On April 4 in Space History
Chronology
84 events
1901 April 4
- Birth of Mikhail Vasilyevich Khrunichev - . Nation: Russia. Related Persons: Khrunichev. Russian bureaucrat. Minister of Aviation Industries 1946-1953. Later in Gosplan..
1930 April 4
- American Rocket Society founded - . Nation: USA.
1930 April 4
Launch Vehicle: ARS.- American Interplanetary Society established. - .
Nation: USA.
The American Interplanetary Society, later the American Rocket Society (ARS), founded in New York City by David Lasser, G. Edward Pendray, Fletcher Pratt, and nine others, for the "promotion of interst in and experimentation toward interplanetary expeditions and travel."
1932 April 4
- Birth of Dr Vladimir Aleksandrovich Degtyarov - . Nation: Russia. Related Persons: Degtyarev. Russian physician cosmonaut, 1965-1966..
1940 April 4
- Birth of Vladimir Timofeyevich Isakov - . Nation: Russia. Related Persons: Isakov. Russian navigator cosmonaut, 1967-1983..
1947 April 4
- Stalin meeting on Saenger bomber - .
Nation: Russia.
Related Persons: Saenger.
Stalin is fascinated with Saenger's design for an intercontinental rocket bomber. He calls a meeting in the Kremlin, and orders Serov to locate Saenger and bring him to Russia. However Saenger is in Paris, and attempts to kidnap him are thwarted by the French secret police.
1949 April 4
- Start of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) - treaty signed by 12 nations - . Nation: USA.
1954 April 4
- X-1A Flight 12 - . Crew: Murray. Payload: X-1A flight 12. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Murray. Class: Manned. Type: Manned rocketplane. Spacecraft Bus: XS-1. Spacecraft: X-1A. AF flight 6. Date estimated..
1956 April 4
Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur. Launch Vehicle: R-7.- First concrete poured at pad A at Tyuratam - . Nation: Russia.
1958 April 4
Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg.- U.S. Naval Missile Facility at Point Arguello - . Nation: USA. Establishment of the U.S. Naval Missile Facility at Point Arguello, the southern portion of former Camp Cooke (facility formally commissioned on 10 May)..
1958 April 4
15:30 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC1. Launch Vehicle: R-7.- B1-11 (I-7) test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: MVS. Apogee: 1,350 km (830 mi). R-7 test flight. (B1-11 (I-7)).
1959 April 4
Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral AMR DZ. Launch Pad: 29.0 N x 79.0 W. Launch Platform: B-47. Launch Vehicle: Bold Orion.1959 April 4
00:34 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC26B. LV Family: Jupiter. Launch Vehicle: Jupiter IRBM.- Research and development test - .
Nation: USA.
Agency: NASA Huntsville,
USAF.
Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).
Fired from AMR at 1934 hours EST. The primary mission of impacting a nose cone in a pre-calculated target area (MILS Network) was successfully accomplished with an impact of 0.8 nm under end 5.0 nm to the left of the 1,302 nm range. The lateral miss was believed to have been caused by a drifting gyro.
1961 April 4
LV Family: RT-2. Launch Vehicle: RT-1.- Development of the RT-2 ICBM authorised by a decree in parallel with the RT-1. - . Nation: Russia. Development of the RT-2 ICBM was authorised by a decree of 4 April 1961 in parallel with the RT-1..
1961 April 4
- Mercury crew refresher centrifuge training. - . Nation: USA. Flight: Mercury MR-3. Spacecraft: Mercury. Three astronauts selected for Mercury-Redstone flight (MR-3) were ordered to take refresher course in Navy centrifuge at Johnsville, Pa..
1962 April 4
- Mockup of the Apollo command module made public - . Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo CSM. A mockup of the Apollo command module, built by the Space and Information Systems Division of NAA, was made public for the first time during a visit to NAA by news media representatives..
1962 April 4
Launch Site: Warren AFB. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 1B.- Warren AFB - . Headquarters USAF officially announced that Francis E. Warren AFB, Wyoming, would be the site for the fifth wing of Minuteman ICBMs..
1963 April 4
15:00 GMT - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC35. LV Family: Aerobee. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee 150.1964 April 4
- Birth of Satoshi Furukawa - . Nation: Japan. Related Persons: Furukawa. Japanese physician mission specialist astronaut 1999-on. 1 spaceflight, 167.3 days in space. Flew to orbit on Soyuz TMA-02M (2011)..
1964 April 4
09:36 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC31. LV Family: R-7. Launch Vehicle: Vostok 8A92.- Cosmos 28 - . Payload: Zenit-2 11F61 s/n 16. Mass: 4,720 kg (10,400 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: Korolev bureau. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Vostok. Spacecraft: Zenit-2 satellite. Duration: 8.00 days. Decay Date: 1964-04-12 . USAF Sat Cat: 779 . COSPAR: 1964-017A. Apogee: 373 km (231 mi). Perigee: 213 km (132 mi). Inclination: 65.00 deg. Period: 90.40 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite..
