On April 12 in Space History
Chronology
84 events
1925 April 12
- Birth of Charles 'Chuck' Wilson - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Wilson, Chuck. American engineer. Atlas Space Booster Program Manager.
1928 April 12
Launch Vehicle: Opel.- Opel Rak - .
Nation: Germany.
Related Persons: Opel,
Valier.
After two tests the day before, which showed that a good fraction of Brander's rockets would either fail to ignite or explode, Valier made the first official rocket car run for the press. Of 12 rockets attached to the 'Rak' vehicle (a motor car stripped of engine and brakes), five failed to function, but the vehicle reached 110 kph and the press was mightily impressed. Opel received an unexpected amount of free publicity and funded Valier in further rocket car development.
1928 April 12
- Birth of Russell Lee Rogers - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Rogers. American test pilot astronaut, 1962-1963..
1937 April 12
- Birth of Igor Petrovich Volk - . Nation: Ukraine. Related Persons: Volk. Ukrainian test pilot cosmonaut 1977-1996. 1 spaceflight, 11.8 days in space. Flew to orbit on Soyuz T-12 (1984)..
1955 April 12
LV Family: Atlas, Titan, .- Contract for all-inertial guidance for a ballistic missile. - . The Arma Division of American Bosch Arma Corporation received a contract to design, develop, fabricate, and test a complete airborne all-inertial guidance system for a ballistic missile system..
1955 April 12
Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: Kapustin Yar V-2. LV Family: V-2. Launch Vehicle: R-1 8A11.- Operational test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: Korolev bureau. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).
1956 April 12
02:05 GMT - . Launch Site: Holloman. Launch Complex: Holloman A. LV Family: Aerobee. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee RTV-A-1a.- Sodium Release 3 Ionosphere / aeronomy / chemica mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 106 km (65 mi). Sodium cloud, ionization research. Launched at 1005 local time. Reached 106.2 km..
1957 April 12
Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: Kapustin Yar V-2. LV Family: V-2. Launch Vehicle: R-2A.- Test mission - . Nation: Russia. Agency: Korolev bureau. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).
1959 April 12
- Space Task Group conducted the second full-scale Mercury beach abort test on Wallops Island. - .
Nation: USA.
Spacecraft: Mercury,
Mercury Parachute.
A deliberate thrust misalignment of 1 inch was programed into the escape combination. Lift-off was effected cleanly, and a slow pitch started during the burning of the escape rocket motor. The tower separated as scheduled and the drogue and main parachutes deployed as planned. The test was fully successful.
1960 April 12
03:18 GMT - . Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: Woomera LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 SL. Launch Vehicle: Skylark.- Test mission - . Nation: Australia. Agency: Royal Aerospace Establishment, WRE. Apogee: 218 km (135 mi).
1961 April 12
- President Kennedy says United States second to Russia in space - .
Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Kennedy.
Program: Apollo.
President John F. Kennedy, in his regular press conference, stated that "no one is more tired than I am" of seeing the United States second to Russia in space. "They secured large boosters which have led to their being first in Sputnik, and led to their first putting their man in space. We are, I hope, going to be able to carry out our efforts, with due regard to the problem of the life of the men involved, this year. But we are behind . . . the news will be worse before it is better, and it will be some time before we catch up. . . ."
1961 April 12
06:07 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC18B. Launch Pad: LC18B. LV Family: Scout. Launch Vehicle: Blue Scout II.1961 April 12
06:07 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC1. LV Family: R-7. Launch Vehicle: Vostok 8K72K.- Vostok 1 - .
Call Sign: Kedr (Cedar ). Crew: Gagarin.
Backup Crew: Nelyubov,
Titov.
Payload: Vostok 3KA s/n 3. Mass: 4,725 kg (10,416 lb). Nation: Russia.
Related Persons: Gagarin,
Karpov,
Keldysh,
Korolev,
Moskalenko,
Nelyubov,
Rudnev,
Titov.
Agency: RVSN.
Program: Vostok.
Class: Manned.
Type: Manned spacecraft. Flight: Vostok 1.
Spacecraft: Vostok.
Duration: 0.0750 days. Decay Date: 1961-04-12 . USAF Sat Cat: 103 . COSPAR: 1961-Mu-1. Apogee: 315 km (195 mi). Perigee: 169 km (105 mi). Inclination: 65.00 deg. Period: 89.30 min.
