1954 in spaceflight

After ten months of salvage, testing, and troubleshooting following the failed launch of Viking 10 on 30 June 1953, a successful static firing of the rebuilt rocket took place at the end of April 1954. Launch was scheduled for 4 May. Control issues revealed in the static firing as well as gusty, sand-laden winds caused a delay of three days. At 10:00 AM local time, Viking 10 blasted off from its pad at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, reaching an altitude of {{cvt|136|mi}}—a tie with the highest altitude ever reached by a first-generation Viking (Viking 7 on 7 August 1951). Data was received from the rocket for all stages of the flight, and its scientific package returned the first measurement of positive ion composition at high altitudes.{{cite book|author=Milton W. Rosen|title=The Viking Rocket Story|publisher=Harper & Brothers|location=New York|date=1955|pages=221–236|oclc=317524549}}

Viking 11, which was ready for erection on 5 May, also had a successful static test and was ready for launch, 24 May 1954. Again, the countdown went without hold, and Viking 11, the heaviest rocket yet in the series, was launched at 10:00 AM. Forty seconds into the flight, several puffs of smoke issued from the vehicle, but these accidental excitations of the rocket's roll jets did no harm. Viking 11 ultimately reached {{cvt|158|mi}} in altitude, a record for the series, snapping the highest altitude photographs of the Earth to date. Both Vikings 10 and 11 carried successful emulsions experiments, measuring cosmic rays at high altitudes.

Three more Viking flights were scheduled, one of which would fly in 1955, the other two later incorporated into the subsequent Project Vanguard.Ordway, Frederick I.; Wakeford, Ronald C. [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015011128397;view=1up;seq=216 International Missile and Spacecraft Guide] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706142248/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015011128397;view=1up;seq=216 |date=6 July 2022 }}, N.Y., McGraw-Hill, 1960, p. 208

For the third summer in a row, members of the State University of Iowa (SUI) physics department embarked 15 July 1954 on an Atlantic expedition to launch a series of balloon-launched Deacon rockets (rockoons), this time aboard the icebreaker, {{USS|Atka|AGB-3|6}}. Once again, a Naval Research Laboratory team accompanied them to launch their own rockoons. Beginning with the fourth SUI launch on 21 July 1954 off the northern tip of Labrador, eleven rockoon launches (seven of them successful) over a five-day period probed the heart of the auroral zone at high altitude. Each rockoon carried two geiger counters with different thicknesses of shielding; two of the flights determined that aurorae produced detectable "soft" (lower energy/penetrative) radiation.{{cite book|title=Opening Space Research|author=George Ludwig|publisher=geopress|location=Washington D.C.|date=2011|oclc=845256256|pages=36–37}}

By 1954, the array of Viking, Aerobee, V-2, Deacon Rockoon, and other high altitude sounding rocket flights had returned a bonanza of knowledge about the upper atmosphere. Previously, it had been believed that, at altitudes above {{cvt|20|mi}}, Earth's atmosphere was highly stratified and peaceful, an indefinite continuation of the stratosphere. Rocket research discovered winds, turbulence, and mixing up to heights of {{cvt|80|mi}}, and wind velocities of {{cvt|180|mph}} were measured {{cvt|125|mi}} above the Earth's surface. The density of the upper atmosphere was found to be thinner than expected: the estimated average distance an air atom or molecule must travel before colliding with another (mean free path) was refined to {{cvt|.5|mi}}. Ionized particles were discovered in what were previously thought to be distinct gaps between the E and F layers in the ionosphere.

Sounding rockets returned the first measurements of extraterrestrial X-rays, blocked from observation from the ground by the lower layers of the atmosphere. It was determined that these X-rays were one of the major producers of atmospheric ionization. Ultraviolet radiation was extensively observed as well as its contribution to the ozone layer. Solar radiation data determined that the Sun was hotter than had been calculated from strictly earthbound measurements. Cosmic rays were found to consist mainly of protons, alpha particles, and heavier atomic nuclei; the range of measured elements extended to iron, with greater abundance in even mass numbered elements.