1965 April 4
16:06 GMT - . Launch Pad: Pacific Ocean, 24.1 S x 76.1 W. Launch Platform: CVE-25. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Nike Apache.- UM Pitot 10 Aeronomy mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 139 km (86 mi). Launched at 1965 Croatan MRF Expedition LP32 - - Latitude: 24.08 S - Longitude: 76.13 W..
1966 April 4
- L1 and Voskhod - .
Nation: Russia.
Related Persons: Bushuyev,
Gagarin,
Komarov.
Program: Voskhod,
Lunar L1.
Flight: Voskhod 4,
Voskhod 5,
Voskhod 6.
Spacecraft: Luna E-6S,
Soyuz 7K-L1,
Voskhod.
The Luna 10 robot orbiter has successfully entered moon orbit, conducted two radio communications sessions, including broadcast back to the earth of the "International", the Socialist hymn, to the 23rd Party Congress. Bushuev from OKB-1 is seeking cosmonaut representatives for the commission that will inspect the mock-up of the L1 circumlunar spacecraft. Kamanin nominates Gagarin, Komarov, Nikitin, Frolov, Smirnov, and others. Kamanin informs OKB-1 that he has obtained the support of the PVO and RVSN for the completion and flight of Voskhod s/n 7, 8, and 9. A letter to Smirnov asking for those fights to be conducted will be drafted.
1966 April 4
- NASA Astronaut Training Group 5 selected. - .
Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Brand,
Bull, John,
Carr,
Duke,
Engle,
Evans,
Givens,
Haise,
Irwin,
Lind,
Lousma,
Mattingly,
McCandless,
Mitchell,
Pogue,
Roosa,
Swigert,
Weitz,
Worden.
The group was selected to provide pilot-astronauts for the Apollo Applications Program (then planned as 10 lunar landings after Apollo 11 and 30 Apollo flights to earth-orbit space stations).. Qualifications: Qualified jet pilot with minimum 1,000 flight-hours, bachleor's degree in engineering or physical or biological sciences, under 35 years old, under 183 cm height, excellent health. US citizen.. 351 applications (including six women and a legless US Navy pilot). All 19, except X-15 astronaut Engle, would fly into space on Apollo or Skylab missions. Engle and six others would fly shuttle missions.
1966 April 4
Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg LF02. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 1B.1966 April 4
Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg LF09. Launch Pad: LF09?. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 1B.1966 April 4
08:07 GMT - . Launch Site: Hammaguira. Launch Complex: Hammaguira Blandine. LV Family: Veronique. Launch Vehicle: Veronique 61M.- FU-145 ACS test / astronomy mission - . Nation: France. Agency: CNES. Apogee: 23 km (14 mi). FU145 Technology (Attitude control) mission..
1966 April 4
16:52 GMT - . Launch Site: Wallops Island. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Nike Apache.1967 April 4
Launch Site: Hammaguira. Launch Complex: Hammaguira Blandine. LV Family: Veronique. Launch Vehicle: Veronique 61M.- FU-178 PUV-3 Ultraviolet astronomy mission - . Nation: France. Agency: CNES. Apogee: 196 km (121 mi). FU178 X-ray and UV astronomy / Stab mission..
1967 April 4
00:10 GMT - . Launch Site: Point Barrow. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Nike Cajun.1967 April 4
00:32 GMT - . Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: Woomera LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 SL. LV Family: Skylark. Launch Vehicle: Skylark 3.- X-ray survey / ne Solar x-ray / ionosphere mission - . Nation: Australia. Agency: Royal Aerospace Establishment, WRE. Apogee: 220 km (130 mi).
1967 April 4
14:00 GMT - . Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: Plesetsk LC41/1. LV Family: R-7. Launch Vehicle: Vostok 8A92.- Cosmos 153 - . Payload: Zenit-2 11F61 s/n 48. Mass: 4,720 kg (10,400 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MOM. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Vostok. Spacecraft: Zenit-2 satellite. Duration: 8.00 days. Decay Date: 1967-04-12 . USAF Sat Cat: 2740 . COSPAR: 1967-030A. Apogee: 279 km (173 mi). Perigee: 199 km (123 mi). Inclination: 64.60 deg. Period: 89.30 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite. Program partially completed. Failure of primary SA-20 camera..
1968 April 4
- Soviet view on Saturn V - .
Nation: Russia.
Program: Lunar L3,
Apollo.
The second successful launch of the Saturn V stunned the Soviet engineers. They could not believe the variety and volume of data telemetered back in real-time to the launch centre. They viewed with jealousy the launch room set-up at Cape Canaveral - where each engineering speciality could sit in their own comfortable chair, viewing data as the booster ascended on a computer screen.
1968 April 4
- Ustinov tours the TsPK. - .
Nation: Russia.
Related Persons: Ustinov.
