AERONAUTICS AND ASTRONAUTICS

1915 .. 1960

APPENDIX A

CHRONICLE OF EARTH

SATELLITES AND SPACE

PROBES

1 9 5 7 - 1 9 6 0

Historical. Staff Office of Technical Information and Educational Programs

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION Wa1$hi:ngtcm 25, D.· C.

December 1960 I

AERONAUTICS, AND ASTRONAUTICS

Apt)elldix A

CHRONICLE OF EARTH SATELLITES AND SPACE PROBES

This appendix was compiled from statistics prepared by the

NASA Office of. Public Information, lofashington, Do Co It does not

include description of spent rocket casings, etco, that have gone

into orbits or trajectories along with payloa.dso For more detail

on instrumentation and other items, the reader is advised to con---:.

sult Space Activities Sunlmary prepared by the ~ Office <?f

Public Informationo Russian data are unofficial.

\G

LAUNCH DATE NAME mrERNATIONAL DESIG]IATION

·, ~

Oct. 4, 1957 SPUTNIK I 1957 ALPHA:I (USSR) (Case), II

(Payload), III {Nose-ccme).

..

Nov. 3, 1957 SPt1l'NIK II 1957 BEI'A (USSR)

CHRONICLE OF EARTH ~ AND SPACE PROBES

1957 - 196o

LAUNCH VE!IICLE PAYLOAD DATA APOGEE {st. Mi.)

Not difi~closed TotaJ. -weight in or- 588 oit: about four tons ( llD.OfficiaJ.) ~ Scientific instru-

mentation: 1.84 1bs. Two chemicaJ. battery

transmitters (ceased 10/27/57)

.. Not disclosed TotaJ. -weight in or- 1,038

bit: about four tons { llD.Official). Scientific instru-

mentation: 1,120 l.bs. Experiments:. cosmic

., rays; solar ultra-violet and X-radia-tion; test animal "I..a.ika" (dog); tem-perature; presSl.ll'es. Transmitters ceased

ll/10/57·

A-2

I

PERIGEE PERIOD mCLI- REMARKS (St~Mi.) (Min.) NATION

1.42 96.2 65° to First man-made earth Equator satellite;

Status: Payload dawn on 1/4/58 (92 days)

..

I

14-o. 103~1 65° to . First biamedicaJ. · experi-Equator mel'It aDd data disclosed

significant solar illfl.u-ence on upper atmosphere densities. Status: Down on 4/14/58

(1.62 days)

'

.. ... . '"'

..

. I - . t -· l . r . • . 1 . · _ LAI.JNCH DA!l'E NAME Ilfl'.l!lRNATIONAL .,. LAtnroll · VDIICLE ' PAYLOAD DATA APOGEE · PERIGEE { PERIOD-~ INCLI- ·mfABKS

DESIGNATION St.M1~) · (st.M:L. . (Min.). t NATION

--

i \ Total. weight: 30.8 •. I ~,573 .:

t .. . , Jan. ~~ ~958 ~I ~958 .ALPHA Jupiter c · 224 n4. 8 !33. 34° to Made most im;portan:t dis.;.

(US) ~os~ . ' <2ir>*

. jEquator · covery of the IGY 1 the

~. ,.....c 1(1,17J.}* (W7-5l •. radia"!;:Lon be~t a.rour.rd the

mentation:. ~8.13 . . · ·. earth ident1f'1ed by Van

I ' J.bs. · . Allen. (Second be~t hter

· Experiment,& : cos- · discovered by Pioneer · . - . mic rays, m1crome- . m). . . -

teorites, aild; tem- . . Status: Still in orbit "' - I . ~0/25/(i).

~-·. Tra.nsm1 tter stopped · 5/23/58 (inte:mittent . I operation _2/ll-2/28).

... I . .. . I . ·-

Mar. ~7, ~958 I VANGUARD I I SCil.eJlt:l:fic payload ,2,453 . I

~958 BE:rA: Va.ngu&l'd 1!Q9 -107.91 Sta.billty of orbit pro-I (US) I (Case}; .(TV-4) · 8lld total. weight: 3· 25 vided geOdetic observa~ . II (Pay~) ~bs.- (50 ~b. 3rd- r2,45l)* (4o8)* (133-9}11- t:Lons incl.uding dete:r:mi-.