On February 1, 1954,{{cite book|title=Atlas The Story of a Missile|author=John L. Chapman|publisher=Harper & Brothers|location=New York|date=1960|pages=73–77|oclc=492591218}} the Strategic Missiles Evaluation Committee or 'Teapot Committee', comprising eleven of the top scientists and engineers in the country, issued a report recommending prioritization of the development of the Atlas, the nation's first ICBM. Trevor Gardner, special assistant for research and development to Secretary of the Air Force, Harold Talbott, selected Ramo Wooldridge (R-W) to handle the systems engineering and technical direction for the entire project, a considerable expansion of duties for the year-old company, which had hitherto been contracted by the Air Force to advise and perform research.{{cite book|title=TRW: Pioneering Technology and Innovation since 1900|author=Davis Dyer|publisher=Harvard Business School Press|location=Boston, MA|date=1998|oclc=1064465832}}{{rp|178–9}} From spring 1954 through the end of the year, R-W's work was confined to the evaluation of the project and the accumulation of personnel to handle development of the ICBM.{{rp|185}} Convair, which had been developing the Atlas for the prior eight years, remained the manufacturer of the missile proper.

The public first became aware of the Atlas project with the publication of the 8 March 1954 issue of Aviation Weekly, in which appeared the short item: "Convair is developing a long range ballistic missile known as the Atlas. Its development was begun in the era when Floyd Odlum's Atlas Corp. was the controlling stockholder in Convair."

Before the Teapot commission had determined the likely weight of a thermonuclear payload, the Atlas specification had called for a missile {{cvt|90|feet}} long and {{cvt|10|feet}} wide, carrying five rocket engines, and a full-scale wooden model as well as a metal test example of the tank were built in 1954. By the time the design was frozen at the end of the year, the specifications had been downscaled to {{cvt|75|feet}} long, retaining the same width, and the number of engines was reduced to three.

File:Proj orbiter 17mar54 dc 01.jpg

By 1954, there was growing consensus in the United States that rocket technology had evolved to the point the launch of an Earth orbiting satellite was becoming feasible. A 16 March meeting in Washington D.C. involving several of the nation's leading space specialists was arranged by past president of the American Rocket Society Frederick C. Durant III. They included Fred Singer, proposer of the "MOUSE" (Minimum Orbiting Unmanned Satellite of the Earth), rocket scientist Wernher von Braun, David Young of the Army Ballistic Missile Agency, Commander George Hoover and Alexander Satin of the Air Branch of the Office of Naval Research (ONR), and noted astronomer, Fred Whipple. They determined that a slightly modified Redstone (a {{convert|200|miles}} range surface-to-surface missile developed the prior year){{cite web|url=https://history.redstone.army.mil/ihist-1953.html|title=Installation History 1953 - 1955|publisher=U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Life Cycle Management Command|date=2017|access-date=1 February 2021|archive-date=2 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202195242/https://history.redstone.army.mil/ihist-1953.html|url-status=live}} combined with upper stages employing 31 Loki solid-propellant rockets could put a {{cvt|5|lb}} satellite into orbit, which could be tracked optically.{{cite book|title=Vanguard — a History|author=Constance Green and Milton Lomask|publisher=National Aeronautics and Space Administration|location=Washington D.C.|date=1970|id=SP-4202|isbn=978-1-97353-209-5|oclc=747307569|pages=17–18|url=https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/SP-4202/begin.html|access-date=21 February 2021|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303213422/http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/SP-4202/begin.html|url-status=live}}

Whipple approached the National Science Foundation (NSF) to sponsor a conference for further study of the idea, particularly to develop instrumentation for a satellite. The NSF took no immediate action. Hoover, however, was able to secure interest from the ONR, and by November 1954, a satellite-launching plan had been developed. Dubbed Project Orbiter, the "no-cost satellite" would be built largely from existing hardware; the Army would design and construct the booster system (using Redstone and Loki) while the Navy would handle creation of the satellite, tracking facilities, and the acquisition and analysis of data. By the end of the year, ONR had let $60,000 in three contracts for feasibility studies and initial design.

