.

P-35-7 / DAPP 7 Spacecraft:  OPS 3367B / AFP-43 Data Acquisition and Processing Program Chronologies: 1964 payload #7 ; 1964-002C ; 359th spacecraft. Type: Technology Sponsor: U.S. Air Force Launch: 19 January 1964 at 10h59 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-1-2, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2A 384 / Agena D 2303). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: ”USAF launched Thor-Agena D booster from Vandenberg AFB with unidentified satellite. It was later disclosed that two satellites were placed in orbit.” Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-002C ; TRW Space Log ; Astronautical Events of 1964, p. 17 ;

.

Relay 2 Spacecraft:  Relay B (A-16) Chronologies: 1964 payload #8 ; 1964-003A ; 360th spacecraft. Type: Communications Sponsor: • NASA-Office of Space Science Applications Launch: 21 January 1964 at 21h15 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's LC-17B, by a Delta  DSV-3B (Thor Delta B 373 / Delta 23). Orbit: 2,088 km x 2,411 km x 46.3° x 195-min. Decayed: Mission: Relay II is a 83.5-kg active communications satellite that continues communications tests of Relay I, still in orbit, and which provides evaluation of improvements in the new comsat. It is equipped for transmitting one-way wideband communications (one-way TV, 300 one-way voice channels or high-speed data) or two-way narrow-band communications (12 two-way telephone conversations or teletype, photo-facsimile and data). Unlike its predecesor, It had no automatic cutoff device and is equipped with solar cells with greater resistance to radiation than Relay 1’s cells. Relay II was 22nd straight launch success of Thor-Delta launch vehicle.      Relay II completed its first communications test during its first orbit, receiving radio signals and TV test pattern from Mojave, Calif., ground station and beaming them back to earth. First intercontinental communications tests conducted with Relay II communications satellite, on 22 January 1964, were successful: NASA officials described the satellite’s performance as “excellent.» The tests were conducted between ground stations at Nutley, N.J., and Raisting, West Germany, consisted of voice transmissions and radio signals.       On 29 January 1964, Relay II transmitted portions of Soviet-American championship hockey game of the 1964 Winter Olympics at Innsbruck, Austria, to the U.S., the first public demonstration of Relay II. By this time numerous communications tests of the satellite had been made, and NASA scientists said that all communications experiments were of excellent quality. The satellite was also was sending back information on radiation collected by onboard instrumentation.      On 25 March 1964, first TV transmission from Japan to U.S. was made, using NASA’s Relay II communications satellite. Quality of the live pictures as well as the sound was excellent. In the telecast Prime Minister Hayato Ikeda offered his country’s apologies directly to the U.S. for the “unfortunate coincidence” of the stabbing of U.S. Ambassador Edwin Reischauer by a deranged Japanese youth the previous day. The eight-minute telecast was seen simultaneously on the three national networks.    Relay 2 was a 184-kg communications satellite. Physically similar to Relay 1, it had on board two transmitters.  The satellite was spin-stabilized and also carried particle experiments designed to map the trapped. Design changes in Relayd 2 improved its performance to the point where response to spurious commands was essentially eliminated. One of the two onboard transponders operated normally until 20 November 1966. The other transponder continued to operate until9  June  1967.  Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-003A ; TRW Space Log ; Astronautical Events of 1964, p. 19-20, 22, 32, 115 ;

.