· stage rocket casil:lg 1 • jmtion that the earth is ~o 1n· orbit).

r~~1. First sol.ar-powered 1 !

batteries : one trans- I st1ll·t~tt1ng mittlb!,.-;ceased on th ~:~st:lmated orbit l.ife· 4/5/?8~ the other · ., ' :lme of 200 to ~,000 will operate ~fi- ·

I ars.

I nitel.y. . i . -

- ------

*as of J.0/25/(/)

A-3

LAUNCf(iiATE I NAME !

Mar. 26, 1958 EXPLORER In {US)

MS,y 15' 1958

July 26, 1958

. i i

I I 1 i

SPUTNIK ni {USSR)

l EXPLORER IV I {US)

I l

INTERNNI'IONAL DESIGNATION

1958 DELTA

1958 EPSILON l

i LAUNCH VEHICLE; PAYLoAD DATA APOGEE

St.Mi.)

Ju;pitel;' C

! ! I Total. weight: 31 lbs. 1,746 . ~trumentation: I '118.56 lbs.

Experimen'l,;s: cosmic I · rays with tape recor-

1 de'l', temperatures, 1·

· micrometeor gauges. .

·~~. c:l:eas~l~8~a- i

erratic 5/22-6/5/58. I -- -

Not disclosed I Total. weight: about 1 1J6,7 ! 71 000 lbs. {unofficial) i Instrumentation: ' l' · 2,925 lbs. I Experiments: atmospber:. · j ic pressure; ions; and I 1 earth's electrostatic I and magnetic fields; i micrometeors, etc.

\ Ju;piter c I Total. weight : 38. 4 lbs.

Instrumentation: 25.8 lbs. ,_

Experiments : 2 Geiger­Mueller counters and 2 scintillation counters. 2 1:ransmitters with 5

concurrent channels {channels 2·& 5 ceased 9/3/58). All transmis-

' sion ceased 10/6/58.

A-4 ·, __

. i ' PERIGEE i PERIOD! INCLI- ' {St.Mi. )! {Min.) .NATION

I ..

Yielded data on radia­tion belt discovered by Explorer I, on micro­meteorite impacts and temperature. Status: 8.'oWn 6/28/58

{93 days).

1106.

I

:65.30 to l Provided d&ta_ on radia­iEquator I tion belts 1 etc. . . i Status: down on 5/6/6o •

, I ,.

! . I luo.27 5o.290 to: Provided data on radia.,' ..

;Equator

t

tion belts, etc. Status: down 10/23/59·

i '

lAUNCH llA!l'E NAME INTERNA!L'IONAL LAUNCH .Vl!mCLE PAYLOAD DATA APOGEE II PEBIGEE =~~ INCLI- REMARKS

DESIGNA!l'ION i lst.m.-) Cst.m.) NATION

Oct. 11, 1958 PIONEER I None ~or Able I · Total weight: 84.4 (Attained altitude of - Determined: ra.d.1al (us) lbs. including 43-7 70,700 statute miles extent of radiation

lbs. venier a.Dd retro before reentering bands (first obser-rockets. Instrumen- atmosphere over South vation that radiation tation: 39 · lbs. Paci:l.':ic 43 hours, 17t is a ba.Dd); total Plxperiments: radia.- minutes) ionizing flux; first tion in space observation of hydro-measurements; mag- magnetic oscillation netic field of earth; of earth's magnetic density- of micro- field; discovery of meteors;intexnal. departure of magnetic temperatures; field from predictions; electronic scanner. first determinations

of density- of micro-meteors in space; first me8.S'Urelllellts of inter-planetary magnetic field.

Nov. 8, 1958 PIONEER II None · !l'hor-Able 1 Total vTeight: 86.4 (Attained altitude of - Acqu:Lred some data lbs. 963 miles before that equatorial region Instrumentation: thi:rd star failed has hig'ller flux a.ud

34.3 lbs. to ignite ra.dia.tion energy- before Experiments: ra.di- reentering atmosphere

a.tion, cosmic ~ 42.4 minutes after flux, magnetic fields launch. of Earth a.Dd Moon, etc.

