1958 in spaceflight

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

1958 in spaceflight
Launch of Jupiter C with Explorer 1.jpg
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 United StatesNike-Asp United StatesWhite Sands United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital 8 January Successful
Apogee: 145 kilometres (90 mi)
10 January
15:48
United StatesSM-65A Atlas United StatesCape Canaveral LC-12 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 10 January Successful
Apogee: 120 kilometres (75 mi)
11 January United StatesUGM-27 Polaris TV United StatesPoint Mugu United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 11 January Successful
Maiden flight of Polaris, apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
17 January United StatesUGM-27 Polaris TV United StatesCape Canaveral LC-3 United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 17 January Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
25 January
19:12
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 25 January Successful
Apogee: 157 kilometres (98 mi)
26 January
04:18:56
United StatesAerobee-150 (Hi) CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Auroral 26 January Successful
Apogee: 180 kilometres (110 mi)
27 January
06:04
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 27 January Successful
Apogee: 129 kilometres (80 mi)
27 January
18:49
United StatesAerobee CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Army
US Army Suborbital Aeronomy 27 January Successful
Apogee: 143 kilometres (89 mi)
28 January
20:16
United StatesPGM-17 Thor DM-18 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-17A United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 28 January Launch failure
29 January
19:06
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 29 January Successful
Apogee: 170 kilometres (110 mi)
29 January
22:15
Soviet UnionR-7 Semyorka Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 1/5 Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 29 January Successful
Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)

February

1 February
03:48:56
United StatesJuno I United StatesCape Canaveral LC-26A United StatesABMA
United StatesExplorer 1 ARPA Initial: Medium Earth
Decayed to: Low Earth
Magnetospheric 31 March 1970 Successful
First successful American satellite launch, discovered Van Allen belts
3 February
18:02
United StatesAerobee-150 (Hi) CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Ionospheric 3 February Successful
Apogee: 138 kilometres (86 mi)
4 February
06:17
United StatesAerobee-150 (Hi) CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Ionospheric 4 February Successful
Apogee: 234 kilometres (145 mi)
5 February
07:33
United StatesVanguard United StatesCape Canaveral LC-18A United StatesUS Navy
United StatesVanguard Test Vehicle 3 Backup (6.5 in Satellite)[1] NRL Intended: Medium Earth Geodesy 5 February Launch failure
Loss of control 57 seconds after launch
7 February
19:37
United StatesSM-65A Atlas United StatesCape Canaveral LC-14 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 7 February Launch failure
Apogee: 120 kilometres (75 mi)
13 February
06:37
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Auroral 13 February Successful
Apogee: 129 kilometres (80 mi)
16 February
06:17
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Auroral 16 February Successful
Apogee: 121 kilometres (75 mi)
20 February
17:46
United StatesSM-65A Atlas United StatesCape Canaveral LC-12 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 20 February Launch failure
Apogee: 90 kilometres (56 mi)
21 February
07:40
Soviet UnionR-5A Pobeda Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionAN
AN Suborbital 21 February Successful
Apogee: 470 kilometres (290 mi)
21 February
08:42
Soviet UnionR-5A Pobeda Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionAN
AN Suborbital 21 February Successful
Apogee: 400 kilometres (250 mi)
21 February
09:40
East GermanySoviet UnionA-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Ionospheric
Solar
21 February Successful
Apogee: 206 kilometres (128 mi)
21 February
15:20
Soviet UnionR-5A Pobeda Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionAN
AN Suborbital 21 February Successful
Apogee: 473 kilometres (294 mi)
22 February
02:02
United StatesAerobee-150 (Hi) CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Ionospheric
Auroral
22 February Successful
Apogee: 225 kilometres (140 mi)
22 February
05:35
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Auroral 22 January Successful
Apogee: 129 kilometres (80 mi)
24 February
07:00
United StatesAerobee-150 (Hi) CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Aeronomy 24 February Successful
Apogee: 207 kilometres (129 mi)
24 February
07:35
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 24 February Successful
Apogee: 145 kilometres (90 mi)
26 February
02:35
East GermanySoviet UnionA-1 Soviet UnionErnst Krenkel Observatory Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Ionospheric
Aeronomy
26 February Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
26 February
05:49
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Auroral 26 February Successful
Apogee: 129 kilometres (80 mi)
26 February
22:18
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Army
BRL Suborbital Technology 26 February Launch failure
Apogee: 37 kilometres (23 mi), tested longer nosecone
28 February
13:08
United StatesPGM-17 Thor DM-18 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-17B United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 28 February Launch failure

March

4 March
06:02
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 4 March Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
4 March
19:30
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 4 March Successful
Apogee: 181 kilometres (112 mi)
5 March
18:27:57
United StatesJuno I United StatesCape Canaveral LC-26A United StatesABMA
United StatesExplorer 2 ARPA Intended: Medium Earth Magnetospheric 5 March Launch failure
Fourth stage failed to ignite
16 March
04:54
United StatesAerobee-150 (Hi) CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Auroral 16 March Successful
Apogee: 144 kilometres (89 mi)
17 March
12:15:41
United StatesVanguard United StatesCape Canaveral LC-18A United StatesUS Navy
United StatesVanguard 1 (6.5in Satellite 3)[1] NRL Medium Earth Geodesy In orbit Successful
Oldest spacecraft still in orbit, in addition to its upper launch stage
18 March United StatesNike Apache United StatesWhite Sands United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital 18 March Successful
Apogee: 107 kilometres (66 mi)
19 March
01:12
United StatesAerobee CanadaHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 19 March Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
21 March United StatesAerobee CanadaHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Ionospheric 21 March Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
22 March
06:41
United StatesAerobee-150 (Hi) CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Auroral 22 March Successful
Apogee: 168 kilometres (104 mi)
23 March
18:07
United StatesAerobee-150 (Hi) CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Auroral
Aeronomy
23 March Successful
Apogee: 202 kilometres (126 mi)
23 March United StatesUGM-27 Polaris TV United StatesSan Clemente United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 23 March Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
24 March
18:30
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy
Imaging
24 March Successful
Apogee: 119 kilometres (74 mi)
24 March
22:00
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 24 March Successful
Apogee: 137 kilometres (85 mi)
26 March
17:38:03
United StatesJuno I United StatesCape Canaveral LC-5 United StatesABMA
United StatesExplorer 3 ARPA Initial: Medium Earth
Decayed to: Low Earth
Magnetospheric 27 June Successful
29 March
14:40
Soviet UnionR-7 Semyorka Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 1/5 Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 29 March Successful
Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
31 March Soviet UnionR-11FM Zemlya Soviet UnionB-67, Beloye More Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 31 March Successful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)

