1957 in spaceflight

1957 in spaceflight
	Artist's impression of Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite, in orbit
Orbital launches
First	4 October
Last	6 December
Total	3
Successes	1
Failures	1
Partial failures	1
Catalogued	2
National firsts
Spaceflight	Australia; United Kingdom
Satellite	Soviet Union
Orbital launch	Soviet Union
Rockets
Maiden flights	Vanguard; Farside; Nike-Asp; Polaris FTV-5; Polaris FTV-3; HJ-Nike-Nike; SM-78 Jupiter; XSM-75 Thor; XSM-65A Atlas; R-2A; R-7 Semyorka; Sputnik-PS; R-12 Dvina; Skylark (Raven 1); Long Tom
Retirements	Viking (second model); Aerobee RTV-N-10; Aerobee RTV-N-10c; Aerobee RTV-A-1a; Loki rockoon; Farside; Nike-Deacon; Terrapin; Polaris FTV-5; Polaris FTV-3; Sputnik-PS
	v; t; e;

The first orbital flight of an artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, was launched in October 1957, by the Soviet Union. In November, the second orbital flight took place. The Soviet Union launched the first animal to orbit the Earth, a dog, Laika, who died in orbit a few hours after launch.

Thor, Atlas, and R-7 rocket families all have maiden flights this year, all three of which will have long legacies for the next 50+ years
Australia and the UK go to space with sounding rockets; first space launches from Australia
The R-12 makes its maiden flight
The US makes its first orbital attempt and fails (Vanguard TV-3)

Orbital launches

← Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec →

Date and time (UTC)

Rocket

Flight number

Launch site

LSP

Payload
(⚀ = CubeSat)

Operator

Orbit

Function

Decay (UTC)

Outcome

Remarks

October

4 October
19:28:34

Sputnik-PS (8K71PS)

PS-1

Baikonur Site 1/5

MVS

Sputnik 1 (PS-1)

MVS

Low Earth

Technology demonstration

4 January 1958

Successful

First orbital launch, first artificial satellite of Earth, maiden flight of the Sputnik rocket^[1]

← Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec →

November

3 November
02:30:42

Sputnik-PS (8K71PS)

PS-2

Baikonur Site 1/5

MVS

Sputnik 2 (PS-2)

MVS

Low Earth

Biological

14 April 1958

Partial spacecraft failure

Carried Laika, the first animal in orbit. Laika died prior to completion of experiments. Final flight of the Sputnik-PS.^[1]

← Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec →

December

6 December
16:44:35

Vanguard

TV-3

Cape Canaveral LC-18A

US Navy

Vanguard 1A

NRL

Intended: Medium Earth

Geodesy

6 December

Launch failure

First all up Vanguard flight, first US orbital launch attempt, and first orbital launch attempt failure. Lost thrust and exploded on launch pad after 2 seconds.^[2]

← Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec →

← Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec →

Suborbital launches

← Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec →

January

January launches
Date and time (UTC)	Rocket		Flight number	Launch site		LSP
		Payload	Operator	Orbit	Function	Decay (UTC)	Outcome
		Remarks
8 January	X-17			Cape Canaveral LC-3		US Air Force

			ARDC	Suborbital	REV test	8 January	Successful
		Apogee: 140 kilometres (87 mi)^[3]
13 January	R-1			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test	13 January	Successful^[4]
14 January	R-1			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test	14 January	Successful^[4]
15 January	X-17			Cape Canaveral LC-3		US Air Force

			ARDC	Suborbital	REV test	15 January	Launch failure
		Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)^[3]
19 January	R-5M			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			MVS	Suborbital	Nuclear weapon test	19 January	Successful^[5]
24 January	HJ-Nike			Wallops Island		NACA

			NACA	Suborbital	Cone REV test	24 January	Successful
		Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi)^[6]
26 January	XSM-75 Thor		101	Cape Canaveral LC-17B		US Air Force

