Home 1961 Summary
1960 spacecrafts 1962 spacecrafts
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The 60 spacecrafts launched in 1961:.
1) Mercury-Redstone 2  / MR-2 2) Samos 2 3) Venera 4) Venera 1
5) Explorer 9 6) Discoverer 20 / KH-5 7) Discoverer 21 /  RM 2 8) Mercury-Atlas 2 / MA-2
9) Transit 3B 10) Lofti 1 11) Explorer S-45 12) Koralb Sputnik 4
13) Koralb Sputnik 5 14) Explorer 10 15) Discoverer 22 / KH-2 16) Discoverer 23 / KH 5
17) Vostok 18) Mercury-Atlas 3 MA-3 19) Explorer 11 20) Mercury 3 (MR-3 / Mercury-Redstone 3)
21) Explorer S-45A 22) Discoverer 24 / KH-5 23) Discoverer 25 / KH-2 24) Transit 4A
25) Injun 1 26) Solrad 3  / GRAB 3 27) Explorer S-55 28) Discoverer 26 / KH-2
29) Tiros 3 30) Midas 3 31) Mercury 4 (MR-4 / Mercury-Redstone 4) 32) Discoverer 27 / KH-5
33) Discoverer 28 / KH-2 34) Vostok 2 35) Explorer 12 / EPE-A 36) Ranger 1
37) Explorer 13 38) Discoverer 29 / KH-3 39) Samos 3 40) Discoverer 30 / KH-3
41) Mercury-Atlas 4 MA-4 42) Discoverer 31 / KH-3 43) Discoverer 32 / KH-3 44) Midas 4
45) Westford 46) Discoverer 33 / KH-3 47) Kosmos (DS-1 #1) 48) Mercury-Scout 1 / MS-1 
49) Discoverer 34 / KH-3 50) Discoverer 35 / KH-3 51) Transit 4B 52) Traac
53) Ranger 2 54) Samos 4 55) Mercury-Atlas 5 / MA-5 56) Kosmos (Zenit-2 #1)
57) Discoverer 36 / KH-3 58) OSCAR I 59) Kosmos (DS-1 #2) 60) Samos 5
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Spacecraft Entries
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Mercury-Redstone 2
Spacecraft:  Spacecraft no. 5
Chronologies: 1961 payload #1 ; n/a ; 100th spacecraft.
Type: Piloted spaceship test
Sponsor: NASA
Launch: 31 January 1961, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's LC-05, by a Redstone.
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission:
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1961 Chronology ; National Space Science Data Center's MERCR2 ; TRW Space Log ;
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Samos 2
Spacecraft:  Program 101; E-1 payload
Chronologies: 1961 payload #2 ; 1961-001A ; 101st spacecraft.
Type: Reconnaissance
Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office
Launch: 31 January 1961 at 20h21 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-1-1, by an Atlas-Agena A (Atlas LV-3A 70D / Agena A 2102).
Orbit:
Decayed: 21 October 1973.
Mission: SAMOS 2 is the only successful flight in the 101 and 101A programs, but its photos were not of high quality. It reportedly operated for a month. Orbit mass of SAMOS and Agena totalled 1915 kg. (SAMOS 2 was part of the Program 101
series; the third Program 101 satellite, Agena 2103, was never launched.)  End of transmissions: March 1961. 
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1961-001A ; TRW Space Log ; Jonathan McDowell's USAF imaging programs' 9.3.1: SAMOS & SAMOS 2 ;
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Venera
Spacecraft:  1VA No. 1
Chronologies: 1961 payload #3 ; 1961-002A ; 102nd spacecraft.
Type: Venus probe
Families: 21st planetary probe (12th Soviet)
Sponsor: Soviet Union (Korolev's Design Bureau)
Launch: 4 February 1961 at 1h18 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome's LC-1, by an A-1-e/"Molniya" (8K78 L1-6).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission:
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1961-002A ; TRW Space Log ;
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Venera 1
Spacecraft:  1VA No. 2
Chronologies: 1961 payload #4 ; 1961-003A ; 103rd spacecraft.
Type: Venus probe
Families: 22nd planetary probe (13th Soviet)
Sponsor: Soviet Union (Korolev's Design Bureau)
Launch: 12 February 1961 at 0h34 UTC, Baykonur Cosmodrome's LC-1, by an A-1/"Molniya" (8K78 L1-7).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission: The Soviet Union launched the first probe toward Venus. President Kennedy congratulated Premier Khrushchev on this “impressive scientific achievement.” 
     In February 1963, Soviet Prof. A. Martynov, director of State Astronomical Institute of Kiev, said Soviet Venus probe  undoubtedly had reached its objective and probably landed on Venus. U.S. sources had said the probe was launched at too high a velocity to have been orbited around Venus. Martynov also said results of Soviet radioastronomy experiments with Venus indicated Venutian surface temperatures range from 100° C on dark side and about 300 to 400° C on the sunlighted side, conclusions differing from those of data provided by U.S.
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1960-003A ; TRW Space Log ; Aeronautical and Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 74-5 ;
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Explorer 9
Spacecraft:  NASA S-56A
Chronologies: 1961 payload #5 ; 1961-004A ; 104th spacecraft.
Type: Easth/space science
Sponsor: NASA
Launch: 16 February 1961 at 13h12 UTC, from Wallops Island's LA-3, by a Scout X-1 (ST-4).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission: Explorer IX was a light-weight, 3.7-meter-diameter balloon which became NASA’s most effective satellite for measuring atmospheric density and temperature. It provided a better understanding of upper atmosphere characteristics, determining more precisely the relationships between air density and solar radiations. The satellite re-entered Earth‘s atmosphere on 9 April 1964 and disintegrated after more than three years in space. It traveled more than 550 million km during its 14,000 orbits of the earth. Explorer IX was the first satellite orbited by a solid-fuel launch vehicle (Scout) and the first satellite launched at Wallops. Measurements of atmospheric drag effects were correlated with those of a similar inflated sphere, Explorer XIX, orbited in 1963.