April

4 April
15:30
Soviet UnionR-7 Semyorka Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 1/5 Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 4 April Successful
Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
5 April
17:01
United StatesSM-65A Atlas United StatesCape Canaveral LC-14 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 5 April Launch failure
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
7 April United StatesNike-Cajun United StatesWallops Island United StatesARPA
United StatesHi Ball 1 ARPA Suborbital Technology 7 April Successful
Apogee: 244 kilometres (152 mi)
11 April United StatesUGM-27 Polaris TV United StatesSan Clemente United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 11 April Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
17 April
10:57
United KingdomSkylark-1 AustraliaWoomera LA-2 United KingdomRAE
RAE Suborbital Test flight
Aeronomy
17 April Successful
Apogee: 152 kilometres (94 mi)
18 April United StatesUGM-27 Polaris TV United StatesCape Canaveral LC-25A United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 18 April Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
19 April
13:30
United StatesPGM-17 Thor DM-18 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-17B United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 19 April Launch failure
24 April
00:10
United StatesThor DM-18 Able United StatesCape Canaveral LC-17A United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital REV test +150 seconds Launch failure
Maiden flight of Thor-Able, turbopump gearbox failed. REV carried Mia, a mouse
24 April United StatesNike-Cajun United StatesWallops Island United StatesARPA
United StatesBeacon Test 1 ARPA Suborbital Technology 24 April Successful
Apogee: 122 kilometres (76 mi)
27 April
09:01
Soviet UnionSputnik 8A91 Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 1/5 Soviet UnionMVS
Soviet UnionISZ-D1 No.1 MVS Intended: Low Earth Magnetospheric +88 seconds Launch failure
Rocket disintegrated during ascent
28 April
02:53:00
United StatesVanguard United StatesCape Canaveral LC-18A United StatesUS Navy
United StatesVanguard Test Vehicle 5 (20 in X-ray)[1] NRL Intended: Medium Earth Solar 29 April Launch failure
Third stage failed to ignite

May

1 May United StatesNike-Cajun United StatesHolloman United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Meteorite research 1 May Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
5 May
14:15
United StatesAerobee United StatesWhite Sands LC-35 United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Solar 5 May Successful
Apogee: 214 kilometres (133 mi)
8 May United StatesUGM-27 Polaris TV United StatesCape Canaveral LC-25A United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 8 May Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
15 May
07:00
Soviet UnionSputnik 8A91 Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 1/5 Soviet UnionMVS
Soviet UnionSputnik 3 (ISZ-D1 No.2) MVS Low Earth Magnetospheric 6 April 1960 Partial spacecraft failure
Faulty data recorder limited return of experimental results
18 May
05:05
United StatesPGM-19 Jupiter United StatesCape Canaveral LC-26B United StatesABMA
US Air Force Suborbital REV test 05:21 Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi), carried a Gaslight re-entry vehicle which was recovered
20 May
04:26
United KingdomSkylark-2 AustraliaWoomera LA-2 United KingdomRAE
RAE Suborbital Test flight
Aeronomy
20 May Successful
Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi)
20 May
09:34:35
United StatesNike-Cajun United StatesHolloman United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 20 May Successful
Apogee: 101 kilometres (63 mi), released caesium and sodium
21 May
11:31:59
United StatesNike-Cajun United StatesHolloman United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 21 May Successful
Apogee: 128 kilometres (80 mi), released caesium and sodium
22 May
00:57
United StatesNike-Cajun United StatesWallops Island United StatesARPA
United StatesHi Ball 2 ARPA Suborbital Technology 22 May Successful
Apogee: 240 kilometres (150 mi)
22 May
11:29:59
United StatesNike-Cajun United StatesHolloman United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 22 May Successful
Apogee: 116 kilometres (72 mi), released sodium
24 May
10:30
Soviet UnionR-7 Semyorka Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 1/5 Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 24 May Launch failure
Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
25 May United StatesNike-Cajun United StatesWallops Island United StatesARPA
United StatesBeacon Test 2 ARPA Suborbital Technology 25 May Successful
Apogee: 122 kilometres (76 mi)
25 May Soviet UnionR-11FM Zemlya Soviet UnionB-67, Beloye More Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 25 May Successful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
26 May Soviet UnionR-11FM Zemlya Soviet UnionB-67, Beloye More Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 26 May Successful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
28 May
03:46:20
United StatesVanguard United StatesCape Canaveral LC-18A United StatesUS Navy
United States20in Lyman-Alpha 1[1] NRL Intended: Medium Earth Solar 28 May Launch failure
Loss of control before or during third stage burn
May Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)

