1998 April 1 - 13:35 GMT - -
 EVA Mir EO-25-2 Nation: Russia. Program: Mir. Class: Manned. Type: Space station. Spacecraft: Mir. Crew: Musabayev, Budarin. Flight: Mir NASA-6, Mir EO-25. EVA Duration: 0.28 days. The Kvant-2 hatch had been fixed from within and was used for the EVA. Objective was to repair the damaged Spektr solar panel. Handrails were installed near the panel but the crew could not complete the work before the scheduled time ran out.
1998 April 2 - 02:42 GMT - Launch Site: Point Arguello WADZ. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 36.0 N x 123.0 W. Launch Vehicle: Pegasus. Model: Pegasus XL. LV Configuration: Pegasus XL F21. -
 TRACE Nation: USA. Program: Small Explorer. Class: Solar. Spacecraft: TRACE. Manufacturer: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt. Agency: NASA GSF. Perigee: 602 km (374 mi). Apogee: 652 km (405 mi). Inclination: 97.80 deg. Period: 97.10 min. COSPAR: 1998-020A. USAF Sat Cat: 25280. NASA's third Small Explorer, the Transition Region and Coronal Explorer (TRACE), was successfully launched by an Orbital Pegasus XL. The L-1011 carrier aircraft took off from Vandenberg and dropped the Pegasus over the Pacific Ocean. TRACE, a project led by Lockheed's solar physics group, carried a 30-cm extreme ultraviolet imaging telescope which will study the Sun. The telescope mirrors were made by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. TRACE had an 8.5 arcmin field of view and 1 arcsecond resolution.
References: 2.
1998 April 5 - - From the Earth to the Moon is released. Nation: USA. Flight: Apollo 7, Apollo 8, Apollo 9, Apollo 11, Apollo 12, Apollo 13, Apollo 14, Apollo 15, Apollo 17. Based on the success of the film Apollo 13, Tom Hanks was able to raise $ 68 million to film a television mini-series covering the entire Apollo program. The Apollo 13 episode marked the third fictionalised telling of the tale, this time concentrating on the media handling of the flight and the changing nature of television news.
Additional Details: From the Earth to the Moon is released..
1998 April 6 - Launch Site: Tilla. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Ghauri. -
 Test mission Nation: Pakistan. Agency: Pakistan. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). References: 2.
1998 April 6 - Launch Site: Sriharikota. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: RH. Model: RH-560/300 Mk II. -
 Aeronomy mission Nation: India. Agency: ISRO. Apogee: 464 km (288 mi). References: 2.
1998 April 6 - 13:35 GMT - - EVA Mir EO-25-3 Nation: Russia. Program: Mir. Class: Manned. Type: Space station. Spacecraft: Mir. Crew: Musabayev, Budarin. Flight: Mir NASA-6, Mir EO-25. EVA Duration: 0.18 days. The crew succeeded in completing repair of the damaged Spektr solar panel. However the EVA was cut short when Mission Control in error commanded the Mir to drift. This was then misdiagnosed as a depletion of fuel of the VDU orientation engine, and the crew was ordered back into the station.
1998 April 7 - 02:13 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC81/23. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Proton. Model: Proton-K/17S40. LV Configuration: Proton-K/17S40 (DM2) 391-02. - Iridium 62 Nation: USA. Program: Iridium. Payload: Iridium s/n SV062. Mass: 689 kg (1,518 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: LM 700. Manufacturer: LM-S/Motorola. Agency: Iridium. Perigee: 776 km (482 mi). Apogee: 778 km (483 mi). Inclination: 86.40 deg. Period: 100.40 min. COSPAR: 1998-021A. USAF Sat Cat: 25285. Plane 1. Ascending node 167.9 degrees. References: 2.
- Iridium 63 Nation: USA. Program: Iridium. Payload: Iridium s/n SV063. Mass: 689 kg (1,518 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: LM 700. Manufacturer: LM-S/Motorola. Agency: Iridium. Perigee: 776 km (482 mi). Apogee: 779 km (484 mi). Inclination: 86.40 deg. Period: 100.40 min. COSPAR: 1998-021B. USAF Sat Cat: 25286. Plane 1. Ascending node 167.8 degrees. References: 2.
- Iridium 64 Nation: USA. Program: Iridium. Payload: Iridium s/n SV064. Mass: 689 kg (1,518 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: LM 700. Manufacturer: LM-S/Motorola. Agency: Iridium. Perigee: 776 km (482 mi). Apogee: 779 km (484 mi). Inclination: 86.40 deg. Period: 100.40 min. COSPAR: 1998-021C. USAF Sat Cat: 25287. Plane 1. Ascending node 167.6 degrees. References: 2.
