1958 in spaceflight

Explorer 1 was the first American satellite to reach orbit on 31 January 1958.

1958 in spaceflight
A Juno I launches the first American satellite, Explorer 1
Orbital launches
First1 February
Last18 December
Total28
Successes6
Failures20
Partial failures2
Catalogued8
National firsts
Spaceflight Canada
Satellite United States
Orbital launch United States
Rockets
Maiden flightsJuno I
Sputnik 8A91
Pilot
Thor-Able
Luna
Juno II
Atlas B
RetirementsSputnik 8A91
Pilot
Juno I

Launches

Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload
(⚀ = CubeSat)
Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks

January

8 January Nike-Asp White Sands US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital 8 JanuarySuccessful
Apogee: 145 kilometres (90 mi)
10 January
15:48
SM-65A Atlas Cape Canaveral LC-12 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test10 JanuarySuccessful
Apogee: 120 kilometres (75 mi)
11 January UGM-27 Polaris TV Point Mugu US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test11 JanuarySuccessful
Maiden flight of Polaris, apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
17 January UGM-27 Polaris TV Cape Canaveral LC-3 US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test17 JanuarySuccessful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
25 January
19:12
Nike-Cajun Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy25 JanuarySuccessful
Apogee: 157 kilometres (98 mi)
26 January
04:18:56
Aerobee-150 (Hi) Churchill US Navy
NRL Suborbital Auroral26 JanuarySuccessful
Apogee: 180 kilometres (110 mi)
27 January
06:04
Nike-Cajun Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy27 JanuarySuccessful
Apogee: 129 kilometres (80 mi)
27 January
18:49
Aerobee Churchill US Army
US Army Suborbital Aeronomy27 JanuarySuccessful
Apogee: 143 kilometres (89 mi)
28 January
20:16
PGM-17 Thor DM-18 Cape Canaveral LC-17A US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test28 JanuaryLaunch failure
29 January
19:06
Nike-Cajun Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy29 JanuarySuccessful
Apogee: 170 kilometres (110 mi)
29 January
22:15
R-7 Semyorka Baikonur Site 1/5 MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test29 JanuarySuccessful
Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)

February

1 February
03:48:56
Juno I Cape Canaveral LC-26A ABMA
Explorer 1 ARPA Initial: Medium Earth
Decayed to: Low Earth
Magnetospheric31 March 1970Successful
First successful American satellite launch, discovered Van Allen belts
3 February
18:02
Aerobee-150 (Hi) Churchill US Navy
NRL Suborbital Ionospheric3 FebruarySuccessful
Apogee: 138 kilometres (86 mi)
4 February
06:17
Aerobee-150 (Hi) Churchill US Navy
NRL Suborbital Ionospheric4 FebruarySuccessful
Apogee: 234 kilometres (145 mi)
5 February
07:33
Vanguard Cape Canaveral LC-18A US Navy
Vanguard Test Vehicle 3 Backup (6.5 in Satellite)[1] NRL Intended: Medium Earth Geodesy5 FebruaryLaunch failure
Loss of control 57 seconds after launch
7 February
19:37
SM-65A Atlas Cape Canaveral LC-14 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test7 FebruaryLaunch failure
Apogee: 120 kilometres (75 mi)
13 February
06:37
Nike-Cajun Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Auroral13 FebruarySuccessful
Apogee: 129 kilometres (80 mi)
16 February
06:17
Nike-Cajun Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Auroral16 FebruarySuccessful
Apogee: 121 kilometres (75 mi)
20 February
17:46
SM-65A Atlas Cape Canaveral LC-12 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test20 FebruaryLaunch failure
Apogee: 90 kilometres (56 mi)
21 February
07:40
R-5A Pobeda Kapustin Yar AN
AN Suborbital 21 FebruarySuccessful
Apogee: 470 kilometres (290 mi)
21 February
08:42
R-5A Pobeda Kapustin Yar AN
AN Suborbital 21 FebruarySuccessful
Apogee: 400 kilometres (250 mi)
21 February
09:40
A-1 Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Ionospheric
Solar
21 FebruarySuccessful
Apogee: 206 kilometres (128 mi)
21 February
15:20
R-5A Pobeda Kapustin Yar AN
AN Suborbital 21 FebruarySuccessful
Apogee: 473 kilometres (294 mi)
22 February
02:02
Aerobee-150 (Hi) Churchill US Navy
NRL Suborbital Ionospheric
Auroral
22 FebruarySuccessful
Apogee: 225 kilometres (140 mi)
22 February
05:35
Nike-Cajun Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Auroral22 JanuarySuccessful
Apogee: 129 kilometres (80 mi)
24 February
07:00
Aerobee-150 (Hi) Churchill US Navy
NRL Suborbital Aeronomy24 FebruarySuccessful
Apogee: 207 kilometres (129 mi)
24 February
07:35
Nike-Cajun Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy24 FebruarySuccessful
Apogee: 145 kilometres (90 mi)
26 February
02:35
A-1 Ernst Krenkel Observatory MVS
MVS Suborbital Ionospheric
Aeronomy
26 FebruarySuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
26 February
05:49
Nike-Cajun Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Auroral26 FebruarySuccessful
Apogee: 129 kilometres (80 mi)
26 February
22:18
Nike-Cajun Churchill US Army
BRL Suborbital Technology26 FebruaryLaunch failure
Apogee: 37 kilometres (23 mi), tested longer nosecone
28 February
13:08
PGM-17 Thor DM-18 Cape Canaveral LC-17B US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test28 FebruaryLaunch failure

