1959 in spaceflight

1959 in spaceflight
	Luna 2 became the first spacecraft to reach the surface of the Moon in September
Orbital launches
First	2 January
Last	26 November
Total	23
Successes	10
Failures	11
Partial failures	2
Catalogued	14
Rockets
Maiden flights	Thor-Agena; Atlas-Able; Atlas D (suborbital test)
Retirements	Vanguard
	v; t; e;

Luna 1 was the first spacecraft to leave the gravitational influence of Earth.

Launches

Date and time (UTC)	Rocket		Launch site		LSP
	Payload	Operator	Orbit	Function	Decay (UTC)	Outcome
	Remarks
January
2 January 16:41:21	Luna 8K72		Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS
	Mechta (Luna 1/E1-4)	MVS	Intended: HEO to Lunar impact Achieved: Heliocentric	Lunar impactor	In orbit	Launch failure
	Missed Moon due to premature cutoff of upper stage caused by control system malfunction. First spacecraft to be placed in Heliocentric orbit.
10 January 11:00	A-1		Ostrov Kheysa		MVS
		MVS	Suborbital	Ionospheric Aeronomy	10 January	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
16 January 04:00	SM-65B Atlas		Cape Canaveral LC-14		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	16 January	Launch failure
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
19 January 15:42	UGM-27 Polaris AX		Cape Canaveral LC-25A		US Navy
		US Navy	Suborbital	Missile test	19 January	Launch failure
	Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
22 January 00:10	PGM-19 Jupiter		Cape Canaveral LC-5		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	22 January	Successful
	Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
23 January	Thor DM-18 Able-II		Cape Canaveral LC-17A		US Air Force
23 January	RVX-1	US Air Force	Suborbital	REV test	23 January	Launch failure
27 January 17:00	Daniel		CERES		ONERA
		ONERA	Suborbital	Aeronomy	27 January	Successful
	Apogee: 127 kilometres (79 mi)
27 January 23:34	SM-65C Atlas		Cape Canaveral LC-12		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	27 January	Successful
	Apogee: 990 kilometres (620 mi)
28 January	Nike-Cajun		Wallops Island		ARPA
	Beacon Test 4	ARPA/NASA	Suborbital	Technology	28 January	Successful
	Apogee: 122 kilometres (76 mi)
30 January 22:53	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A		Cape Canaveral LC-17B		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	30 January	Successful
	Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
February
4 February 08:01	SM-65B Atlas		Cape Canaveral LC-11		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	4 February	Successful
	Apogee: 990 kilometres (620 mi), final flight of Atlas B
5 February 14:45	Aerobee-150 (Hi)		Holloman LC-A		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital		5 February	Successful
	Apogee: 212 kilometres (132 mi)
6 February 21:22	HGM-25A Titan I		Cape Canaveral LC-15		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	6 February	Successful
	Maiden flight of Titan I, battleship second stage, apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
17 February 15:55	Vanguard		Cape Canaveral LC-18A		US Navy
	Vanguard 2 (20in Cloud Cover 2)^[1]	NRL	Medium Earth	Atmospheric	In orbit	Partial spacecraft failure
	Transmitted data for 19 days, poor quality data returned due to uncontrolled rotation of spacecraft
20 February 05:38	SM-65C Atlas		Cape Canaveral LC-12		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	20 February	Launch failure
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
25 February 19:45	HGM-25A Titan I		Cape Canaveral LC-15		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	25 February	Successful
	Battleship second stage, apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
27 February 15:44	Aerobee		Holloman LC-A		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Solar	27 February	Successful
	Apogee: 210 kilometres (130 mi)
27 February 19:16	UGM-27 Polaris AX		Cape Canaveral LC-25A		US Navy
		US Navy	Suborbital	Missile test	27 February	Launch failure
	Apogee: 2 kilometres (1.2 mi)
27 February 23:50	PGM-19 Jupiter		Cape Canaveral LC-26B		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	28 February	Successful
	Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
28 February 07:58	Thor DM-18 Able-II		Cape Canaveral LC-17A		US Air Force
	RVX-1	US Air Force	Suborbital	REV test	28 February	Successful
	Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
28 February 21:41:16	Thor DM-18 Agena-A		Vandenberg LC-75-3-4		US Air Force
	Discoverer 1 (KH-1 prototype)	CIA DST	Low Earth (Polar)	Technology	6 March	Successful
	Maiden flight of Thor-Agena, first spacecraft to be placed in polar orbit
March