- Iridium 65 Nation: USA. Program: Iridium. Payload: Iridium s/n SV065. Mass: 689 kg (1,518 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: LM 700. Manufacturer: LM-S/Motorola. Agency: Iridium. Perigee: 776 km (482 mi). Apogee: 778 km (483 mi). Inclination: 86.40 deg. Period: 100.40 min. COSPAR: 1998-021D. USAF Sat Cat: 25288. Plane 1. Ascending node 167.9 degrees. References: 2.
- Iridium 66 Nation: USA. Program: Iridium. Payload: Iridium s/n SV066. Mass: 689 kg (1,518 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: LM 700. Manufacturer: LM-S/Motorola. Agency: Iridium. Perigee: 776 km (482 mi). Apogee: 779 km (484 mi). Inclination: 86.40 deg. Period: 100.40 min. COSPAR: 1998-021E. USAF Sat Cat: 25289. Plane 1. Ascending node 167.8 degrees. References: 2.
- Iridium 67 Nation: USA. Program: Iridium. Payload: Iridium s/n SV067. Mass: 689 kg (1,518 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: LM 700. Manufacturer: LM-S/Motorola. Agency: Iridium. Perigee: 776 km (482 mi). Apogee: 779 km (484 mi). Inclination: 86.40 deg. Period: 100.40 min. COSPAR: 1998-021F. USAF Sat Cat: 25290. Plane 1. Ascending node 167.8 degrees. References: 2.
- Iridium 68 Nation: USA. Program: Iridium. Payload: Iridium s/n SV068. Mass: 689 kg (1,518 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: LM 700. Manufacturer: LM-S/Motorola. Agency: Iridium. Perigee: 776 km (482 mi). Apogee: 779 km (484 mi). Inclination: 86.40 deg. Period: 100.40 min. COSPAR: 1998-021G. USAF Sat Cat: 25291. The Proton launch vehicle placed the Iridium cluster and the Block DM2 stage into low parking orbit. The DM2 fired twice to enter the deployment orbit and dispensed the seven satellites, which used their own propulsion units to reach operational altitude. The DM2 stage then fired again to deorbit itself, to avoid creating space debris. SV068 placed in Plane 1. Ascending node 167.8 degrees.
References: 2.
1998 April 11 - 09:55 GMT - - EVA Mir EO-25-4 Nation: Russia. Program: Mir. Class: Manned. Type: Space station. Spacecraft: Mir. Crew: Musabayev, Budarin. Flight: Mir NASA-6, Mir EO-25. EVA Duration: 0.27 days. The cosmonauts began a series of three EVA's to install the new VDU station orientation engine (delivered by Progress M-38) into the Sofora boom. On this first spacewalk they disconnected the old engine (in use for six years) and pushed it into space.
1998 April 12 - -
 Timetable for Chinese Manned Flight Nation: China. Spacecraft: Shenzhou. A Guangzhou newspaper said that the first Chinese astronaut would fly by 2001. It also mentioned lunar and space station plans. This was the one of a series of reports about Chinese space plans of the period. References: 424.
1998 April 15 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-36M. Model: R-36M2 15A18M. - Dnepr Demo test Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN RF. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 2.
1998 April 16 - - US Congress Investgates Space Technology Exports to China Nation: China. Several US Congressional committees investigated the Clinton administration's policy of exporting space satellite technology to China, asserting it had helped China and other countries to develop and use nuclear missiles. Two US companies were being investegated by the Justice Department as well. Beijing denied that it had gotten any sensitive technology from US.
References: 424.
1998 April 17 - 07:40 GMT - - EVA Mir EO-25-5 Nation: Russia. Program: Mir. Class: Manned. Type: Space station. Spacecraft: Mir. Crew: Musabayev, Budarin. Flight: Mir NASA-6, Mir EO-25. EVA Duration: 0.27 days. Installation of the new VDU station orientation engine assembly was completed at the end of the Sofora boom.
1998 April 17 - 18:05 GMT - Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Strypi. Model: Strypi. - Red Crow Flight Experiment Technology test Nation: USA. Agency: Sandia/BMDO. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 2.
1998 April 17 - 18:19 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC39B. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. LV Configuration: Space Shuttle STS-90. - STS-90 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Payload: Columbia F25 / Spacelab LM Eurolab. Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Columbia. Manufacturer: DaimlerChrysler Aerospace, Bremen (formerly ERNO). Agency: NASA JSC. Perigee: 247 km (153 mi). Apogee: 274 km (170 mi). Inclination: 39.00 deg. Period: 89.70 min. COSPAR: 1998-022A. USAF Sat Cat: 25297. Duration: 15.91 days. Decay Date: 1998-05-03. Crew: Searfoss, Altman, Linnehan, Hire, Williams Dave, Buckey, Pawelczyk. Flight: STS-90. Columbia rolled out to pad 39B on March 23. Payloads:
- Spacelab transfer tunnel
- Spacelab Long Module, with Neurolab experiments for the following life science studies:
- Chronic Recording of Otolith Nerves in Microgravity
- Development of the Aortic Baroreflex under Conditions of Microgravity
- Neural-Thyroid Interaction on Skeletal Isomyosin Expression in OG
- Spatial Orientation of the Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex and Velocity Storage
- Autonomic Neuroplasticity in Weightlessness
- Extended Duration Orbiter pallet
- Two Get Away Special beams with canisters G-197, G-467, G-772 (Colorado's COLLIDE experiment, which collided small particles into each other to simulate the formation of planets and rings).