March

4 March
06:02
Nike-Cajun Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy4 MarchSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
4 March
19:30
Nike-Cajun Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy4 MarchSuccessful
Apogee: 181 kilometres (112 mi)
5 March
18:27:57
Juno I Cape Canaveral LC-26A ABMA
Explorer 2 ARPA Intended: Medium Earth Magnetospheric5 MarchLaunch failure
Fourth stage failed to ignite
16 March
04:54
Aerobee-150 (Hi) Churchill US Navy
NRL Suborbital Auroral16 MarchSuccessful
Apogee: 144 kilometres (89 mi)
17 March
12:15:41
Vanguard Cape Canaveral LC-18A US Navy
Vanguard 1 (6.5in Satellite 3)[1] NRL Medium Earth GeodesyIn orbitSuccessful
Oldest spacecraft still in orbit, in addition to its upper launch stage
18 March Nike Apache White Sands US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital 18 MarchSuccessful
Apogee: 107 kilometres (66 mi)
19 March
01:12
Aerobee Holloman LC-A US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy19 MarchSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
21 March Aerobee Holloman LC-A US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Ionospheric21 MarchSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
22 March
06:41
Aerobee-150 (Hi) Churchill US Navy
NRL Suborbital Auroral22 MarchSuccessful
Apogee: 168 kilometres (104 mi)
23 March
18:07
Aerobee-150 (Hi) Churchill US Navy
NRL Suborbital Auroral
Aeronomy
23 MarchSuccessful
Apogee: 202 kilometres (126 mi)
23 March UGM-27 Polaris TV San Clemente US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test23 MarchSuccessful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
24 March
18:30
Nike-Cajun Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy
Imaging
24 MarchSuccessful
Apogee: 119 kilometres (74 mi)
24 March
22:00
Nike-Cajun Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy24 MarchSuccessful
Apogee: 137 kilometres (85 mi)
26 March
17:38:03
Juno I Cape Canaveral LC-5 ABMA
Explorer 3 ARPA Initial: Medium Earth
Decayed to: Low Earth
Magnetospheric27 JuneSuccessful
29 March
14:40
R-7 Semyorka Baikonur Site 1/5 MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test29 MarchSuccessful
Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
31 March R-11FM Zemlya B-67, Beloye More OKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test31 MarchSuccessful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)

April

4 April
15:30
R-7 Semyorka Baikonur Site 1/5 MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test4 AprilSuccessful
Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
5 April
17:01
SM-65A Atlas Cape Canaveral LC-14 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test5 AprilLaunch failure
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
7 April Nike-Cajun Wallops Island ARPA
Hi Ball 1 ARPA Suborbital Technology7 AprilSuccessful
Apogee: 244 kilometres (152 mi)
11 April UGM-27 Polaris TV San Clemente US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test11 AprilSuccessful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
17 April
10:57
Skylark-1 Woomera LA-2 RAE
RAE Suborbital Test flight
Aeronomy
17 AprilSuccessful
Apogee: 152 kilometres (94 mi)
18 April UGM-27 Polaris TV Cape Canaveral LC-25A US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test18 AprilSuccessful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
19 April
13:30
PGM-17 Thor DM-18 Cape Canaveral LC-17B US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test19 AprilLaunch failure
24 April
00:10
Thor DM-18 Able Cape Canaveral LC-17A US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital REV test+150 secondsLaunch failure
Maiden flight of Thor-Able, turbopump gearbox failed. REV carried Mia, a mouse
24 April Nike-Cajun Wallops Island ARPA
Beacon Test 1 ARPA Suborbital Technology24 AprilSuccessful
Apogee: 122 kilometres (76 mi)
27 April
09:01
Sputnik 8A91 Baikonur Site 1/5 MVS
ISZ-D1 No.1 MVS Intended: Low Earth Magnetospheric+88 secondsLaunch failure
Rocket disintegrated during ascent
28 April
02:53:00
Vanguard Cape Canaveral LC-18A US Navy
Vanguard Test Vehicle 5 (20 in X-ray)[1] NRL Intended: Medium Earth Solar29 AprilLaunch failure
Third stage failed to ignite

May

1 May Nike-Cajun Holloman US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Meteorite research1 MaySuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
5 May
14:15
Aerobee White Sands LC-35 US Navy
NRL Suborbital Solar5 MaySuccessful
Apogee: 214 kilometres (133 mi)
8 May UGM-27 Polaris TV Cape Canaveral LC-25A US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test8 MaySuccessful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
15 May
07:00
Sputnik 8A91 Baikonur Site 1/5 MVS
Sputnik 3 (ISZ-D1 No.2) MVS Low Earth Magnetospheric6 April 1960Partial spacecraft failure
Faulty data recorder limited return of experimental results
18 May
05:05
PGM-19 Jupiter Cape Canaveral LC-26B ABMA
US Air Force Suborbital REV test05:21Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi), carried a Gaslight re-entry vehicle which was recovered
20 May
04:26
Skylark-2 Woomera LA-2 RAE
RAE Suborbital Test flight
Aeronomy
20 MaySuccessful
Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi)
20 May
09:34:35
Nike-Cajun Holloman US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy20 MaySuccessful
Apogee: 101 kilometres (63 mi), released caesium and sodium
21 May
11:31:59
Nike-Cajun Holloman US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy21 MaySuccessful
Apogee: 128 kilometres (80 mi), released caesium and sodium
22 May
00:57
Nike-Cajun Wallops Island ARPA
Hi Ball 2 ARPA Suborbital Technology22 MaySuccessful
Apogee: 240 kilometres (150 mi)
22 May
11:29:59
Nike-Cajun Holloman US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy22 MaySuccessful
Apogee: 116 kilometres (72 mi), released sodium
24 May
10:30
R-7 Semyorka Baikonur Site 1/5 MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test24 MayLaunch failure
Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
25 May Nike-Cajun Wallops Island ARPA
Beacon Test 2 ARPA Suborbital Technology25 MaySuccessful
Apogee: 122 kilometres (76 mi)
25 May R-11FM Zemlya B-67, Beloye More OKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test25 MaySuccessful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
26 May R-11FM Zemlya B-67, Beloye More OKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test26 MaySuccessful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
28 May
03:46:20
Vanguard Cape Canaveral LC-18A US Navy
20in Lyman-Alpha 1[1] NRL Intended: Medium Earth Solar28 MayLaunch failure
Loss of control before or during third stage burn
May R-12 Dvina Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)