3 March 05:10:56	Juno II		Cape Canaveral LC-5		ABMA
	Pioneer 4	NASA/ABMA	Heliocentric	Lunar flyby	In orbit	Partial launch failure
	Second stage burned for longer than planned, resulting in more distant flyby than planned^[2]
3 March	Trailblazer 1		Wallops Island		NASA
		NASA	Suborbital	REV test	3 March	Successful
	Apogee: 260 kilometres (160 mi)
4 March 11:14	Skylark-2		Woomera LA-2		RAE
		RAE UCL Queen's	Suborbital	Aeronomy	4 March	Launch failure
	Apogee: 30 kilometres (19 mi)
7 March 19:34	Véronique		Hammaguira Blandine		CASDN
		CASDN	Suborbital	Aeronomy	7 March	Launch failure
	Apogee: 35 kilometres (22 mi), released sodium
10 March 18:40	Véronique		Hammaguira Blandine		CASDN
		CASDN	Suborbital	Aeronomy	10 March	Successful
	Apogee: 124 kilometres (77 mi), released sodium
12 March 05:44	Véronique		Hammaguira Blandine		CASDN
		CASDN	Suborbital	Aeronomy	12 March	Successful
	Apogee: 174 kilometres (108 mi), released sodium
12 March 10:50	Black Knight 201		Woomera LA-5A		RAE
		RAE	Suborbital	Test flight	12 March	Successful
	Apogee: 537 kilometres (334 mi)
12 March 15:44	Aerobee-150 (Hi)		Holloman LC-A		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital		12 March	Successful
	Apogee: 210 kilometres (130 mi)
13 March 13:50	Aerobee-150 (Hi)		White Sands LC-35		US Navy
		NRL	Suborbital		13 March	Successful
	Apogee: 170 kilometres (110 mi)
17 March 01:46	R-7 Semyorka		Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS
		MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	17 March	Successful
	Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
17 March	Honest John-Nike-Nike-20"SM		Wallops Island		NASA
		NASA	Suborbital	Test flight	17 March	Successful
	Apogee: 1,380 kilometres (860 mi)
19 March 00:59	SM-65C Atlas		Cape Canaveral LC-12		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	19 March	Launch failure
	Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
21 March 06:19	Thor DM-18 Able-II		Cape Canaveral LC-17A		US Air Force
	RVX-1	US Air Force	Suborbital	REV test	21 March	Successful
	Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
22 March 00:58	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A		Cape Canaveral LC-18B		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	22 March	Successful
	Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
25 March 05:25	R-7 Semyorka		Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS
		MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	25 March	Successful
	Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
27 March 04:02	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A		Cape Canaveral LC-17B		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	27 March	Successful
	Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
30 March 15:01	Aerobee-150 (Hi)		Holloman LC-A		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital		30 March	Successful
	Apogee: 201 kilometres (125 mi)
30 March 16:45	Aerobee-150 (Hi)		White Sands LC-35		US Navy
		NRL	Suborbital		30 March	Successful
	Apogee: 238 kilometres (148 mi)
30 March 22:53	R-7 Semyorka		Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS
		MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	30 March	Launch failure
	Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
30 March	R-12 Dvina		Kapustin Yar		MVS
		MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	30 March	Successful
	Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
April
3 April 17:11	HGM-25A Titan I		Cape Canaveral LC-15		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	3 April	Successful
	Battleship second stage, apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
4 April 00:34	PGM-19 Jupiter		Cape Canaveral LC-26B		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	4 April	Successful
	Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
4 April	WS-199B Bold Orion II		B-47, Cape Canaveral		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	4 April	Successful
	Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
7 April 14:46	Aerobee-150 (Hi)		White Sands LC-35		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital		7 April	Launch failure
	Apogee: 317 kilometres (197 mi)
8 April 06:35	Thor DM-18 Able-II		Cape Canaveral LC-17A		US Air Force
	RVX-1	US Air Force	Suborbital	REV test	8 April	Successful
	Apogee: 1,230 kilometres (760 mi)
11 April	R-12 Dvina		Kapustin Yar		MVS
		MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	11 April	Successful
	Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
13 April 21:18:39	Thor DM-18 Agena-A		Vandenberg LC-75-3-4		US Air Force
	Discoverer 2 (KH-1 prototype)	CIA DST	Low Earth	Technology	26 April	Partial spacecraft failure