The Neurolab mission was managed by NASA-Johnson at Houston, unlike earlier Spacelab flights which were NASA-Marshall/Huntsville's responsibility. Landed at Kennedy Space Center May 3 1998.
References: 2, 7.
- Neurolab Nation: USA. Program: Spacelab. Payload: Spacelab. Class: Manned. Type: Spacelab. Spacecraft: Spacelab. Agency: NASA. Perigee: 247 km (153 mi). Apogee: 274 km (170 mi). Inclination: 39.00 deg. Period: 89.70 min. COSPAR: 1998-022xx. USAF Sat Cat: 25297. Decay Date: 1998-05-03. References: 2.
1998 April 18 - 04:00 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 9. LV Configuration: Black Brant IX NASA 36.177UG. - SCARI 2 Ultraviolet astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA GSFC. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). References: 2.
1998 April 18 - 07:30 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 9. LV Configuration: Black Brant IX NASA 36.160UG. - Ultraviolet astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA GSFC. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). References: 2.
1998 April 19 - 13:51 GMT - Launch Site: Sriharikota. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: RH. Model: RH-560/300 Mk II. - DEOS F05 Ionosphere mission Nation: India. Agency: ISRO/DLR. Apogee: 433 km (269 mi). References: 2.
1998 April 21 - - Chinese Manned Spacecraft Launch Set for 1999 Nation: China. Spacecraft: Shenzhou. Preparations for the first test launch of China's first manned spacecraft were underway at the launch site, a Shanghai newspaper reported. It said the first flight would be launched in late 1999. The space cabin, telemetry system and power system had been developed in Shanghai.
References: 424.
1998 April 21 - - China Completed New Wind Tunnels For Space Development Nation: China. Two special wind tunnels in southwest China's Sichuan Province were nearing completion. The new tunnels would be used for testing China's future space shuttle, launch vehicles, and strategic missiles. A high-frequency plasma wind tunnel and a supersonic flow wind tunnel were being built by China Aerodynamics Research and Development Center and would be the most advanced in Asia.
References: 424.
1998 April 22 - - Chinese Astronauts Shown in Training Nation: China. A Guangzhou newspaper released a photo showing two Chinese astronauts wearing space suits in a vacum chamber. This was the first such photo released since the 1980's. References: 424.
1998 April 22 - 05:34 GMT - - EVA Mir EO-25-6 Nation: Russia. Program: Mir. Class: Manned. Type: Space station. Spacecraft: Mir. Crew: Musabayev, Budarin. Flight: Mir NASA-6, Mir EO-25. EVA Duration: 0.27 days. Two truss structures on the Kvant module and the new Sofora VDU station orientation engine assembly was unlatched from Progress M-38.
1998 April 24 -
1998 April 24 - 22:38 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC17A. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Delta 7420-10C. LV Configuration: Delta 7420-10C D256. - Globalstar FM6 Nation: USA. Payload: Globalstar s/n FM6. Mass: 222 kg (489 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Globalstar. Manufacturer: Loral/Alenia. Agency: Globalst. Perigee: 1,503 km (933 mi). Apogee: 1,523 km (946 mi). Inclination: 52.00 deg. Period: 116.30 min. COSPAR: 1998-023A. USAF Sat Cat: 25306. Plane 2. Ascending node 90.4 degrees. References: 2.
- Globalstar FM8 Nation: USA. Payload: Globalstar s/n FM8. Mass: 222 kg (489 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Globalstar. Manufacturer: Loral/Alenia. Agency: Globalst. Perigee: 1,413 km (877 mi). Apogee: 1,414 km (878 mi). Inclination: 52.00 deg. Period: 114.10 min. COSPAR: 1998-023B. USAF Sat Cat: 25307. Plane 2. Ascending node 88.9 degrees. References: 2.
- Globalstar FM14 Nation: USA. Payload: Globalstar s/n FM14. Mass: 222 kg (489 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Globalstar. Manufacturer: Loral/Alenia. Agency: Globalst. Perigee: 1,413 km (877 mi). Apogee: 1,414 km (878 mi). Inclination: 52.00 deg. Period: 114.10 min. COSPAR: 1998-023C. USAF Sat Cat: 25308. Plane 2. Ascending node 90.2 degrees. References: 2.
