1959 in spaceflight (July–December)

None December 2020 December 2020 This article lists orbital and suborbital launches during the second half of the year 1959. For all other spaceflight activities, see 1959 in spaceflight. For launches in the first half of 1959 see List of spaceflight launches in January–June 1959.Orbital Launches of 1959 https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_chr/lau1959.htm 2025-08-31 space.skyrocket.de __TOC__ Orbital launches 1959 yes |colspan=8 style="background:white;"| July |- 1 16 July 17:37:03Juno II Explorer 6a https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/6733 2025-09-23 nextspaceflight.com en USA 1959 Juno II AM-16 USA 1959 Cape Canaveral LC-5 USA 1959 ABMA Destroyed by range safety after rocket went out of control. USA 1959 Explorer S-1S-1 (Explorer (6), 7) https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/explorer_s1.htm 2025-09-23 Gunter's Space Page en NASA Intended: Low Earth Scientific +5.5 seconds Launch failure |colspan=8 style="background:white;"| 1959 yes August |- 1 7 August 14:24:20Thor DM-18 Able-III Explorer 6 https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/4574 2025-09-23 nextspaceflight.com en USA 1959 Thor DM-18 Able-III USA 1959 Cape Canaveral LC-17A USA 1959 US Air Force USA 1959 Explorer 6 (S-2)S-2 (Explorer 6) https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/explorer_s2.htm 2025-09-23 Gunter's Space Page en US Air Force Highly elliptical RadiationImaging 30 June 1961 Successful 2 13 August 19:00:08Thor DM-18 Agena-A KH-1 2 (Discoverer 5) https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/4575 2025-09-23 nextspaceflight.com en USA 1959 Thor DM-18 Agena-A USA 1959 Vandenberg SLC-1W (75-3-4) USA 1959 US Air Force Electrical system malfunction. Deorbit burn conducted in incorrect direction, raising orbit. USA 1959 Discoverer 5 (KH-1 2)KH-1 Corona https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/kh-1.htm 2025-09-23 Gunter's Space Page en CIA DST Low Earth Optical imaging 11 February 1961 Spacecraft failure USA 1912 SRV 111 CIA DST Low Earth Technology 1 15 August 00:31:00Juno II Beacon 2 https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/6734 2025-09-23 nextspaceflight.com en USA 1959 Juno II AM-19B USA 1959 Cape Canaveral LC-26B USA 1959 ABMA Premature cutoff of first stage, failed to reach orbit. USA 1959 Beacon 2Beacon 1, 2 https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/beacon.htm 2025-09-23 Gunter's Space Page en NASA/US Army Intended: Low Earth Technology 15 August Launch failure 2 19 August 19:24:44Thor DM-18 Agena-A KH-1 3 (Discoverer 6) https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/4576 2025-09-23 nextspaceflight.com en USA 1959 Thor DM-18 Agena-A USA 1959 Vandenberg SLC-1E (75-3-5) USA 1959 US Air Force Retrorocket malfunctioned. USA 1959 Discoverer 6 (KH-1 3)KH-1 Corona https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/kh-1.htm 2025-09-23 Gunter's Space Page en CIA DST Low Earth Optical imaging 20 October Spacecraft failure USA 1912 SRV 105 CIA DST Low Earth Technology |colspan=8 style="background:white;"| 1959 yes September |- 1 12 September 06:39:42Vostok Luna-2 https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/688 2025-09-23 nextspaceflight.com en USSR 1955 Luna (8K72) I1-7B USSR 1955 Baikonur Site 1/5 USSR 1955 MVS First probe to impact the surface of the Moon in history. First probe to take detailed photos of the lunar surface. USSR 1955 Luna 2 (Ye-1A №6)Luna Ye-1A https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/luna_e1a.htm 2025-09-23 Gunter's Space Page en MVS Heliocentric Lunar impactor 14 September 22:02 Successful 1 17 September 14:34Thor DM-18 Able-II Transit 1A https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/4577 2025-09-23 nextspaceflight.com en USA 1959 Thor DM-18 Able-II USA 1959 Cape Canaveral LC-17A USA 1959 US Air Force Third stage malfunctioned. USA 1959 Transit 1ATransit 1A, 1B https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/transit-1.htm 2025-09-23 Gunter's Space Page en US Air Force Intended: Low Earth NavigationTechnology 17 September Launch failure 1 18 September 05:20:07Vanguard Vanguard 3 https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/4340 2025-09-23 nextspaceflight.com en USA 1959 Vanguard / Altair SLV-7 (TV-4BU) USA 1959 Cape Canaveral LC-18A USA 1959 US Navy Final flight of Vanguard rocket, satellite failed to separate from carrier rocket, otherwise successful, spacecraft operated until 11 December. USA 1959 Vanguard 3 (Magne-Ray Satellite)Vanguard (20in Magnetometer, X-Ray, Environment) https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/vanguard-20in_mxe.htm 2025-09-23 Gunter's Space Page en NRL Medium Earth Scientific Successful 1 24 SeptemberOrbital Launches of 1959 https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_chr/lau1959.htm 2025-08-31 space.skyrocket.de USA Atlas-C Able USA Cape Canaveral LC-14 