Salto di Quirra
Salto di Quirra
Credit - © Mark Wade
Type: Suborbital Launch Site. Operator: Italy. Country: Italy. Latitude: 39°36' N. Longitude: 9°26' E.

Salto di Quirra, in southeast Sardinia near the town of Perdas de Fogu, is an inter-service missile test center operated by the Italian Air Force. It also supports sounding rocket launches and test of larger rockets in support of Italy's abandoned ballistic missile and on-and-of satellite launcher programs. Notable were three campaigns of sounding rocket launches by CRA and NASA using Nike Asps and Nike Cajuns in 1961 and 1963. The original ESRO (European Space Research Organization) conducted launches of a wide range of sounding rockets from 1964 to 1972 (Skylarks, Centaures, Beliers, Zenits, and Swiss and German programs). Alfa experimental SLBM's were launched in 1973-75. A test of a version of the Scout rocket in 1992 was unsuccessful.

Launch Pads
  • Name: San Lorenzo pad. Latitude: 39.5000 N. Longitude: 9.6500 E. Launch Pads: 1. Scout II TV.
Salto di Quirra Chronology and Launch Log
  • 1961 January 12 16:50 - Aeronomy Sodium release mission Launch Vehicle: Nike-Cajun. Nike Cajun ISRC-RS-01 Apogee: 160 km (90 mi).

  • 1961 April 19 18:37 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Nike-Asp. Nike Asp ISRC-RS-02 Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

  • 1961 April 20 03:46 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Nike-Asp. Nike Asp ISRC-RS-03 Apogee: 190 km (110 mi).

  • 1961 April 20 18:39 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Nike-Asp. Nike Asp ISRC-RS-04 Apogee: 188 km (116 mi).

  • 1961 April 20 18:43 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Nike-Asp. Nike Asp ISRC-RS-05 Apogee: 190 km (110 mi).

  • 1961 September 7 18:17 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Nike-Asp. Nike Asp ISRC-RS-06 Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

  • 1961 September 8 04:11 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Nike-Cajun. Nike Cajun ISRC-RS-08 Apogee: 145 km (90 mi).

  • 1961 September 8 04:06 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Nike-Cajun. Nike Cajun ISRC-RS-07 Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

  • 1962 December 11 - Aeronomy mission? Launch Vehicle: Nike-Cajun. Nike Cajun ISRC-RS-? Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

  • 1963 May 20 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Nike Apache. Nike Apache NASA 14.137IA Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

  • 1963 May 21 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Nike Apache. Nike Apache NASA 14.138IA Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

  • 1963 May 21 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Nike Apache. Nike Apache NASA 14.139IA Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

  • 1964 July 6 19:23 - ESRO S01/1 Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 7C ESRO S01/1 Apogee: 180 km (110 mi).

  • 1964 July 8 19:22 - ESRO S01/2 Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 7C ESRO S01/2 Apogee: 180 km (110 mi).

  • 1965 March 31 14:34 - ESRO S03/1 Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Failure. Skylark S03/1 Apogee: 45 km (27 mi).

  • 1965 April 3 12:54 - ESRO S03/2 Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark S03/2 Apogee: 155 km (96 mi).

  • 1965 August 11 - ESRO S05/1 Ultraviolet Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 7C S05/1 Apogee: 215 km (133 mi).

  • 1965 September 30 04:15 - ESRO S04/1 Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 3 S04/1 Apogee: 225 km (139 mi).

  • 1965 October 2 - ESRO S04/2 Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 7C S04/2 Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

  • 1965 December 7 - ESRO C07/1 Aeronomy mission? Launch Vehicle: Centaure. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).

  • 1965 December 11 04:05 - ESRO C07/2 Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Centaure. Apogee: 180 km (110 mi).

  • 1965 December 14 - ESRO C06/1 Solar X-ray mission Launch Vehicle: Centaure. Centaure CE-6 Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).

  • 1966 June 16 19:20 - ESRO S17/1 Aeronomy/Barium release mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 7C S17/1 Apogee: 230 km (140 mi).

  • 1966 June 18 02:35 - ESRO S17/2 Aeronomy/Barium release mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 7C S17/2 Apogee: 220 km (130 mi).