A-5

'"

LAlJNCB DATE NAME INTERNATIONAL LAtJNCB VEHICLE PAYIDAD DATE APOGEE PERIGEE ~OD DCLI- liDfARKS DESIGNATION l<st.Mi:) St.Mi.) M:l.n.) NATION

Dec. 6, 1958 PIONEER III None .Juno II Total weight in· (Atta:il ed alti Lide oi' C 3,58o Attained 24,000 mph (US) -iortN- I miles before 1 E!enteri.l g velocity.

mentation: 12.95 atmos 1here OVE 1r Frencl Discovered. second l.bs. Equat4 rial Ai'l ~ca) · rad:l.ation bel.t around ~riments: ~ earth.

I radiation measure- 1 Status: DowJi 12/7/58 i ments (38 hrs. 6 min.)

the

Dec. 1.8, 1.958 : PROJECT SCORE None Atl.as Total weight in 920 ll.O 1.01..46 32-1l. First transmittal oi' (US) orbit incl.uding buman voice from space.

booster: 8, 750 l.bs~ Status: Down l./21./59 Instrumentation (34 days) .

in payload: 1.50 l.bs. Experiments: TviD

package of trans-mitters, recording& .

(~a:~ apparatus

Jan. 2, 1.959 llJNIK I None T-3 Total weight: (Aphel.ion (Peri- (443 l.o First successfUl. deep (USSR - 3,245 l.bs 123 hell on days) to space probe.

! Mechta or (unofficial.) million 91. Ecl.ip- Status: in orbit ~resm") Instruments: Boo · mil.es nrf11il'll tic Sun in 1.5-month cycl.e.

l.bs. from mil.es Experiments:S~ Sun) from

gas components of Sun) - interpl.anetary mat-

ter and corpus-cul.ar radiation of Sun; magnetic fields ot Earth and Moon; meteoric psrticl.es; heavy nucl.ei in pr1mar,y cosmic radiation. ·

A-6

LAUNCH DATE NAME INTERNA'riONAL LAUNCH VEHICLE . P.AYUlAD DATA APOGEE PERIGEE r:!~_i· INCLI- REMARKS DESIGNATION ·- {St.Mi.} (st.Mi.) NATION

Feb. 17, 1959 VANGUARD. II 1959 ALPHA Vanguard Total weight in orbit: 2,050. . 346 125.4 32.86° Precession of satellite (US) (SLV-4) 20.74 lbs. · prevented interpretation

Experiments: aloud (2,o42)* (350)* (125.3)-11 of data. cover; two photocells Status: still in orbit.* designed to produce imftges for 2 . weeks.

Feb. 28, 1959 DISCOVERER I 1959 BETA Thor-Agena Total weight: 1300 519 176 95-57 -3° off First polar orbit. (US) lbs. N-S Status: down early March

Instruments: 24~ lbs. axis 1959·

Mar. 3' 1959 PIONEER IV None Juno II Total weight: 13. 4o ·(came ~thin 3~ ,300 Yielded data on radiation (US} lbs. milee of moon· pn in space, tracked for 82

Experiments: radia- ~ /4/59) hours to a distance of tion measurements in 407,000 miles. space on earth-moon tra 107.9 91.7 4o6.9 .121> to Status: in sun orbit. jecto:cy; photoelectric million milliOII days !ecliptic scanner for use in from from vicinity of moon. sun sun

Apr. 13, 1959 DISCOVERER II 1959 GAMMA · Thor...Agena Total weight: 1600 lbs 225 156 90.4 .'iP off First satellite to carry (US) Instruments: 245 lbs. N-S reeove~le instrument

for cOmmunications and axis package. performance, 195 lbs. Data capsule impacted ne data capsule. Spitzbergen in 4714/60,

Experiments: reeove:cy payload decayed on 4/2.6/6o

ar

of ejected data ,capsule '

*as of 10/25/60 A-7

., ,.,

IAUNCH DATE NAME INTERNAnONAL LAUNCH VEHICLE PAYIDAD DATA APOGEE PERIGEE .PERIOD INCLI- REMARKS DESIGNATION (St~Mi.) (st.M;L. (Min.) NATION

Aug. 7 I. ~959 EXPIDRER VI ~959 DEIIJ.'A Thor-Able Total weight inc~ud- 26,357 . ~56 12! 46.9° Ac~ va:Luable data (US) ing paddlewheeJ.s: ~42 {ln's.) on radiation J.evels,

~bs. transmitted crude cloud Experiments: measure cover image, detected

3 specific J.evels of ring of electric~ cur-earth's radiation be~t rent circllDg the earth. '1'V scanner to re.J.a¥ status: pos~tion uncer-cloud cover; microme- tain as of ~0/25/60. tecr detection; two magnetometers.