USA US Air Force Destroyed prior to launch. USA Pioneer P-1Pioneer P-1, P-3, P-30, P-31 https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/pioneer_p1.htm 2025-09-23 Gunter's Space Page en NASA Planned: Selenocentric Lunar Orbiter N/A Destroyed prior to launch |colspan=8 style="background:white;"| 1959 yes October |- 1 4 October 00:43:39Vostok Luna-3 https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/689 2025-09-23 nextspaceflight.com en USSR 1955 Luna (8K72) I1-8 USSR 1955 Baikonur Site 1/5 USSR 1955 MVS First probe to fly over the far side of the Moon on a circumlunar trajectory. First pictures of the far side of the Moon. USSR 1955 Luna 3 (Ye-2A №1)Luna Ye-2A https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/luna_e2a.htm 2025-09-23 Gunter's Space Page en MVS High Earth Lunar flyby Successful 29 April 1960 1 13 October 15:30:04Juno II Explorer 7 https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/6735 2025-09-23 nextspaceflight.com en USA 1959 Juno II AM-19A USA 1959 Cape Canaveral LC-5 USA 1959 ABMA Broadcast data until 24 August 1961. USA 1959 Explorer 7 (S-1A)S-1 (Explorer (6), 7) https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/explorer_s1.htm 2025-09-23 Gunter's Space Page en NASA Low Earth Scientific Successful |colspan=8 style="background:white;"| 1959 yes November |- 2 7 November 20:28:41Thor DM-18 Agena-A KH-1 4 (Discoverer 7) https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/4578 2025-09-23 nextspaceflight.com en USA 1959 Thor DM-18 Agena-A USA 1959 Vandenberg SLC-1W (75-3-4) USA 1959 US Air Force Satellite tumbled out of control. USA 1959 Discoverer 7 (KH-1 4)KH-1 Corona https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/kh-1.htm 2025-09-23 Gunter's Space Page en CIA DST Low Earth Optical imaging 26 November Spacecraft failure USA 1912 SRV 109 CIA DST Low Earth Technology 2 20 November 19:25:24Thor DM-18 Agena-A KH-1 5 (Discoverer 8) https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/4579 2025-09-23 nextspaceflight.com en USA 1959 Thor DM-18 Agena-A USA 1959 Vandenberg SLC-1E (75-3-5) USA 1959 US Air Force Inserted into useless orbit with greater eccentricity than planned. USA 1959 Discoverer 8 (KH-1 5)KH-1 Corona https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/kh-1.htm 2025-09-23 Gunter's Space Page en CIA DST Low Earth Optical imaging 8 March 1960 Launch failure USA 1912 SRV 107 CIA DST Low Earth Technology 8 March 1960 Launch failure 1 26 November 07:26Atlas-D Able Pioneer P-3 https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/2735 2025-09-23 nextspaceflight.com en USA 1959 Atlas-D Able USA 1959 Cape Canaveral LC-14 USA 1959 US Air Force Maiden flight of Atlas-Able. Payload fairing broke up at T+45 seconds, leading to loss of the upper stages and payload. Atlas performed normally. USA 1959 Pioneer P-3Pioneer P-1, P-3, P-30, P-31 https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/pioneer_p1.htm 2025-09-23 Gunter's Space Page en NASA Intended: Selenocentric Lunar orbiter +45 seconds Launch failure |colspan=8 style="background:white;"| 1959 yes |} Suborbital flights collapsed 2 July 06:40 GDRUSSR 1955R-2 USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955MVS MVS Suborbital 2 July Successful Apogee: 220 km 7 July 11:15 USA 1959Javelin USA 1959Wallops Island USA 1959US Air Force AFSWC Suborbital Test flight 7 July Successful Apogee: 1045 km 10 July 01:01 USA 1959PGM-19 Jupiter USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-26B USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 10 July Successful Apogee: 500 km 10 July 04:47 GDRUSSR 1955R-2 USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955MVS MVS Suborbital 10 July Successful Apogee: 100 km 14 July 03:40 GDRUSSR 1955R-2 USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955MVS MVS Suborbital 14 July Successful Apogee: 203 km 14 July 17:45 USA 1959Nike-Asp USA 1959Point Arguello LC-A USA 1959US Navy NASA Suborbital Solar 14 July Successful Apogee: 200 km 15 July 16:59 USA 1959UGM-27 Polaris AX USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-25A USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital Missile test 15 July Launch failure Apogee: 2 km 17 July 17:40 USA 1959Nike-Asp USA 1959Point Arguello LC-A USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital 17 July Launch failure Apogee: 10 km 18 July 18:15 USSR 1955R-7 Semyorka USSR 1955Baikonur Site 1/5 USSR 1955MVS MVS Suborbital Missile test 18 July Successful Apogee: 1350 km 20 July USSR 1955R-11A Zemlya USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955AN AN Suborbital 20 July Successful Apogee: 200 km 21 July 02:00 USSR 1955R-11A Zemlya USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955MVS MVS Suborbital 21 July Successful Apogee: 105 km 21 July 05:22 USA 1959SM-65C Atlas USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-12 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 21 July Successful Apogee: 