https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spaceflight_before_1951 This is a featured list. Click here for more information. Spaceflight before 1951 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to navigation Jump to search List of spaceflights prior to the year 1951 Spaceflight before 1951 Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1978-Anh.026-01, Peenemunde, V2 beim Start.jpg Launch of a V-2 from Peenemunde. National firsts # Germany (1944) Spaceflight # United States (1946) # Soviet Union (1948) Rockets Nazi Germany V-2 United StatesWAC Corporal United StatesViking (first model) United StatesBumper United StatesAerobee RTV-N-8 Maiden flights United StatesAerobee RTV-N-10 United StatesAerobee XASR-SC-1 United StatesAerobee XASR-SC-2 United StatesAerobee RTV-A-1 Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionR-1A Soviet UnionR-2 United StatesAerobee RTV-N-8 Retirements United StatesBumper Soviet UnionR-1A * v * t * e Spaceflight as a practical endeavor began during World War II with the development of operational liquid-fueled rockets. Beginning life as a weapon, the V-2 was pressed into peaceful service after the war at the United States' White Sands Missile Range as well as the Soviet Union's Kapustin Yar. This led to a flourishing of missile designs setting the stage for the exploration of space. The small American WAC Corporal rocket was evolved into the Aerobee, a much more powerful sounding rocket. Exploration of space began in earnest in 1947 with the flight of the first Aerobee, 46 of which had flown by the end of 1950. These and other rockets, both Soviet and American, returned the first direct data on air density, temperature, charged particles and magnetic fields in the Earth's upper atmosphere. By 1948, the United States Navy had evolved the V-2 design into the Viking capable of more than 100 miles (160 km) in altitude. The first Viking to accomplish this feat, number four, did so 10 May 1950. The Soviet Union developed a virtual copy of the V-2 called the R-1, which first flew in 1948. Its longer-ranged successor, the R-2, entered military service in 1950. This event marked the entry of both superpowers into the post-V-2 rocketry era. [ ] Contents * 1 Origins and rocket development * 2 Space exploration + 2.1 V-2, WAC Corporal, and R-1A + 2.2 Aerobee + 2.3 Viking * 3 Launches + 3.1 1942 + 3.2 1943 + 3.3 1944 + 3.4 1945 + 3.5 1946 + 3.6 1947 + 3.7 1948 + 3.8 1949 + 3.9 1950 * 4 Suborbital launch summary (1945-1950) + 4.1 By country + 4.2 By rocket * 5 See also * 6 References Origins and rocket development[edit] The era of spaceflight began in 1942 with the development of the V-2 rocket (A-4) as a ballistic missile by Germany, the first vehicle capable of reaching the 100 kilometres (62 mi) boundary of space (as defined by the World Air Sports Federation).^[1] On 20 June 1944, a V-2 (MW 18014) was launched vertically, reaching a height of 174.6 kilometres (108.5 mi).^[2] The post-war years saw rapid development in rocket technology by both superpowers, jumpstarted by the dozens of V-2s and hundreds of German specialists that ended up in the custody of the Soviet Union and the United States.^[3]^:216-7^[4]^:226^[5]^:43 The V-2, designed for carrying a warhead horizontally rather than vertical science missions, made an inefficient sounding rocket, while the wartime American WAC Corporal sounding rocket was too small to carry much scientific equipment.^[4]^:250 In 1946, the US Navy began development of its own heavy sounding rocket, the Viking, derived in part from the V-2.^[6]^:21-25^[6]^:236 The Aerobee was developed from the WAC Corporal to loft lighter payloads.^[4]^:250-1 The Soviet Union began military development of the R-1, a copy of the V-2 with modifications intended to improve reliability, in 1947.^[5] ^:41, 48 Flight testing of this first Soviet-made liquid-fueled missile began on 13 September 1948,^[5]^:129 and the rocket entered military service in 1950.^[5]^:135 Also from 1947, two advanced rockets with ranges of 600 kilometres (370 mi), the German emigre -designed G-1 (or R-10) and the Russian-designed R-2, competed for limited engineering and production staff, the latter winning out by the end of 1949^[5]^:65 and being put into service in 1951.^[5]^:274 The draft plan for the 3,000 kilometres (1,900 mi) range R-3 was approved on 7 December 1949,^[5]^:67 though it was never developed, later designs proving more useful and achievable.^[5]^:275-6 Space exploration[edit] V-2, WAC Corporal, and R-1A[edit] Aerobee launch at sea Aerobee launch at sea The V-2s captured from Germany at the end of World War II were used for engineering and scientific missions by the United States and the Soviet Union. The first 25 captured V-2s were launched in the 15 months commencing 15 March 1946.^[4]^:398 By the end of 1950, more than 60 had been launched by the Americans, most of them equipped with research instruments.^[7]^:6 The first biological payloads launched to high altitude were sent on V-2s, starting with seeds and fruit flies in 1947, followed by mice and monkeys from 1948 onward.^ [8] The V-2 was also used in early experiments with two-stage rockets: Project Bumper combined the V-2 first stage with the WAC Corporal as second stage. On 24 February 1949, Bumper 5 set an altitude record of 417 kilometres (259 mi).^[4]^:257-8 Around 10 WAC Corporals were also launched on their own in this period.^[7]^:6 The Soviet Union launched 11 captured V-2s in 1947.^[5]^:41 Three of the V-2s launched by the USSR in 1947 carried 500 kilograms (1,100 lb) experiment packages for measuring cosmic rays at high altitude; at least one returned usable data.^[9]^:56 Two Soviet R-1As (an experimental R-1 variant that tested nose cone separation at altitude) also carried scientific equipment during test launches in 1949, but neither returned usable data.^[10] Aerobee[edit] First launched on 24 November 1947, the solid/liquid-fuel hybrid Aerobee quickly secured a reputation for reliability. With the development of these first generation purpose-built sounding rockets, the exploration of Earth's upper atmosphere and the nearest reaches of space began in earnest, a total of 46 Aerobee flights being launched through 1950.^[11] Aerobee flights measured the velocity and density of cosmic rays above 70 miles (110 km) and made high altitude measurements of the Earth's magnetic field. Cameras mounted on Aerobee rockets returned the first high quality aerial photographs of sizeable regions of the Earth as well as large scale cloud formations.^[4]^:251 Viking[edit] Launch of Viking 4 Launch of Viking 4 Vikings 1 and 2, launched in 1949 from White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, both suffered from premature engine cutoff due to turbine leaks, significantly reducing their maximum altitude.