June

3 June
21:28
SM-65A Atlas Cape Canaveral LC-12 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test3 JuneSuccessful
Apogee: 120 kilometres (75 mi), final flight of Atlas A
4 June
15:15
Aerobee-150 (Hi) Holloman LC-A US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Solar4 JuneSuccessful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
4 June
21:17
PGM-17 Thor DM-18 Cape Canaveral LC-18B US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test4 JuneSuccessful
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
5 June
11:30
Skylark-1 Woomera LA-2 RAE
RAE Suborbital Test flight5 JuneSuccessful
Apogee: 153 kilometres (95 mi)
6 June X-17 Cape Canaveral LC-25A US Navy
US Navy Suborbital REV test6 JuneSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
13 June
15:06
PGM-17 Thor DM-18 Cape Canaveral LC-17B US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test13 JuneSuccessful
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
18 June
10:35
Skylark-1 Woomera LA-2 RAE
RAE Suborbital Aeronomy18 JuneLaunch failure
Apogee: 3 kilometres (1.9 mi)
18 June
15:15
Skylark-2 Woomera LA-2 RAE
RAE Suborbital Aeronomy18 JuneSuccessful
Apogee: 144 kilometres (89 mi)
19 June
21:15
Skylark-2 Woomera LA-2 RAE
RAE Suborbital Test flight
Aeronomy
19 JuneSuccessful
Apogee: 154 kilometres (96 mi)
24 June X-17 Cape Canaveral LC-25A US Navy
US Navy Suborbital REV test24 JuneSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
26 June
05:00:52
Vanguard Cape Canaveral LC-18A US Navy
20in Lyman-Alpha 2[1] NRL Intended: Medium Earth Solar26 JuneLaunch failure
Premature cutoff of second stage
26 June Exos Wallops Island NACA/AFCRL
NACA/AFCRL Suborbital Test flight26 JuneSuccessful
Apogee: 370 kilometres (230 mi), maiden flight of Exos
27 June WS-199B Bold Orion I B-47, Cape Canaveral US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test27 JuneLaunch failure
Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi)
June R-12 Dvina Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
June R-12 Dvina Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
June R-12 Dvina Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)

July

2 July
05:00
R-2A Kapustin Yar AN
AN Suborbital 2 JulySuccessful
Apogee: 210 kilometres (130 mi)
2 July X-17 USS Norton Sound, San Clemente US Navy
Winder 1 US Navy Suborbital Missile test2 JulySuccessful
Apogee: 560 kilometres (350 mi), delivery test ahead of Operation Argus
3 July
18:52
Aerobee Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Ionospheric3 JulySuccessful
Apogee: 262 kilometres (163 mi)
6 July
12:02
Aerobee Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Ionospheric6 JulySuccessful
Apogee: 250 kilometres (160 mi)
7 July
18:50
Nike-Cajun Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy
Imaging
7 JulySuccessful
Apogee: 121 kilometres (75 mi)
7 July
23:18
Nike-Asp Point Mugu US Navy
US Navy Suborbital 7 JulySuccessful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
8 July
23:15
Nike-Asp Point Mugu US Navy
US Navy Suborbital 8 JulySuccessful
Apogee: 225 kilometres (140 mi)
10 July
02:30
Thor DM-18 Able Cape Canaveral LC-17A US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital REV test10 JulySuccessful
Apogee: 1,600 kilometres (990 mi), REV carried Mia II, a mouse
10 July
07:42
R-7 Semyorka Baikonur Site 1/5 MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test10 JulyLaunch failure
11 July
18:30
Aerobee Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Ionospheric11 JulySuccessful
Apogee: 243 kilometres (151 mi)
11 July Jason (Argo-E5) Wallops Island US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Test flight11 JulyLaunch failure
Apogee: 20 kilometres (12 mi), maiden flight of Jason
12 July
20:30
Nike-Cajun Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy
Imaging
12 JulySuccessful
Apogee: 114 kilometres (71 mi)
13 July
06:36
PGM-17 Thor DM-18 Cape Canaveral LC-17B US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test13 JulySuccessful
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
15 July
20:07
Nike-Cajun Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy15 JulySuccessful
Apogee: 126 kilometres (78 mi)
16 July
22:40
Nike-Cajun Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital 16 JulySuccessful
Apogee: 142 kilometres (88 mi)
16 July Arcon Wallops Island US Navy
NRL Suborbital Test flight16 JulyLaunch failure
Apogee: 1 kilometre (0.62 mi)
17 July
07:21
Nike-Cajun Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy17 JulySuccessful
Apogee: 169 kilometres (105 mi)
17 July
09:04
PGM-19 Jupiter Cape Canaveral LC-26B ABMA
US Air Force Suborbital REV test17 JulySuccessful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi), carried a Gaslight re-entry vehicle which was recovered
17 July
17:48
Nike-Asp Point Mugu US Navy
US Navy Suborbital 17 JulySuccessful
Apogee: 225 kilometres (140 mi)
17 July Jason (Argo-E5) Wallops Island US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Test flight17 JulyLaunch failure
Apogee: 20 kilometres (12 mi)
18 July WS-199B Bold Orion I B-47, Cape Canaveral US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test18 JulySuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
19 July
17:36
SM-65B Atlas Cape Canaveral LC-11 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test19 JulyLaunch failure
Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi), maiden flight of Atlas B
21 July Arcon Wallops Island US Army
SRDL Suborbital Test flight21 JulyLaunch failure
Apogee: 1 kilometre (0.62 mi)
22 July Arcon Wallops Island US Navy
NRL Suborbital Test flight22 JulyLaunch failure
Apogee: 20 kilometres (12 mi)
23 July
22:13
Thor DM-18 Able Cape Canaveral LC-17A US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital REV test23 JulySuccessful
Apogee: 1,600 kilometres (990 mi), REV carried Wickie, a mouse
24 July X-17 USS Norton Sound, San Clemente US Navy
Winder 4 US Navy Suborbital Missile test24 JulySuccessful
Apogee: 560 kilometres (350 mi), delivery test ahead of Operation Argus
25 July
05:01
Nike-Asp Point Mugu US Navy
US Navy Suborbital 25 JulySuccessful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
25 July NOTS-EV-1 Pilot II F4D, Point Mugu US Navy
Pilot-1 (D1) US Navy Intended: Medium Earth
Achieved: Unknown
Technology25 July
(presumed)
Launch failure
Maiden flight of Pilot II. Unexpected loss of signal during ascent. Unclear if spacecraft reached orbit, but no confirmed contact was made with it, and no objects from the launch were catalogued.
26 July
06:40
PGM-17 Thor DM-18 Cape Canaveral LC-17B US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test26 JulySuccessful
26 July
15:00:57
Juno I Cape Canaveral LC-5 ABMA
Explorer 4 ARPA Initial: Medium Earth
Decayed to: Low Earth
Magnetospheric23 October 1959Successful
29 July
05:03
Nike-Asp Point Mugu US Navy
US Navy Suborbital 29 JulySuccessful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
31 July R-2A Kapustin Yar SP-2 OKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Target31 JulySuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
July X-17 USS Norton Sound, San Clemente US Navy
Winder 2 US Navy Suborbital Missile test Launch failure
Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi), delivery test ahead of Operation Argus
July X-17 USS Norton Sound, San Clemente US Navy
Winder 3 US Navy Suborbital Missile test Launch failure
Delivery test ahead of Operation Argus