900 km 21 July 07:33 USA 1959PGM-17 Thor DM-18A USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-17B USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 21 July Launch failure Apogee: 1 km 21 July 14:00 USA 1959Aerobee-150 (Hi) USA 1959White Sands LC-35 USA 1959US Navy NRL Suborbital 21 July Successful Apogee: 197 km 21 July 14:00 USSR 1955R-11A Zemlya USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955MVS MVS Suborbital 21 July Successful Apogee: 105 km 21 July GDRUSSR 1955R-2 USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955MVS MVS Suborbital 21 July Successful Apogee: 105 km 21 July USA 1959Javelin USA 1959Wallops Island USA 1959US Air Force AFSWC Suborbital Test flight 21 July Launch failure Apogee: 100 km 22 July 01:14 USSR 1955R-11A Zemlya USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955MVS MVS Suborbital 22 July Successful Apogee: 211 km 24 July 12:47 USA 1959PGM-17 Thor DM-18A USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-18B USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 24 July Successful Apogee: 520 km 24 July 16:34 USA 1959Nike-Asp USA 1959Point Arguello LC-A USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital Solar 24 July Successful Apogee: 227 km 24 July USSR 1955R-12 Dvina USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955MVS MVS Suborbital Missile test 24 July Successful Apogee: 402 km 25 July USSR 1955R-12 Dvina USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955MVS MVS Suborbital Missile test 25 July Successful Apogee: 402 km 26 July USSR 1955R-12 Dvina USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955MVS MVS Suborbital Missile test 26 July Successful Apogee: 402 km 28 July USSR 1955R-12 Dvina USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955MVS MVS Suborbital Missile test 28 July Successful Apogee: 402 km 29 July 04:10 USA 1959SM-65D Atlas USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-11 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 29 July Successful Apogee: 1800 km 30 July 04:00 USSR 1955R-7 Semyorka USSR 1955Baikonur Site 1/5 USSR 1955MVS MVS Suborbital Missile test 30 July Successful Apogee: 1350 km 31 July USSR 1955R-12 Dvina USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955MVS MVS Suborbital Missile test 31 July Successful Apogee: 402 km 3 August 21:41 USA 1959PGM-17 Thor DM-18A USA 1959Vandenberg LC-75-1-1 UKRoyal Air Force Royal Air Force Suborbital Missile test 3 August Successful Apogee: 520 km 6 August 02:48 USA 1959PGM-17 Thor DM-18A USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-17B USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 6 August Successful Apogee: 520 km 6 August USA 1959UGM-27 Polaris AX USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-25A USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital Missile test 6 August Launch failure Apogee: 10 km 7 August 17:05 USA 1959Nike-Asp USA 1959Point Arguello LC-A USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital Solar 7 August Successful Apogee: 225 km 7 August USSR 1955R-12 Dvina USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955MVS MVS Suborbital Missile test 7 August Successful Apogee: 402 km 7 August USA 1959Arcon USA 1959Wallops Island USA 1959NASA NASA Suborbital Test flight 7 August Launch failure Apogee: 20 km 7 August USA 1959Arcon USA 1959Wallops Island USA 1959NASA NASA Suborbital Test flight 7 August Launch failure Apogee: 50 km 7 August USA 1959Arcon USA 1959Wallops Island USA 1959NASA NASA Suborbital Test flight 7 August Launch failure Apogee: 104 km 11 August 18:01 USA 1959SM-65D Atlas USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-13 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 11 August Successful Apogee: 1800 km 12 August USA 1959Terrier-ASROC-Cajun USA 1959Point Arguello USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital 12 August Launch failure 13 August 23:14 USSR 1955R-7 Semyorka USSR 1955Baikonur Site 1/5 USSR 1955MVS MVS Suborbital Missile test 13 August Successful Apogee: 1350 km 13 August USSR 1955R-12 Dvina USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955MVS MVS Suborbital Missile test 13 August Launch failure 14 August 09:00 USA 1959PGM-17 Thor DM-18A USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-18B USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 14 August Successful Apogee: 520 km 14 August 16:00 USA 1959HGM-25A Titan I USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-19 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test +0 seconds Launch failure First all-up test of Titan I, hold-down bolts released prematurely, rocket exploded on launch padPowell Joel W. LeBrun, Art Go For Launch: An Illustrated History of Cape Canaveral Apogee Books Canada 2006 128 1-894959-43-4 14 August 16:00 USA 1959Nike-Asp USA 1959Point Arguello LC-A USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital Solar 14 August Successful Apogee: 237 km 14 