^[6]^:98-102 The improved Viking 3, launched 9 February 1950 reached 50 mi (80 km) and could have gone higher. However, after 34 seconds of accurately guided flight, the rocket veered westward and had to be destroyed by range safety.^[6]^:108-114 On 10 May 1950, from a site in the Pacific Ocean between Jarvis Island and Christmas Island, the fourth Viking became the first sounding rocket ever launched from a sea-going vessel, the USS Norton Sound. This flight was perfect, reaching 106.4 mi (171.2 km), more than double that reached by the earlier Vikings.^[6]^:108-114 Viking 5, launched 21 November 1950 carried a vast array of radiation detectors. The rocket also carried two movie cameras to take high altitude film of the Earth all the way to its peak height of 108 miles (174 km) as well as Pirani gauges to measure air densities in the upper atmosphere.^[6]^:148, 236 Viking 6, launched 11 December, underperformed, reaching a maximum altitude of 40 miles (64 km).^[6] ^:151-153, 236 Launches[edit] * - 1942 * 1943 * 1944 * 1945 * 1946 * 1947 * 1948 * 1949 * 1950 - 1942[edit] 1942 launches Rocket Flight Launch site LSP Date and number time (UTC) Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay Outcome (UTC) Remarks Nazi Nazi Germany Nazi Germany GermanyV-2 Peenemunde Wehrmacht 13 June -- Wehrmacht Suborbital Missile Same day Mixed 12 December test 7 V-2 rockets launched on test flights, 3 successfully^ [12] 1943[edit] 1943 launches Rocket Flight Launch site LSP Date and number time (UTC) Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay Outcome (UTC) Remarks Nazi Nazi Germany Nazi Germany GermanyV-2 Peenemunde, Wehrmacht 7 January -- Heidelager 30 December Wehrmacht Suborbital Missile Same day Mixed test 39 V-2 rockets launched on test flights; at least 9 failures^[12] 1944[edit] 1944 launches Rocket Flight Launch site LSP Date and number time (UTC Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay Outcome ) (UTC) Remarks Nazi Germany Nazi Germany Nazi Germany V-2 Greifswalder Oie Wehrmacht Nazi Missile 20 20 June GermanyMW Wehrmacht Suborbital test June Successful 18014^[2] First artificial object to cross the Karman line. Vertical test, apogee: 174.6 kilometres (108.5 mi) Nazi Germany Nazi Germany Nazi Germany V-2 Houffalize Wehrmacht 8 Wehrmacht Suborbital Missile Same Successful September test day First combat usage of V-2 after more than a hundred test flights; ~3000 combat launches followed^[12] (see List of V-2 test launches) 1945[edit] 1945 launches Rocket Flight Launch site LSP Date and number time (UTC) Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay Outcome (UTC) Remarks Nazi Allied-occupied United KingdomUK GermanyV-2 GermanyCuxhaven military 2 October Suborbital 2 Successful October First launch of Operation Backfire; apogee: 69.4 kilometres (43.1 mi)^[13] Nazi Allied-occupied United KingdomUK GermanyV-2 GermanyCuxhaven military 4 October Suborbital 4 Partial October failure apogee: 17.4 kilometres (10.8 mi) ^[13] Nazi Allied-occupied United KingdomUK GermanyV-2 GermanyCuxhaven military 15 October Suborbital 14 Successful October Press and international observers present; Apogee: 64 kilometres (40 mi)^[13] 1946[edit] 1946 launches Date and Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP time ( Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay Outcome UTC) (UTC) Remarks Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite Sands - United StatesGeneral Launch Complex 33 Electric/U.S. Army 16 April Cosmic Radiation Guidance 21:47 WSPG^[14] Suborbital (Applied Physics 16 April failure^[14] Laboratory)^[15] First launch of Project Hermes, apogee: 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite Sands LC-33 United StatesG.E./U.S. Army 10 May WSPG^[14] Suborbital Cosmic Radiation 10 May Successful 21:15 (APL),^[15] Project Hermes launch, apogee: 112 kilometres (70 mi), First US spaceflight Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite Sands LC-33 United StatesG.E./U.S. 29 May Army 21:12 G.E.^[14] Suborbital Cosmic Radiation 29 May Successful (APL),^[15] Project Hermes launch, apogee: 112 kilometres (70 mi) Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite Sands LC-33 United StatesG.E./U.S. Army 13 June Solar radiation, 23:40 G.E.^[14] Suborbital Ionosphere (Naval 13 June Successful Radiation Laboratory) ^[15] Project Hermes launch, apogee: 117 kilometres (73 mi) Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite Sands LC-33 United StatesG.E./U.S. Army Cosmic Radiation, 28 June Naval Solar Radiation, 19:25 Radiation Suborbital Pressure, 28 June Successful Laboratory^ Temperature. [14] Ionosphere^[16]^: 336-337 (V-2 NO. 6) Project Hermes launch, apogee: 108 kilometres (67 mi) Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite Sands LC-33 United StatesG.E./U.S. Army Cosmic Radiation, Ionosphere (Naval 9 July Radiation 19:25 G.E.^[14] Suborbital Laboratory), 9 July Successful Biological (Harvard University)^[16]^: 338-339 (V-2 NO. 7) Project Hermes launch, apogee: 134 kilometres (83 mi) Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite Sands LC-33 United StatesG.E./U.S. Army 19 July Ionospheric (NRL)^ Explosion at 19:11 G.E.^[14] Suborbital [15] 19 July 28.5 seconds^ [14] Project Hermes launch, apogee: 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite Sands LC-33 United StatesG.E./U.S. Army 30 July Applied Cosmic Radiation, 19:36 Physics Suborbital Ionosphere (NRL)^[16] 30 July Successful Laboratory^ ^:342-343 (V-2 NO. 9) [14] Project Hermes launch, apogee: 167 kilometres (104 mi) Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite Sands LC-33 United StatesG.E./U.S. Army 15 Princeton Cosmic Radiation, Guidance August University^ Suborbital Ionosphere^[16]^:344 15 Failure at 18:00 [14] (V-2 NO. 10) August 13.9 seconds^ [14] Project Hermes launch, apogee: 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite Sands LC-33 United StatesG.E./U.S. Army 22 Guidance August University of Pressure, Density, 22 Failure 17:15 Michigan,^ Suborbital Ionosphere Aeronomy, August immediately [14] Sky Brightness^[15] after lift^ [14] Project Hermes launch Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite Sands LC-33 United StatesG.E./U.S. Army Cosmic Ray, Ionosphere, Pressure-Temperature, Solar Spectroscopy, 10 Ejection of Cosmic October NRL^[14] Suborbital Ray Recording Camera^ 10 Successful 18:02 [17] Selected seeds October (Harvard), Cross jet attenuation transmitter & receiver^[16]^: 346-347 (V-2 NO. 12) Project Hermes launch, apogee: 164 kilometres (102 mi) Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite Sands LC-33 United StatesG.E./U.S. Army 24 Cosmic & Solar