1955 in spaceflight

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1955 in spaceflight
The Viking made its final flight in 1955
Rockets
Maiden flightsUnited States Aerobee RTV-N-10c
United States Aerobee RTV-N-10a
United States Aerobee Hi
United States Aerobee AJ10-27
United States Loki rockoon
United States Deacon-Loki rockoon
United States Nike-Deacon
United States Nike-Nike-Tri-Deacon-T40
United States X-17
United States HJ-Nike
Soviet Union R-1E
Soviet Union R-5M
RetirementsUnited States Aerobee RTV-N-10a
United States Aerobee AJ10-27
United States Deacon-Loki rockoon
United States Nike-Nike-Tri-Deacon-T40

In 1955, both the United States and the Soviet Union (USSR) announced plans for launching the world's first satellites during the International Geophysical Year (IGY) of 1957–58. Project Vanguard, proposed by the US Navy, won out over the US Army's Project Orbiter as the satellite and rocket design to be flown in the IGY. Development of Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles, the Atlas by the US and the R-7 by the USSR, accelerated, entering the design and construction phase.

Both the US and USSR continued to launch a myriad of sounding rockets to probe the outer reaches of Earth's atmosphere and to take quick glimpses of the sun beyond the obscuring layers of air. The Aerobee Hi, first launched in April, promised a comparatively low cost alternative to other high altitude sounding rockets. The State University of Iowa meanwhile experimented with balloon-launched rockoons on its fourth expedition into the Atlantic Ocean.

Space exploration highlights[edit]

Sounding Rockets[edit]

First Aerobee Hi launch, 21 April 1955

The Aerobee family of rockets expanded considerably this year, both in variety and capability. Most significant was the introduction of the Aerobee-Hi, doubling the altitude range of the Aerobee sounding rocket from 125 km (78 mi) to 220 km (140 mi) and increasing the payload carried from 68 kg (150 lb) to 91 kg (201 lb). Able to probe the upper atmosphere, its $30,000 per flight price tag compared favorably to that of its high altitude contemporaries, the Viking and the Bumper;[1] at least one 1955 Aerobee-Hi flight returned scientific data.[2][a] Other, less capable, Aerobee rockets still lofted instruments beyond the 100-kilometer (62 mi) boundary of space (as defined by the World Air Sports Federation)[3] returning spectra of the Sun in ultraviolet and investigating atmospheric airglow.[4][5][6]

The Viking series of rockets wrapped up with the flight of Viking 12, launched 4 February 1955. Reaching an altitude of 143.5 mi (230.9 km), the rocket's K-25 camera snapped an infrared picture of the Southwestern United States, from the Pacific coast to Phoenix, just after reaching its apogee.[7]

A number of sounding rockets based on the Nike booster (used as the first stage in various anti-aircraft missiles),[8] were developed and launched. Just one, the 5 April Nike-Deacon flight, breached the limits of space. The Soviet Union launched three R-1E sounding rocket variants of its R-1 missile (a copy of the German V-2), all carrying dogs as biological payloads.[b]

a (the mission date has not yet been determined) b (see table below for details and citations)

Fourth Atlantic Rockoon expedition[edit]

Members of the State University of Iowa (SUI) physics department embarked September 1955 on their fourth naval expedition into the Atlantic Ocean to survey the distribution of cosmic rays and auroral radiation by latitude using balloon-launched rockets (rockoons). The team leader was Frank B. McDonald, formerly of the University of Minnesota. Their vessel was the USS Ashland, a World War 2 era Dock landing ship originally used to transport and launch landing craft and amphibious vehicles. Two research teams with the Naval Research Laboratory also sailed on the Ashland. In addition to the Deacon-equipped rockoons that had been used on the prior expeditions, the SUI team experimented with Loki I rockets launched from balloons. The new vehicle worked perfectly, the first being launched 23 September.

This set the stage for the most ambitious missions of the cruise: the launchings of two two-stage Loki I/Deacon rockoons. The first was a failure, the smaller Loki second stage failing to separate from the Deacon. On the second attempt, both stages fired properly. However, two and a half seconds after second stage ignition, telemetry from the rocket abruptly stopped. Professor James Van Allen, head of the SUI physics department, determined that the thin aluminum nosecone on the rocket had melted due to the incredible friction encountered at its speed of more than 8,000 km (5,000 mi) per hour. Had it reached its target altitude, Van Allen later stated, it might well have discovered the Van Allen Belts two and a half years before the missions of Explorer 1 and Explorer 3. As it turned out, no more Loki/Deacon missions were attempted.[9]: 34, 37–51 

Spacecraft development[edit]

Preparation for the International Geophysical Year (IGY)[edit]

