1959 in spaceflight (July-December)

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

For all other spaceflight activities, see 1959 in spaceflight. For launches in the first half of 1959 see List of spaceflight launches in January–June 1959.[1][2]

Orbital launches

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

July

16 July
17:37:03[3]
Juno II AM-16 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.

August

7 August
14:24:20[4]
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[5]
Thor DM-18 Agena-A Vandenberg LC-75-3-4 US Air Force
Discoverer 5 (KH-1 2/9002) CIA DST Low Earth Optical imaging 11 February 1961 Spacecraft failure
SRV 111 CIA DST Low Earth Technology  
Electrical system malfunction. Deorbit burn conducted in incorrect direction, raising orbit.
15 August
00:31:00[6]
Juno II AM-19B 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[7]
Thor DM-18 Agena-A Vandenberg LC-75-3-5 US Air Force
Discoverer 6 (KH-1 3/9003) CIA DST Low Earth Optical imaging 20 October Spacecraft failure
SRV 105 CIA DST Low Earth Technology  
Retrorocket malfunctioned.

September

12 September
06:39:42[8]
Luna (8K72) I1-7B Baikonur Site 1/5 MVS
Luna 2 (Ye-1A №6) MVS Heliocentric Lunar impactor 14 September
22:02
Successful
First spacecraft to reach the surface of the Moon.
17 September
14:34[9]
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[10]
Vanguard / Altair SLV-7 (TV-4BU) Cape Canaveral LC-18A US Navy
Vanguard 3 (Magne-Ray Satellite)[11] NRL Medium Earth Scientific In orbit Successful
Final flight of Vanguard rocket, satellite failed to separate from carrier rocket, otherwise successful, spacecraft operated until 11 December.
24 September[12] Atlas-C Able Cape Canaveral LC-14 US Air Force
Pioneer P-1 NASA Planned: Selenocentric Lunar Orbiter N/A Destroyed prior to launch
Destroyed prior to launch.

October

4 October
00:43:39[13]
Luna (8K72) I1-8 Baikonur Site 1/5 MVS
Luna 3 (Ye-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[14]
Juno II AM-19A Cape Canaveral LC-5 ABMA
Explorer 7 (S-1A) NASA Low Earth Scientific In orbit Successful
Broadcast data until 24 August 1961.

November

7 November
20:28:41[15]
Thor DM-18 Agena-A Vandenberg LC-75-3-4 US Air Force
Discoverer 7 (KH-1 4/9004) CIA DST Low Earth Optical imaging 26 November Spacecraft failure
SRV 109 CIA DST Low Earth Technology  
Satellite tumbled out of control.
20 November
19:25:24[16]
Thor DM-18 Agena-A Vandenberg LC-75-3-5 US Air Force
Discoverer 8 (KH-1 5/9005) CIA DST Low Earth Optical imaging 8 March 1960 Launch failure
SRV 107 CIA DST Low Earth Technology 8 March 1960 Launch failure
Inserted into useless orbit with greater eccentricity than planned.
26 November
07:26[17]
Atlas-D 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.