He agrees that only pilots should be assigned as crew commanders. However he says that the increase of the training centre to 500 staff will need discussion with the party. Furthermore, Kamanin's wish to move management of manned spacecraft projects from the RSVN to the VVS is a 'difficult subject' that has to be discussed at the highest levels of the Ministry of Defence.
1968 April 4
Launch Site: Johnston Island. Launch Pad: SLBM Launch Area. Launch Platform: EAG-154. LV Family: Polaris. Launch Vehicle: Polaris A3.1968 April 4
03:59 GMT - . Launch Site: Fort Churchill. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Nike Apache.1968 April 4
07:32 GMT - . Launch Site: Fort Churchill. LV Family: Tomahawk. Launch Vehicle: Nike Tomahawk.1968 April 4
12:00 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC39A. Launch Platform: LUT2. Launch Vehicle: Saturn V.- Apollo 6 - .
Payload: Apollo CM 020/ SM 014 / Apollo LTA-2R / S-IVB 502. Mass: 36,806 kg (81,143 lb). Nation: USA.
Agency: NASA Houston.
Program: Apollo.
Class: Moon.
Type: Manned lunar spacecraft. Spacecraft: Apollo CSM.
Duration: 2.43 days. Decay Date: 1968-04-04 . USAF Sat Cat: 3170 . COSPAR: 1968-025A. Apogee: 184 km (114 mi). Perigee: 183 km (113 mi). Inclination: 32.50 deg. Period: 88.20 min.
Apollo 6 (AS-502) was launched from Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center. The space vehicle consisted of a Saturn V launch vehicle with an unmanned, modified Block I command and service module (CSM 020) and a lunar module test article (LTA-2R).
Liftoff at 7:00 a.m. EST was normal but, during the first-stage (S-IC) boost phase, oscillations and abrupt measurement changes were observed. During the second-stage (S-II) boost phase, two of the J-2 engines shut down early and the remaining three were extended approximately one minute to compensate. The third stage (S-IVB) firing was also longer than planned and at termination of thrust the orbit was 177.7 x 362.9 kilometers rather than the 160.9-kilometer near-circular orbit planned. The attempt to reignite the S-IVB engine for the translunar injection was unsuccessful. Reentry speed was 10 kilometers per second rather than the planned 11.1, and the spacecraft landed 90.7 kilometers uprange of the targeted landing point.
The most significant spacecraft anomaly occurred at about 2 minutes 13 seconds after liftoff, when abrupt changes were indicated by strain, vibration, and acceleration measurements in the S-IVB, instrument unit, adapter, lunar module test article, and CSM. Apparently oscillations induced by the launch vehicle exceeded the spacecraft design criteria.
The second-stage (S-II) burn was normal until about 4 minutes 38 seconds after liftoff; then difficulties were recorded. Engine 2 cutoff was recorded about 6 minutes 53 seconds into the flight and engine 3 cutoff less than 3 seconds later. The remaining second-stage engines shut down at 9 minutes 36 seconds - 58 seconds later than planned.
The S-IVB engine during its first burn, which was normal, operated 29 seconds longer than programmed. After two revolutions in a parking orbit, during which the systems were checked, operational tests performed, and several attitude maneuvers made, preparations were completed for the S-IVB engine restart. The firing was scheduled to occur on the Cape Kennedy pass at the end of the second revolution, but could not be accomplished. A ground command was sent to the CSM to carry out a planned alternate mission, and the CSM separated from the S-IVB stage.
A service propulsion system (SPS) engine firing sequence resulted in a 442-second burn and an accompanying free-return orbit of 22,259.1 x 33.3 kilometers. Since the SPS was used to attain the desired high apogee, there was insufficient propellant left to gain the high-velocity increase desired for the entry. For this reason, a complete firing sequence was performed except that the thrust was inhibited.
Parachute deployment was normal and the spacecraft landed about 9 hours 50 minutes after liftoff, in the mid-Pacific, 90.7 kilometers uprange from the predicted landing area (27.40 N 157.59 W). A normal retrieval was made by the U.S.S. Okinawa, with waves of 2.1 to 2.4 meters.
The spacecraft was in good condition, including the unified crew hatch, flown for the first time. Charring of the thermal protection was about the same as that experienced on the Apollo 4 spacecraft (CM 017).
Of the five primary objectives, three - demonstrating separation of launch vehicle stages, performance of the emergency detection system (EDS) in a close-loop mode, and mission support facilities and operations - were achieved. Only partially achieved were the objectives of confirming structure and thermal integrity, compatibility of launch vehicle and spacecraft, and launch loads and dynamic characteristics; and of verifying operation of launch vehicle propulsion, guidance and control, and electrical systems. Apollo 6, therefore, was officially judged in December as "not a success in accordance with . . . NASA mission objectives."
1968 April 4
18:02 GMT - . Launch Site: Edwards. Launch Complex: Delamar Dry Lake DZ. Launch Pad: Edwards RW04/22. Launch Platform: NB-52 008.- X-15A CO/WTR/SA TPS Test/Technology mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: NASA, USAF. Spacecraft: X-15A. Apogee: 57 km (35 mi). Maximum Speed - 5808 kph. Maximum Altitude - 57150 m. Air dropped in Delamar Dry Lake DZ..