The R-5 missile, able to carry the same {{convert|1000|kg}} payload as the R-1 and R-2 but over a distance of {{convert|1200|km}}{{cite book|author=Boris Chertok|title=Rockets and People, Volume II: Creating a Rocket Industry|publisher=NASA|location=Washington D.C.|date=June 2006|oclc=946818748}}{{rp|242}} underwent its third series of test launches, beginning 12 August 1954 and continuing through 7 February 1955. These tests confirmed the soundness of the design and cleared the way for nuclear and sounding rocket variants.{{cite book|url=https://history.nasa.gov/SP-4408pt1.pdf|title=Challenge to Apollo: The Soviet Union and the Space Race, 1945-1974|author=Asif A. Siddiqi|publisher=NASA|location=Washington D.C.|oclc=1001823253|access-date=21 February 2021|archive-date=16 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080916023444/https://history.nasa.gov/SP-4408pt1.pdf|url-status=live}}{{rp|120, 138}}

Paralleling developments in the United States, 1954 marked the authorization of the R-7 Semyorka ICBM (on 20 May). Mikhail Tikhonravov, whose team at had completed the ICBM studies that formed the conceptual framework for the R-7, on 27 May, at the urging of OKB-1 Chief Designer Sergei Korolev, submitted a memorandum entitled, "A Report on an Artificial Satellite of the Earth" to Deputy Minister of Medium Machine Building Vasiliy Rabikov and Georgiy Pashkov, Rabikov's department chief in charge of missiles. This memorandum, containing summaries of both Soviet research of recent years as well as translations of Western articles on satellites, served as the catalyst for the Soviet satellite program.{{rp|139–144}}

{{TLS-M|1954|jan=off}}

{{TLS-H2|no-cubesat=yes|date-width=15em|caption={{sronly|February launches}}}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 2 February |time = 18:35

|rocket = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}Aerobee RTV-N-10

|flight = NRL 20

|site = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}White Sands LC-35

|LSP = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}US Navy

|remarks = Apogee: {{convert|101|km}}{{cite web |last1=McDowell |first1=Jonathan C. |title=General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects, Launches, Aerobee |url=https://planet4589.org/space/gcat/data/launch/AerobeeB.html |website=Jonathan's Space Report |access-date=5 December 2022 |archive-date=2 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202195027/https://planet4589.org/space/gcat/data/launch/AerobeeB.html |url-status=live }}

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = NRL

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Solar UV

|d-date = 2 February

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 20 February

|rocket = {{flagicon|FRA}}Véronique-NA{{cite web|url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau_fam/veronique.htm|title=Veronique Family|author=Gunter Krebs|access-date=19 October 2021|publisher=Gunter's Space Page|archive-date=30 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630193153/https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau_fam/veronique.htm|url-status=live}}

|site = {{flagicon|FRA}}Hammaguir Bechar

|LSP = {{flagicon|FRA}}LRBA

|remarks = Apogee: {{convert|29|km}}, maiden flight of the Véronique-NA{{cite web|url=http://www.astronautix.com/v/veronique.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107051429/http://www.astronautix.com/v/veronique.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 November 2016|title=Veronique|last=Wade|first=Mark|access-date=19 October 2021}}

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = LRBA

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Test flight

|d-date = 20 February

|outcome = Launch failure

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 21 February

|rocket = {{flagicon|FRA}}Véronique-NA

|site = {{flagicon|FRA}}Hammaguir Bechar

|LSP = {{flagicon|FRA}}LRBA

|remarks = Apogee: {{convert|135|km}}, first French spaceflight

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = LRBA

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Test flight

|d-date = 21 February

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

|}

{{TLS-H2|no-cubesat=yes|date-width=15em|caption={{sronly|March launches}}}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 11 March

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-1

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks =

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 11 March

|outcome = Successful{{cite web|url=http://www.astronautix.com/r/r-18a11.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228003429/http://astronautix.com/r/r-18a11.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 December 2016|title=R-1 8A11|last=Wade|first=Mark|access-date=7 January 2021}}

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 16 March

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-1

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks =

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 16 March

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 16 March

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-1

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks =

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 16 March

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 20 March

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-1

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks =

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 20 March

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

|}

{{TLS-H2|no-cubesat=yes|date-width=15em|caption={{sronly|April launches}}}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 9 April |time = 21:12

|rocket = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}Aerobee RTV-N-10

|flight = NRL 18

|site = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}White Sands LC-35

|LSP = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}US Navy

|remarks = Apogee: {{convert|143|km}}

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = NRL

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Spectrometry

|d-date = 9 April

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 10 April |time = 09:00

|rocket = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}Aerobee RTV-N-10

|flight = NRL 19

|site = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}White Sands LC-35

|LSP = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}US Navy

|remarks = Apogee: {{convert|5|km}}

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = NRL

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Spectrometry

|d-date = 10 April

|outcome = Launch Failure

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 23 April

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-1

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks =

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 23 April

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 24 April

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-1

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks =

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 24 April

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 26 April

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-1

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks =

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 26 April

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 29 April

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-1

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks =

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 29 April

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

|}

{{TLS-H2|no-cubesat=yes|date-width=15em|caption={{sronly|May launches}}}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = May