Echo 2 Spacecraft: Echo C (A-12) Chronologies: 1964 payload #9 ; 1964-004A ; 361st spacecraft. Type: Communications Sponsor: NASA-Office of Space Science Applications  Launch: 25 January 1964 at 13h59 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-1-1, by a Thor-Agena B (Thor 397 / Agena B 6301 (TA2)). Orbit: 1,033 km x 1,313 km x 81.5° x 109 min. Decayed: 7 June 1969. Mission: Echo II is a 243-kg passive communications satellite, a 41-metre diameter, laminated mylar plastic and aluminum balloon. for testing propagation, tracking, and communication techniques. It was a 41-metres balloon of aluminum foil-mylar laminate. Instrumentation included a beacon telemetry system that provided a tracking signal, monitored spacecraft skin temperature and internal pressure. In addition to fulfilling its communications mission, the spacecraft was used for global geometric geodesy.  Soviet ground stations were tracking Echo II passive communications satellite, in first joint U.S.-U.S.S.R. space experiment. The spacecraft re-entered the atmosphere on June 7, 1969. Notes: On 12 August 1963, NASA announced G.C. Schieldahl Co. had been selected to build Echo II satellite, scheduled to be placed in orbit during the 1963-64 winter. Under $362,000 contract, Schieldahl would build three models, one for static-inflation tests, one for orbital flight. and one for back-up. Echo II would be larger and more rigid than its predecessor, Echo 1.      Early telemetry and radar reports indicated Echo II appeared to be losing its spherical shape and high reflectivity, NASA spokesman announced. Telemetry showed Echo II pressure “has decreased more rapidly than anticipated.” However, “optical observations tell us we have a beautiful balloon.” Analysis of TV photographs taken by camera mounted on Agena stage showed sphere had inflated properly; but inflating gas apparently leaked out after two hours instead of lasting for 20 hours as planned. However, quality of radio signals between Rome, N.Y., and reported to be good. Spokesman indicated telemetry reports of pressure decrease could be false due to possible error in the observations.      On 29 January 1964, NASA spokesman said Echo II balloon satellite was still operating with “great success” despite preliminary radar reports that it was deflating and losing its reflectivity. On 29 February 1964, Echo II  was used for transmission of two radiophotos between Britain’s Jodrell Bank Experimental Station at Manchester and Gorki University’s radioastronomy observatory at Zimenki. A third space telegram was sent from Jodrell Bank to Zimenki via the moon, and its quality was comparable to those received via Echo II. The U.S. satellite was termed by Tass commentator “the Friendship Sputnik.”  Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-004A ; TRW Space Log ; Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 305 ; Astronautical Events of 1964, p. 24, 27, 30, 33, 85 ;

.

Saturn SA-5 Spacecraft:  Chronologies: 1964 payload #10 ; 1964-005A ; 362nd spacecraft. Type: Technology Sponsor: NASA-Office of Manned Space Flight  Launch: 29 January 1964 at 16h25 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's LC-37B, by a Saturn I (SA-5). Orbit: 269 km x 755 km Decayed: Mission: Saturn I SA-5 was a launch vehicle development test.  It was the fifth flight of a Saturn rocket and the first of the Block II Saturn. It was also the first live flight of the LOX/LH2 fueled second stage (S-IV). More than 11,000 measurements were taken. (Mass: 17554.2 kg)       Saturn I SA-5 was first successful flight test of both stages of the rocket. The 680-ton-thrust S-I stage performed as planned, and the 40-ton-thrust upper stage (S-IV) powered by six liquid-hydrogen RL-10 engines separated and burned properly for eight minutes, attaining orbital speed. The orbited body (spent S-IV stage, instrument unit, payload adapter, Jupiter nose cone, and 5,200 kg of sand ballast) weighed 17,100 kg, nearly 9,000 kg of which was payload.       As the first of the Block II Saturn I’s, SA-5 was first flight test of both Saturn stages and only the second flight test of a liquid-hydrogen powered rocket stage (after Centaur AC-2, on 27 November 1963). The five Block II Saturn 1’s differ from Block I predecessors in that they have live upper stages, S-I propellant tanks are extended to provide 45,000 kg usable propellant, and tail fins are added for stability.       During the flight eight onboard motion picture cameras photographed various operations of the rocket and a TV camera provided real-time photographs of separation and ignition of S-IV stage. Shortly after S-I burnout, the motion picture cameras were ejected, impacting downrange where pararescue men recovered seven of them.       This test of the world’s largest known rocket proved flight capability of Saturn I’s liquid-hydrogen, clustered-engine upper stage and demonstrated the vehicle’s capability to orbit 20,000-lb. [9-ton] payload.      Preliminary evaluation of Saturn I SA-5 flight indicated there was “no significant deviation or malfunction.”. Because insertion velocity was slightly greater than predicted, the 19,100 kg orbiting body was in an earth orbit slightly higher than expected: apogee 100-km higher than expected and perigee 10=km higher than expected. Timing of all significant actions in the launch sequence vaned no more than half a second from prediction. First stage cutoff occurred after slightly more than 146 sec., S-IV stage ignited at 148 sec., and insertion into orbit occurred at 639 sec. [10 min. 39 sec].       Following successful launching of Saturn I two-stage SA-5, President Johnson issued statement saying U.S. had now “proved we have the capability of putting great payloads into space.…       “We have come a long way from the 14 kg of Explorer I on January 31, 1958, to the some 16,700 kg which has just been placed into orbit by Saturn I.       “We have demonstrated not only enormous boost capability, but we have proved the effectiveness and the practical use of liquid hydrogen as a rocket fuel for space flight…”      NASA Associate Administrator, Dr. Robert C. Seamans stated, “There is little question that it took us ahead of the Russians in our capability.” He noted that payload equivalent of SA-5’s orbiting body was between 8,600 to 9,000 kg, far exceeding the 6,482 kmg reported for heaviest Soviet satellites.      Rep. J. Edward Roush (D.-Ind.) said in the House: “On Wednesday we saw the successful launching of the Saturn rocket carrying into orbit around the earth 18 tons. This included the largest payload ever placed in orbit by man and exceeds the largest Russian payload by 11 tons. For several years now this Nation has been plagued with the uncomfortable knowledge that the Russians were ahead of us in the space effort. This has been based primarily on the fact that they had a greater lift capability. The United States is now ahead in lift capability and in every other phase of the space program.…” Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-005A ; TRW Space Log ; Astronautical Events of 1964, p. 32, 35, 49 ;