  • 1966 June 20 - ESRO S08/1 (SK7) Aeronomy/SUltraviolet mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 7C S08/1 Apogee: 220 km (130 mi).

  • 1966 June 28 02:53 - ESRO S08/2 (SK8) Aeronomy/SUltraviolet mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 7C S08/2 Apogee: 228 km (141 mi).

  • 1966 July 8 19:47 - ESRO S18/1 Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 7C S18/1 Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

  • 1966 Jul 13 1944? 19:44 - ESRO S18/2 Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 7C S18/2 Apogee: 240 km (140 mi).

  • 1966 July 20 17:01 - ESRO B12/1 Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Belier. Apogee: 65 km (40 mi).

  • 1966 July 25 - ESRO B12/2 Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Belier. Apogee: 60 km (37 mi).

  • 1966 November 26 19:11 - ESRO S11/2 (SK16) Ultraviolet Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Failure. Skylark 3 S11/2 Apogee: 3.00 km (1.80 mi).

  • 1967 May 22 00:12 - ESRO S11/1 Ultraviolet Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 3 S11/1 Apogee: 230 km (140 mi).

  • 1967 May 25 23:24 - ESRO S05/2 Ultraviolet Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 3 S05/2 Apogee: 215 km (133 mi).

  • 1967 September 27 13:32 - ESRO S26/1 Ionosphere-solar mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 7C S26/1 Apogee: 183 km (113 mi).

  • 1967 October 4 13:23 - ESRO S19/1 Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 7C S19/1 Apogee: 206 km (128 mi).

  • 1967 October 7 14:50 - ESRO S26/2 Ionosphere-solar mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 7C S26/2 Apogee: 164 km (101 mi).

  • 1967 October 10 14:33 - ESRO S19/2 Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 7C S19/2 Apogee: 204 km (126 mi).

  • 1967 October 27 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Zenit. Apogee: 145 km (90 mi).

  • 1968 May 8 11:47 - ESRO C33/1 Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Centaure. Centaure CE-46 Apogee: 53 km (32 mi).

  • 1968 May 14 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Belier. Belier III 306 Apogee: 130 km (80 mi).

  • 1968 May 15 12:24 - ESRO C33/2 Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Centaure. Centaure CE-47 Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).

  • 1968 May 22 17:29 - ESRO D30/2 Ionosphere-solar mission Launch Vehicle: Dragon. Failure. Dragon D-31 Apogee: 440 km (270 mi).

  • 1968 October 7 21:40 - ESRO S47/1 Ultraviolet Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 3 S47/1 Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

  • 1968 November 22 11:16 - ESRO S41/1 Solar X-ray mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 3 AC S41 Apogee: 210 km (130 mi).

  • 1968 December 3 20:38 - ESRO S27/1 Ultraviolet Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 3 S27/1 Apogee: 198 km (123 mi).

  • 1969 July 5 19:45 - ESRO S38/1 Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 7C S38/1 Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

  • 1969 July 6 19:50 - ESRO S64/1 Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 3 S64/1 Apogee: 275 km (170 mi).

  • 1969 July 11 19:42 - ESRO S38/2 Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 7C S38/2 Apogee: 203 km (126 mi).

  • 1969 July 13 19:41 - ESRO S64/2 Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 3 S64/2 Apogee: 280 km (170 mi).

  • 1969 October 24 05:44 - ESRO S68/1 X-ray Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 7C S68/1 Apogee: 184 km (114 mi).

  • 1970 January 24 14:27 - ESRO S56A/1 Ionosphere-solar mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 1 S56A/1 Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

  • 1970 February 6 19:42 - ESRO S44/1 Ultraviolet Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 2 AC S44/1 Apogee: 211 km (131 mi).

  • 1970 March 22 02:08 - DLR S-CR-21 Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Failure. Skylark 3 SN5/1

  • 1970 June 22 14:04 - ESRO S68/2 X-ray Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Failure. Skylark 2 S68/2 Apogee: 3.00 km (1.80 mi).

  • 1970 July 3 19:51 - ESRO S63/2 Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 1 S63/2 Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).

  • 1970 July 8 19:45 - ESRO S63/1 Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 1 S63/1 Apogee: 149 km (92 mi).

  • 1970 July 23 13:55 - ESRO S56A/2 Ionosphere-solar mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 1 S56A/2 Apogee: 137 km (85 mi).