The origin of the International Geophysical Year can be traced to the International Polar Years held in 1882–1883, then in 1932–1933 and most recently from March 2007 to March 2009. On 5 April 1950, several top scientists (including Lloyd Berkner, Sydney Chapman, S. Fred Singer, and Harry Vestine), met in James Van Allen's living room and suggested that the time was ripe to have a worldwide Geophysical Year instead of a Polar Year, especially considering recent advances in rocketry, radar, and computing.[10] Berkner and Chapman proposed to the International Council of Scientific Unions that an International Geophysical Year (IGY) be planned for 1957–58, coinciding with an approaching period of maximum solar activity.[11][12] In 1952, the IGY was announced.[13]

In January 1955, Radio Moscow announced that the Soviet Union might be expected to launch a satellite in the near future. This announcement galvanized American space efforts; in the same month, the National Academy of Sciences' IGY committee established a Technical Panel on Rocketry to evaluate plans to orbit an American satellite. Already under consideration was Project Orbiter,[14]: 25–26  an Army plan to use a slightly modified Redstone (a 200 miles (320 km)) range surface-to-surface missile developed the prior year)[15] combined with upper stages employing 31 Loki solid-propellant rockets could put a 5 lb (2.3 kg) satellite into orbit, which could be tracked optically.[14]

On 26 May 1955, the U.S. National Security Council also endorsed a satellite program. On 8 June, United States Secretary of Defense Charles Wilson directed Assistant Secretary Donald A. Quarles to coordinate the implementation of a satellite program, with the United States Department of Defense providing the rocket and launch facilities, and the civilian IGY National Committee producing the satellite and its experimental package, the National Science Foundation mediating between the two agencies. A committee, under the chairmanship of Homer J. Stewart of Jet Propulsion Laboratory, was developed to manage the project to evaluate and choose between the available satellite orbiting options. Project Orbiter now had competition in the form of the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) plan to develop an orbital capability for its Viking rocket (Project Vanguard), even though the Loki upper stage rockets had been replaced with higher powered Sergeants. On 28 July, confident that a satellite could be lofted during the IGY, President Dwight D. Eisenhower's press secretary, James Hagerty, announced that a satellite would officially be among the United States' contributions to the IGY. The Soviets responded four days later with their own announcement of a planned IGY satellite launch.[14]: 25–43 

By 9 September, the Stewart Committee had chosen the NRL proposal over the Army's citing the Navy's impressive planned Minitrack communications technology and network as well as both the civilian nature and the greater growth potential of the Viking/Vanguard rocket. The contract authorizing the construction of two more Viking rockets (13 and 14) was expanded to include development of the Vanguard rockets.[14]: 51–58  NRL received the assignment to develop the Vanguard satellite in early October.[9]: 77 

United States[edit]

In January 1955, Convair was awarded a long-term government contract for the development of the Atlas, America's first ICBM, beginning Phase Three: detail design and development. With the increasing availability of smaller, lighter thermonuclear weapons, the Atlas design could reach a desired range of 5,500 km (3,400 mi) while using just three engines (original plans had contemplated five). Work on the Atlas accelerated in response to a secret report made in February 1955[16]: 191  by James Rhyne Killian to the National Security Council on Soviet rocket progress; in December 1955, Atlas was made the highest-priority project in the nation. In addition, after the issuance of the Killian report, a second ICBM, the Titan, was authorized, along with the Thor Intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), this latter rocket using many of the systems already being developed for Atlas.[17] All three of these missiles were adapted into workhorse orbital delivery rockets,[18]: 131–137  the Atlas offered as a backup alternative to both the Redstone and the Vanguard as an IGY launching vehicle.[14]: 41 

Also authorized in the wake of the Killian report was the U.S. Army's Jupiter IRBM proposal, which was to be jointly developed by the U.S. Navy for use on vessels (the Navy dropped out of the project late the following year). The Jupiter also ultimately became a space launcher under the designation Juno II.[19]

Soviet Union[edit]

R-7 rocket
R-7 rocket

The single-stage R-5 missile completed its test launch series and entered operational service in 1955; it was able to carry the same 1,000 kilograms (2,200 lb) payload as its shorter ranged predecessors, the R-1 and R-2 but over a distance of 1,200 kilometres (750 mi). Work then proceeded on an upgrade designated R-5M, with similar launch mass and range, but designed to carry a nuclear warhead.[20]: 242–243  This rocket, which would be the world's first nuclear missile, was a stopgap weapon pending the development of an ICBM, the development of both of which had been decreed by the USSR Council of Ministers in late 1953.[20]: 275 

