1959 in spaceflight

Luna 1 was the first spacecraft to leave the gravitational influence of Earth. Also in 1959, Luna 2 was the first spacecraft to reach the surface of another celestial body, impacting the Moon, and Luna 3 returned the first images of the far side of the Moon.

Contents

• Orbital launches
• January-December
• Suborbital launches
• January
• February
• March
• April
• May
• June
• July
• August
• September
• October
• November
• December
• Deep Space Rendezvous
• Orbital launch summary
• By country
• By rocket
• By orbit
• See also
• References
• Footnotes

Orbital launches

January-December

January-December launches

Date and time (UTC)	Rocket		Flight number	Launch site		LSP
		Payload	Operator	Orbit	Function	Decay (UTC)	Outcome
		Remarks
2 January 16:41:21	Luna 8K72			Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS
		Mechta (Luna 1/E1-4)	MVS	Intended: HEO to Lunar impact Achieved: Heliocentric	Lunar impactor	In orbit	Launch failure
		Missed Moon due to premature cutoff of upper stage caused by control system malfunction. First spacecraft to be placed in Heliocentric orbit.
17 February 15:55	Vanguard			Cape Canaveral LC-18A		US Navy
		Vanguard 2 (20in Cloud Cover 2) [1]	NRL	Medium Earth	Atmospheric	In orbit	Partial spacecraft failure
		Transmitted data for 19 days, poor quality data returned due to uncontrolled rotation of spacecraft
28 February 21:41:16	Thor DM-18 Agena-A			Vandenberg LC-75-3-4		US Air Force
		Discoverer 1 (KH-1 prototype)	CIA DST	Low Earth (Polar)	Technology	6 March	Successful
		Maiden flight of Thor-Agena, first spacecraft to be placed in polar orbit
3 March 05:10:56	Juno II			Cape Canaveral LC-5		ABMA
		Pioneer 4	NASA/ABMA	Heliocentric	Lunar flyby	In orbit	Partial launch failure
		Second stage burned for longer than planned, resulting in more distant flyby than planned [2]
13 April 21:18:39	Thor DM-18 Agena-A			Vandenberg LC-75-3-4		US Air Force
		Discoverer 2 (KH-1 prototype)	CIA DST	Low Earth	Technology	26 April	Partial spacecraft failure
		Capsule recovery failed due to timer error. May have been recovered by the Soviet Union, inspiring plot of 1963 Alistair MacLean novel Ice Station Zebra
14 April 02:49:46	Vanguard			Cape Canaveral LC-18A		US Navy
		20in Radiation Balance 1 [1]	NRL	Intended: Medium Earth	Radiation	14 April	Launch failure
		Vanguard Balloon [1]	NRL	Intended: Medium Earth	Air density
		Second stage damaged during separation, failed to reach orbit, first launch of multiple satellites on a single rocket
3 June 20:09:20	Thor DM-18 Agena-A			Vandenberg LC-75-3-4		US Air Force
		Discoverer 3 (KH-1 Prototype)	CIA DST	Intended: Low Earth	Technology	3 June	Launch failure
		Loss of signal after upper stage ignition
18 June 08:08	Luna 8K72			Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS
		Luna E-1A No.1	MVS	Intended: Heliocentric	Lunar impactor	18 June	Launch failure
		Internal guidance system failed 153 seconds after launch
22 June 20:16:09	Vanguard			Cape Canaveral LC-18A		US Navy
		20in Radiation Balance [1]	NRL	Intended: Medium Earth	Radiation	22 June	Launch failure
		Second stage propulsion system malfunctioned, failed to reach orbit
25 June 22:47:45	Thor DM-18 Agena-A			Vandenberg LC-75-3-5		US Air Force
		Discoverer 4 (KH-1) 9001	CIA DST	Intended: Low Earth	Optical imaging	25 June	Launch failure
		Upper stage underperformed, failed to reach orbit
16 July 17:37:03	Juno II			Cape Canaveral LC-5		ABMA
		Explorer S-1	NASA	Intended: Low Earth	Scientific	+5.5 seconds	Launch failure
		Destroyed by range safety after rocket went out of control
7 August 14:24:20	Thor DM-18 Able-III			Cape Canaveral LC-17A		US Air Force
		Explorer 6	US Air Force	Highly elliptical	Radiation Imaging	30 June 1961	Successful
13 August 19:00:08	Thor DM-18 Agena-A			Vandenberg LC-75-3-4		US Air Force
		Discoverer 5 (KH-1 9002)	CIA DST	Low Earth	Optical imaging	11 February 1961	Spacecraft failure
		Electrical system malfunction. Deorbit burn conducted in incorrect direction, raising orbit
15 August 00:31:00	Juno II			Cape Canaveral LC-26B		ABMA
		Beacon 2	NASA/US Army	Intended: Low Earth	Technology	15 August	Launch failure
		Premature cutoff of first stage, failed to reach orbit
19 August 19:24:44	Thor DM-18 Agena-A			Vandenberg LC-75-3-5		US Air Force
		Discoverer 6 (KH-1 9003)	CIA DST	Low Earth	Optical imaging	20 October	Spacecraft failure
		Retrorocket malfunctioned
12 September 06:39:42	Luna 8K72			Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS
		Luna 2 (E-1A-2)	MVS	Heliocentric	Lunar impactor	14 September 22:02	Successful
		First spacecraft to reach the surface of the Moon
17 September 14:34	Thor DM-18 Able-II			Cape Canaveral LC-17A		US Air Force
		Transit 1A	US Air Force	Intended: Low Earth	Navigation Technology	17 September	Launch failure
		Third stage malfunctioned
18 September 05:20:07	Vanguard/Altair			Cape Canaveral LC-18A		US Navy
		Vanguard 3 (20in MXE) [1]	NRL	Medium Earth	Scientific	In orbit	Partial launch failure
		Final flight of Vanguard rocket, satellite failed to separate from carrier rocket, otherwise successful, spacecraft operated until 11 December
4 October 00:43:39	Luna 8K72			Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS
		Luna 3 (E-2A-1)	MVS	High Earth	Lunar flyby	29 April 1960	Successful
		Placed on a circumlunar trajectory, returned first images of the far side of the Moon
13 October 15:30:04	Juno II			Cape Canaveral LC-5		ABMA
		Explorer 7 (S-1A)	NASA	Low Earth	Scientific	In orbit	Successful
		Broadcast data until 24 August 1961
7 November 20:28:41	Thor DM-18 Agena-A			Vandenberg LC-75-3-4		US Air Force
		Discoverer 7 (KH-1 9004)	CIA DST	Low Earth	Optical imaging	26 November	Spacecraft failure
		Satellite tumbled out of control
20 November 19:25:24	Thor DM-18 Agena-A			Vandenberg LC-75-3-5		US Air Force
		Discoverer 8 (KH-1 9005)	CIA DST	Low Earth	Optical imaging	8 March 1960	Launch failure
		Inserted into useless orbit with greater eccentricity than planned
26 November 07:26	Atlas-Able			Cape Canaveral LC-14		US Air Force
		Pioneer P-3	NASA	Intended: Selenocentric	Lunar orbiter	+45 seconds	Launch failure
		Payload fairing separated prematurely, rocket disintegrated

← Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec →

Suborbital launches

January

January launches

Date and time (UTC)	Rocket		Flight number	Launch site		LSP
		Payload	Operator	Orbit	Function	Decay (UTC)	Outcome
		Remarks
10 January 11:00	A-1			Ostrov Kheysa		MVS
			MVS	Suborbital	Ionospheric Aeronomy	10 January	Successful
		Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
16 January 04:00	SM-65B Atlas			Cape Canaveral LC-14		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	16 January	Launch failure
		Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
19 January 15:42	UGM-27 Polaris AX			Cape Canaveral LC-25A		US Navy
			US Navy	Suborbital	Missile test	19 January	Launch failure
		Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
22 January 00:10	PGM-19 Jupiter			Cape Canaveral LC-5		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	22 January	Successful
		Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
23 January	Thor DM-18 Able-II			Cape Canaveral LC-17A		US Air Force
		RVX-1	US Air Force	Suborbital	REV test	23 January	Launch failure
27 January 17:00	Daniel			CERES		ONERA
			ONERA	Suborbital	Aeronomy	27 January	Successful
		Apogee: 127 kilometres (79 mi)
27 January 23:34	SM-65C Atlas			Cape Canaveral LC-12		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	27 January	Successful
		Apogee: 990 kilometres (620 mi)
28 January	Nike-Cajun			Wallops Island		ARPA
		Beacon Test 4	ARPA/NASA	Suborbital	Technology	28 January	Successful
		Apogee: 122 kilometres (76 mi)
30 January 22:53	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A			Cape Canaveral LC-17B		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	30 January	Successful
		Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)

