1960 in spaceflight (January–April)

none January 2014 May 2020 This is a list of spaceflights launched between January and April 1960. For launches between May and August, see 1960 in spaceflight (May–August), for launches between September and December, see 1960 in spaceflight (September–December). For an overview of the whole year, see 1960 in spaceflight. 2 Orbital launches 1960 yes |colspan=8 style="background:white;"| February |- 2 4 February 18:51:45https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/4580 Thor DM-18 Agena-A - KH-1 6 (Discoverer 9) Next Spaceflight 1 March 2025 USA 1959 Thor DM-18 Agena-A USA 1959 Vandenberg LC 75-3-4 USA 1959 US Air Force Failed to reach orbit after premature cutoff of first stage. USA 1959 Discoverer 9 (KH-1 6/9006) CIA DST Intended: Low Earth (Polar) Optical imaging 4 February Launch failure 2 2 USA 1959 SRV 113 CIA DST Intended: Low Earth (Polar) Film return inherit inherit 2 19 February 20:15:14https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/4581 Thor DM-18 Agena-A - KH-1 7 (Discoverer 10) Next Spaceflight 1 March 2025 USA 1959 Thor DM-18 Agena-A USA 1959 Vandenberg LC 75-3-5 USA 1959 US Air Force Destroyed by range safety during ascent to orbit. USA 1959 Discoverer 10 (KH-1 7/9007) CIA DST Intended: Low Earth (Polar) Optical imaging 19 February Launch failure 2 2 USA 1959 SRV 110 CIA DST Intended: Low Earth (Polar) Film return inherit inherit 1 26 February 17:25https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/2746 Atlas-LV3 Agena-A - Midas-1 Next Spaceflight 1 March 2025 USA 1959 Atlas LV-3A Agena-A USA 1959 Cape Canaveral LC-14 USA 1959 US Air Force Maiden flight of Atlas-Agena, upper stage failed to separate. USA 1959 MIDAS-1 US Air Force Intended: Low Earth Missile defence 26 February Launch failure |colspan=8 style="background:white;"| 1960 yes March |- 1 11 March 13:00https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/4582 Thor DM-18 Able-IV - Pioneer 5 Next Spaceflight 1 March 2025 USA 1959 Thor DM-18 Able-IV USA 1959 Cape Canaveral LC-17A USA 1959 US Air Force Only flight of Thor-Able IV. USA 1959 Pioneer 5 NASA Heliocentric Scientific Successful 1 23 March 13:35:11https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/6736 Juno II - Explorer 8a Next Spaceflight 1 March 2025 USA 1959 Juno II AM-19C USA 1959 Cape Canaveral LC-26B USA 1959 ABMA Third stage failed to ignite. USA 1959 Explorer S-46 NASA Intended: Highly elliptical Radiation research 23 March Launch failure |colspan=8 style="background:white;"| 1960 yes April |- 1 1 April 11:40:09https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/4583 Thor DM-18 Able-II - TIROS-1 Next Spaceflight 1 March 2025 USA 1959 Thor DM-18 Able-II USA 1959 Cape Canaveral LC-17A USA 1959 US Air Force Final flight of Thor-Able. Spacecraft ceased operations due to electrical system malfunction fifteen days short of planned end of mission. USA 1959 TIROS-1 (Tiros-A) NASA/NOAA Low Earth Weather Partial spacecraft failure 2 13 April 12:02:36https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/4584 Thor DM-21 Ablestar - Transit 1B Next Spaceflight 1 March 2025 USA 1959 Thor DM-21 Ablestar USA 1959 Cape Canaveral LC-17A USA 1959 US Air Force Maiden flight of Thor-Ablestar, first restart of an upper stage. USA 1959 Transit 1B US Navy Low Earth NavigationTechnology 5 October 1967 Successful USA 1959 Solrad prototype US Navy Low Earth Technology 17 July Successful 1 15 April 15:06:45https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/3327 Luna (8K72) - E-3 n°2 (Luna-3) Next Spaceflight 1 March 2025 USSR 1955 Luna (8K72) L1-9/I-19AMS USSR 1955 Baikonur Site 1/5 USSR 1955 RVSN Second stage engine malfunctioned. USSR 1955Luna E-3 №1 RVSN Intended: Heliocentric Lunar probe 15 April Launch failure 2 15 April 20:30:37https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/4585 Thor DM-18 Agena-A - KH-1 8 (Discoverer 11) Next Spaceflight 1 March 2025 USA 1959 Thor DM-18 Agena-A USA 1959 Vandenberg LC-75-3-5 USA 1959 US Air Force Spacecraft attitude control system malfunctioned, image recovery not attempted. USA 1959 Discoverer 11 (KH-1 8/9008) CIA DST Low Earth (Polar) Optical imaging 26 April Spacecraft failure 2 2 USA 1959 SRV 103 CIA DST Low Earth (Polar) Film return inherit inherit 1 16 April 16:07:41https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/3326 Luna (8K72) - E-3 n°3 (Luna-3) Next Spaceflight 1 March 2025 USSR 1955 Luna (8K72) L1-9A