Suborbital flights

Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload
(⚀ = CubeSat)
Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
2 July
06:40
R-2 Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital 2 July Successful
Apogee: 220 kilometres (140 mi)
7 July
11:15
Javelin Wallops Island US Air Force
AFSWC Suborbital Test flight 7 July Successful
Apogee: 1,045 kilometres (649 mi)
10 July
01:01
PGM-19 Jupiter Cape Canaveral LC-26B US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 10 July Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
10 July
04:47
R-2 Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital 10 July Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
14 July
03:40
R-2 Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital 14 July Successful
Apogee: 203 kilometres (126 mi)
14 July
17:45
Nike-Asp Point Arguello LC-A US Navy
NASA Suborbital Solar 14 July Successful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
15 July
16:59
UGM-27 Polaris AX Cape Canaveral LC-25A US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 15 July Launch failure
Apogee: 2 kilometres (1.2 mi)
17 July
17:40
Nike-Asp Point Arguello LC-A US Navy
US Navy Suborbital 17 July Launch failure
Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi)
18 July
18:15
R-7 Semyorka Baikonur Site 1/5 MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 18 July Successful
Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
20 July R-11A Zemlya Kapustin Yar AN
AN Suborbital 20 July Successful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
21 July
02:00
R-11A Zemlya Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital 21 July Successful
Apogee: 105 kilometres (65 mi)
21 July
05:22
SM-65C Atlas Cape Canaveral LC-12 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 21 July Successful
Apogee: 900 kilometres (560 mi)
21 July
07:33
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A Cape Canaveral LC-17B US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 21 July Launch failure
Apogee: 1 kilometre (0.62 mi)
21 July
14:00
Aerobee-150 (Hi) White Sands LC-35 US Navy
NRL Suborbital 21 July Successful
Apogee: 197 kilometres (122 mi)
21 July
14:00
R-11A Zemlya Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital 21 July Successful
Apogee: 105 kilometres (65 mi)
21 July R-2 Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital 21 July Successful
Apogee: 105 kilometres (65 mi)
21 July Javelin Wallops Island US Air Force
AFSWC Suborbital Test flight 21 July Launch failure
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
22 July
01:14
R-11A Zemlya Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital 22 July Successful
Apogee: 211 kilometres (131 mi)
24 July
12:47
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A Cape Canaveral LC-18B US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 24 July Successful
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
24 July
16:34
Nike-Asp Point Arguello LC-A US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Solar 24 July Successful
Apogee: 227 kilometres (141 mi)
24 July R-12 Dvina Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 24 July Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
25 July R-12 Dvina Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 25 July Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
26 July R-12 Dvina Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 26 July Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
28 July R-12 Dvina Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 28 July Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
29 July
04:10
SM-65D Atlas Cape Canaveral LC-11 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 29 July Successful
Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi)
30 July
04:00
R-7 Semyorka Baikonur Site 1/5 MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 30 July Successful
Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
31 July R-12 Dvina Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 31 July Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
3 August
21:41
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A Vandenberg LC-75-1-1 Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force Suborbital Missile test 3 August Successful
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
6 August
02:48
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A Cape Canaveral LC-17B US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 6 August Successful
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
6 August UGM-27 Polaris AX Cape Canaveral LC-25A US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 6 August Launch failure
Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi)
7 August
17:05
Nike-Asp Point Arguello LC-A US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Solar 7 August Successful
Apogee: 225 kilometres (140 mi)
7 August R-12 Dvina Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 7 August Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
7 August Arcon Wallops Island NASA
NASA Suborbital Test flight 7 August Launch failure
Apogee: 20 kilometres (12 mi)
7 August Arcon Wallops Island NASA
NASA Suborbital Test flight 7 August Launch failure
Apogee: 50 kilometres (31 mi)
7 August Arcon Wallops Island NASA
NASA Suborbital Test flight 7 August Launch failure
Apogee: 104 kilometres (65 mi)
11 August
18:01
SM-65D Atlas Cape Canaveral LC-13 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 11 August Successful
Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi)
12 August Terrier-ASROC-Cajun Point Arguello US Navy
US Navy Suborbital 12 August Launch failure
13 August
23:14
R-7 Semyorka Baikonur Site 1/5 MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 13 August Successful
Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
13 August R-12 Dvina Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 13 August Launch failure
14 August
09:00
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A Cape Canaveral LC-18B US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 14 August Successful
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