First manned spaceflight, one orbit of the earth. Three press releases were prepared, one for success, two for failures. It was only known ten minutes after burnout, 25 minutes after launch, if a stable orbit had been achieved.
The payload included life-support equipment and radio and television to relay information on the condition of the pilot. The flight was automated; Gagarin's controls were locked to prevent him from taking control of the ship. The combination to unlock the controls was available in a sealed envelope in case it became necessary to take control in an emergency. After retrofire, the service module remained attached to the Sharik reentry sphere by a wire bundle. The joined craft went through wild gyrations at the beginning of re-entry, before the wires burned through. The Sharik, as it was designed to do, then naturally reached aerodynamic equilibrium with the heat shield positioned correctly.
Gagarin ejected after re-entry and descended under his own parachute, as was planned. However for many years the Soviet Union denied this, because the flight would not have been recognized for various FAI world records unless the pilot had accompanied his craft to a landing. Recovered April 12, 1961 8:05 GMT. Landed Southwest of Engels Smelovka, Saratov. Additional Details: here....
1962 April 12
Launch Site: Lowry AFB. LV Family: Titan. Launch Vehicle: Titan I.- Lowry AFB - .
The Ballistic Systems Division Site Activation Task Force (SATAF) at Lowry AFB, Colorado, turned over Complex A, the first three-missile Titan I (HGM-25A) launch complex, to the 724th SMW. These were the first of 54 Titan I launchers programmed for SAC's operational inventory. All Titan I squadrons featured silo-lift facilities, that is, storage in an underground silo and erection to an above ground launch position.
1962 April 12
Launch Vehicle: N1.- First Soviet announcement of manned lunar goals - . Nation: Russia. Program: Lunar L1. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spacecraft. Spacecraft: Soyuz A, Soyuz B, Soyuz V. First Soviet public announcement of manned lunar goals..
1962 April 12
Launch Site: Point Mugu. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.1962 April 12
01:57 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg 576B2. LV Family: Atlas. Launch Vehicle: Atlas D.- Demonstration and shakedown operations launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,800 km (1,100 mi).
1962 April 12
16:00 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC18B. Launch Pad: LC18B. LV Family: Scout. Launch Vehicle: Blue Scout I. FAILURE: Failure.1963 April 12
Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg LF02. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 1A.1963 April 12
05:30 GMT - . Launch Site: Wallops Island. LV Family: Aerobee. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee 150A.1963 April 12
14:00 GMT - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC35. LV Family: Aerobee. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee 150. FAILURE: Failure.1964 April 12
09:21 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC31. LV Family: R-7. Launch Vehicle: Sputnik 11A59.- Polet 2; Polyot 2 - . Payload: I-2B s/n 2. Mass: 1,400 kg (3,000 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: Korolev bureau. Class: Military. Type: Anti-satellite system. Spacecraft Bus: Kosmoplan. Spacecraft: Polyot. Decay Date: 1966-06-08 . USAF Sat Cat: 783 . COSPAR: 1964-019A. Apogee: 479 km (297 mi). Perigee: 303 km (188 mi). Inclination: 58.10 deg. Period: 92.30 min. ASAT interceptor control and propulsion test. Elaboration of systems providing for the extensive manouevring of space apparatuses..
1965 April 12
Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC60/6. LV Family: R-16. Launch Vehicle: R-16U.1965 April 12
14:47 GMT - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC35. LV Family: Aerobee. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee 150.1965 April 12
17:14 GMT - . Launch Pad: Pacific Ocean, 58.3 S x 78.0 W. Launch Platform: CVE-25. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Nike Apache.- GCA Ionosphere Ionosphere mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 187 km (116 mi). Launched at 1965 Croatan MRF Expedition LP38 - - Latitude: 58.32 S - Longitude: 78.00 W..
1965 April 12
18:37 GMT - . Launch Site: Eglin. Launch Vehicle: Nike Iroquois.1966 April 12
Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC41/4. LV Family: R-16. Launch Vehicle: R-16U.1967 April 12
- Soviet Air Force Cosmonaut Training Group 4 selected. - . Nation: Russia. Related Persons: Alekseyev, Beloborodov, Burdayev, Gaidukov, Isakov, Kovalyonok, Kozelsky, Lyakhov, Malyshev, Pisarev, Porvatkin, Sologub.