August

1 August Jason (Argo-E5) Wallops Island US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Test flight1 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 750 kilometres (470 mi)
1 August ASCAMP Johnston US Navy
NRDL Suborbital 1 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Teak nuclear explosion or its effects
1 August ASCAMP Johnston US Navy
NRDL Suborbital 1 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Teak nuclear explosion or its effects
1 August ASCAMP Johnston US Navy
NRDL Suborbital 1 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Teak nuclear explosion or its effects
1 August ASCAMP Johnston US Navy
NRDL Suborbital 1 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Teak nuclear explosion or its effects
1 August ASCAMP Johnston US Navy
NRDL Suborbital 1 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Teak nuclear explosion or its effects
1 August ASCAMP Johnston US Navy
NRDL Suborbital 1 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Teak nuclear explosion or its effects
1 August ASCAMP Johnston US Navy
NRDL Suborbital 1 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Teak nuclear explosion or its effects
1 August ASCAMP Johnston US Navy
NRDL Suborbital 1 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Teak nuclear explosion or its effects
1 August ASCAMP Johnston US Navy
NRDL Suborbital 1 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Teak nuclear explosion or its effects
1 August ASCAMP Johnston US Navy
NRDL Suborbital 1 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Teak nuclear explosion or its effects
1 August ASCAMP Johnston US Navy
NRDL Suborbital 1 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Teak nuclear explosion or its effects
1 August ASCAMP Johnston US Navy
NRDL Suborbital 1 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Teak nuclear explosion or its effects
1 August ASCAMP Johnston US Navy
NRDL Suborbital 1 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Teak nuclear explosion or its effects
2 August
05:47
R-2A Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital 2 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 211 kilometres (131 mi)
2 August
22:16
SM-65B Atlas Cape Canaveral LC-13 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test2 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 900 kilometres (560 mi)
6 August PGM-17 Thor DM-18 Cape Canaveral LC-18B US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test6 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
7 August R-2A Kapustin Yar SP-2 OKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Target7 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
12 August ASCAMP Johnston US Navy
NRDL Suborbital 12 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Orange nuclear explosion or its effects
12 August ASCAMP Johnston US Navy
NRDL Suborbital 12 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Orange nuclear explosion or its effects
12 August ASCAMP Johnston US Navy
NRDL Suborbital 12 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Orange nuclear explosion or its effects
12 August ASCAMP Johnston US Navy
NRDL Suborbital 12 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Orange nuclear explosion or its effects
12 August ASCAMP Johnston US Navy
NRDL Suborbital 12 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Orange nuclear explosion or its effects
12 August ASCAMP Johnston US Navy
NRDL Suborbital 12 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Orange nuclear explosion or its effects
12 August ASCAMP Johnston US Navy
NRDL Suborbital 12 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Orange nuclear explosion or its effects
12 August ASCAMP Johnston US Navy
NRDL Suborbital 12 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Orange nuclear explosion or its effects
12 August ASCAMP Johnston US Navy
NRDL Suborbital 12 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Orange nuclear explosion or its effects
12 August ASCAMP Johnston US Navy
NRDL Suborbital 12 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Orange nuclear explosion or its effects
12 August ASCAMP Johnston US Navy
NRDL Suborbital 12 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Orange nuclear explosion or its effects
12 August ASCAMP Johnston US Navy
NRDL Suborbital 12 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Orange nuclear explosion or its effects
12 August ASCAMP Johnston US Navy
NRDL Suborbital 12 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Orange nuclear explosion or its effects
12 August ASCAMP Johnston US Navy
NRDL Suborbital 12 AugustLaunch failure
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), intended to observe Hardtack Orange nuclear explosion or its effects
12 August NOTS-EV-1 Pilot II F4D, Point Mugu US Navy
Pilot-2 (D2) US Navy Intended: Medium Earth Technology+0 secondsLaunch failure
Exploded during first stage ignition
13 August
02:00
R-2A Kapustin Yar AN
AN Suborbital 13 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 212 kilometres (132 mi)
13 August Aerobee Holloman LC-A US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Ionospheric13 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
14 August
00:40
A-1 Ernst Krenkel Observatory MVS
MVS Suborbital Ionospheric
Aeronomy
14 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
14 August
13:28
Nike-Cajun White Sands US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital 14 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 132 kilometres (82 mi)
15 August
04:16
Jason (Argo-E5) Cape Canaveral LC-10 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Radiation15 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 693 kilometres (431 mi), part of Operation Argus
15 August
15:45
Aerobee Holloman LC-A US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Ionospheric15 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
17 August
12:18
Thor DM-18 Able-I Cape Canaveral LC-17A US Air Force
Pioneer (Pioneer 0) US Air Force Intended: Selenocentric Lunar probe+77 secondsLaunch failure
Maiden flight of Thor-Able I, exploded at an altitude of 16 kilometres (9.9 mi)
