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1952 in spaceflight

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1952 in spaceflight
Launch of Viking 9, 15 December 1952
Rockets
Maiden flightsUnited States Aerobee RTV-A-1c
United States Viking (second model)
United States Deacon rockoon
RetirementsNazi Germany V-2
United States Aerobee RTV-A-1
United States Aerobee RTV-A-1c
1952 in spaceflight
← 1951
1953 →

In 1952, several branches of the United States' military, often in partnership with civilian organizations, continued their programs of sounding rocket research beyond the 100 kilometres (62 mi) boundary of space (as defined by the World Air Sports Federation)[1] using the Aerobee rocket. The University of Iowa launched its first series of rockoon flights, demonstrating the validity of the balloon-launched rocket, a comparatively inexpensive way to explore the upper atmosphere. The launch of Viking 9 at the end of the year to an altitude of 135 mi (217 km), by the Naval Research Laboratory team under the management of Milton Rosen, represented the pinnacle of contemporary operational rocket design.

The same year, groundwork was laid for the launch of the first artificial satellite when, in October, the General Assembly of the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU) scheduled the International Geophysical Year for 1957–58. This scientific endeavor would involve 67 nations in a global investigation of physical phenomena, on the ground and in space.

No new models of ballistic missile were added to the arsenals of either the United States or the Soviet Union in 1952. However, work continued on large rocket development, particularly the US Army's Redstone and the Soviet R-5 missile. Both the R-1 and R-2 missiles had operational test runs during the year.

Space exploration highlights

[edit]

US Navy

[edit]

In the late spring of 1952, the Naval Research Laboratory team, under the management of Milton Rosen, prepared to launch the first second-generation Viking rocket, Viking 8, from the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. The new Viking design was nearly one-and-a-half times as wide as its precursor, with the highest fuel-to-weight ratio of any rocket yet developed. The tail fins no longer supported the weight of the rocket, which had been the case with the first-generation design. Now, the Viking rocket rested on the base of its fuselage. This allowed the tail fins to be made much lighter, allowing the rocket to carry a heavier tank without weighing more than the first Viking design.[2]: 172–173 

On 6 June 1952, Viking 8 broke loose of its moorings during a static firing test. After it was allowed to fly for 55 seconds in the hope that it would clear the immediate area and thus pose no danger to ground crew, Nat Wagner, head of the "Cutoff group", delivered a command to the rocket to cease its thrust. 65 seconds later, the rocket crashed 4 to 5 miles (6 to 8 km) downrange to the southeast.[2]: 180–181 

With lessons learned from the Viking 8 failure, the successful 9 December static firing of Viking 9 was followed on 15 December by a successful launch from White Sands. The rocket reached an altitude of 135 miles (217 km), roughly the same as that of the first-generation Viking 7 in 1950. In addition to cameras that photographed the Earth during flight, Viking 9 carried a full suite of cosmic ray, ultraviolet, and X-ray detectors, including sixteen plates of emulsion gel for tracking the path of individual high energy particles. The experiment package was recovered intact after it had secured measurements high above the Earth's atmosphere.[2]: 185–203 

US Army

[edit]

The final flight of the V-2 rocket occurred on 19 September 1952 with an unsuccessful aeronomy mission conducted jointly by the Signal Corps Engineering Laboratories and University of Michigan from White Sands Launch Complex 33. The rocket reached an apogee of 7.1 kilometres (4.4 mi) before its tail exploded 27 seconds into the flight.[3]: 469–470 

American civilian efforts

[edit]

1952 saw the first rockoon flights. These balloon-mounted rockets were significantly cheaper than sounding rocket flights: $1800 per launch versus $25,000 for each Aerobee launch and $450,000 for each Viking launch. A series of seven ship-launched tests conducted by a University of Iowa team under James Van Allen achieved considerable success, with one flight grazing the edge of space with an apogee of 55 miles (89 km).[4]: 10–18 