	Capsule recovery failed due to timer error. May have been recovered by the Soviet Union, inspiring plot of 1963 Alistair MacLean novel Ice Station Zebra
14 April 02:49:46	Vanguard		Cape Canaveral LC-18A		US Navy
	20in Radiation Balance 1^[1]	NRL	Intended: Medium Earth	Radiation	14 April	Launch failure
	Vanguard Balloon^[1]	NRL	Intended: Medium Earth	Air density	14 April	Launch failure
	Second stage damaged during separation, failed to reach orbit, first launch of multiple satellites on a single rocket
14 April 21:46	SM-65D Atlas		Cape Canaveral LC-13		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	14 April	Launch failure
	Apogee: 1 kilometre (0.62 mi)
14 April	R-12 Dvina		Kapustin Yar		MVS
		MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	14 April	Successful
	Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
15 April 14:46	Aerobee-150 (Hi)		Holloman LC-A		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital		15 April	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
16 April 20:46	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A		Vandenberg LC-75-2-8		Royal Air Force
		Royal Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	16 April	Successful
	Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
20 April 15:30	UGM-27 Polaris AX		Cape Canaveral LC-25A		US Navy
		US Navy	Suborbital	Missile test	20 April	Successful
	Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
21 April 01:05	Aerobee-150 (Hi)		Holloman LC-A		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital		21 April	Successful
	Apogee: 235 kilometres (146 mi)
22 April 19:29	Nike-Cajun		Holloman		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Ionospheric	22 April	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
23 April 05:30	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A		Cape Canaveral LC-17B		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	23 April	Successful
	Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
25 April 05:00	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A		Cape Canaveral LC-18B		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	25 April	Successful
	Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
29 April	R-12 Dvina		Kapustin Yar		MVS
		MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	29 April	Successful
	Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
May
1 May	Terrier-ASROC-Cajun		Point Arguello		US Navy
1 May		US Navy	Suborbital	Test flight	1 May	Launch failure
2 May	OPd-56-39-22D (Antares)		CERES		ONERA
		ONERA	Suborbital	REV test	2 May	Successful
	Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi)
4 May 18:30	HGM-25A Titan I		Cape Canaveral LC-15		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	4 May	Successful
	Battleship second stage, apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
5 May 01:45	Aerobee AJ10-34		White Sands LC-35		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Aeronomy	5 May	Successful
	Apogee: 113 kilometres (70 mi)
7 May 01:47	PGM-19 Jupiter		Cape Canaveral LC-26B		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	7 May	Successful
	Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
8 May 19:28	UGM-27 Polaris AX		Cape Canaveral LC-25A		US Navy
		US Navy	Suborbital	Missile test	8 May	Successful
	Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
9 May 18:59	R-7 Semyorka		Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS
		MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	9 May	Launch failure
	Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
12 May 11:39	Aerobee-150 (Hi)		Holloman LC-A		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital		12 May	Successful
	Apogee: 145 kilometres (90 mi)
12 May 17:35	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A		Cape Canaveral LC-17B		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	12 May	Successful
	Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
12 May	R-12 Dvina		Kapustin Yar		MVS
		MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	12 May	Successful
	Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
14 May 05:52	PGM-19 Jupiter		Cape Canaveral LC-5		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	14 May	Successful
	Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
14 May	R-12 Dvina		Kapustin Yar		MVS
		MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	14 May	Successful
	Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
15 May 22:10	Arcon		Wallops Island		NASA
		NASA	Suborbital	Test flight	15 May	Launch failure
	Apogee: 1 kilometre (0.62 mi)
15 May	R-12 Dvina		Kapustin Yar		MVS
		MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	15 May	Successful
	Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
18 May 23:16	UGM-27 Polaris AX		Cape Canaveral LC-25A		US Navy
		US Navy	Suborbital	Missile test	18 May	Launch failure
	Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi)
19 May 04:30	SM-65D Atlas		Cape Canaveral LC-14		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	19 May	Launch failure
	Apogee: 1 kilometre (0.62 mi)
21 May 06:40	Thor DM-18 Able-II		Cape Canaveral LC-17A		US Air Force
	RVX-1	US Air Force	Suborbital	REV test	21 May	Successful
	Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
22 May 11:15	Aerobee-150 (Hi)		Holloman LC-A		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital		22 May	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
23 May 02:42	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A		Cape Canaveral LC-18B		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	23 May	Successful
	Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
27 May 04:51	Nike-Cajun		White Sands		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Aeronomy	27 May	Successful
	Apogee: 169 kilometres (105 mi)
27 May 19:55	Nike-Cajun		White Sands		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Aeronomy	27 May	Successful
	Apogee: 177 kilometres (110 mi)
28 May 07:35:02	PGM-19 Jupiter		Cape Canaveral LC-26B		US Air Force
	Bioflight 2	US Air Force	Suborbital	Biological Missile test	28 May	Successful
	Apogee: 483 kilometres (300 mi)
30 May 21:42	R-7 Semyorka		Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS
		MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	30 May	Launch failure
	Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
30 May	R-12 Dvina		Kapustin Yar		MVS
		MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	30 May	Successful
	Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
May	Long Tom		Woomera LA-2		WRE
		WRE	Suborbital	Aeronomy		Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
June
2 June	R-12 Dvina		Kapustin Yar		MVS
		MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	2 June	Successful
	Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
3 June 20:09:20	Thor DM-18 Agena-A		Vandenberg LC-75-3-4		US Air Force
	Discoverer 3 (KH-1 Prototype)	CIA DST	Intended: Low Earth	Technology	3 June	Launch failure
	Loss of signal after upper stage ignition
5 June 04:15	Trailblazer 1		Wallops Island		NASA
		NASA	Suborbital	REV test	6 June	Successful
	Apogee: 260 kilometres (160 mi)
6 June 17:39	SM-65D Atlas		Cape Canaveral LC-13		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	6 June	Launch failure
	Apogee: 80 kilometres (50 mi)
8 June	WS-199B Bold Orion I		B-47, Cape Canaveral		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	8 June	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
9 June 20:34	R-7 Semyorka		Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS
		MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	9 June	Launch failure
	Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
10 June 16:40	Aerobee-150 (Hi)		Holloman LC-A		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital		10 June	Successful
	Apogee: 225 kilometres (140 mi)
11 June 06:44	Thor DM-18 Able-II		Cape Canaveral LC-17A		US Air Force
	RVX-1	US Air Force	Suborbital	REV test	11 June	Successful
	Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
11 June 13:03	Black Knight 201		Woomera LA-5A		RAE
		RAE	Suborbital	Test flight	11 June	Successful
	Apogee: 803 kilometres (499 mi)
12 June 18:57	UGM-27 Polaris AX		Cape Canaveral LC-25A		US Navy
		US Navy	Suborbital	Missile test	12 June	Launch failure
	Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi)
15 June	R-12 Dvina		Kapustin Yar		MVS
		MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	15 June	Successful
	Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
16 June 21:45	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A		Vandenberg LC-75-2-7		Royal Air Force
		Royal Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	16 June	Launch failure
	Guidance system failed to engage as remove before flight safety wires had not been removed. Vehicle ascended vertically before being destroyed by range safety.^[3]
17 June	R-12 Dvina		Kapustin Yar		MVS
		MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	17 June	Successful
	Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
18 June 08:08	Luna 8K72		Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS
	Luna-E1A-1	MVS	Intended: Heliocentric	Lunar impactor	18 June	Launch failure
	Inertial guidance system failed 153 seconds after launch