August 19:30 USA 1959UGM-27 Polaris AX USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-25B USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital Missile test 14 August Successful Apogee: 500 km 14 August 19:36:04 USA 1959PGM-17 Thor DM-18A USA 1959Vandenberg LC-75-2-6 UKRoyal Air Force Royal Air Force Suborbital Missile test 14 August Launch failure 17 August 09:18 USA 1959Nike-Asp USA 1959Wallops Island USA 1959NASA US Navy Suborbital Aeronomy 17 August Successful Apogee: 236 km, released sodium 19 August 00:20 UKSkylark-2 AUSWoomera LA-2 UKRAE UCL Suborbital Ionospheric 19 August Successful Apogee: 144 km 19 August 00:34 USA 1959Nike-Asp USA 1959Wallops Island USA 1959NASA NASA Suborbital Aeronomy 19 August Launch failure Apogee: 30 km, released sodium 22 August 00:45 USA 1959Aerobee-150 (Hi) USA 1959White Sands LC-35 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital 22 August Successful Apogee: 230 km 22 August 02:30 USA 1959Nike-Asp USA 1959Point Arguello LC-A USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital Solar 22 August Successful Apogee: 200 km 24 August 15:33 USA 1959SM-65C Atlas USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-12 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 24 August Successful Apogee: 1400 km 24 August 22:47 USA 1959Nike-Asp USA 1959Point Arguello LC-A USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital 24 August Successful Apogee: 200 km 25 August USA 1959UGM-27 Polaris AX USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-25A USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital Missile test 25 August Launch failure Apogee: 10 km 26 August 17:35 USA 1959Nike-Zeus A USA 1959White Sands LC-38 USA 1959US Army US Army Suborbital Test flight 26 August Launch failure 26 August USSR 1955R-12 Dvina USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955MVS MVS Suborbital Missile test 26 August Successful Apogee: 402 km 27 August 01:30 USA 1959PGM-19 Jupiter USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-5 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 27 August Successful Apogee: 500 km 27 August 16:57 USA 1959UGM-27 Polaris AX USA 1959USNS Observation Island, ETR USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital Missile test 27 August Successful Apogee: 500 km 28 August 16:10 USA 1959Nike-Asp USA 1959Point Arguello LC-A USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital Solar 28 August Successful Apogee: 214 km 27 August 12:30 USA 1959PGM-17 Thor DM-18A USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-17B USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 27 August Successful Apogee: 520 km 28 August 18:45 USA 1959Aerobee-150 (Hi) USA 1959White Sands LC-35 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital 28 August Successful Apogee: 235 km 28 August USSR 1955R-12 Dvina USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955MVS MVS Suborbital Missile test 28 August Successful Apogee: 402 km 31 August 22:53 USA 1959Nike-Asp USA 1959Point Arguello LC-A USA 1959US Navy USA 1959Sunflare II US Navy Suborbital Solar 31 August Successful Apogee: 200 km 1 September 01:01 USA 1959Nike-Asp USA 1959Point Arguello LC-A USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital Solar 1 September Successful Apogee: 200 km 1 September 19:00 USA 1959Nike-Asp USA 1959Point Arguello LC-A USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital 1 September Successful Apogee: 210 km 2 September 00:03 USA 1959Nike-Asp USA 1959Point Arguello LC-A USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital Solar 2 September Successful Apogee: 200 km 2 September USSR 1955R-12 Dvina USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955MVS MVS Suborbital Missile test 2 September Launch failure 5 September 15:27 CAN 1957Black Brant I CAN 1957Churchill CAN 1957CARDE CARDE Suborbital Test flight 5 September Successful Apogee: 100 km, maiden flight of Black Brant 5 September USSR 1955R-12 Dvina USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955MVS MVS Suborbital Missile test 5 September Successful Apogee: 402 km 8 September 15:14 CAN 1957Black Brant I CAN 1957Churchill CAN 1957CARDE CARDE Suborbital Test flight 8 September Successful Apogee: 130 km 9 September 08:19 USA 1959SM-65D Atlas USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-14 USA 1959US Air Force USA 1959Big Joe 1 NASA Suborbital Test flight 08:32 Partial launch failure Apogee: 153 km, Boilerplate Mercury test, booster engines failed to separate, spacecraft recovered 9 September 17:50:42 USA 1959SM-65D Atlas USA 1959Vandenberg LC-576A-2 USA 1959SAC SAC Suborbital Missile test 9 September Successful Apogee: 1800 km 10 September 21:48 CAN 1957Black Brant I CAN 1957Churchill CAN 1957CARDE CARDE Suborbital Test flight 10 September Successful Apogee: 127 km 11 September 19:12 USA 1959Aerobee-150 (Hi) CAN 1957Churchill USA 1959NASA NASA Suborbital 11 September Successful Apogee: 227 