- Globalstar FM15 Nation: USA. Payload: Globalstar s/n FM15. Mass: 222 kg (489 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Globalstar. Manufacturer: Loral/Alenia. Agency: Globalst. Perigee: 1,413 km (877 mi). Apogee: 1,414 km (878 mi). Inclination: 52.00 deg. Period: 114.10 min. COSPAR: 1998-023D. USAF Sat Cat: 25309. Plane 2. Ascending node 88.0 degrees. References: 2.
1998 April 26 - - Cassini Venus Flyby Nation: USA. Spacecraft: Cassini.
1998 April 28 - 12:10 GMT - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 9B. -
 ACTIVE Ionosphere mission Nation: Canada. Agency: CSA. Apogee: 315 km (195 mi). References: 2.
1998 April 28 - 22:53 GMT - Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: ELA2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Ariane. Model: Ariane 44P. LV Configuration: Ariane 44P-3 V108. -
 Nilesat 1 Nation: Egypt. Program: Nilesat. Payload: Nilesat 101. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Eurostar 2000. Manufacturer: Matra Marconi Space-France, Toulouse. Agency: Nilesat. Perigee: 35,773 km (22,228 mi). Apogee: 35,800 km (22,200 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 1998-024A. USAF Sat Cat: 25311. Egypt's first satellite. Geostationary at 7.0 degrees W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 7 deg W in 1998-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 6.95 deg W drifting at 0.003 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 7.00W drifting at 0.007W degrees per day.
References: 2.
-
 BSAT 1B Nation: Japan. Program: BSAT. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 376. Manufacturer: Hughes Space and Communications, El Segundo. Agency: BSAT. Perigee: 35,787 km (22,236 mi). Apogee: 35,788 km (22,237 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min. COSPAR: 1998-024B. USAF Sat Cat: 25312. Geostationary at 109.9 degrees E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 110 deg E in 1998-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 109.63 deg E drifting at 0.019 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 109.75E drifting at 0.009W degrees per day. References: 2.
1998 April 29 - 04:36 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC200/39. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Proton. Model: Proton-K/DM-2. LV Configuration: Proton-K/DM-2 384-02. - Cosmos 2350 Nation: Russia. Payload: SPRN Generation 2 No. 4. Class: Communications. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Prognoz SPRN. Manufacturer: NPO Lavochkin, Moskva. Agency: RVSN. Perigee: 35,788 km (22,237 mi). Apogee: 35,793 km (22,240 mi). Inclination: 2.10 deg. Period: 1,436.30 min. COSPAR: 1998-025A. USAF Sat Cat: 25315. Completed Operations Date: 1998-07-06. Geostationary at 73.0 degrees E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 80 deg E in 1998 As of 3 September 2001 located at 72.67 deg E drifting at 0.041 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 70.07E drifting at 0.036W degrees per day. References: 2.
1998 May 1 - -
 Discovery of Dar al Gani 476 (Mars Meteorite) Nation: Libya.
1998 May 2 - 09:16 GMT - Launch Site: Taiyuan. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: CZ. Model: CZ-2C/SD. LV Configuration: Chang Zheng 2C-III/SD CZ2C-18 (51). - Iridium 69 Nation: USA. Program: Iridium. Payload: Iridium s/n SV069. Mass: 689 kg (1,518 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: LM 700. Manufacturer: LM-S/Motorola. Agency: Iridium. Perigee: 777 km (482 mi). Apogee: 783 km (486 mi). Inclination: 86.40 deg. Period: 100.46 min. COSPAR: 1998-026A. USAF Sat Cat: 25319. Plane 2. Ascending node 199.4 degrees. Not in service. References: 2.
- Iridium 71 Nation: USA. Program: Iridium. Payload: Iridium s/n SV071. Mass: 689 kg (1,518 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: LM 700. Manufacturer: LM-S/Motorola. Agency: Iridium. Perigee: 775 km (481 mi). Apogee: 778 km (483 mi). Inclination: 86.40 deg. Period: 100.40 min. COSPAR: 1998-026B. USAF Sat Cat: 25320. Plane 2. Ascending node 199.3 degrees. Not in service. References: 2.
1998 May 3 - - Landing of STS-90 Nation: USA. Program: Spacelab. Flight: STS-90. STS-90 landed at 16:09 GMT.
1998 May 7 - 08:53 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC16/2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Molniya 8K78M. LV Configuration: Molniya 8K78M-2BL. - Cosmos 2351 Nation: Russia. Class: Early Warning. Spacecraft: Oko. Manufacturer: NPO Lavochkin, Moskva. Agency: MO RF. Perigee: 2,806 km (1,743 mi). Apogee: 37,513 km (23,309 mi). Inclination: 63.70 deg. Period: 717.10 min. COSPAR: 1998-027A. USAF Sat Cat: 25327. References: 2.
1998 May 7 - 10:30 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF05. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Peacekeeper. LV Configuration: Peacekeeper 27PA. - 8 RVs operational test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 90SW. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 2.