			ARDC	Suborbital	Missile test	26 January	Launch failure
		Maiden launch of the SM-75 Thor missile, designated XSM-75 to indicate it was an experimental R&D launch; exploded on launch pad^[7]
29 January	X-17			Cape Canaveral LC-3		US Air Force

			ARDC	Suborbital	REV test	29 January	Launch failure
		Apogee: 0 kilometres (0 mi)^[3]

February

February launches
Date and time (UTC)	Rocket		Flight number	Launch site		LSP
		Payload	Operator	Orbit	Function	Decay (UTC)	Outcome
		Remarks
2 February 08:05	Aerobee AJ10-34		USAF 76	Holloman LC-A		US Air Force

		Firefly	AFCRC	Suborbital	Aeronomy	2 February	Successful
		Apogee: 143 kilometres (89 mi)^[8]
7 February	X-17			Cape Canaveral LC-3		US Air Force

			ARDC	Suborbital	REV test	7 February	Successful
		Apogee: 107 kilometres (66 mi)^[3]
12 February 20:30	Loki Rockoon		II5.097	Guam		University of Iowa

			University of Iowa	Suborbital	Fields	12 February	Successful
		Apogee: 75 kilometres (47 mi)^[9]
13 February 01:51	Skylark (Raven 1)		SL01	Woomera LA-2 SL		WRE / RAE

			WRE / RAE	Suborbital	Test flight	13 February	Successful
		Apogee: 12 kilometres (7.5 mi), maiden flight of the Skylark^[10]
14 February 20:05	Loki Rockoon		II5.098	Guam		University of Iowa

			University of Iowa	Suborbital	Fields	14 February	Successful
		Apogee: 75 kilometres (47 mi)^[9]
14 February	X-17			Cape Canaveral LC-3		US Air Force

			ARDC	Suborbital	REV test	14 February	Successful
		Apogee: 141 kilometres (88 mi)^[3]
17 February 21:36	Loki Rockoon		II5.099	Guam		University of Iowa

			University of Iowa	Suborbital	Fields	17 February	Successful
		Apogee: 75 kilometres (47 mi)^[9]
19 February	R-1			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test	19 February	Successful^[4]
28 February	R-2			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test	28 February	Successful^[11]

March

March launches
Date and time (UTC)	Rocket		Flight number	Launch site		LSP
		Payload	Operator	Orbit	Function	Decay (UTC)	Outcome
		Remarks
1 March	X-17			Cape Canaveral LC-3		US Air Force

			ARDC	Suborbital	REV test	1 March	Successful
		Apogee: 151 kilometres (94 mi)^[3]
1 March 21:51	SM-78 Jupiter			Cape Canaveral LC-5		US Air Force

			ABMA	Suborbital	Missile test	1 March	Launch failure
		Apogee: 14 kilometres (8.7 mi), maiden flight of the SM-78 Jupiter missile; overheated and disintegrated^[12]
11 March	R-5M			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test	11 March	Successful^[5]
11 March	X-17			Cape Canaveral LC-3		US Air Force

			ARDC	Suborbital	REV test	11 March	Successful
		Apogee: 134 kilometres (83 mi)^[3]
18 March	R-5M			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test	18 March	Successful^[5]
18 March	R-5M			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test	18 March	Successful^[5]
		Live warhead used
21 March	R-5M			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test	21 March	Successful^[5]
21 March	X-17			Cape Canaveral LC-3		US Air Force

			ARDC	Suborbital	REV test	21 March	Successful
		Apogee: 103 kilometres (64 mi)^[3]
28 March	R-5M			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test	28 March	Successful^[5]
29 March 04:51	Aerobee RTV-N-10c		NRL 31	White Sands LC-35		US Navy

			NRL	Suborbital	UV Astronomy	29 March	Successful
		Apogee: 135 kilometres (84 mi), final flight of the Aerobee RTV-N-10c^[8]