Spacecraft development

[edit]

US Air Force

[edit]

Progress remained slow throughout 1952 on the Atlas, the nation's first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the contract for which had been awarded to Consolidated Vultee in January 1951 by the US Air Force's Air Research and Development Command. Conservative development policies and daunting technical problems were the official causes, but the Air Force's apparent lack of enthusiasm for the project, along with a limited budget and resources, were factors as well. It was not until the first successful H-bomb test at Elugelab in November 1952 that development of the Atlas, potentially capable of delivering such a weapon, garnered more support.[5]: 59–71 

US Army

[edit]

On 8 April 1952, Redstone Arsenal in Alabama officially gave the name of "Redstone" to the surface-to-surface missile, capable of delivering nuclear or conventional warheads to a range of 200 miles (320 km), which they had started developing on 10 July 1951. The office of the Chief of Ordnance of the Army (OCO) tasked Chrysler Corporation to proceed with active work as the prime contractor on the missile by a letter order contract in October 1952; this contract definitized on 19 June 1953.[6]

Soviet military

[edit]

In 1952, the Soviet Union focused its strategic rocket development on the R-5 missile, which superseded the overambitious 3,000 kilometres (1,900 mi) range R-3, previously canceled on 20 October 1951.[7]: 275–6  OKB-1 under Sergei Korolev completed the conceptual design for the R-5, able to carry the same 1,000 kilograms (2,200 lb) payload as the R-1 and R-2 but over a distance of 1,200 kilometres (750 mi),[7]: 242  by 30 October 1951.[8]: 97 

This dramatic increase in performance of the R-5 over its predecessors was made possible through development of the RD-103 engine, an evolution of the RD-101 used in the R-2 missile, and by reducing the weight of the rocket through use of integrated tankage (while at the same time increasing propellant load by 60% over the R-2). The military had much more confidence in this incremental design than the radical leap forward that was the R-3, and work proceeded apace. Other innovations over the R-1 and R-2 included small aerodynamic rudders run by servomotors to replace the big fins of the R-1/R-2, and longitudinal acceleration integrators to improve the precision of engine cutoff and thus accuracy.[8]: 99–100  Two of the first ten R-5s produced underwent stand tests through February 1952,[9] and the sleek, cylindrical R-5, "the first Soviet strategic rocket", would be ready for its first launch March 1953.[8]: 99–100 

Also in 1952, the design bureau OKB-486, under Valentin Glushko, began developing the RD-105 and RD-106 engines for an even more powerful rocket: the five engine R-6 ICBM. Using an integrated solder-welded configuration, developed by engineer Aleksei Isaev, these LOX/kerosene engines would be more powerful single chamber engines than those used in earlier rockets. Four 539.37 kN (121,260 lbf) RD-105 would power the R-6's four strap-on engines while a 519.75 kN (116,840 lbf) RD-106 would power the central booster.[8]: 108–109 

That same year, there was also a series of fourteen test launches of the mass-produced version of R-2 missile, with a range of 600 kilometres (370 mi).[7]: 48–9  Twelve of the missiles reached their targets.[7]: 266  The R-1 also was test-launched seven times.[10]

Civilian efforts

[edit]

In October 1952, the General Assembly of the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU) adopted a proposal to undertake a third International Polar Year. This endeavor would involve both a wider scope, encompassing simultaneous observations of geophysical phenomena over the entire surface of the Earth including the Arctic and Antarctica, as well as a longer period, lasting 18 months. The International Geophysical Year (IGY), set for 1957–58, ultimately would involve the participation of 67 countries. To coordinate this massive effort, the ICSU formed the Comité Speciale de l'Année Géophysique Internationale (CSAGI), 'International Geophysical Year Special Committee', which would hold four major meetings with representation from all participating countries over the next four years.[4]: 69 [11]: 19–21 