km 12 September USA 1959PGM-17 Thor DM-18A USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-18B USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 12 September Successful Apogee: 520 km 14 September 17:27 USA 1959Aerobee-150 (Hi) CAN 1957Churchill USA 1959NASA NASA Suborbital 14 September Successful Apogee: 218 km 15 September 21:45 USA 1959PGM-19 Jupiter USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-26B USA 1959US Air Force USA 1959Bioflight 3 US Air Force Suborbital BiologicalMissile test 15 September Launch failure Apogee: 500 km 15 September USSR 1955R-12 Dvina USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955MVS MVS Suborbital Missile test 15 September Successful Apogee: 402 km 15 September USA 1959Aerobee USA 1959White Sands LC-35 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Test flight 15 September Successful Apogee: 200 km 17 September 00:12 UKSkylark-2 AUSWoomera LA-2 UKRAE BirminghamUCL Suborbital IonosphericSolar 17 September Successful Apogee: 132 km 17 September 02:09 USA 1959SM-65D Atlas USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-13 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 17 September Launch failure Apogee: 1000 km 17 September 18:37 USA 1959Aerobee-150 (Hi) CAN 1957Churchill USA 1959NASA USA 1959DRTE.01 NASA Suborbital Ionospheric 17 September Successful Apogee: 256 km 17 September 21:09 USA 1959PGM-17 Thor DM-18A USA 1959Vandenberg LC-75-1-2 UKRoyal Air Force Royal Air Force Suborbital Missile test 17 September Successful Apogee: 520 km 18 September 16:02 USSR 1955R-7 Semyorka USSR 1955Baikonur Site 1/5 USSR 1955MVS MVS Suborbital Missile test 18 September Successful Apogee: 1350 km 18 September 16:55 USA 1959Nike-Cajun USA 1959Elgin USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 18 September Successful Apogee: 100 km 20 September 17:35 USA 1959Aerobee-150 (Hi) CAN 1957Churchill USA 1959NASA USA 1959DRTE.02 NASA Suborbital Ionospheric 20 September Launch failure Apogee: 100 km 21 September USA 1959UGM-27 Polaris A1 USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-29A USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital Missile test 21 September Successful Apogee: 500 km 22 September 18:00 USA 1959PGM-17 Thor DM-18A USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-17B USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 22 September Successful Apogee: 520 km 22 September USA 1959Aerobee-100 USA 1959White Sands LC-35 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Test flight 22 September Successful Apogee: 110 km 24 September 00:29 UKSkylark-2 AUSWoomera LA-2 UKRAE BirminghamUCL Suborbital Ionospheric 24 September Successful Apogee: 158 km 25 September USSR 1955R-12 Dvina USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955MVS MVS Suborbital Missile test 25 September Successful Apogee: 402 km 28 September USSR 1955R-12 Dvina USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955MVS MVS Suborbital Missile test 28 September Successful Apogee: 402 km 28 September USA 1959UGM-27 Polaris AX USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-25A USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital Missile test 28 September Launch failure Apogee: 10 km 29 September 10:59 USA 1959Nike-Cajun USA 1959Elgin USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 29 September Successful Apogee: 124 km 30 September 10:57 USA 1959Nike-Cajun USA 1959Elgin USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 30 September Successful Apogee: 122 km 30 September USA 1959Terrier-Asp USA 1959Point Arguello USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital 30 September Successful Apogee: 100 km 1 October 01:28 USA 1959PGM-19 Jupiter USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-6 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 1 October Successful Apogee: 500 km 1 October 10:49 USA 1959Nike-Cajun USA 1959Elgin USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 1 October Successful Apogee: 138 km 2 October 11:00 USA 1959Nike-Cajun USA 1959Elgin USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 2 October Successful Apogee: 143 km 2 October 18:11 USA 1959UGM-27 Polaris AX USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-25A USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital Missile test 2 October Launch failure Apogee: 2 km 3 October 11:03 USA 1959Nike-Cajun USA 1959Elgin USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 3 October Successful Apogee: 122 km 5 October 11:01 USA 1959Nike-Cajun USA 1959Elgin USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 5 October Successful Apogee: 127 km 6 October 05:55 USA 1959SM-65D Atlas USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-11 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 6 October Successful Apogee: 1800 km 6 October 16:41 USA 1959PGM-17 Thor DM-18A USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-18B USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 6 October Successful Apogee: 520 km 6 October 18:26 USA 1959PGM-17 Thor DM-18A USA 1959Vandenberg LC-75-2-8 UKRoyal Air Force Royal Air Force Suborbital Missile test 6 October Successful Apogee: 520 km 8 October USSR 1955R-12 Dvina USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955MVS MVS Suborbital Missile test 8 October Successful Apogee: 402 km 9 October 08:40 USA 1959Nike-Cajun USA 1959Elgin USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 9 October Successful Apogee: 143 km 9 October 11:17 USA 1959Nike-Cajun USA 1959Elgin USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 9 October Successful Apogee: 143 km 9 October USSR 1955R-12 Dvina USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955MVS MVS Suborbital Missile test 9 October Launch failure 9 October USSR 1955R-12 Dvina USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955MVS MVS Suborbital Missile test 9 October Successful Apogee: 402 km 10 October 03:10 USA 1959SM-65D Atlas USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-13 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 10 October Successful Apogee: 1800 km 10 October 12:00 USA 1959Aerobee AJ10-34 USA 1959White Sands LC-35 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Meteorite research 10 October Successful Apogee: 111 km 12 October 09:00 USA 1959Nike-Cajun USA 1959Elgin USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 12 October Successful Apogee: 123 km 12 October 10:12 USA 1959Nike-Cajun USA 1959Elgin USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 12 October Successful Apogee: 123 km 12 October 18:18 USA 1959UGM-27 Polaris A1 USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-29A USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital Missile test 12 October Launch failure Apogee: 10 km 13 October 11:17 USA 1959Nike-Cajun USA 1959Elgin USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 13 October Successful Apogee: 116 km 13 October USA 1959WS-199B Bold Orion II USA 1959B-47, Cape Canaveral USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 13 October Successful Apogee: 200 km 14 October 04:15 USA 1959PGM-17 Thor DM-18A USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-17B USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 14 October Successful Apogee: 520 km 15 October 11:05 USA 1959Nike-Cajun USA 1959Elgin USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 15 October Successful Apogee: 122 km 16 October 11:17 USA 1959Nike-Cajun USA 1959Elgin USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 16 October Successful Apogee: 139 km 15 October USSR 1955R-11A Zemlya USSR 1955Ostrov Kheysa USSR 1955AN AN Suborbital 15 October Successful Apogee: 200 km 15 October USSR 1955R-11A Zemlya USSR 1955Ostrov Kheysa USSR 1955AN AN Suborbital 15 October Successful Apogee: 200 km 20 October 14:25 USA 1959Aerobee AJ10-34 USA 1959White Sands USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Ionospheric 20 October Successful Apogee: 113 km 21 October 22:57 USA 1959PGM-17 Thor DM-18A USA 1959Vandenberg LC-75-1-1 UKRoyal Air Force Royal Air Force Suborbital Missile test 21 October Successful Apogee: 520 km 22 October 03:20 USA 1959PGM-19 Jupiter USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-26A USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 22 October Successful Apogee: 500 km 22 October 17:30 USSR 1955R-7 Semyorka USSR 1955Baikonur Site 1/5 USSR 1955MVS MVS Suborbital Missile test 22 October Successful Apogee: 1350 km 22 October FRAOPd-56-39-22D (Antares) FRACERES FRAONERA ONERA Suborbital REV test 22 October Successful Apogee: 150 km 24 October USSR 1955R-12 Dvina USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955MVS MVS Suborbital Missile test 24 October Successful Apogee: 402 km 25 October 17:32 USSR 1955R-7 Semyorka USSR 1955Baikonur Site 1/5 USSR 1955MVS MVS Suborbital Missile test 25 October Successful Apogee: 1350 km 25 October 17:44 USA 1959Aerobee-300 CAN 1957Churchill USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force/Utah Suborbital Ionospheric 25 October Successful Apogee: 386 km 26 October 17:00 USA 1959Nike-Cajun CAN 1957Churchill USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Ionospheric 26 August Launch failure 27 October USSR 1955R-12 Dvina USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955MVS MVS Suborbital Missile test 27 October Launch failure 28 October 14:47 USA 1959Aerobee-300 CAN 1957Churchill USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force/Utah Suborbital Ionospheric 28 October Successful Apogee: 135 km 28 October 22:40 USA 1959Shotput USA 1959Wallops Island USA 1959NASA USA 1959Echo E60 NASA/ARPA Suborbital Technology 28 October Successful Apogee: 400 km 29 October 02:12 USA 1959PGM-17 Thor DM-18A USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-18B USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 29 October Successful Apogee: 520 km 29 October 