.. Aug. 13, ~959 DISCOVERER V ~959 EPSILON Tbor-Agena Same as Discoverer II 450 ~36 94. 78.~ Reentry capsul.e not re-

{US) o.overed. Status: down 9/28/59

(47 days).

Aug. ~9, ~959 DISCOVERER VI 1959 ZETA Tbor-Agena Same as Discoverer ''II 537 139 95-3 840 Separation of capsul.e {us) occurred 8/20 bat no re-

covary was made. ~l.oad orbit decayed

l 20/59·

Sept. l2, ~959 WNIK II None "Mtll.tistage Weight: 858.4 l.bs. {Lunar ~;)on 6SO First l1mar impact, (USSR) rocket" {est.) · s probe trave~ed 236,tn5

Experiments: measure miles in 35 hours. exte~ and int~ temperatures; ~ a.gnetic 1'1el.ds of earth and moon; me-teoric particles; heavy nq.cl.e1 and other properties of cosmic l'fQ'So

A-8

LADNCB: DATE

Sept. l.8, 1959

Oct. 1!-, 1959

Oct. 13, 1959

*As of 1D/25No

..

RAME

VBGIJARD III (us)

WNIKIII (USSR)

EXPIORER VII (US)

1959"1!1.M

1959 THETA

1959 IOTA

Vanguard (SLV-7)

Not disclosed

Juno II (19A)

PAYWAD DATA

·.Total weisl¢ aroUnd ?,329 319. 100 lbs. (2,3l.8)* (320)* Instruments: 50. lbs. _Experiments: elli.p-

tic&l orbit s~ of magnetic fields, micrometeorites, X-rays, and temper­atures.

Total weight: 611!- lb scientific satellite; last stage weighing 3,1!-23 Jlls. without :f.'uel also -went into orbit vbich contained 31!-5 llls. of instru­ments - a total of 1!-,037 lbs. Experiments: photo­

graphed back side of Moon.

292,ooc 21!-,81!-o 15 de.. (Paylol ~ passed li-,372 miles. f'rom· the ~n on 10 6/59, pic !tures trazunt:~.·tted ~ ore pe~~ on 10/8/59) ·

soo to Equa­tor after

passing Moon

Total weight: 91.5 llls.

68o 31!-2 101.~~ 50.3° (671)* . (3q.q.)* (lo1.2)*

Experiments: Earth­~ heat bUdget; · I;yman-Al.pl:la and X-rq counters, cosmic nq · counte~-,

Provided comprehensive Slll'VeY' of Earth 1 s IIIII.Dget'!c field; detailed location of lower edge of Badiation Belts;· accurate count of micrometeorite blpacts. Status: Still in orb:l.t

10/25/60.

Produced pbotograph of 7CJf. of Moon 1 s far side. Status: reentered Earth 1S

atmosphere about li-/20/60.

Provided sign11':l.cant geophysical data on radiation and magnetic storms; first penetration of a senSor in flight by' ~

micrometeorite. Status: ~ beacon

inoperative: on l2/5/59. As of 6/JIJ/60, ini'cmaation transmitted on three of seven experiments not intelligl.ble after 8 months. Data st:l.ll be1Dg received on remain~ ex­periments as of sept~ 1960.

----· - -· . ·--------··------ ---- ----,---,---,-,-----c-------

..

LAUNCH DATE NAME · INTEBNATIONAL IAUifCH VEHICLE PAYlOAD DATA APOGEE PERIGEE ~IOD INCLI- REMARKS .DESIGNATION (St.Mi.) 1(st.Mi.) Min.) NATION -

Nov. 7, 1959 DISCOVERER VII 1959 KAPPA ·~r-Agena Contained tel.emetry 550 104 95 82° E1ectrical. mantunction (US) equipment to measure prevented stabilization

its performance. in orbit and separation - of capsul.e.