April

April launches
Date and time (UTC)	Rocket		Flight number	Launch site		LSP
		Payload	Operator	Orbit	Function	Decay (UTC)	Outcome
		Remarks
10 April	HJ-Nike			Wallops Island		NACA

			NACA	Suborbital	Heat transfer REV test	10 April	Successful^[6]
11 April 16:31	Aerobee Hi		NRL 40	White Sands LC-35		US Navy

			NRL	Suborbital	Vanguard instrumentation test	11 April	Successful
		Apogee: 204 kilometres (127 mi), Navy variant designation: RV-N-13c; tested equipment for the Vanguard rocket^[8]
12 April	R-2A			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			OKB-1	Suborbital	Test flight	12 April	Successful
		Maiden flight of the R-2A, a scientific variant of the R-2^[13]
13 April	Polaris FTV-5			Cape Canaveral LC-3		US Navy

			USNSPO	Suborbital	REV test	13 April	Launch failure
		Technology test for development of the UGM-27 Polaris; maiden flight of the Polaris FTV-5^[14]
14 April	R-2A			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			OKB-1	Suborbital	Test flight	14 April	Successful^[13]
20 April 04:31	XSM-75 Thor		102	Cape Canaveral LC-17B		US Air Force

			ARDC	Suborbital	Missile test	20 April	Launch failure
		Destroyed by range safety officer after console error gave erroneous indications that the missile was off course^[7]^[15]
26 April 20:12	SM-78 Jupiter			Cape Canaveral LC-5		US Air Force

			ABMA	Suborbital	Test flight	26 April	Partial failure
		Apogee: 18 kilometres (11 mi)^[12]
30 April 15:10	Aerobee Hi		NRL 41	White Sands LC-35		US Navy

			NRL	Suborbital	Meteorite research	30 April	Successful
		Apogee: 289 kilometres (180 mi), Navy variant designation: RV-N-13c^[8]

May

May launches
Date and time (UTC)	Rocket		Flight number	Launch site		LSP
		Payload	Operator	Orbit	Function	Decay (UTC)	Outcome
		Remarks
1 May 06:29	Viking (second model)			Cape Canaveral LC-18A		US Navy

		Vanguard TV-1	NRL	Suborbital	Vanguard third stage test	1 May	Successful
		Apogee: 195 kilometres (121 mi), final flight of the Viking; a second stage tested the future Vanguard third stage^[16]
3 May 14:04	Aerobee Hi		NRL 44	White Sands LC-35		US Navy

			NRL	Suborbital	Solar UV	3 May	Successful
		Apogee: 204 kilometres (127 mi), Navy variant designation: RV-N-13c^[8]
15 May 07:55	Jupiter-C			Cape Canaveral LC-6		ABMA

			ABMA	Suborbital	Nose cone re-entry test	15 May	Launch failure
		Apogee: 655 kilometres (407 mi); gyroscope malfunctioned 134 seconds after launch and the nose cone was not recovered, but instruments indicated that the test may have been successful^[17]
15 May 16:01	R-7			Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	15 May	Launch failure
		Maiden flight of the R-7 and first launch of an ICBM. Engine fire in Block D booster rocket at liftoff, followed by premature separation 98 seconds after launch.^[1]
16 May 02:14	R-2A			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			OKB-1 / RAS	Suborbital	Test flight	16 May	Successful^[13]
16 May 03:18	R-2A			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			RAS	Suborbital	Biological	16 May	Successful
		Apogee: 212 kilometres (132 mi), carried dogs^[13]
22 May 05:20	Skylark (Raven 1)		SL02	Woomera LA-2 SL		WRE / RAE

			WRE / RAE	Suborbital	Test flight	22 May	Successful
		Apogee: 75 kilometres (47 mi)^[10]
22 May	XSM-75 Thor		103	Cape Canaveral LC-17B		US Air Force