USSR 1955 Baikonur Site 1/5 USSR 1955 RVSN Blok-B booster separated less than a second after launch. USSR 1955Luna E-3 №2 RVSN Intended: Heliocentric Lunar probe 16 April Launch failure |colspan=8 style="background:white;"| 1960 yes |- |colspan=8 style="background:white;"| For flights after 30 April, see 1960 in spaceflight (May–September) |} Suborbital launches 1960 yes |colspan=8 style="background:white;"| January |- 7 JanuaryAtlas Missile Hits The Mark https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78031576/atlas-missile-hits-the-mark/ 20 May 2021 The South Bend Tribune Associated Press 7 January 1960 https://web.archive.org/web/20210520174445/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78031576/atlas-missile-hits-the-mark/ 20 May 2021 Cape Canaveral, Florida 1 live Newspapers.com 01:40 USA 1959SM-65D Atlas USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-13 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 7 January Successful Apogee: 1800 km 8 JanuaryPolaris Makes Successful 900 Mile Flight https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78031967/polaris-makes-successful-900-mile-flight/ 20 May 2021 The Sacramento Bee Associated Press 8 January 1960 https://web.archive.org/web/20210520175035/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78031967/polaris-makes-successful-900-mile-flight/ 20 May 2021 Cape Canaveral, Florida 17 live Newspapers.com USA 1959UGM-27 Polaris A1 USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-29A USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital Missile test 8 January Successful Apogee: 500 km 13 JanuaryPolaris Missile Successfully Hurls Dummy Warhead 900 Miles https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78032166/polaris-missile-successfully-hurls/ 20 May 2021 The Burlington Free Press Associated Press 14 January 1960 https://web.archive.org/web/20210520175423/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78032166/polaris-missile-successfully-hurls/ 20 May 2021 Cape Canaveral, Florida 1 live Newspapers.com 21:07 USA 1959UGM-27 Polaris A1 USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-29A USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital Missile test 13 January Successful Apogee: 500 km 14 JanuaryThor blasts off in test of new space engine https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78032466/thor-blasts-off-in-test-of-new-space/ 20 May 2021 The Birmingham News Associated Press Advance Publications 14 January 1960 https://web.archive.org/web/20210520175751/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78032466/thor-blasts-off-in-test-of-new-space/ 20 May 2021 Cape Canaveral, Florida 2 live Newspapers.com 16:35 USA 1959PGM-17 Thor DM-18C USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-18B USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 14 January Successful Apogee: 520 km 14 JanuaryNew Revolutionary Missile Cone Made https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78032697/new-revolutionary-missile-cone-made/ 20 May 2021 Marshfield News-Herald Associated Press 14 January 1960 https://web.archive.org/web/20210520180054/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78032697/new-revolutionary-missile-cone-made/ 20 May 2021 Washington, D.C. 1 live Newspapers.com USA 1959Aerobee-300 USA 1959Eglin USA 1959US Air Force USA 1959Tattletale PCC-1 NSA Suborbital SIGNITTechnology 14 January Successful Apogee: 100 km 15 January 04:52Third Javelin Rocket Makes Good Flight https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78033314/third-javelin-rocket-makes-good-flight/ 20 May 2021 Carlsbad Current-Argus United Press International 15 January 1960 https://web.archive.org/web/20210520180951/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78033314/third-javelin-rocket-makes-good-flight/ 20 May 2021 Wallops Flight Facility 11 live Newspapers.com USA 1959Javelin USA 1959Wallops Island USA 1959US Air Force NRL Suborbital Test flight 15 January Successful Apogee: 670 mi km 16 JanuaryHartmann Fred Sky Balloon Had 'em Guessing https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78034108/sky-balloon-had-em-guessing/ 20 May 2021 The Morning News 18 January 1960 https://web.archive.org/web/20210520182158/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78034108/sky-balloon-had-em-guessing/ 20 May 2021 Wilmington, Delaware 3 live Newspapers.com 22:35 USA 1959Shotput USA 1959Wallops Island USA 1959NASA