Successful, October APL^[14] Suborbital radiation, winds, 24 Short burning 19:15 photography^[15] October time (59 sec) ^[18] Project Hermes launch, apogee: 105 kilometres (65 mi), First photo of Earth from space Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite Sands LC-33 United StatesG.E./U.S. Army Guidance Failure at 2 seconds, missile 7 Princeton turned November University^ Suborbital Cosmic Radiation,^ 7 sideways, 20:31 [14] [15] November flew horizontal and was destroyed^ [16]^:350 (V-2 NO. 14) Project Hermes launch, apogee: 0.39 kilometres (0.24 mi) Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite Sands LC-33 United StatesG.E./U.S. Army Watson Pressure, 21 Laboratories, Temperature, November University of Suborbital Ionosphere, Sky 21 Successful 16:55 Michigan,^ Brightness,Voltage November [18] breakdown^[16]^: 351-352 (V-2 NO. 15) Project Hermes launch, apogee: 102 kilometres (63 mi) Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite Sands LC-33 United StatesG.E./U.S. Army 5 Cosmic & Solar Successful, December NRL ^[14] Suborbital Radiation, Pressure, 5 Guidance 20:08 Temperature, December Problems Photography^[15] Project Hermes launch, apogee: 167 kilometres (104 mi) Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite Sands LC-33 United StatesG.E./U.S. Army Successful, Cosmic Radiation, extraordinary 18 United States Meteor research, 18 range due to December GRENADES APL^[14] Suborbital Biological (National December guidance 05:12 Institute of Health), failure^[16] ^[15] ^:354 (V-2 NO. 16) Project Hermes launch, apogee: 187 kilometres (116 mi); first night flight of V-2, released artificial meteors for photographic observation^[19] 1947[edit] 1947 launches Rocket Flight Launch site LSP Date and number time (UTC Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay Outcome ) (UTC) Remarks Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite Sands - Launch United StatesG.E./ Complex 33 U.S. Army 10 Cosmic Radiation,^[15] Successful, January NRL^[14] Suborbital "Daughter Canister Release 10 Roll at 40 21:13 (Air Material Command)^[16]^: January seconds^ 357-358 (V-2 NO. 18) [14] Project Hermes launch, apogee: 116 kilometres (72 mi) Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite Sands LC-33 United StatesG.E./ U.S. Army 24 Test Guidance System,^[14] January United States G.E.^[14] Suborbital Hermes A-2 Telemetry System 24 Successful 00:22 Test^[16]^:359-360 (V-2 NO. January 19) Project Hermes launch, apogee: 49.88 kilometres (30.99 mi). Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite Sands LC-33 United StatesG.E./ U.S. Army Pressure-temperature (University of Michigan), Ionosphere (Air Force Cambridge Research Center, Successful, 20 Air UoM), Sky brightness, Voltage Guidance February United States Materiel Breakdown measurements 20 disturbance 18:16 Blossom I Command^ Suborbital (AFCRC), Biological rye, February at 27 sec, [14] cotton seeds and fruit flies, Roll at first animals in space,^[20] 37.5 sec^ Blossom parachute recovery of [14] canister (Cambridge Field Station)^[16]^:361-362 (V-2 NO. 20) Project Hermes launch, apogee: 109 kilometres (68 mi). Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite Sands LC-33 United StatesG.E./ U.S. Army Cosmic Radiation, 7 March Pressure-temperature, Solar 18:23 NRL^[14] Suborbital Radiation, Ionosphere (NRL), 7 March Successful Biological rye, cotton seeds and fruit flies (Harvard)^ [16]^:363-365 (V-2 NO. 21) Project Hermes launch, apogee: 161 kilometres (100 mi). Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite Sands LC-33 United StatesG.E./ U.S. Army Cosmic Radiation, Solar 1 April Radiation (APL & Yerkes 20:10 APL^[14] Suborbital Observatory), High altitude 1 April Successful photography (Gun Sight Aiming Point camera)^[16]^:366-367 (V-2 NO. 22) Project Hermes launch, apogee: 129 kilometres (80 mi) Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite Sands LC-33 United StatesG.E./ U.S. Army 9 April Cosmic Radiation, Solar 00:10 APL^[14] Suborbital Radiation, High altitude 9 April Successful photography.^[16]^:368-369 (V-23 NO. 20) Project Hermes launch, apogee: 103 kilometres (64 mi) Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite Sands LC-33 United StatesG.E./ U.S. Army Pressure-Temperature: 9 Successful, 17 April United States Grenades (Signal Corps Roll at 23:22 GRENADES G.E.^[14] Suborbital Engineering Laboratories)^ 17 April 57.5 [16]^:370-371 (V-2 NO. 24) seconds^ [14] Project Hermes launch, apogee: 140 kilometres (87 mi) Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite Sands LC-33 United StatesG.E./ U.S. Army Density-pressure-temperature Successful, 15 May grenades (SCEL), (Michigan Steering 23:08 NRL^[14] Suborbital University), Composition, 15 May trouble Cosmic Radiation, Solar from lift^ Radiation (NRL)^[16]^:374-375 [14] (V-2 NO. 26) Project Hermes launch, apogee: 122 kilometres (76 mi) Nazi Germany United StatesG.E./ United States United StatesWhite Sands LC-33 U.S. Army Hermes B-1 Missile Missile test of ramjet went South 29 May United States G.E. Suborbital diffusers called "Organ."^ 29 May instead of Hermes II [21] North, landed in Mexico^[22] Project Hermes launch, apogee: 50 kilometres (31 mi), maiden flight of Hermes II, aka Hermes B-1 Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite Sands LC-33 United StatesG.E./ U.S. Army Density-pressure-temperature, Launch Cosmic Radiation, Ionosphere, failure, 10 July Simulant agent experiment - Steering 19:18 NRL^[14] Suborbital Camp Detrick, Indiana, seed 10 July trouble containers in control chamber from lift^ (Harvard College Observatory) [14] ^[16]^:363-364 (V-2 NO. 29) Project Hermes launch, apogee: 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite Sands LC-33 United StatesG.E./ U.S. Army Cosmic Radiation, Solar Successful, 29 July Radiation, High altitude Vane #4 12:55 APL^[14] Suborbital photography (APL)^[16]^: 29 July ceased to 386-387 (V-2 NO. 30) operate at 27 sec^[14] Project Hermes launch, apogee: 159 kilometres (99 mi) Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesUSS Midway, Atlantic Ocean United StatesU.S. Launch Site 10 Navy 6 U.S. Navy Suborbital Missile test 6 Launch September September failure Operation Sandy, first shipboard missile launch, apogee: 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite Sands LC-33 United StatesG.E./ U.S. Army Successful, Density-pressure-temperature, Steering 9 October Skin temperature, Composition disturbance 19:15 G.E.^[14] Suborbital (University of Michigan), 9 October at 48.4 Solar radiation (NRL)^[16]^: sec. Roll 386-387 (V-2 NO. 30) at 52 sec.