June

3 June
21:28
United StatesSM-65A Atlas United StatesCape Canaveral LC-12 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 3 June Successful
Apogee: 120 kilometres (75 mi), final flight of Atlas A
4 June
15:15
United StatesAerobee-150 (Hi) United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Solar 4 June Successful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
4 June
21:17
United StatesPGM-17 Thor DM-18 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-18B United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 4 June Successful
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
5 June
11:30
United KingdomSkylark-1 AustraliaWoomera LA-2 United KingdomRAE
RAE Suborbital Test flight 5 June Successful
Apogee: 153 kilometres (95 mi)
6 June United StatesX-17 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-25A United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital REV test 6 June Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
13 June
15:06
United StatesPGM-17 Thor DM-18 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-17B United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 13 June Successful
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
18 June
10:35
United KingdomSkylark-1 AustraliaWoomera LA-2 United KingdomRAE
RAE Suborbital Aeronomy 18 June Launch failure
Apogee: 3 kilometres (1.9 mi)
18 June
15:15
United KingdomSkylark-2 AustraliaWoomera LA-2 United KingdomRAE
RAE Suborbital Aeronomy 18 June Successful
Apogee: 144 kilometres (89 mi)
19 June
21:15
United KingdomSkylark-2 AustraliaWoomera LA-2 United KingdomRAE
RAE Suborbital Test flight
Aeronomy
19 June Successful
Apogee: 154 kilometres (96 mi)
24 June United StatesX-17 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-25A United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital REV test 24 June Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
26 June
05:00:52
United StatesVanguard United StatesCape Canaveral LC-18A United StatesUS Navy
United States20in Lyman-Alpha 2[1] NRL Intended: Medium Earth Solar 26 June Launch failure
Premature cutoff of second stage
26 June United StatesExos United StatesWallops Island United StatesNACA/AFCRL
NACA/AFCRL Suborbital Test flight 26 June Successful
Apogee: 370 kilometres (230 mi), maiden flight of Exos
27 June United StatesWS-199B Bold Orion I United StatesB-47, Cape Canaveral United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 27 June Launch failure
Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi)
June Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
June Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
June Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)

July

2 July
05:00
East GermanySoviet UnionR-2A Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionAN
AN Suborbital 2 July Successful
Apogee: 210 kilometres (130 mi)
2 July United StatesX-17 United StatesUSS Norton Sound, San Clemente United StatesUS Navy
United StatesWinder 1 US Navy Suborbital Missile test 2 July Successful
Apogee: 560 kilometres (350 mi), delivery test ahead of Operation Argus
3 July
18:52
United StatesAerobee CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Ionospheric 3 July Successful
Apogee: 262 kilometres (163 mi)
6 July
12:02
United StatesAerobee CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Ionospheric 6 July Successful
Apogee: 250 kilometres (160 mi)
7 July
18:50
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy
Imaging
7 July Successful
Apogee: 121 kilometres (75 mi)
7 July
23:18
United StatesNike-Asp United StatesPoint Mugu United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital 7 July Successful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
8 July
23:15
United StatesNike-Asp United StatesPoint Mugu United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital 8 July Successful
Apogee: 225 kilometres (140 mi)
10 July
02:30
United StatesThor DM-18 Able United StatesCape Canaveral LC-17A United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital REV test 10 July Successful
Apogee: 1,600 kilometres (990 mi), REV carried Mia II, a mouse
10 July
07:42
Soviet UnionR-7 Semyorka Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 1/5 Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 10 July Launch failure
11 July
18:30
United StatesAerobee CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Ionospheric 11 July Successful
Apogee: 243 kilometres (151 mi)
11 July United StatesJason (Argo-E5) United StatesWallops Island United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Test flight 11 July Launch failure
Apogee: 20 kilometres (12 mi), maiden flight of Jason
12 July
20:30
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy
Imaging
12 July Successful
Apogee: 114 kilometres (71 mi)
13 July
06:36
United StatesPGM-17 Thor DM-18 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-17B United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 13 July Successful
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
15 July
20:07
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 15 July Successful
Apogee: 126 kilometres (78 mi)
16 July
22:40
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital 16 July Successful
Apogee: 142 kilometres (88 mi)
16 July United StatesArcon CanadaWallops Island United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Test flight 16 July Launch failure
Apogee: 1 kilometre (0.62 mi)
17 July
07:21
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 17 July Successful
Apogee: 169 kilometres (105 mi)
17 July
09:04
United StatesPGM-19 Jupiter United StatesCape Canaveral LC-26B United StatesABMA
US Air Force Suborbital REV test 17 July Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi), carried a Gaslight re-entry vehicle which was recovered
17 July
17:48
United StatesNike-Asp United StatesPoint Mugu United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital 17 July Successful
Apogee: 225 kilometres (140 mi)
17 July United StatesJason (Argo-E5) United StatesWallops Island United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Test flight 17 July Launch failure
Apogee: 20 kilometres (12 mi)
18 July United StatesWS-199B Bold Orion I United StatesB-47, Cape Canaveral United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 18 July Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
19 July
17:36
United StatesSM-65B Atlas United StatesCape Canaveral LC-11 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 19 July Launch failure
Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi), maiden flight of Atlas B
21 July United StatesArcon CanadaWallops Island United StatesUS Army
SRDL Suborbital Test flight 21 July Launch failure
Apogee: 1 kilometre (0.62 mi)
22 July United StatesArcon CanadaWallops Island United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Test flight 22 July Launch failure
Apogee: 20 kilometres (12 mi)
23 July
22:13
United StatesThor DM-18 Able United StatesCape Canaveral LC-17A United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital REV test 23 July Successful
Apogee: 1,600 kilometres (990 mi), REV carried Wickie, a mouse
24 July United StatesX-17 United StatesUSS Norton Sound, San Clemente United StatesUS Navy
United StatesWinder 4 US Navy Suborbital Missile test 24 July Successful
Apogee: 560 kilometres (350 mi), delivery test ahead of Operation Argus
25 July
05:01
United StatesNike-Asp United StatesPoint Mugu United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital 25 July Successful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
25 July United StatesNOTS-EV-1 Pilot II United StatesF4D, Point Mugu United StatesUS Navy
United StatesPilot-1 (D1) US Navy Intended: Medium Earth
Achieved: Unknown
Technology 25 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
United StatesPGM-17 Thor DM-18 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-17B United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 26 July Successful
26 July
15:00:57
United StatesJuno I United StatesCape Canaveral LC-5 United StatesABMA
United StatesExplorer 4 ARPA Initial: Medium Earth
Decayed to: Low Earth
Magnetospheric 23 October 1959 Successful
29 July
05:03
United StatesNike-Asp United StatesPoint Mugu United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital 29 July Successful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
31 July East GermanySoviet UnionR-2A Soviet UnionKapustin Yar SP-2 Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Target 31 July Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
July United StatesX-17 United StatesUSS Norton Sound, San Clemente United StatesUS Navy
United StatesWinder 2 US Navy Suborbital Missile test Launch failure
Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi), delivery test ahead of Operation Argus
July United StatesX-17 United StatesUSS Norton Sound, San Clemente United StatesUS Navy
United StatesWinder 3 US Navy Suborbital Missile test Launch failure
Delivery test ahead of Operation Argus