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1961-004A ; NASA, Aeronautical and Astronautical Events of 1961, p.7 ; Astronautical Events of 1964, p. 131-2 ;
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Discoverer 20 / CORONA 9014A (ARGON) / KH-5
Spacecraft: 
Chronologies: 1961 payload #6 ; 1961-005A ; 105th spacecraft.
Type: Reconnaissance
Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office
Launch: 17 February 1961 at 20h25 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-3-4, by a Thor-Agena B (Thor 298 / Agena B 1104).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission: Film capsule not ejected.
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1961-005A ; TRW Space Log ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona :
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Discoverer 21 / CORONA RM 2
Spacecraft: 
Chronologies: 1961 payload #7 ; 1961-006A ; 106th spacecraft.
Type: Technology (Missile early warning)
Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office
Launch: 18 February 1961 at 22h58 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-3-5, by a Thor-Agena B (Thor 261 / Agena B 1102).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission:
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1961-006A ; TRW Space Log ;
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MA-2 / Mercury-Atlas 2
Spacecraft:  Spacecraft no. 6
Chronologies: 1961 payload #8 ; n/a ; 107th spacecraft.
Type: Piloted spaceship
Sponsor: NASA
Launch: 21 February 1961, from Cape Canaveral's LC-14, by an Atlas D 67D.
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission:
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's MERCA2 ; TRW Space Log ;
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Transit 3B
Spacecraft: 
Chronologies: 1961 payload #9 ; 1961-007A ; 108th spacecraft.
Type: Navigation
Sponsor: U.S. Navy
Launch: 22 February 1961 at 3h45 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's Air Force Station's LC-17B, by a Thor Able-Star (Thor Ablestar 313 AB007?).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission:
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1961-007A ; TRW Space Log ;
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Lofti 1
Spacecraft: 
Chronologies: 1961 payload #10 ; 1961-007A ; 109th spacecraft.
Type: Technology
Sponsor: U.S. Navy
Launch: 22 February 1961 at 3h45 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's Air Force Station's LC-17B, by a Thor Able-Star (Thor Ablestar 313 AB007?).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission: Dual launch; Lofti failed to separate from Transit 3B. Naval Research Laboratory reported that Lofti demonstrated that very low frequency radio signals pass through the ionosphere into space, thus opening new area for communications development.
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1961-007A ; NASA, Aeronautical and Astronautical Events of 1961, p.14 ;
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Explorer S-45
Spacecraft:  NASA S-45 ; P-14
Chronologies: 1961 payload #11 ; 1961 1st loss ; 110th spacecraft.
Type: Easth/space science
Sponsor: NASA
Launch: 24 February 1961 at 19h13 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's LC-26B, by a Juno II (AM-19F).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission:
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's EXP-451 ; TRW Space Log ;
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Koralb Sputnik 4
Spacecraft:  Vostok-3 No. 1
Chronologies: 1961 payload #12 ; 1961-008A ; 111th spacecraft.
Type: Piloted spaceship test
Sponsor: Soviet Union (Korolev's Design Bureau)

(Artwork: Robert Giguère)
Launch: 9 March 1961 at 6h29 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome's LC-1, by an A-1/Vostok (8K72K E103-14).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission:
Source: Jonathan McDowell'sMaster List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1961-008A ; TRW Space Log ;
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Koralb Sputnik 5
Spacecraft:  Vostok-3 No. 2
Chronologies: 1961 payload #13 ; 1961-009A ; 112th spacecraft.
Type: Piloted spaceship test
Sponsor: Soviet Union (Korolev's Design Bureau)

(Artwork: Robert Giguère)
Launch: 25 March 1961 at 6h00 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome's LC-1, by an A-1/Vostok (8K72K E103-15).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission:
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1961-009A ; TRW Space Log ;
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Explorer 10
Spacecraft:  P-14
Chronologies: 1961 payload #14 ; 1961-010A ; 113th spacecraft.
Type: Easth/space science
Sponsor: NASA
Launch: 25 March 1961 at 15h17 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's LC-17A, by a Delta DM-19 (Thor-Delta 295 / Delta 4).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission: Explorer X became the first satellite to measure the shock wave generated by a solar flare. Also, scientists reported that the satellite had encountered magnetic fields considerably stronger than expected. Explorer X detected a “shadow” on the side of the Earth facing away from the Sun; in this shadow there is an absence of the solar wind, a belt of plasma moving out from the sun at about 300 kilometre per second but deflected around the Earth by the earth’s magnetic field and creating a cone-shaped “shadow” some 160,000 kilometres across at its larger end. 
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1961-010A ; NASA, Aeronautical and Astronautical Events of 1961, p.12 ;  NASA, Aeronautical and Astronautical Events of 1962, p. 9 ;
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Discoverer 22 / CORONA 9015 / KH-2
Spacecraft: 
Chronologies: 1961 payload #15 ; 1961 2nd loss ; 114th spacecraft.
Type: Reconnaissance
Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office
Launch: 30 March 1961 at 20h34 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-3-4, by a Thor-Agena B (Thor 300 / Agena B 1105).
Orbit: n/a
Mission: Launch failed : second stage control system malfunction.