.

Elektron 1 Spacecraft:  2D No. 1 Chronologies: 1964 payload #11 ; 1964-006A ; 363rd spacecraft. Type: Earth upper atmosphere studies Sponsor: Soviet Union Launch: 30 January 1964 at 9h45 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome, by an A-1/"Vostok" (8A92). Orbit: 406 km x 7,100 km x 61° x 2-hr. 49-min. Decayed: Mission: Electron 1 was launched with Electron 2 by a single launch vehicle in order to perform simultaneous investigations of the external and internal zones of the Earth's radiation belt. Soviet news agency Tass said the satellites were studying “the internal and external radiation belts of the earth and physical phenomena connected with them.” The 350-kg spacecraft had a cylindrical body that was 0.75 m in diameter and 1.3 m long and from which antennas and six solar cell panels were extended. The spacecraft was placed into an eccentric orbit that enabled it to study the internal zone of the radiation belt. It was equipped with micrometeorite detectors, a mass spectrometer, a proton detector, and instruments for recording the corpuscular emission and energy spectrum of electrons. A memory device was included so that observations over several orbits could be obtained by Soviet telemetry stations when the satellite was within communications range.      On 2 February 1964, Tass announced Electron I and Electron II scientific satellites were continuing their elliptical orbits of the earth. By 6:00 p.m. Moscow time Feb. 1, Electron I had passed repeatedly through the inner radation belt in its 19 orbits and Electron II had moved four times through the outer radiation belt in its two orbits. Tass said the following studies were being made with aid of onboard equipment: outer and inner radiation belts; charged particles having low energy; concentrations of electrons and positive ions; magnetic fields and radiation belts of the earth; nuclear component of cosmic radiation; shortwave solar radiation; propagation of radio waves; radio-radiation of galaxies; and densities of meteoritic material. Tass said the studies, being accomplished under a unified program in various areas of outer space, were being conducted for the first time. These studies were important for conducting the program of the IQSY and for permitting collection of data to assure radiation safety of manned space flights. Tass said all onboard equipment was functioning normally and ground stations were receiving scientific data from the satellites.  Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-006A ; TRW Space Log ; Astronautical Events of 1964, p. 35, 43, 54, 62 ;

.