NASA Suborbital Technology 16 January Successful Apogee: 413 km, test of systems for Echo satellites 18 January USSR 1955R-12 Dvina USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955RVSN RVSN Suborbital Missile test 18 January Successful Apogee: 402 km 19 January 18:18 USA 1959Aerobee-150 (Hi)Nose Cone Bends In Studying Sun https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78187385/nose-cone-bends-in-studying-sun/ 23 May 2021 The Orlando Sentinel Tribune Publishing 19 January 1960 https://web.archive.org/web/20210523093608/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78187385/nose-cone-bends-in-studying-sun/ 23 May 2021 Andrews Air Force Base 16 live Newspapers.com USA 1959White Sands LC-35 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Solar research 19 January Successful Apogee: 210 km 20 JanuaryBrig. Gen. Phillips Thomas R. Soviet Rocket That Hit in Pacific Could Reach Any Spot in U.S. From East, West or Over Pole https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78034814/soviet-rocket-that-hit-in-pacific-could/ 20 May 2021 St. Louis Post-Dispatch Pulitzer, Inc. 22 January 1960 https://web.archive.org/web/20210520183220/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78034814/soviet-rocket-that-hit-in-pacific-could/ 20 May 2021 Washington, D.C. 17 live Newspapers.com 16:35 USSR 1955R-7A Semyorka USSR 1955Baikonur Site 1/5 USSR 1955RVSN RVSN Suborbital Missile test 20 January Successful Apogee: 1000 km 20 JanuaryNavy Fires Polaris In Successful Test https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78187446/navy-fires-polaris-in-successful-test/ 23 May 2021 The Palm Beach Post Associated Press 21 January 1960 https://web.archive.org/web/20210523094037/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78187446/navy-fires-polaris-in-successful-test/ 23 May 2021 Cape Canaveral, Florida 8 live Newspapers.com USA 1959UGM-27 Polaris A1 USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-29A USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital Missile test 20 January Successful Apogee: 500 km 21 January 20:10 (GMT)RAF Fires Thor Shot https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78187498/raf-fires-thor-shot/ 23 May 2021 Santa Maria Times 21 January 1960 https://web.archive.org/web/20210523094526/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78187498/raf-fires-thor-shot/ 23 May 2021 1 live Newspapers.com USA 1959PGM-17 Thor DM-18A USA 1959Vandenberg LC-75-1-2 UKRoyal Air Force Royal Air Force Suborbital Missile test 21 January Successful Apogee: 520 km 24 January 16:15 USSR 1955R-7A Semyorka USSR 1955Baikonur Site 1/5 USSR 1955RVSN RVSN Suborbital Missile test 24 January Launch failure Apogee: 20 km 26 January 00:48 USA 1959PGM-19 Jupiter USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-26B USA 1959ABMA US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 26 January Successful Apogee: 500 km 26 January 05:42 USA 1959Javelin USA 1959Wallops Island USA 1959NASA NASA Suborbital Test flight 26 January Successful Apogee: 951 km 26 January 23:43:05 USA 1959SM-65D Atlas USA 1959Vandenberg LC-576A-3 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 26 January Successful Apogee: 1800 km 27 January 01:31 USA 1959SM-65D Atlas USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-13 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 27 January Successful Apogee: 1800 km 27 January USA 1959UGM-27 Polaris A1 USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-29A USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital Missile test 27 January Successful Apogee: 500 km 29 January 18:51 USA 1959Aerobee-150 (Hi) USA 1959White Sands LC-35 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Solar 29 January Successful Apogee: 226 km 29 January USSR 1955R-12 Dvina USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955RVSN RVSN Suborbital Missile test 29 January Successful Apogee: 402 km 31 January 16:17 USSR 1955R-7A Semyorka USSR 1955Baikonur Site 1/5 USSR 1955RVSN RVSN Suborbital Missile test 31 January Successful Apogee: 1000 km January USA 1959Nike-Cajun USA 1959White Sands USA 1959US Army US Army Suborbital Aeronomy January Successful Apogee: 100 km |colspan=8 style="background:white;"| February |- 2 February 18:08 USA 1959HGM-25A Titan I USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-19 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 2 February Successful Apogee: 1000 km 4 