Status: down on n/26759. -(19 da.vs)

Nov. 20, 1959 DISCOVERER 1959 LAMBDA Thor-Agena Capsul.e contained 1,000 120 103 81° Capsul.e ejected but not VIII telemetry equipment located. (US) to measure its Status: down 3/8/60

performance. r (llO days). \Aplllelioi .,EI:!!:ilelicn

Mar. ll, 1960 PIONEER V 1960 ALPHA Thor-Ab1e IV Total. weight: 94-.8 92-3 74-•9' 3ll.6 3-3~ Highly successful. ex-(US) lbs. incl.uding four - mil.l.ion mil.l.ion days to ploration of inter-

vanes covered by 4-8oo from from SUI Eclip- planetary space between sol.ar cel.l.s and 4-o Sun ~ic orbits of Earth and 1bs. of inStruments. Venus; established Experiments: High- communication record of

energy radiation; 22. 5 mil.l.ion miles on pJ..asma., coSmic radi- 6/26/60; made ;first ation and sol.ar measurements of sol.ar particl.e counters; f~e effects, pe.rticl.e magnetometer; micro,. energies and distribution , meteorite counter; and magnetic fiel.d aspect indicator; phenomona in inte temperatures. space.

Status: in orbit around Sun.

A-10

LAUNCH DATE NAME INTERN.ATIONAL LAUNCH VEHICLE PAYIIJAD DATA APOGEE PERIGEE PERIOD INCLI- REMARKS DESIGNATION I (St.Mi.) l<st.Mi.) (Min.) . NATION

I Apr. 1, 1960 TIROS I 1960 Bm'A Thor-Able Total weight: 270 467 429 99-l 11.8.32~ Provided first global

(US) lbs. to cloud cover photographs Objective: Test of (468)* (429)* (99 • .1.) Equator ( 22, 500 total) from

experimental TV tech- near circular orbit. niques leading to Status: in stable orbi t. worldwide meteorologl.a:il. .system.

Apr. 13, 1960 TRANSIT I-B 1960 GAMMA Tbor-Abl.e.-. Total weight: 265 479 233 96 51° Demonstrated feasibilit y (US) Star lbs. of navigation satellite.

Objective: Determine (433)* (238)* (95.4) Status: in orbit

-· feasibility of' navi- 10/25/60. gs.tion satellite.

Apr. 15, 1960 DISCOVERER XI l96o DELTA Tbor-Agena Total weight: 1, 700 38o 109. 92.25 8o.lo Data capsule ejected (US) 1bs. inciuding second but not observed.

stage casing and 300 lb. capsule. Objective: gather dati

on propulsion, commu-nications, orbital

- performance, stabill- f zation and recovery teclmiques.

*As of 10/25/6o

A-ll

. .,

lAUNCH DATE NAME INTERNATIONAL IAUNOH VEHICLE PAYIDAD DATA DESIGNATION

May 15, 1960 SPACECRAFT I 1960 EPSIWN Not disclosed Total. Weight: l.O,oo8 (USSR) lbs.

Pressure Cabin: 5,512 lbs. Instruments: 3,250

lbs. Objective: place

space cabin into orbit . and test life support systems, and recover cabin from orbit. Tape of voice trans-mitted to ground stations. Cabin con-tained "dummy space man. II

May 24, 1960 MIDAS II 1960 ZErA Atlas-Agena Total weight incl.ud-(US) 1ng entire second

stage: 5000 l.bs. Objective: test of

system for detection of missile launchings with satel.lite-borne infrared sensors.

*As of 10/25/60 A-1.2

APOGEE PERIGEE FOD (st.Mi. ). !(st.Mi.) Min.)

288.7 188.5 91.1

After firing 0 retro-rockets on May 1c ' 1960,

·went in fo eccent r.Lc orbit.

429 191 94.25 (384)* (175)* (93.6)

322 292.1 94.3

(316)* (300)* (94.4)*

INCLI-NATION

64.9°

33°

REMARKS

Space cabin placed in to but

mal.-near circular orbit, recovery operations functioned. Status: in orbit.

Data link telemetry ceased functioning two days after launch. Status: in orbit

10/25/60.