August

1 August United StatesJason (Argo-E5) United StatesWallops Island United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Test flight 1 August Successful
Apogee: 750 kilometres (470 mi)
1 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 1 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Teak nuclear explosion or its effects
1 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 1 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Teak nuclear explosion or its effects
1 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 1 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Teak nuclear explosion or its effects
1 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 1 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Teak nuclear explosion or its effects
1 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 1 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Teak nuclear explosion or its effects
1 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 1 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Teak nuclear explosion or its effects
1 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 1 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Teak nuclear explosion or its effects
1 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 1 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Teak nuclear explosion or its effects
1 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 1 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Teak nuclear explosion or its effects
1 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 1 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Teak nuclear explosion or its effects
1 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 1 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Teak nuclear explosion or its effects
1 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 1 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Teak nuclear explosion or its effects
1 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 1 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Teak nuclear explosion or its effects
2 August
05:47
East GermanySoviet UnionR-2A Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital 2 August Successful
Apogee: 211 kilometres (131 mi)
2 August
22:16
United StatesSM-65B Atlas United StatesCape Canaveral LC-13 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 2 August Successful
Apogee: 900 kilometres (560 mi)
6 August United StatesPGM-17 Thor DM-18 United StatesCape Canaveral LC-18B United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 6 August Successful
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
7 August East GermanySoviet UnionR-2A Soviet UnionKapustin Yar SP-2 Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Target 7 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
12 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 12 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Orange nuclear explosion or its effects
12 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 12 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Orange nuclear explosion or its effects
12 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 12 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Orange nuclear explosion or its effects
12 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 12 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Orange nuclear explosion or its effects
12 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 12 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Orange nuclear explosion or its effects
12 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 12 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Orange nuclear explosion or its effects
12 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 12 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Orange nuclear explosion or its effects
12 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 12 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Orange nuclear explosion or its effects
12 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 12 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Orange nuclear explosion or its effects
12 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 12 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Orange nuclear explosion or its effects
12 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 12 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Orange nuclear explosion or its effects
12 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 12 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Orange nuclear explosion or its effects
12 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 12 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), observed Hardtack Orange nuclear explosion or its effects
12 August United StatesASCAMP United StatesJohnston United StatesUS Navy
NRDL Suborbital 12 August Launch failure
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), intended to observe Hardtack Orange nuclear explosion or its effects
12 August United StatesNOTS-EV-1 Pilot II United StatesF4D, Point Mugu United StatesUS Navy
United StatesPilot-2 (D2) US Navy Intended: Medium Earth Technology +0 seconds Launch failure
Exploded during first stage ignition
13 August
02:00
East GermanySoviet UnionR-2A Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionAN
AN Suborbital 13 August Successful
Apogee: 212 kilometres (132 mi)
13 August United StatesAerobee United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Ionospheric 13 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
14 August
00:40
East GermanySoviet UnionA-1 Soviet UnionErnst Krenkel Observatory Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Ionospheric
Aeronomy
14 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
14 August
13:28
United StatesNike-Cajun United StatesWhite Sands United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital 14 August Successful
Apogee: 132 kilometres (82 mi)
15 August
04:16
United StatesJason (Argo-E5) United StatesCape Canaveral LC-10 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Radiation 15 August Successful
Apogee: 693 kilometres (431 mi), part of Operation Argus
15 August
15:45
United StatesAerobee United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Ionospheric 15 August Successful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
17 August
12:18
United StatesThor DM-18 Able-I United StatesCape Canaveral LC-17A United StatesUS Air Force
United StatesPioneer (Pioneer 0) US Air Force Intended: Selenocentric Lunar probe +77 seconds Launch failure