17 August R-2A Kapustin Yar SP-2 OKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Target17 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
20 August
11:27
Jason (Argo-E5) Ramey US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Radiation20 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 800 kilometres (500 mi), part of Operation Argus
22 August NOTS-EV-1 Pilot II F4D, Point Mugu US Navy
Pilot-3 (D3) US Navy Intended: Medium Earth
Achieved: Unknown
Technology22 August
(presumed)
Launch failure
Unexpected loss of signal during ascent. Unclear if spacecraft reached orbit, but no confirmed contact was made with it, and no objects from the launch were catalogued.
24 August
06:17:22
Juno I Cape Canaveral LC-5 ABMA
Explorer 5 ARPA Intended: Medium Earth Magnetospheric24 AugustLaunch failure
Loss of control after recontact between first and second stages
25 August
18:17
Jason (Argo-E5) Wallops Island US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Radiation25 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 800 kilometres (500 mi), part of Operation Argus
25 August NOTS-EV-1 Pilot II F4D, Point Mugu US Navy
Pilot-4 (R1) US Navy Intended: Medium Earth Radiation+0 secondsLaunch failure
Exploded during first stage ignition
26 August NOTS-EV-1 Pilot II F4D, Point Mugu US Navy
Pilot-5 (R2) US Navy Intended: Medium Earth Radiation26 AugustLaunch failure
Failed to ignite
27 August
02:20
X-17 USS Norton Sound, AO-7 US Navy
Argus I US Navy Suborbital Nuclear test02:28Successful
Apogee: 160 kilometres (99 mi)
27 August
03:33
Jason (Argo-E5) Cape Canaveral LC-10 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Radiation27 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 937 kilometres (582 mi), part of Operation Argus, observed Argus I test or its effects
27 August
04:06
R-2A Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital 27 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 209 kilometres (130 mi)
27 August
04:24
Jason (Argo-E5) Ramey US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Radiation27 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 800 kilometres (500 mi), part of Operation Argus, observed Argus I test or its effects
27 August
06:05
R-5A Pobeda Kapustin Yar AN
AN Suborbital 27 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 450 kilometres (280 mi)
27 August
06:42
Jason (Argo-E5) Ramey US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Radiation27 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 817 kilometres (508 mi), part of Operation Argus, observed Argus I test or its effects
27 August
07:29
Jason (Argo-E5) Wallops Island US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Radiation27 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 800 kilometres (500 mi), part of Operation Argus, observed Argus I test or its effects
27 August
12:40
R-5A Pobeda Kapustin Yar AN
AN Suborbital 27 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 450 kilometres (280 mi)
27 August
23:15
PGM-19 Jupiter Cape Canaveral LC-26A ABMA
US Air Force Suborbital REV test27 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
27 August R-2A Kapustin Yar SP-2 OKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Target27 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
28 August NOTS-EV-1 Pilot II F4D, Point Mugu US Navy
Pilot-6 (R3) US Navy Intended: Medium Earth Radiation28 AugustLaunch failure
One second stage engine failed to ignite, final flight of Pilot
29 August
04:30
SM-65B Atlas Cape Canaveral LC-11 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test29 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 900 kilometres (560 mi)
30 August
03:10
X-17 USS Norton Sound, AO-8 US Navy
Argus II US Navy Suborbital Nuclear test03:18Successful
Apogee: 293 kilometres (182 mi)
30 August
03:48
Jason (Argo-E5) Wallops Island US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Radiation30 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 817 kilometres (508 mi), part of Operation Argus, observed Argus II test or its effects
30 August
04:31
Jason (Argo-E5) Cape Canaveral LC-10 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Radiation30 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 878 kilometres (546 mi), part of Operation Argus, observed Argus II test or its effects
30 August
05:18
Jason (Argo-E5) Wallops Island US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Radiation30 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 830 kilometres (520 mi), part of Operation Argus, observed Argus II test or its effects
30 August
05:52
Jason (Argo-E5) Ramey US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Radiation30 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 825 kilometres (513 mi), part of Operation Argus, observed Argus II test or its effects
30 August
06:36
Jason (Argo-E5) Cape Canaveral LC-10 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Radiation30 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 699 kilometres (434 mi), part of Operation Argus, observed Argus II test or its effects
30 August
07:21
Jason (Argo-E5) Wallops Island US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Radiation30 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 815 kilometres (506 mi), part of Operation Argus, observed Argus II test or its effects
30 August
22:02
Jason (Argo-E5) Wallops Island US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Radiation30 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 745 kilometres (463 mi), part of Operation Argus, observed Argus II test or its effects
30 August
23:03
Jason (Argo-E5) Ramey US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Radiation30 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 800 kilometres (500 mi), part of Operation Argus, observed Argus II test or its effects
31 August
00:07
Jason (Argo-E5) Cape Canaveral LC-10 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Radiation31 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 800 kilometres (500 mi), part of Operation Argus, observed Argus II test or its effects
August R-12 Dvina Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
August R-12 Dvina Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)