In 1951, the University of Maryland's Fred Singer gave a series of lectures to the British Interplanetary Society in London espousing the use of small artificial satellites to conduct scientific observations. In 1952 Singer expanded his audience through publications and public presentations on his proposals for "MOUSE" (Minimum Orbiting Unmanned Satellite of the Earth). Though dismissed by many as too radical and/or in conflict with human exploration of space, the proposal catalyzed serious discussion of the use of satellites for scientific research.[4]: 73 

Launches

[edit]

January

[edit]
January launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
30 January
20:45 		United StatesAerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 21 United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
Ionosphere 1 AFCRC / University of Utah Suborbital Ionospheric 30 January Launch failure
Apogee: 0 kilometres (0 mi), rocket exploded in tower[3]: 85 

February

[edit]
February launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
19 February
14:49 		United StatesAerobee RTV-A-1c USAF 22 United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
AFCRC / University of Utah Suborbital Airglow 19 February Launch failure
Apogee: 0 kilometres (0 mi), maiden (and only) flight of the RTV-A-1c, which was an unboosted version of the RTV-A-1a. There was a thrust chamber explosion in the tower, but the instrumentation was recovered intact.[3]: 86 
19 February
17:00 		United StatesAerobee RTV-N-10 NRL 7 United StatesWhite Sands LC-35 United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Cosmic Radiation / Solar Radiation 19 February Successful
Apogee: 81.3 kilometres (50.5 mi)[3]: 303–304 
29 February
14:40 		United StatesAerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 23 United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
AFCRC / University of Utah Suborbital Airglow 29 February Successful
Apogee: 89.3 kilometres (55.5 mi)[3]: 87–88 

April

[edit]
April launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
22 April
17:28 		United StatesAerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 24 United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
AFCRC / Boston University Suborbital Ionospheric 22 April Successful
Apogee: 113 kilometres (70 mi)[3]: 89–90 
30 April
13:30 		United StatesAerobee RTV-N-10 NRL 8 United StatesWhite Sands LC-35 United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Cosmic Radiation / Solar Radiation 30 April Successful
Apogee: 127.8 kilometres (79.4 mi)[3]: 305 

May

[edit]
May launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
1 May
14:59 		United StatesAerobee RTV-N-10 NRL 9 United StatesWhite Sands LC-35 United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Cosmic Radiation / Solar Radiation 1 May Successful
Apogee: 126.0 kilometres (78.3 mi)[3]: 305 
1 May
15:42 		United StatesAerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 25 United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
AFCRC / University of Rhode Island Suborbital Solar UV 1 May Successful
Apogee: 91 kilometres (57 mi)[3]: 91–92 
5 May
13:44 		United StatesAerobee RTV-N-10 NRL 10 United StatesWhite Sands LC-35 United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Cosmic Radiation / Solar Radiation 5 May Successful
Apogee: 127.0 kilometres (78.9 mi)[3]: 305 
15 May
01:15 		United StatesAerobee XASR-SC-1 SC 23 United StatesWhite Sands LC-35 United StatesUS Army
United StatesSphere SCEL / University of Michigan Suborbital Aeronomy 15 May Successful
Apogee: 76.1 kilometres (47.3 mi)[3]: 233–234 
20 May
02:07 		United StatesAerobee XASR-SC-1 SC 24 United StatesWhite Sands LC-35 United StatesUS Army
United StatesGrenades USASC Suborbital Aeronomy 20 May Successful
Apogee: 89.5 kilometres (55.6 mi)[3]: 235–236 
20 May
16:06 		Nazi GermanyV-2 V-2 No. 59 / TF-2 United StatesWhite Sands LC-33 United StatesUS Army
SCEL / University of Michigan Suborbital Aeronomy / Photography 20 May Successful
Apogee: 103.5 kilometres (64.3 mi)[3]: 455–456, 464 
21 May
15:15 		United StatesAerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 26 United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
United StatesAeromed 3 AFCRL / WADC Aero-Medical Laboratory Suborbital Biological 21 May Successful
Carried 2 Philippine monkeys, Pat and Mike, and 2 mice; all recovered. Apogee: 61 kilometres (38 mi)[3]: 93–94 