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-2

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks = First of ten production missile test launches, eight of which were successful{{cite web|url=http://www.astronautix.com/r/r-2.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820191943/http://www.astronautix.com/r/r-2.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 August 2016|title=R-2|last=Wade|first=Mark|access-date=21 October 2021}}

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = Same Day

|outcome =

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = May

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-2

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks = Second of ten production missile test launches, eight of which were successful

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = Same Day

|outcome =

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = May

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-2

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks = Third of ten production missile test launches, eight of which were successful

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = Same Day

|outcome =

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = May

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-2

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks = Fourth of ten production missile test launches, eight of which were successful

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = Same Day

|outcome =

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = May

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-2

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks = Fifth of ten production missile test launches, eight of which were successful

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = Same Day

|outcome =

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = May

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-2

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks = Sixth of ten production missile test launches, eight of which were successful

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = Same Day

|outcome =

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = May

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-2

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks = Seventh of ten production missile test launches, eight of which were successful

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = Same Day

|outcome =

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = May

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-2

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks = Eighth of ten production missile test launches, eight of which were successful

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = Same Day

|outcome =

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = May

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-2

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks = Ninth of ten production missile test launches, eight of which were successful

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = Same Day

|outcome =

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = May

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-2

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks = Tenth of ten production missile test launches, eight of which were successful

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = Same Day

|outcome =

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 3 May

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-1

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks =

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 3 May

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 4 May

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-1

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks =

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 4 May

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 4 May

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-1

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks =

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 4 May

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 7 May

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-1

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks =

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 7 May

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 7 May |time = 17:00

|rocket = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}Viking (second model)

|site = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}White Sands LC-33

|LSP = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}US Navy

|remarks = Apogee: {{convert|219|km}}{{cite web|url=http://www.astronautix.com/v/vikingsoundingrocket.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228051243/http://astronautix.com/v/vikingsoundingrocket.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 December 2016|title=Viking Sounding Rocket|last=Wade|first=Mark|access-date=21 October 2021}}

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|name = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}Viking 10

|user = NRL

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Ionospheric / Aeronomy

|d-date = 7 May

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 11 May |time = 15:00

|rocket = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}Aerobee RTV-A-1a

|flight = USAF 46

|site = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}Holloman LC-A

|LSP = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}US Air Force

|remarks = Apogee: {{convert|98|km}}{{cite book |author=Charles P. Smith Jr. |date=April 1958 |title=Naval Research Laboratory Report No. 4276: Upper Atmosphere Research Report No. XXI, Summary of Upper Atmosphere Rocket Research Firings |url=https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/citations/ADB957191 |format=pdf |location=Washington D.C. |publisher=Naval Research Laboratory |access-date=5 December 2022 |archive-date=2 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202195019/https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/citations/ADB957191 |url-status=live }}{{rp|135–136}}

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = AFCRC

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Beacon test

|d-date = 11 May

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 21 May

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-1

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks =

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 21 May

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 24 May |time = 17:00

|rocket = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}Viking (second model)

|site = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}White Sands LC-33

|LSP = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}US Navy

|remarks = Apogee: {{convert|254|km}}

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|name = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}Viking 11

|user = NRL

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = REV test / Photography

|d-date = 24 May

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 26 May |time = 14:24

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}A-1

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks = Apogee: {{convert|106|km}}, maiden flight of the A-1{{cite web|first=Mark|last=Wade|title=A-1 (R-1)|url=http://www.astronautix.com/a/a-1r-1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227211956/http://astronautix.com/a/a-1r-1.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 December 2016|publisher=astronautix.com|access-date=21 October 2021}}

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = MVS

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Ionospheric

|d-date = 26 May

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

|}

{{TLS-H2|no-cubesat=yes|date-width=15em|caption={{sronly|June launches}}}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 2 June |time = 16:10

|rocket = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}Aerobee RTV-A-1a

|flight = USAF 47

|site = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}Holloman LC-A

|LSP = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}US Air Force

|remarks = Apogee: {{convert|93|km}}{{rp|137–138}}

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = AFCRC / University of Colorado

