September 29 in Space History

26 events

1. 1949 77 years ago solar science

   Rocket experiment detects solar X-rays

   A Naval Research Laboratory detector on a V-2 rocket measured X-rays from the Sun.

   • NASA HEASARC — 1900–1959 (opens in a new tab) — Factual summary; source attribution retained.

2. 1962 64 years ago launch

   Alouette 1 — launch

   Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

   Mission: Alouette 1

   • Space transportation

   Thor Agena B launched on the Alouette 1 flight from Vandenberg AFB, California, pad 75-1-1. 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. 1962 64 years ago launch

   CORONA 52/9045 — launch

   Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

   Mission: CORONA 52/9045

   • Space transportation

   Thor Agena D launched on the CORONA 52/9045 flight from Vandenberg AFB, California, pad 75-1-2. 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)

4. 1970 56 years ago launch

   Molniya-1 — launch

   Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

   Mission: Molniya-1

   • Space transportation

   Molniya 8K78M (M1M) launched on the Molniya-1 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)

5. 1971 55 years ago launch

   OSO 7 — launch

   Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

   Mission: OSO 7

   • Space transportation

   Thor Delta N launched on the OSO 7 flight from Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida, pad LC17A. Partial launch success/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)

6. 1971 55 years ago launch

   Kosmos-442 — launch

   Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

   Mission: Kosmos-442

   • Space transportation

   Voskhod 11A57 launched on the Kosmos-442 flight from 53-y Nauchno-Issledovatelskiy Ispitatelniy Poligon, 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)

7. 1972 54 years ago launch

   Kosmos-521 — launch

   Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

   Mission: Kosmos-521

   • Space transportation

   Kosmos 11K65M launched on the Kosmos-521 flight from 53-y Nauchno-Issledovatelskiy Ispitatelniy Poligon, pad LC132/2. 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)

8. 1975 51 years ago launch

   Kosmos-772 — launch

   Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

   Mission: Kosmos-772

   • Space transportation

   Soyuz-U launched on the Kosmos-772 flight from NIIP-5, Baykonur, Kazakstan, 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)

9. 1976 50 years ago launch

   Kosmos-858 — launch

   Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

   Mission: Kosmos-858

   • Space transportation

   Kosmos 11K65M launched on the Kosmos-858 flight from 53-y Nauchno-Issledovatelskiy Ispitatelniy Poligon, pad LC132/2. 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)

10. 1977 49 years ago launch

    Salyut-6 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Salyut-6

    • Space transportation

    Proton-K launched on the Salyut-6 flight from NIIP-5, Baykonur, Kazakstan, pad LC81/24. 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. 1983 43 years ago launch

    Ekran — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Ekran

    • Space transportation

    Proton-K/DM launched on the Ekran flight from NIIP-5, Baykonur, Kazakstan, pad LC200/40. 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. 1987 39 years ago launch

    Kosmos-1887 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Kosmos-1887

    • Space transportation

    Soyuz-U launched on the Kosmos-1887 flight from 53-y Nauchno-Issledovatelskiy Ispitatelniy Poligon, pad LC41/1. 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. 1988 38 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 53-y Nauchno-Issledovatelskiy Ispitatelniy Poligon, pad LC41/1. 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)

14. 1988 38 years ago launch

    TDRS-C — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: TDRS-C

    • Space transportation

    Space Shuttle launched on the TDRS-C flight from NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center, Florida, pad LC39B. 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. 1995 31 years ago launch

    Kosmos-2320 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Kosmos-2320

    • Space transportation

    Soyuz-U launched on the Kosmos-2320 flight from GIK-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)

16. 1997 29 years ago launch

    IRS-1D — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: IRS-1D

    • Space transportation

    PSLV (C) launched on the IRS-1D flight from Satish Dhawan Space Ctr, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, India, pad FLP. Partial launch success/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)

17. 2011 15 years ago launch

    Tiangong 1 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Tiangong 1

    • Space transportation

    Chang Zheng 2F (T) launched on the Tiangong 1 flight from Jiuquan Space Center, Nei Monggol Zizhiqu, China, pad LC921. 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. 2011 15 years ago launch

    QuetzSat-1 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: QuetzSat-1

    • Space transportation

    Proton-M/Briz-M (III) launched on the QuetzSat-1 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)

19. 2012 14 years ago launch

    VRSS-1 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: VRSS-1

    • Space transportation

    Chang Zheng 2D launched on the VRSS-1 flight from Jiuquan Space Center, Nei Monggol Zizhiqu, China, pad LC603. 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. 2013 13 years ago launch

    Cassiope/Demo — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Cassiope/Demo

    • Space transportation

    Falcon 9 (1.1) launched on the Cassiope/Demo flight from South Vandenberg AFB, 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)

21. 2013 13 years ago launch

    Astra 2E — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Astra 2E

    • Space transportation

    Proton-M/Briz-M (III) launched on the Astra 2E 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)

22. 2015 11 years ago launch

    Beidou DW20 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Beidou DW20

    • Space transportation

    Chang Zheng 3B (G2) launched on the Beidou DW20 flight from Xichang Space Center (Songlin), Sichuan, China, pad LC3. 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. 2017 9 years ago launch

    Yaogan 30 01 zu — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Yaogan 30 01 zu

    • Space transportation

    Chang Zheng 2C (b) launched on the Yaogan 30 01 zu flight from Xichang Space Center (Songlin), Sichuan, China, pad LC3. 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. 2017 9 years ago launch

    IS-37e/BSAT-4a — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: IS-37e/BSAT-4a

    • Space transportation

    Ariane 5ECA launched on the IS-37e/BSAT-4a 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)

25. 2025 1 year ago launch

    Starlink-310 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Starlink-310

    • Space transportation

    Falcon 9 (FT5) launched on the Starlink-310 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)

26. 2025 1 year ago launch

    Shiyan 30 01/02 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Shiyan 30 01/02

    • Space transportation

    Chang Zheng 2D launched on the Shiyan 30 01/02 flight from Xichang Space Center (Songlin), Sichuan, China, pad LC3. 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)