June

[edit]
June launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
6 June
17:30 		United StatesViking (second model) United StatesWhite Sands LC-33 United StatesUS Navy
United StatesViking 8 NRL Suborbital Accidental launch 6 June Launch failure
Apogee: 6 kilometres (3.7 mi), accidentally launched during static fire ground test[12]
18 June
17:50 		United StatesAerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 27 United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
AFCRC / University of Denver Suborbital Solar UV 18 June Successful
Apogee: 105 kilometres (65 mi)[3]: 95–96 
30 June
14:32 		United StatesAerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 28 United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
United StatesAirglow 1 AFCRC Suborbital Sky Brightness 30 June Successful
Apogee: 101 kilometres (63 mi)[3]: 97–98 

August

[edit]
August launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
8 August Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 8 August
First of fourteen test launches of mass-produced version; twelve reached their target[13][7]: 266 
August Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test Same day
Second of fourteen test launches of mass-produced version; twelve reached their target[13][7]: 266 
August Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test Same day
Third of fourteen test launches of mass-produced version; twelve reached their target[13][7]: 266 
August Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test Same day
Fourth of fourteen test launches of mass-produced version; twelve reached their target[13][7]: 266 
August Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test Same day
Fifth of fourteen test launches of mass-produced version; twelve reached their target[13][7]: 266 
August Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test Same day
Sixth of fourteen test launches of mass-produced version; twelve reached their target[13][7]: 266 
August Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test Same day
Seventh of fourteen test launches of mass-produced version; twelve reached their target[13][7]: 266 
August Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test Same day
Eighth of fourteen test launches of mass-produced version; twelve reached their target[13][7]: 266 
20 August Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 20 August Successful[10]
21 August Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 21 August Successful[10]
21 August
06:25 		United StatesDeacon rockoon SUI 1 United StatesUSCGC Eastwind, Kane Basin United StatesUS Coast Guard
University of Iowa Suborbital Cosmic Radiation 21 August Partial failure
Maiden flight of the Deacon Rockoon, (balloon) apogee: 21.4 kilometres (13.3 mi), rocket failed to fire[3]: 312 
22 August
07:33 		Nazi GermanyV-2 TF-3 United StatesWhite Sands LC-33 United StatesUS Army
NRL / AFCRC / National Institutes of Health Suborbital Aeronomy / Cosmic Radiation / Solar X-Ray / Magnetic Field / Sky Brightness 22 August Successful
Apogee: 78.1 kilometres (48.5 mi)[3]: 465–466 
24 August
03:34 		United StatesDeacon rockoon SUI 2 United StatesUSCGC Eastwind, northern Baffin Bay United StatesUS Coast Guard
University of Iowa Suborbital Cosmic Radiation 24 August Partial failure
(Balloon) Apogee: 21.4 kilometres (13.3 mi),[3]: 312  rocket failed to fire, but instrument package worked[4]: 17 
25 August Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 25 August Successful[10]
26 August
18:53 		United StatesAerobee RTV-A-1a USAF 29 United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
United StatesIonosphere 2 AFCRC / University of Utah Suborbital Ionospheric 26 August Launch failure
Apogee: 32 kilometres (20 mi)[3]: 99–100 
29 August
00:26 		United StatesDeacon rockoon SUI 3 United StatesUSCGC Eastwind, northern Baffin Bay United StatesUS Coast Guard
University of Iowa Suborbital Cosmic Radiation 29 August Spacecraft failure
Apogee: 61.0 kilometres (37.9 mi),[3]: 312  first successful firing of balloon-launched rocket, instruments failed to return data[4]: 18 
29 August
07:36 		United StatesDeacon rockoon SUI 4 United StatesUSCGC Eastwind, northern Baffin Bay United StatesUS Coast Guard
University of Iowa Suborbital Cosmic Radiation 29 August Successful
Apogee: 59.4 kilometres (36.9 mi)[3]: 312 
29 August
18:15 		United StatesDeacon rockoon SUI 5 United StatesUSCGC Eastwind, northern Baffin Bay United StatesUS Coast Guard
University of Iowa Suborbital Cosmic Radiation 29 August Successful
Apogee: 76.1 kilometres (47.3 mi)[3]: 312 
31 August
21:10 		United StatesDeacon rockoon SUI 6 United StatesUSCGC Eastwind, northern Baffin Bay United StatesUS Coast Guard
University of Iowa Suborbital Cosmic Radiation 31 August Successful
Apogee: 64.1 kilometres (39.8 mi)[3]: 313 