February

February launches

Date and time (UTC)	Rocket		Flight number	Launch site		LSP
		Payload	Operator	Orbit	Function	Decay (UTC)	Outcome
		Remarks
4 February 08:01	SM-65B Atlas			Cape Canaveral LC-11		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	4 February	Successful
		Apogee: 990 kilometres (620 mi), final flight of Atlas B
5 February 14:45	Aerobee-150 (Hi)			Holloman LC-A		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital		5 February	Successful
		Apogee: 212 kilometres (132 mi)
6 February 21:22	HGM-25A Titan I			Cape Canaveral LC-15		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	6 February	Successful
		Maiden flight of Titan I, battleship second stage, apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
20 February 05:38	SM-65C Atlas			Cape Canaveral LC-12		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	20 February	Launch failure
		Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
25 February 19:45	HGM-25A Titan I			Cape Canaveral LC-15		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	25 February	Successful
		Battleship second stage, apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
27 February 15:44	Aerobee			Holloman LC-A		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Solar	27 February	Successful
		Apogee: 210 kilometres (130 mi)
27 February 19:16	UGM-27 Polaris AX			Cape Canaveral LC-25A		US Navy
			US Navy	Suborbital	Missile test	27 February	Launch failure
		Apogee: 2 kilometres (1.2 mi)
27 February 23:50	PGM-19 Jupiter			Cape Canaveral LC-26B		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	28 February	Successful
		Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
28 February 07:58	Thor DM-18 Able-II			Cape Canaveral LC-17A		US Air Force
		RVX-1	US Air Force	Suborbital	REV test	28 February	Successful
		Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)

March

March launches

Date and time (UTC)	Rocket		Flight number	Launch site		LSP
		Payload	Operator	Orbit	Function	Decay (UTC)	Outcome
		Remarks
3 March	Trailblazer 1			Wallops Island		NASA
			NASA	Suborbital	REV test	3 March	Successful
		Apogee: 260 kilometres (160 mi)
4 March 11:14	Skylark-2			Woomera LA-2		RAE
			RAE UCL Queen's	Suborbital	Aeronomy	4 March	Launch failure
		Apogee: 30 kilometres (19 mi)
7 March 19:34	Véronique			Hammaguir Blandine		CASDN
			CASDN	Suborbital	Aeronomy	7 March	Launch failure
		Apogee: 35 kilometres (22 mi), released sodium
10 March 18:40	Véronique			Hammaguir Blandine		CASDN
			CASDN	Suborbital	Aeronomy	10 March	Successful
		Apogee: 124 kilometres (77 mi), released sodium
12 March 05:44	Véronique			Hammaguir Blandine		CASDN
			CASDN	Suborbital	Aeronomy	12 March	Successful
		Apogee: 174 kilometres (108 mi), released sodium
12 March 10:50	Black Knight 201			Woomera LA-5A		RAE
			RAE	Suborbital	Test flight	12 March	Successful
		Apogee: 537 kilometres (334 mi)
12 March 15:44	Aerobee-150 (Hi)			Holloman LC-A		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital		12 March	Successful
		Apogee: 210 kilometres (130 mi)
13 March 13:50	Aerobee-150 (Hi)			White Sands LC-35		US Navy
			NRL	Suborbital		13 March	Successful
		Apogee: 170 kilometres (110 mi)
17 March 01:46	R-7 Semyorka			Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS
			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	17 March	Successful
		Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
17 March	Honest John-Nike-Nike-20"SM			Wallops Island		NASA
			NASA	Suborbital	Test flight	17 March	Successful
		Apogee: 1,380 kilometres (860 mi)
19 March 00:59	SM-65C Atlas			Cape Canaveral LC-12		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	19 March	Launch failure
		Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
21 March 06:19	Thor DM-18 Able-II			Cape Canaveral LC-17A		US Air Force
		RVX-1	US Air Force	Suborbital	REV test	21 March	Successful
		Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
22 March 00:58	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A			Cape Canaveral LC-18B		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	22 March	Successful
		Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
25 March 05:25	R-7 Semyorka			Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS
			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	25 March	Successful
		Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
27 March 04:02	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A			Cape Canaveral LC-17B		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	27 March	Successful
		Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
30 March 15:01	Aerobee-150 (Hi)			Holloman LC-A		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital		30 March	Successful
		Apogee: 201 kilometres (125 mi)
30 March 16:45	Aerobee-150 (Hi)			White Sands LC-35		US Navy
			NRL	Suborbital		30 March	Successful
		Apogee: 238 kilometres (148 mi)
30 March 22:53	R-7 Semyorka			Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS
			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	30 March	Launch failure
		Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
30 March	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS
			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	30 March	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)