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Solar UV

|d-date = 2 June

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 8 June

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-2

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks =

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 8 June

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 9 June

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-2

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks =

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 9 June

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 11 June

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-1

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks =

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 11 June

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 12 June

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-1

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks =

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 12 June

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 14 June

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-1

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks =

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 14 June

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 26 June |time = 13:24

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-1D

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks = Apogee: {{convert|106|km}}, maiden flight of R-1D{{cite web|first=Mark|last=Wade|url=http://www.astronautix.com/r/r-1d.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227201532/http://astronautix.com/r/r-1d.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 December 2016|title=R1-D|publisher=astronautix.com|access-date=21 October 2021}}

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Biology / Ionosphere / Aeronomy

|d-date = 26 June

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

|}

{{TLS-H2|no-cubesat=yes|date-width=15em|caption={{sronly|July launches}}}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 2 July

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-1D

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks = Payload, instruments, left and right animal containers all recovered. Smoke container failed. Carried dogs Lyza and Ryjik.

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Biology / Ionosphere / Aeronomy

|d-date = 2 July

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 7 July

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-1D

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks = Final flight of the R-1D

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Biology / Ionosphere / Aeronomy

|d-date = 7 July

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 14 July |time = 13:55

|rocket = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}Aerobee RTV-A-1a

|flight = USAF 48

|site = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}Holloman LC-A

|LSP = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}US Air Force

|remarks = Apogee: {{convert|92|km}}{{rp|139–140}}

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = AFCRC / University of Michigan

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Aeronomy

|d-date = 14 July

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 16 July |time = 12:13

|rocket = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}Deacon Rockoon

|flight = SUI 24

|site = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}{{USS|Atka|AGB-3|6}},{{cite web |title=Atka (AGB-3) |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/a/atka.html |website=Naval History and Heritage Command |publisher=US Navy |access-date=21 October 2021 |archive-date=9 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170509191106/https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/a/atka.html |url-status=live }} Atlantic Ocean, {{convert|360|km}} east of Boston

|LSP = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}US Navy

|remarks = Apogee: {{convert|11|km}}

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = University of Iowa

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Ionospheric / Aeronomy

|d-date = 16 July

|outcome = Launch failure{{cite web|url=http://www.astronautix.com/d/deaconrockoon.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228054352/http://astronautix.com/d/deaconrockoon.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 December 2016|title=Deacon Rockoon|last=Wade|first=Mark|access-date=21 October 2021}}

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 16 July |time = 21:58

|rocket = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}Deacon Rockoon

|flight = SUI 25

|site = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}USS Atka, Atlantic Ocean, {{convert|360|km}} east of Boston

|LSP = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}US Navy

|remarks = Apogee: {{convert|11|km}}

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = University of Iowa

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Ionospheric / Aeronomy

|d-date = 16 July

|outcome = Launch failure

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 19 July |time = 16:00

|rocket = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}Deacon Rockoon

|flight = NRL Rockoon 7

|site = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}USS Atka, Labrador Sea

|LSP = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}US Navy

|remarks = Apogee: {{convert|88|km}}

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = NRL

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Aeronomy

|d-date = 19 July

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 19 July |time = 20:30

|rocket = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}Deacon Rockoon

|flight = SUI 26

|site = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}USS Atka, Labrador Sea

|LSP = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}US Navy

|remarks = Apogee: {{convert|43|km}}

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = University of Iowa

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Ionospheric / Aeronomy

|d-date = 19 July

|outcome = Spacecraft failure

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 20 July |time = 02:55

|rocket = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}Deacon Rockoon

|flight = NRL Rockoon 8

|site = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}USS Atka, Labrador Sea

|LSP = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}US Navy

|remarks = Apogee: {{convert|90|km}}

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = NRL

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Ionospheric / Aeronomy

|d-date = 20 July

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 21 July |time = 09:03

|rocket = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}Deacon Rockoon

|flight = SUI 27

|site = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}USS Atka, Labrador Sea

|LSP = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}US Navy

|remarks = Apogee: {{convert|60|km}}; first in series of 11 SUI flights, 7 of which were successful