September

[edit]
September launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
September Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test Same day
Ninth of fourteen test launches of mass-produced version; twelve reached their target[13][7]: 266 
September Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test Same day
Tenth of fourteen test launches of mass-produced version; twelve reached their target[13][7]: 266 
September Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test Same day
Eleventh of fourteen test launches of mass-produced version; twelve reached their target[13][7]: 266 
September Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test Same day
Twelfth of fourteen test launches of mass-produced version; twelve reached their target[13][7]: 266 
September Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test Same day
Thirteenth of fourteen test launches of mass-produced version; twelve reached their target[13][7]: 266 
3 September
14:49 		United StatesAerobee RTV-N-10 NRL 11 United StatesWhite Sands LC-35 United StatesUS Navy
NRL Suborbital Solar Radiation 3 September Successful
Apogee: 99.0 kilometres (61.5 mi)[3]: 305 
4 September
09:17 		United StatesDeacon rockoon SUI 7 United StatesUSCGC Eastwind, northern Baffin Bay United StatesUS Coast Guard
University of Iowa Suborbital Cosmic Radiation 4 September Successful
Apogee: 64.1 kilometres (39.8 mi)[3]: 313 
18 September Soviet UnionR-2 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 18 September
Last of fourteen test launches of mass-produced version; twelve reached their target[13][7]: 266 
19 September
15:49 		Nazi GermanyV-2 TF-5 United StatesWhite Sands LC-33 United StatesUS Army
SCEL / University of Michigan Suborbital Aeronomy 19 September Launch failure
Final flight of the V-2, apogee: 7.1 kilometres (4.4 mi), tail exploded at 27 seconds[3]: 469–470 
25 September
03:50 		United StatesAerobee XASR-SC-1 SC 25 United StatesWhite Sands LC-35 United StatesUS Army
United StatesGrenades SCEL Suborbital Aeronomy 25 September Successful
Apogee: 117 kilometres (73 mi)[3]: 239 

October

[edit]
October launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
10 October
14:24 		United StatesAerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 30 United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
AFCRC / University of Denver Suborbital Solar UV 10 October Successful
Apogee: 110 kilometres (68 mi)[3]: 102–103 
22 October
14:35 		United StatesAerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 31 United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
AFCRC / University of Michigan Suborbital Aeronomy 22 October Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)[3]: 104–105 
23 October
03:45 		United StatesAerobee XASR-SC-2 SC 26 United StatesWhite Sands LC-35 United StatesUS Army
United StatesGrenades SCEL Suborbital Aeronomy 23 October Successful
Apogee: 112.0 kilometres (69.6 mi)[3]: 237–238 
29 October Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 29 October Successful[10]
30 October Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 30 October Successful[10]
30 October Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 30 October Successful[10]

November

[edit]
November launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
6 November
15:56 		United StatesAerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 32 United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
Airglow 2 AFCRC Suborbital Sky Brightness 6 November Successful
Apogee: 76 kilometres (47 mi)[3]: 106–107 
21 November Soviet UnionR-1 Soviet UnionKapustin Yar Soviet UnionOKB-1
OKB-1 Suborbital Missile test 21 November Successful[10]