1967 April 12
- Chaos at Area 31. - .
Nation: Russia.
Related Persons: Grechko, Andrei,
Kerimov,
Mishin.
Program: Soyuz,
Lunar L1.
Flight: Soyuz 1,
Soyuz 2A.
Spacecraft Bus: Soyuz.
Spacecraft: Soyuz 7K-OK.
The cosmonauts began work at 10:30 in the morning, and didn't complete work until 23:30 at night. They spent 16 hours working on Cosmonaut's Day, due to the criminally chaotic performance of TsKBEM. The cosmonauts have to train simultaneously for the Soyuz and L1 missions. Kamanin warns Kerimov about the unacceptable situation. Grechko arrives to head the state commission. The launch of Soyuz 1 is set for 24-25 April - there will be only eight days to fix all of the problems. The energy and optimism of Korolev is sorely missed. Mishin was a poor deputy, and a worse leader - his constant mistakes and stupidity delay work and aggravate people. The cosmonauts have to keep in shape by playing tennis, but there is only one court at Tyuratam - a second court is to be built eventually (!)
1967 April 12
Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg 395-B. LV Family: Titan. Launch Vehicle: Titan II.- Glamour Girl Follow-On Operational Test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi).
1967 April 12
Launch Site: Green River. Launch Complex: Green River Pad 3. LV Family: Athena RTV. Launch Vehicle: Athena RTV.1967 April 12
05:22 GMT - . Launch Site: Fort Churchill. LV Family: Honest John. Launch Vehicle: Javelin.1967 April 12
10:51 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC1. LV Family: R-7. Launch Vehicle: Voskhod 11A57.- Cosmos 155 - . Payload: Zenit-4. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MOM. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Vostok. Spacecraft: Zenit-4. Duration: 8.00 days. Decay Date: 1967-04-20 . USAF Sat Cat: 2750 . COSPAR: 1967-033A. Apogee: 267 km (165 mi). Perigee: 200 km (120 mi). Inclination: 51.80 deg. Period: 89.20 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule.
1967 April 12
12:32 GMT - . Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: Woomera LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 SL. Launch Vehicle: Skylark.- X-ray survey / airglow X-ray astronomy mission - . Nation: Australia. Agency: Royal Aerospace Establishment, WRE. Apogee: 160 km (90 mi).
1967 April 12
23:01 GMT - . Launch Site: Eglin. Launch Vehicle: Nike Iroquois.1967 April 12
23:49 GMT - . Launch Site: Eglin. Launch Vehicle: Nike Iroquois.1967 April 12
23:56 GMT - . Launch Site: Eglin. Launch Vehicle: Nike Iroquois.1967 April 12
23:57 GMT - . Launch Site: Eglin. Launch Vehicle: Nike Iroquois.1969 April 12
Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: Kourou ALFS. LV Family: Stromboli. Launch Vehicle: Eridan.1969 April 12
23:19 GMT - . Launch Site: Fort Churchill. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Nike Apache.1971 April 12
- Tenth Anniverary of Yuri Gagarin's launch. - .
Nation: Russia.
Related Persons: Feoktistov,
Shatalov,
Shonin.
More than 1,000 people gather at Area 2 of Baikonur to commemorate the day. Kamanin muses that of the dozens of cosmonauts present, only one - Feoktistov - was there on the day the first man went into space. Now there were men on the moon, and the first space station was being prepared for flight. Kamanin believes the crew can survive a thirty-day flight, now that Shatalov has replaced Shonin on the crew.
1972 April 12
Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC161/35. LV Family: R-36. Launch Vehicle: R-36 8K67MA.1972 April 12
23:43 GMT - . Launch Site: Eglin. Launch Vehicle: Nike Iroquois.1973 April 12
11:49 GMT - . Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: Plesetsk LC133/1. LV Family: R-12. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 11K63.- Cosmos 553 - . Payload: DS-P1-Yu s/n 55. Mass: 400 kg (880 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MO. Program: DS. Class: Military. Type: Military target satellite. Spacecraft Bus: DS. Spacecraft: DS-P1-Yu. Completed Operations Date: 1973-11-12 . Decay Date: 1973-11-11 . USAF Sat Cat: 6427 . COSPAR: 1973-020A. Apogee: 494 km (306 mi). Perigee: 272 km (169 mi). Inclination: 71.00 deg. Period: 92.20 min. Development of systems for air defence and the control of outer space..