April

April launches

Date and time (UTC)	Rocket		Flight number	Launch site		LSP
		Payload	Operator	Orbit	Function	Decay (UTC)	Outcome
		Remarks
3 April 17:11	HGM-25A Titan I			Cape Canaveral LC-15		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	3 April	Successful
		Battleship second stage, apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
4 April 00:34	PGM-19 Jupiter			Cape Canaveral LC-26B		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	4 April	Successful
		Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
4 April	WS-199B Bold Orion II			B-47, Cape Canaveral		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	4 April	Successful
		Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
7 April 14:46	Aerobee-150 (Hi)			White Sands LC-35		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital		7 April	Launch failure
		Apogee: 317 kilometres (197 mi)
8 April 06:35	Thor DM-18 Able-II			Cape Canaveral LC-17A		US Air Force
		RVX-1	US Air Force	Suborbital	REV test	8 April	Successful
		Apogee: 1,230 kilometres (760 mi)
11 April	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS
			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	11 April	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
14 April 21:46	SM-65D Atlas			Cape Canaveral LC-13		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	14 April	Launch failure
		Apogee: 1 kilometre (0.62 mi)
14 April	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS
			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	14 April	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
15 April 14:46	Aerobee-150 (Hi)			Holloman LC-A		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital		15 April	Successful
		Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
16 April 20:46	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A			Vandenberg LC-75-2-8		Royal Air Force
			Royal Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	16 April	Successful
		Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
20 April 15:30	UGM-27 Polaris AX			Cape Canaveral LC-25A		US Navy
			US Navy	Suborbital	Missile test	20 April	Successful
		Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
21 April 01:05	Aerobee-150 (Hi)			Holloman LC-A		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital		21 April	Successful
		Apogee: 235 kilometres (146 mi)
22 April 19:29	Nike-Cajun			Holloman		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Ionospheric	22 April	Successful
		Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
23 April 05:30	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A			Cape Canaveral LC-17B		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	23 April	Successful
		Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
25 April 05:00	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A			Cape Canaveral LC-18B		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	25 April	Successful
		Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
29 April	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS
			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	29 April	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)

May

May launches

Date and time (UTC)	Rocket		Flight number	Launch site		LSP
		Payload	Operator	Orbit	Function	Decay (UTC)	Outcome
		Remarks
1 May	Terrier-ASROC-Cajun			Point Arguello		US Navy
			US Navy	Suborbital	Test flight	1 May	Launch failure
2 May	OPd-56-39-22D (Antares)			CERES		ONERA
			ONERA	Suborbital	REV test	2 May	Successful
		Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi)
4 May 18:30	HGM-25A Titan I			Cape Canaveral LC-15		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	4 May	Successful
		Battleship second stage, apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
5 May 01:45	Aerobee AJ10-34			White Sands LC-35		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Aeronomy	5 May	Successful
		Apogee: 113 kilometres (70 mi)
7 May 01:47	PGM-19 Jupiter			Cape Canaveral LC-26B		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	7 May	Successful
		Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
8 May 19:28	UGM-27 Polaris AX			Cape Canaveral LC-25A		US Navy
			US Navy	Suborbital	Missile test	8 May	Successful
		Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
9 May 18:59	R-7 Semyorka			Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS
			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	9 May	Launch failure
		Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
12 May 11:39	Aerobee-150 (Hi)			Holloman LC-A		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital		12 May	Successful
		Apogee: 145 kilometres (90 mi)
12 May 17:35	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A			Cape Canaveral LC-17B		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	12 May	Successful
		Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
12 May	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS
			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	12 May	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
14 May 05:52	PGM-19 Jupiter			Cape Canaveral LC-5		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	14 May	Successful
		Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
14 May	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS
			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	14 May	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
15 May 22:10	Arcon			Wallops Island		NASA
			NASA	Suborbital	Test flight	15 May	Launch failure
		Apogee: 1 kilometre (0.62 mi)
15 May	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS
			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	15 May	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
18 May 23:16	UGM-27 Polaris AX			Cape Canaveral LC-25A		US Navy
			US Navy	Suborbital	Missile test	18 May	Launch failure
		Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi)
19 May 04:30	SM-65D Atlas			Cape Canaveral LC-14		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	19 May	Launch failure
		Apogee: 1 kilometre (0.62 mi)
21 May 06:40	Thor DM-18 Able-II			Cape Canaveral LC-17A		US Air Force
		RVX-1	US Air Force	Suborbital	REV test	21 May	Successful
		Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
22 May 11:15	Aerobee-150 (Hi)			Holloman LC-A		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital		22 May	Successful
		Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
23 May 02:42	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A			Cape Canaveral LC-18B		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	23 May	Successful
		Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
27 May 04:51	Nike-Cajun			White Sands		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Aeronomy	27 May	Successful
		Apogee: 169 kilometres (105 mi)
27 May 19:55	Nike-Cajun			White Sands		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Aeronomy	27 May	Successful
		Apogee: 177 kilometres (110 mi)
28 May 07:35:02	PGM-19 Jupiter			Cape Canaveral LC-26B		US Air Force
		Bioflight 2	US Air Force	Suborbital	Biological Missile test	28 May	Successful
		Apogee: 483 kilometres (300 mi)
30 May 21:42	R-7 Semyorka			Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS
			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	30 May	Launch failure
		Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
30 May	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS
			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	30 May	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
May	Long Tom			Woomera LA-2		WRE
			WRE	Suborbital	Aeronomy		Successful
		Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)