Maiden flight of Thor-Able I, exploded at an altitude of 16 kilometres (9.9 mi)
17 August East GermanySoviet UnionR-2A Soviet UnionKapustin Yar SP-2 Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Target 17 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
20 August
11:27
United StatesJason (Argo-E5) United StatesRamey United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Radiation 20 August Successful
Apogee: 800 kilometres (500 mi), part of Operation Argus
22 August United StatesNOTS-EV-1 Pilot II United StatesF4D, Point Mugu United StatesUS Navy
United StatesPilot-3 (D3) US Navy Intended: Medium Earth
Achieved: Unknown
Technology 22 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
United StatesJuno I United StatesCape Canaveral LC-5 United StatesABMA
United StatesExplorer 5 ARPA Intended: Medium Earth Magnetospheric 24 August Launch failure
Loss of control after recontact between first and second stages
25 August
18:17
United StatesJason (Argo-E5) United StatesWallops Island United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Radiation 25 August Successful
Apogee: 800 kilometres (500 mi), part of Operation Argus
25 August United StatesNOTS-EV-1 Pilot II United StatesF4D, Point Mugu United StatesUS Navy
United StatesPilot-4 (R1) US Navy Intended: Medium Earth Radiation +0 seconds Launch failure
Exploded during first stage ignition
26 August United StatesNOTS-EV-1 Pilot II United StatesF4D, Point Mugu United StatesUS Navy
United StatesPilot-5 (R2) US Navy Intended: Medium Earth Radiation 26 August Launch failure
Failed to ignite
27 August
02:20
United StatesX-17 United StatesUSS Norton Sound, AO-7 United StatesUS Navy
United StatesArgus I US Navy Suborbital Nuclear test 02:28 Successful
Apogee: 160 kilometres (99 mi)
27 August
03:33
United StatesJason (Argo-E5) United StatesCape Canaveral LC-10 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Radiation 27 August Successful
Apogee: 937 kilometres (582 mi), part of Operation Argus, observed Argus I test or its effects
27 August
04:06
East GermanySoviet UnionR-2A Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital 27 August Successful
Apogee: 209 kilometres (130 mi)
27 August
04:24
United StatesJason (Argo-E5) United StatesRamey United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Radiation 27 August Successful
Apogee: 800 kilometres (500 mi), part of Operation Argus, observed Argus I test or its effects
27 August
06:05
Soviet UnionR-5A Pobeda Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionAN
AN Suborbital 27 August Successful
Apogee: 450 kilometres (280 mi)
27 August
06:42
United StatesJason (Argo-E5) United StatesRamey United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Radiation 27 August Successful
Apogee: 817 kilometres (508 mi), part of Operation Argus, observed Argus I test or its effects
27 August
07:29
United StatesJason (Argo-E5) United StatesWallops Island United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Radiation 27 August Successful
Apogee: 800 kilometres (500 mi), part of Operation Argus, observed Argus I test or its effects
27 August
12:40
Soviet UnionR-5A Pobeda Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionAN
AN Suborbital 27 August Successful
Apogee: 450 kilometres (280 mi)
27 August
23:15
United StatesPGM-19 Jupiter United StatesCape Canaveral LC-26A United StatesABMA
US Air Force Suborbital REV test 27 August Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
27 August East GermanySoviet UnionR-2A Soviet UnionKapustin Yar SP-2 Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Target 27 August Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
28 August United StatesNOTS-EV-1 Pilot II United StatesF4D, Point Mugu United StatesUS Navy
United StatesPilot-6 (R3) US Navy Intended: Medium Earth Radiation 28 August Launch failure
One second stage engine failed to ignite, final flight of Pilot
29 August
04:30
United StatesSM-65B Atlas United StatesCape Canaveral LC-11 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 29 August Successful
Apogee: 900 kilometres (560 mi)
30 August
03:10
United StatesX-17 United StatesUSS Norton Sound, AO-8 United StatesUS Navy
United StatesArgus II US Navy Suborbital Nuclear test 03:18 Successful
Apogee: 293 kilometres (182 mi)
30 August
03:48
United StatesJason (Argo-E5) United StatesWallops Island United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Radiation 30 August Successful
Apogee: 817 kilometres (508 mi), part of Operation Argus, observed Argus II test or its effects
30 August
04:31
United StatesJason (Argo-E5) United StatesCape Canaveral LC-10 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Radiation 30 August Successful
Apogee: 878 kilometres (546 mi), part of Operation Argus, observed Argus II test or its effects
30 August
05:18
United StatesJason (Argo-E5) United StatesWallops Island United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Radiation 30 August Successful
Apogee: 830 kilometres (520 mi), part of Operation Argus, observed Argus II test or its effects
30 August
05:52
United StatesJason (Argo-E5) United StatesRamey United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Radiation 30 August Successful
Apogee: 825 kilometres (513 mi), part of Operation Argus, observed Argus II test or its effects
30 August
06:36
United StatesJason (Argo-E5) United StatesCape Canaveral LC-10 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Radiation 30 August Successful
Apogee: 699 kilometres (434 mi), part of Operation Argus, observed Argus II test or its effects
30 August
07:21
United StatesJason (Argo-E5) United StatesWallops Island United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Radiation 30 August Successful
Apogee: 815 kilometres (506 mi), part of Operation Argus, observed Argus II test or its effects
30 August
22:02
United StatesJason (Argo-E5) United StatesWallops Island United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Radiation 30 August Successful
Apogee: 745 kilometres (463 mi), part of Operation Argus, observed Argus II test or its effects
30 August
23:03
United StatesJason (Argo-E5) United StatesRamey United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Radiation 30 August Successful
Apogee: 800 kilometres (500 mi), part of Operation Argus, observed Argus II test or its effects
31 August
00:07
United StatesJason (Argo-E5) United StatesCape Canaveral LC-10 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Radiation 31 August Successful
Apogee: 800 kilometres (500 mi), part of Operation Argus, observed Argus II test or its effects
August Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
August Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)