1974 April 12
Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC31. LV Family: R-7. Launch Vehicle: Voskhod 11A57. FAILURE: Failure. Failed Stage: U.- Zenit-4MK - . Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Spacecraft Bus: Vostok. Spacecraft: Zenit-4MK. High resolution photo reconnaissance mission..
1974 April 12
23:24 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral ETR. Launch Platform: SSBN 658. LV Family: Polaris. Launch Vehicle: Poseidon C3.- Demonstration and shakedown operations launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).
1974 April 12
23:25 GMT - . Launch Site: Poker Flat. LV Family: Astrobee. Launch Vehicle: Astrobee D.1975 April 12
14:59 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral ETR. Launch Platform: SSBN 610. LV Family: Polaris. Launch Vehicle: Polaris A3.- Demonstration and shakedown operations launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).
1977 April 12
17:30 GMT - . Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Rocketsonde.1978 April 12
01:43 GMT - . Launch Site: Fort Churchill. LV Family: Black Brant. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant VA.1978 April 12
15:31 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC25C. LV Family: Trident. Launch Vehicle: Trident C-4. FAILURE: Failure.1979 April 12
00:28 GMT - . Launch Site: Plesetsk. LV Family: R-7. Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M.- Molniya 1-43 - . Payload: Molniya-1T. 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-1T. Decay Date: 1989-12-09 . USAF Sat Cat: 11328 . COSPAR: 1979-031A. Apogee: 39,936 km (24,815 mi). Perigee: 199 km (123 mi). Inclination: 64.00 deg. Period: 713.40 min. Uncertain if Molniya-1T model was Molniya-1 or Molniya-1T. Operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radiocommunications system in the USSR; transmission of television programmes to stations in the Orbita network..
1979 April 12
- Landing of Soyuz 33 - . Return Crew: Ivanov, Georgi, Rukavishnikov. Nation: Russia. Related Persons: Ivanov, Georgi, Rukavishnikov. Program: Salyut 6. Flight: Soyuz 32, Soyuz 33. Soyuz 33 landed at 16:35 GMT. .
1980 April 12
20:18 GMT - . Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: Plesetsk LC41/1. LV Family: R-7. Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M.- Cosmos 1172 - . Payload: Oko #14. Mass: 1,800 kg (3,900 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MOM. Class: Surveillance. Type: Early warning satellite. Spacecraft: Oko. Decay Date: 1997-12-26 . USAF Sat Cat: 11758 . COSPAR: 1980-028A. Apogee: 38,809 km (24,114 mi). Perigee: 1,476 km (917 mi). Inclination: 64.70 deg. Period: 716.40 min. Replaced Cosmos 1109. Covered Oko constellation plane 9 - 240 degree longitude of ascending node..
1981 April 12
Launch Site: Tatishchevo. Launch Vehicle: UR-100N.- ICBM operational test launch from missile base silo - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).
1981 April 12
12:00 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC39A. Launch Platform: MLP1. LV Family: Shuttle. Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle.- STS-1 - . Call Sign: Columbia. Crew: Crippen, Young. Payload: Columbia F01 / DFI. Mass: 4,909 kg (10,822 lb). Nation: USA. Related Persons: Crippen, Young. Agency: NASA Houston. Program: STS. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spaceplane. Flight: STS-1. Spacecraft Bus: Shuttle. Spacecraft: Columbia. Duration: 2.26 days. Decay Date: 1981-04-14 . USAF Sat Cat: 12399 . COSPAR: 1981-034A. Apogee: 251 km (155 mi). Perigee: 240 km (140 mi). Inclination: 40.30 deg. Period: 89.40 min. First flight of Space Transportation System (aka Space Shuttle).. Payloads: Development Flight Instrumentation and Aerodynamic Coefficient Identification Package..