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's DISC22 ; TRW Space Log ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona :
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Discoverer 23 / CORONA 9016A / KH 5
Spacecraft: 
Chronologies: 1961 payload #16 ; 1961-011A ; 115th spacecraft.
Type: Reconnaissance
Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office
Launch: 8 April 1961 at 19h21 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-3-5, by a Thor-Agena B (Thor 307 / Agena B 1106).
Orbit:
Decayed: 23 May 1962
Mission: Film capsule boosted into higher orbit.
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1961-011A ; TRW Space Log ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona :
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Vostok
Spacecraft:  Vostok-3A No. 3
Chronologies: 1961 payload #17 ; 1961-012A ; 116th spacecraft.
Type: Piloted spaceship
Sponsor: Soviet Union (Korolev's Design Bureau)
Launch: 12 April 1961 at 6h07 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome'sLC-1, by an A-1/Vostok (8K72K E103-16).
(The launch took place at 9 hr. 6 min. 59.7 sec., Moscow Time*)
Orbit:
Deorbit: 12 April 1961 at 7h47 UTC
Mission: The Vostok spacecraft was launched from the 5 NIIP test range carrying pilot-astronaut of the Soviet Union, Major of the Soviet Military Air Forces Yuriy Alexeevich Gagarin. At 6h18 UTC the Blok-E third stage shut down and separated leaving the Vostok spaceship in orbit. After one orbit, the spaceship landed near Saratov at 7h47 UTC. The pilot ejected at around 7h43 UTC and landed nearby by parachute a few minutes later.
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1961-012A ; TRW Space Log ; Jonathan Space Report No. 451
* According to Boris Chertok's Memoir, Vol. 3, p. 80)
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MA-3 / Mercury-Atlas 3
Spacecraft:  Spacecraft no. 8
Chronologies: 1961 payload #18 ; 1961 3rd loss ; 117th spacecraft.
Type: Piloted spaceship test
Sponsor: NASA
Launch: 25 April 1961 at 16h15 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's LC-14, by an Atlas D (100D).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission:
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's MERCA3 ; TRW Space Log ;
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Explorer 11
Spacecraft:  NASA S-15
Chronologies: 1961 payload #19 ; 1961-013A ; 118th spacecraft.
Type: Easth/space science
Sponsor: NASA
Launch: 27 April 1961 at 14h16 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's LC-26B, by a Juno II (AM-19E).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission:
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1961-013A ; TRW Space Log ;
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Mercury 3 (MR-3 / Mercury-Redstone 3)
Spacecraft:  Spacecraft no. 7 / Friendship 7
Chronologies: 1961 payload #20 ; n/a ; 119th spacecraft.
Type: Piloted spaceship
Sponsor: NASA
Normal sequence of events for Mercury-Redstone flight. (Source: NASA)
Launch: 5 May 1961 at 15h34 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's LC-05, by a Redstone.
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission:
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's MERCR3 ; TRW Space Log ;
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Explorer S-45A
Spacecraft:  NASA S-45A
Chronologies: 1961 payload #21 ; 1961 4th loss ; 120th spacecraft.
Type: Easth/space science
Sponsor: NASA
Launch: 24 May 1961 at 7h48 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's LC-26B, by a Juno II (AM-19G).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission:
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's EXC-452 ; TRW Space Log ;
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Discoverer 24 / CORONA 9018A (ARGON) / KH-5
Spacecraft: 
Chronologies: 1961 payload #22 ; 1961 5th loss ; 121st spacecraft.
Type: Reconnaissance
Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office
Launch: 8 June 1961 at 21h16 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-3-4, by a Thor-Agena B (Thor 302 / Agena B 1108).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission:
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's DISC24 ; TRW Space Log ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona :
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Discoverer 25 / CORONA 9017 / KH-2
Spacecraft: 
Chronologies: 1961 payload #23 ; 1961-014A ; 122nd spacecraft.
Type: Reconnaissance
Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office
Launch: 16 June 1961 at 23h02 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-1-1, by a Thor-Agena B (Thor 303 / Agena B 1107).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission: Film capsule recovered 2.1 days after launch.
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1961-014A ; TRW Space Log ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona :
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Transit 4A
Spacecraft: 
Chronologies: 1961 payload #24 ; 1961-015A ; 123rd spacecraft.
Type: Navigation
Sponsor: U.S. Navy
Launch: 29 June 1961 at 4h22 UTC, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's LC17B, by a Thor Able-Star (Thor Ablestar 315 AB008).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission: Equipped with an atomic radio-isotope-powered battery of the SNAP series, Transit IV-A is forerunner of a navigation satellite system. This launch marks the first launching of three active satellites in one shot, and the first launching of a satellite with nuclear power.
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1961-015A ; NASA, Aeronautical and Astronautical Events of 1961, p.30 ;
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Injun 1
Spacecraft: 
Chronologies: 1961 payload #25 ; 1961-015B ; 124th spacecraft.
Type: Radiations studies
Sponsor: U.S. Navy
Launch: 29 June 1961 at 4h22 UTC, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's LC17B, by a Thor Able-Star (Thor Ablestar 315 AB008).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission: Officially, Injun 1 gathers data on the radiation belts.  It failed to separate from Solrad 3 and were thus not functioning at full efficiency.
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1961-015B ; NASA, Aeronautical and Astronautical Events of 1961, p.30 ;
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Solrad 3 / GRAB 3
Spacecraft: 
Chronologies: 1961 payload #26 ; 1961-015B ; 125th spacecraft.
Type: Sun studies
Sponsor: U.S. Navy
Launch: 29 June 1961 at 4h22 UTC, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's LC17B, by a Thor Able-Star (Thor Ablestar 315 AB008).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission: Officially, Greb III gathers data on X-ray radiation from the Sun. It failed to separate from Injun 1 and were thus not functioning at full efficiency. 