1969 April 4
Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral ETR. Launch Platform: SSBN 616. LV Family: Polaris. Launch Vehicle: Polaris A2E.1969 April 4
10:20 GMT - . Launch Site: Plesetsk. LV Family: R-7. Launch Vehicle: Voskhod 11A57.- Cosmos 276 - . Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MOM. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Vostok. Spacecraft: Zenit-4. Duration: 7.00 days. Decay Date: 1969-04-11 . USAF Sat Cat: 3854 . COSPAR: 1969-032A. Apogee: 371 km (230 mi). Perigee: 200 km (120 mi). Inclination: 81.40 deg. Period: 90.30 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule.
1969 April 4
13:00 GMT - . Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: Plesetsk LC133/1. LV Family: R-12. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 11K63.- Cosmos 277 - . Payload: DS-P1-Yu s/n 20. Mass: 325 kg (716 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MO. Program: DS. Class: Military. Type: Military target satellite. Spacecraft Bus: DS. Spacecraft: DS-P1-Yu. Completed Operations Date: 1969-07-06 . Decay Date: 1969-07-06 . USAF Sat Cat: 3855 . COSPAR: 1969-033A. Apogee: 446 km (277 mi). Perigee: 289 km (179 mi). Inclination: 70.90 deg. Period: 91.90 min. Development of systems for air defence and the control of outer space..
1969 April 4
19:35 GMT - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC35. LV Family: Aerobee. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee 150.- Extreme ultraviolet Mon Solar extreme ultraviolet mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 248 km (154 mi).
1969 April 4
19:50 GMT - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC35. LV Family: Aerobee. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee 150.- Extreme ultraviolet Mon Solar extreme ultraviolet mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 220 km (130 mi).
1970 April 4
16:28 GMT - . Launch Site: Eglin. LV Family: Black Brant. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant VC.- Extreme ultraviolet Solar extreme ultraviolet mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF CRL. Apogee: 354 km (219 mi).
1970 April 4
19:12 GMT - . Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Complex: Kiruna S. LV Family: Skylark. Launch Vehicle: Skylark 2.1971 April 4
14:27 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC90/19. Launch Pad: LC90/20. LV Family: R-36. Launch Vehicle: Tsiklon-2.- Cosmos 404 - .
Mass: 1,400 kg (3,000 lb). Nation: Russia.
Agency: PKO.
Class: Military.
Type: Anti-satellite system. Spacecraft Bus: Kosmoplan.
Spacecraft: IS-A.
Decay Date: 1971-04-04 . USAF Sat Cat: 5113 . COSPAR: 1971-027A. Apogee: 1,010 km (620 mi). Perigee: 802 km (498 mi). Inclination: 65.70 deg. Period: 103.10 min.
ASAT interceptor. Conducted an extended test flight to shake out homing system and engine function. Tested new redundant ranging systems. Tested effectiveness of new approach trajectory to target, whereby target was approached from above rather than below. Following completion of tests and verification of system functions via telemetry, spacecraft was commanded to a destructive reentry over the Pacific Ocean.
1972 April 4
20:38 GMT - . Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: Plesetsk LC43/4. LV Family: R-7. Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M.- Molniya 1-20 - . Payload: Molniya-1 s/n 27. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MOM. Program: Molniya. Class: Communications. Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft Bus: KAUR-2. Spacecraft: Molniya-1. Decay Date: 1974-01-30 . USAF Sat Cat: 5927 . COSPAR: 1972-025A. Apogee: 40,006 km (24,858 mi). Perigee: 343 km (213 mi). Inclination: 65.70 deg. Period: 717.60 min. Operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radiocommunications system in the USSR; transmission of television programmes to stations in the Orbita network..
- SRET 1 - . Payload: MAS/SRET 1. Mass: 15 kg (33 lb). Nation: France. Agency: CNES. Class: Technology. Type: Navigation technology satellite. Spacecraft: SRET. Decay Date: 1974-02-26 . USAF Sat Cat: 5928 . COSPAR: 1972-025B. Apogee: 39,250 km (24,380 mi). Perigee: 458 km (284 mi). Inclination: 65.60 deg. Period: 704.70 min. Test satellite. Investigation of the upper atmosphere and outer space..
1973 April 4
Launch Site: Kourou. LV Family: Arcas. Launch Vehicle: Super Arcas.1974 April 4
08:30 GMT - . Launch Site: Plesetsk. LV Family: R-7. Launch Vehicle: Voskhod 11A57.- Cosmos 639 - . Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MOM. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Vostok. Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. Duration: 11.00 days. Decay Date: 1974-04-15 . USAF Sat Cat: 7240 . COSPAR: 1974-019A. Apogee: 226 km (140 mi). Perigee: 206 km (128 mi). Inclination: 81.30 deg. Period: 88.90 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable..