- DFI - . Payload: DFI PLT. Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Program: STS. Spacecraft Bus: Shuttle Attached Payloads. Spacecraft: DFI. Decay Date: 1981-04-14 . USAF Sat Cat: 12399 . COSPAR: 1981-034xx. Apogee: 272 km (169 mi). Perigee: 260 km (160 mi). Inclination: 40.30 deg. Period: 89.80 min.
1983 April 12
18:20 GMT - . Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: Plesetsk LC132/2. LV Family: R-14. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 11K65M.- Cosmos 1452 - . Mass: 750 kg (1,650 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MO. Program: Strela. Class: Communications. Type: Military store-dump communications satellite. Spacecraft Bus: KAUR-1. Spacecraft: Strela-2M. USAF Sat Cat: 13991 . COSPAR: 1983-031A. Apogee: 800 km (490 mi). Perigee: 774 km (480 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 100.60 min. Replaced Cosmos 1371..
1984 April 12
12:07 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC47. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Rocketsonde.1985 April 12
- Decision to ship Mir to Baikonur - . Nation: Russia. Spacecraft: Mir. It was clear that the planned processing flow could not be followed and still make the spring 1986 launch date. The decision was taken on Cosmonautics Day to ship the flight model to Baikonur and conduct the systems testing and integration there..
1985 April 12
13:59 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC39A. Launch Platform: MLP1. LV Family: Shuttle. Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle.- STS-51-D - .
Call Sign: Discovery. Crew: Bobko,
Garn,
Griggs,
Hoffman,
Seddon,
Walker,
Williams, Donald.
Payload: Discovery F04 / Anik C1[PAM-D] / Syncom-4 3 /Orbus. Mass: 16,249 kg (35,822 lb). Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Bobko,
Garn,
Griggs,
Hoffman,
Seddon,
Walker,
Williams, Donald.
Agency: NASA Houston.
Program: STS.
Class: Manned.
Type: Manned spaceplane. Flight: STS-51-D.
Spacecraft Bus: Shuttle.
Spacecraft: Discovery.
Duration: 7.00 days. Decay Date: 1985-04-19 . USAF Sat Cat: 15641 . COSPAR: 1985-028A. Apogee: 535 km (332 mi). Perigee: 445 km (276 mi). Inclination: 28.50 deg. Period: 94.40 min.
Manned seven crew. Payloads: Telesat (Canada communications satellite)-I with Payload Assist Module (PAM)-D deployment, Syncom IV-3 communications satellite deploy-ment with its unique stage (unique stage failed to ignite), Continuous Flow Electrophoresis (CFES), Phase Partitioning Experiment (PPE), student experiments, two getaway specials (GAS) Informal science studies (Toys in Space).
- Syncom IV-3 - .
Payload: Discovery F4 / Anik C1 [PAM-D] / Syncom-4 3 [Orbus. Mass: 1,315 kg (2,899 lb). Nation: USA.
Agency: HCI.
Class: Communications.
Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft: HS 381.
Completed Operations Date: 1996-09-30 . USAF Sat Cat: 15643 . COSPAR: 1985-028C. Apogee: 37,080 km (23,040 mi). Perigee: 36,401 km (22,618 mi). Inclination: 14.40 deg. Period: 1,485.10 min.
Released by STS 51D 4/13/85; failed to orbit and subsequently repaired by STS 51-I on 8/31/85; 178 deg E; leased by U.S. government. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 175 deg W in 1985-1987; 105 deg W in 1987-1996 As of 31 August 2001 located at 106.85 deg E drifting at 11.920 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 158.41W drifting at 11.917W degrees per day.
- Anik C1 - .
Payload: Anik C1 [PAM-D]. Mass: 1,238 kg (2,729 lb). Nation: Canada.
Agency: Telesat.
Program: Anik.
Class: Communications.
Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft: HS 376.
Completed Operations Date: 2000-04-14 . USAF Sat Cat: 15642 . COSPAR: 1985-028B. Apogee: 35,792 km (22,240 mi). Perigee: 35,783 km (22,234 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min.