Elektron 2 Spacecraft:  2D No. 2 Chronologies: 1964 payload #12 ; 1964-006B ; 364th spacecraft. Type: Earth upper atmosphere studies Sponsor: Soviet Union Launch: 30 January 1964 at 9h45 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome, by an A-1/"Vostok" (8A92). Orbit: 460 km x 68,200 km x 61° x 22-hr. 40-min. Decayed: Mission: Electron 2 was launched with Electron 1 by a single launch vehicle in order to perform simultaneous investigations of the external and internal zones of the Earth's radiation belt. Soviet news agency Tass said the satellites were studying “the internal and external radiation belts of the earth and physical phenomena connected with them.” The 445-kg spacecraft had a cylindrical body that was 0.75 m in diameter and 1.3 m long and from which antennas and six solar cell panels were extended. The spacecraft was placed into an eccentric orbit that enabled it to study the internal zone of the radiation belt. It was equipped with micrometeorite detectors, a mass spectrometer, a proton detector, and instruments for recording the corpuscular emission and energy spectrum of electrons. A memory device was included so that observations over several orbits could be obtained by Soviet telemetry stations when the satellite was within communications range.      On 2 February 1964, Tass announced Electron I and Electron II scientific satellites were continuing their elliptical orbits of the earth. By 6:00 p.m. Moscow time Feb. 1, Electron I had passed repeatedly through the inner radation belt in its 19 orbits and Electron II had moved four times through the outer radiation belt in its two orbits. Tass said the following studies were being made with aid of onboard equipment: outer and inner radiation belts; charged particles having low energy; concentrations of electrons and positive ions; magnetic fields and radiation belts of the earth; nuclear component of cosmic radiation; shortwave solar radiation; propagation of radio waves; radio-radiation of galaxies; and densities of meteoritic material. Tass said the studies, being accomplished under a unified program in various areas of outer space, were being conducted for the first time. These studies were important for conducting the program of the IQSY and for permitting collection of data to assure radiation safety of manned space flights. Tass said all onboard equipment was functioning normally and ground stations were receiving scientific data from the satellites.  Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-006B ; TRW Space Log ; Astronautical Events of 1964, p. 35, 43, 54, 62 ;

.