  • 1970 July 24 03:26 - ESRO S65/1 Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 1 S65/1 Apogee: 125 km (77 mi).

  • 1970 July 27 04:16 - ESRO S65/2 Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 1 S65/2 Apogee: 128 km (79 mi).

  • 1970 October 13 00:08 - DLR S-CR-22 Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 3 SN5/2 Apogee: 288 km (178 mi).

  • 1970 December 6 11:00 - ESRO S69 X-ray Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 3 S69 Apogee: 187 km (116 mi).

  • 1971 February 6 18:30 - ESRO S80/1 Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 3 S80/1 Apogee: 222 km (137 mi).

  • 1971 February 6 23:22 - ESRO S80/2 Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 3 S80/2 Apogee: 226 km (140 mi).

  • 1971 February 7 03:45 - ESRO S80/3 Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 3 S80/3 Apogee: 214 km (132 mi).

  • 1971 February 26 10:18 - ESRO S54 Solar X-ray mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Failure. Skylark 3 AC S54 Apogee: 250 km (150 mi).

  • 1971 March 11 08:56 - ESRO S55 X-ray Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 3 AC S55 Apogee: 159 km (98 mi).

  • 1971 March 25 13:50 - ESRO S56B/1 Ionosphere-solar mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Failure. Skylark 7C S56B/1 Apogee: 130 km (80 mi).

  • 1971 May 14 - ESRO S56B/2 Ionosphere-solar mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 1 S56B/2 Apogee: 190 km (110 mi).

  • 1971 July 2 10:55 - ESRO S73 Solar X-ray/Zodiacal mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 3 AC S73 Apogee: 224 km (139 mi).

  • 1971 July 30 - ESRO Z82/1 Meteorites mission Launch Vehicle: Zenit. Faulty stage separation, premature nose fairing ejection.. Zenit Zenit-Cuckoo Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

  • 1971 October 20 09:40 - ESRO S89 X-ray Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 3 AC S89 Apogee: 210 km (130 mi).

  • 1971 November 16 00:04 - ESRO S44/2 Ultraviolet Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Failure. Skylark 2 AC S44/2

  • 1971 December 14 12:11 - ESRO S82/2 Meteorites mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 2 S82 Apogee: 151 km (93 mi).

  • 1972 February 28 09:47 - ESRO S90 Solar Ultraviolet mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 3 AC S90 Apogee: 251 km (155 mi).

  • 1972 February 28 05:54 - ESRO S84 Solar Ultraviolet mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 3 AC S84 Apogee: 242 km (150 mi).

  • 1972 March 24 23:31 - ESRO S75/1 Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 2 S75/1 Apogee: 136 km (84 mi).

  • 1972 March 30 01:25 - ESRO S75/2 Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 4 S75/2 Apogee: 133 km (82 mi).

  • 1972 June 25 14:47 - ESRO S91 X-ray Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 3 AC S91 Apogee: 213 km (132 mi).

  • 1972 November 20 04:54 - ESRO S94 X-ray Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Skylark 3 S94 Apogee: 210 km (130 mi).

  • 1973 Feb - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Alfa. Alfa 001 Apogee: 50 km (31 mi). First test flight of Italian submarine- and ship-launched ballistic missile. Dummy second stage. Successful 57 second flight.

  • 1974 Q4 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Alfa. Alfa 002 Apogee: 50 km (31 mi). Second test flight of Italian submarine- and ship-launched ballistic missile. Dummy second stage.

  • 1975 April 4 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Alfa. Alfa 003 Apogee: 50 km (31 mi). Final test flight of Italian submarine- and ship-launched ballistic missile. Dummy second stage. Project cancelled after Italy ratified Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and decided to give up pursuit of an independent nuclear deterrent.

  • 1992 March 18 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Scout II TV. Failure. LC: SL?. Apogee: 1.00 km (0.60 mi).

Bibliography and Further Reading
  • McDowell, Jonathan, Jonathan's Space Home Page, Harvard University, 1997-present. Jonathan McDowell's complete on-line listing of all objects orbited and over 20,000 rocket launches Accessed at: http://www.planet4589.org/jsr.html.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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© Mark Wade, 1997 - 2007 except where otherwise noted.
  
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