June

June launches

Date and time (UTC)	Rocket		Flight number	Launch site		LSP
		Payload	Operator	Orbit	Function	Decay (UTC)	Outcome
		Remarks
2 June	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS
			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	2 June	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
5 June 04:15	Trailblazer 1			Wallops Island		NASA
			NASA	Suborbital	REV test	6 June	Successful
		Apogee: 260 kilometres (160 mi)
6 June 17:39	SM-65D Atlas			Cape Canaveral LC-13		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	6 June	Launch failure
		Apogee: 80 kilometres (50 mi)
8 June	WS-199B Bold Orion I			B-47, Cape Canaveral		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	8 June	Successful
		Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
9 June 20:34	R-7 Semyorka			Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS
			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	9 June	Launch failure
		Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
10 June 16:40	Aerobee-150 (Hi)			Holloman LC-A		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital		10 June	Successful
		Apogee: 225 kilometres (140 mi)
11 June 06:44	Thor DM-18 Able-II			Cape Canaveral LC-17A		US Air Force
		RVX-1	US Air Force	Suborbital	REV test	11 June	Successful
		Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
11 June 13:03	Black Knight 201			Woomera LA-5A		RAE
			RAE	Suborbital	Test flight	11 June	Successful
		Apogee: 803 kilometres (499 mi)
12 June 18:57	UGM-27 Polaris AX			Cape Canaveral LC-25A		US Navy
			US Navy	Suborbital	Missile test	12 June	Launch failure
		Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi)
15 June	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS
			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	15 June	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
16 June 21:45	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A			Vandenberg LC-75-2-7		Royal Air Force
			Royal Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	16 June	Launch failure
		Guidance system failed to engage as remove before flight safety wires had not been removed. Vehicle ascended vertically before being destroyed by range safety. [3]
17 June	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS
			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	17 June	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
19 June	WS-199B Bold Orion I			B-47, Cape Canaveral		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	19 June	Successful
		Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
21 June	R-5V Pobeda			Kapustin Yar		AN
			AN	Suborbital	Solar	21 June	Successful
		Apogee: 400 kilometres (250 mi)
22 June 14:32	Aerobee			Holloman LC-A		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Solar	22 June	Successful
		Apogee: 110 kilometres (68 mi)
23 June 01:26	Skylark-1			Woomera LA-2		RAE
			RAE	Suborbital	Test flight	23 June	Launch failure
		Apogee: 91 kilometres (57 mi)
24 June 12:10	Aerobee-150 (Hi)			Holloman LC-A		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital		24 June	Successful
		Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
26 June	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A			Cape Canaveral LC-18B		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	26 June	Successful
		Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
26 June	Terrier-ASROC-Cajun			Point Arguello		US Navy
			US Navy	Suborbital		26 June	Successful
		Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
29 June 11:33	Black Knight 201			Woomera LA-5A		RAE
			RAE	Suborbital	Test flight	29 June	Successful
		Apogee: 442 kilometres (275 mi)
30 June 02:37	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A			Cape Canaveral LC-17B		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	30 June	Successful
		Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
29 June 15:42	UGM-27 Polaris AX			Cape Canaveral LC-25A		US Navy
			US Navy	Suborbital	Missile test	29 June	Successful
		Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
June	R-13			Kapustin Yar		VMF
			VMF	Suborbital	Missile test		Successful
		Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi)