Released by STS 51D 4/13/85; 107.5 deg W. Telecommunications. Operating entity TELESAT Canada. Longitude 107.5 W. Transmit power 11.2 W on each frequency. Frequencies 11730, 11743, 11791, 11804, 11852, 11865, 11913, 11926, 11974, 11987, 12035, 12048, 12096, 12109, 12157, 121 70 MHz. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 107 deg W in 1985-1991; 109 deg W in 1991-1993; 72 deg W in 1993-1997; 118 deg W in 1997-1998; 106 deg W in 1998-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 63.20 deg W drifting at 0.009 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 2 located at 112.29E drifting at 2.201W degrees per day.
1986 April 12
- Death of Wolfgang Hermann Steurer - . Nation: Austria, Germany. Related Persons: Steurer. Austrian-German engineer in WW2, member of the Rocket Team in the United States thereafter..
1987 April 12
- Kvant docks to Mir - .
Nation: Russia.
Flight: Soyuz TM-2.
Spacecraft Bus: 37K.
Spacecraft: Kvant.
It managed to dock to Mir on the third attempt after the crew removed a trash bag from the docking collar in a space walk. The FGB tug, its work done, then backed away from the station. But the manoeuvres had cut into its already-reduced propellant supply. Unable to deorbit itself to a controlled burn-up in the atmosphere, the FGB was instead commanded to boost itself into a storage orbit 40 km above Mir.
1990 April 12
Launch Site: Balasore. LV Family: RH. Launch Vehicle: RH-200.1991 April 12
Launch Site: Wallops Island. LV Family: Talos. Launch Vehicle: HPB.1993 April 12
17:18 GMT - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC36. LV Family: Black Brant. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant IX.1995 April 12
- Mir News 250: Progress-M27 - .
Nation: Russia.
Program: Mir.
Flight: Soyuz TM-21.
This freighter started from Baykonur on 9.04.95 at 1933 UTC. After a 2-days flight during which no problems emerged Progress-M27 docked to the forward (P.Kh.O. - transition section) of the Mir complex on 11.04.1995 at 2100 UTC (21 hrs 00 mins 42 seconds), so on 12.04.1995 at 0100 Moscow Summer Time. Approach and docking took place in the automatic mode by the system Kurs. Dezhurov was ready to take over manually by the remote control system TORU, but this was not necessary. Progress-M27 docked during Mir's orbit 52262. During the final approach and docking traffic was relayed by Altair. There were no TV-images. Dezhurov reported details of the approach and the soft docking (kasanye). During the next pass in orb. 52263, at 2227 UTC Strekalov reported that they had opened the hatch to Progress-M27 2 minutes earlier and that everything was in good order. Progress-M27 delivered to the complex the normal cargo (water, food, fuel, post, underwear, scientific material, etc.), repair materials for the systems to maintain a good atmosphere and the water generation and the German micro-satellite GFZ-1.
GFZ-1: So this little satellite is now on board of the Mir- complex waiting for its 'second' launch. This has to be done by the cosmonauts in the night from 19 to 20.04.1995. This spherical object with a mass of 20 KG and a diameter of 21 CM will separate from Mir with a speed of 1.2 M/sec. During this operation the German tracking station Oberpfaffenhofen will play an important role. (For details about GFZ-1 see Mir-
NEWS.249)
During the pass in which Strekalov reported the opening of the hatch, TsUP told him that the first EVA will take place on 11.05.1995. The date for the launch of Spektr (thus far on schedule for 20.05.1995) might be changed. After the launch of the Spektr, so during one of its 7-days autonomous flight, Progress-M27 will be separated from Mir.
Possible launch date of Atlantis for the flight in which she has to dock to Mir: 22.06.1995. If so the flight of the Disco very might be put forward to 6.06.1995. This all is not sure at this moment.
C.M. van den Berg, NL-9165/A-UK3202.
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..
1999 April 12
06:35 GMT - . Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Black Brant. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant 9CM1.- WISP 4 Ultraviolet astronomy mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: NASA Greenbelt. Apogee: 375 km (233 mi).
1999 April 12
22:50 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC36A. Launch Pad: SLC36A. LV Family: Atlas. Launch Vehicle: Atlas IIAS.- Eutelsat W3 - .
Payload: Spacebus 3000B2. Mass: 3,183 kg (7,017 lb). Nation: Europe.
Agency: Eutelsat.
Manufacturer: Cannes.
Program: Eutelsat.
Class: Communications.
Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft: Spacebus 3000.