19 June	WS-199B Bold Orion I		B-47, Cape Canaveral		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	19 June	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
21 June	R-5V Pobeda		Kapustin Yar		AN
		AN	Suborbital	Solar	21 June	Successful
	Apogee: 400 kilometres (250 mi)
22 June 14:32	Aerobee		Holloman LC-A		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Solar	22 June	Successful
	Apogee: 110 kilometres (68 mi)
22 June 20:16:09	Vanguard		Cape Canaveral LC-18A		US Navy
	20in Radiation Balance^[1]	NRL	Intended: Medium Earth	Radiation	22 June	Launch failure
	Second stage propulsion system malfunctioned, failed to reach orbit
23 June 01:26	Skylark-1		Woomera LA-2		RAE
		RAE	Suborbital	Test flight	23 June	Launch failure
	Apogee: 91 kilometres (57 mi)
24 June 12:10	Aerobee-150 (Hi)		Holloman LC-A		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital		24 June	Successful
	Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
25 June 22:47:45	Thor DM-18 Agena-A		Vandenberg LC-75-3-5		US Air Force
	Discoverer 4 (KH-1 9001)	CIA DST	Intended: Low Earth	Optical imaging	25 June	Launch failure
	Upper stage underperformed, failed to reach orbit
26 June	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A		Cape Canaveral LC-18B		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	26 June	Successful
	Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
26 June	Terrier-ASROC-Cajun		Point Arguello		US Navy
		US Navy	Suborbital		26 June	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
29 June 11:33	Black Knight 201		Woomera LA-5A		RAE
		RAE	Suborbital	Test flight	29 June	Successful
	Apogee: 442 kilometres (275 mi)
30 June 02:37	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A		Cape Canaveral LC-17B		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	30 June	Successful
	Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
29 June 15:42	UGM-27 Polaris AX		Cape Canaveral LC-25A		US Navy
		US Navy	Suborbital	Missile test	29 June	Successful
	Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
June	R-13		Kapustin Yar		VMF
		VMF	Suborbital	Missile test		Successful
	Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi)
July
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)
16 July 17:37:03	Juno II		Cape Canaveral LC-5		ABMA
	Explorer S-6	NASA	Intended: Low Earth	Scientific	+5.5 seconds	Launch failure
	Destroyed by range safety after rocket went out of control
17 July 17:40	Nike-Asp		Point Arguello LC-A		US Navy
		US Navy	Suborbital		17 July	Launch failure
	Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi)
18 July 18:15	R-7 Semyorka		Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS
		MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	18 July	Successful
	Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
20 July	R-11A Zemlya		Kapustin Yar		AN
		AN	Suborbital		20 July	Successful
	Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
21 July 02:00	R-11A Zemlya		Kapustin Yar		MVS
		MVS	Suborbital		21 July	Successful
	Apogee: 105 kilometres (65 mi)
21 July 05:22	SM-65C Atlas		Cape Canaveral LC-12		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	21 July	Successful
	Apogee: 900 kilometres (560 mi)
21 July 07:33	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A		Cape Canaveral LC-17B		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	21 July	Launch failure
	Apogee: 1 kilometre (0.62 mi)
21 July 14:00	Aerobee-150 (Hi)		White Sands LC-35		US Navy
		NRL	Suborbital		21 July	Successful
	Apogee: 197 kilometres (122 mi)
21 July 14:00	R-11A Zemlya		Kapustin Yar		MVS
		MVS	Suborbital		21 July	Successful
	Apogee: 105 kilometres (65 mi)
21 July	R-2		Kapustin Yar		MVS
		MVS	Suborbital		21 July	Successful
	Apogee: 105 kilometres (65 mi)
21 July	Javelin		Wallops Island		US Air Force
		AFSWC	Suborbital	Test flight	21 July	Launch failure
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
22 July 01:14	R-11A Zemlya		Kapustin Yar		MVS
		MVS	Suborbital		22 July	Successful
	Apogee: 211 kilometres (131 mi)
24 July 12:47	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A		Cape Canaveral LC-18B		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	24 July	Successful
	Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
24 July 16:34	Nike-Asp		Point Arguello LC-A		US Navy
		US Navy	Suborbital	Solar	24 July	Successful
	Apogee: 227 kilometres (141 mi)
24 July	R-12 Dvina		Kapustin Yar		MVS
		MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	24 July	Successful
	Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
25 July	R-12 Dvina		Kapustin Yar		MVS
		MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	25 July	Successful
	Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
26 July	R-12 Dvina		Kapustin Yar		MVS
		MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	26 July	Successful
	Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
28 July	R-12 Dvina		Kapustin Yar		MVS
		MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	28 July	Successful
	Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
29 July 04:10	SM-65D Atlas		Cape Canaveral LC-11		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	29 July	Successful
	Apogee: 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi)
30 July 04:00	R-7 Semyorka		Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS
		MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	30 July	Successful
	Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
31 July	R-12 Dvina		Kapustin Yar		MVS
		MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	31 July	Successful
	Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
August
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 14:24:20	Thor DM-18 Able-III		Cape Canaveral LC-17A		US Air Force
7 August 14:24:20	Explorer 6	US Air Force	Highly elliptical	Radiation Imaging	30 June 1961	Successful
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
12 August		US Navy	Suborbital		12 August	Launch failure
13 August 19:00:08	Thor DM-18 Agena-A		Vandenberg LC-75-3-4		US Air Force
	Discoverer 5 (KH-1 9002)	CIA DST	Low Earth	Optical imaging	11 February 1961	Spacecraft failure
	Electrical system malfunction. Deorbit burn conducted in incorrect direction, raising orbit
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
13 August		MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	13 August	Launch failure
14 August 09:00	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A		Cape Canaveral LC-18B		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	14 August	Successful
	Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
14 August 16:00	HGM-25A Titan I		Cape Canaveral LC-19		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	+0 seconds	Launch failure
	First all-up test of Titan I, hold-down bolts released prematurely, rocket exploded on launch pad^[4]
14 August 16:00	Nike-Asp		Point Arguello LC-A		US Navy
		US Navy	Suborbital	Solar	14 August	Successful
	Apogee: 237 kilometres (147 mi)
14 August 19:30	UGM-27 Polaris AX		Cape Canaveral LC-25B		US Navy
		US Navy	Suborbital	Missile test	14 August	Successful
	Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
14 August 19:36:04	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A		Vandenberg LC-75-2-6		Royal Air Force
14 August 19:36:04		Royal Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	14 August	Launch failure
15 August 00:31:00	Juno II		Cape Canaveral LC-26B		ABMA
	Beacon 2	NASA/US Army	Intended: Low Earth	Technology	15 August	Launch failure
	Premature cutoff of first stage, failed to reach orbit
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
19 August 19:24:44	Thor DM-18 Agena-A		Vandenberg LC-75-3-5		US Air Force
	Discoverer 6 (KH-1 9003)	CIA DST	Low Earth	Optical imaging	20 October	Spacecraft failure
	Retrorocket malfunctioned
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
26 August 17:35		US Army	Suborbital	Test flight	26 August	Launch failure
26 August	R-12 Dvina		Kapustin Yar		MVS
		MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	26 August	Successful
	Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
27 August 01:30	PGM-19 Jupiter		Cape Canaveral LC-5		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	27 August	Successful
	Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
27 August 16:57	UGM-27 Polaris AX		USNS Observation Island, ETR		US Navy
		US Navy	Suborbital	Missile test	27 August	Successful
	Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
28 August 16:10	Nike-Asp		Point Arguello LC-A		US Navy
		US Navy	Suborbital	Solar	28 August	Successful
	Apogee: 214 kilometres (133 mi)
27 August 12:30	PGM-17 Thor DM-18A		Cape Canaveral LC-17B		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	27 August	Successful
	Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
28 August 18:45	Aerobee-150 (Hi)		White Sands LC-35		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital		28 August	Successful
	Apogee: 235 kilometres (146 mi)
28 August	R-12 Dvina		Kapustin Yar		MVS
		MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	28 August	Successful
	Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
31 August 22:53	Nike-Asp		Point Arguello LC-A		US Navy
	Sunflare II	US Navy	Suborbital	Solar	31 August	Successful
	Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