September

2 September
19:03
United StatesJason (Argo-E5) United StatesRamey United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Radiation 2 September Successful
Apogee: 800 kilometres (500 mi), part of Operation Argus
2 September
20:03
United StatesJason (Argo-E5) United StatesWallops Island United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Radiation 2 September Successful
Apogee: 7,897 kilometres (4,907 mi), part of Operation Argus
2 September
22:15
United StatesJason (Argo-E5) United StatesCape Canaveral LC-10 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Radiation 2 September Successful
Apogee: 89 kilometres (55 mi), part of Operation Argus
6 September
22:05
United StatesX-17 United StatesUSS Norton Sound, AO-9 United StatesUS Navy
United StatesArgus III US Navy Suborbital Nuclear test 22:13 Successful
Apogee: 750 kilometres (470 mi), final flight of X-17
6 September Soviet UnionR-11FM Zemlya Soviet UnionB-62, Beloye More Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 6 September Successful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
7 September
10:33
United KingdomBlack Knight AustraliaWoomera LA-5A United KingdomRAE
RAE Suborbital Test flight 7 September Successful
Apogee: 255 kilometres (158 mi), maiden flight of Black Knight
11 September United StatesNike-Cajun United StatesWallops Island United StatesARPA
United StatesBeacon Test 3 ARPA Suborbital Technology 11 September Successful
Apogee: 122 kilometres (76 mi)
14 September
05:24
United StatesSM-65B Atlas United StatesCape Canaveral LC-14 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 14 September Successful
Apogee: 900 kilometres (560 mi)
18 September
21:27
United StatesSM-65B Atlas United StatesCape Canaveral LC-13 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 18 September Launch failure
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
19 September
00:48
Soviet UnionR-5A Pobeda Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionAN
AN Suborbital 19 September Successful
Apogee: 430 kilometres (270 mi)
23 September Soviet UnionLuna 8K72 Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 1/5 Soviet UnionMVS
Soviet UnionLuna E-1 #1 MVS Planned: Heliocentric Lunar probe +92 seconds Launch failure
Maiden flight of Luna 8K72, rocket disintegrated
24 September
17:15
United StatesUGM-27 Polaris AX United StatesCape Canaveral LC-25A United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 24 September Launch failure
Apogee: 12 kilometres (7.5 mi)
25 September United StatesWS-199B Bold Orion I United StatesB-47, Cape Canaveral United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 25 September Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
25 September United StatesExos United StatesWallops Island United StatesNACA/AFCRL
NACA/AFCRL Suborbital Test flight 25 September Successful
Apogee: 460 kilometres (290 mi), maiden flight of Exos
26 September
15:38
United StatesVanguard United StatesCape Canaveral LC-18A United StatesUS Navy
United States20in Cloud Cover 1[1] NRL Intended: Medium Earth Atmospheric 26 September Launch failure
Second stage underperformed
28 September
19:42
United StatesNike-Asp United StatesUSS Point Defiance, PO-13 United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Solar 28 September Successful
Apogee: 225 kilometres (140 mi)
September Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
September Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)

October

4 October
14:00
East GermanySoviet UnionA-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Ionospheric
Solar
4 October Successful
Apogee: 110 kilometres (68 mi)
4 October
15:08
Soviet UnionR-11A Zemlya Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionAN
AN Suborbital Aeronomy 4 October Successful
Apogee: 103 kilometres (64 mi)
7 October United StatesNike-Cajun United StatesWallops Island United StatesARPA
United StatesHi Ball 3 ARPA Suborbital Technology 7 October Successful
Apogee: 244 kilometres (152 mi)
10 October
03:49
United StatesPGM-19 Jupiter United StatesCape Canaveral LC-26B United StatesABMA
US Air Force Suborbital REV test +49 seconds Launch failure
Fire burned through fuel and oxidiser transducer lines resulting in loss of control, destroyed by range safety
10 October
13:50
East GermanySoviet UnionA-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Ionospheric
Solar
10 October Successful
Apogee: 110 kilometres (68 mi)
10 October United StatesWS-199B Bold Orion I United StatesB-47, Cape Canaveral United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 10 October Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
10 October Soviet UnionR-11A Zemlya Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionAN
AN Suborbital Aeronomy 10 October Successful
Apogee: 103 kilometres (64 mi)
11 October
08:42:13
United StatesThor DM-18 Able-I United StatesCape Canaveral LC-17A United StatesNASA
United StatesPioneer 1 NASA Intended: Selenocentric Lunar probe 13 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 Soviet UnionLuna 8K72 Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 1/5 Soviet UnionMVS
Soviet UnionLuna E-1 #2 MVS Intended: Heliocentric Lunar probe +104 seconds Launch failure
Rocket disintegrated
12 October
08:32:06
United StatesNike-Asp United StatesUSS Point Defiance, PO-13 United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Solar 12 October Successful
Apogee: 222 kilometres (138 mi)
12 October
08:42:03
United StatesNike-Asp United StatesUSS Point Defiance, PO-13 United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Solar 12 October Successful
Apogee: 236 kilometres (147 mi)
12 October
08:43:18
United StatesNike-Asp United StatesUSS Point Defiance, PO-13 United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Solar 12 October Successful
Apogee: 242 kilometres (150 mi)
12 October
08:52:49
United StatesNike-Asp United StatesUSS Point Defiance, PO-13 United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Solar 12 October Successful
Apogee: 240 kilometres (150 mi)
13 October
19:40
United StatesNike-Asp United StatesUSS Point Defiance, PO-13 United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital 13 October Successful
Apogee: 225 kilometres (140 mi)
14 October
12:00
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Meteorite research 14 October Successful
Apogee: 137 kilometres (85 mi)
15 October
01:04
United StatesAerobee-150 (Hi) CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Test flight 15 October Successful
Apogee: 156 kilometres (97 mi)
15 October
04:00
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Meteorite research 15 October Successful
Apogee: 151 kilometres (94 mi)
15 October United StatesUGM-27 Polaris AX United StatesCape Canaveral LC-25A United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 15 October Launch failure
Apogee: 1 kilometre (0.62 mi)
15 October East GermanySoviet UnionR-2A Soviet UnionKapustin Yar SP-2 Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Target 15 October Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
18 October
03:25
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Meteorite research 18 October Successful
Apogee: 143 kilometres (89 mi)
20 October
22:01
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Ionospheric 20 October Successful
Apogee: 130 kilometres (81 mi)
22 October
03:45
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Meteorite research 22 October Successful
Apogee: 158 kilometres (98 mi)
22 October
14:22
United StatesNike-Asp United StatesWhite Sands United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital 22 October Successful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
22 October
16:47
United StatesAerobee-300 CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Meteorite research 22 October Successful
Apogee: 177 kilometres (110 mi)
23 October
03:21:04
United StatesJuno I United StatesCape Canaveral LC-5 United StatesABMA
United StatesBeacon 1 US Army Intended: Low Earth Atmospheric +149 seconds Launch failure
Structural failure, final flight of Juno I
25 October
19:27
United StatesAerobee-300 CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Meteorite research 25 October Successful
Apogee: 418 kilometres (260 mi)
31 October
11:54
Soviet UnionR-5A Pobeda Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionAN
AN Suborbital 31 October Successful
Apogee: 410 kilometres (250 mi)
31 October
19:59
United StatesAerobee-150 (Hi) CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Aeronomy 31 October Successful
Apogee: 188 kilometres (117 mi)
31 October
20:46
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Weather
Imaging
31 October Successful
Apogee: 119 kilometres (74 mi)
31 October Soviet UnionR-11A Zemlya Soviet UnionErnst Krenkel Observatory Soviet UnionAN
AN Suborbital Aeronomy 31 October Successful
Apogee: 103 kilometres (64 mi)
October Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
October Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)