, .. ·of

LAUNCH DATE NAME INTERNATIOBAL IAURCB VEHICLE P.AYID.AD DAB· APOGEE PERIGEE PERIOD mCLI- REMARKS DESIGNATION (st.Mi.) (St.Mi.) (M;i.n.) NA!riON

June 22, 1960 TRANSI'l' II-A l~ETA Thor-Able-star Weight of two payloads ~a)665 ~a)389 (a) (a)~ First time two active (US) I & II (a) 223 lbs; (b) 42 b)657 b)382. 101.7 66. satellites placed in

lbs. (b) {b) . orbit in single firing. Objectives: demon- 101.6 66.8° Status: still active.

strate De.Vigation satel.l.i te; increase .. accuracy of geodetic measurements; provide accurate time standards Payload (a): two

oscill.ators 1 in1'rared scanner, electronic clock and galactic noise receiver; (b) instruments to read solar radiation.

Aug. 10, 1960 DISCOVERER 1960 TBE'l!A Thor-Agena Total. weight: 1,700 436 161 94.1 * 82051' First succes~ful XIII lbs. including second (267)* (153)* (91.3) reco~ man-made object (US) stage casing and 300 from space when data

lb. capsule. capsule recovered at sea Objective: gather data on 8/11/60.

on propulsion, commu- Telemetry" check points nications 1 orbital increased by' almost ~ performance 1 stabiJ.i- over previous Discoverers. zation and recovery Status: payload minuS teclmiques. capsule in. orbit 10/25/6o.

-Aug. 12, 1960 ECBO I 19/50 IOTA Thor Delta Total weigl:rt: 132 1049 * 945 * ll.B.3 47.2° Demonstrated use of

{US) lbs. (1192) . (781} 117.8 radio wave reflection Objective: Place for global COIJ!IIIUDi-

100-foot ini'latable cations 1 numerous sphere. in orbit successful transmisSions;

Visible to naked eye. Status: affected by'

solar pressure 1 still. in '· orbit l0/25/6o.

*As of 10/25/00 -.A l3

""

LAUNCH DATE :NAME IN'J.'ERN.ATION'AL IAUNCH VP;BICIE l'AYIOAD DATA ~GEE :PERIGEE :PERIOD INCLI- RllMARKS DESIGNATION itst.Mi.) (st.Mi.) (Min.)' NATION

Aug. 18, 1960 DISCOVERER 1960 KAP.PA Tbor-Ageria Total weight: 1,700 502 lJ.6 94.5 79.6° First successfUL snatch XIV (US) lbs. including second of' space object 8,000 f't.

stage casing and 300 lb. in air by' C-119 aircraf't, capsuie. 360 miles southwest of'

. . Objective: gather data Hawaii • on propulsion, communi- Status: PayloaQ. minus cations, ·orbital perf'orm- capsule down 9/l5/6o. ance, stabilization and recov.ery techniques. Also carried 10 lb.

tracking experiment as par!; of' Navy Transit Satellite.

Aug. 19, 1960 SPACECRA.:F'.r 1960 I/lMBDA Not dis- Satellite weight without 2ll 190 90.72 64.5~ First biologic payload II closed final stage of rocket: recovered, on 18th orbit on

{USSR) 10,120 lbs. ' August 20, 1960, after Objective: Test cap- traveling 437,500 miles.

sule and recovery system Capsule and carrier re-f'or ultimate development porte~ landed less tban of' manned space fl.igbt • 7 miles :f'rom predetermined

" E:Jsperiments: Capsule point. contained 2 dogs, rats, mice, f'l.ies,. plants, f'ungi, seeds, etc. with TV cameras and transmitter.

Sep. 13, 1960 DISCOVERER X:V 1960 Mu Thor-Agena. Total weight: 1, 700 1bs. 472 130 94.24 8o.93° Capsule ejected and land-(US) including second stage ed in sea south of' Ha:waii,

casing and 300 lb. capsule. sighted but not recovered Objective:· gather data due to rough seas on

on propulsion, cOIJlllli.Uli- 9/15/60. cations, orbital perf'orm- Carrier satellite down on ance, stabilization and 10/17/60. recovery tecbni~s. Instrumentation in-

eluded re-entry capsule, retro rocket .and para-

.. chute for recovery-; radio beacon ·and "V

aiumi.IIum radar chaff </-~ for reCoveJ:"Y'.