^ [14] Project Hermes launch, apogee: 156 kilometres (97 mi) Nazi GermanyV-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionNII-88 18 Section 3 October NII-88 Suborbital Missile test 28 Partial 07:47 Section 3 October failure Apogee: 86 kilometres (53 mi); destroyed during ballistic portion of flight^[23] Nazi GermanyV-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionNII-88 20 Section 3 October NII-88 Suborbital Missile test 20 Partial 07:47 Section 3 October failure Apogee: 85 kilometres (53 mi); tore loose from launch stand; flew 180 kilometres (110 mi) left of planned target^[23] Nazi GermanyV-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionNII-88 23 Section 3 October NII-88 Suborbital Missile test 23 Launch 14:05 Section 3 October failure Apogee: 14 kilometres (8.7 mi); payload destroyed, rocket disintegrated^[23] Nazi GermanyV-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionNII-88 28 Section 3 October NII-88 Suborbital Missile test 28 Successful 14:05 Section 3 October Apogee: 87 kilometres (54 mi)^[23] Nazi GermanyV-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionNII-88 31 Section 3 October NII-88 Suborbital Missile test 31 Launch 13:41 Section 3 October failure Apogee: 0 kilometres (0 mi); loss of control on longitudinal axis^ [23] Nazi GermanyV-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionNII-88 2 Section 3 November NII-88 Suborbital Missile test 2 Successful 15:14 Section 3 November Apogee: 88 kilometres (55 mi)^[23] Nazi GermanyV-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionNII-88 3 Section 3 November NII-88 Suborbital Missile test 3 Launch 12:05 Section 3 November failure Apogee: 0 kilometres (0 mi); rolled after launch and lost stabilization^[23] Nazi GermanyV-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionNII-88 4 Section 3 November NII-88 Suborbital Missile test 4 Successful 15:02 Section 3 November Apogee: 89 kilometres (55 mi)^[23] Nazi GermanyV-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionNII-88 10 Section 3 November NII-88 Suborbital Missile test 10 Launch 09:39 Section 3 November failure Apogee: 11 kilometres (6.8 mi); lost guidance^[23] Nazi GermanyV-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionNII-88 13 Section 3 November NII-88 Suborbital Missile test 13 Successful 08:30 Section 3 November Apogee: 89 kilometres (55 mi)^[23] Nazi GermanyV-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionNII-88 13 Section 3 November NII-88 Suborbital Missile test 13 Partial 14:00 Section 3 November failure Apogee: 89 kilometres (55 mi); broke up on re-entry^[23] Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite Sands LC-33 United StatesG.E./ U.S. Army Launch 20 failure, November G.E.^[14] Suborbital Technology development flight 20 Propulsion 23:47 for GE.^[24] November trouble at 36 sec.^ [14] Apogee: 21 kilometres (13 mi) United States United StatesWhite Sands Launch Complex United StatesU.S. Aerobee RTV-N-8 35 Navy Applied Launch 24 Physics failure, November Laboratory Suborbital 24 off course, 17:20 ^[16]^: November flight Table I, terminated. 7.3 ^[25] Apogee: 56 kilometres (35 mi)^[11] Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite Sands LC-33 United StatesG.E./ U.S. Army Density-pressure-temperature (Michigan University), Skin temperature (Boston University), Solar soft 8 X-rays,Vertical incidence December United States ionosphere propagation, 8 21:42 Blossom II AMC<^[14] Suborbital Oblique incidence ionosphere December Successful propagation, Aspect project (cameras to be lowered by parachute) (Wright Air Development Center), Sky brightness (AFCRC)^[16]^: 379-382 (V-2 NO. 28) Project Hermes launch, apogee: 105 kilometres (65 mi) 1948[edit] 1948 launches Rocket Flight Launch site LSP Date and number time (UTC Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay Outcome ) (UTC) Remarks United StatesWhite United StatesG.E./ 22 Nazi GermanyV-2 Sands - Launch U.S. Army January Complex 33 20:12 NRL Suborbital 22 Successful January Project Hermes launch, apogee: 159 kilometres (99 mi)^[12] Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite United StatesG.E./ 6 Sands LC-33 U.S. Army February G.E. Suborbital 6 Successful 17:17 February Project Hermes launch, apogee: 113 kilometres (70 mi)^[12] United States United StatesWhite United StatesU.S. 5 March Aerobee RTV-N-8 Sands LC-35 Navy 22:51 APL Suborbital Chemical 5 March Successful release Apogee: 118 kilometres (73 mi)^[11] Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite United StatesG.E./ 19 March Sands LC-33 U.S. Army 23:10 United States G.E. Suborbital 19 March Launch Blossom IIA failure Project Hermes launch, apogee: 5.5 kilometres (3.4 mi)^[12] Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite United StatesG.E./ Sands LC-33 U.S. Army 2 April US Army 13:47 Signal Suborbital 2 April Successful Corps Project Hermes launch, apogee: 144 kilometres (89 mi)^[12] United States United StatesWhite United StatesU.S. 13 April Aerobee RTV-N-8 Sands LC-35 Navy 21:41 APL Suborbital 13 April Successful Apogee: 114 kilometres (71 mi)^[11] Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite United StatesG.E./ 19 April Sands LC-33 U.S. Army 19:54 NRL Suborbital 19 April Guidance Failure Project Hermes launch, apogee: 56 kilometres (35 mi)^[12] Nazi Germany United StatesWhite United StatesG.E./ United States Sands LC-33 U.S. Army 13 May Bumper 13:43 United States G.E. Suborbital 13 May Successful Bumper 1 Maiden flight of Bumper, apogee: 127.6 kilometres (79.3 mi)^[26] Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite United StatesG.E./ 27 May Sands LC-33 U.S. Army 14:15 APL Suborbital 27 May Successful Project Hermes launch, apogee: 140 kilometres (87 mi)^[12] Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite United StatesG.E./ Sands LC-33 U.S. Army Launch 11 June failure, 10:22 AMC Suborbital 11 June premature valve closure Project Hermes launch, apogee: 63 kilometres (39 mi)^[12] United States United StatesWhite United StatesU.S. 26 July Aerobee RTV-N-8 Sands LC-35 Navy 16:47 APL Suborbital 26 July Successful Apogee: 113 kilometres (70 mi)^[11] Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite United StatesG.E./ Sands LC-33 U.S. Army 26 July Successful, 18:03 APL Suborbital 26 July Propulsion issues at 45.2s Project Hermes launch, apogee: 97 kilometres (60 mi)^[12] Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite United StatesG.E./ Sands LC-33 U.S. Army 5 August UV 12:07 NRL Suborbital Astronomy 5 August Successful Solar X-ray Project Hermes launch, apogee: 167 kilometres (104 mi)^[12] United States United StatesWhite United StatesU.S. 6 August Aerobee RTV-N-8 Sands LC-35 Navy 1:37 APL Suborbital Aeronomy/ 6 August Successful solar UV Apogee: 96.6 kilometres (60.0 mi)^[11] Nazi Germany United StatesWhite United StatesG.E./ United States Sands LC-33 U.S. Army 19 August Bumper 