November

1 November Soviet UnionR-5M Pobeda Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionRVSN
RVSN Suborbital Nuclear test 1 November Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
3 November
06:20
United StatesAerobee-150 (Hi) CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Aeronomy
Ionospheric
3 November Successful
Apogee: 211 kilometres (131 mi)
3 November Soviet UnionR-5M Pobeda Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionRVSN
RVSN Suborbital Nuclear test 3 November Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
3 November Soviet UnionR-5A Pobeda Soviet UnionChelkar Soviet UnionRVSN
RVSN Suborbital Target 3 November Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
4 November
16:50
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Weather
Imaging
4 November Successful
Apogee: 122 kilometres (76 mi)
4 November Soviet UnionR-5A Pobeda Soviet UnionChelkar Soviet UnionRVSN
RVSN Suborbital Target 4 November Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
5 November
08:53
United StatesPGM-17 Thor DM-18A United StatesCape Canaveral LC-17B United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 5 November Successful
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
5 November Soviet UnionR-5A Pobeda Soviet UnionChelkar Soviet UnionRVSN
RVSN Suborbital Target 5 November Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
6 November Soviet UnionR-11A Zemlya Soviet UnionOstrov Kheysa Soviet UnionAN
AN Suborbital Aeronomy 6 November Successful
Apogee: 103 kilometres (64 mi)
8 November
01:53
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill CanadaCARDE
CARDE Suborbital Aeronomy 8 October Successful
Apogee: 139 kilometres (86 mi), first Canadian spaceflight
8 November
07:30:21
United StatesThor DM-18 Able-I United StatesCape Canaveral LC-17A United StatesNASA
United StatesPioneer 2 NASA Intended: Selenocentric Lunar probe 8 November Launch failure
Third stage failed to ignite
13 November
08:59
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill CanadaCARDE
CARDE Suborbital Aeronomy 13 November Successful
Apogee: 142 kilometres (88 mi)
13 November
17:34
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Weather
Imaging
13 November Successful
Apogee: 119 kilometres (74 mi)
16 November
06:56
United StatesAerobee-150 (Hi) CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Auroral 16 November Successful
Apogee: 163 kilometres (101 mi)
17 November United StatesWS-199B Bold Orion I United StatesB-47, Cape Canaveral United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 17 November Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
18 November
04:00
United StatesSM-65B Atlas United StatesCape Canaveral LC-11 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 18 November Successful
Apogee: 800 kilometres (500 mi)
18 November
16:47
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Weather
Imaging
18 November Successful
Apogee: 116 kilometres (72 mi)
19 November
21:51
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital 19 November Successful
Apogee: 140 kilometres (87 mi)
19 November Soviet UnionR-11A Zemlya Soviet UnionOstrov Kheysa Soviet UnionAN
AN Suborbital Aeronomy 19 November Successful
Apogee: 103 kilometres (64 mi)
21 November
06:08
Soviet UnionR-5A Pobeda Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionAN
AN Suborbital 27 August Successful
Apogee: 460 kilometres (290 mi)
23 November
22:02
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 23 November Successful
Apogee: 131 kilometres (81 mi)
24 November
06:25:00
United StatesAerobee-150 (Hi) CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Auroral 24 November Successful
Apogee: 207 kilometres (129 mi)
24 November
08:00
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 24 November Launch failure
Apogee: 13 kilometres (8.1 mi)
26 November
09:09
United StatesPGM-17 Thor DM-18A United StatesCape Canaveral LC-17B United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 26 November Successful
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
29 November
02:27
United StatesSM-65B Atlas United StatesCape Canaveral LC-14 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 29 November Successful
Apogee: 900 kilometres (560 mi)
29 November
16:30
United StatesAerobee-150 (Hi) CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Aeronomy
Ionospheric
29 November Successful
Apogee: 202 kilometres (126 mi)
30 November
18:36:36
United StatesAerobee-300 CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Ionospheric 30 November Successful
Apogee: 304 kilometres (189 mi)
30 November
22:27
United StatesNike-Cajun CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital 30 November Successful
Apogee: 152 kilometres (94 mi)
November Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)