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = University of Iowa

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Ionospheric / Aeronomy

|d-date = 21 July

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 21 July |time = 12:45

|rocket = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}Deacon Rockoon

|flight = SUI 28

|site = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}USS Atka, Labrador Sea

|LSP = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}US Navy

|remarks = Apogee: {{convert|90|km}}; second in series of 11 SUI flights, 7 of which were successful

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = University of Iowa

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Ionospheric / Aeronomy

|d-date = 21 July

|outcome =

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 21 July |time = 20:49

|rocket = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}Deacon Rockoon

|flight = SUI 29

|site = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}USS Atka, Labrador Sea

|LSP = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}US Navy

|remarks = Apogee: {{convert|40|km}}; third in series of 11 SUI flights, 7 of which were successful

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = University of Iowa

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Ionospheric / Aeronomy

|d-date = 21 July

|outcome = Launch failure

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 22 July

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-2

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks =

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 22 July

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 23 July |time = 14:46

|rocket = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}Deacon Rockoon

|flight = SUI 30

|site = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}USS Atka, Labrador Sea

|LSP = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}US Navy

|remarks = Apogee: {{convert|90|km}}; fourth in series of 11 SUI flights, 7 of which were successful

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = University of Iowa

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Ionospheric / Aeronomy

|d-date = 23 July

|outcome =

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 23 July |time = 17:09

|rocket = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}Deacon Rockoon

|flight = NRL Rockoon 9

|site = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}USS Atka, Labrador Sea

|LSP = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}US Navy

|remarks = Apogee: {{convert|90|km}}

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = Naval Research Laboratory

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Ionospheric / Aeronomy

|d-date = 23 July

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 23 July |time = 17:54

|rocket = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}Deacon Rockoon

|flight = SUI 31

|site = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}USS Atka, Labrador Sea

|LSP = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}US Navy

|remarks = Apogee: {{convert|90|km}}; fifth in series of 11 SUI flights, 7 of which were successful

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = University of Iowa

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Ionospheric / Aeronomy

|d-date = 23 July

|outcome =

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 23 July |time = 19:37

|rocket = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}Deacon Rockoon

|flight = SUI 32

|site = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}USS Atka, Labrador Sea

|LSP = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}US Navy

|remarks = Apogee: {{convert|23|km}}; sixth in series of 11 SUI flights, 7 of which were successful

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = University of Iowa

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Ionospheric / Aeronomy

|d-date = 23 July

|outcome = Launch failure

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 24 July |time = 08:57

|rocket = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}Deacon Rockoon

|flight = SUI 33

|site = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}USS Atka, Labrador Sea

|LSP = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}US Navy

|remarks = Apogee: {{convert|90|km}}; seventh in series of 11 SUI flights, 7 of which were successful

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = University of Iowa

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Ionospheric / Aeronomy

|d-date = 24 July

|outcome =

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 24 July |time = 13:16

|rocket = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}Deacon Rockoon

|flight = SUI 34

|site = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}USS Atka, Labrador Sea

|LSP = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}US Navy

|remarks = Apogee: {{convert|90|km}}; eighth in series of 11 SUI flights, 7 of which were successful

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = University of Iowa

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Ionospheric / Aeronomy

|d-date = 24 July

|outcome =

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 25 July |time = 06:51

|rocket = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}Deacon Rockoon

|flight = SUI 35

|site = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}USS Atka, Labrador Sea

|LSP = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}US Navy

|remarks = Apogee: {{convert|90|km}}; ninth in series of 11 SUI flights, 7 of which were successful

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = University of Iowa

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Ionospheric / Aeronomy

|d-date = 25 July

|outcome =

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 25 July |time = 12:36

|rocket = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}Deacon Rockoon

|flight = SUI 36

|site = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}USS Atka, Labrador Sea

|LSP = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}US Navy

|remarks = Apogee: {{convert|90|km}}; tenth in series of 11 SUI flights, 7 of which were successful

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = University of Iowa

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Ionospheric / Aeronomy

|d-date = 25 July

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 25 July |time = 15:30

|rocket = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}Deacon Rockoon

|flight = SUI 37

|site = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}USS Atka, Labrador Sea

|LSP = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}US Navy

|remarks = Apogee: {{convert|90|km}}; eleventh in series of 11 SUI flights, 7 of which were successful