Ranger 6 Spacecraft:  RA-6 Chronologies: 1964 payload #13 ; 1964-007A ; 365th spacecraft. Type: Lunar probe Sponsor: NASA Launch: 30 January 1964 at 15h49 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's LC-12, by an Atlas-Agena B (Atlas LV-3A 199D / Agena B 6008). Orbit: Earth-Moon trajectory. Decayed: 2 February 1964 (impacted on the Moon). Mission: Ranger VI was a 365-kg lunar probe that would impact the lunar surface. The only scientific instruments onboard spacecraft were six TV cameras, designed to provide more than 3,000 photographs of the lunar surface during the last 10 min. of the 66-hr. flight. This was the first Ranger launch since October 1962, when extensive review of the Ranger project was undertaken because of previous Ranger failures. For Ranger VI, changes were made in subsystems to improve reliability and provide redundancy in some areas; also, sterilization requirements for Ranger spacecraft were relaxed, since excessive heat was suspected of causing some previous malfunctions. Target for the lunar spacecraft: Sea of Tranquility.      On 2 February 1964, Ranger VI crashed onto the moon on target in the Sea of Tranquility, but its onboard camera system failed to return TV photographs of the lunar surface. Indications were that the two TV systems responded to Central Computer and Sequencer (CCS~Sc) command to warm up, but the cameras did not complete the warm-up to picture taking. Ranger VI’s cameras (two wide-angle and four narrow-angle) were to have made more than 3,000 photographs during its last 10 min. The photographs were to have provided scientific data on lunar topography and supported the Surveyor unmanned soft-landing spacecraft and Apollo manned lunar landing program. Sir Bernard Lovell, Director of Jodrell Bank Experimental Station which tracked Ranger VI on its course to the moon, said of the spacecraft’s accurate impact of the moon: “I think this represents a very great achievement for American rocket engineers. “This achievement is underlined by the fact that it is now four and a half years since either the Russians or the Americans have made a direct hit of this nature on the lunar surface, despite repeated attempts. NASA planned three more Ranger TV flights this year.  Ranger VI impacted the moon withing 30-km of its target and within one third of a second of the predicted afrival time.      On 2 April 1964, NASA Administrator, James E. Webb, detailed possible causes of failure of Ranger VI. Although not yet identified any specific cause for failure were identified, Mr. Webb outlined five major faults in the spacecraft: 1. The two oaboard TV systems “were more complex than required and were not completely redundant. They included a number of common components in which a single failure would lead to disablement of both television systems.” 2. “Possibilities of failure… increased as a result of practices employed in the design and construction of the spacecraft.…” 3. Preflight ground testing “may have obscured potentially dangerous situations which could have enhanced accidental triggering of critical control circuits.” 4. The antenna for transmitting the lunar photographs had never been tested with the TV transmitters. 5. “Because of reluctance to risk possible damage to the space vehicle, pre-launch systems verification was not complete.…”      On 27 April 1964, Dr. Homer E. Newell, NASA Associate Administrator for Space Sciences and Applications, said before House Subcommittee on NASA Oversight about Project Ranger:      ”… From the outset, the concept was advanced. It was conceived to seize the initiative in space exploration from the Soviet as well as to obtain important information about the moon. Had it succeeded, it certainly would have been a major first for this country, and it may still obtain that objective. The spacecraft itself is quite complex.… It is comparable to the most sophisticated launch vehicles in terms of electromechanical system complexity. Launch vehicles developed in this country have typically taken 20 or more flights to achieve 50% reliability. Some have not done much better than this after many more firings. Indeed, we have read recently that last year there were 13 consecutive failures of the Atlas. In addition, the Discoverer project took 13 attempts to recover its first payload from orbit. Polaris experienced 5 initial failures before its first success. Skybolt experienced 5 flights without achieving complete mission success. In each of these projects, partial success in early flights helped improve later flights. Although I believe Skybolt was dropped for other reasons, Atlas, Discoverer, and Polaris all went on to become vital elements in the defense posture of this country.       “Ranger is going through this same process. We have solved some of our launch vehicle problems to the point where the reliability is improving appreciably. The basic spacecraft bus has been retained and has now demonstrated its capabiIity to deliver a payload to a precise spot on the lunar surface. We now must make the payload work. The payload also is pushing the state of the art in high power television telemetry. This was necessary to obtain high resolution photographs… Our reviews of the Ranger system continue to convince us of its capability of performing the mission. While we how we cannot have100% reliability with launch vehicle, spacecraft, or payload, we expect to achieve at least one complete success with the remaining three flights.…  “Ranger is a tough job. Although success has eluded us, it is within our grasp. We must have the fortitude to proceed. Space will only be conquered by those who do have such fortitude. It might be well to point out that our competitors in this area of exploration are not lacking in this respect. It is reported that the Soviet Union has failed in from 15 to 20 consecutive lunar and planetary mission attempts since Lunik IIIphotographed the back side of the moon in 1959.  “Even should subsequent Rangers fail through unforeseen causes, we must move ahead. We must look at the totality of the space program. … The over-all picture is very good and is most convincing of this country’s capability to successfully complete these undertakings. The trends are all in our favor.…”  Ranger 6 was a 381-kg planetary probe designed to achieve a lunar impact trajectory in order to transmit high-resolution photographs of the lunar surface during the final minutes of flight.  It carried six     television vidicon cameras. The cameras were arranged in two separate chains, each self-contained with separate power supplies, timers, and transmitters so as to affordthe greatest reliability and probability of obtaining high-quality video pictures. No other experiments were carried on the spacecraft.       It was the first so-called Block 3 versions of the Ranger spacecraft. The spacecraft consisted of a hexagonal aluminum frame base 1.5 metre across on which was mounted the propulsion and power units, topped by a truncated conical tower which held the TV cameras. Two solar panel wings, each 73.9 cm wide by 153.7 cm long, extended from opposite edges of the base with a full span of 4.6 m, and a pointable high gain dish antenna was hinge mounted at one of the corners of the base away  from the solar panels. The overall height of the spacecraft was 3.6 m.      On February 2, 1964, 65.5 hours after launch, Ranger 6 impacted the Moon on the eastern edge of Mare Tranquillitatis (Sea of Tranquility)  at 9.358° North, 21.480° East. The orientation of the spacecraft to the surface during descent was correct, but no video signal was received and no camera data obtained. A review board determined the most likely cause of failure was due to an arc-over in the TV power system when it inadvertently turned on for 67 seconds approximately 2 minutes after launch during the period of booster-engine separation.  Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-007A ; TRW Space Log ; Astronautical Events of 1964, p. 34-5, 36, 41, 61, 126, 150-1  ;