December

1 December
19:35
United StatesAerobee-300 CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Ionospheric 1 December Launch failure
Apogee: 97 kilometres (60 mi)
3 December
10:13
United KingdomSkylark-1 AustraliaWoomera LA-2 United KingdomRAE
RAE Suborbital Aeronomy 3 December Successful
Apogee: 126 kilometres (78 mi)
3 December
18:39
United StatesAerobee-300 CanadaChurchill United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Ionospheric 3 December Successful
Apogee: 225 kilometres (140 mi)
4 December Soviet UnionLuna 8K72 Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 1/5 Soviet UnionMVS
Soviet UnionLuna E-1 #3 MVS Intended: Heliocentric Lunar probe +245 seconds Launch failure
Hydrogen peroxide pump failed due to loss of lubrication, shutting down core stage engine
6 December
00:41
United StatesPGM-17 Thor DM-18A United StatesCape Canaveral LC-18B United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 6 December Successful
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
6 December
05:44:52
United StatesJuno II United StatesCape Canaveral LC-5 United StatesABMA
United StatesPioneer 3 NASA Intended: Heliocentric Lunar flyby 7 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 United StatesWS-199B Bold Orion II United StatesB-47, Cape Canaveral United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 8 December Successful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
9 December United StatesNike-Cajun United StatesWallops Island United StatesNACA
NACA Suborbital Aeronomy
Weather
Imaging
9 December Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
9 December United StatesNike-Cajun United StatesWallops Island United StatesNACA
NACA Suborbital Aeronomy
Weather
Imaging
9 December Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
11 December Soviet UnionR-5A Pobeda Soviet UnionChelkar Soviet UnionRVSN
RVSN Suborbital Target 11 December Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
12 December Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 12 December Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
13 December
08:53:44
United StatesPGM-19 Jupiter United StatesCape Canaveral LC-26B United StatesABMA
United StatesBioflight 1 US Air Force Suborbital Biological 13 December Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi), carried a monkey, Gordo. Mission completed but recovery failed
14 December Soviet UnionR-5A Pobeda Soviet UnionChelkar Soviet UnionRVSN
RVSN Suborbital Target 14 December Successful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
16 December
23:44:45
United StatesPGM-17 Thor DM-18A United StatesVandenberg LC-75-1-1 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 6 December Successful
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
16 December United StatesWS-199B Bold Orion II United StatesB-47, Cape Canaveral United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 16 December Successful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
17 December
04:00
United StatesPGM-17 Thor DM-18A United StatesCape Canaveral LC-17B United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 17 December Successful
Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
18 December
23:02
United StatesSM-65B Atlas United StatesCape Canaveral LC-11 United StatesUS Air Force
United StatesSCORE ARPA Low Earth Communication 12 January 1959 Successful
First communications satellite, only orbital launch of Atlas B
23 December
13:00
East GermanySoviet UnionA-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Ionospheric
Aeronomy
23 December Successful
Apogee: 110 kilometres (68 mi)
23 December Soviet UnionR-11A Zemlya Soviet UnionOstrov Kheysa Soviet UnionAN
AN Suborbital Aeronomy 23 December Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
24 December
04:45
United StatesSM-65C Atlas United StatesCape Canaveral LC-12 United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 24 December Successful
Apogee: 900 kilometres (560 mi), maiden flight of Atlas C
24 December
16:00
Soviet UnionR-7 Semyorka Soviet UnionBaikonur Site 1/5 Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 24 December Launch failure
Apogee: 70 kilometres (43 mi)
24 December Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 24 December Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
25 December
13:10
East GermanySoviet UnionA-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Ionospheric
Aeronomy
25 December Successful
Apogee: 110 kilometres (68 mi)
25 December Soviet UnionR-11A Zemlya Soviet UnionOstrov Kheysa Soviet UnionAN
AN Suborbital Aeronomy 25 December Successful
Apogee: 102 kilometres (63 mi)
25 December Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 25 December Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
30 December
15:28
United StatesUGM-27 Polaris AX United StatesCape Canaveral LC-25A United StatesUS Navy
US Navy Suborbital Missile test 24 September Launch failure
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
30 December Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test 30 December Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
31 December
02:00
United StatesPGM-17 Thor DM-18A United StatesCape Canaveral LC-18B United StatesUS Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 31 December Launch failure
December Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
December Soviet UnionR-12 Dvina Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionMVS
MVS Suborbital Missile test Successful
Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
Unknown AustraliaLong Tom AustraliaWoomera LA-2 AustraliaWRE
WRE Suborbital Test flight Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
Unknown AustraliaLong Tom AustraliaWoomera LA-2 AustraliaWRE
WRE Suborbital Test flight Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
Unknown AustraliaLong Tom AustraliaWoomera LA-2 AustraliaWRE
WRE Suborbital Test flight Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
Unknown AustraliaLong Tom AustraliaWoomera LA-2 AustraliaWRE
WRE Suborbital Test flight Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
Unknown AustraliaLong Tom AustraliaWoomera LA-2 AustraliaWRE
WRE Suborbital Test flight Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)

Orbital launch summary

By country

1958 Launches.svg
  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 States 1 1 0 0 First orbital launch
Redstone  United States 6 3 3 0 First orbital launch
Jupiter  United States 1 0 0 1 Maiden flight
NOTS-EV  United States 6 0 6 0 Only orbital launches
R07R-7  Soviet Union 5 1 4 0
Thor  United States 3 0 2 1 Maiden flight
Viking  United States 6 1 5 0

By type and configuration

Rocket Country Type Family Launches Successes Failures Partial failures Remarks
Atlas B  United States SM-65 Atlas Atlas 1 1 0 0 Maiden flight, only orbital launch
Juno I  United States Jupiter-C Redstone 6 3 3 0 Maiden flight
Juno II  United States Juno Jupiter 1 0 0 1 Maiden flight
Luna  Soviet Union Vostok R-7 3 0 3 0 Maiden flight
Pilot II  United States Pilot NOTS-EV 6 0 6 0 Only flights
Sputnik 8A91  Soviet Union Sputnik R-7 2 1 1 0 Only flights
Thor DM-18 Able-I  United States Thor-Able Thor 3 0 2 1 Maiden flight
Vanguard  United States Vanguard Viking 6 1 5 0

By launch site

Site Country Launches Successes Failures Partial failures Remarks
Baikonur  Soviet Union 5 1 4 0
Cape Canaveral  United States 17 5 10 2
Point Mugu  United States 6 0 6 0

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

  • 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).
Generic references:

Footnotes

  1. ^ a b c d e f Krebs, Gunter. "Vanguard". Gunter's Space Page. Archived from the original on 12 February 2009. Retrieved 2 March 2009.

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