February 22:19 USA 1959UGM-27 Polaris A1 USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-29A USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital Missile test 4 February Successful Apogee: 500 km 5 February 00:19 USA 1959PGM-19 Jupiter USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-6 USA 1959ABMA US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 5 February Successful Apogee: 500 km 5 February 21:46 USA 1959HGM-25A Titan I USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-16 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital RV test 5 February Launch failure 10 February USA 1959UGM-27 Polaris A1 USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-29A USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital Missile test 10 February Successful Apogee: 500 km 12 February 04:11 USA 1959SM-65D Atlas USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-13 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 12 February Successful Apogee: 1800 km 13 February 00:43 USA 1959Aerobee AJ10-34 USA 1959White Sands LC-35 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy 13 February Successful Apogee: 143 km 13 February USSR 1955R-12 Dvina USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955RVSN RVSN Suborbital Missile test 13 February Launch failure 16 February 20:48 USA 1959Aerobee-150 (Hi) USA 1959Wallops Island USA 1959NASA NASA Suborbital Test flight 16 February Launch failure Apogee: 3 km 16 February USA 1959Aerobee-300 USA 1959Eglin USA 1959US Air Force USA 1959Tattletale PCC-2 NSA Suborbital SIGNITTechnology 16 February Successful Apogee: 100 km 17 February 01:00 USA 1959Nike-Cajun USA 1959Eglin USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Meteoroid research 17 February Successful Apogee: 120 km 19 February 17:11 USA 1959PGM-17 Thor DM-18C USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-18B USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 19 February Successful Apogee: 520 km 19 February 17:18 USA 1959Exos USA 1959Eglin USA 1959US Air Force UMI Suborbital Cosmic ray research 19 February Launch failure Apogee: 37 km 23 February FRAVéronique FRAHammaguira Blandine FRACASDN CNRS Suborbital Aeronomy 23 February Launch failure Apogee: 50 km 24 February USA 1959HGM-25A Titan I USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-15 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital RV test 24 February Successful Apogee: 1000 km 25 February 18:02 USA 1959MGM-31 Pershing I USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-30A USA 1959US Army US Army Suborbital Missile test 25 February Successful Maiden flight of Pershing, apogee: 250 km 26 February USA 1959UGM-27 Polaris A1 USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-29A USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital Missile test 26 February Launch failure Apogee: 10 km 27 February 06:53 USA 1959Aerobee-150 (Hi) CAN 1957Churchill USA 1959US Air Force JHU Suborbital Auroral 27 February Successful Apogee: 117 km 27 February 23:20 USA 1959Shotput USA 1959Wallops Island USA 1959NASA NASA Suborbital Technology 27 February Successful Apogee: 400 km, test of systems for Echo satellites 29 February USA 1959PGM-17 Thor DM-18C USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-18B USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 29 February Successful Apogee: 520 km |colspan=8 style="background:white;"| March |- 1 March 22:11 USA 1959Nike-Asp USA 1959Wallops Island USA 1959NASA NASA Suborbital Solar 1 March Successful Apogee: 212 km 2 March 18:32 FRAVéronique FRAHammaguira Blandine FRACASDN CNRS Suborbital Aeronomy 2 March Successful Apogee: 188 km 2 March 20:06 USA 1959PGM-17 Thor DM-18A USA 1959Vandenberg LC-75-2-8 UKRoyal Air Force Royal Air Force Suborbital Missile test 2 March Successful Apogee: 520 km 3 March 22:50 USA 1959Nike-Asp USA 1959Wallops Island USA 1959NASA NASA Suborbital Solar 3 March Successful Apogee: 212 km 5 March FRAVéronique FRAHammaguira Blandine FRACASDN CNRS Suborbital Aeronomy 5 March Successful Apogee: 187 km 8 March 13:10 USA 1959SM-65D Atlas USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-11 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 8 March Successful Apogee: 1800 km, first use of inertial guidanceAtlas Scores As Titan Fizzles https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78031098/atlas-scores-as-titan-fizzles/ 20 May 2021 The Tampa Tribune Associated Press 9 