1974 April 4
13:43 GMT - . Launch Site: Kheysa. Launch Vehicle: MR-12.- Aeronomy/Ionosphere/Chemical release/Plasma mission - . Nation: Russia. Apogee: 166 km (103 mi).
1975 April 4
Launch Site: Salto di Quirra. Launch Vehicle: Alfa.- Spurious? - . Nation: Italy. 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..
1977 April 4
14:45 GMT - . Launch Site: Antigua. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Rocketsonde.1978 April 4
15:00 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC1. LV Family: R-7. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz-U.- Cosmos 1001 - .
Payload: Soyuz T s/n 4L. Mass: 6,850 kg (15,100 lb). Nation: Russia.
Agency: MOM.
Program: Salyut 6.
Class: Manned.
Type: Manned spacecraft. Spacecraft Bus: Soyuz.
Spacecraft: Soyuz T.
Duration: 10.87 days. Decay Date: 1978-04-15 . USAF Sat Cat: 10783 . COSPAR: 1978-036A. Apogee: 228 km (141 mi). Perigee: 199 km (123 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 88.70 min.
Manned precursor. Recovered April 15, 1978 12:02 GMT. Unsuccessful mission. Soyuz T test -failure.
Maneuver Summary:
202 km X 231 km orbit to 195 km X 291 km orbit. Delta V: 19 m/s
195 km X 291 km orbit to 306 km X 322 km orbit. Delta V: 40 m/s
306 km X 322 km orbit to 308 km X 318 km orbit. Delta V: 1 m/s
Total Delta V: 60 m/s.
Officially: Investigation of the upper atmosphere and outer space.
1979 April 4
Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: Woomera LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 HRV. LV Family: Stonechat. Launch Vehicle: Falstaff.- Chevaline warhead test launch - . Nation: UK. Agency: Royal Aerospace Establishment. Apogee: 103 km (64 mi).
1979 April 4
Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg WTR. Launch Platform: SSBN 608. LV Family: Polaris. Launch Vehicle: Polaris A3.1979 April 4
Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg WTR. Launch Platform: SSBN 608. LV Family: Polaris. Launch Vehicle: Polaris A3.1979 April 4
23:47 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC29A. LV Family: Polaris. Launch Vehicle: Polaris A3.1980 April 4
15:18 GMT - . Launch Site: Ascension. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Rocketsonde.1981 April 4
Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg LF06. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 1B.- ABRES Mk500-PAS-1 re-entry vehicle test flight - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Spacecraft: ABRES. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).
1983 April 4
18:30 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC39A. Launch Platform: MLP2. LV Family: Shuttle. Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle.- STS-6 - .
Call Sign: Challenger. Crew: Bobko,
Musgrave,
Peterson,
Weitz.
Payload: Challenger F01 / TDRS 1 [IUS]. Mass: 21,305 kg (46,969 lb). Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Bobko,
Musgrave,
Peterson,
Weitz.
Agency: NASA Houston.
Program: STS.
Class: Manned.
Type: Manned spaceplane. Flight: STS-6.
Spacecraft Bus: Shuttle.
Spacecraft: Challenger.
Duration: 5.02 days. Decay Date: 1983-04-09 . USAF Sat Cat: 13968 . COSPAR: 1983-026A. Apogee: 295 km (183 mi). Perigee: 288 km (178 mi). Inclination: 28.50 deg. Period: 90.40 min.
Manned four crew. First flight of space shuttle Challenger; deployed TDRSS. Payloads: Deployment of Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS)-A with Inertial Upper Stage (lUS)-2, Continuous Flow Electrophoresis System (CFES), Monodisperse Latex Reactor (MLR), Night/Day Optical Survey of Lightning (NOSL) experiment, three getaway specials (GAS).
- TDRS 1 - .
Payload: TDRS A. Mass: 2,268 kg (5,000 lb). Nation: USA.
Agency: NASA Greenbelt.
Program: STS.
Class: Communications.
Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft: TDRS.
USAF Sat Cat: 13969 . COSPAR: 1983-026B. Apogee: 35,976 km (22,354 mi). Perigee: 35,835 km (22,266 mi). Inclination: 7.40 deg. Period: 1,442.20 min.
Element of satellite communications network, deployed from STS-6 5 April 1983. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 67 deg W in 1983; 41 deg W in 1983-1989; 79 deg W in 1989-1990; 170 deg W in 1990-1993; 85 deg E in 1994-1995; 49 deg W in 1996-on. As of 5 September 2001 located at 49.36 deg W drifting at 0.010 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 48.98W drifting at 0.029W degrees per day.