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1961-015B ; NASA, Aeronautical and Astronautical Events of 1961, p.30 ;
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Explorer S-55
Spacecraft:  NASA S-55
Chronologies: 1961 payload #27 ; 1961 6th loss ; 126th spacecraft.
Type: Easth/space science
Sponsor: NASA
Launch: 30 June 1961 at 17:09 UTC, from Wallops Island's LA-3, by a Scout X-1 (ST-5).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission:
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's EXS-55 ; TRW Space Log ;
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Discoverer 26 / CORONA 9019 / KH-2
Spacecraft: 
Chronologies: 1961 payload #28 ; 1961-016A ; 127th spacecraft.
Type: Reconnaissance
Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office
Launch: 7 July 1961 at 23h29 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-3-5, by a Thor-Agena B (Thor 308 / Agena B 1109).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission: Film capsule recovered 2.1 days after launch.
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1961-016A ; TRW Space Log ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona :
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Tiros 3
Spacecraft:  Tiros C (A-3)
Chronologies: 1961 payload #29 ; 1961-017A ; 128th spacecraft.
Type: Meteorology
Sponsor: NASA
Launch: 12 July 1961 at 10h26 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's  LC-17A, by a Delta DM-19 (Thor-Delta 286 / Delta 5).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission:
     Tthe Weather Bureau reports that Tiros III had spotted fifty tropical storms during the summer of 1961.
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1961-017A ; TRW Space Log ; Aeronautics and Astronautics, 1962, p. 9 ;
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Midas 3
Spacecraft: 
Chronologies: 1961 payload #30 ; 1961-018A ; 129th spacecraft.
Type: Missile early warning
Sponsor: U.S. Air Force
Launch: 12 July 1961 at 15h11 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-1-2, by an Atlas-Agena B (Atlas LV-3A 97D / Agena B 1201).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission: Midas III, a missile defense alarm system, was the heaviest U.S. satellite launched to date and was put into a record 2,977 km-high orbit.
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1961-018A ;  NASA, Aeronautical and Astronautical Events of 1961, p.32 ;
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Mercury 4 (MR-4 / Mercury-Redstone 4)
Spacecraft:  Spacecraft no. 11 / Liberty Bell 7 
Chronologies: 1961 payload #32 ; n/a ; 130th spacecraft.
Type: Piloted spaceship
Sponsor: NASA
Launch: 21 July 1961 at 15h36 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's LC-05, by a Redstone.
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission:
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's MERCR4 ; TRW Space Log ;
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Discoverer 27 / CORONA 9020A (ARGON) / KH-5
Spacecraft: 
Chronologies: 1961 payload #31 ; 1961 7th loss ; 131st spacecraft.
Type: Reconnaissance
Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office
Launch: 21 July 1961 at 22h35 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-3-4, by a Thor-Agena B (Thor 322 / Agena B 1110).
Orbit: n/a
Mission: Launch failed, destroyed by range safety.
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's DISC27 ; TRW Space Log ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona :
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Discoverer 28 / CORONA 9021 / KH-2
Spacecraft:
Chronologies: 1961 payload #33 ; 1961 8th loss ; 132nd spacecraft.
Type: Reconnaissance
Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office
Launch: 4 August 1961 at 0h01 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-1-1, by a Thor-Agena B (Thor 309 / Agena B 1111).
Orbit: n/a
Mission: Launch failed: second stage control system malfunction.
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's DISC28 ; TRW Space Log ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona :
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Vostok 2
Spacecraft:  Vostok-3A No. 4
Chronologies: 1961 payload #34 ; 1961-019A ; 133rd spacecraft.
Type: Pilote spacecraft
Sponsor: Soviet Union (Korolev's Design Bureau)
Launch: 6 August 1961 at 5h00 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome's LC-1, by an A-1/Vostok (8K72K E103-17).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission:
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1961-019A ; TRW Space Log ;
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Explorer 12
Spacecraft:  NASA S-3 (EPE-A)
Chronologies: 1961 payload #35 ; 1961-020A ; 134th spacecraft.
Type: Easth/space science
Sponsor: NASA
Launch: 16 August 1961 at 3h21 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's LC-17A, by a Delta DM-19 (Thor-Delta 312 / Delta 6).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission: Explorer XI1 returned voluminous data revising previous information on the Van Allen radiation belts and showing them to be no substantial problem to manned space flight. Transrnitting until 6 December 1961, it returned information amounting to 5,636 telemetry tapes (730 metres each). Of principal interest was its finding that the Van Allen belts consist of a preponderance of protons over electrons in a ratio of 1,000 to 1. Since the protons are of less than 1 million electron volts energy, they do not themselves offer a serious radiation problem and serve to slow the velocity of other radiation. 
     On 19 January 1962, scientists described preliminary scientific results obtained by Explorer XII: based on study of 10 per cent of the data, it now appears that instead of the two radiation belts (previously called the inner and outer Van Allen belts) there is one magnetosphere extending roughly from 650 km above the Earth to 50,000 to 65,000 km out. In this magnetosphere, there is only a handful of matter but a very wide range of charged particles trapped by the Earth’s magnetic field. Density of electrons is now considered to be 108/cm2/sec as o posed to the 10 derived from previous satellites. Radiation levels of protons in the lower portion of the magnetosphere were found to be the same as reported by previous satellites, so that the magnetosphere still poses a formidable radiation problem to extended manned flight. At about 10 Earth radii, the magnetosphere ends abruptly. Above it is an extended area, about 20,000 km. across, of electromagnetic turbulence and featuring very low ener particles on the order of 1 to 20 kilovolts. Beyond this it ought to be true interplanetary space. 