1998 May 7 - 23:45 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC81/23. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Proton. Model: Proton-K/DM-2M. LV Configuration: Proton-K/DM-2M (DM3) 393-02. - Echostar 4 Nation: USA. Program: Echostar. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: AS 2100. Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin, Sunnyvale (formerly Lockheed). Agency: Echostar. Perigee: 35,784 km (22,235 mi). Apogee: 35,789 km (22,238 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 1998-028A. USAF Sat Cat: 25331. Geostationary at 148.0 degrees W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 128 deg W in 1998; 148 deg W in 1998-1999; 110 deg W in 1999; 119 deg W in 2000. As of 5 September 2001 located at 118.91 deg W drifting at 0.001 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 77.02W drifting at 0.001W degrees per day.
References: 2.
1998 May 9 - 01:38 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC40. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Titan. Model: Titan 401B/Centaur. LV Configuration: Titan 401B/Centaur 4B-25/TC-18 (K-25). - USA 139 Nation: USA. Payload: Advanced Orion 2. Class: Sigint. Spacecraft: Advanced Orion. Manufacturer: Hughes Space and Communications, El Segundo. Agency: NRO/NSA. Perigee: 35,780 km (22,230 mi). Apogee: 35,800 km (22,200 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. COSPAR: 1998-029A. USAF Sat Cat: 25336. References: 2.
1998 May 11 - - India conducts three atomic tests despite worldwide disapproval Nation: India.
1998 May 12 - 11:22 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC94. Launch Pad: FIX. Launch Vehicle: Hera. LV Configuration: Hera 10. - BRV/THAAD Target mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). References: 2.
1998 May 12 - 11:25 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: THAAD. LV Configuration: THAAD FT-08. FAILURE: Failure. - ABM test Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 0 km ( mi). References: 2.
1998 May 13 - 15:52 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC4W. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Titan. Model: Titan 2G. LV Configuration: Titan II SLV 23G-12 / M68B-72 + M68B-80 + M68B-84. - NOAA 15 Nation: USA. Program: Tiros. Payload: NOAA K. Class: Earth. Type: Weather. Spacecraft: Advanced Tiros N . Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin Telecommunications, East Windsor (formerly RCA). Agency: NOAA. Perigee: 807 km (501 mi). Apogee: 824 km (512 mi). Inclination: 98.70 deg. Period: 101.20 min. COSPAR: 1998-030A. USAF Sat Cat: 25338. NOAA K carried a new microwave sensor in addition to the standard optical/near-infrared radiometers and imagers and the SARSAT search and rescue package. It was the first NOAA launch to use the Titan 23G launch vehicle, a refurbished ICBM. Titan 23G-12 placed NOAA K into a suborbital trajectory 6 minutes after launch. A Star 37XFP solid motor on the satellite fired at apogee to put NOAA K in orbit.
References: 2.
1998 May 14 - 22:12 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U. - Progress M-39 Nation: Russia. Program: Mir. Payload: Progress M s/n 238. Class: Manned. Type: Logistics. Spacecraft: Progress M. Manufacturer: RKK Energiya im. S.P. Korolyov, Kaliningrad-Korolyov. Agency: RKA. Perigee: 360 km (220 mi). Apogee: 373 km (231 mi). Inclination: 51.70 deg. Period: 91.90 min. COSPAR: 1998-031A. USAF Sat Cat: 25340. Duration: 167.08 days. Decay Date: 1998-10-29. Flight: Mir NASA-6, Mir EO-25. Docked with Mir at the Kvant port at 23:51 GMT on May 16 1998, bringing supplies and scientific experiments to the station. Undocked 09:28 GMT on August 12 1998 in order to clear the port for Soyuz TM-28. Deorbited over Pacific Ocean on October 29, 1998. References: 2.
1998 May 15 - -
 Ascender radio controlled
development model. Nation: UK. Program: X-Prize. Bristol Spaceplanes (Bristol, England, UK) successfully flight tests radio controlled
development model.
1998 May 17 - 21:16 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC2W. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Delta 7920-10C. LV Configuration: Delta 7920-10C D257. - Iridium 70 Nation: USA. Program: Iridium. Payload: Iridium s/n SV070. Mass: 689 kg (1,518 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: LM 700. Manufacturer: LM-S/Motorola. Agency: Iridium. Perigee: 776 km (482 mi). Apogee: 779 km (484 mi). Inclination: 86.40 deg. Period: 100.40 min. COSPAR: 1998-032A. USAF Sat Cat: 25342. Plane 1. Ascending node 167.8 degrees. References: 2.