USAF Sat Cat: 25673 . COSPAR: 1999-018A. Apogee: 35,803 km (22,246 mi). Perigee: 35,770 km (22,220 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min.
Communications satellite is for the European Telecommunications Satellite Organization. The vehicle entered a 153 km x 385 km x 27.4 deg parking orbit nine minutes after launch. The second Centaur stage burn delivered the satellite to a 166 km x 46,076 km x 19.7 deg super-synchronous transfer orbit. The satellite was stationed at 7 deg E and carried 24 Ku-band transponders with a wide beam covering Europe, North Africa and Asia, and a spot beam for digital TV to Turkey. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 7 deg E in 1999. As of 26 August 2001 located at 7.01 deg E drifting at 0.004 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 7 located at 21.59E drifting at 0.003E degrees per day.
2000 April 12
02:00 GMT - . Launch Site: Ryori. LV Family: MT-135. Launch Vehicle: MT-135P.2002 April 12
- STS-110 Mission Status Report #08 - .
Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Bloomfield,
Bursch,
Frick,
Morin,
Ochoa,
Onufrienko,
Ross,
Smith, Steven,
Walheim,
Walz.
Program: ISS.
Flight: STS-108 ISS EO-4,
STS-110.
After successful installation of the S-Zero (S0) Truss and a spacewalk on Thursday, the focus of today's activities will shift from external construction of the International Space Station to the transfer of equipment, supplies and experiments between the space shuttle Atlantis and the orbiting laboratory. Additional Details: here....
2002 April 12
- STS-110 - Wakeup Song: Testify to Love - . Flight: STS-110. "Testify to Love" by Wynonna Judd played for Bloomfield from his family..
2003 April 12
00:47 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC36B. Launch Pad: SLC36B. LV Family: Atlas. Launch Vehicle: Atlas 3B.- AsiaSat 4 - .
Payload: HS 601HP / AsiaSat 1R. Mass: 4,042 kg (8,911 lb). Nation: China.
Agency: AsiaSat.
Manufacturer: El Segundo.
Program: Asiasat.
Class: Communications.
Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft: HS 601.
USAF Sat Cat: 27718 . COSPAR: 2003-014A. Apogee: 35,805 km (22,248 mi). Perigee: 35,772 km (22,227 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min.
Delayed from May 28, 2002, and January 13, February 5, and April 11, 2003. AsiaSat 4 was designed to provide broadcast, telecommunications and broadband multimedia services to the Asia Pacific region, and direct-to-home broadcast servic-es to Hong Kong, from its orbital position of 122 deg É East longitude.The satellite generated up to 9,600 watts using two sun-tracking four-panel solar wings covered with triple-junction gallium arsenide solar cells. AsiaSat 4 was to operate in C-band and Ku-band. The satellite carried 28 active transponders with six spares in C-band, powered by 55-watt traveling-wave tube amplifiers (TWTAs), and 20 active transponders with four spares in Ku-band, powered by 140-watt TWTAs. The C-band payload was designed to offer pan-Asian coverage, similar to AsiaSat 3S, also a 601HP model. The Ku-band payload provided high power, and spot beams for selected areas in either the Fixed Satellite Service frequency band or in the Broadcast Satellite Service frequency band. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 122.23E drifting at 0.011W degrees per day.
2005 April 12
12:00 GMT - . Launch Site: Xichang. Launch Complex: Xichang LC2. LV Family: CZ. Launch Vehicle: Chang Zheng 3B.- Apstar 6 - . Payload: Apstar 5B / Spacebus 4000C2. Mass: 4,680 kg (10,310 lb). Nation: China. Agency: APT Satellite Company. Program: Apstar. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft: Spacebus 4000. USAF Sat Cat: 28638 . COSPAR: 2005-012A. Apogee: 35,795 km (22,241 mi). Perigee: 35,778 km (22,231 mi). Inclination: 0.0200 deg. Period: 1,436.09 min. Delayed from November, December 4, 2004. Ku and C band transponders. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 133.99E drifting at 0.013W degrees per day..
2006 April 12
18:10 GMT - . Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Black Brant. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant IX.- EUNIS Solar extreme ultraviolet mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: NASA Greenbelt. Apogee: 318 km (197 mi).