14:45 United States G.E. Suborbital 19 August Launch Bumper 2 failure Apogee: 13.1 kilometres (8.1 mi)^[26] Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite United StatesG.E./ 3 Sands LC-33 U.S. Army September United States USASC Suborbital 3 Successful 01:00 GRENADES September Project Hermes launch, apogee: 151 kilometres (94 mi)^[12] Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionNII-88 Yar Section 3 17 NII-88 Missile 17 Launch September Section Suborbital test September failure^ 3 [27] maiden flight of R-1^[27] Nazi Germany United StatesWhite United StatesG.E./ 30 United States Sands LC-33 U.S. Army September Bumper 15:30 United States G.E. Suborbital 30 2nd Stage Bumper 3 September Failure Apogee: 150.6 kilometres (93.6 mi)^[26] Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionNII-88 10 Yar Section 3 October NII-88 Missile 10 Successful^ Section Suborbital test October [27] 3 Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionNII-88 Yar Section 3 11 NII-88 Missile October Section Suborbital test, 11 Successful 3 sounding October rocket First Soviet spaceflight with scientific experiments^[27] Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionNII-88 13 Yar Section 3 October NII-88 Missile 13 Successful^ Section Suborbital test October [27] 3 Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionNII-88 21 Yar Section 3 October NII-88 Missile 21 Successful^ Section Suborbital test October [27] 3 Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionNII-88 23 Yar Section 3 October NII-88 Missile 23 Successful^ Section Suborbital test October [27] 3 Nazi Germany United StatesWhite United StatesG.E./ United States Sands LC-33 U.S. Army^[26] 1 Bumper November United States 1 Tail 14:24 Bumper 4 G.E. Suborbital November explosion at 28.5s Apogee: 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionNII-88 1 Yar Section 3 November NII-88 Missile 1 Successful^ Section Suborbital test November [27] 3 United States United StatesWhite United StatesU.S. Aerobee RTV-N-8 Sands LC-35 Navy Cosmic 2 radiation, November APL Suborbital solar 2 Successful 00:12 radiation November and particles Apogee: 91 kilometres (57 mi)^[11] Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionNII-88 3 Yar Section 3 November NII-88 Missile 3 Successful^ Section Suborbital test November [27] 3 Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionNII-88 4 Yar Section 3 November NII-88 Missile 4 Successful^ Section Suborbital test November [27] 3 Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionNII-88 Yar Section 3 5 NII-88 Missile 5 November Section Suborbital test November Successful 3 last of nine launches in the first test series^[27] Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite United StatesG.E./ 18 Sands LC-33 U.S. Army November G.E. Suborbital Ramjet 18 Successful 22:35 research November Project Hermes launch, apogee: 145 kilometres (90 mi)^[12] Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite United StatesG.E./ 9 Sands LC-33 U.S. Army December USASC Suborbital 9 Successful 16:08 December Project Hermes launch, apogee: 108 kilometres (67 mi)^[12] United States United StatesWhite United StatesU.S. 9 Aerobee RTV-N-8 Sands LC-35 Navy December APL Suborbital Aeronomy 9 Successful 22:38 December Apogee: 91 kilometres (57 mi)^[11] 1949[edit] 1949 launches Rocket Flight Launch site LSP Date and number time (UTC Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay Outcome ) (UTC) Remarks Nazi Germany United StatesWhite United StatesU.S. 14 United States Sands - Launch Complex Army January Hermes B-1 33 20:26 United States U.S. Suborbital Missile 14 Launch Hermes II Army test January failure Project Hermes launch, apogee: 1 kilometre (0.62 mi)^[28] Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite United StatesG.E./ Sands LC-33 U.S. Army 28 Solar x-ray January / 28 Launch 17:20 NRL Suborbital ionosphere January failure / aeronomy / biology Blossom launch, apogee: 60 kilometres (37 mi)^[28] United States United StatesWhite United StatesU.S. 29 Aerobee RTV-N-8 Sands Navy January APL Suborbital Radiation, 29 Successful 06:17 ionospheric January Apogee: 96.6 kilometres (60.0 mi)^[11] United States United StatesWhite United StatesU.S. 1 Aerobee RTV-N-8 Sands Navy February APL Suborbital Solar UV 1 Launch 18:38 and X-Ray February failure Apogee: 0 kilometres (0 mi)^[11] Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite United StatesG.E./ 17 Sands LC-33 U.S. Army February APL Suborbital 17 Successful 17:00 February Apogee: 100.8 kilometres (62.6 mi)^[28] United States United StatesWhite United StatesG.E./ 24 Bumper Sands LC-33 U.S. Army February United States G.E. Suborbital 24 Successful 22:14 Bumper 5 February Apogee: 393 kilometres (244 mi). The new altitude record.^[26] United States United StatesWhite United StatesU.S. Aerobee RTV-N-8 Sands LC-35 Navy Test for 2 March shipboard Launch 00:15 APL Suborbital launch; 2 March failure dummy payload Apogee: 0 kilometres (0 mi)^[11] United States United StatesUSS United StatesU.S. 17 March Aerobee RTV-N-8 Norton Sound, PO-22 Navy 23:20 LP-1 APL Suborbital Ionospheric 17 March Successful Apogee: 105 kilometres (65 mi)^[11] Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite United StatesG.E./ 22 March Sands LC-33 U.S. Army 06:43 United States AMC Suborbital Ionospheric 22 March Successful Blossom IVA Blossom IVA; apogee: 129 kilometres (80 mi)^[28] United States United StatesUSS United StatesU.S. 22 March Aerobee RTV-N-8 Norton Sound, PO-22 Navy 17:20 LP-1 APL Suborbital Ionospheric 22 March Successful Apogee: 105 kilometres (65 mi)^[11] United States United StatesUSS United StatesU.S. Aerobee RTV-N-8 Norton Sound, PO-22 Navy 24 March LP-1 15:14 APL Suborbital Ionospheric 24 March Launch failure Apogee: 5 kilometres (3.1 mi), pressure valve malfunction, booster separated on ignition^[11] Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite United StatesG.E./ 11 April Sands LC-33 U.S. Army 22:05 USASC Suborbital 11 April Successful Apogee: 85 kilometres (53 mi)^[28] United States United StatesWhite United StatesG.E./ 22 April Bumper Sands LC-33 U.S. Army 00:17 United States G.E. Suborbital 22 April Launch Bumper 6 failure Apogee: 50 kilometres (31 mi)^[26] United States United StatesWhite United StatesU.S. Viking (first Sands Army Launch Area Navy model) 1 3 May United States Aeronomy Partial Viking 1 NRL Suborbital Imaging 3 May launch failure Apogee: 83 kilometres (52 mi)^[6]^:236^[29] Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite United StatesG.E./ 5 May Sands LC-33 U.S. Army 15:15 G.E. Suborbital 5 May Launch failure Apogee: 8.9 kilometres (5.5 mi)^[28] Soviet Union Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionNII-88 R-1A Yar