This ICBM was the R-7, whose design began in 1954. Initially contemplated as a two-stage design, the R-7 ultimately employed a cluster of four strapon boosters around a central rocket (or "sustainer"). For the first time, Soviet engineers were developing a rocket with more than a single combustion chamber (in the case of the R-7, there were 32). This ambitious project was the joint effort of three design entities: OKB-1, responsible for the general hydraulic system, NII-885, managing the general electrical system, and OKB-456, developing the engines' layout and thrust sequence.[20]: 290–1  In 1955, after the traditional launch pad proved to be unusable for the R-7, a plan was advanced to suspend the sustainer at the launch site, attaching the strapon cluster there; the entire assembly would be suspended by the launch facility rather than resting on the ground.[20]: 295  The first test launches were planned for 1957. The site for these launches, decided 12 February 1955, was Ministry of Defense Scientific-Research and Test Firing Range No.5 (NIIP-5), located in the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic (now Kazakhstan) near the Syr-Darya river. The town of Baikonur grew to support the facility.[20]: 308 

Though the R-7 was developed explicitly as a nuclear missile, OKB-1's head Sergei Korolev already had plans to utilize the rocket for delivering satellites into orbit. At a private meeting on 30 August 1955, Korolev proposed this possibility Vasily Ryabikov, chairman of the Military Industrial Meeting. This suggestion culminated in the governmental resolution of January 1956 calling for the production of the Soviet Union's first satellite.[20]: 380 

Launches[edit]

January[edit]

January launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
4 January Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 4 January Successful[21]
6 January Soviet UnionR-5 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 6 January Successful[22]
8 January Soviet UnionR-5 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 8 January Successful[22]
15 January Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 15 January Successful[21]
17 January Soviet UnionR-5 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 17 January Successful[22]
20 January Soviet UnionR-5M Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 20 January Successful
Maiden flight of the R-5M[22]
21 January Soviet UnionR-5 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 21 January Successful[22]
22 January
00:54 		United StatesAerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 51 United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
United StatesSodium Release 1 AFCRC Suborbital Aeronomy 22 January Successful
Apogee: 94.8 kilometres (58.9 mi)[23]: 145–146 
22 January Soviet UnionR-5 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 22 January Successful[22]
25 January Soviet UnionR-1E Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Biological 25 January Successful
Maiden flight of the R-1E, carried dogs[24]
25 January Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 25 January Successful[21]
28 January Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 28 January Successful[25]
29 January Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 29 January Successful[25]
29 January Soviet UnionR-5 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 29 January Successful[22]
31 January Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 31 January Successful[21]

February[edit]

February launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
1 February Soviet UnionR-5 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 1 February Successful[22]
3 February Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 3 February Successful[25]
4 February
21:55 		United StatesViking (second model) United StatesWhite Sands LC-33 United StatesUS Navy
United StatesViking 12 NRL Suborbital REV test / Photography / Aeronomy 4 February Successful
Apogee: 232 kilometres (144 mi)[26]
5 February Soviet UnionR-1E Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Biological 5 February Partial Failure
Carried dogs, not recovered[24]
7 February Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 7 February Successful[25]
7 February Soviet UnionR-5 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 7 February Successful[22]
7 February
18:51 		United StatesAerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 52 United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
AFCRC / University of Utah Suborbital Ionospheric 7 February Successful
Apogee: 120.4 kilometres (74.8 mi)[23]: 147–148 
8 February Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 8 February Successful[21]
8 February Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 8 February Successful[21]
9 February Soviet UnionR-5M Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 9 February Successful[22]
10 February
22:38 		United StatesAerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 53 United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
AFCRC / University of Utah Suborbital Ionospheric 10 February Successful
Apogee: 76.1 kilometres (47.3 mi)[23]: 149–150 
14 February Soviet UnionR-5M Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 14 February Successful[22]
21 February
18:25 		United StatesAerobee RTV-N-10c NRL 29 United StatesWhite Sands LC-35 United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Solar UV 21 February Successful
Apogee: 115 kilometres (71 mi), maiden flight of the RTV-N-10c;[27] obtained UV spectrum in 30 second exposure over range 977 to 1817 A. Used University of Colorado biaxial pointer to keep camera trained on the Sun.[4]
25 February Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 25 February Successful[21]
28 February Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 28 February Successful[21]

March[edit]

March launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
1 March Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 1 March Successful[21]
2 March Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 2 March Successful[21]
19 March
06:00 		United StatesAerobee RTV-N-10 NRL 26 United StatesWhite Sands LC-35 United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Airglow 19 March Successful
Apogee: 115 kilometres (71 mi)[27]
21 March Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 21 March Successful[21]
29 March
16:47 		United StatesAerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 54 United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
AFCRC / University of Colorado Suborbital Solar UV 29 March Successful
Apogee: 113 kilometres (70 mi)[23]: 151–152 

April[edit]

April launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
4 April Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 4 April Successful[21]
8 April Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 8 April Successful[25]
8 April United StatesNike-Nike-Tri-Deacon-T40 United StatesWallops Island United StatesNACA
NACA Suborbital REV test 8 April Launch failure
Apogee: 18 kilometres (11 mi), maiden (and only) flight of the Nike-Nike-Tri-Deacon-T40[28]
8 April
15:19 		United StatesNike-Deacon DAN-1 United StatesWallops Island United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Test flight 8 April Successful
Apogee: 108 kilometres (67 mi), maiden flight of the Nike-Deacon[29]
9 April Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 9 April Successful[25]
12 April Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 12 April Successful[25]
15 April Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 15 April Successful[25]
21 April
15:58 		United StatesAerobee Hi USAF 55 United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
AFCRC Suborbital Test flight 21 April Successful
Apogee: 192 kilometres (119 mi), maiden flight of the AJ11-6 Aerobee Hi (USAF variant)[23]: 153–154 
29 April Soviet UnionR-5M Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 29 April Partial Failure[22]

May[edit]

May launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
18 May Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 18 May Successful[21]
20 May Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 20 May Successful[21]
20 May Soviet UnionR-5M Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 20 May Successful[22]
26 May Soviet UnionR-5M Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 26 May Successful[22]
28 May Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 28 May Successful[21]
31 May Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 31 May Successful[21]

June[edit]

June launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
1 June Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 1 June Successful[21]
6 June Soviet UnionR-5M Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 6 June Successful[22]
15 June Soviet UnionR-5M Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 15 June Successful[22]
16 June
01:11 		United StatesAerobee AJ10-27 USAF 56 United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
Holloman Air Development Center Suborbital Classified 16 June Successful
Apogee: 203 kilometres (126 mi), maiden flight of the Aerobee AJ10-27[23]: 157 
18 June Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 18 June Successful[25]
20 June Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 20 June Successful[21]
22 June Soviet UnionR-5M Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 22 June Successful[22]
23 June Soviet UnionR-5M Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 23 June Successful[22]
23 June United StatesNike-Nike-T40-T55 United StatesWallops Island United StatesNACA
NACA Suborbital Heat transfer REV test 23 June Launch failure
Apogee: 30 kilometres (19 mi)[30]
23 June
12:47 		United StatesAerobee Hi USAF 57 United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
AFCRC Suborbital Test flight 23 June Launch failure
Apogee: 61 kilometres (38 mi), premature burnout at 23 seconds[23]: 155–156 
24 June Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 24 June Successful[25]
24 June
18:04 		United StatesNike-Deacon DAN-2 United StatesWallops Island United StatesUS Air Force
NACA Suborbital Aeronomy 24 June Successful
Apogee: 105 kilometres (65 mi)[29]
28 June Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 28 June Successful[21]
28 June Soviet UnionR-5M Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 28 June Successful[22]
30 June Soviet UnionR-5M Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 30 June Successful[22]

July[edit]

July launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
1 July Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 1 July Successful[21]
7 July Soviet UnionR-5M Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 7 July Successful[22]
8 July
08:39 		United StatesAerobee RTV-N-10 NRL 23 United StatesWhite Sands LC-35 United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Ionospheric 8 July Successful
Apogee: 113 kilometres (70 mi)[27]
9 July Soviet UnionR-5M Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 9 July Successful[22]
13 July
06:59 		United StatesAerobee RTV-N-10a NRL 23 United StatesWhite Sands LC-35 United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Aeronomy 13 July Successful
Apogee: 69 kilometres (43 mi), maiden flight of the Aerobee RTV-N-10a[27]
15 July Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 15 July Successful[21]
25 July Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 25 July Successful[25]
26 July Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 26 July Successful[25]
26 July Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 26 July Successful[21]
29 July Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 29 July Successful[25]

August[edit]

August launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
1 August Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 1 August Successful[25]
1 August Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 1 August Successful[21]
3 August Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 3 August Successful[21]
6 August Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 6 August Successful[21]
8 August Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 8 August Successful[21]
9 August Soviet UnionR-5M Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 9 August Successful[22]
12 August Soviet UnionR-5M Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 12 August Successful[22]
16 August Soviet UnionR-5M Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 16 August Partial Failure[22]
24 August Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 24 August Successful[25]
24 August Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 24 August Successful[21]
25 August Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 25 August Successful[25]
25 August
13:00 		United StatesAerobee Hi NRL 37 United StatesWhite Sands LC-35 United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Test flight 25 August Launch failure
Apogee: 4 kilometres (2.5 mi), maiden flight of the Aerobee Hi (NRL variant), Navy designation: RTV-N-13[27]
26 August United StatesX-17 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-3 United StatesUS Air Force
ARDC Suborbital Test flight 26 August Launch failure
Apogee: 3 kilometres (1.9 mi), maiden flight of the X-17[31]
27 August Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 27 August Successful[21]
30 August Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 30 August Successful[21]
31 August Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 31 August Successful[21]