14 August
16:00
HGM-25A Titan I Cape Canaveral LC-19 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test +0 seconds Launch failure
First all-up test of Titan I, hold-down bolts released prematurely, rocket exploded on launch pad[18]
14 August
16:00
Nike-Asp Point Arguello LC-A US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Solar 14 August Successful
Apogee: 237 kilometres (147 mi)
14 August
19:30
UGM-27 Polaris AX Cape Canaveral LC-25B US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 14 August Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
14 August
19:36:04
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A Vandenberg LC-75-2-6 Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force Suborbital Missile test 14 August Launch failure
17 August
09:18
Nike-Asp Wallops Island NASA
US Navy Suborbital Aeronomy 17 August Successful
Apogee: 236 kilometres (147 mi), released sodium
19 August
00:20
Skylark-2 Woomera LA-2 RAE
UCL Suborbital Ionospheric 19 August Successful
Apogee: 144 kilometres (89 mi)
19 August
00:34
Nike-Asp Wallops Island NASA
NASA Suborbital Aeronomy 19 August Launch failure
Apogee: 30 kilometres (19 mi), released sodium
22 August
00:45
Aerobee-150 (Hi) White Sands LC-35 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital 22 August Successful
Apogee: 230 kilometres (140 mi)
22 August
02:30
Nike-Asp Point Arguello LC-A US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Solar 22 August Successful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
24 August
15:33
SM-65C Atlas Cape Canaveral LC-12 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 24 August Successful
Apogee: 1,400 kilometres (870 mi)
24 August
22:47
Nike-Asp Point Arguello LC-A US Navy
US Navy Suborbital 24 August Successful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
25 August UGM-27 Polaris AX Cape Canaveral LC-25A US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 25 August Launch failure
Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi)
26 August
17:35
Nike-Zeus A White Sands LC-38 US Army
US Army Suborbital Test flight 26 August Launch failure
26 August R-12 Dvina Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 26 August Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
27 August
01:30
PGM-19 Jupiter Cape Canaveral LC-5 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 27 August Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
27 August
16:57
UGM-27 Polaris AX USNS Observation Island, ETR US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 27 August Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
28 August
16:10
Nike-Asp Point Arguello LC-A US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Solar 28 August Successful
Apogee: 214 kilometres (133 mi)
27 August
12:30
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A Cape Canaveral LC-17B US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 27 August Successful
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
28 August
18:45
Aerobee-150 (Hi) White Sands LC-35 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital 28 August Successful
Apogee: 235 kilometres (146 mi)
28 August R-12 Dvina Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 28 August Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
31 August
22:53
Nike-Asp Point Arguello LC-A US Navy
Sunflare II US Navy Suborbital Solar 31 August Successful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
1 September
01:01
Nike-Asp Point Arguello LC-A US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Solar 1 September Successful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
1 September
19:00
Nike-Asp Point Arguello LC-A US Navy
US Navy Suborbital 1 September Successful
Apogee: 210 kilometres (130 mi)
2 September
00:03
Nike-Asp Point Arguello LC-A US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Solar 2 September Successful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
2 September R-12 Dvina Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 2 September Launch failure
5 September
15:27
Black Brant I Churchill CARDE
CARDE Suborbital Test flight 5 September Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), maiden flight of Black Brant
5 September R-12 Dvina Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 5 September Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
8 September
15:14
Black Brant I Churchill CARDE
CARDE Suborbital Test flight 8 September Successful
Apogee: 130 kilometres (81 mi)
9 September
08:19
SM-65D Atlas Cape Canaveral LC-14 US Air Force
Big Joe 1 NASA Suborbital Test flight 08:32 Partial launch failure
Apogee: 153 kilometres (95 mi), Boilerplate Mercury test, booster engines failed to separate, spacecraft recovered
9 September
17:50:42
SM-65D Atlas Vandenberg LC-576A-2 SAC
SAC Suborbital Missile test 9 September Successful
Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi)
10 September
21:48
Black Brant I Churchill CARDE
CARDE Suborbital Test flight 10 September Successful
Apogee: 127 kilometres (79 mi)
11 September
19:12
Aerobee-150 (Hi) Churchill NASA
NASA Suborbital 11 September Successful
Apogee: 227 kilometres (141 mi)
12 September PGM-17 Thor DM-18A Cape Canaveral LC-18B US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 12 September Successful
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
14 September
17:27
Aerobee-150 (Hi) Churchill NASA
NASA Suborbital 14 September Successful
Apogee: 218 kilometres (135 mi)
15 September
21:45
PGM-19 Jupiter Cape Canaveral LC-26B US Air Force
Bioflight 3 US Air Force Suborbital Biological
Missile test
15 September Launch failure
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
15 September R-12 Dvina Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 15 September Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
15 September Aerobee White Sands LC-35 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Test flight 15 September Successful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
17 September
00:12
Skylark-2 Woomera LA-2 RAE
Birmingham
UCL
Suborbital Ionospheric
Solar
17 September Successful
Apogee: 132 kilometres (82 mi)
17 September
02:09