Section 3 7 May NII-88 Missile 03:12 Section Suborbital test 7 May Successful 3 Apogee: 109 kilometres (68 mi), maiden flight of R-1A^[10] Soviet Union Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionNII-88 10 May R-1A Yar Section 3 15:57 NII-88 Missile Successful Section Suborbital test 10 May ^[10] 3 Soviet Union Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionNII-88 R-1A Yar Section 3 15 May NII-88 Missile 02:48 Section Suborbital test 15 May Successful 3 Tested separable warhead^[10] Soviet Union Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionNII-88 R-1A Yar Section 3 16 May NII-88 Missile 21:55 Section Suborbital test 16 May Successful 3 Tested separable warhead^[10] Soviet Union Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionNII-88 R-1A Yar Section 3 Soviet Union NII-88 Missile Partial 24 May FIAR-1 Section Suborbital test/ 24 May Failure 01:40 3 aeronomy Apogee: 32.9 kilometres (20.4 mi); vertical flight, tested separable warhead, carried aeronomy experiments that were not recovered^[10] Soviet Union Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionNII-88 R-1A Yar Section 3 NII-88 Missile Partial 28 May Section Suborbital test 28 May Failure 01:50 3 Apogee: 31.9 kilometres (19.8 mi); Final R1-A flight - vertical flight, tested separable warhead, carried aeronomy experiments damaged on landing and returned no usable data^[10] United States United StatesWhite United StatesU.S. 2 June Aerobee Sands Navy 13:10 XASR-SC-1 APL Suborbital Aeronomy 2 June Successful Apogee: 78.4 kilometres (48.7 mi)^[11] Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite United StatesG.E./ Sands LC-33 U.S. Army 14 June United States AMC Suborbital Biological, 14 June Successful 22:35 Blossom IVB Atmospheric Apogee: 133.9 kilometres (83.2 mi), carried Albert II, first monkey in space^[20]^[30]^[28] United States United StatesWhite United StatesU.S. 15 June Aerobee RTV-N-8 Sands Navy 02:03 NRL Suborbital Ozone 15 June Successful research Apogee: 109 kilometres (68 mi)^[11] United States United StatesWhite United StatesU.S. 17 June Aerobee RTV-N-8 Sands Navy 02:03 NRL Suborbital classified 17 June Successful mission Apogee: 88 kilometres (55 mi)^[11] United States United StatesWhite United StatesU.S. 23 June Aerobee RTV-N-8 Sands Navy 23:21 NRL Suborbital Solar, 23 June Successful aeronomy Apogee: 88 kilometres (55 mi)^[11] United States United StatesWhite United StatesU.S. 21 July Aerobee Sands LC-35 Navy 16:01 XASR-SC-1 APL Suborbital Aeronomy 21 July Successful Apogee: 76.1 kilometres (47.3 mi)^[11] United States United StatesWhite United StatesU.S. 6 Viking (first Sands Army Launch Area Navy September model) 1 16:57 United States NRL Suborbital Aeronomy 6 Launch Viking 2 Imaging September failure Apogee: 57 kilometres (35 mi)^[6]^:236^[29] Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionOKB-1 10 Yar September OKB-1 Suborbital Missile 10 test September First flight of second series of tests^[27] Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionNII-88 11 Yar Section 3 September NII-88 Missile 11 Successful Section Suborbital test September ^[27] 3 Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionNII-88 13 Yar Section 3 September NII-88 Missile 13 Successful Section Suborbital test September ^[27] 3 Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionNII-88 14 Yar Section 3 September NII-88 Missile 14 Successful Section Suborbital test September ^[27] 3 Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite United StatesG.E./ 16 Sands LC-33 U.S. Army September United States AMC Suborbital Biological 16 Launch 23:19 Blossom IVC September failure Apogee: 5 kilometres (3.1 mi), carried Albert III^[28] Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionNII-88 17 Yar Section 3 September NII-88 Missile 17 Successful Section Suborbital test September ^[27] 3 Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionNII-88 19 Yar Section 3 September NII-88 Missile 19 Successful Section Suborbital test September ^[27] 3 Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionNII-88 20 Yar Section 3 September NII-88 Missile 20 Launch Section Suborbital test September failure^ 3 [27] United States United StatesWhite United StatesU.S. 20 Aerobee Sands LC-35 Navy September XASR-SC-1 17:03 APL Suborbital Aeronomy 20 Successful September Apogee: 58.6 kilometres (36.4 mi)^[11] Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionNII-88 23 Yar Section 3 September NII-88 Missile 23 Launch Section Suborbital test September failure^ 3 [27] Soviet Union Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionNII-88 R-2E Yar Section 3 25 NII-88 Missile 25 September Section Suborbital test September Successful 11:16 3 Maiden flight of R-2E - a modified R-1 missile to test R-2 concepts: integral fuel tank and separable warhead^[31] Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionNII-88 28 Yar Section 3 September NII-88 Missile 28 Successful Section Suborbital test September ^[27] 3 Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite United StatesG.E./ 29 Sands LC-33 U.S. Army September NRL Suborbital 29 Successful 16:58 September Apogee: 151.1 kilometres (93.9 mi)^[28] Soviet Union Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionNII-88 30 R-2E Yar Section 3 September NII-88 Missile 30 11:49 Section Suborbital test September Successful 3 ^[31] Soviet Union Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionNII-88 R-2E Yar Section 3 2 October NII-88 Missile Partial 11:00 Section Suborbital test 2 October failure 3 Fire in tail compartment^[31] Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionNII-88 Yar Section 3 3 October NII-88 Missile Successful Section Suborbital test 3 October ^[27] 3 Nazi Germany United StatesWhite United StatesU.S. Hermes B-1 Sands LC-33 Army 6 October United States U.S. Suborbital Missile 6 October Launch Hermes II Army test failure Project Hermes launch, apogee: 4 kilometres (2.5 mi)^[28] Soviet Union Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionNII-88 8 October R-2E Yar Section 3 06:05 NII-88 Missile Successful Section Suborbital test 8 October ^[31] 3 Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionNII-88 Yar Section 3 8 October NII-88 Missile Successful Section Suborbital test 8 October ^[27] 3 Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionNII-88 10 Yar Section 3 October NII-88 Missile 10 Successful Section Suborbital test October ^[27] 3 Soviet Union Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionNII-88 11 R-2E Yar Section 3 October NII-88 Missile 11 Partial 12:45 Section Suborbital test October failure 3 Fire in tail compartment, last of five R-2E launches^[31] Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionNII-88 