- Iridium 72 Nation: USA. Program: Iridium. Payload: Iridium s/n SV072. Mass: 689 kg (1,518 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: LM 700. Manufacturer: LM-S/Motorola. Agency: Iridium. Perigee: 776 km (482 mi). Apogee: 779 km (484 mi). Inclination: 86.40 deg. Period: 100.40 min. COSPAR: 1998-032B. USAF Sat Cat: 25343. Plane 1. Ascending node 167.8 degrees. References: 2.
- Iridium 73 Nation: USA. Program: Iridium. Payload: Iridium s/n SV073. Mass: 689 kg (1,518 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: LM 700. Manufacturer: LM-S/Motorola. Agency: Iridium. Perigee: 776 km (482 mi). Apogee: 778 km (483 mi). Inclination: 86.40 deg. Period: 100.40 min. COSPAR: 1998-032C. USAF Sat Cat: 25344. Plane 1. Ascending node 167.8 degrees. References: 2.
- Iridium 74 Nation: USA. Program: Iridium. Payload: Iridium s/n SV074. Mass: 689 kg (1,518 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: LM 700. Manufacturer: LM-S/Motorola. Agency: Iridium. Perigee: 776 km (482 mi). Apogee: 780 km (480 mi). Inclination: 86.40 deg. Period: 100.40 min. COSPAR: 1998-032D. USAF Sat Cat: 25345. Plane 1. Ascending node 167.8 degrees. References: 2.
- Iridium 75 Nation: USA. Program: Iridium. Payload: Iridium s/n SV075. Mass: 689 kg (1,518 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: LM 700. Manufacturer: LM-S/Motorola. Agency: Iridium. Perigee: 776 km (482 mi). Apogee: 779 km (484 mi). Inclination: 86.40 deg. Period: 100.40 min. COSPAR: 1998-032E. USAF Sat Cat: 25346. Plane 1. Ascending node 167.7 degrees. Not in service. References: 2.
1998 May 22 - 06:22 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 9. LV Configuration: Black Brant IX NASA 36.175UR. - NITE Infrared astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA GSFC. Apogee: 337 km (209 mi). References: 2.
1998 May 29 - - Pakistan stages five nuclear tests in response to India's Nation: Pakistan.
1998 May 29 - - Air Force Space Command transferred control of the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Nation: USA. References: 569.
1998 May 30 - 10:00 GMT - Launch Site: Xichang. Launch Complex: LC2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: CZ. Model: CZ-3B. LV Configuration: Chang Zheng 3B CZ3B-4 (52). - Zhongwei 1 Nation: China. Program: Chinastar. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: AS 2100. Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin, Sunnyvale (formerly Lockheed). Agency: China Or. Perigee: 35,777 km (22,230 mi). Apogee: 35,798 km (22,243 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 1998-033A. USAF Sat Cat: 25354. Also known as Chinastar 1; comsat to serve China, India, Korea and Southeast Asia with 18 C-band and 20 Ku-band transponders. Operated by the China Orient Telecommunications Satellite Company, part of the Chinese telecommunications ministry. Zhongwei 1 and the CZ-3B's final liquid hydrogen upper stage were placed in an initial supersynchronous 216 x 85,035 km x 24.4 deg transfer orbit. Geostationary at 87.6 degrees E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 87 deg E in 1998-1999 As of 6 September 2001 located at 87.49 deg E drifting at 0.013 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 87.64E drifting at 0.010W degrees per day.
References: 2.
1998 May 31 - - Galileo, Europa 15 Flyby Nation: USA. Spacecraft: Galileo.
1998 June 1 - - Beijing Space Technology Research and Test Center operational Nation: China. Phase I construction was completed of the new, large-scale Beijing Space Technology Research and Test Center, located in Tangjialing, northwest of Beijing. The center occupied 100 hectares and construction was begun in October 1994. The largest space center in China included spacecraft integration hangars, space environment and vibration test facilities, and a series of laboratories.
References: 424.
1998 June 2 - 22:06 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC39A. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. LV Configuration: Space Shuttle STS-91. - STS-91 Nation: USA. Program: Mir. Payload: Discovery F24 / Spacehab. Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Discovery. Agency: NASA JSC. Perigee: 350 km (210 mi). Apogee: 373 km (231 mi). Inclination: 51.70 deg. Period: 91.80 min. COSPAR: 1998-034A. USAF Sat Cat: 25356. Duration: 9.83 days. Decay Date: 1998-06-12. Crew: Precourt, Gorie, Lawrence, Chang-Diaz, Kavandi, Ryumin. Flight: STS-91, Mir NASA-6, Mir EO-25. The final shuttle-Mir mission, STS-91 recovered NASA astronaut Andy Thomas from the Mir station and took Russian space chief and ex-cosmonaut Valeri Ryumin to Mir for an inspection tour of the ageing station. This was the first test of the super lightweight Aluminium-Lithium alloy external tank, designed to increase shuttle payload to the Mir / International Space Station orbit by 4,000 kg. At 22:15 GMT Discovery entered an initial 74 x 324 km x 51.6 deg orbit, with the OMS-2 burn three quarters of an hour later circulising the chase orbit. Discovery docked with the SO module on Mir at 17:00 GMT on June 4. NASA equipment was retrieved from the station, and Discovery undocked at 16:01 GMT on June 8, and landed on Runway 15 at Kennedy Space Center at 18:00 GMT on June 12.