07:20 USA 1959SM-65D Atlas USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-11 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 29 October Successful Apogee: 1800 km 30 October 11:49 UKBlack Knight 201 AUSWoomera LA-5A UKRAE RAE Suborbital REV test 30 October Successful Apogee: 732 km 1 November 21:23 USSR 1955R-7 Semyorka USSR 1955Baikonur Site 1/5 USSR 1955MVS MVS Suborbital Missile test 1 November Successful Apogee: 1350 km 3 November USA 1959PGM-17 Thor DM-18A USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-17B USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 3 November Successful Apogee: 520 km 4 November 21:37 USA 1959SM-65D Atlas USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-13 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 4 November Successful Apogee: 1800 km 5 November 00:38 USA 1959PGM-19 Jupiter USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-6 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 5 November Successful Apogee: 500 km 6 November 07:25 USA 1959Aerobee-150 (Hi) USA 1959White Sands LC-35 USA 1959US Navy NRL Suborbital Aeronomy 6 November Successful Apogee: 142 km 6 November 16:36 USA 1959Aerobee-300 CAN 1957Churchill USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force/Utah Suborbital Ionospheric 6 November Successful Apogee: 393 km 10 November 12:00 USA 1959Strongarm USA 1959Wallops Island USA 1959US Army BRL Suborbital Ionospheric 10 November Successful Apogee: 1800 km, maiden flight of Strongarm 12 November 19:24 USA 1959PGM-17 Thor DM-18A USA 1959Vandenberg LC-75-1-2 UKRoyal Air Force Royal Air Force Suborbital Missile test 12 November Successful Apogee: 520 km 14 November 22:38 USA 1959Aerobee-300 CAN 1957Churchill USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 14 November Successful Apogee: 138 km 18 November 19:30 USA 1959Nike-Asp USA 1959Elgin USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Ionospheric 18 November Successful Apogee: 206 km 18 November 22:17 USA 1959Nike-Asp USA 1959Wallops Island USA 1959NASA NASA Suborbital Aeronomy 18 November Successful Apogee: 250 km, released sodium 18 November USA 1959Strongarm USA 1959Wallops Island USA 1959US Army BRL Suborbital Ionospheric 18 November Launch failure Apogee: 20 km 19 November 01:31 USA 1959PGM-19 Jupiter USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-26B USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 19 November Successful Apogee: 500 km 19 November 07:44 USA 1959Aerobee-150 (Hi) CAN 1957Churchill USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Ionospheric 19 November Launch failure Apogee: 106 km 19 November 10:36 USA 1959Nike-Cajun CAN 1957Churchill USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 19 November Successful Apogee: 119 km 19 November 10:51 USA 1959Nike-Asp USA 1959Wallops Island USA 1959NASA NASA Suborbital Aeronomy 19 November Successful Apogee: 255 km, released sodium 19 November USA 1959PGM-17 Thor DM-18A USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-17B USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 19 November Successful Apogee: 520 km 20 November 10:51 USA 1959Nike-Asp USA 1959Wallops Island USA 1959NASA NASA Suborbital Aeronomy 20 November Successful Apogee: 236 km, released sodium 20 November 17:11 USA 1959UGM-27 Polaris A1 USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-29A USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital Missile test 20 November Successful Apogee: 500 km 20 November 18:16 USA 1959Nike-Cajun CAN 1957Churchill USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 20 November Successful Apogee: 119 km 20 November 21:06 USSR 1955R-7 Semyorka USSR 1955Baikonur Site 1/5 USSR 1955MVS MVS Suborbital Missile test 20 November Successful Apogee: 1350 km 22 November 18:35 USA 1959Aerobee-300 CAN 1957Churchill USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force/Utah Suborbital Ionospheric 22 November Launch failure Apogee: 35 km 24 November 19:48 USA 1959SM-65D Atlas USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-13 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 24 November Successful Apogee: 1800 km 27 November 01:12:33 USSR 1955R-7 Semyorka USSR 1955Baikonur Site 1/5 USSR 1955MVS MVS Suborbital Missile test 27 November Successful Apogee: 1350 km 30 November 09:58 USA 1959Aerobee USA 1959White Sands USA 1959US Navy NRL Suborbital UV Astronomy 30 November Successful Apogee: 140 km 30 November 10:16 UKSkylark-2 AUSWoomera LA-2 UKRAE Queen's Suborbital Aeronomy 30 November Successful Apogee: 151 km, released sodium 30 November 12:35 UKSkylark-2 AUSWoomera LA-2 UKRAE UCL Suborbital Aeronomy 30 November Successful Apogee: 163 km 30 November USSR 1955R-12 Dvina USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955MVS MVS Suborbital Missile test 30 November Successful Apogee: 402 km November USSR 1955R-13 USSR 1955Project 611 submarine USSR 1955VMF VMF Suborbital Missile test   Successful