September
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
2 September		MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	2 September	Launch failure
5 September 15:27	Black Brant I		Fort 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		Fort 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		Fort Churchill		CARDE
		CARDE	Suborbital	Test flight	10 September	Successful
	Apogee: 127 kilometres (79 mi)
11 September 19:12	Aerobee-150 (Hi)		Fort Churchill		NASA
		NASA	Suborbital		11 September	Successful
	Apogee: 227 kilometres (141 mi)
12 September 06:39:42	Luna 8K72		Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS
	Luna 2 (E-1A-2)	MVS	Heliocentric	Lunar impactor	14 September 22:02	Successful
	First spacecraft to reach the surface of the Moon
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)		Fort 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 14:34	Thor DM-18 Able-II		Cape Canaveral LC-17A		US Air Force
	Transit 1A	US Air Force	Intended: Low Earth	Navigation Technology	17 September	Launch failure
	Third stage malfunctioned
17 September 18:37	Aerobee-150 (Hi)		Fort 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 05:20:07	Vanguard/Altair		Cape Canaveral LC-18A		US Navy
	Vanguard 3 (20in MXE)^[1]	NRL	Medium Earth	Scientific	In orbit	Partial launch failure
	Final flight of Vanguard rocket, satellite failed to separate from carrier rocket, otherwise successful, spacecraft operated until 11 December
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)		Fort 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)
October
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)
4 October 00:43:39	Luna 8K72		Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS
	Luna 3 (E-2A-1)	MVS	High Earth	Lunar flyby	29 April 1960	Successful
	Placed on a circumlunar trajectory, returned first images of the far side of the Moon
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
9 October		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 15:30:04	Juno II		Cape Canaveral LC-5		ABMA
	Explorer 7 (S-1A)	NASA	Low Earth	Scientific	In orbit	Successful
	Broadcast data until 24 August 1961
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		Fort Churchill		US Air Force
		US Air Force/Utah	Suborbital	Ionospheric	25 October	Successful
	Apogee: 386 kilometres (240 mi)
26 October 17:00	Nike-Cajun		Fort Churchill		US Air Force
26 October 17:00		US Air Force	Suborbital	Ionospheric	26 August	Launch failure
27 October	R-12 Dvina		Kapustin Yar		MVS
27 October		MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	27 October	Launch failure
28 October 14:47	Aerobee-300		Fort 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)
November
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		Fort Churchill		US Air Force
		US Air Force/Utah	Suborbital	Ionospheric	6 November	Successful
	Apogee: 393 kilometres (244 mi)
7 November 20:28:41	Thor DM-18 Agena-A		Vandenberg LC-75-3-4		US Air Force
	Discoverer 7 (KH-1 9004)	CIA DST	Low Earth	Optical imaging	26 November	Spacecraft failure
	Satellite tumbled out of control
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		Fort 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)		Fort Churchill		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Ionospheric	19 November	Launch failure
	Apogee: 106 kilometres (66 mi)
19 November 10:36	Nike-Cajun		Fort 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		Fort Churchill		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Aeronomy	20 November	Successful
	Apogee: 119 kilometres (74 mi)
20 November 19:25:24	Thor DM-18 Agena-A		Vandenberg LC-75-3-5		US Air Force
	Discoverer 8 (KH-1 9005)	CIA DST	Low Earth	Optical imaging	8 March 1960	Launch failure
	Inserted into useless orbit with greater eccentricity than planned
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		Fort 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)
26 November 07:26	Atlas-Able		Cape Canaveral LC-14		US Air Force
	Pioneer P-3	NASA	Intended: Selenocentric	Lunar orbiter	+45 seconds	Launch failure
	Payload fairing separated prematurely, rocket disintegrated
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)
December
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
2 December 05:29		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^[4]^[5]
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
15 December 02:14		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
Unknown		VMF	Suborbital	Missile test		Launch failure
Unknown	ALSOR		F-104, Edwards		NASA
		NASA	Suborbital	Test flight		Successful
	Apogee: 117 kilometres (73 mi)