December

[edit]
December launches
Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks
11 December
23:47 		United StatesAerobee XASR-SC-1 SC 29 United StatesWhite Sands LC-35 United StatesUS Army
United StatesSphere SCEL / University of Michigan Suborbital Aeronomy / Cosmic Radiation 11 December Successful
Apogee: 105.1 kilometres (65.3 mi)[3]: 244–245 
12 December
19:38 		United StatesAerobee RTV-A-1 USAF 33 United StatesHolloman LC-A United StatesUS Air Force
AFCRC / University of Colorado Suborbital Solar UV 12 December Successful
Final flight of the RTV-A-1, apogee: 89 kilometres (55 mi)[3]: 108–109 
15 December
21:38 		United StatesViking (second model) United StatesWhite Sands LC-33 United StatesUS Navy
United StatesViking 9 NRL Suborbital Solar Radiation / Cosmic Radiation / Photography 15 December Successful
Apogee: 219 kilometres (136 mi)[3]: 494 

Suborbital launch summary

[edit]

By country

[edit]
United States: 35Soviet Union: 21
Launches by country
Country Launches Successes Failures Partial
failures
 United States 35 27 5 3
 Soviet Union 21 19 0 2

By rocket

[edit]
Launches by rocket
Rocket Country Launches Successes Failures Partial
failures 		Remarks
V-2  United States 3 2 1 0 Retired
Viking (second model)  United States 2 1 1 0 Maiden flight
Aerobee RTV-N-10  United States 5 5 0 0
Aerobee XASR-SC-1  United States 4 4 0 0
Aerobee XASR-SC-2  United States 1 1 0 0
Aerobee RTV-A-1  United States 10 10 0 0 Retired
Aerobee RTV-A-1a  United States 2 0 2 0
Aerobee RTV-A-1c  United States 1 0 1 0 Maiden flight, retired
Deacon rockoon  United States 7 4 0 3 Maiden flight
R-1  Soviet Union 7 7 0 0
R-2  Soviet Union 14 12 0 2

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Paul Voosen (24 July 2018). "Outer space may have just gotten a bit closer". Science. doi:10.1126/science.aau8822. Archived from the original on 21 September 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
  2. ^ a b c Milton W. Rosen (1955). The Viking Rocket Story. New York: Harper & Brothers. OCLC 317524549.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai Charles P. Smith Jr. (April 1958). Naval Research Laboratory Report No. 4276: Upper Atmosphere Research Report No. XXI, Summary of Upper Atmosphere Rocket Research Firings (pdf). Washington D.C.: Naval Research Laboratory. Archived from the original on 4 November 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d e George Ludwig (2011). Opening Space Research. Washington D.C.: geopress. OCLC 845256256.
  5. ^ John L. Chapman (1960). Atlas The Story of a Missile. New York: Harper & Brothers. OCLC 492591218.
  6. ^ "Installation History 1950 – 1952". US Army Aviation and Missile Life Cycle Management Command. 2017. Archived from the original on 16 October 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Boris Chertok (June 2006). Rockets and People, Volume II: Creating a Rocket Industry. Washington D.C.: NASA. OCLC 946818748.
  8. ^ a b c d Asif A. Siddiqi. Challenge to Apollo: The Soviet Union and the Space Race, 1945–1974 (PDF). Washington D.C.: NASA. OCLC 1001823253. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 September 2008. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  9. ^ Mark Wade (7 January 2021). "R-5". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 20 August 2016.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h Mark Wade. "R-1 8A11". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 28 December 2016. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  11. ^ Constance Green and Milton Lomask (1970). Vanguard — a History. Washington, D.C.: NASA. ISBN 978-1-97353-209-5. SP-4202. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  12. ^ Mark Wade. "Viking Sounding Rocket". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 28 December 2016. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Mark Wade. "R-2". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 20 August 2016. Retrieved 7 October 2021.


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