			ARDC	Suborbital	Missile test	22 May	Launch failure
		Exploded on pad after valve malfunction caused pressure build up^[7]^[15]
24 May	R-2A			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			RAS	Suborbital		24 May	Successful^[13]
29 May	R-2			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test	29 May	Successful^[11]
31 May 18:08	SM-78 Jupiter			Cape Canaveral LC-5		US Air Force

			ABMA	Suborbital	Missile test	31 May	Successful
		Apogee: 402 to 482 kilometres (250 to 300 mi), first successful IRBM launched in the western world^[12]

June

June launches
Date and time (UTC)	Rocket		Flight number	Launch site		LSP
		Payload	Operator	Orbit	Function	Decay (UTC)	Outcome
		Remarks
June	R-1			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test	Same day	Successful^[4]
June	R-1			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test	Same day	Successful^[4]
5 June	R-2			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test	5 June	Successful^[11]
7 June	R-2			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test	7 June	Successful^[11]
7 June	R-2A			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			OKB-1	Suborbital	ABM target	7 June	Successful^[13]
10 June	R-2A			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			OKB-1	Suborbital	ABM target	10 June	Successful^[13]
11 June 19:37	XSM-65A Atlas		4A	Cape Canaveral LC-14		US Air Force

			ARDC	Suborbital	Test flight	11 June	Partial failure
		Apogee: 3 kilometres (1.9 mi), maiden flight of the XSM-65A Atlas missile; destroyed by range safety after fuel system malfunction, but succeeded at other primary mission goals including launch mechanisms, airframe integrity, subsystems performance, and operating procedures^[18]
14 June	R-5M			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

		Vibrator	OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test	14 June	Successful^[5]
		The Vibrator system was a non-contact explosive device
18 June 14:00	Aerobee Hi		USAF 78	Holloman LC-A		US Air Force

			AFCRC / University of Utah	Suborbital	Ionospheric	18 June	Successful
		Apogee: 171 kilometres (106 mi)^[8]
22 June	R-2A			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			OKB-1	Suborbital	ABM target	22 June	Successful^[13]
22 June	R-12		LKI1-1	Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	22 June	Successful^[19]
		Maiden flight of the R-12 missile
23 June	R-2A			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			OKB-1	Suborbital	ABM target	23 June	Successful^[13]
25 June 14:07	Aerobee Hi		USAF 79	Holloman LC-A		US Air Force

			AFCRC / University of Utah	Suborbital	Ionospheric	25 June	Successful
		Apogee: 202 kilometres (126 mi)^[8]
28 June	R-2A			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			OKB-1	Suborbital	ABM target	28 June	Successful^[13]
28 June	R-5M			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test	28 June	Successful^[5]
28 June	R-5M			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

		Vibrator	OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test	28 June	Successful^[5]
		The Vibrator system was a non-contact explosive device
29 June	R-2A			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			OKB-1	Suborbital	ABM target	29 June	Successful^[13]

July

July launches
Date and time (UTC)	Rocket		Flight number	Launch site		LSP
		Payload	Operator	Orbit	Function	Decay (UTC)	Outcome
		Remarks
1 July 19:00	Nike-Deacon		NN7.37F	San Nicolas		US Navy

			NRL	Suborbital	Solar UV / X-ray	1 July	Successful
		Apogee: 93 kilometres (58 mi)^[20]
3 July 16:29	Nike-Deacon		NN7.38F	San Nicolas		US Navy

			NRL	Suborbital	Solar UV / X-ray	3 July	Successful
		Apogee: 113 kilometres (70 mi)^[20]
4 July	R-2A			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			OKB-1	Suborbital	ABM target	4 July	Successful^[13]
4 July	R-12		LKI1-2	Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	4 July	Successful^[19]
4 July 18:15:40	Aerobee Hi		NN3.08F	Churchill		US Navy