Apogee: 150 km 1 December 11:36 UKSkylark-2 AUSWoomera LA-2 UKRAE UCLBirmingham Suborbital Aeronomy 1 December Successful Apogee: 159 km 1 December 17:00 USA 1959PGM-17 Thor DM-18A USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-18B USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 1 December Successful Apogee: 520 km 1 December USA 1959Trailblazer 1 USA 1959Wallops Island USA 1959NASA NASA Suborbital REV test 1 December Successful Apogee: 260 km 2 December 05:29 USA 1959PGM-17 Thor DM-18A USA 1959Vandenberg LC-75-1-2 UKRoyal Air Force Royal Air Force Suborbital Missile test 2 December Launch failure 3 December USSR 1955R-11A Zemlya USSR 1955Ostrov Kheysa USSR 1955AN AN Suborbital 3 December Successful Apogee: 200 km 3 December USSR 1955R-11A Zemlya USSR 1955Ostrov Kheysa USSR 1955AN AN Suborbital 3 December Successful Apogee: 200 km 12 December 17:11 USA 1959HGM-25A Titan I USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-16 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test +0 seconds Launch failure Vibrations from ignition erroneously triggered self-destruct system whilst rocket was still on padPowell Joel W. LeBrun, Art Go For Launch: An Illustrated History of Cape Canaveral Apogee Books Canada 2006 81–85 1-894959-43-4 17 December 20:13 USA 1959UGM-27 Polaris A1 USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-29A USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital Missile test 7 December Successful Apogee: 500 km 9 December 00:10 USA 1959SM-65D Atlas USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-13 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 9 December Successful Apogee: 1800 km 10 December 00:08 USA 1959PGM-19 Jupiter USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-6 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 10 December Successful Apogee: 500 km 15 December 02:14 USA 1959PGM-17 Thor DM-18A USA 1959Vandenberg LC-75-1-1 UKRoyal Air Force Royal Air Force Suborbital Missile test 15 December Launch failure 15 December FRAOPd-56-39-22D (Antares) FRACERES FRAONERA ONERA Suborbital REV test 15 December Successful Apogee: 150 km 16 December 04:50 USA 1959UGM-27 Polaris A1 USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-29A USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital Missile test 16 December Launch failure Apogee: 100 km 16 December USSR 1955R-12 Dvina USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955MVS MVS Suborbital Missile test 16 December Successful Apogee: 402 km 16 December USA 1959Nike-Zeus A USA 1959White Sands LC-38 USA 1959US Army US Army Suborbital Test flight 16 December Launch failure Apogee: 10 km 17 December 00:03 USA 1959PGM-19 Jupiter USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-26B USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 17 December Successful Apogee: 500 km 17 December USA 1959PGM-17 Thor DM-18A USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-17B USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 17 December Successful Apogee: 520 km 18 December USSR 1955R-12 Dvina USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955MVS MVS Suborbital Missile test 18 December Successful Apogee: 402 km 19 December 00:48 USA 1959SM-65D Atlas USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-13 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 19 December Successful Apogee: 1800 km 21 December USSR 1955R-12 Dvina USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955MVS MVS Suborbital Missile test 21 December Successful Apogee: 402 km 22 December 07:56 USA 1959Javelin USA 1959Wallops Island USA 1959NASA NASA Suborbital Test flight 22 December Successful Apogee: 901 km 23 December 19:05 USSR 1955R-7A Semyorka USSR 1955Baikonur Site 1/5 USSR 1955MVS MVS Suborbital Missile test 23 December Successful Apogee: 1350 km 23 December USA 1959UGM-27 Polaris A1 USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-25B USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital Missile test 23 December Launch failure Apogee: 1 km 26 December USSR 1955R-5A Pobeda USSR 1955Chelkar USSR 1955RVSN RVSN Suborbital Target 26 December Successful Apogee: 500 km 27 December USSR 1955R-12 Dvina USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955MVS MVS Suborbital Missile test 27 December Successful Apogee: 402 km 28 December USSR 1955R-12 Dvina USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955MVS MVS Suborbital Missile test 28 December Successful Apogee: 402 km December USSR 1955R-5A Pobeda USSR 1955Chelkar USSR 1955RVSN RVSN Suborbital Target December Successful Apogee: 500 km Unknown USSR 1955R-11FM Zemlya USSR 1955B-67, Beloye More USSR 1955VMF VMF Suborbital Missile test   Launch failure Unknown USA 1959ALSOR USA 1959F-104, Edwards USA 1959NASA NASA Suborbital Test flight   Successful Apogee: 117 km |} References External links 1959 on Spaceflight Category:1959 in spaceflight Category:Spaceflight by year Spaceflight