September

2 September
19:03
Jason (Argo-E5) Ramey US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Radiation2 SeptemberSuccessful
Apogee: 800 kilometres (500 mi), part of Operation Argus
2 September
20:03
Jason (Argo-E5) Wallops Island US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Radiation2 SeptemberSuccessful
Apogee: 7,897 kilometres (4,907 mi), part of Operation Argus
2 September
22:15
Jason (Argo-E5) Cape Canaveral LC-10 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Radiation2 SeptemberSuccessful
Apogee: 89 kilometres (55 mi), part of Operation Argus
6 September
22:05
X-17 USS Norton Sound, AO-9 US Navy
Argus III US Navy Suborbital Nuclear test22:13Successful
Apogee: 750 kilometres (470 mi), final flight of X-17
6 September R-11FM Zemlya B-62, Beloye More OKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test6 SeptemberSuccessful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
7 September
10:33
Black Knight Woomera LA-5A RAE
RAE Suborbital Test flight7 SeptemberSuccessful
Apogee: 255 kilometres (158 mi), maiden flight of Black Knight
11 September Nike-Cajun Wallops Island ARPA
Beacon Test 3 ARPA Suborbital Technology11 SeptemberSuccessful
Apogee: 122 kilometres (76 mi)
14 September
05:24
SM-65B Atlas Cape Canaveral LC-14 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test14 SeptemberSuccessful
Apogee: 900 kilometres (560 mi)
18 September
21:27
SM-65B Atlas Cape Canaveral LC-13 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test18 SeptemberLaunch failure
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
19 September
00:48
R-5A Pobeda Kapustin Yar AN
AN Suborbital 19 SeptemberSuccessful
Apogee: 430 kilometres (270 mi)
23 September Luna 8K72 Baikonur Site 1/5 MVS
Luna E-1 #1 MVS Planned: Heliocentric Lunar probe+92 secondsLaunch failure
Maiden flight of Luna 8K72, rocket disintegrated
24 September
17:15
UGM-27 Polaris AX Cape Canaveral LC-25A US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test24 SeptemberLaunch failure
Apogee: 12 kilometres (7.5 mi)
25 September WS-199B Bold Orion I B-47, Cape Canaveral US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test25 SeptemberSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
25 September Exos Wallops Island NACA/AFCRL
NACA/AFCRL Suborbital Test flight25 SeptemberSuccessful
Apogee: 460 kilometres (290 mi), maiden flight of Exos
26 September
15:38
Vanguard Cape Canaveral LC-18A US Navy
20in Cloud Cover 1[1] NRL Intended: Medium Earth Atmospheric26 SeptemberLaunch failure
Second stage underperformed
28 September
19:42
Nike-Asp USS Point Defiance, PO-13 US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Solar28 SeptemberSuccessful
Apogee: 225 kilometres (140 mi)
September R-12 Dvina Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
September R-12 Dvina Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)

October

4 October
14:00
A-1 Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Ionospheric
Solar
4 OctoberSuccessful
Apogee: 110 kilometres (68 mi)
4 October
15:08
R-11A Zemlya Kapustin Yar AN
AN Suborbital Aeronomy4 OctoberSuccessful
Apogee: 103 kilometres (64 mi)
7 October Nike-Cajun Wallops Island ARPA
Hi Ball 3 ARPA Suborbital Technology7 OctoberSuccessful
Apogee: 244 kilometres (152 mi)
10 October
03:49
PGM-19 Jupiter Cape Canaveral LC-26B ABMA
US Air Force Suborbital REV test+49 secondsLaunch failure
Fire burned through fuel and oxidiser transducer lines resulting in loss of control, destroyed by range safety
10 October
13:50
A-1 Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Ionospheric
Solar
10 OctoberSuccessful
Apogee: 110 kilometres (68 mi)
10 October WS-199B Bold Orion I B-47, Cape Canaveral US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test10 OctoberSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
10 October R-11A Zemlya Kapustin Yar AN
AN Suborbital Aeronomy10 OctoberSuccessful
Apogee: 103 kilometres (64 mi)
11 October
08:42:13
Thor DM-18 Able-I Cape Canaveral LC-17A NASA
Pioneer 1 NASA Intended: Selenocentric Lunar probe13 October
03:46
Launch failure
Third stage underperformed, failed to reach the Moon, catalogued despite being on a suborbital trajectory. Returned data on radiation between the Earth and Moon.
11 October Luna 8K72 Baikonur Site 1/5 MVS
Luna E-1 #2 MVS Intended: Heliocentric Lunar probe+104 secondsLaunch failure
Rocket disintegrated
12 October
08:32:06
Nike-Asp USS Point Defiance, PO-13 US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Solar12 OctoberSuccessful
Apogee: 222 kilometres (138 mi)
12 October
08:42:03
Nike-Asp USS Point Defiance, PO-13 US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Solar12 OctoberSuccessful
Apogee: 236 kilometres (147 mi)
12 October
08:43:18
Nike-Asp USS Point Defiance, PO-13 US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Solar12 OctoberSuccessful
Apogee: 242 kilometres (150 mi)
12 October
08:52:49
Nike-Asp USS Point Defiance, PO-13 US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Solar12 OctoberSuccessful
Apogee: 240 kilometres (150 mi)
13 October
19:40
Nike-Asp USS Point Defiance, PO-13 US Navy
US Navy Suborbital 13 OctoberSuccessful
Apogee: 225 kilometres (140 mi)
14 October
12:00
Nike-Cajun Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Meteorite research14 OctoberSuccessful
Apogee: 137 kilometres (85 mi)
15 October
01:04
Aerobee-150 (Hi) Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Test flight15 OctoberSuccessful
Apogee: 156 kilometres (97 mi)
15 October
04:00
Nike-Cajun Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Meteorite research15 OctoberSuccessful
Apogee: 151 kilometres (94 mi)
15 October UGM-27 Polaris AX Cape Canaveral LC-25A US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test15 OctoberLaunch failure
Apogee: 1 kilometre (0.62 mi)
15 October R-2A Kapustin Yar SP-2 OKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Target15 OctoberSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
18 October
03:25
Nike-Cajun Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Meteorite research18 OctoberSuccessful
Apogee: 143 kilometres (89 mi)
20 October
22:01
Nike-Cajun Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Ionospheric20 OctoberSuccessful
Apogee: 130 kilometres (81 mi)
22 October
03:45
Nike-Cajun Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Meteorite research22 OctoberSuccessful
Apogee: 158 kilometres (98 mi)
22 October
14:22
Nike-Asp White Sands US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital 22 OctoberSuccessful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
22 October
16:47
Aerobee-300 Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Meteorite research22 OctoberSuccessful
Apogee: 177 kilometres (110 mi)
23 October
03:21:04
Juno I Cape Canaveral LC-5 ABMA
Beacon 1 US Army Intended: Low Earth Atmospheric+149 secondsLaunch failure
Structural failure, final flight of Juno I
25 October
19:27
Aerobee-300 Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Meteorite research25 OctoberSuccessful
Apogee: 418 kilometres (260 mi)
31 October
11:54
R-5A Pobeda Kapustin Yar AN
AN Suborbital 31 OctoberSuccessful
Apogee: 410 kilometres (250 mi)
31 October
19:59
Aerobee-150 (Hi) Churchill US Navy
NRL Suborbital Aeronomy31 OctoberSuccessful
Apogee: 188 kilometres (117 mi)
31 October
20:46
Nike-Cajun Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Weather
Imaging
31 OctoberSuccessful
Apogee: 119 kilometres (74 mi)
31 October R-11A Zemlya Ernst Krenkel Observatory AN
AN Suborbital Aeronomy31 OctoberSuccessful
Apogee: 103 kilometres (64 mi)
October R-12 Dvina Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
October R-12 Dvina Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)