September[edit]

September launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
14 September
13:30 		United StatesAerobee AJ10-27 USAF 58 United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
AFCRC / University of Michigan Suborbital Aeronomy 14 September Successful
Apogee: 95 kilometres (59 mi)[23]: 158–159 
15 September United StatesHJ-Nike United StatesWallops Island United StatesNACA
NACA Suborbital Test flight 15 September Launch failure
Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi), maiden flight of the HJ-Nike[32]
19 September Soviet UnionR-5M Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 19 September Successful[22]
23 September Soviet UnionR-5M Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 23 September Successful[22]
23 September United StatesX-17 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-3 United StatesUS Air Force
ARDC Suborbital Test flight 23 September Launch failure
Apogee: 5 kilometres (3.1 mi)[31]
23 September
20:34 		United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 38 United StatesUSS Staten Island, Atlantic Ocean, near Nova Scotia United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Ionospheric / Aeronomy 23 September Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)[33]
24 September
16:35 		United StatesDeacon Rockoon SUI 39 United StatesUSS Staten Island, Atlantic Ocean, near Nova Scotia United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Ionospheric / Aeronomy 24 September Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)[34]
24 September
21:09 		United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 40 United StatesUSS Staten Island, Atlantic Ocean, near Nova Scotia United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Ionospheric / Aeronomy 24 September Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)[33]
25 September
20:39 		United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 41 United StatesUSS Staten Island, Atlantic Ocean, near Newfoundland United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Ionospheric / Aeronomy 25 September Launch failure
Apogee: 11 kilometres (6.8 mi)[33]
27 September Soviet UnionR-5M Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 27 September Successful[22]
27 September United StatesNike-Deacon United StatesWallops Island United StatesNACA
NACA Suborbital REV test flight 27 September Successful
Apogee: 30 kilometres (19 mi)[29]
27 September
19:12 		United StatesDeacon Rockoon NRL Rockoon 14 United StatesUSS Staten Island, Labrador Sea United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Ionospheric / Aeronomy 27 September Launch failure
Apogee: 11 kilometres (6.8 mi)[34]
27 September
19:43 		United StatesDeacon Rockoon NRL Rockoon 13 United StatesUSS Staten Island, Labrador Sea United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Ionospheric / Aeronomy 27 September Successful
Apogee: 90 kilometres (56 mi)[34]
27 September
20:54 		United StatesDeacon Rockoon SUI 42 United StatesUSS Staten Island, Labrador Sea United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Ionospheric / Aeronomy 27 September Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)[34]
28 September
01:13 		United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 43 United StatesUSS Staten Island, Labrador Sea United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Ionospheric / Aeronomy 28 September Launch failure
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)[33]
28 September
12:45 		United StatesDeacon Rockoon NRL Rockoon 15 United StatesUSS Staten Island, southern Davis Strait United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Ionospheric / Aeronomy 28 September Successful
Apogee: 90 kilometres (56 mi)[34]
28 September
14:54 		United StatesDeacon Rockoon SUI 44 United StatesUSS Staten Island, southern Davis Strait United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Ionospheric / Aeronomy 28 September Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)[34]
28 September
17:40 		United StatesDeacon Rockoon NRL Rockoon 16 United StatesUSS Staten Island, southern Davis Strait United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Ionospheric / Aeronomy 28 September Launch failure
Apogee: 11 kilometres (6.8 mi)[34]
28 September
19:22 		United StatesDeacon-Loki Rockoon SUI 45 United StatesUSS Staten Island, southern Davis Strait United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Test flight 28 September Launch failure
Apogee: 102 kilometres (63 mi), maiden flight of the Deacon-Loki rockoon[35]
29 September Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 29 September Successful[21]
29 September
13:42 		United StatesDeacon Rockoon SUI 46 United StatesUSS Staten Island, Davis Strait United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Ionospheric / Aeronomy 29 September Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)[34]
29 September
19:13 		United StatesDeacon Rockoon SUI 47 United StatesUSS Staten Island, northern Davis Strait United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Ionospheric / Aeronomy 29 September Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)[34]
29 September
21:52 		United StatesDeacon-Loki Rockoon SUI 48 United StatesUSS Staten Island, Davis Strait United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Test flight 29 September Launch failure
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), final flight of the Deacon-Loki rockoon[35]
30 September
15:50 		United StatesAerobee AJ10-27 USAF 59 United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
AFCRC / University of Utah / University of Colorado Suborbital Solar UV 30 September Successful
Apogee: 74 kilometres (46 mi)[23]: 160–161 
30 September
20:10 		United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 49 United StatesUSS Staten Island, Baffin Bay United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Ionospheric / Aeronomy 30 September Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)[33]