SM-65D Atlas Cape Canaveral LC-13 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 17 September Launch failure
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
17 September
18:37
Aerobee-150 (Hi) Churchill NASA
DRTE.01 NASA Suborbital Ionospheric 17 September Successful
Apogee: 256 kilometres (159 mi)
17 September
21:09
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A Vandenberg LC-75-1-2 Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force Suborbital Missile test 17 September Successful
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
18 September
16:02
R-7 Semyorka Baikonur Site 1/5 MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 18 September Successful
Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
18 September
16:55
Nike-Cajun Elgin US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 18 September Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
20 September
17:35
Aerobee-150 (Hi) Churchill NASA
DRTE.02 NASA Suborbital Ionospheric 20 September Launch failure
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
21 September UGM-27 Polaris A1 Cape Canaveral LC-29A US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 21 September Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
22 September
18:00
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A Cape Canaveral LC-17B US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 22 September Successful
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
22 September Aerobee-100 White Sands LC-35 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Test flight 22 September Successful
Apogee: 110 kilometres (68 mi)
24 September
00:29
Skylark-2 Woomera LA-2 RAE
Birmingham
UCL
Suborbital Ionospheric 24 September Successful
Apogee: 158 kilometres (98 mi)
25 September R-12 Dvina Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 25 September Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
28 September R-12 Dvina Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 28 September Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
28 September UGM-27 Polaris AX Cape Canaveral LC-25A US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 28 September Launch failure
Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi)
29 September
10:59
Nike-Cajun Elgin US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 29 September Successful
Apogee: 124 kilometres (77 mi)
30 September
10:57
Nike-Cajun Elgin US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 30 September Successful
Apogee: 122 kilometres (76 mi)
30 September Terrier-Asp Point Arguello US Navy
US Navy Suborbital 30 September Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
1 October
01:28
PGM-19 Jupiter Cape Canaveral LC-6 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 1 October Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
1 October
10:49
Nike-Cajun Elgin US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 1 October Successful
Apogee: 138 kilometres (86 mi)
2 October
11:00
Nike-Cajun Elgin US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 2 October Successful
Apogee: 143 kilometres (89 mi)
2 October
18:11
UGM-27 Polaris AX Cape Canaveral LC-25A US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 2 October Launch failure
Apogee: 2 kilometres (1.2 mi)
3 October
11:03
Nike-Cajun Elgin US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 3 October Successful
Apogee: 122 kilometres (76 mi)
5 October
11:01
Nike-Cajun Elgin US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 5 October Successful
Apogee: 127 kilometres (79 mi)
6 October
05:55
SM-65D Atlas Cape Canaveral LC-11 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 6 October Successful
Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi)
6 October
16:41
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A Cape Canaveral LC-18B US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 6 October Successful
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
6 October
18:26
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A Vandenberg LC-75-2-8 Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force Suborbital Missile test 6 October Successful
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
8 October R-12 Dvina Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 8 October Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
9 October
08:40
Nike-Cajun Elgin US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 9 October Successful
Apogee: 143 kilometres (89 mi)
9 October
11:17
Nike-Cajun Elgin US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 9 October Successful
Apogee: 143 kilometres (89 mi)
9 October R-12 Dvina Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 9 October Launch failure
9 October R-12 Dvina Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 9 October Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
10 October
03:10
SM-65D Atlas Cape Canaveral LC-13 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 10 October Successful
Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi)
10 October
12:00
Aerobee AJ10-34 White Sands LC-35 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Meteorite research 10 October Successful
Apogee: 111 kilometres (69 mi)
12 October
09:00
Nike-Cajun Elgin US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 12 October Successful
Apogee: 123 kilometres (76 mi)
12 October
10:12
Nike-Cajun Elgin US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 12 October Successful
Apogee: 123 kilometres (76 mi)
12 October
18:18
UGM-27 Polaris A1 Cape Canaveral LC-29A US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 12 October Launch failure
Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi)
13 October
11:17
Nike-Cajun Elgin US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 13 October Successful
Apogee: 116 kilometres (72 mi)
13 October WS-199B Bold Orion II B-47, Cape Canaveral US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 13 October Successful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
14 October
04:15
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A Cape Canaveral LC-17B US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 14 October Successful