1984 April 4
01:40 GMT - . Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: Plesetsk LC16/2. LV Family: R-7. Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M.- Cosmos 1547 - . Payload: Oko #33. Mass: 1,250 kg (2,750 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MOM. Class: Surveillance. Type: Early warning satellite. Spacecraft: Oko. USAF Sat Cat: 14884 . COSPAR: 1984-033A. Apogee: 36,507 km (22,684 mi). Perigee: 3,819 km (2,373 mi). Inclination: 67.50 deg. Period: 717.20 min. Replaced Cosmos 1382. Covered Oko constellation plane 7 - 154 degree longitude of ascending node..
1984 April 4
19:27 GMT - . Launch Site: Syowa Base. Launch Vehicle: S-310.1985 April 4
15:23 GMT - . Launch Site: Natal. Launch Vehicle: Super Loki.1986 April 4
03:45 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC200/40. LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K/DM.- Cosmos 1738 - .
Payload: Potok no. 3 s/n 13L. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Nation: Russia.
Agency: MOM.
Class: Communications.
Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft Bus: KAUR-4.
Spacecraft: Potok.
Completed Operations Date: 1989-04-07 . USAF Sat Cat: 16667 . COSPAR: 1986-027A. Apogee: 35,847 km (22,274 mi). Perigee: 35,712 km (22,190 mi). Inclination: 5.60 deg. Period: 1,435.70 min.
Stationed at 13.5 deg W. Continuation of the investigation of outer space; experimental retransmission of telephone and telegraph data in the centimetre band. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 14 deg W in 1986-1989 As of 3 September 2001 located at 0.26 deg W drifting at 0.077 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 55.28W drifting at 0.287W degrees per day.
1988 April 4
06:03 GMT - . Launch Site: Sea Launch Area. Launch Pad: UNKO. Launch Platform: PASSAT. Launch Vehicle: MMR-06.1989 April 4
18:36 GMT - . Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: Plesetsk LC132/2. LV Family: R-14. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 11K65M.- Cosmos 2016 - . Mass: 825 kg (1,818 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MO. Class: Navigation. Type: Navigation satellite. Spacecraft Bus: KAUR-1. Spacecraft: Parus. USAF Sat Cat: 19921 . COSPAR: 1989-028A. Apogee: 1,013 km (629 mi). Perigee: 953 km (592 mi). Inclination: 83.00 deg. Period: 104.80 min. Military navigation satellite..
1990 April 4
Launch Site: Balasore. LV Family: RH. Launch Vehicle: RH-200.1991 April 4
10:47 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC200/39. LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K/DM-2.- Cosmos 2139 - . Payload: Glonass s/n 50L. Mass: 1,400 kg (3,000 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MOM. Class: Navigation. Type: Navigation satellite. Spacecraft: Glonass . USAF Sat Cat: 21216 . COSPAR: 1991-025A. Apogee: 19,160 km (11,900 mi). Perigee: 19,098 km (11,866 mi). Inclination: 65.10 deg. Period: 675.70 min. Glonass. Testing of components and apparatus of the Glonass global space navigation system being set up to determine the position of the Soviet Union's civil aircraft and vessels in its merchant marine and fishing fleet. .
- Cosmos 2141 - . Payload: Glonass s/n 54L. Mass: 1,400 kg (3,000 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MOM. Class: Navigation. Type: Navigation satellite. Spacecraft: Glonass. USAF Sat Cat: 21218 . COSPAR: 1991-025C. Apogee: 19,146 km (11,896 mi). Perigee: 19,113 km (11,876 mi). Inclination: 64.00 deg. Period: 675.70 min. Glonass. Testing of components and apparatus of the Glonass global space navigation system being set up to determine the position of the Soviet Union's civil aircraft and vessels in its merchant marine and fishing fleet..
- Cosmos 2140 - . Payload: Glonass s/n 53L. Mass: 1,400 kg (3,000 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MOM. Class: Navigation. Type: Navigation satellite. Spacecraft: Glonass. USAF Sat Cat: 21217 . COSPAR: 1991-025B. Apogee: 19,161 km (11,906 mi). Perigee: 19,097 km (11,866 mi). Inclination: 65.10 deg. Period: 675.70 min. Glonass. Testing of components and apparatus of the Glonass global space navigation system being set up to determine the position of the Soviet Union's civil aircraft and vessels in its merchant marine and fishing fleet..
1991 April 4
23:33 GMT - . Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: Kourou ELA2. LV Family: Ariane. Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44P.- Anik E2 - . Mass: 2,923 kg (6,444 lb). Nation: Canada. Agency: Telesat. Manufacturer: Lockheed. Program: Anik. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft: AS 5000. USAF Sat Cat: 21222 . COSPAR: 1991-026A. Apogee: 35,795 km (22,241 mi). Perigee: 35,778 km (22,231 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. Canadian communications; 107.3 deg W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 107 deg W in 1991-1999 As of 6 September 2001 located at 111.10 deg W drifting at 0.003 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 123.15E drifting at 4.124W degrees per day..