Notes: On 25 February 1962, Soviet scientists claimed to have discovered the third radiation belt around the Earth and published such findings two years before the findings of Explorer XII were made public by NASA on January 19, 1962. Academician Blagonravov, Vice President of the International Committee on Space Research, said in an Izvestia interview that the existence of a dense belt with energies of 200 to 20,000 electron volts at a distance of 40,000 to 80,000 km was recorded by Soviet space launchings in 1958. Such findings, he said, were published by Dr. K. Gringauz and associates in the February and April issues of the Soviet Academy of Sciences Proceedings in 1960, and in later publications. Commenting on the view that the three radiation belts really formed a single large pulsating band that might be called a imagnetosphere, Blagonravov agreed that the boundaries might be arbitrary but that the charged particles in each belt had distinctive characteristics and that it would be inexpedient to reject the theory of three belts. 
     On 19 Auguat 1963, report of new evidence verifying existence of long-lived solar plasma streams in interplanetary space was based on data gathered by Explorer XII energetic particles satellite.  On two occasions, the satellite observed solar events producing solar plasma streams. Indication that they were long-lived was revealed when the plasma streams caused geophysical disturbances more than 20 days after the streams were created.
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1961-020A ;  NASA, Aeronautical and Astronautical Events of 1961, p. 74 ; Aeronautics and Astronautics, 1962, p. 8, 22 ; Aeronautics and Astronautics, 1963, p. 318 ;
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Ranger 1
Spacecraft:  NASA P-32 / RA-1
Chronologies: 1961 payload #36 ; 1961-021A ; 135th spacecraft.
Type: Lunar probe
Families: 23rd planetary probe (10th American)
Sponsor: NASA
Launch: 23 August 1961 at 10h04 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's LC-12, by an Atlas-Agena B (Atlas LV-3A 111D / Agena B 6001).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission: Ranger I reentered the Earth’s atmosphere on 30 August 1961, after 111 orbits, traveled almost 4.8 million km and its orientation, communications, and electronic systems performed satisfactorily. 
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1961-021A ; TRW Space Log ; NASA, Aeronautical and Astronautical Events of 1961, p.42 ;
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Explorer 13
Spacecraft:  NASA S-55A
Chronologies: 1961 payload #37 ; 1961-022A ; 136th spacecraft.
Type: Easth/space science
Sponsor: NASA
Launch: 25 August 1961 at 18h29 UTC, from Wallops Island's LA-3, by a Scout X-1 (ST-6).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission: Explorer XIII, which transmits considerable data on micrometeoroids, was last heard on 27 August 1961 and reentered the atmosphere on 29 August 1961. 
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1961-022A ; NASA, Aeronautical and Astronautical Events of 1961, p.42 ;
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Discoverer 29 / CORONA 9023 / KH-3
Spacecraft: 
Chronologies: 1961 payload #38 ; 1961-023A ; 137th spacecraft.
Type: Reconnaissance
Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office
Launch: 30 August 1961 at 20h00 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-3-4, by a Thor-Agena B (Thor 323 / Agena B 1112).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission: Film capsule recovered 2.1 days after launch. Discoverer XXIX capsule, which contained human, animal and soil life samples, was the seventh recovery of an object from orbit in the USAF Discoverer program, after 33 orbits.
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1961-023A ;; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona :; NASA, Aeronautical and Astronautical Events of 1961, p.44 ;
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Samos 3
Spacecraft:  Program 101A ; E-2 payload
Chronologies: 1961 payload #39 ; 1961 9th loss ; 138th spacecraft.
Type: Reconnaissance
Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office
Launch: 9 September 1961 at 19h28 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-1-1, by an Atlas-Agena B (Atlas LV-3A 106D / Agena B 2120).
Orbit: n/a
Mission: Satellite 2120 was launched as SAMOS 3 with the 0.9-meter focal length E-2 steerable reconnaissance payload. In addition to the SAMOS E-2 camera and F-1 ferret, satellite 2120 carried scientific experiments.(SAMOS 3 was the only Program 101A satellite; a second satellite; Agena no. 2121, appears never to have been launched.) 
Launch: The Atlas exploded on the pad at the moment of takeoff. The rocket reached an altitude of 1 meter when the engine shut down because of a signal from an umbilical cable which failed to detach. The rocket fell back to the launch pad and exploded.
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's SAMOS3 ; TRW Space Log ; Jonathan McDowell's USAF imaging programs' 9.3.1: SAMOS & SAMOS 3 ;
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Discoverer 30 / CORONA 9022 / KH-3
Spacecraft:
Chronologies: 1961 payload #40 ; 1961-024A ; 139th spacecraft.
Type: Reconnaissance
Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office
Launch: 12 September 1961 at 19h59 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-3-5, by a Thor-Agena B (Thor 310 / Agena B 1113).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission: Film capsule recovered 2.1 days after launch.
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1961-024A ; TRW Space Log ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona :
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MA-4 / Mercury-Atlas 4
Spacecraft:  Spacecraft no. 8A
Chronologies: 1961 payload #41 ; 1961-025A ; 140th spacecraft.
Type: Piloted spaceship test
Sponsor: NASA
Launch: 13 September 1961 at 14h04 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's LC-14, by an Atlas D (88D).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission:
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1961-025A ; TRW Space Log ;
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Discoverer 31 / CORONA 9024 / KH-3
Spacecraft: 
Chronologies: 1961 payload #42 ; 1961-026A ; 141st spacecraft.
