: 393 kilometres (244 mi)
10 November 12:00	Strongarm			Wallops Island		US Army

			BRL	Suborbital	Ionospheric	10 November	Successful
		Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi), maiden flight of Strongarm
12 November 19:24	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A			Vandenberg LC-75-1-2		Royal Air Force

			Royal Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	12 November	Successful
		Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
14 November 22:38	Aerobee-300			Churchill		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Aeronomy	14 November	Successful
		Apogee: 138 kilometres (86 mi)
18 November 19:30	Nike-Asp			Elgin		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Ionospheric	18 November	Successful
		Apogee: 206 kilometres (128 mi)
18 November 22:17	Nike-Asp			Wallops Island		NASA

			NASA	Suborbital	Aeronomy	18 November	Successful
		Apogee: 250 kilometres (160 mi), released sodium
18 November	Strongarm			Wallops Island		US Army

			BRL	Suborbital	Ionospheric	18 November	Launch failure
		Apogee: 20 kilometres (12 mi)
19 November 01:31	PGM-19 Jupiter			Cape Canaveral LC-26B		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	19 November	Successful
		Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
19 November 07:44	Aerobee-150 (Hi)			Churchill		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Ionospheric	19 November	Launch failure
		Apogee: 106 kilometres (66 mi)
19 November 10:36	Nike-Cajun			Churchill		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Aeronomy	19 November	Successful
		Apogee: 119 kilometres (74 mi)
19 November 10:51	Nike-Asp			Wallops Island		NASA

			NASA	Suborbital	Aeronomy	19 November	Successful
		Apogee: 255 kilometres (158 mi), released sodium
19 November	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A			Cape Canaveral LC-17B		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	19 November	Successful
		Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
20 November 10:51	Nike-Asp			Wallops Island		NASA

			NASA	Suborbital	Aeronomy	20 November	Successful
		Apogee: 236 kilometres (147 mi), released sodium
20 November 17:11	UGM-27 Polaris A1			Cape Canaveral LC-29A		US Navy

			US Navy	Suborbital	Missile test	20 November	Successful
		Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
20 November 18:16	Nike-Cajun			Churchill		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Aeronomy	20 November	Successful
		Apogee: 119 kilometres (74 mi)
20 November 21:06	R-7 Semyorka			Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	20 November	Successful
		Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
22 November 18:35	Aerobee-300			Churchill		US Air Force

			US Air Force/Utah	Suborbital	Ionospheric	22 November	Launch failure
		Apogee: 35 kilometres (22 mi)
24 November 19:48	SM-65D Atlas			Cape Canaveral LC-13		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	24 November	Successful
		Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi)
27 November 01:12:33	R-7 Semyorka			Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	27 November	Successful
		Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
30 November 09:58	Aerobee			White Sands		US Navy

			NRL	Suborbital	UV Astronomy	30 November	Successful
		Apogee: 140 kilometres (87 mi)
30 November 10:16	Skylark-2			Woomera LA-2		RAE

			Queen's	Suborbital	Aeronomy	30 November	Successful
		Apogee: 151 kilometres (94 mi), released sodium
30 November 12:35	Skylark-2			Woomera LA-2		RAE

			UCL	Suborbital	Aeronomy	30 November	Successful
		Apogee: 163 kilometres (101 mi)
30 November	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	30 November	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
November	R-13			Project 611 submarine		VMF

			VMF	Suborbital	Missile test		Successful
		Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi)
1 December 11:36	Skylark-2			Woomera LA-2		RAE

			UCL Birmingham	Suborbital	Aeronomy	1 December	Successful
		Apogee: 159 kilometres (99 mi)
1 December 17:00	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A			Cape Canaveral LC-18B		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	1 December	Successful
		Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
1 December	Trailblazer 1			Wallops Island		NASA

			NASA	Suborbital	REV test	1 December	Successful
		Apogee: 260 kilometres (160 mi)
2 December 05:29	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A			Vandenberg LC-75-1-2		Royal Air Force

			Royal Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	2 December	Launch failure
3 December	R-11A Zemlya			Ostrov Kheysa		AN

			AN	Suborbital		3 December	Successful
		Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
3 December	R-11A Zemlya			Ostrov Kheysa		AN

			AN	Suborbital		3 December	Successful
		Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
12 December 17:11	HGM-25A Titan I			Cape Canaveral LC-16		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	+0 seconds	Launch failure
		Vibrations from ignition erroneously triggered self-destruct system whilst rocket was still on pad^[30]^[31]
17 December 20:13	UGM-27 Polaris A1			Cape Canaveral LC-29A		US Navy

			US Navy	Suborbital	Missile test	7 December	Successful
		Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
9 December 00:10	SM-65D Atlas			Cape Canaveral LC-13		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	9 December	Successful
		Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi)
10 December 00:08	PGM-19 Jupiter			Cape Canaveral LC-6		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	10 December	Successful
		Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
15 December 02:14	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A			Vandenberg LC-75-1-1		Royal Air Force

			Royal Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	15 December	Launch failure
15 December	OPd-56-39-22D (Antares)			CERES		ONERA

			ONERA	Suborbital	REV test	15 December	Successful
		Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi)
16 December 04:50	UGM-27 Polaris A1			Cape Canaveral LC-29A		US Navy

			US Navy	Suborbital	Missile test	16 December	Launch failure
		Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
16 December	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	16 December	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
16 December	Nike-Zeus A			White Sands LC-38		US Army

			US Army	Suborbital	Test flight	16 December	Launch failure
		Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi)
17 December 00:03	PGM-19 Jupiter			Cape Canaveral LC-26B		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	17 December	Successful
		Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
17 December	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A			Cape Canaveral LC-17B		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	17 December	Successful
		Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
18 December	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	18 December	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
19 December 00:48	SM-65D Atlas			Cape Canaveral LC-13		US Air Force

			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	19 December	Successful
		Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi)
21 December	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	21 December	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
22 December 07:56	Javelin			Wallops Island		NASA

			NASA	Suborbital	Test flight	22 December	Successful
		Apogee: 901 kilometres (560 mi)
23 December 19:05	R-7A Semyorka			Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	23 December	Successful
		Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
23 December	UGM-27 Polaris A1			Cape Canaveral LC-25B		US Navy

			US Navy	Suborbital	Missile test	23 December	Launch failure
		Apogee: 1 kilometre (0.62 mi)
26 December	R-5A Pobeda			Chelkar		RVSN

			RVSN	Suborbital	Target	26 December	Successful
		Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
27 December	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	27 December	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
28 December	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	28 December	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
December	R-5A Pobeda			Chelkar		RVSN

			RVSN	Suborbital	Target	December	Successful
		Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
Unknown	R-11FM Zemlya			B-67, Beloye More		VMF

			VMF	Suborbital	Missile test		Launch failure
Unknown	ALSOR			F-104, Edwards		NASA

			NASA	Suborbital	Test flight		Successful
		Apogee: 117 kilometres (73 mi)

Close

References

External links

Related Articles

Timelines

Top Qs

Fact Checks