November

1 November R-5M Pobeda Kapustin Yar RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Nuclear test1 NovemberSuccessful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
3 November
06:20
Aerobee-150 (Hi) Churchill US Navy
NRL Suborbital Aeronomy
Ionospheric
3 NovemberSuccessful
Apogee: 211 kilometres (131 mi)
3 November R-5M Pobeda Kapustin Yar RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Nuclear test3 NovemberSuccessful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
3 November R-5A Pobeda Chelkar RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Target3 NovemberSuccessful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
4 November
16:50
Nike-Cajun Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Weather
Imaging
4 NovemberSuccessful
Apogee: 122 kilometres (76 mi)
4 November R-5A Pobeda Chelkar RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Target4 NovemberSuccessful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
5 November
08:53
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A Cape Canaveral LC-17B US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test5 NovemberSuccessful
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
5 November R-5A Pobeda Chelkar RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Target5 NovemberSuccessful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
6 November R-11A Zemlya Ostrov Kheysa AN
AN Suborbital Aeronomy6 NovemberSuccessful
Apogee: 103 kilometres (64 mi)
8 November
01:53
Nike-Cajun Churchill CARDE
CARDE Suborbital Aeronomy8 OctoberSuccessful
Apogee: 139 kilometres (86 mi), first Canadian spaceflight
8 November
07:30:21
Thor DM-18 Able-I Cape Canaveral LC-17A NASA
Pioneer 2 NASA Intended: Selenocentric Lunar probe8 NovemberLaunch failure
Third stage failed to ignite
13 November
08:59
Nike-Cajun Churchill CARDE
CARDE Suborbital Aeronomy13 NovemberSuccessful
Apogee: 142 kilometres (88 mi)
13 November
17:34
Nike-Cajun Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Weather
Imaging
13 NovemberSuccessful
Apogee: 119 kilometres (74 mi)
16 November
06:56
Aerobee-150 (Hi) Churchill US Navy
NRL Suborbital Auroral16 NovemberSuccessful
Apogee: 163 kilometres (101 mi)
17 November WS-199B Bold Orion I B-47, Cape Canaveral US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test17 NovemberSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
18 November
04:00
SM-65B Atlas Cape Canaveral LC-11 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test18 NovemberSuccessful
Apogee: 800 kilometres (500 mi)
18 November
16:47
Nike-Cajun Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Weather
Imaging
18 NovemberSuccessful
Apogee: 116 kilometres (72 mi)
19 November
21:51
Nike-Cajun Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital 19 NovemberSuccessful
Apogee: 140 kilometres (87 mi)
19 November R-11A Zemlya Ostrov Kheysa AN
AN Suborbital Aeronomy19 NovemberSuccessful
Apogee: 103 kilometres (64 mi)
21 November
06:08
R-5A Pobeda Kapustin Yar AN
AN Suborbital 27 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 460 kilometres (290 mi)
23 November
22:02
Nike-Cajun Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy23 NovemberSuccessful
Apogee: 131 kilometres (81 mi)
24 November
06:25:00
Aerobee-150 (Hi) Churchill US Navy
NRL Suborbital Auroral24 NovemberSuccessful
Apogee: 207 kilometres (129 mi)
24 November
08:00
Nike-Cajun Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy24 NovemberLaunch failure
Apogee: 13 kilometres (8.1 mi)
26 November
09:09
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A Cape Canaveral LC-17B US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test26 NovemberSuccessful
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
29 November
02:27
SM-65B Atlas Cape Canaveral LC-14 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test29 NovemberSuccessful
Apogee: 900 kilometres (560 mi)
29 November
16:30
Aerobee-150 (Hi) Churchill US Navy
NRL Suborbital Aeronomy
Ionospheric
29 NovemberSuccessful
Apogee: 202 kilometres (126 mi)
30 November
18:36:36
Aerobee-300 Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Ionospheric30 NovemberSuccessful
Apogee: 304 kilometres (189 mi)
30 November
22:27
Nike-Cajun Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital 30 NovemberSuccessful
Apogee: 152 kilometres (94 mi)
November R-12 Dvina Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)