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
15 October
11:05
Nike-Cajun Elgin US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 15 October Successful
Apogee: 122 kilometres (76 mi)
16 October
11:17
Nike-Cajun Elgin US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 16 October Successful
Apogee: 139 kilometres (86 mi)
15 October R-11A Zemlya Ostrov Kheysa AN
AN Suborbital 15 October Successful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
15 October R-11A Zemlya Ostrov Kheysa AN
AN Suborbital 15 October Successful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
20 October
14:25
Aerobee AJ10-34 White Sands US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Ionospheric 20 October Successful
Apogee: 113 kilometres (70 mi)
21 October
22:57
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A Vandenberg LC-75-1-1 Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force Suborbital Missile test 21 October Successful
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
22 October
03:20
PGM-19 Jupiter Cape Canaveral LC-26A US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 22 October Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
22 October
17:30
R-7 Semyorka Baikonur Site 1/5 MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 22 October Successful
Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
22 October OPd-56-39-22D (Antares) CERES ONERA
ONERA Suborbital REV test 22 October Successful
Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi)
24 October R-12 Dvina Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 24 October Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
25 October
17:32
R-7 Semyorka Baikonur Site 1/5 MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 25 October Successful
Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
25 October
17:44
Aerobee-300 Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force/Utah Suborbital Ionospheric 25 October Successful
Apogee: 386 kilometres (240 mi)
26 October
17:00
Nike-Cajun Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Ionospheric 26 August Launch failure
27 October R-12 Dvina Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 27 October Launch failure
28 October
14:47
Aerobee-300 Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force/Utah Suborbital Ionospheric 28 October Successful
Apogee: 135 kilometres (84 mi)
28 October
22:40
Shotput Wallops Island NASA
Echo E60 NASA/ARPA Suborbital Technology 28 October Successful
Apogee: 400 kilometres (250 mi)
29 October
02:12
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A Cape Canaveral LC-18B US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 29 October Successful
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
29 October
07:20
SM-65D Atlas Cape Canaveral LC-11 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 29 October Successful
Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi)
30 October
11:49
Black Knight 201 Woomera LA-5A RAE
RAE Suborbital REV test 30 October Successful
Apogee: 732 kilometres (455 mi)
1 November
21:23
R-7 Semyorka Baikonur Site 1/5 MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 1 November Successful
Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
3 November PGM-17 Thor DM-18A Cape Canaveral LC-17B US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 3 November Successful
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
4 November
21:37
SM-65D Atlas Cape Canaveral LC-13 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 4 November Successful
Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi)
5 November
00:38
PGM-19 Jupiter Cape Canaveral LC-6 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 5 November Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
6 November
07:25
Aerobee-150 (Hi) White Sands LC-35 US Navy
NRL Suborbital Aeronomy 6 November Successful
Apogee: 142 kilometres (88 mi)
6 November
16:36
Aerobee-300 Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force/Utah Suborbital Ionospheric 6 November Successful
Apogee: 393 kilometres (244 mi)
10 November
12:00
Strongarm Wallops Island US Army
BRL Suborbital Ionospheric 10 November Successful
Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi), maiden flight of Strongarm
12 November
19:24
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A Vandenberg LC-75-1-2 Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force Suborbital Missile test 12 November Successful
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
14 November
22:38
Aerobee-300 Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 14 November Successful
Apogee: 138 kilometres (86 mi)
18 November
19:30
Nike-Asp Elgin US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Ionospheric 18 November Successful
Apogee: 206 kilometres (128 mi)
18 November
22:17
Nike-Asp Wallops Island NASA
NASA Suborbital Aeronomy 18 November Successful
Apogee: 250 kilometres (160 mi), released sodium
18 November Strongarm Wallops Island US Army
BRL Suborbital Ionospheric 18 November Launch failure
Apogee: 20 kilometres (12 mi)
19 November
01:31
PGM-19 Jupiter Cape Canaveral LC-26B US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 19 November Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
19 November
07:44
Aerobee-150 (Hi) Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Ionospheric 19 November Launch failure
Apogee: 106 kilometres (66 mi)
19 November
10:36
Nike-Cajun Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 19 November Successful
Apogee: 119 kilometres (74 mi)
19 November
10:51
Nike-Asp Wallops Island NASA
NASA Suborbital Aeronomy 19 November Successful
Apogee: 255 kilometres (158 mi), released sodium
19 November PGM-17 Thor DM-18A Cape Canaveral LC-17B US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 19 November Successful
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
20 November
10:51
Nike-Asp Wallops Island NASA
NASA Suborbital Aeronomy 20 November Successful
Apogee: 236 kilometres (147 mi), released sodium
20 November
17:11
UGM-27 Polaris A1 Cape Canaveral LC-29A US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 20 November Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