			NRL	Suborbital	Ionospheric	4 July	Successful
		Apogee: 237 kilometres (147 mi)^[8]
5 July	R-2A			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			OKB-1	Suborbital	ABM target	5 July	Successful^[13]
5 July 06:17:56	Aerobee Hi		NN3.09F	Churchill		US Navy

			NRL	Suborbital	Ionospheric	5 July	Launch failure
		Apogee: 16 kilometres (9.9 mi)^[8]
7 July	R-2			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test	7 July	Successful^[11]
8 July	R-1			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test	8 July	Successful^[21]
9 July	R-1			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test	9 July	Successful^[21]
9 July	R-2			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test	9 July	Successful^[11]
9 July	R-5M			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test	9 July	Successful^[5]
10 July	R-1			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test	10 July	Successful^[21]
10 July	R-2			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test	10 July	Successful^[11]
12 July 12:53	R-7			Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	12 July	Launch failure
		Control system short-circuited resulting in loss of control, boosters fell off 33 seconds after launch^[1]
13 July	R-1			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test	13 July	Successful^[21]
13 July	R-12		LKI1-3	Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	13 July	Successful^[19]
15 July 21:23	Nike-Deacon		NN7.39F	San Nicolas		US Navy

			NRL	Suborbital	Solar UV / X-ray	15 July	Launch failure
		Apogee: 28 kilometres (17 mi)^[20]
16 July 13:30	Aerobee RTV-A-1a^[22]^: 43		USAF 80	Holloman LC-A		US Air Force

			AFCRC	Suborbital	Meteorite research	16 July	Successful
		Apogee: 122 kilometres (76 mi),^[8] final known flight of the Aerobee RTV-A-1a
18 July	R-2			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test	18 July	Successful^[11]
18 July	R-5M			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test	18 July	Successful^[5]
18 July 14:30	Aerobee (unknown type)		USAF 81	Holloman LC-A		US Air Force

			AFCRC	Suborbital	Meteorite research	18 July	Launch failure^[8]
19 July	R-2			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test	19 July	Successful^[11]
19 July	Polaris FTV-3			Cape Canaveral LC-3		US Navy

			USNSPO	Suborbital	REV test	19 July	Successful
		Apogee: 130 kilometres (81 mi), technology test for development of the UGM-27 Polaris; maiden flight of the Polaris FTV-3^[14]
22 July	R-2			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test	22 July	Successful^[11]
22 July 04:16:28	Aerobee (unknown type)		SM1.02	Churchill		US Army

		Grenades	SCEL / University of Michigan	Suborbital	Aeronomy	22 July	Successful
		Apogee: 92 kilometres (57 mi)^[8]
22 July	X-17			Cape Canaveral LC-3		US Air Force

			ARDC	Suborbital	REV test	22 July	Successful
		Apogee: 114 kilometres (71 mi)^[3]
23 July 03:02	Skylark (Raven 1)		SL03	Woomera LA-2 SL		WRE / RAE

			RAE / QUB	Suborbital	Test flight / Airglow	23 July	Successful
		Apogee: 85 kilometres (53 mi)^[10]
23 July 23:31:52	Nike-Deacon		NN7.40F	San Nicolas		US Navy

			NRL	Suborbital	Solar UV / X-ray	23 July	Successful
		Apogee: 129 kilometres (80 mi)^[20]
24 July	R-1			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test	24 July	Successful^[21]
24 July	R-2			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test	24 July	Successful^[11]
24 July	R-5M			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test	24 July	Successful^[5]
24 July 05:29:50	Aerobee (unknown type)		SM1.03	Churchill		US Army

		Grenades	SCEL / University of Michigan	Suborbital	Aeronomy	24 July	Successful
		Apogee: 88 kilometres (55 mi)^[8]
27 July	R-12		LKI1-4	Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	27 July	Successful^[19]
29 July	R-2			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test	29 July	Successful^[11]
29 July 21:59	Aerobee Hi		NN3.13F	Churchill		US Navy