References: 2, 7.
- Spacehab Nation: USA. Program: Mir. Class: Manned. Type: Spacelab. Spacecraft: Spacehab. Agency: NASA. Perigee: 350 km (210 mi). Apogee: 373 km (231 mi). Inclination: 51.70 deg. Period: 91.80 min. COSPAR: 1998-034xx. USAF Sat Cat: 25356. Decay Date: 1998-06-12. References: 2.
- External Airlock/ODS Nation: USA. Program: Mir. Payload: EAL/ODS. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1998-034xx. USAF Sat Cat: 25356. Decay Date: 1998-06-12. References: 2, 279.
- Spacehab Nation: USA. Program: Mir. Payload: Spacehab FU1. Class: Manned. Type: Spacelab. Spacecraft: Spacehab. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1998-034xx. References: 2, 279.
- Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer Nation: USA. Program: Mir. Payload: AMS. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1998-034xx. References: 2, 279.
1998 June 3 - 19:57 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF26. Launch Pad: LF26?. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3. LV Configuration: Minuteman 3 GT167GB. - FOT GT167GB Follow-on Test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSPC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). References: 2.
1998 June 10 - 00:35 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC17A. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Delta 7925-9.5. LV Configuration: Delta 7925-9.5 D258. -
 Thor 3 Nation: Norway. Program: Thor Comsat. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 376. Manufacturer: Hughes Space and Communications, El Segundo. Agency: Telenor. Perigee: 35,777 km (22,230 mi). Apogee: 35,798 km (22,243 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 1998-035A. USAF Sat Cat: 25358. The spacecraft was delivered to its final orbit in a complex series of five engine burns by three rocket stages. The Delta's second stage demonstrated its restart capability in 4 burns: Burn 1 placed the rocket and payload into a low circular orbit; Burn 2 raised the apogee to 1400 km; Burn 3 circularised the orbit at 1400 km. The second stage then separated, and Burn 4 lowered the spent stage's perigee to a low altitude to ensure the stage would decay quickly and not add to the space junk already on orbit. Stage 3 burned once to place the payload and its kick motor into a high 1400 km perigee geosynchronous transfer orbit. The Stage 4 Star 30 apogee kick motor circularised the spacecraft's orbit at geostationary altitude. Geostationary at 0.8 degrees W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 1 deg W in 1998-1999 As of 4 September 2001 located at 0.83 deg W drifting at 0.000 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 0.85W drifting at 0.002W degrees per day.
References: 2.
1998 June 11 - 01:00 GMT - Launch Site: Anhueng. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: KSR. Model: KSR-II. LV Configuration: KSR-II-2. -
 X-ray astronomy / ionosphere mission Nation: Korea South. Agency: KARI. Apogee: 137 km (85 mi). Measured the vertical distribution of ozone using an ultraviolet radiometer. References: 2.
1998 June 12 - - Landing of STS-91 Nation: USA. Program: Mir. Flight: STS-91, Mir NASA-6, Mir EO-25. STS-91 landed at 18:00 GMT with the crew of Precourt, Gorie, Lawrence, Chang-Diaz, Kavandi, Ryumin and Thomas Andrew aboard.
1998 June 15 - 22:58 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tsiklon. Model: Tsiklon-3. FAILURE: The launch vehicle control system was misprogrammed before launch due to a malfunction of the ground instrumentation. However the satellites were in usable orbits. - Cosmos 2352 Nation: Russia. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-3 no. 108. Mass: 225 kg (496 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-3. Manufacturer: NPO Prikladnoi Mekhaniki, Zhelenogorsk. Agency: MO RF. Perigee: 1,313 km (815 mi). Apogee: 1,872 km (1,163 mi). Inclination: 82.60 deg. Period: 118.00 min. COSPAR: 1998-036A. USAF Sat Cat: 25363. Six Strela-3 military communications satellites launched as usual by a single launch vehicle. However the S5M third stage cut off early during its circulisation burn, leaving the satellites in elliptical 1300 x 1900 km orbits. References: 2, 279.
- Cosmos 2353 Nation: Russia. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-3 no. 109. Mass: 225 kg (496 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-3. Manufacturer: NPO Prikladnoi Mekhaniki, Zhelenogorsk. Agency: MO RF. Perigee: 1,303 km (809 mi). Apogee: 1,867 km (1,160 mi). Inclination: 82.60 deg. Period: 117.90 min. COSPAR: 1998-036B. USAF Sat Cat: 25364. References: 2, 279.