.

Discoverer 72 / CORONA 1004 / KH-4A Spacecraft:  OPS 3444 Chronologies: 1964 payload #14 ; 1964-008A ; 366th spacecraft. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 15 February 1964 at 21h38 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-3-4, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2C 389 / Agena D 1174). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: “USAF launched Thor-Agena D booster from Vandenberg AFB with nnidentified satellite.” Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-008A ; TRW Space Log ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona : Astronautical Events of 1964, p. 66 ;

.

Zond Spacecraft:  3MV-1 No. 2 SA Chronologies: 1964 payload #15 ; 1964 1st loss ; 367th spacecraft. Type: Venus probe Sponsor: Soviet Union (Korolev's Design Bureau) Launch: 19 February 1964 at 5h47 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome's LC-1, by an A-2-e/"Molniya" (8K78M). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: U.S.S.R.’s unsuccessful attempts to send payloads to Venus Feb. 26 and Mar. 4 were reported in the U.S. press on 30 March 1964. Failures were attributed by U.S. military officials to difliculties with upper-stage rocket supposed to send the spacecraft out of parking orbit and onto its interplanetary course Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ;  TRW Space Log ; Astronautical Events of 1964, p. 120, ;

.

Improve Samos 5 / KH-7 5 Spacecraft:  OPS 2423 ; AFP-206 SV 955 Chronologies: 1964 payload #16 ; 1964-009A ; 368th spacecraft. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 25 February 1964 at 18h59 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base (Point Arguello)'s LC2-3, by an Atlas-Agena D (Atlas LV-3A 285D / Agena D S01A 4803). Orbit: 173 km x 190 km x 95.7°  Decayed: 1st March 1964 (1 day) Mission: ”USAF launched Atlas-Agena D combination from Vandenberg AFB with undisclosed payload.” Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-009A ; TRW Space Log ; Jonathan McDowell's USAF imaging programs' Satellite Summary: KH-7 (Program 206) ; Astronautical Events of 1964, p. 79 ;

.

Kosmos 25 Spacecraft:  DS-P1 No. 4 Chronologies: 1964 payload #17 ; 1964-010A ; 369th spacecraft. Type: Antimissile technologies Sponsor: Soviet Union's Defense ministry Launch: 27 February 1964 at 13h26 UTC, from Kapustin Yar Cosmodrome's Mayak-2, by a Kosmos B-1 (63S1). Orbit: 526 km x 272 km x 49° x 92.27 min. Decayed: Mission: ”Cosmos XXV scientific earth satellite was orbited from unidentified site in Soviet Union. Scientific equipment and communication systems onboard the satellite were said to be functioning normally.” Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-010A ; TRW Space Log ; Astronautical Events of 1964, p. 82 ;

.

Ferret 5 Spacecraft:  OPS 3722 Chronologies: 1964 payload #18 ; 1964-011A ; 370th spacecraft. Type: Electronic intelligence Sponsor: U.S. Air Force  Launch: 28 February 1964 at 3h20 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-3-5, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2C 402 / Agena D 2316). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: ”USAF launched Thor-Agena D launch vehicle from Vandenberg AFB, Calif ., with unidentified satellite payload.” Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-011A ; TRW Space Log ; Astronautical Events of 1964, p. 85 ;

.