October[edit]

October launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
1 October Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 1 October Successful[21]
1 October Soviet UnionR-5M Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 1 October Successful[22]
4 October
21:18 		United StatesLoki Rockoon SUI 50 United StatesUSS Staten Island, Baffin Bay United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Ionospheric / Aeronomy 4 October Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)[33]
5 October Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 5 October Successful[25]
6 October
10:45 		United StatesDeacon Rockoon NRL Rockoon 17 United StatesUSS Staten Island, Davis Strait United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Ionospheric / Aeronomy 6 October Launch failure
Apogee: 11 kilometres (6.8 mi)[34]
6 October
19:10 		United StatesDeacon Rockoon SUI 51 United StatesUSS Staten Island, Davis Strait United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Ionospheric / Aeronomy 6 October Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)[34]
7 October United StatesNike-Nike-T40-T55 United StatesWallops Island United StatesNACA
NACA Suborbital Heat transfer REV test 7 October Successful
Apogee: 30 kilometres (19 mi)[30]
8 October Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 8 October Successful[25]
11 October
14:33 		United StatesDeacon Rockoon SUI 52 United StatesUSS Staten Island, southern Davis Strait United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Ionospheric / Aeronomy 11 October Launch failure
Apogee: 20 kilometres (12 mi)[34]
11 October
14:37 		United StatesDeacon Rockoon NRL Rockoon 18 United StatesUSS Staten Island, southern Davis Strait United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Ionospheric / Aeronomy 11 October Successful
Apogee: 90 kilometres (56 mi)[34]
13 October
01:00 		United StatesAerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 60 United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
United StatesSodium Release 2 AFCRC Suborbital Aeronomy 13 October Successful
Apogee: 101 kilometres (63 mi)[23]: 162–163 
13 October
06:37 		United StatesDeacon Rockoon NRL Rockoon 19 United StatesUSS Staten Island, Labrador Sea United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Ionospheric / Aeronomy 13 October Successful
Apogee: 60 kilometres (37 mi)[34]
13 October
12:44 		United StatesDeacon Rockoon SUI 53 United StatesUSS Staten Island, Labrador Sea United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Ionospheric / Aeronomy 13 October Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)[34]
13 October
13:42 		United StatesDeacon Rockoon NRL Rockoon 20 United StatesUSS Staten Island, Labrador Sea United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Ionospheric / Aeronomy 13 October Launch failure
Apogee: 50 kilometres (31 mi)[34]
13 October
15:24 		United StatesDeacon Rockoon SUI 54 United StatesUSS Staten Island, Labrador Sea United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Ionospheric / Aeronomy 13 October Launch failure
Apogee: 20 kilometres (12 mi)[34]
13 October
20:13 		United StatesDeacon Rockoon SUI 55 United StatesUSS Staten Island, Labrador Sea United StatesUS Navy
University of Iowa Suborbital Ionospheric / Aeronomy 13 October Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)[34]
18 October
22:49 		United StatesAerobee RTV-N-10c NRL 34 United StatesWhite Sands LC-35 United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Solar UV / Solar X-Ray 18 October Successful
Apogee: 101 kilometres (63 mi)[27]
22 October
00:20 		United StatesAerobee RTV-N-10c NRL 35 United StatesWhite Sands LC-35 United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Solar UV 22 October Successful
Apogee: 185 kilometres (115 mi)[27]
31 October Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 31 October Successful[21]

November[edit]

November launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
1 November Soviet UnionR-5M Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 1 November Successful[22]
4 November Soviet UnionR-1E Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Biological 4 November Successful
Carried dogs, all recovered[24]
4 November Soviet UnionR-5M Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 4 November Successful[22]
4 November
15:30 		United StatesAerobee RTV-N-10c NRL 36 United StatesWhite Sands LC-35 United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Solar UV 4 November Successful
Apogee: 135 kilometres (84 mi)[27]
17 November
09:15 		United StatesAerobee RTV-N-10 NRL 25 United StatesWhite Sands LC-35 United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Meteorites / UV Astronomy 17 November Successful
Apogee: 105 kilometres (65 mi)[27]
19 November Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 19 November Successful[21]
19 November Soviet UnionR-5M Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 19 November Successful[22]
23 November Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 23 November Successful[21]
23 November Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 23 November Successful[21]
29 November
17:16 		United StatesAerobee RTV-N-10 NRL 24 United StatesWhite Sands LC-35 United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Ionospheric 29 November Successful
Apogee: 132 kilometres (82 mi)[27]

December[edit]

December launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
1 December United StatesX-17 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-3 United StatesUS Air Force
ARDC Suborbital Test flight 1 December Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)[31]
9 December
14:50 		United StatesAerobee Hi NRL 38 United StatesWhite Sands LC-35 United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Test flight 9 December Launch failure[27]
13 December
05:00 		United StatesAerobee RTV-N-10a NRL 28 United StatesWhite Sands LC-35 United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Airglow / Aeronomy 13 December Successful
Apogee: 142 kilometres (88 mi), final flight of the Aerobee RTV-N-10a;[27] carried photometers to measure altitude and intensity of airglow at 5577 and 5890-6 A.[5] Also took three ultraviolet spectrograms of the Sun, investigating Ly-α emissions.[6]
13 December
17:58 		United StatesAerobee AJ10-27 USAF 61 United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
AFCRC / University of Utah / University of Colorado Suborbital Solar UV 13 December Successful
Apogee: 138 kilometres (86 mi), final flight of the Aerobee AJ10-27[23]: 164–165 
16 December Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 16 December Successful[21]
17 December Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 17 December Successful[21]
21 December United StatesHJ-Nike United StatesWallops Island United StatesNACA
NACA Suborbital Test flight 21 December Launch failure
Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi)[32]
24 December Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 24 December Successful[21]
27 December Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 27 December Successful[21]
28 December Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 28 December Successful[21]
30 December Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 30 December Successful[21]

Suborbital launch summary[edit]

By country[edit]

United States: 61Soviet Union: 95
Launches by country
Country Launches Successes Failures Partial
failures
 United States 61 42 19 0
 Soviet Union 95 92 0 3

By rocket[edit]

Launches by rocket
Rocket Country Launches Successes Failures Partial
failures 		Remarks
Viking (second model)  United States 1 1 0 0
Aerobee RTV-N-10  United States 4 4 0 0
Aerobee RTV-N-10c  United States 4 4 0 0 Maiden flight
Aerobee RTV-N-10a  United States 2 2 0 0 Maiden flight, retired
Aerobee Hi (NRL)  United States 2 0 2 0 Maiden flight
Aerobee RTV-A-1a  United States 5 5 0 0
Aerobee Hi (USAF)  United States 2 1 1 0 Maiden flight
Aerobee AJ10-27  United States 4 4 0 0 Maiden flight, retired
Deacon rockoon (SUI)  United States 10 8 2 0
Deacon rockoon (NRL)  United States 8 4 4 0
Loki rockoon  United States 6 4 2 0 Maiden flight
Deacon-Loki rockoon  United States 2 0 2 0 Maiden flight, retired
Nike-Nike-T40-T55  United States 2 1 1 0
Nike-Deacon  United States 3 3 0 0 Maiden flight
Nike-Nike-Tri-Deacon-T40  United States 1 0 1 0 Maiden flight, retired
X-17  United States 3 1 2 0 Maiden flight
HJ-Nike  United States 2 0 2 0 Maiden flight
R-1  Soviet Union 18 18 0 0
R-1E  Soviet Union 3 2 0 1 Maiden flight
R-2  Soviet Union 42 42 0 0
R-5  Soviet Union 8 8 0 0
R-5M  Soviet Union 24 22 0 2 Maiden flight

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  • Bergin, Chris. "NASASpaceFlight.com".
  • Clark, Stephen. "Spaceflight Now".
  • Kelso, T.S. "Satellite Catalog (SATCAT)". CelesTrak.[dead link]
  • Krebs, Gunter. "Chronology of Space Launches".
  • Kyle, Ed. "Space Launch Report". Archived from the original on 5 October 2009. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
  • McDowell, Jonathan. "GCAT Orbital Launch Log".
  • Pietrobon, Steven. "Steven Pietrobon's Space Archive".
  • Wade, Mark. "Encyclopedia Astronautica".
  • Webb, Brian. "Southwest Space Archive".
  • Zak, Anatoly. "Russian Space Web".
  • "ISS Calendar". Spaceflight 101.
  • "NSSDCA Master Catalog". NASA Space Science Data Coordinated Archive. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.
  • "Space Calendar". NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.[dead link]
  • "Space Information Center". JAXA.[dead link]
  • "Хроника освоения космоса" [Chronicle of space exploration]. CosmoWorld (in Russian).
Generic references:

 Spaceflight portal

Footnotes[edit]