March 1960 https://web.archive.org/web/20210520173655/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78031098/atlas-scores-as-titan-fizzles/ 20 May 2021 Cape Canaveral, Florida live Newspapers.com 8 March 18:00 USA 1959HGM-25A Titan I USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-16 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital RV test 8 March Launch failure Second stage malfunction 9 March USA 1959UGM-27 Polaris A1 USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-25A USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital Missile test 9 March Successful Apogee: 500 km 11 March 00:36 USA 1959SM-65D Atlas USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-13 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 11 March Launch failure 16 March 21:25 USA 1959Aerobee-300 CAN 1957Churchill USA 1959NASA UMI Suborbital Ionospheric 16 March Successful Apogee: 337 km 16 March USA 1959Aerobee-300 USA 1959Eglin USA 1959US Air Force USA 1959Tattletale PCC-3 NSA Suborbital SIGNITTechnology 16 March Successful Apogee: 100 km 17 March 01:52 USA 1959Nike-Asp CAN 1957Churchill USA 1959NASA UMI Suborbital Ionospheric 17 March Launch failure 17 March 23:55 USSR 1955R-7A Semyorka USSR 1955Baikonur Site 1/5 USSR 1955RVSN RVSN Suborbital Missile test 18 March Successful Apogee: 1350 km 18 March USA 1959UGM-27 Polaris A1 USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-25B USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital Missile test 18 March Successful Apogee: 500 km 20 March USSR 1955R-12 Dvina USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955RVSN RVSN Suborbital Missile test 20 March Successful Apogee: 402 km 22 March USA 1959HGM-25A Titan I USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-15 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital RV test 22 March Successful Apogee: 1000 km 22 March USA 1959Astrobee-500 USA 1959Eglin USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Test flight 22 March Launch failure 24 March 02:06 USSR 1955R-7A Semyorka USSR 1955Baikonur Site 1/5 USSR 1955RVSN RVSN Suborbital Missile test 24 March Successful Apogee: 1350 km 24 March USSR 1955R-12 Dvina USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955RVSN RVSN Suborbital Missile test 24 March Successful Apogee: 402 km 25 March 18:40 USA 1959Aerobee-150A USA 1959Wallops Island USA 1959NASA NASA Suborbital Test flight 25 March Successful Apogee: 212 km 25 March USSR 1955R-12 Dvina USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955RVSN RVSN Suborbital Missile test 25 March Successful Apogee: 402 km 25 March USA 1959UGM-27 Polaris A1 USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-25B USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital Missile test 25 March Successful Apogee: 500 km 28 March USSR 1955R-12 Dvina USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955RVSN RVSN Suborbital Missile test 28 March Successful Apogee: 402 km 29 March USA 1959Trailblazer 1 USA 1959Wallops Island USA 1959NASA NASA Suborbital RV test 29 March Successful Apogee: 260 km 29 March USA 1959UGM-27 Polaris A1 USA 1959Observation Island T-AGM-23 6, ETR USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital Missile test 29 March Launch failure Apogee: 300 km 29 March USSR 1955R-12 Dvina USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955RVSN RVSN Suborbital Missile test 29 March Successful Apogee: 402 km 31 March USSR 1955R-12 Dvina USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955RVSN RVSN Suborbital Missile test 31 March Successful Apogee: 402 km March USSR 1955R-13 USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955RVSN RVSN Suborbital Missile test March Successful Apogee: 150 km |colspan=8 style="background:white;"| April |- 1 April USA 1959Shotput USA 1959Wallops Island USA 1959NASA NASA Suborbital Technology 1 April Successful Apogee: 400 km, test of systems for Echo satellites 7 April 02:06 USA 1959Aerobee-150 (Hi) USA 1959Eglin USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Solar 7 April Successful Apogee: 236 km 8 April 02:06 USA 1959SM-65D Atlas USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-11 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 8 April Launch failure Propulsion system malfunction, apogee: 1 km 8 April 12:04 USA 1959Nike-Cajun CAN 1957Churchill USA 1959US Air Force BRL Suborbital Aeronomy 8 April Successful Apogee: 100 km 8 April USA 1959HGM-25A Titan I USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-16 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital RV test 8 April Successful Apogee: 1000 km 12 April 03:18 UKSkylark-2C AUSWoomera LA-2 UKRAE RAE Suborbital Test flight 12 April Successful Apogee: 218 km 18 April 23:09 USA 1959Scout X USA 1959Wallops Island LA-3 USA 1959NASA USA 1959Cub Scout NASA Suborbital Test flight 18 April Launch failure Maiden flight of Scout family, only flight of Scout X, structural Failure during staging, apogee: 48 km 18 April USA 1959UGM-27 Polaris A1 USA 1959USNS Observation Island, ETR USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital Missile test 18 April Launch failure Apogee: 50 km 19 April 14:15 USA 1959Aerobee-150 (Hi) USA 1959White Sands USA 1959NRL NRL Suborbital Solar 19 April Successful Apogee: 222 km 20 April 18:30 USA 1959MGM-31 Pershing I USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-30A USA 1959US Army US Army Suborbital Missile test 20 April Successful Apogee: 250 km 20 April USA 1959Viper (ALSOR) USA 1959F-104, Edwards USA 1959NASA NASA Suborbital Test flight 20 April Launch failure Apogee: 70 km 21 April 10:35 UKSkylark-2 AUSWoomera LA-2 UKRAE UCL Suborbital Aeronomy 21 April Successful Apogee: 141 km 21 April 15:00 USA 1959Aerobee-150 (Hi) USA 1959Eglin USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Fields research 21 April Successful Apogee: 245 km 21 April 20:55 USA 1959HGM-25A Titan I USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-15 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital RV test 21 April Successful Apogee: 1000 km 22 April 19:39:01 USA 1959SM-65D Atlas USA 1959Vandenberg LC-576B-2 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 22 April Successful Apogee: 1800 km 23 April 21:45 USA 1959Aerobee-150A USA 1959Wallops Island USA 1959NASA NASA Suborbital Test flight 23 April Successful Apogee: 246 km 26 April 01:13 USA 1959UGM-27 Polaris A1 USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-29A USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital Missile test 26 April Successful Apogee: 500 km 26 April USA 1959Honest John-Nike-Gosling USA 1959Wallops Island USA 1959NASA NASA Suborbital RV test 26 April Launch failure Apogee: 43 km 27 April 04:18 USA 1959Aerobee-150 (Hi) USA 1959Wallops Island USA 1959NASA NASA Suborbital UV Astronomy 27 April Successful Apogee: 200 km 27 April 21:56 USA 1959Nike-Asp USA 1959Wallops Island USA 1959NASA NASA Suborbital Solar 27 April Launch failure Apogee: 24 km 28 April 14:50 USA 1959Nike Zeus USA 1959White Sands LC-38 USA 1959US Army US Army Suborbital Test flight 28 April Successful Apogee: 150 km 28 April 20:18 USA 1959HGM-25A Titan I USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-16 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital RV test 28 April Successful Apogee: 1000 km 29 April 15:47 USA 1959Aerobee-150A USA 1959Wallops Island USA 1959NASA NASA Suborbital Aeronomy 29 April Successful Apogee: 242 km 29 April 23:45 USA 1959UGM-27 Polaris A1 USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-29A USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital Missile test 29 April Successful Apogee: 500 km 29 April USSR 1955R-12 Dvina USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955RVSN RVSN Suborbital Missile test 29 April Successful Apogee: 402 km 30 April 03:45 USA 1959UGM-27 Polaris A1 USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-25A USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital Missile test 30 April Successful Apogee: 500 km |colspan=8 style="background:white;"| May |- 2 May FRAOPd-56-39-22D (Antares) FRACERES FRAONERA ONERA Suborbital RV test 2 May Successful Apogee: 150 km 2 May FRAOPd-56-39-22D (Antares) FRACERES FRAONERA ONERA Suborbital RV test 2 May Successful Apogee: 150 km 5 May USSR 1955R-12 Dvina USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955RVSN RVSN Suborbital Missile test 5 May Successful Apogee: 402 km 5 May FRAOPd-56-39-22D (Antares) FRACERES FRAONERA ONERA Suborbital RV test 5 May Successful Apogee: 150 km 6 May 16:47:02 USA 1959SM-65D Atlas USA 1959Vandenberg LC-576B-2 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 6 May Launch failure Apogee: 2 km 6 May USSR 1955R-12 Dvina USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955RVSN RVSN Suborbital Missile test 6 May Successful Apogee: 402 km 10 May 16:00 USA 1959MGM-31 Pershing I USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-30A