2006 April 12
23:30 GMT - . Launch Site: Kiritimati. Launch Pad: 0.0 N x 154.0 W. Launch Platform: Odyssey. LV Family: Zenit. Launch Vehicle: Zenit-3SL.- JCSAT 9 - . Payload: A2100AX. Mass: 4,401 kg (9,702 lb). Nation: Japan. Agency: JSAT. Manufacturer: Lockheed. Program: JCSAT. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft: AS 2100. USAF Sat Cat: 29045 . COSPAR: 2006-010A. Apogee: 35,790 km (22,230 mi). Perigee: 35,785 km (22,235 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. As of 2007 Mar 8 located at 132.01E drifting at 0.014W degrees per day..
2007 April 12
20:11 GMT - . Launch Site: Xichang. LV Family: CZ. Launch Vehicle: Chang Zheng 3A.- Beidou M1 - . Payload: Beidou DW5. Mass: 2,800 kg (6,100 lb). Nation: China. Agency: CASC. Manufacturer: CAST. Class: Navigation. Type: Navigation satellite. Spacecraft: Beidou-MEO. USAF Sat Cat: 31115 . COSPAR: 2007-011A. Apogee: 21,544 km (13,386 mi). Perigee: 21,519 km (13,371 mi). Inclination: 55.30 deg. Period: 773.40 min. The fifth Beidou satellite, but the first in the 12-hour, 55 deg inclination MEO portion of the constellation. Tested frequencies and equipment for later operational MEO component of the Beidou-2 constellation..
2008 April 12
- ISS On-Orbit Status 04/12/08 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Kononenko, Love, Malenchenko, Reisman, Volkov, Sergey, Whitson, Yi Soyeon. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-11. Day 3 of joint E16/E17 operations by CDR-16 Peggy Whitson, FE-1-16 Yuri Malenchenko, FE-2-17 Garrett Reisman, CDR-17 Sergei Volkov, FE-1-17 Oleg Kononenko and SFP/VC14 So-Yeon Yi.. Additional Details: here....
2010 April 12
- STS-131 - Wakeup Song: Galileo - . Flight: STS-131. "Galileo" by the Indigo Girls for Mission Specialist Dottie Metcalf- Lindenburger and the rest of the crew..
2012 April 12
22:39 GMT - . Launch Site: Tongchang-ri. LV Family: Unha. Launch Vehicle: Unha-3. FAILURE: Failed at second stage separation..- Kwangmyongsong-3 - .
Mass: 100 kg (220 lb). Nation: Korea North.
Class: Technology.
Type: Technology satellite. Spacecraft: Kwangmyongsong.
Third North Korean satellite launch attempt, conducted despite international protests (that attempted to connect it with the country's missile program). Launched from a new site on the west coast of Korea on a southwest trajectory, to achieve a polar orbit and also avoid overflying Japan. Failed at first stage separation. Unusually North Korea provided the western press access to the launch site prior to the attempt, and admitted the launch failure after the fact.
2013 April 12
Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: Mojave RW12/30. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.2013 April 12
04:25 GMT - . Launch Site: Kiruna. LV Family: Sonda. Launch Vehicle: VSB-30.- TEXUS 50 - . Nation: Sweden. Apogee: 261 km (162 mi). Microgravity mission.
2016 April 12
Launch Site: Taiyuan. LV Family: DF-31. Launch Vehicle: DF-41.- DF-41 RVs? - . Nation: China. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). Test mission..
2017 April 12
11:04 GMT - . Launch Site: Xichang. Launch Complex: Xichang LC2. LV Family: CZ. Launch Vehicle: Chang Zheng 3B.- Shi Jian 13 - .
Payload: Chinasat 16. Nation: China.
Class: Communications.
Type: Communications satellite. Spacecraft: DFH-3.
USAF Sat Cat: 42662 . COSPAR: 2017-018A. Apogee: 41,743 km (25,937 mi). Perigee: 237 km (147 mi). Inclination: 21.00 deg.
See SJ 13 / ZX 16 (ChinaSat 16). China's Shi Jian 13 was launched into geotransfer orbit. The satellite was for Ka-band high bandwidth communications experiments. After its experimental phase it was to be transferred to China Satcom which would operate it as Zhongxing-16.