Type: Reconnaissance
Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office
Launch: 17 September 1961 at 21h00 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-1-1, by a Thor-Agena B (Thor 324 / Agena B 1114).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission: Film capsule recovery failed. Recovery of capsule of Discoverer XXXI was called off on 19 September 1961 as capsule and satellite failed to separate and both remained in orbit. 
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1961-026A ;  NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona :; NASA, Aeronautical and Astronautical Events of 1961, p.47 ;
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Discoverer 32 / CORONA 9025 / KH-3
Spacecraft: 
Chronologies: 1961 payload #43 ; 1961-027A ; 142nd spacecraft.
Type: Reconnaissance
Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office
Launch: 13 October 1961 at 19h22 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-3-4, by a Thor-Agena B (Thor 328 / Agena B 1115).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission: Film capsule recovered 1.1 day atfer launch, Discoverer XXXII capsule, contained test objects including seed corn, was recovered by C-130 crew on 14 October 1961, the sixth aerial recovery of an ejected satellite capsule 
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1961-027A   NASA, Aeronautical and Astronautical Events of 1961, p  55 ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona :
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Midas 4
Spacecraft: 
Chronologies: 1961 payload #44 ; 1961-028A ; 143rd spacecraft.
Type: Missile early warning
Sponsor: U.S. Air Force 
Launch: 21 October 1961 at 13:53 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-1-2, by an Atlas-Agena B (Atlas LV-3A 105D / Agena B 1202).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission:
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1961-028A ; TRW Space Log ;
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Westford
Spacecraft:
Chronologies: 1961 payload #45 ; 1961-028B ; 144th spacecraft.
Type: Technology
Sponsor: U.S. Air Force
Launch: 21 October 1961 at 13:53 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-1-2, by an Atlas-Agena B (Atlas LV-3A 105D / Agena B 1202).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission: Lincoln Tlaboratory of MIT reported that examination of telemetry from Midas IV indicated that Project West Ford package of dipoles had been ejected at the expected time and the proper speed, but no evidence was available as to whether the dipoles had been released, and no radar reading had been obtained.  Conceived at MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory, project West Ford proposed placement of 350-million copper threads (1.8-cm long and 0.0025-cm diameter) into a 8=km wide and 38.6-km lon belt around the Earth from a satellite, which would serve as reflector antennas for extremely short wave lengths (8,000 megacycles), perhaps expanding usable frequency channels. 
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1961-028B ;  NASA, Aeronautical and Astronautical Events of 1961, p. 39 & 62 ;
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Discoverer 33 / CORONA 9026 / KH-3
Spacecraft: 
Chronologies: 1961 payload #46 ; 1961 10th loss ; 145th spacecraft.
Type: Reconnaissance
Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office
Launch: 23 October 1961 at 19h23 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-3-5, by a Thor-Agena B (Thor 329 / Agena B 1116).
Orbit: n/a
Mission: Launch failed: premature launch vehicle shutdown.
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's DISC33 ; TRW Space Log ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona :
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Kosmos
Spacecraft:  DS-1 No. 1
Chronologies: 1961 payload #47 ; 1961 11th loss ; 146th spacecraft.
Type: Technology
Sponsor: Soviet Union's Defense ministry
Launch: 27 October 1961 at 16h30 UTC, from Kapustin Yar Cosmodrome's Mayak-2, by a Kosmos B-1 (63S1).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission:
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ;  TRW Space Log ;
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MS-1 / Mercury-Scout 1
Spacecraft: 
Chronologies: 1961 payload #48 ; 1961 12th loss ; 147th spacecraft.
Type: Pilote spacecraft test
Sponsor: NASA
Launch: 1st November 1961 at 15h32 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's  LC-18B, by a Blue Scout 2 (D-8).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission:
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's MERCS1 ; TRW Space Log ;
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Discoverer 34 / CORONA 9027 / KH-3
Spacecraft: 
Chronologies: 1961 payload #49 ; 1961-029A ; 148th spacecraft.
Type: Reconnaissance
Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office
Launch: 5 November 1961 at 20h00 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-1-1, by a Thor-Agena B (Thor 329 / Agena B 1116).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission: Film capsule recovery not attempted.
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1961-029A ; TRW Space Log ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona :
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Discoverer 35 / CORONA 9028 / KH-3
Spacecraft: 
Chronologies: 1961 payload #50 ; 1961-030A ; 149th spacecraft.
Type: Reconnaissance
Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office
Launch: 15 November 1961 at 21h23 UTC, from Vandenberg  Air Force Base's LC-75-3-4, by a Thor-Agena B (Thor 326 / Agena B 1118).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission: Film capsule recovered 1.1 day after launch. Gold-plated capsule of Discoverer XXXV was recovered on 16 November 1961, after 18 orbits, in midair over Fern Island by C-130 aircraft. It was the 10th recovery from orbit in the Discoverer series and the first recovery observed from the ground.
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1961-030A ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona :; NASA, Aeronautical and Astronautical Events of 1961, p. 64 ;
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Transit 4B
Spacecraft: 
Chronologies: 1961 payload #51 ; 1961-031A ; 150th spacecraft.
Type: Navigation
Sponsor: U.S. Navy
Launch: 15 November 1961 at 22h19 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's  LC-17B, by a Thor Able-Star (Thor Ablestar 305 AB009?).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission:
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1961-031A ; TRW Space Log ;
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Traac
Spacecraft:  Transit Research and Attitude Control
Chronologies: 1961 payload #52 ; 1961-031B ; 151st spacecraft.