			NRL	Suborbital	Aeronomy	29 July	Successful
		Apogee: 210 kilometres (130 mi)^[8]
30 July 18:10:02	Nike-Cajun		AM6.32	Churchill		University of Michigan / US Army

			University of Michigan	Suborbital	Aeronomy	30 July	Launch failure
		Apogee: 25 kilometres (16 mi)^[20]

August

August launches
Date and time (UTC)	Rocket		Flight number	Launch site		LSP
		Payload	Operator	Orbit	Function	Decay (UTC)	Outcome
		Remarks
2 August	R-12		LKI1-5	Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	2 August	Launch Failure^[19]
2 August	HJ-Nike			Wallops Island		NACA

			NACA	Suborbital	Flat REV test	2 August	Successful^[6]
5 August	R-2			Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	5 August	Successful^[11]
5 August 19:10	Nike-Deacon		NN7.41F	San Nicolas		US Navy

			NRL	Suborbital	Solar UV / X-ray	5 August	Launch Failure
		Apogee: 14 kilometres (8.7 mi)^[20]
5 August 13:22	Loki Rockoon		SUI 56	USS Plymouth Rock, Labrador Sea^[23]		US Navy

			University of Iowa	Suborbital	Aeronomy / Chemical Release	5 August	Successful^[9]
5 August 16:59	Loki Rockoon		SUI 57	USS Plymouth Rock, Labrador Sea^[23]		US Navy

			University of Iowa	Suborbital	Fields	5 August	Successful^[9]
6 August	R-2			Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	6 August	Successful^[11]
6 August 13:13	Loki Rockoon		SUI 58	USS Plymouth Rock, southern Davis Strait^[23]		US Navy

			University of Iowa	Suborbital	Aeronomy / Auroral / Chemical Release	6 August	Successful
		Apogee: 116 kilometres (72 mi)^[9]
6 August 15:30	Aerobee AJ10-34		USAF 82	Holloman LC-A		US Air Force

			AFCRC	Suborbital	Solar UV	6 August	Successful
		Apogee: 145 kilometres (90 mi)^[8]
6 August 17:23	Loki Rockoon		SUI 59	USS Plymouth Rock, Davis Strait^[23]		US Navy

			University of Iowa	Suborbital	Ionospheric	6 August	Successful
		Apogee: 117 kilometres (73 mi)^[9]
7 August 03:28	Loki Rockoon		SUI 60	USS Plymouth Rock, northern Davis Strait^[23]		US Navy

			University of Iowa	Suborbital	Aeronomy / Chemical Release	7 August	Launch failure^[9]
7 August	R-2			Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	7 August	Successful^[11]
7 August 22:04	Loki Rockoon		SUI 61	USS Plymouth Rock, Baffin Bay^[23]		US Navy

			University of Iowa	Suborbital	Fields	7 August	Launch failure^[9]
8 August	R-2			Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	8 August	Successful^[11]
8 August 06:59	Jupiter-C			Cape Canaveral LC-6		ABMA

			ABMA	Suborbital	REV test	8 August	Successful
		Apogee: 460 kilometres (290 mi), re-entry nose cone recovered^[17]
8 August 07:17	Loki Rockoon		SUI 62	USS Plymouth Rock, Baffin Bay^[23]		US Navy

			University of Iowa	Suborbital	Aeronomy / Chemical Release	8 August	Successful
		Apogee: 132 kilometres (82 mi)^[9]
9 August	Polaris FTV-3			Cape Canaveral LC-3		US Navy

			USNSPO	Suborbital	REV test	9 August	Successful
		Apogee: 116 kilometres (72 mi), technology test for development of the UGM-27 Polaris^[14]
10 August 06:29	Loki Rockoon		SUI 63	USS Plymouth Rock, Baffin Bay^[23]		US Navy