July

July launches

Date and time (UTC)	Rocket		Flight number	Launch site		LSP
		Payload	Operator	Orbit	Function	Decay (UTC)	Outcome
		Remarks
2 July 06:40	R-2			Kapustin Yar		MVS
			MVS	Suborbital		2 July	Successful
		Apogee: 220 kilometres (140 mi)
7 July 11:15	Javelin			Wallops Island		US Air Force
			AFSWC	Suborbital	Test flight	7 July	Successful
		Apogee: 1,045 kilometres (649 mi)
10 July 01:01	PGM-19 Jupiter			Cape Canaveral LC-26B		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	10 July	Successful
		Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
10 July 04:47	R-2			Kapustin Yar		MVS
			MVS	Suborbital		10 July	Successful
		Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
14 July 03:40	R-2			Kapustin Yar		MVS
			MVS	Suborbital		14 July	Successful
		Apogee: 203 kilometres (126 mi)
14 July 17:45	Nike-Asp			Point Arguello LC-A		US Navy
			NASA	Suborbital	Solar	14 July	Successful
		Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
15 July 16:59	UGM-27 Polaris AX			Cape Canaveral LC-25A		US Navy
			US Navy	Suborbital	Missile test	15 July	Launch failure
		Apogee: 2 kilometres (1.2 mi)
17 July 17:40	Nike-Asp			Point Arguello LC-A		US Navy
			US Navy	Suborbital		17 July	Launch failure
		Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi)
18 July 18:15	R-7 Semyorka			Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS
			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	18 July	Successful
		Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
20 July	R-11A Zemlya			Kapustin Yar		AN
			AN	Suborbital		20 July	Successful
		Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
21 July 02:00	R-11A Zemlya			Kapustin Yar		MVS
			MVS	Suborbital		21 July	Successful
		Apogee: 105 kilometres (65 mi)
21 July 05:22	SM-65C Atlas			Cape Canaveral LC-12		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	21 July	Successful
		Apogee: 900 kilometres (560 mi)
21 July 07:33	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A			Cape Canaveral LC-17B		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	21 July	Launch failure
		Apogee: 1 kilometre (0.62 mi)
21 July 14:00	Aerobee-150 (Hi)			White Sands LC-35		US Navy
			NRL	Suborbital		21 July	Successful
		Apogee: 197 kilometres (122 mi)
21 July 14:00	R-11A Zemlya			Kapustin Yar		MVS
			MVS	Suborbital		21 July	Successful
		Apogee: 105 kilometres (65 mi)
21 July	R-2			Kapustin Yar		MVS
			MVS	Suborbital		21 July	Successful
		Apogee: 105 kilometres (65 mi)
21 July	Javelin			Wallops Island		US Air Force
			AFSWC	Suborbital	Test flight	21 July	Launch failure
		Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
22 July 01:14	R-11A Zemlya			Kapustin Yar		MVS
			MVS	Suborbital		22 July	Successful
		Apogee: 211 kilometres (131 mi)
24 July 12:47	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A			Cape Canaveral LC-18B		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	24 July	Successful
		Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
24 July 16:34	Nike-Asp			Point Arguello LC-A		US Navy
			US Navy	Suborbital	Solar	24 July	Successful
		Apogee: 227 kilometres (141 mi)
24 July	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS
			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	24 July	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
25 July	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS
			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	25 July	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
26 July	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS
			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	26 July	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
28 July	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS
			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	28 July	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
29 July 04:10	SM-65D Atlas			Cape Canaveral LC-11		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	29 July	Successful
		Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi)
30 July 04:00	R-7 Semyorka			Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS
			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	30 July	Successful
		Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
31 July	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS
			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	31 July	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)