USA 1959US Army US Army Suborbital Missile test 10 May Successful Apogee: 250 km 13 May 21:25 USA 1959HGM-25A Titan I USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-15 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital RV test 13 May Successful Apogee: 1000 km 18 May 21:04 CAN 1957Black Brant I CAN 1957Churchill CAN 1957CARDE CARDE Suborbital Test flight 18 May Launch failure Apogee: 89 km 18 May USA 1959UGM-27 Polaris A1 USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-25B USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital Missile test 18 May Successful Apogee: 500 km 20 May 15:00 USA 1959SM-65D Atlas USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-12 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 20 May Successful Apogee: 1800 km, set distance record of 14548 km for suborbital spaceflight 23 May USA 1959UGM-27 Polaris A1 USA 1959USNS Observation Island, ETR USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital Missile test 23 May Successful Apogee: 500 km 24 May 08:57 USA 1959Nike-Asp USA 1959Wallops Island USA 1959NASA GCA Suborbital Aeronomy 24 May Launch failure Apogee: 24 km 24 May 11:30 UKBlack Knight 201 AUSWoomera LA-5A UKRAE RAE Suborbital RV test 24 May Launch failure Gaslight test, apogee: 563 km 24 May 16:40 USA 1959Aerobee-150 (Hi) USA 1959Eglin USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Ionospheric 24 May Successful Apogee: 269 km 24 May 17:44 CAN 1957Black Brant I CAN 1957Churchill CAN 1957CARDE CARDE Suborbital Test flight 24 May Successful Apogee: 171 km 25 May 00:48 USA 1959Nike-Asp USA 1959Wallops Island USA 1959NASA GCA Suborbital Aeronomy 25 May Successful Apogee: 199 km 25 May 22:00 USA 1959Nike-Asp USA 1959Wallops Island USA 1959NASA NASA Suborbital Solar 25 May Successful Apogee: 193 km 27 May 04:05 USA 1959Aerobee-150 (Hi) USA 1959White Sands LC-35 USA 1959NRL Suborbital UV Astronomy 27 May Successful Apogee: 193 km 27 May 05:30 USA 1959Aerobee-150A USA 1959Wallops Island USA 1959NASA NASA Suborbital UV Astronomy 27 May Successful Apogee: 215 km 27 May 17:20 USA 1959HGM-25A Titan I USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-16 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital RV test 27 May Successful Apogee: 1000 km 28 May 18:27 CAN 1957Black Brant I CAN 1957Churchill CAN 1957CARDE CARDE Suborbital Test flight 28 May Successful Apogee: 177 km 30 May USSR 1955R-12 Dvina USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955RVSN RVSN Suborbital Missile test 30 May Successful Apogee: 402 km 31 May USA 1959Shotput USA 1959Wallops Island USA 1959NASA NASA Suborbital Technology 31 May Successful Apogee: 400 km, test of systems for Echo satellites May USSR 1955R-12 Dvina USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955RVSN RVSN Suborbital Missile test May Successful Apogee: 402 km |colspan=8 style="background:white;"| June |- 4 June 15:49 USSR 1955R-7 Semyorka USSR 1955Baikonur Site 1/5 USSR 1955RVSN RVSN Suborbital Missile test 4 June Successful Apogee: 1350 km 6 June 17:10 USA 1959Nike-Cajun CAN 1957Churchill USA 1959NASA NASA Suborbital Magnetospheric 6 June Successful Apogee: 122 km 6 June USSR 1955R-14 Chusovaya USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955RVSN RVSN Suborbital Missile test 6 June Successful Maiden flight of R-14, apogee: 675 km 7 June USA 1959UGM-27 Polaris A1 USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-25A USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital Missile test 7 June Launch failure Apogee: 50 km 9 June 16:19 USA 1959MGM-31 Pershing I USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-30A USA 1959US Army US Army Suborbital Missile test 9 June Successful Apogee: 250 km 10 June USSR 1955R-5A Pobeda USSR 1955Chelkar USSR 1955RVSN RVSN Suborbital Missile test 10 June Successful Apogee: 500 km 11 June 06:30 USA 1959SM-65D Atlas USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-11 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 11 June Successful Apogee: 1800 km 13 June FRAVéronique FRAHammaguira Blandine FRACASDN CNRS Suborbital Aeronomy 13 June Successful Apogee: 176 km 15 June 02:43 USSR 1955GDRR-2A USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955AN AN Suborbital Aeronomy 15 June Successful Apogee: 200 km 15 June 15:45 USA 1959Aerobee-150 (Hi) USA 1959White Sands USA 1959NRL Suborbital Aeronomy 15 June Successful Apogee: 224 km 15 June 22:56 USA 