			University of Iowa	Suborbital	Aeronomy / Auroral / Chemical Release	10 August	Successful
		Apogee: 117 kilometres (73 mi)^[9]
10 August 23:36	Loki Rockoon		SUI 64	USS Plymouth Rock, Baffin Bay^[23]		US Navy

			University of Iowa	Suborbital	Aeronomy / Auroral / Chemical Release	10 August	Successful
		Apogee: 77 kilometres (48 mi)^[9]
11 August 05:16	Loki Rockoon		SUI 65	USS Plymouth Rock, Baffin Bay^[23]		US Navy

			University of Iowa	Suborbital	Aeronomy / Chemical Release	11 August	Launch failure^[9]
11 August 20:30	Loki Rockoon		SUI 66	USS Plymouth Rock, Davis Strait^[23]		US Navy

			University of Iowa	Suborbital	Aeronomy / Chemical Release	11 August	Successful^[9]
12 August 07:48	Loki Rockoon		SUI 67	USS Plymouth Rock, Davis Strait^[23]		US Navy

			University of Iowa	Suborbital	Aeronomy / Auroral / Chemical Release	12 August	Launch failure^[9]
12 August 15:15	Loki Rockoon		SUI 68	USS Plymouth Rock, Davis Strait^[23]		US Navy

			University of Iowa	Suborbital	Auroral / Fields	12 August	Successful^[9]
12 August 15:59:31	Aerobee (unknown type)		SM1.04	Churchill		US Army

		Grenades	SCEL / University of Michigan	Suborbital	Aeronomy	12 August	Successful
		Apogee: 74 kilometres (46 mi)^[8]
13 August 01:58	Loki Rockoon		SUI 69	USS Plymouth Rock, southern Davis Strait^[23]		US Navy

			University of Iowa	Suborbital	Aeronomy / Auroral / Chemical Release	13 August	Successful^[9]
13 August	R-2A			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

		SOI	RAS	Suborbital	Solar UV	13 August	Successful^[24]
14 August 09:24	Loki Rockoon		SUI 70	USS Plymouth Rock, Labrador Sea^[23]		US Navy

			University of Iowa	Suborbital	Aeronomy / Auroral / Chemical Release	14 August	Successful^[9]
14 August 15:07	Loki Rockoon		SUI 71	USS Plymouth Rock, Labrador Sea^[23]		US Navy

			University of Iowa	Suborbital	Auroral / Fields	14 August	Successful
		Apogee: 97 kilometres (60 mi)^[9]
14 August 21:19	Loki Rockoon		SUI 72	USS Plymouth Rock, Labrador Sea^[23]		US Navy

			University of Iowa	Suborbital	Aeronomy / Auroral / Chemical Release	14 August	Successful
		Apogee: 130 kilometres (81 mi)^[9]
15 August 00:11	Loki Rockoon		SUI 73	USS Plymouth Rock, Labrador Sea^[23]		US Navy

			University of Iowa	Suborbital	Aeronomy / Auroral / Chemical Release	15 August	Successful
		Apogee: 97 kilometres (60 mi)^[9]
15 August	R-12		LKI1-6	Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	15 August	Successful^[19]
16 August	Polaris FTV-5			Cape Canaveral LC-3		US Navy

			USNSPO	Suborbital	REV test	16 August	Successful
		Apogee: 169 kilometres (105 mi), technology test for development of the UGM-27 Polaris; final flight of the Polaris FTV-5^[14]
19 August	Aerobee (unknown type)		USAF 83	Holloman LC-A		US Air Force

			AFCRC	Suborbital	Aeronomy	19 August	Successful
		Apogee: 178 kilometres (111 mi)^[8]
20 August 02:29:51	Aerobee (unknown type)		SM1.05	Churchill		US Army

		Grenades	SCEL / University of Michigan	Suborbital	Aeronomy	20 August	Successful
		Apogee: 88 kilometres (55 mi)^[8]
20 August	R-2			Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	20 August	Successful^[11]
20 August 16:50:04	Nike-Deacon		NN7.42F	San Nicolas		US Navy