20 November
18:16
Nike-Cajun Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 20 November Successful
Apogee: 119 kilometres (74 mi)
20 November
21:06
R-7 Semyorka Baikonur Site 1/5 MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 20 November Successful
Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
22 November
18:35
Aerobee-300 Churchill US Air Force
US Air Force/Utah Suborbital Ionospheric 22 November Launch failure
Apogee: 35 kilometres (22 mi)
24 November
19:48
SM-65D Atlas Cape Canaveral LC-13 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 24 November Successful
Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi)
27 November
01:12:33
R-7 Semyorka Baikonur Site 1/5 MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 27 November Successful
Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
30 November
09:58
Aerobee White Sands US Navy
NRL Suborbital UV Astronomy 30 November Successful
Apogee: 140 kilometres (87 mi)
30 November
10:16
Skylark-2 Woomera LA-2 RAE
Queen's Suborbital Aeronomy 30 November Successful
Apogee: 151 kilometres (94 mi), released sodium
30 November
12:35
Skylark-2 Woomera LA-2 RAE
UCL Suborbital Aeronomy 30 November Successful
Apogee: 163 kilometres (101 mi)
30 November R-12 Dvina Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 30 November Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
November R-13 Project 611 submarine VMF
VMF Suborbital Missile test   Successful
Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi)
1 December
11:36
Skylark-2 Woomera LA-2 RAE
UCL
Birmingham
Suborbital Aeronomy 1 December Successful
Apogee: 159 kilometres (99 mi)
1 December
17:00
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A Cape Canaveral LC-18B US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 1 December Successful
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
1 December Trailblazer 1 Wallops Island NASA
NASA Suborbital REV test 1 December Successful
Apogee: 260 kilometres (160 mi)
2 December
05:29
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A Vandenberg LC-75-1-2 Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force Suborbital Missile test 2 December Launch failure
3 December R-11A Zemlya Ostrov Kheysa AN
AN Suborbital 3 December Successful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
3 December R-11A Zemlya Ostrov Kheysa AN
AN Suborbital 3 December Successful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
12 December
17:11
HGM-25A Titan I Cape Canaveral LC-16 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test +0 seconds Launch failure
Vibrations from ignition erroneously triggered self-destruct system whilst rocket was still on pad[18][19]
17 December
20:13
UGM-27 Polaris A1 Cape Canaveral LC-29A US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 7 December Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
9 December
00:10
SM-65D Atlas Cape Canaveral LC-13 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 9 December Successful
Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi)
10 December
00:08
PGM-19 Jupiter Cape Canaveral LC-6 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 10 December Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
15 December
02:14
PGM-17 Thor DM-18A Vandenberg LC-75-1-1 Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force Suborbital Missile test 15 December Launch failure
15 December OPd-56-39-22D (Antares) CERES ONERA
ONERA Suborbital REV test 15 December Successful
Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi)
16 December
04:50
UGM-27 Polaris A1 Cape Canaveral LC-29A US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 16 December Launch failure
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
16 December R-12 Dvina Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 16 December Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
16 December Nike-Zeus A White Sands LC-38 US Army
US Army Suborbital Test flight 16 December Launch failure
Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi)
17 December
00:03
PGM-19 Jupiter Cape Canaveral LC-26B US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 17 December Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
17 December PGM-17 Thor DM-18A Cape Canaveral LC-17B US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 17 December Successful
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
18 December R-12 Dvina Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 18 December Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
19 December
00:48
SM-65D Atlas Cape Canaveral LC-13 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 19 December Successful
Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi)
21 December R-12 Dvina Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 21 December Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
22 December
07:56
Javelin Wallops Island NASA
NASA Suborbital Test flight 22 December Successful
Apogee: 901 kilometres (560 mi)
23 December
19:05
R-7A Semyorka Baikonur Site 1/5 MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 23 December Successful
Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
23 December UGM-27 Polaris A1 Cape Canaveral LC-25B US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 23 December Launch failure
Apogee: 1 kilometre (0.62 mi)
26 December R-5A Pobeda Chelkar RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Target 26 December Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
27 December R-12 Dvina Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 27 December Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
28 December R-12 Dvina Kapustin Yar MVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 28 December Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
December R-5A Pobeda Chelkar RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Target December Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
Unknown R-11FM Zemlya B-67, Beloye More VMF
VMF Suborbital Missile test   Launch failure
Unknown ALSOR F-104, Edwards NASA
NASA Suborbital Test flight   Successful
Apogee: 117 kilometres (73 mi)