Type: Technology
Sponsor: U.S. Navy
Launch: 15 November 1961 at 22h19 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's  LC-17B, by a Thor Able-Star (Thor Ablestar 305 AB009?).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission: It was expected that TRAAC satellite was in a position to measure the influence upon the Van Allen belt of the megaton-plus hydrogen device that exploded on 8 July 1962 at more than 300-kilometres altitude. Lofted by a Thor rocket from Johnston Island in the Pacific as a part of Operation Dominic, it was the highest thermonuclear blast ever achieved and lighted up the Pacific sky from Wake Island to New Zealand, causing some communication disruption but less than predicted.
Notes: On 22 July 1963, U.S. Navy announced it had successfully permanently stabilized an orbiting satellite through use of 30-meter boom. Difference in gravitational forces acting on satellite and on end of the boom aligned satellite so that its face will be permanently pointed toward Earth. As satellite was tumbling through space with its face toward Earth, boom was released from canister, causing entire assembly to rock through 40° arc. Weight attached to boom by 12-meter spring bobbed yo-yo fashion, slowing oscillation of boom and satellite until nearly all sway was removed. Satellite would remain stabilized indefinitely. Navy announcement said this was first successful stabilization of satellite without fueled mechanical controls.
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1961-031B ;  NASA, Aeronautical and Astronautical Events of 1962, p. 116 ;  Aeronautical and Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 281-2 ;
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Ranger 2
Spacecraft:  NASA P-33 (RA-2)
Chronologies: 1961 payload #53 ; 1961-032A ; 152nd spacecraft.
Type: Lunar probe
Families: 24th planetary probe (11th American)
Sponsor: NASA
Launch: 18 November 1961 at 8h12 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's LC-12, by an Atlas-Agena B (Atlas LV-3A 117D / Agena B 6002).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission:
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1961-032A ; TRW Space Log ;
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Samos 4
Spacecraft:  Program 101B ; E-5 payload
Chronologies: 1961 payload #54 ; 1961 13th loss ; 153rd spacecraft.
Type: Reconnaissance
Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office
Launch: 22 November 1961 at 20h45 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-1-1, by an Atlas-Agena B (Atlas LV-3A 108D / Agena B 2202).
Orbit: n/a
Mission: USAF launched an unnamed satellite with an Atlas-Agena booster from Point Arguello, Calif., in first unannounced U.S. satellite launching. From this point on, a cloak of mystery fell upon the SAMOS program. SAMOS 4 was notable in that it was the first satellite to be launched without being identified; it was inferred that the craft was SAMOS 4 from the launch vehicle and other clues, and this was confirmed when launch reports were later declassified. The satellite was the first Program 101B SAMOS and carried the E-5 recoverable capsule. According to a 1965 memo by the CIA's Albert Wheelon, the E-5 capsule wasdesigned so that it could be used as a piloted space vehicle for a military counterpart to NASA's Mercury program. 
Launch: SAMOS 4 failed to reach orbit when its Atlas first stage pitch control failed after launch. The Atlas separated five minutes into the flight, and the Agena operated correctly; however because the Atlas had pitched upward 160 degrees by separation, the Agena started off pointing down and back to front, and powered itself rapidly towards the ocean. 
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's NNN6101 ; TRW Space Log ; Jonathan McDowell's USAF imaging programs' 9.3.1: SAMOS & SAMOS 4 ; NASA, Aeronautical and Astronautical Events of 1961, p. 66 ;
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MA-5 / Mercury-Atlas 5
Spacecraft:  Spacecraft no. 9
Chronologies: 1961 payload #55 ; 1961-033A ; 154th spacecraft.
Type: Piloted spaceship test
Sponsor: NASA
Launch: 29 November 1961 at 15h07 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's LC-14, by an Atlas D (93D).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission:
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1961-033A ; TRW Space Log ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona :
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Kosmos
Spacecraft:  Zenit-2 No. 1
=Chronologies: 1961 payload #56 ; 1961 14th loss ; 155th spacecraft.
Type: Reconnaissance
Sponsor: Soviet Union's Defense ministry
Launch: 11 December 1961 at 9h39 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome's LC-1, by an A-1/"Vostok" (8K72K).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission:
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ;  TRW Space Log ;
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Discoverer 36 / CORONA 9029 / KH-3
Spacecraft: 
=Chronologies: 1961 payload #57 ; 1961-034A ; 156th spacecraft.
Type: Reconnaissance
Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office
Launch: 12 December 1961 at 20h40 UTC, from Vandenberg  Air Force Base's LC-75-3-4, by a Thor-Agena B (Thor 325 / Agena B 1119).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission: Film capsule recovered 4.1 days after launch.  Discoverer XXXVI capsuled was ejected on 18 December 1961, after 6 days and a record of 64 orbits, and splahs in the Pacific near Hawaii.  It was kept afloat by 3 USAF pararescue men until arrival of Navy destroyer.
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1961-034A ;  NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona :; NASA, Aeronautical and Astronautical Events of 1961, p. 75 ;
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OSCAR I
Spacecraft:  Orbiting Satellites Carrying Amateur Radio
=Chronologies: 1961 payload #58 ; 1961-034B ; 157th spacecraft.
Type: Communications (radio-amateur)
Sponsor: A California's group of radio-amateur 
Launch: 12 December 1961 at 20h40 UTC, from Vandenberg  Air Force Base's LC-75-3-4, by a Thor-Agena B (Thor 325 / Agena B 1119).
Orbit: 211 km x 372 km x 81.2° x 91.8 min
Decayed: 31 January 1962
Mission: The 4.5-kg Oscar satellite is the first satellite built by private citizens to be put in orbit, transmitted Morse signal to world amateur radio operators.  Signal reports on OSCAR I  had been received from radio amateurs throughout the world. No confirmation was received that OSCAR’s signal was heard behind the Iron Curtain.