Improve Samos 6 / KH-7 6 Spacecraft:  OPS 3435 ; AFP-206 SV 956 Chronologies: 1964 payload #19 ; 1964-012A ; 371st spacecraft. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 11 March 1964 at 20h14 UTC, from Point Arguello's LC2-3, by an Atlas-Agena D (Atlas LV-3A 296D / Agena D S01A  4804). Orbit: 163 km x 203 km x 95.7°  Decayed: 16 March 1964 (4.3 days) Mission: “USAF announced Atlas-Agena D launch from Pt. Arguello, Calif., with undisclosed satellite payload.” Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-012A ; TRW Space Log ; Jonathan McDowell's USAF imaging programs' Satellite Summary: KH-7 (Program 206) ; Astronautical Events of 1964, p. 102 ;

.

Kosmos 26 Spacecraft:  DS-MG No. 1 Chronologies: 1964 payload #20 ; 1964-013A ; 372nd spacecraft. Type: Earth upper atmosphere studies (civil) Sponsor: Soviet Union's Defense ministry Launch: 18 March 1964 at 15h07 UTC, from Kapustin Yar Cosmodrome's Mayak-2, by a Kosmos B-1 (63S1). Orbit: 271 km x 403 km x 49” x 91 min. Decayed: Mission: “Soviet news agency Tass said Cosmos XXVI scientific earth satellite’s onboard scientific equipment, radio system, and instrumentation were functioning normally.” Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-013A ; TRW Space Log ; Astronautical Events of 1964, p. 102 ;

.

Beacon Explorer A Spacecraft:  BE-A / S-66 Chronologies: 1964 payload #21 ; 1964 2nd loss ; 373rd spacecraft. Type: Earth upper atmosphere studies Sponsor: NASA Launch: 19 March 1964 at 11h14 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's LC-17A, by a Delta DSV-3B (Thor Delta B 391 / Delta 24). Orbit: n/a Decayed: n/a Mission: Beacon satellite (5-66) was a 55-kg satellite designed to transmit data on the ionosphere directly to worldwide network of ground stations. In addition to making major ionosphere studies, the satellite was to have served as test bed for two geodesic experiments: reflection of a laser beam directed from Wallops Island, Va., and transmission on two frequencies permitting ground stations to study Doppler method of satellite tracking and influence of ionosphere on Doppler tracking. The attempt to orbit the satellite failed when third stage of Delta launch vehicle burned for only 22 sec. instead of normal 40. This was only the second Delta failure and followed 22 consecutive successes. Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's EXP-66A ; TRW Space Log ; TRW Space Log ; Astronautical Events of 1964, p. 109 ;

.

Luna Spacecraft:  E-6 No. 4 SA Chronologies: 1964 payload #22 ; 1964 3rd loss  ; 374th spacecraft. Type: Lunar probe Sponsor: Soviet Union (Korolev's Design Bureau) Launch: 21 March 1964 at 8h16 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome's LC-1, by an A-2-e/"Molniya" (8K78M T15000-20). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ;  TRW Space Log ;

.

Discoverer 73 / CORONA 1003 / KH-4A Spacecraft:  OPS 3467  Chronologies: 1964 payload #23 ; 1964 4th loss ; 375th spacecraft. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 24 March 1964 at 22h22 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-1-1, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2C 396 / Agena D 1175). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: “USAF launched Thor-Agena booster combination from Pt. Arguello with unidentified payload.” Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's NNN6401 ; TRW Space Log ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona : Astronautical Events of 1964, p. 114 ;

.