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = University of Iowa

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Ionospheric / Aeronomy

|d-date = 25 July

|outcome =

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 25 July |time = 18:45

|rocket = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}Deacon Rockoon

|flight = NRL Rockoon 10

|site = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}USS Atka, Labrador Sea

|LSP = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}US Navy

|remarks = Apogee: {{convert|85|km}}

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = Naval Research Laboratory

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Aeronomy

|d-date = 25 July

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 26 July |time = 00:29

|rocket = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}Deacon Rockoon

|flight = NRL Rockoon 11

|site = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}USS Atka, Labrador Sea

|LSP = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}US Navy

|remarks = Apogee: {{convert|10|km}}

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = NRL

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Ionospheric / Aeronomy

|d-date = 26 July

|outcome = Launch failure

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 26 July |time = 11:02

|rocket = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}Deacon Rockoon

|flight = NRL Rockoon 12

|site = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}USS Atka, southern Davis Strait

|LSP = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}US Navy

|remarks = Apogee: {{convert|90|km}}

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = NRL

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Ionospheric / Aeronomy

|d-date = 26 July

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

|}

{{TLS-H2|no-cubesat=yes|date-width=15em|caption={{sronly|August launches}}}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 2 August

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-1

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks =

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 2 August

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 11 August |time = 17:25

|rocket = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}Aerobee RTV-A-1a

|flight = USAF 49

|site = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}Holloman LC-A

|LSP = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}US Air Force

|remarks = Apogee: {{convert|92|km}}{{rp|141–142}}

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = AFCRC / University of Utah

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Ionospheric

|d-date = 11 August

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 12 August

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-5

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks = First flight of range test series{{cite web|url=http://sdfo.org/stl/R-5%20Launches%201953-1959.docx|title=R-5 Launches 1953-1959|author=Asif Siddiqi|access-date=22 October 2021|date=2021|archive-date=2 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202195251/https://sdfo.org/stl/R-5%20Launches%201953-1959.docx|url-status=live}}

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 12 August

|outcome = Partial failure

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 17 August

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-5

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks =

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 17 August

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 19 August

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-5

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks =

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 19 August

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 24 August

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-5

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks =

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 24 August

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 25 August

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-5

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks =

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 25 August

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 27 August

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-1

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks =

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 27 August

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 27 August

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-1

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks =

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 27 August

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

|}

{{TLS-H2|no-cubesat=yes|date-width=15em|caption={{sronly|September launches}}}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 5 September

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-5

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks =

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 5 September

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 8 September

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-5

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks =

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 8 September

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 17 September |time = 14:31

|rocket = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}Aerobee RTV-A-1a

|flight = USAF 50

|site = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}Holloman LC-A

|LSP = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}US Air Force

|remarks = Apogee: {{convert|94.6|km}}{{rp|143–144}}

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = AFCRC / University of Rhode Island

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Solar UV

|d-date = 17 September

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 30 September

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-2

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks =

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 30 September

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

|}

{{TLS-H2|no-cubesat=yes|date-width=15em|caption={{sronly|October launches}}}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 1 October

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-2

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks =

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 1 October

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 5 October

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-2

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks =

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 5 October

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 5 October |time = 18:15

|rocket = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}Aerobee RTV-N-10b

|site = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}White Sands LC-35

|LSP = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}US Navy

|remarks = Apogee: {{convert|158|km}}; maiden (and only) flight of the RTV-N-10b; returned first images of a complete hurricane{{Cite web |url=http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/Timeline/1950-54.html |title=NASA History Office - Aeronautics and Astronautics Chronology, 1950-1954 |access-date=19 November 2007 |archive-date=14 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714112807/https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/Timeline/1950-54.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://photolib.noaa.gov/Collections/NOAA-In-Space/Other/emodule/890/eitem/45014 | title=View of tropical cyclone centered near del Rio, Texas. This picture showed thepromise of satellite monitoring of weather. The picture was made from moviecameras mounted in a Navy Aerobee rocket fired from White Sands Proving Ground.Operational Use }}

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = NRL

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Remote sensing

|d-date = 5 October

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 9 October

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-5

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks = Airborne destruction of warhead

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 9 October

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 14 October |time = 21:20

|rocket = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}Nike-Nike-T40-T55

|site = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}Wallops Island

|LSP = {{flagicon|USA|1912}}NACA

|remarks = Apogee: {{convert|352|km}}, maiden flight of the Nike-Nike-T40-T55{{cite web |last=Wade |first=Mark |title=Nike Nike T40 T55 |url=http://www.astronautix.com/n/nikeniket40t55.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228053029/http://astronautix.com/n/nikeniket40t55.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 December 2016 |access-date=31 October 2021}}