August

August launches

Date and time (UTC)	Rocket		Flight number	Launch site		LSP
		Payload	Operator	Orbit	Function	Decay (UTC)	Outcome
		Remarks
3 August 21:41	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A			Vandenberg LC-75-1-1		Royal Air Force
			Royal Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	3 August	Successful
		Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
6 August 02:48	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A			Cape Canaveral LC-17B		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	6 August	Successful
		Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
6 August	UGM-27 Polaris AX			Cape Canaveral LC-25A		US Navy
			US Navy	Suborbital	Missile test	6 August	Launch failure
		Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi)
7 August 17:05	Nike-Asp			Point Arguello LC-A		US Navy
			US Navy	Suborbital	Solar	7 August	Successful
		Apogee: 225 kilometres (140 mi)
7 August	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS
			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	7 August	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
7 August	Arcon			Wallops Island		NASA
			NASA	Suborbital	Test flight	7 August	Launch failure
		Apogee: 20 kilometres (12 mi)
7 August	Arcon			Wallops Island		NASA
			NASA	Suborbital	Test flight	7 August	Launch failure
		Apogee: 50 kilometres (31 mi)
7 August	Arcon			Wallops Island		NASA
			NASA	Suborbital	Test flight	7 August	Launch failure
		Apogee: 104 kilometres (65 mi)
11 August 18:01	SM-65D Atlas			Cape Canaveral LC-13		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	11 August	Successful
		Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi)
12 August	Terrier-ASROC-Cajun			Point Arguello		US Navy
			US Navy	Suborbital		12 August	Launch failure
13 August 23:14	R-7 Semyorka			Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS
			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	13 August	Successful
		Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
13 August	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS
			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	13 August	Launch failure
14 August 09:00	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A			Cape Canaveral LC-18B		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	14 August	Successful
		Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
14 August 16:00	HGM-25A Titan I			Cape Canaveral LC-19		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	+0 seconds	Launch failure
		First all-up test of Titan I, hold-down bolts released prematurely, rocket exploded on launch pad [4]
14 August 16:00	Nike-Asp			Point Arguello LC-A		US Navy
			US Navy	Suborbital	Solar	14 August	Successful
		Apogee: 237 kilometres (147 mi)
14 August 19:30	UGM-27 Polaris AX			Cape Canaveral LC-25B		US Navy
			US Navy	Suborbital	Missile test	14 August	Successful
		Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
14 August 19:36:04	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A			Vandenberg LC-75-2-6		Royal Air Force
			Royal Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	14 August	Launch failure
17 August 09:18	Nike-Asp			Wallops Island		NASA
			US Navy	Suborbital	Aeronomy	17 August	Successful
		Apogee: 236 kilometres (147 mi), released sodium
19 August 00:20	Skylark-2			Woomera LA-2		RAE
			UCL	Suborbital	Ionospheric	19 August	Successful
		Apogee: 144 kilometres (89 mi)
19 August 00:34	Nike-Asp			Wallops Island		NASA
			NASA	Suborbital	Aeronomy	19 August	Launch failure
		Apogee: 30 kilometres (19 mi), released sodium
22 August 00:45	Aerobee-150 (Hi)			White Sands LC-35		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital		22 August	Successful
		Apogee: 230 kilometres (140 mi)
22 August 02:30	Nike-Asp			Point Arguello LC-A		US Navy
			US Navy	Suborbital	Solar	22 August	Successful
		Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
24 August 15:33	SM-65C Atlas			Cape Canaveral LC-12		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	24 August	Successful
		Apogee: 1,400 kilometres (870 mi)
24 August 22:47	Nike-Asp			Point Arguello LC-A		US Navy
			US Navy	Suborbital		24 August	Successful
		Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
25 August	UGM-27 Polaris AX			Cape Canaveral LC-25A		US Navy
			US Navy	Suborbital	Missile test	25 August	Launch failure
		Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi)
26 August 17:35	Nike-Zeus A			White Sands LC-38		US Army
			US Army	Suborbital	Test flight	26 August	Launch failure
26 August	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS
			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	26 August	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
27 August 01:30	PGM-19 Jupiter			Cape Canaveral LC-5		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	27 August	Successful
		Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
27 August 16:57	UGM-27 Polaris AX			USNS Observation Island, ETR		US Navy
			US Navy	Suborbital	Missile test	27 August	Successful
		Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
28 August 16:10	Nike-Asp			Point Arguello LC-A		US Navy
			US Navy	Suborbital	Solar	28 August	Successful
		Apogee: 214 kilometres (133 mi)
27 August 12:30	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A			Cape Canaveral LC-17B		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	27 August	Successful
		Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
28 August 18:45	Aerobee-150 (Hi)			White Sands LC-35		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital		28 August	Successful
		Apogee: 235 kilometres (146 mi)
28 August	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS
			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	28 August	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
31 August 22:53	Nike-Asp			Point Arguello LC-A		US Navy
		Sunflare II	US Navy	Suborbital	Solar	31 August	Successful
		Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)