- Cosmos 2354 Nation: Russia. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-3 no. 110. Mass: 225 kg (496 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-3. Manufacturer: NPO Prikladnoi Mekhaniki, Zhelenogorsk. Agency: MO RF. Perigee: 1,309 km (813 mi). Apogee: 1,869 km (1,161 mi). Inclination: 82.60 deg. Period: 118.00 min. COSPAR: 1998-036C. USAF Sat Cat: 25365. References: 2, 279.
- Cosmos 2355 Nation: Russia. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-3 no. 111. Mass: 225 kg (496 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-3. Manufacturer: NPO Prikladnoi Mekhaniki, Zhelenogorsk. Agency: MO RF. Perigee: 1,305 km (810 mi). Apogee: 1,865 km (1,158 mi). Inclination: 82.60 deg. Period: 117.90 min. COSPAR: 1998-036D. USAF Sat Cat: 25366. References: 2, 279.
- Cosmos 2356 Nation: Russia. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-3 no. 112. Mass: 225 kg (496 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-3. Manufacturer: NPO Prikladnoi Mekhaniki, Zhelenogorsk. Agency: MO RF. Perigee: 1,300 km (800 mi). Apogee: 1,865 km (1,158 mi). Inclination: 82.60 deg. Period: 117.80 min. COSPAR: 1998-036E. USAF Sat Cat: 25367. References: 2, 279.
- Cosmos 2357 Nation: Russia. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-3 no. 113. Mass: 225 kg (496 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-3. Manufacturer: NPO Prikladnoi Mekhaniki, Zhelenogorsk. Agency: MO RF. Perigee: 1,296 km (805 mi). Apogee: 1,861 km (1,156 mi). Inclination: 82.60 deg. Period: 117.70 min. COSPAR: 1998-036F. USAF Sat Cat: 25368. References: 2, 279.
1998 June 16 - 14:19 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Hawk. Model: Nike Orion. LV Configuration: Nike Orion NASA 31.111UP. - Cincinatti / OhioSGC Aeronomy / education mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA GSFC. Apogee: 117 km (72 mi). References: 2.
1998 June 18 - 22:48 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC36A. Launch Pad: SLC36A. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas IIAS. LV Configuration: Atlas IIAS AC-153. -
 Intelsat 805 Nation: International. Program: Intelsat. Mass: 3,520 kg (7,760 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: AS 7000. Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin Telecommunications, East Windsor (formerly RCA). Agency: Intelsat. Perigee: 35,775 km (22,229 mi). Apogee: 35,800 km (22,200 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 1998-037A. USAF Sat Cat: 25371. Satellite had 28 C-band and 3 Ku-band transponders, and initially served the Atlantic Ocean region for INTELSAT. Launch vehicle put payload into geosynchronous transfer orbit with GCS trajectory option. Geostationary at 55.5 degrees W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 55 deg W in 1998-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 55.52 deg W drifting at 0.009 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 55.54W drifting at 0.012W degrees per day.
References: 2, 278.
1998 June 24 - 08:01 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF09. Launch Pad: LF09?. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3. LV Configuration: Minuteman 3 GRP-IDF-1. - GRP-IDF-1 test Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSPC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). Two Minuteman 3 missiles launched from Vandenberg to Kwajalein Atoll, one from silo LF-09 and the second from LF-10. Each carried three re-entry vehicles. References: 2.
1998 June 24 - 12:46 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF10. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3. LV Configuration: Minuteman 3 GT168GB. - FOT GT168GM Follow-on Test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSPC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). FOT. Part of dual Minuteman 3 shot. References: 2.
1998 June 24 - 18:29 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC43/3. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U. - Cosmos 2358 Nation: Russia. Mass: 6,600 kg (14,500 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Yantar-4K1. Manufacturer: TsSKB-Progress, Samara. Agency: MO RF. Perigee: 167 km (103 mi). Apogee: 316 km (196 mi). Inclination: 67.10 deg. Period: 89.30 min. COSPAR: 1998-038A. USAF Sat Cat: 25373. Duration: 120.00 days. Decay Date: 1998-10-22. High resolution photo reconnaissance; returned film in two small SpK capsules during the mission and with the main capsule at completion of the mission. Landed October 22, 1998. References: 2.
1998 June 25 - 14:00 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC31. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U. - Cosmos 2359 Nation: Russia. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Yantar-4KS1. Manufacturer: TsSKB-Progress, Samara. Agency: MO RF. Perigee: 239 km (148 mi). Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). Inclination: 64.90 deg. Period: 89.90 min. COSPAR: 1998-039A. USAF Sat Cat: 25376. Decay Date: 1999-07-12. Photo/digital surveillance. Entered an initial 170 x 290 km x 64.9 deg initial orbit. It manoeuvred to its operational orbit of 240 x 302 km x 64.9 deg on June 27. References: 2.
1998 June 27 -
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