Reference

  1. ^ "Worldwide Space Launches". Retrieved 8 August 2024.
  2. ^ "Orbital Launches of 1959". Retrieved 8 August 2024.
  3. ^ "Juno II - Explorer 6a". Next Spaceflight. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  4. ^ "Thor DM-18 Able-III - Explorer 6". Next Spaceflight. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  5. ^ "Thor DM-18 Agena-A - KH-1 2 (Discoverer 5)". Next Spaceflight. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  6. ^ "Juno II - Beacon 2". Next Spaceflight. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  7. ^ "Thor DM-18 Agena-A - KH-1 3 (Discoverer 6)". Next Spaceflight. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  8. ^ "Luna (8K72) - Luna-2". Next Spaceflight. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  9. ^ "Thor DM-18 Able-II - Transit 1A". Next Spaceflight. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  10. ^ "Vanguard - Vanguard 3". Next Spaceflight. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  11. ^ Krebs, Gunter. "Vanguard". Gunter's Space Page. Archived from the original on 12 February 2009. Retrieved 2 March 2009.
  12. ^ "Orbital Launches of 1959". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  13. ^ "Luna (8K72) - Luna-3". Next Spaceflight. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  14. ^ "Juno II - Explorer 7". Next Spaceflight. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  15. ^ "Thor DM-18 Agena-A - KH-1 4 (Discoverer 7)". Next Spaceflight. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  16. ^ "Thor DM-18 Agena-A - KH-1 5 (Discoverer 8)". Next Spaceflight. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  17. ^ "Atlas-D Able - Pioneer P-3". Next Spaceflight. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  18. ^ a b Powell, Joel W.; LeBrun, Art (2006). Go For Launch: An Illustrated History of Cape Canaveral. Canada: Apogee Books. p. 128. ISBN 1-894959-43-4.
  19. ^ Powell, Joel W.; LeBrun, Art (2006). Go For Launch: An Illustrated History of Cape Canaveral. Canada: Apogee Books. pp. 81–85. ISBN 1-894959-43-4.
Generic references:
Spaceflight portal