September

September launches

Date and time (UTC)	Rocket		Flight number	Launch site		LSP
		Payload	Operator	Orbit	Function	Decay (UTC)	Outcome
		Remarks
1 September 01:01	Nike-Asp			Point Arguello LC-A		US Navy
			US Navy	Suborbital	Solar	1 September	Successful
		Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
1 September 19:00	Nike-Asp			Point Arguello LC-A		US Navy
			US Navy	Suborbital		1 September	Successful
		Apogee: 210 kilometres (130 mi)
2 September 00:03	Nike-Asp			Point Arguello LC-A		US Navy
			US Navy	Suborbital	Solar	2 September	Successful
		Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
2 September	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS
			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	2 September	Launch failure
5 September 15:27	Black Brant I			Churchill		CARDE
			CARDE	Suborbital	Test flight	5 September	Successful
		Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), maiden flight of Black Brant
5 September	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS
			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	5 September	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
8 September 15:14	Black Brant I			Churchill		CARDE
			CARDE	Suborbital	Test flight	8 September	Successful
		Apogee: 130 kilometres (81 mi)
9 September 08:19	SM-65D Atlas			Cape Canaveral LC-14		US Air Force
		Big Joe 1	NASA	Suborbital	Test flight	08:32	Partial launch failure
		Apogee: 153 kilometres (95 mi), Boilerplate Mercury test, booster engines failed to separate, spacecraft recovered
9 September 17:50:42	SM-65D Atlas			Vandenberg LC-576A-2		SAC
			SAC	Suborbital	Missile test	9 September	Successful
		Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi)
10 September 21:48	Black Brant I			Churchill		CARDE
			CARDE	Suborbital	Test flight	10 September	Successful
		Apogee: 127 kilometres (79 mi)
11 September 19:12	Aerobee-150 (Hi)			Churchill		NASA
			NASA	Suborbital		11 September	Successful
		Apogee: 227 kilometres (141 mi)
12 September	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A			Cape Canaveral LC-18B		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	12 September	Successful
		Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
14 September 17:27	Aerobee-150 (Hi)			Churchill		NASA
			NASA	Suborbital		14 September	Successful
		Apogee: 218 kilometres (135 mi)
15 September 21:45	PGM-19 Jupiter			Cape Canaveral LC-26B		US Air Force
		Bioflight 3	US Air Force	Suborbital	Biological Missile test	15 September	Launch failure
		Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
15 September	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS
			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	15 September	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
15 September	Aerobee			White Sands LC-35		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Test flight	15 September	Successful
		Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
17 September 00:12	Skylark-2			Woomera LA-2		RAE
			Birmingham UCL	Suborbital	Ionospheric Solar	17 September	Successful
		Apogee: 132 kilometres (82 mi)
17 September 02:09	SM-65D Atlas			Cape Canaveral LC-13		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	17 September	Launch failure
		Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
17 September 18:37	Aerobee-150 (Hi)			Churchill		NASA
		DRTE.01	NASA	Suborbital	Ionospheric	17 September	Successful
		Apogee: 256 kilometres (159 mi)
17 September 21:09	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A			Vandenberg LC-75-1-2		Royal Air Force
			Royal Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	17 September	Successful
		Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
18 September 16:02	R-7 Semyorka			Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS
			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	18 September	Successful
		Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
18 September 16:55	Nike-Cajun			Elgin		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Aeronomy	18 September	Successful
		Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
20 September 17:35	Aerobee-150 (Hi)			Churchill		NASA
		DRTE.02	NASA	Suborbital	Ionospheric	20 September	Launch failure
		Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
21 September	UGM-27 Polaris A1			Cape Canaveral LC-29A		US Navy
			US Navy	Suborbital	Missile test	21 September	Successful
		Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
22 September 18:00	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A			Cape Canaveral LC-17B		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	22 September	Successful
		Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
22 September	Aerobee-100			White Sands LC-35		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Test flight	22 September	Successful
		Apogee: 110 kilometres (68 mi)
24 September 00:29	Skylark-2			Woomera LA-2		RAE
			Birmingham UCL	Suborbital	Ionospheric	24 September	Successful
		Apogee: 158 kilometres (98 mi)
25 September	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS
			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	25 September	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
28 September	R-12 Dvina			Kapustin Yar		MVS
			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	28 September	Successful
		Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
28 September	UGM-27 Polaris AX			Cape Canaveral LC-25A		US Navy
			US Navy	Suborbital	Missile test	28 September	Launch failure
		Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi)
29 September 10:59	Nike-Cajun			Elgin		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Aeronomy	29 September	Successful
		Apogee: 124 kilometres (77 mi)
30 September 10:57	Nike-Cajun			Elgin		US Air Force
			US Air Force	Suborbital	Aeronomy	30 September	Successful
		Apogee: 122 kilometres (76 mi)
30 September	Terrier-Asp			Point Arguello		US Navy
			US Navy	Suborbital		30 September	Successful
		Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)