Deep Space Rendezvous

Date (GMT)	Spacecraft	Event	Remarks
4 January	Luna 1	First Lunar flyby	Failed impactor, closest approach: 6,000 kilometres (3,700 mi)
4 March	Pioneer 4	Lunar flyby	Closest approach: 60,200 kilometres (37,400 mi)
14 September	Luna 2	First Lunar impact	Landed in Mare Imbrium, first spacecraft to reach the surface of a celestial body
6 October	Luna 3	Lunar flyby	First Circumlunar flight, returned 29 pictures including first images of the far side of the Moon; closest approach 6,200 kilometres (3,900 mi)

Orbital launch summary

By country

220px

	Soviet Union
	United States

Orbital launch attempts by country in 1959

Country	Launches	Successes	Failures	Partial failures	Remarks
Soviet Union	4	2	2	0
United States	19	8	9	2

By rocket

Rocket	Country	Launches	Successes	Failures	Partial failures	Remarks
Atlas-Able	United States	1	0	1	0	Maiden flight
Juno II	United States	4	1	2	1
Luna 8K72	Soviet Union	4	2	2	0
Thor DM-18 Agena-A	United States	8	5	3	0	Maiden flight
Thor DM-18 Able-II	United States	1	0	1	0
Thor DM-18 Able-III	United States	1	1	0	0
Vanguard	United States	4	1	2	1	Final flight

By orbit

Orbital regime	Launches	Successes	Failures	Remarks
Low Earth	12	7	5
Medium Earth	4	1	3
High Earth	2	2	0	Including Highly elliptical orbits
Heliocentric	5	3	2

References

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Generic references:

Footnotes

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v t e Timeline of spaceflight
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1959 in spaceflight

Contents

Launches

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Deep Space Rendezvous

Orbital launch summary

By country

By rocket

By orbit

References

Footnotes

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v t e ← 1958 · Orbital launches in 1959 · 1960 →
Mechta \| Vanguard 2 \| Discoverer 1 \| Pioneer 4 \| Discoverer 2 \| Unnamed · Unnamed \| Discoverer 3 \| Luna E-1A No.1 \| Unnamed \| Discoverer 4 \| Explorer S-1 \| Explorer 6 \| Discoverer 5 \| Beacon 2 \| Discoverer 6 \| Luna 2 \| Transit 1A \| Vanguard 3 \| Luna 3 \| Explorer 7 \| Discoverer 7 \| Discoverer 8 \| Pioneer P-3
Payloads are separated by bullets ( · ), launches by pipes ( \| ). Manned flights are indicated in bold text. Uncatalogued launch failures are listed in italics. Payloads deployed from other spacecraft are denoted in brackets.