December

1 December
19:35
Aerobee-300 Churchill US Navy
NRL Suborbital Ionospheric1 DecemberLaunch failure
Apogee: 97 kilometres (60 mi)
3 December
10:13
Skylark-1 Woomera LA-2 RAE
RAE Suborbital Aeronomy3 DecemberSuccessful
Apogee: 126 kilometres (78 mi)
3 December
18:39
Aerobee-300 Churchill US Navy
NRL Suborbital Ionospheric3 DecemberSuccessful
Apogee: 225 kilometres (140 mi)
4 December Luna 8K72 Baikonur Site 1/5 MVS
Luna E-1 #3 MVS Intended: Heliocentric Lunar probe+245 secondsLaunch failure
Hydrogen peroxide pump failed due to loss of lubrication, shutting down core stage engine
6 December
00:41
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A Cape Canaveral LC-18B US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test6 DecemberSuccessful
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
6 December
05:44:52
Juno II Cape Canaveral LC-5 ABMA
Pioneer 3 NASA Intended: Heliocentric Lunar flyby7 December
19:51
Launch failure
Maiden flight of Juno II, premature first stage cutoff and erroneous angle during orbital insertion resulted in failure to reach orbit. Catalogued despite being on a suborbital trajectory. Returned data on radiation between the Earth and Moon.
8 December WS-199B Bold Orion II B-47, Cape Canaveral US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test8 DecemberSuccessful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
9 December Nike-Cajun Wallops Island NACA
NACA Suborbital Aeronomy
Weather
Imaging
9 DecemberSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
9 December Nike-Cajun Wallops Island NACA
NACA Suborbital Aeronomy
Weather
Imaging
9 DecemberSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
11 December R-5A Pobeda Chelkar RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Target11 DecemberSuccessful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
12 December R-12 Dvina Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test12 DecemberSuccessful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
13 December
08:53:44
PGM-19 Jupiter Cape Canaveral LC-26B ABMA
Bioflight 1 US Air Force Suborbital Biological13 DecemberSuccessful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi), carried a monkey, Gordo. Mission completed but recovery failed
14 December R-5A Pobeda Chelkar RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Target14 DecemberSuccessful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
16 December
23:44:45
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A Vandenberg LC-75-1-1 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test6 DecemberSuccessful
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
16 December WS-199B Bold Orion II B-47, Cape Canaveral US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test16 DecemberSuccessful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
17 December
04:00
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A Cape Canaveral LC-17B US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test17 DecemberSuccessful
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
18 December
23:02
SM-65B Atlas Cape Canaveral LC-11 US Air Force
SCORE ARPA Low Earth Communication12 January 1959Successful
First communications satellite, only orbital launch of Atlas B
23 December
13:00
A-1 Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Ionospheric
Aeronomy
23 DecemberSuccessful
Apogee: 110 kilometres (68 mi)
23 December R-11A Zemlya Ostrov Kheysa AN
AN Suborbital Aeronomy23 DecemberSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
24 December
04:45
SM-65C Atlas Cape Canaveral LC-12 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test24 DecemberSuccessful
Apogee: 900 kilometres (560 mi), maiden flight of Atlas C
24 December
16:00
R-7 Semyorka Baikonur Site 1/5 MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test24 DecemberLaunch failure
Apogee: 70 kilometres (43 mi)
24 December R-12 Dvina Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test24 DecemberSuccessful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
25 December
13:10
A-1 Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Ionospheric
Aeronomy
25 DecemberSuccessful
Apogee: 110 kilometres (68 mi)
25 December R-11A Zemlya Ostrov Kheysa AN
AN Suborbital Aeronomy25 DecemberSuccessful
Apogee: 102 kilometres (63 mi)
25 December R-12 Dvina Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test25 DecemberSuccessful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
30 December
15:28
UGM-27 Polaris AX Cape Canaveral LC-25A US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test24 SeptemberLaunch failure
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
30 December R-12 Dvina Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test30 DecemberSuccessful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
31 December
02:00
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A Cape Canaveral LC-18B US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test31 DecemberLaunch failure
December R-12 Dvina Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
December R-12 Dvina Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
Unknown Long Tom Woomera LA-2 WRE
WRE Suborbital Test flight Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
Unknown Long Tom Woomera LA-2 WRE
WRE Suborbital Test flight Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
Unknown Long Tom Woomera LA-2 WRE
WRE Suborbital Test flight Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
Unknown Long Tom Woomera LA-2 WRE
WRE Suborbital Test flight Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
Unknown Long Tom Woomera LA-2 WRE
WRE Suborbital Test flight Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)

Orbital launch summary

By country

  Soviet Union
  United States
Orbital launch attempts by country in 1958
Country Launches Successes Failures Partial failures Remarks
 Soviet Union 5 1 4 0
 United States 23 5 16 2 First successful orbital launch

By rocket

By family

Family Country Launches Successes Failures Partial failures Remarks
Atlas United States1100First orbital launch
Redstone United States6330First orbital launch
Jupiter United States1001Maiden flight
NOTS-EV United States6060Only orbital launches
R07R-7 Soviet Union5140
Thor United States3021Maiden flight
Viking United States6150

By type and configuration

Rocket Country Type Family Launches Successes Failures Partial failures Remarks
Atlas B United StatesSM-65 AtlasAtlas1100Maiden flight, only orbital launch
Juno I United StatesJupiter-CRedstone6330Maiden flight
Juno II United StatesJunoJupiter1001Maiden flight
Luna Soviet UnionVostokR-73030Maiden flight
Pilot II United StatesPilotNOTS-EV6060Only flights
Sputnik 8A91 Soviet UnionSputnikR-72110Only flights
Thor DM-18 Able-I United StatesThor-AbleThor3021Maiden flight
Vanguard United StatesVanguardViking6150

By launch site

Site Country Launches Successes Failures Partial failures Remarks
Baikonur Soviet Union5140
Cape Canaveral United States175102
Point Mugu United States6060

By orbit

Orbital regime Launches Successes Failures Accidentally
Achieved
Remarks
Catalogued Suborbital 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 2 Pioneer 1 and Pioneer 3 went more than 100'000 km on their way to the Moon but were ultimately suborbital due to insufficient velocity.
Low Earth 4 2 2 0
Medium Earth 17 4 13 0
Heliocentric 7 0 7 0

References

Generic references:
Spaceflight portal
  • Bergin, Chris. "NASASpaceFlight.com".
  • Clark, Stephen. "Spaceflight Now".
  • Kelso, T.S. "Satellite Catalog (SATCAT)". CelesTrak.
  • Krebs, Gunter. "Chronology of Space Launches".
  • Kyle, Ed. "Space Launch Report".
  • McDowell, Jonathan. "Jonathan's Space Report".
  • 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.
  • "Space Information Center". JAXA.
  • "Хроника освоения космоса" [Chronicle of space exploration]. CosmoWorld (in Russian).

Footnotes

  1. Krebs, Gunter. "Vanguard". Gunter's Space Page. Archived from the original on 12 February 2009. Retrieved 2 March 2009.
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