The first amateur satellite, OSCAR I, was launched piggyback with Discover 36, a United States Air Force satellite. It was the first of the phase I satellites.
A group of enthusiasts in California formed Project OSCAR and persuaded the United States Air Force to replace ballast on the Agena upper stage with the 4.5 kg OSCAR I package. The satellite was box shaped with a single monopole antenna and battery powered. The 140 mW transmitter onboard discharged its batteries after three weeks. 570 Amateurs in 28 countries reported receiving its simple "HI-HI" morse code signals until 1st January 1962. Because of its low altitude, OSCAR I only remained in orbit for 22 days before burning up as it re-entered the earth's atmosphere after 312 revolutions.
    OSCAR I was an overwhelming success. More than 570 amateurs in 28 countries forwarded observations to the Project OSCAR data reduction center. The observations provided important information on radio propagation through the ionosphere, the spacecraft's orbit and thermal satellite design. This mission clearly demonstrated that amateurs are capable of (1) designing and constructing reliable spacecraft, (2) tracking satellites and (3) collecting and processing related scientific and engineering information. OSCAR I led to the creation of The Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT) in 1969. 
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1961-034B ; NASA, Aeronautical and Astronautical Events of 1961, p. 73 ;  NASA, Aeronautical and Astronautical Events of 1962, p. 15 ;
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Kosmos
Spacecraft:  DS-1 No. 2
Chronologies: 1961 payload #59 ; 1961 15th loss ; 158th spacecraft.
Type: Technology
Sponsor: Soviet Union's Defense ministry
Launch: 21 December 1961 at 12h30 UTC, from Kapustin Yar Cosmodrome's Mayak-2, by a Kosmos B-1 (63S1).
Orbit:
Decayed:
Mission:
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ;  TRW Space Log ;
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Samos 5
Spacecraft:  Program 101B ; E-5 payload
Chronologies: 1961 payload #60 ; 1961-035A ; 159th spacecraft.
Type: Reconnaissance
Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office
Launch: 22 December 1961 at 19h12 UTC, from Vandenberg: Air Force Base's LC-1-2, by an Atlas-Agena B (Atlas LV-3A 114D / Agena B 2203).
Orbit: 230 km x 650 km
Decayed: 9 January 1962
Mission: SAMOS 5 (FTV 2203) was a Program 101B SAMOS film return satellite with a 1.7-meter focal length panoramic camera. Based on a 1960 briefing document, the mass breakdown was: 2580 kg on orbit, including 630 kg Agena dry, 320 kg Agena prop, 730 kg E-5 spacecraft, 900 kg E-5 reflector and RV
     The Atlas SECO (main engine cutoff) came late, giving an extra 0.1 km/s velocity to the Agena. The orbit achieved was
about 230 x 650 km; without the excess velocity it would have been about 230 km circular. 
     The Agena and payload reentered within a few weeks, with their orbits on 25 December showing 187 km perigees; the recovery attempt was initiated prior to this date, but failed perhaps because of the high apogee, leaving the Agena and capsule in a 187 x 300 km orbit. 
     The announcement of this USAF satellite said only that it was powered by an Atlas-Agena B combination and that the satellite was “carrying a num- 
ber of classified test components.” 
Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1961-035A ; TRW Space Log ; Jonathan McDowell's USAF imaging programs' 9.3.1: SAMOS & SAMOS 5 ; NASA, Aeronautical and Astronautical Events of 1961, p. 76 ;
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Table – Summary of 1961 Launches
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No. .. Soviet
Success		  T  Soviet 
failures*		 No.  .. American 
success		  T  American 
failures
1) C 1VA No. 1 1) Mercury-Redstone 2 C
2) Venera 1 C 2) Samos 2 M
3) Koralb Sputnik 4 C 3) Explorer 9 C
4) Koralb Sputnik 5 C 4) KH-5 M
5) Vostok C 5) Discoverer 21 M
6) Vostok 2 C 6) Mercury-Atlas 2 C
7) M DS-1 #1  7) Transit 3B M
8) M Zenit-2 #1 8) Lofti 1 M
9) . M DS-1 #2 9) C Explorer (S-45)
10) Explorer 10 C
11) M KH-2
12) KH 5 M
13) Mercury-Atlas 3 C
14) Explorer 11 C
15) Mercury 3 C
16) C Explorer (S-45A)
17) M KH-5
18) KH-2 M
19) Transit 4A M
20) Injun 1 M
21) Solrad 3 M
22) C Explorer (S-55)
23) KH-2 M
24) Tiros 3 C
25) Midas 3 M
26) Mercury 4 C
27) M KH-5
28) M KH-2
29) Explorer 12 C
30) Ranger 1 C
31) Explorer 13 C
32) KH-3 M
33) M Samos 3
34) KH-3 M
35) Mercury-Atlas 4 C
36) KH-3 M
37) KH-3 M
38) Midas 4 M
39) Westford M
40) M KH-3
41) C Mercury-Scout 1
42) KH-3 M
43) KH-3 M
44) Transit 4B M
45) Traac M
46) Ranger 2 C
47) M Samos 4
48) Mercury-Atlas 5 C
49) KH-3 M
50) OSCAR I C
51) Samos 5 M
Total 5 Soviet 
launch success		 4 Soviet 
launch failures*		 40 American 
launch success		 11 American launch 
failures
.
55.6 % launch success (5 in 9)
(6 Civilian, 3 Military)		  78.4 % launch success (40 in 51)
(20 Civilian, 31 Military)

 
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© Claude Lafleur, 2004-10 Mes sites web: claudelafleur.qc.ca