12 Yar Section 3 October NII-88 Missile 12 Successful Section Suborbital test October ^[27] 3 Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionNII-88 13 Yar Section 3 October NII-88 Missile 13 Successful Section Suborbital test October ^[27] 3 Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionNII-88 14 Yar Section 3 October NII-88 Missile 14 Launch Section Suborbital test October failure^ 3 [27] Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionNII-88 15 Yar Section 3 October NII-88 Missile 15 Successful Section Suborbital test October ^[27] 3 Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionNII-88 18 Yar Section 3 October NII-88 Missile 18 Successful Section Suborbital test October ^[27] 3 Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionNII-88 19 Yar Section 3 October NII-88 Missile 19 Successful Section Suborbital test October ^[27] 3 Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionNII-88 22 Yar Section 3 October NII-88 Missile 22 Successful Section Suborbital test October ^[27] 3 Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionNII-88 Yar Section 3 23 NII-88 Missile 23 Successful October Section Suborbital test October ^[27] 3 Last of second series of twenty firings Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite United StatesG.E./ 18 Sands LC-33 U.S. Army November United States USASC Suborbital 18 Successful 16:03 GRENADES November Apogee: 124.2 kilometres (77.2 mi)^[28] United States United StatesHolloman United States 2 Aerobee RTV-A-1 AFB Launch Complex A U.S.A.F. December Solar, 2 22:20 U.S.A.F. Suborbital imaging, December Successful aeronomy Apogee: 96 kilometres (60 mi)^[11] United States United StatesWhite United StatesU.S. Aerobee Sands LC-35 Army 6 XASR-SC-1 December Air 18:32 U.S. Suborbital sampling 6 Successful Army aeronomy December mission Apogee: 64.9 kilometres (40.3 mi)^[11] United States United StatesWhite United StatesU.S. Aerobee Sands LC-35 Army 7 XASR-SC-1 December Air 00:16 U.S. Suborbital sampling 7 Successful Army aeronomy December mission Apogee: 60 kilometres (37 mi)^[11] Nazi GermanyV-2 United StatesWhite United StatesG.E./ 8 Sands LC-33 U.S. Army December United States AMC Suborbital Biological 8 Successful 19:15 Blossom IVD December Apogee: 127 kilometres (79 mi), carried Albert IV^[28] United States United StatesHolloman United States 15 Aerobee RTV-A-1 AFB Launch Complex A U.S.A.F. December Solar, 15 Launch 17:10 APL Suborbital imaging, December failure aeronomy Apogee: 0 kilometres (0 mi)^[11] 1950[edit] 1950 launches Rocket Flight Launch site LSP Date and number time ( Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay Outcome UTC) (UTC) Remarks United States United StatesU.S. Aerobee United StatesBering Sea Navy 15 RTV-N-10 January Applied Particle 15 23:45 Physics Suborbital physics January Successful Laboratory Ship-launched; Apogee: 72 kilometres (45 mi)^[11] United States United StatesU.S. 18 Aerobee United StatesBering Sea Navy January RTV-N-10 23:17 APL Suborbital Particle 18 Successful physics January Ship-launched; Apogee: 80 kilometres (50 mi)^[11] United States United StatesWhite United StatesU.S. Viking (first Sands Army Launch Area Navy 9 model) 1 February United States NRL Suborbital Solar 9 Launch 21:44 Viking 3 Imaging February failure Veered off-course, failed to reach space, apogee: 80.5 kilometres (50.0 mi)^[6]^:236^[29] United States United StatesWhite United StatesU.S. Aerobee Sands - Launch Complex Navy 14 RTV-N-8 33 February Cosmic gamma 14 23:14 APL Suborbital Ionosphere February Successful mission Apogee: 87.6 kilometres (54.4 mi)^[11] Nazi Germany United StatesWhite United StatesG.E./ 17 V-2 Sands LC-33 U.S. Army February NRL Suborbital 17 Successful 18:00 February Apogee: 148 kilometres (92 mi)^[28] United States United StatesWhite United StatesU.S. 22 Aerobee Sands LC-35 Army February XASR-SC-1 00:54 U.S. Army Suborbital Aeronomy 22 Successful February Apogee: 87.6 kilometres (54.4 mi)^[11] United States United StatesWhite United StatesU.S. 4 March Aerobee Sands LC-35 Army 00:36 XASR-SC-1 U.S. Army Suborbital Aeronomy 4 March Successful Apogee: 72.4 kilometres (45.0 mi)^[11] United States United StatesHolloman United States Aerobee AFB Launch Complex A U.S.A.F. 14 March RTV-A-1 20:43 U.S.A.F. Suborbital Solar 14 March Launch radiation failure Apogee: 3.2 kilometres (2.0 mi)^[11] United States United StatesWhite United StatesU.S. 26 April Aerobee Sands LC-35 Navy 01:11 XASR-SC-2 U.S. Army Suborbital Atmospheric 26 April Successful Apogee: 99.5 kilometres (61.8 mi)^[11] United States United StatesUSS Norton United StatesU.S. Viking (first Sound, PO-8 Navy 12 May model) 03:08 United States U.S. Navy Suborbital Ionospheric 12 May Successful Viking 4 Aeronomy Apogee: 171 kilometres (106 mi)^[6]^:236^[29] United States United StatesWhite United StatesU.S. Aerobee Sands LC-35 Navy 12 May RTV-N-10 12:30 APL Suborbital Particle 12 May Successful physics Ship-launched; Apogee: 88.1 kilometres (54.7 mi)^[11] United States United StatesHolloman United States Aerobee AFB Launch Complex A U.S.A.F. 26 May RTV-A-1 19:43 U.S.A.F. Suborbital Solar 26 May Successful radiation Apogee: 67.6 kilometres (42.0 mi)^[11] United States United StatesHolloman United States Aerobee AFB Launch Complex A U.S.A.F. 2 June RTV-A-1 17:07 U.S.A.F. Suborbital Solar 2 June Successful radiation Apogee: 67.6 kilometres (42.0 mi)^[11] United States United StatesHolloman United States 20 June Aerobee AFB Launch Complex A U.S.A.F. 15:38 RTV-A-1 U.S.A.F. Suborbital aeronomy 20 June Successful Apogee: 92.6 kilometres (57.5 mi)^[11] United States United StatesWhite United StatesU.S. 14 July Aerobee Sands LC-35 Army 08:39 XASR-SC-1 U.S. Army Suborbital Aeronomy 14 July Successful Apogee: 69.2 kilometres (43.0 mi)^[11] Nazi Germany United StatesCape United StatesG.E./ United States Canaveral Launch U.S. Army 24 July Bumper Complex 3 14:29 United States G.E. Suborbital Test 24 July Launch Bumper 8 failure First missile launch from Cape Canaveral; apogee: 20 kilometres (12 mi)^[26] Nazi Germany United StatesCape United StatesG.E./ United States Canaveral Launch U.S. Army 29 July Bumper Complex 3 11:25 United States G.E. Suborbital Test 29 July Launch Bumper 8 failure Apogee: 50 kilometres (31 mi)^[26] United States United StatesWhite United StatesU.S. 17 Aerobee Sands LC-35 Navy August RTV-N-10 15:45 APL Suborbital Spectrometry 17 Successful August Apogee: 101 kilometres (63 mi)^[11] Nazi Germany United StatesWhite United StatesG.E./ 31 V-2 Sands LC-33 U.S. Army August United States AMC Suborbital Biological 31 Successful 17:09 Blossom IVG August Apogee: 137 kilometres (85 mi), carried a mouse^[28] Soviet Union Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionOKB-1 