1993 April 4
15:00 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC47. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Rocketsonde.1997 April 4
16:47 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg SLC4W. LV Family: Titan. Launch Vehicle: Titan II SLV.- USA 131 - . Payload: DMSP 5D-2 F-14. Mass: 770 kg (1,690 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Manufacturer: RCA. Program: DMSP. Class: Earth. Type: Weather satellite. Spacecraft Bus: TIROS N. Spacecraft: DMSP Block 5D-2. USAF Sat Cat: 24753 . COSPAR: 1997-012A. Apogee: 855 km (531 mi). Perigee: 842 km (523 mi). Inclination: 98.90 deg. Period: 101.90 min.
1997 April 4
19:20 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC39A. Launch Platform: MLP3. LV Family: Shuttle. Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle.- STS-83 - .
Call Sign: Columbia. Crew: Crouch,
Gernhardt,
Halsell,
Kilrain,
Linteris,
Thomas,
Voss, Janice.
Backup Crew: Coleman, Catherine.
Payload: Columbia F22 / Spacelab LM Unit 1 / EDO. Mass: 115,900 kg (255,500 lb). Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Coleman, Catherine,
Crouch,
Gernhardt,
Halsell,
Kilrain,
Linteris,
Thomas,
Voss, Janice.
Agency: NASA Houston.
Program: STS.
Class: Manned.
Type: Manned spaceplane. Flight: STS-83.
Spacecraft Bus: Shuttle.
Spacecraft: Columbia.
Duration: 3.97 days. Decay Date: 1997-04-08 . USAF Sat Cat: 24755 . COSPAR: 1997-013A. Apogee: 302 km (187 mi). Perigee: 298 km (185 mi). Inclination: 28.50 deg. Period: 90.50 min.
The launch of STS-83, the first Microgravity Science Laboratory (MSL-1) mission, was postponed for a day to replace some insulation around a water coolant line in Columbia's payload bay. Liftoff was further delayed 20 minutes due to anomalous oxygen readings in the orbiter's payload bay. STS-83 was cut short due to a problem with one of the three fuel cells that provide electricity and water to Columbia (flight rules required that all three must be operating). At 14:30 GMT on April 6 the crew were ordered to begin a Minimum Duration Flight (MDF). On April 8 the OMS engines ignited at 17:30 GMT for the deorbit burn, and Columbia landed on Runway 33 at Kennedy Space Center at 18:33 GMT.
With delays in International Space Station construction leaving ample room in the shuttle schedule, NASA made the unique decision to leave the equipment installed in Columbia and refly this mission with the same crew later in 1997 as STS-94.
- EDO - . Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Program: STS. Spacecraft Bus: Shuttle Attached Payloads. Spacecraft: EDO. Decay Date: 1997-04-08 . USAF Sat Cat: 24755 . COSPAR: 1997-013xx. Apogee: 302 km (187 mi). Perigee: 298 km (185 mi). Inclination: 28.50 deg. Period: 90.50 min.
- MSL-1 Spacelab - . Payload: Spacelab Long Module 1. Nation: USA. Agency: NASA Houston. Manufacturer: Bremen. Program: Spacelab. Class: Manned. Type: Manned space laboratory. Spacecraft: Spacelab. Decay Date: 1997-04-08 . USAF Sat Cat: 24755 . COSPAR: 1997-013xx. Apogee: 302 km (187 mi). Perigee: 298 km (185 mi). Inclination: 28.50 deg. Period: 90.50 min. Remained attached to OV-102.
2000 April 4
05:01 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC1. LV Family: R-7. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz-U-PVB.- Soyuz TM-30 - .
Call Sign: Yenisey. Crew: Kaleri,
Zalyotin.
Payload: Soyuz TM s/n 204. Mass: 7,250 kg (15,980 lb). Nation: Russia.
Related Persons: Kaleri,
Zalyotin.
Agency: RAKA.
Manufacturer: Korolev bureau.
Program: Mir.
Class: Manned.
Type: Manned spacecraft. Flight: Soyuz TM-30.
Spacecraft Bus: Soyuz.
Spacecraft: Soyuz TM.
Duration: 72.82 days. Decay Date: 2000-06-16 . USAF Sat Cat: 26116 . COSPAR: 2000-018A. Apogee: 384 km (238 mi). Perigee: 358 km (222 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 91.97 min.
Soyuz TM-30 docked with Mir's forward (-X) port on April 6 at 0631 GMT. Zalyotin and Kaleri reactivated the uninhabited station. Unloading Progress M1-1 and M1-2, they resupplied the station. The Progress spacecraft were also used to raise the station's orbit to 360 x 378 km x 51.6 deg. The orbital plane of Mir was then around 120 degrees away from that of ISS (making transport between the stations impossible, as desired by NASA).
2001 April 4
- ISS Status Report: ISS 01-09 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Helms, Voss. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-102 ISS EO-2. The resident crew of the International Space Station - Commander Yury Usachev and Flight Engineers Jim Voss and Susan Helms - spent the last week conducting experiments and performing routine housekeeping chores and some maintenance work.. Additional Details: here....
2003 April 4
- International Space Station Status Report #03-14 - .
Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Bowersox,
Budarin,
Lu,
Malenchenko,
Pettit.
Program: ISS.
Flight: STS-113 ISS EO-6.
International Space Station crewmembers, Commander Ken Bowersox, Flight Engineer Nikolai Budarin and NASA ISS Science Officer Don Pettit, spent much of this week preparing for their spacewalk next Tuesday. The 61/2-hour spacewalk is scheduled to begin about 7:30 a.m. CDT, with NASA Television coverage slated to start at 6 a.m. Additional Details: here....
2008 April 4
- ISS On-Orbit Status 04/04/08 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Love, Malenchenko, Reisman, Whitson. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-11, STS-122, STS-123 ISS EO-16. After yesterday's successful ATV1 docking, CDR Whitson and FE-1 Malenchenko today performed first ingress of the European cargo carrier by executing a number of prescribed steps.. Additional Details: here....
2009 April 4
08:34 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC41. Launch Pad: SLC41. LV Family: Atlas V. Launch Vehicle: Atlas V 421.- USA 204 - . Payload: WGS 2. Mass: 5,987 kg (13,199 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: Martin. Class: Communications. Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft: HS 702. USAF Sat Cat: 34713 . COSPAR: 2009-017A. Apogee: 35,452 km (22,028 mi). Perigee: 35,397 km (21,994 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. Period: 1,417.60 min. Wideband Global Satcom; provided communications for the US Dept. of Defense Central Command (CENTCOM)..
2011 April 4
22:18 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC1. LV Family: R-7. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz-FG.- Soyuz TMA-21 - .
Call Sign: Tarkhany /
Gagarin. Crew: Borisenko,
Garan,
Samokutyayev.
Backup Crew: Burbank,
Ivanishin,
Shkaplerov.
Payload: Soyuz 7K-STMA s/n 231. Mass: 7,200 kg (15,800 lb). Nation: Russia.
Agency: RKA.
Program: ISS.
Class: Manned.
Type: Manned spacecraft. Flight: Soyuz TMA-21.
Spacecraft Bus: Soyuz.
Spacecraft: Soyuz TMA.
Duration: 164.24 days. Decay Date: 2011-09-16 . USAF Sat Cat: 37382 . COSPAR: 2011-012A. Apogee: 347 km (215 mi). Perigee: 343 km (213 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 91.40 min.
ISS EO-27 crew. The Soyuz docked at the Poisk module of the ISS at 23:09 GMT on 6 April, and undocked at 00:38 GMT on 16 September 2011, eight days later than planned due to the Progress M-11M launch failure. A dropout of communications after the reentry burn caused concern, but the crew landed safely in Kazakhstan at 03:59 GMT.
2013 April 4
21:55 GMT - . Launch Site: Hainan. LV Family: Tianying-3C. Launch Vehicle: Tianying-3E.- Kunpeng-1 - . Nation: China. Apogee: 191 km (118 mi). Ionosphere mission..
2014 April 4
11:44 GMT - . Launch Site: Sriharikota. Launch Complex: Sriharikota SLP. Launch Pad: PSLV. LV Family: PSLV. Launch Vehicle: PSLV-XL.- IRNSS-1B - .
Mass: 1,425 kg (3,141 lb). Nation: India.
Class: Navigation.
Type: Navigation satellite. Spacecraft: I-1K.
USAF Sat Cat: 39635 . COSPAR: 2014-017A. Apogee: 35,883 km (22,296 mi). Perigee: 35,688 km (22,175 mi). Inclination: 30.89 deg. Period: 1,436.03 min.
Second dedicated navigation satellite for the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System. After a coast phase the fourth stage ignited to accelerate the vehicle to a 269 x 20,558 km x 19.3 deg transfer orbit. IRNSS-1B used its onboard engine to join IRNSS-1A in circular inclined geosynchronous orbit, and on April 17 was in a 35,565 x 35,878 km x 31.0 deg orbit over the Indian Ocean.
2017 April 4
21:42 GMT - . Launch Site: Sinpo. LV Family: Scud. Launch Vehicle: Hwasong 7.- RV - . Nation: Korea North. Apogee: 189 km (117 mi). Test mission. Impacted in Sea of Japan..
2017 April 4
21:42 GMT - . Launch Site: Sinpo. LV Family: R-11. Launch Vehicle: Hwasong 6.- RV - . Nation: Korea North. Apogee: 189 km (117 mi). Test mission. Impacted Sea of Japan..
2018 April 4
10:40 GMT - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. Launch Complex: Roi-Namur. LV Family: Black Brant. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant IX.- WRX-R - . Nation: USA. Apogee: 204 km (126 mi). X-ray Astronomy mission. Impacted Kwajalein..
2018 April 4
18:00 GMT - . Launch Site: Haikou. Launch Vehicle: Shian Quxian 1.- Hyperbola-1S - . Nation: China. Apogee: 108 km (67 mi). Test mission. Impacted S China Sea..