  1. ^ "New Rocket Boosts Space Research". Aviation Week and Space Technology. McGraw Hill Publishing Company. 9 May 1955. p. 15. Archived from the original on 29 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  2. ^ "Industry Observer". Aviation Week and Space Technology. McGraw Hill Publishing Company. 22 August 1955. p. 9. Archived from the original on 29 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  3. ^ Paul Voosen (24 July 2018). "Outer space may have just gotten a bit closer". Science. doi:10.1126/science.aau8822. S2CID 126154837. Archived from the original on 11 November 2020. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
  4. ^ a b Johnson, F. S.; Malitson, H. H.; Purcell, J. D.; Tousey, R. (June 1955). "Emission lines in the solar ultraviolet spectrum". The Astronomical Journal. 60: 165. Bibcode:1955AJ.....60R.165J. doi:10.1086/107152. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  5. ^ a b Koomen, M. J.; Scolnik, R.; Tousey, R. (1956). "Measurements of the night airglow from a rocket". The Astronomical Journal. 61: 182. Bibcode:1956AJ.....61R.182K. doi:10.1086/107412. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  6. ^ a b Athay, R. G.; Thomas, R. N. (November 1956). "LYMAN-α and the Structure of the Solar Chromosphere". The Astrophysical Journal. 124: 586. Bibcode:1956ApJ...124..586A. doi:10.1086/146264. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  7. ^ "Viking Camera and the Far West". Aviation Week and Space Technology. New York: McGraw Hill Publishing Company. 29 August 1955. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
  8. ^ The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica (15 July 2013). "Nike missile". Encyclopaedia Britannica. Archived from the original on 29 December 2021. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  9. ^ a b George Ludwig (2011). Opening Space Research. Washington D.C.: geopress. OCLC 845256256.
  10. ^ Korsmo, Fae L. (1 July 2007). "The Genesis of the International Geophysical Year". Physics Today. 60 (7): 38. Bibcode:2007PhT....60g..38K. doi:10.1063/1.2761801.
  11. ^ "The International Geophysical Year". National Academy of Sciences. 2005. Archived from the original on 21 May 2016. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  12. ^ Matthew Kohut (Fall 2008). "Shaping the Space Age: The International Geophysical Year". ASK Magazine (32). NASA. Archived from the original on 19 February 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
  13. ^ "This Month in Physics History". APS News. 16 (9). October 2007. Archived from the original on 1 January 2020. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  14. ^ a b c d e Constance Green and Milton Lomask (1970). Vanguard – a History. Washington D.C.: National Aeronautics and Space Administration. ISBN 978-1-97353-209-5. OCLC 747307569. SP-4202. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  15. ^ "Installation History 1953 – 1955". U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Life Cycle Management Command. 2017. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  16. ^ Davis Dyer (1998). TRW: Pioneering Technology and Innovation since 1900. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Press. OCLC 1064465832.
  17. ^ John L. Chapman (1960). Atlas The Story of a Missile. New York: Harper & Brothers. pp. 73–85. OCLC 492591218.
  18. ^ Will Eisner (1962). America's Space Vehicles A pictorial review. London: Oak Tree Press, Ltd. OCLC 916575496.
  19. ^ Ed Kyle (4 August 2011). "KING OF GODS: The Jupiter Missile Story". Space Launch Report. Archived from the original on 21 March 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  20. ^ a b c d e f Boris Chertok (June 2006). Rockets and People, Volume II: Creating a Rocket Industry. Washington D.C.: NASA. OCLC 946818748.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap Wade, Mark. "R-2". Archived from the original on 20 August 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  22. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af Asif Siddiqi (2021). "R-5 Launches 1953–1959". Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  23. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Charles P. Smith Jr. (April 1958). Naval Research Laboratory Report No. 4276: Upper Atmosphere Research Report No. XXI, Summary of Upper Atmosphere Rocket Research Firings (pdf). Washington D.C.: Naval Research Laboratory. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  24. ^ a b c Wade, Mark. "R-1E". Archived from the original on 28 December 2016. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  25. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Wade, Mark. "R-1 8A11". Archived from the original on 28 December 2016. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  26. ^ Wade, Mark. "Viking Sounding Rocket". Archived from the original on 28 December 2016. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  27. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l McDowell, Jonathan C. "General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects, Launches, Aerobee". Jonathan's Space Report. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  28. ^ Wade, Mark. "Nike Nike Tri-Deacon T40". Archived from the original on 28 December 2016. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  29. ^ a b c Wade, Mark. "Nike Deacon". Archived from the original on 28 December 2016. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  30. ^ a b Wade, Mark. "Nike Nike T40 T55". Archived from the original on 28 December 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  31. ^ a b c Wade, Mark. "X-17". Archived from the original on 28 December 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  32. ^ a b Wade, Mark. "HJ Nike". Archived from the original on 27 December 2016. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  33. ^ a b c d e f Wade, Mark. "Loki Rockoon". Archived from the original on 27 December 2016. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  34. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Wade, Mark. "Deacon Rockoon". Archived from the original on 28 December 2016. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  35. ^ a b Wade, Mark. "Deacon-Loki Rockoon". Archived from the original on 28 December 2016. Retrieved 1 November 2021.


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