1959Aerobee-300 CAN 1957Churchill USA 1959NASA UMI Suborbital Ionospheric 15 June Successful Apogee: 321 km 16 June 05:29 USA 1959Nike-Cajun USA 1959Wallops Island USA 1959NASA NASA Suborbital Aeronomy 16 June Launch failure Apogee: 10 km 16 June 12:04 UKSkylark-2 AUSWoomera LA-2 UKRAE QUB Suborbital Aeronomy 16 June Successful Apogee: 129 km 16 June FRAVéronique FRAHammaguira Blandine FRACASDN CNRS Suborbital Aeronomy 16 June Successful Apogee: 180 km 18 June FRAVéronique FRAHammaguira Blandine FRACASDN CNRS Suborbital Aeronomy 18 June Successful Apogee: 152 km 21 June 10:05 UKBlack Knight 201 AUSWoomera LA-5A UKRAE RAE Suborbital RV test 21 June Successful Gaslight test, apogee: 484 km 21 June USA 1959Kiva-Hopi USA 1959Point Mugu USA 1959US Air Force USA 1959Phoenix 1 US Air Force Suborbital Test flight 21 June Successful Apogee: 300 km 22 June 14:49 USA 1959SM-65D Atlas USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-14 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 22 June Successful Apogee: 1800 km 22 June 23:26 USA 1959PGM-17 Thor DM-18A USA 1959Vandenberg LC-75-2-7 UKRoyal Air Force Royal Air Force Suborbital Missile test 22 June Successful Apogee: 520 km 22 June USA 1959Nike-Zeus USA 1959White Sands LC-38 USA 1959US Army US Army Suborbital Test flight 22 June Launch failure 22 June FRAVéronique FRAHammaguira Blandine FRACASDN CNRS Suborbital Aeronomy 22 June Launch failure Apogee: 60 km 23 June 02:22 USA 1959UGM-27 Polaris A1 USA 1959USNS Observation Island, ETR USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital Missile test 23 June Successful Apogee: 500 km 23 June 23:00 USSR 1955GDRR-2A USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955RVSN RVSN Suborbital Ionospheric 23 June Successful Apogee: 200 km 23 June 05:00 USSR 1955R-11A Zemlya USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955AN AN Suborbital Aeronomy 23 June Successful Apogee: 200 km 23 June 05:52 USA 1959UGM-27 Polaris A1 USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-25B USA 1959US Navy US Navy Suborbital Missile test 23 June Successful Apogee: 500 km 24 June 06:25 USA 1959Aerobee-150A USA 1959Wallops Island USA 1959NASA NASA Suborbital UV Astronomy 24 June Successful Apogee: 211 km 24 June USSR 1955R-12 Dvina USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955RVSN RVSN Suborbital Missile test 24 June Successful Apogee: 402 km 24 June USA 1959HGM-25A Titan I USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-15 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital RV test 24 June Successful Apogee: 1000 km 26 June 06:17 USA 1959Trailblazer 1 USA 1959Wallops Island USA 1959NASA NASA Suborbital RV test 26 June Successful Apogee: 294 km 27 June 13:15 USA 1959Aerobee-150 (Hi) USA 1959White Sands LC-35 USA 1959NRL Suborbital Aeronomy 27 June Successful Apogee: 222 km 27 June 19:10 USA 1959Nike-Asp USA 1959Eglin USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Ionospheric 27 June Launch failure Apogee: 170 km 27 June USA 1959Nike-Asp USA 1959Cape Canaveral USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Ionospheric 27 June Successful Apogee: 150 km 28 June 02:30 USA 1959SM-65D Atlas USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-12 USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Missile test 28 June Successful Apogee: 1800 km 28 June 05:10 USA 1959Nike-Asp USA 1959Eglin USA 1959US Air Force US Air Force Suborbital Ionospheric 28 June Successful Apogee: 195 km 29 June USSR 1955R-12 Dvina USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955RVSN RVSN Suborbital Missile test 29 June Successful Apogee: 402 km 30 June 16:00 USA 1959MGM-31 Pershing I USA 1959Cape Canaveral LC-30A USA 1959US Army US Army Suborbital Missile test 30 June Successful Apogee: 250 km 30 June 20:25 USA 1959Javelin USA 1959Wallops Island USA 1959NASA NASA Suborbital Magnetospheric 30 June Launch failure Apogee: 65 km June USSR 1955R-12 Dvina USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955RVSN RVSN Suborbital Missile test June Successful Apogee: 402 km June USSR 1955R-12 Dvina USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955RVSN RVSN Suborbital Missile test June Successful Apogee: 402 km June USSR 1959R-14 Chusovaya USSR 1955Kapustin Yar USSR 1955RVSN RVSN Suborbital Missile test June Successful Apogee: 675 km |} 1960 yes References External links 1960 on Spaceflight Category:1960 in spaceflight Category:Spaceflight by year Spaceflight