Encyclopedia entry

Pilot satellite

Spacecraft · USA

Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.

American technology satellite. 6 launches, 1958.07.25 (Pilot 1) to 1958.08.28 (Pilot 6). Pilot launches were deep-black tests of the US Navy's 1950's reconnaissance satellite and ASAT designs.

Subtopics

Pilot 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Technology satellite for NOTS, USA. Launched 1958.

Family: Technology, anti-satellite
Country: USA
Launch Vehicles: Project Pilot
Launch Sites: Santa Barbara Channel DZ
Bibliography: 5

Chronology

6 events

1958 July 25

Launch Site: Santa Barbara Channel DZ. Launch Pad: 34.2 N x 120.0 W. Launch Platform: F4D-1 747. Launch Vehicle: Project Pilot. FAILURE: Radio contact lost; possibly reached orbit.. Failed Stage: U.

Pilot 1 - . Payload: Diagnostic Payload 1. Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Class: Technology. Type: Navigation technology satellite. Spacecraft: Pilot satellite. Decay Date: 1958-07-25 . Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). Air dropped in Santa Barbara Channel DZ..

1958 August 12

Launch Site: Santa Barbara Channel DZ. Launch Pad: 34.2 N x 120.0 W. Launch Platform: F4D-1 747. Launch Vehicle: Project Pilot. FAILURE: Vehicle exploded at ignition.. Failed Stage: 1.

Pilot 2 - . Payload: Diagnostic Payload 2. Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Class: Technology. Type: Navigation technology satellite. Spacecraft: Pilot satellite. Decay Date: 1958-08-12 . Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). Air dropped in Santa Barbara Channel DZ..

1958 August 22

Pilot 3 - . Payload: Diagnostic Payload 3. Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Class: Technology. Type: Navigation technology satellite. Spacecraft: Pilot satellite. Decay Date: 1958-08-22 . Apogee: 0 km (0 mi). Air dropped in Santa Barbara Channel DZ..

1958 August 25

Launch Site: Santa Barbara Channel DZ. Launch Pad: 34.2 N x 120.0 W. Launch Platform: F4D-1 747. Launch Vehicle: Project Pilot. FAILURE: Vehicle exploded after 0.75sec.. Failed Stage: 1.

Pilot 4 - . Payload: Radiation Payload 1. Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Class: Technology. Type: Navigation technology satellite. Spacecraft: Pilot satellite. Decay Date: 1958-08-25 . Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). Air dropped in Santa Barbara Channel DZ..

1958 August 26

Launch Site: Santa Barbara Channel DZ. Launch Pad: 34.2 N x 120.0 W. Launch Platform: F4D-1 747. Launch Vehicle: Project Pilot. FAILURE: Stage failed to ignite, vehicle fell into Pacific.. Failed Stage: 1.

Pilot 5 - . Payload: Radiation Payload 2. Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Class: Technology. Type: Navigation technology satellite. Spacecraft: Pilot satellite. Decay Date: 1958-08-26 . Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). Air dropped in Santa Barbara Channel DZ..

1958 August 28

Launch Site: Santa Barbara Channel DZ. Launch Pad: 34.2 N x 120.0 W. Launch Platform: F4D-1 747. Launch Vehicle: Project Pilot. FAILURE: One first stage motor failed to ignite, causing structural failure.. Failed Stage: 1.

Pilot 6 - . Payload: Radiation Payload 3. Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Class: Technology. Type: Navigation technology satellite. Spacecraft: Pilot satellite. Decay Date: 1958-08-28 . Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). Air dropped in Santa Barbara Channel DZ..