August 4 in Space History

26 events

1. 1961 65 years ago launch failure

   Discoverer 28 — launch

   Category: Launches and Flight Tests

   Mission: Discoverer 28

   Thor Agena B launched on the Discoverer 28 flight from Vandenberg AFB, California, pad 75-1-1. Launch failure.

   • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

2. 1966 60 years ago launch

   OV3-3 — launch

   Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

   Mission: OV3-3

   • Space transportation

   Scout B launched on the OV3-3 flight from South Vandenberg AFB, California, pad SLC5. Launch vehicle success.

   • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

3. 1976 50 years ago launch

   Kosmos-847 — launch

   Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

   Mission: Kosmos-847

   • Space transportation

   Soyuz-U launched on the Kosmos-847 flight from 53-y Nauchno-Issledovatelskiy Ispitatelniy Poligon, pad LC43/4. Launch vehicle success.

   • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

4. 1977 49 years ago launch failure

   TKS VA No. 009A/P — launch

   Category: Launches and Flight Tests

   Mission: TKS VA No. 009A/P

   Proton-K launched on the TKS VA No. 009A/P flight from NIIP-5, Baykonur, Kazakstan, pad LC81/24. Launch failure.

   • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

5. 1981 45 years ago launch

   Kosmos-1285 — launch

   Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

   Mission: Kosmos-1285

   • Space transportation

   Molniya 8K78M (2BL) launched on the Kosmos-1285 flight from 53-y Nauchno-Issledovatelskiy Ispitatelniy Poligon, pad LC16/2. Launch vehicle success.

   • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

6. 1981 45 years ago launch

   Kosmos-1286 — launch

   Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

   Mission: Kosmos-1286

   • Space transportation

   Tsiklon-2 launched on the Kosmos-1286 flight from NIIP-5, Baykonur, Kazakstan, pad LC90. Launch vehicle success.

   • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

7. 1982 44 years ago launch

   Kosmos-1399 — launch

   Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

   Mission: Kosmos-1399

   • Space transportation

   Soyuz-U launched on the Kosmos-1399 flight from NIIP-5, Baykonur, Kazakstan, pad LC31. Launch vehicle success.

   • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

8. 1984 42 years ago launch

   ECS 2/Telecom 1A — launch

   Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

   Mission: ECS 2/Telecom 1A

   • Space transportation

   Ariane 3 launched on the ECS 2/Telecom 1A flight from Centre Spatial Guyanais, Kourou, Guyane Francaise, pad ELA1. Launch vehicle success.

   • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

9. 1986 40 years ago launch

   Kosmos-1769 — launch

   Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

   Mission: Kosmos-1769

   • Space transportation

   Tsiklon-2 launched on the Kosmos-1769 flight from NIIP-5, Baykonur, Kazakstan, pad LC90. Launch vehicle success.

   • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

10. 1993 33 years ago launch

    Molniya-3 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Molniya-3

    • Space transportation

    Molniya 8K78M (ML) launched on the Molniya-3 flight from GNIIP, VKS section, Plesetsk, Rossiya, pad LC43/3. Launch vehicle success.

    • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

11. 2004 22 years ago launch

    Amazonas — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Amazonas

    • Space transportation

    Proton-M/Briz-M (I) launched on the Amazonas flight from GIK-5, Baykonur, Kazakstan, pad LC200/39. Launch vehicle success.

    • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

12. 2006 20 years ago launch

    Hot Bird 8 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Hot Bird 8

    • Space transportation

    Proton-M/Briz-M (I) launched on the Hot Bird 8 flight from GIK-5, Baykonur, Kazakstan, pad LC200/39. Launch vehicle success.

    • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

13. 2007 19 years ago launch

    Mars Phoenix — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Mars Phoenix

    • Space transportation

    Phoenix was an uncrewed space probe that landed on the surface of Mars on May 25, 2008, and operated until November 2, 2008.

    • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)
    • Wikipedia — Phoenix (opens in a new tab) — Adapted from Wikipedia contributors; selected sentences retained and edited for length, reference markers and pronunciation glosses. CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ Article and edit history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenix_(spacecraft) (CC BY-SA 4.0)
    • Timeline of Space Exploration Missions 1957 to 2031 (opens in a new tab)
    • NASA — Phoenix (opens in a new tab)
    • NASA NSSDCA — Phoenix (opens in a new tab)

14. 2010 16 years ago launch

    Nilesat 201/Rascom — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Nilesat 201/Rascom

    • Space transportation

    Ariane 5ECA launched on the Nilesat 201/Rascom flight from Centre Spatial Guyanais, Kourou, Guyane Francaise, pad ELA3. Launch vehicle success.

    • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

15. 2021 5 years ago launch

    KL-Beta A,B — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: KL-Beta A,B

    • Space transportation

    Chang Zheng 6 launched on the KL-Beta A,B flight from Taiyuan weixing fashe zhongxin, pad LC16. Launch vehicle success.

    • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

16. 2022 4 years ago launch

    Guomang — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Guomang

    • Space transportation

    Chang Zheng 4B launched on the Guomang flight from Taiyuan weixing fashe zhongxin, pad LC9. Launch vehicle success.

    • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

17. 2022 4 years ago launch

    Antipodean Adventure — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Antipodean Adventure

    • Space transportation

    Electron launched on the Antipodean Adventure flight from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Onenui Station, Mahia Peninsula, pad LC1B. Launch vehicle success.

    • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

18. 2022 4 years ago launch

    SBIRS GEO-6 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: SBIRS GEO-6

    • Space transportation

    Atlas V 421 (G1) launched on the SBIRS GEO-6 flight from Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida, pad SLC41. Launch vehicle success.

    • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

19. 2022 4 years ago launch

    CSSHQ — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: CSSHQ

    • Space transportation

    Chang Zheng 2F (T) launched on the CSSHQ flight from Jiuquan Space Center, Nei Monggol Zizhiqu, China, pad LC43/91. Launch vehicle success.

    • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

20. 2022 4 years ago launch

    Danuri — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Danuri

    • Space transportation

    The Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (KPLO), officially Danuri, is South Korea's first lunar mission.

    • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)
    • Wikipedia — Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (Danuri) (opens in a new tab) — Adapted from Wikipedia contributors; selected sentences retained and edited for length, reference markers and pronunciation glosses. CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ Article and edit history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korea_Pathfinder_Lunar_Orbiter (CC BY-SA 4.0)
    • Timeline of Space Exploration Missions 1957 to 2031 (opens in a new tab)
    • NASA — Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (Danuri) (opens in a new tab)
    • NASA NSSDCA — Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (Danuri) (opens in a new tab)

21. 2024 2 years ago launch

    Starlink-186 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Starlink-186

    • Space transportation

    Falcon 9 (FT5) launched on the Starlink-186 flight from South Base, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, pad SLC4E. Launch vehicle success.

    • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

22. 2024 2 years ago launch

    Cygnus NG-21 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Cygnus NG-21

    • Space transportation

    Falcon 9 (FT5) launched on the Cygnus NG-21 flight from Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida, pad LC40. Launch vehicle success.

    • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

23. 2025 1 year ago launch

    Starlink-291 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Starlink-291

    • Space transportation

    Falcon 9 (FT5) launched on the Starlink-291 flight from Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida, pad LC40. Launch vehicle success.

    • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

24. 2025 1 year ago launch

    WHDW 07 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: WHDW 07

    • Space transportation

    Chang Zheng 12 launched on the WHDW 07 flight from Hainan Shangye Hangtian Fashe Chang (Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site), pad LC2. Launch vehicle success.

    • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

25. 2026 launch

    WHDW 23 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: WHDW 23

    • Space transportation

    Chang Zheng 8A launched on the WHDW 23 flight from Hainan Shangye Hangtian Fashe Chang (Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site), pad LC1. Launch vehicle success.

    • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

26. 2026 launch

    Starlink-414 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Starlink-414

    • Space transportation

    Falcon 9 (FT5) launched on the Starlink-414 flight from South Base, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, pad SLC4E. Launch vehicle success.

    • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)