1 R-2 Yar October OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 1 Partial October failure maiden flight of R-2 prototype missile; missed target^[32] Soviet Union Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionOKB-1 1 R-2 Yar October OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 1 Partial October failure missed target^[32] United States United StatesHolloman United States 12 Aerobee AFB Launch Complex A U.S.A.F. October RTV-A-1 19:36 U.S.A.F. Suborbital Photography 12 Successful October Apogee: 91.3 kilometres (56.7 mi)^[11] United States United StatesWhite United StatesU.S. 17 Aerobee Sands LC-35 Navy October XASR-SC-2 04:00 U.S. Army Suborbital Aeronomy 17 Successful October Apogee: 80.5 kilometres (50.0 mi)^[11] United States United StatesWhite United StatesU.S. 18 Aerobee Sands LC-35 Navy October XASR-SC-2 04:30 U.S. Army Suborbital Aeronomy 18 Successful October Apogee: 85 kilometres (53 mi)^[11] Soviet Union Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionOKB-1 21 R-2 Yar October OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 21 Partial October Failure missed target^[32] Nazi Germany United StatesWhite United StatesG.E./ 26 V-2 Sands LC-33 U.S. Army October Ballistic 26 Launch 23:02 Research Suborbital October failure Laboratory Apogee: 8.1 kilometres (5.0 mi)^[28] United States United StatesWhite United StatesU.S. 27 Aerobee Sands LC-35 Navy October XASR-SC-2 13:30 U.S. Army Suborbital Aeronomy 27 Successful October Apogee: 80.2 kilometres (49.8 mi)^[11] Soviet Union Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionOKB-1 1 R-2 Yar November OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 1 Partial November failure Missed target^[32] Soviet Union Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionOKB-1 1 R-2 Yar November OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 1 Partial November failure Missed target^[32] Soviet Union Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionOKB-1 1 R-2 Yar November OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 1 Partial November failure Missed target^[32] Soviet Union Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionOKB-1 1 R-2 Yar November OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 1 Partial November failure Missed target^[32] Soviet Union Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionOKB-1 1 R-2 Yar November OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 1 Partial November failure missed target^[32] United States United StatesHolloman United States 2 Aerobee AFB Launch Complex A U.S.A.F. November RTV-A-1 16:29 U.S.A.F. Suborbital Air glow 2 Successful research November Apogee: 91.8 kilometres (57.0 mi)^[11] Nazi Germany United StatesWhite United StatesU.S. United States Sands LC-33 Army Hermes B-1 9 United States 9 Partial November Hermes II U.S. Army Suborbital Missile test November Success^ [33] Project Hermes launch, apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi) Apogee: 80.2 kilometres (49.8 mi) United States United StatesWhite United StatesU.S. 21 Viking (first Sands Army Launch Area Navy November model) 1 17:18 United States NRL Suborbital Solar 21 Successful Viking 5 Ionospheric November Apogee: 174 kilometres (108 mi)^[6]^:236^[29] Soviet Union Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionOKB-1 1 R-2 Yar December OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 1 Partial December failure Missed target^[32] Soviet Union Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionOKB-1 1 R-2 Yar December OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 1 Partial December failure Missed target^[32] Soviet Union Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionOKB-1 1 R-2 Yar December OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 1 Partial December failure Missed target^[32] United States United StatesWhite United StatesU.S. 11 Aerobee Sands LC-35 Navy December XASR-SC-2 17:04 U.S. Army Suborbital Aeronomy 11 Successful December Apogee: 83.9 kilometres (52.1 mi)^[11] United States United StatesWhite United StatesU.S. 12 Aerobee Sands LC-35 Navy December XASR-SC-2 04:06 U.S. Army Suborbital Aeronomy 12 Successful December Apogee: 84 kilometres (52 mi)^[11] United States United StatesWhite United StatesU.S. 12 Viking (first Sands Army Launch Area Navy December model) 1 07:04 United States U.S. Navy Suborbital 12 Launch Viking 6 December failure Apogee: 64 kilometres (40 mi)^[6]^:236^[29] United States United StatesWhite United StatesU.S. 12 Aerobee Sands LC-35 Navy December XASR-SC-2 09:10 U.S. Army Suborbital Aeronomy 12 Successful December Apogee: 77 kilometres (48 mi)^[11] United States United StatesHolloman 12 Aerobee AFB Launch Complex A United StatesARDC December RTV-A-1 18:26 ARDC Suborbital 12 Successful December Apogee: 106 kilometres (66 mi)^[11] United States United StatesWhite United StatesU.S. 19 Aerobee Sands LC-35 Navy December XASR-SC-2 18:52 U.S. Army Suborbital Aeronomy 19 Successful December Apogee: 81.9 kilometres (50.9 mi)^[11] Soviet Union Soviet UnionKapustin Soviet UnionOKB-1 20 R-2 Yar December OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 20 Partial December failure Final flight of 12 mission prototype series; missed target^[32] * - 1942 * 1943 * 1944 * 1945 * 1946 * 1947 * 1948 * 1949 * 1950 - Suborbital launch summary (1945-1950)[edit] By country[edit] Circle frame.svg * United Kingdom: 3 * Soviet Union: 63 * USA: 132 Launches by country Country Launches Successes Failures Partial failures # United Kingdom 3 2 0 1 # Soviet Union 63 36 8 9 # United States 132 82 34 16 By rocket[edit] 18 36 54 72 90 V-2 Bumper Viking Aerobee R-1 R-2 * American V-2 * Soviet V-2 * British V-2 * Bumper * Viking (first model) * Aerobee RTV-N-8 * Aerobee RTV-N-10 * Aerobee XASR-SC-1 * Aerobee XASR-SC-2 * Aerobee RTV-A-1 * R-1 * R-1A * R-2 Launches by rocket Rocket Country Launches Successes Failures Partial Remarks failures V-2 # United 72 37 20 15 Maiden States flight Bumper # United 8 2 6 0 Maiden States flight Viking # United Maiden (first States 6 2 3 1 flight model) Aerobee # United Maiden RTV-N-8 States 17 14 3 0 flight, retired Aerobee # United 4 4 0 0 Maiden RTV-N-10 States flight Aerobee # United 8 8 0 0 Maiden XASR-SC-1 States flight Aerobee # United 8 8 0 0 Maiden XASR-SC-2 States flight Aerobee # United 9 7 2 0 Maiden RTV-A-1 States flight V-2 # United 3 2 0 1 Maiden Kingdom flight # Soviet Maiden V-2 Union 11 4 4 3 flight, retired R-1 # Soviet 29 25 4 0 Maiden Union flight R-1A # Soviet 6 4 0 2 Maiden Union flight R-2 # Soviet 5 3 0 2 Maiden Union flight See also[edit] * List of V-2 test launches * Jupiter-C References[edit] 1. ^ Paul Voosen (24 July 2018). 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