A-14

...

'····· ... . , .... LAUHCB DA!rE NAME· DTERNM'IOlW. IIJJNCB VEHICLE PAYIDAD DATA ~GEE PERIGEE.

=~ IRCLI- mwm:s

DESIGNATION 11st.M:tl (st.Mi:' NATION

Oct. 4-, 1960 00tnm:R I-B 1960 Mu I ThOr-li.ble..Star Total weight: 500 658 501 107 28.3° Transmissions success-(US) lbs. incl.udiDg 300 ~ received BDd

1bs. of electrical transmitted. equipment. Status: active 10/25/60. Qbjective: test

feasibility of active global cOIIIIIllmi.cations uSing delayed repeater transmission equipment capable of haruUing 68,000 coded words per minute.

Nov. 3,; 1960 EXPIORER 1960 Xi Juno II Total weight: 90.14- 1,423 258 il.2.7 4-9.~ Orbit achieved BDd data VIII lbs. received is being ana:cyzed (US) Objective: study ion- Transmitter ceased

osphere by direct functioning on 12/27 /6o. measurement qt positive ion BDd electron composition; gatber dati

' on frequency 1 DIOIIleJltum

' BDd ener§ of micro-meteorite :lmpacts. i

A-1.5

....

. APOGEE • PERIGEE i PERIOD LAIJNCH DATE I KAME INTERNATIONAL LAIJNCHVEBICLE PAYIDAD DA'M INCLI- RDWIKS

DESIGNATION cst.Mi.' cst.Mi. > ci.un. > NATION

Nov. 12, 1960 DISCOVERER XVIl 1960 OMICRON 'fhor-Agena B Total. weight: l, 700 615 118 g6.4.5 - Polar orbit achieved. lbs. including second After 31 orbits, capsule stage casing and 300 ejected and success~ 1b. capsule. ,recovered in air% C-119 Objective: gather

I 'aircrat't on 11/J.4. 601 the

-I·

data on propul.sion, second mid-air recover;r of communications, I a space object. orbital performance,

I t

stabllzat:ion and I recovery teclmiques. i .,

I I ,. Instrumentation in-

I eluded reentry cap-. .

sule, retro :Bcket and parachu.tez:!!cover,r radio beacon altmimllll radar chaff f'or recovery.

Nov. 23, J.g6o TIROS II 1960 Pi I 'fhor-Delta Total. weight: 280 431 4o6 98-2 - Fourteenth U.S. satellite (US) 1bs. orbited in J.9E)O.

Objective: provide Satel.llte data to be optical and inf'rared correlated with ground photos of global cloud acquired data; estimated cover. lifetime 3 months.

Dec. 1, 1960 SPACECRAFT III 1960 RID No'!;_ disclosed Pay'load weight: 165 117 aa.6 . 65° Referred to as Spu.trlik (usSR) 10,o6o l.bs.,a two-part VI. Spacecra:.t't carrying

cra:.t't. biol.ogical p&¥load burned ~ Objective: Test of up on unprogrammed

equipment for III8DDed ..._ reentry: on l2/2/6o. •.

SliBCe flight. .

A-16

LAUNCH DAft RAMB IlfDRlfAUOliAL LAIJNCll VEBicLB PAYIDAD nAt\ APOGD PBRIOBB PERIOD IRCLI- RPMAmCB DESI~ -(St.Mi.' (St.Mt:' (iuzaj NA'HON

Dec. 7, 196o DISOOVERBR 196o SIGMA 'lhor~pua-B 391 143 "93.2 - Spacecraft carried XVIII . aurve1ll.aDce test eqailiiii!Dt

(US) wbUe capsule ccmta1De4 human tissue. capsule caught. b7 C-119 a1rcraf't

· af'ter 48 orbits OD -l2JW/6o • Dec. 19, 1960 DISOOVERER XIX 1960 'fhor...Agena-B Ob.1ective: to test 1100.3 119.6 93 . 83.40 Polar orbit acbievecl; the·

(US) '

Midas system equip- 31-th successf'lll. u.s. meat. satellite to date.