			NRL	Suborbital	Solar UV / X-ray	20 August	Successful
		Apogee: 96 kilometres (60 mi)^[20]
21 August 12:25	R-7			Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	21 August	Successful
		First successful R-7 launch^[1]
21 August	Aerobee (unknown type)		USAF 84	Holloman LC-A		US Air Force

			AFCRC	Suborbital	Aeronomy	21 August	Successful^[8]
22 August	R-2			Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	22 August	Successful^[11]
23 August	R-2			Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	23 August	Successful^[11]
23 August 21:54:05	Nike-Cajun		RP6.X1	Churchill		University of Michigan / US Army

			BRL	Suborbital	Test flight	23 August	Successful
		Apogee: 114 kilometres (71 mi)^[20]
24 August 06:00	Nike-Cajun		SS6.38	Churchill		University of Michigan / US Army

			USASC	Suborbital	Aeronomy	24 August	Launch failure^[20]
25 August 02:23	R-2A			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			NIIAM	Suborbital	Ionospheric / Biological	25 August	Successful
		Apogee: 206 kilometres (128 mi)^[24]
25 August 02:29	Aerobee (unknown type)		SM2.05	Churchill		US Army

			SCEL / University of Michigan	Suborbital	Aeronomy	25 August	Successful
		Apogee: 51 kilometres (32 mi)^[8]
25 August 03:27	R-2A			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			RAS	Suborbital	Test flight	25 August	Successful
		Apogee: 208 kilometres (129 mi)^[24]
25 August 14:08:05	Aerobee (unknown type)		SM2.06	Churchill		US Army

		Grenades	SCEL / University of Michigan	Suborbital	Aeronomy	25 August	Successful
		Apogee: 130 kilometres (81 mi)^[8]
27 August	R-2			Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	27 August	Successful^[11]
27 August	R-2			Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	27 August	Successful^[11]
27 August	R-2			Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	27 August	Successful^[11]
27 August 15:54	Nike-Deacon		NN7.43F	San Nicolas		US Navy

			NRL	Suborbital	Solar UV / X-ray	27 August	Launch failure
		Apogee: 16 kilometres (9.9 mi)^[20]
28 August 04:15:03	Nike-Cajun		II6.22F	Churchill		University of Michigan

			University of Iowa	Suborbital	Auroral particles	28 August	Successful^[20]
28 August 20:21:40	Nike-Deacon		NN7.44F	San Nicolas		US Navy

			NRL	Suborbital	Solar UV / X-ray	28 August	Successful
		Apogee: 96 kilometres (60 mi)^[20]
28 August 21:02	SM-78 Jupiter			Cape Canaveral LC-26A		US Air Force

			ABMA	Suborbital	Missile test	28 August	Successful^[12]
29 August	R-12		LKI1-7	Kapustin Yar		MVS

			MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	29 August	Successful^[19]
29 August 21:12:25	Nike-Deacon		NN7.45F	San Nicolas		US Navy

			NRL	Suborbital	Solar UV / X-ray	29 August	Successful
		Apogee: 113 kilometres (70 mi)^[20]
30 August 20:10	XSM-75 Thor		104	Cape Canaveral LC-17A		US Air Force

			ARDC	Suborbital	Missile test	30 August	Launch failure
		Disintegrated 96 seconds after launch^[7]^[15]
31 August 04:57	Nike-Cajun		II6.23F	Churchill		University of Michigan / US Air Force

			University of Iowa	Suborbital	Auroral particles	31 August	Successful
		Apogee: 115 kilometres (71 mi)^[20]
31 August 05:30	R-2A			Kapustin Yar		OKB-1

			NIIAM	Suborbital	Ionospheric / Biological	31 August	Successful
		Apogee: 185 kilometres (115 mi)^[24]