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = NACA

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Hypersonic research

|d-date = 14 October

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 16 October

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-2

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks =

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 16 October

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 17 October

|rocket = {{flagicon|FRA}}Véronique-NA

|site = {{flagicon|FRA}}Hammaguir Bechar

|LSP = {{flagicon|FRA}}LRBA

|remarks = Apogee: {{convert|39|km}}

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = LRBA

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Ionospheric

|d-date = 17 October

|outcome = Launch failure

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 19 October

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-5

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks = End of range test series

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 19 October

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 29 October

|rocket = {{flagicon|FRA}}Véronique-NA

|site = {{flagicon|FRA}}Hammaguir Bechar

|LSP = {{flagicon|FRA}}LRBA

|remarks = Apogee: {{convert|90|km}}; final flight of the Véronique-NA

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = LRBA

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Test flight

|d-date = 29 October

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 30 October

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-1

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks =

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 30 October

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

|}

{{TLS-H2|no-cubesat=yes|date-width=15em|caption={{sronly|November launches}}}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 27 November

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-2

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks =

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 27 November

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 30 November

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-1

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks =

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 30 November

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

|}

{{TLS-H2|no-cubesat=yes|date-width=15em|caption={{sronly|December launches}}}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 1 December

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-1

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks =

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 1 December

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 1 December

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-2

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks =

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 1 December

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 6 December

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-2

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks =

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 6 December

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 9 December

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-2

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks =

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 9 December

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 23 December

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-2

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks =

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 23 December

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 25 December

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-2

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks =

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 25 December

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

{{TLS-RL

|date = 30 December

|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}R-5

|site = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}Kapustin Yar

|LSP = {{flagicon|USSR|1936}}OKB-1

|remarks = Start of validity test series

|payload = {{TLS-PL

|user = OKB-1

|orbit = Suborbital

|function = Missile test

|d-date = 30 December

|outcome = Successful

}}

}}

|}

{{TLS-M|1954|jan=off}}

{{Pie chart

| radius = 120

| legend = false

| thumb = left

| [

{"value":610, "color":"#A52A2A", "label": "Soviet Union: 59 (62.11%)"},

{"value":320, "color":"#484785", "label": "United States: 32 (33.68%) "},

{"value":40, "color":"#318CE7", "label": "France: 4 (4.21%) "},

]

}}

{{clear}}

{{ #invoke:Chart | bar chart

| float = center

| width = 850

| height = 400

| stack = 1

| group 1 = 2:0:0:0:0:0:0:0

| group 2 = 0:3:0:0:0:0:0:0

| group 3 = 0:1:0:0:0:0:0:0

| group 4 = 0:5:0:0:0:0:0:0

| group 5 = 0:0:14:0:0:0:0:0

| group 6 = 0:0:6:0:0:0:0:0

| group 7 = 0:0:0:1:0:0:0:0

| group 8 = 0:0:0:0:22:0:0:0

| group 9 = 0:0:0:0:1:0:0:0

| group 10 = 0:0:0:0:3:0:0:0

| group 11 = 0:0:0:0:0:23:0:0

| group 12 = 0:0:0:0:0:0:10:0

| group 13 = 0:0:0:0:0:0:0:4

| colors = blue

: #363663 : #5b59a6

: #1e85ae

: #80daeb : #00cccc

: #00bfff

: #7a1f1f : #cb3434 : #e08585

: #ff7700

: #665000

: #318ce7

| group names = Viking (second model)

: Aerobee RTV-N-10

: Aerobee RTV-N-10b

: Aerobee RTV-A-1a

: Deacon rockoon (SUI)

: Deacon rockoon (NRL)

: Nike-Nike-T40-T55

: R-1

: A-1

: R-1D

: R-2

: R-5

: Véronique-NA

| x legends = Viking : Aerobee : Deacon rockoon : Nike : R-1 : R-2 : R-5 : Véronique

| units suffix = _launches

| y tick marks = 5

}}

• Timeline of spaceflight

{{TLS-R}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{TLS-L|year=1954|nav=on}}

Category:1954 in spaceflight

Category:Spaceflight by year