ORBIS 1 Spacecraft:  Chronologies: 1964 payload #24 ; 1964 5th loss ; 376th spacecraft. Type: Technology? Sponsor: U.S. Air Force? Launch: 24 March 1964 at 22h22 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-1-1, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2C 396 / Agena D 1175). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's ORBIS1 ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Kosmos 27 Spacecraft: 3MV-1 No. 3 SA Chronologies: 1964 payload #25 ; 1964-014A ; 377th spacecraft. Type: Venus probe Sponsor: Soviet Union (Korolev's Design Bureau) Launch: 27 March 1964 at 3h24 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome's LC-1, by an A-2-e/"Molniya" (8K78M T15000-22). Orbit: 192 km X 237 km x 64.8° x 88.7-min. Decayed: Mission: “Soviet news agency Tass said that Cosmos XXVII carried scientific instrumentation intended for the “further study of outer space in accordance with the program announced by Tass” March 16, 1962, as well as radio transmitter and telemetering systems. All onboard equipment was functioning normally.”     U.S.S.R.’s unsuccessful attempts to send payloads to Venus Feb. 26 and Mar. 4 were reported in the U.S. press on 30 March 1964. Failures were attributed by U.S. military officials to difliculties with upper-stage rocket supposed to send the spacecraft out of parking orbit and onto its interplanetary course. Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-014A ; TRW Space Log ; Astronautical Events of 1964, p. 114, 120 ;

.

Ariel 2 Spacecraft: UK-C Chronologies: 1964 payload #26 ; 1964-015A ; 378th spacecraft. Type: Astronomy Sponsor: United Kingdom Launch: 27 March 1964 at 17h25 UTC, from Wallops Island's LA-3, by a Scout (X-3 S127R). Orbit: 290 km X 1,356 km x 52° x 101-min. Decayed: Mission: Ariel II is the second in series of three U.S.-U.K. Earth sciences satellites.Under overall administrative responsibility of the British Office of the Minister for Science, the three onboard experiments were designed and built by the U.K. to measure vertical distribution of ozone in the upper atmosphere, measure galactic radio noise, and detect micrometeoroids encountered by the satellite. The experiments were chosen by the British National Committee on Space Research, chaired by Sir Harrie Massey, in consultation with NASA. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center built and tested the spacecraft and contracted with Westinghouse Electric Corp. for subsystems.  Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-015A ; TRW Space Log ; Astronautical Events of 1964, p. 114 ;

.

Zond 1 Spacecraft:  3MV-1 No. 4 SA Chronologies: 1964 payload #27 ; 1964-016A ; 379th spacecraft. Type: Venus probe Sponsor: Soviet Union (Korolev's Design Bureau) Launch: 2 April 1964 at 2h52 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome, by an A-2-e/"Molniya" (8K78M T15000-23). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: U.S.S.R. launched Zond I space probe “for the purppose of developing a space system for distant interplanetary flights.” Final stage of “improved booster rocket” placed earth satellite into parking orbit; then a rocket took off from the satellite and propelled the Zond I to escape velocity, sending it into flight trajectory “close to the computed one.” There was no indication as to what the computed course was, and no details of the probe’s weight, size, or destination were given.  The probe was said to be in a flight trajectory corresponding “with a high degree of accuracy” to the predetermined program. Soviet scientist Sergei Vernon said at Moscow press conference that the Zond I space probe was launched to study radiation hazards in space. The probe would “provide information about more remote areas of space we know little about.”      On 15 April 1964, Soviet news agency Tass said 25 communication sessions had been held with Zond I since April 2, and a great deal of “interesting experimental data” on the operation of onboard systems and individual units had been obtained. By 6:00 pm., Moscow time, Zond I had reached 4,250,000 km from earth. Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-016A ; TRW Space Log ; Astronautical Events of 1964, p. 124, 127, 128, 131, 138 ;

.

Kosmos 28 Spacecraft:  Zenit-2 No. 16 Chronologies: 1964 payload #28 ; 1964-017A ; 380th spacecraft. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: Soviet Union's Defense ministry Launch: 4 April 1964 at 9h36 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome's LC-31, by an A-1/"Vostok" (8A92). Orbit: 209 km x 395 km x 65°x 90.38 min. Decayed: Mission: “U.S.S.R. announced routine launching of Cosmos XXVIII. Scientific equipment onboard the satellite was “intended for the further exploration of outer space in accordance with the program announced by Tass March 16, 1962.” In addition, the satellite contained radio transmitter and telemetering system. All instrumentation was functioning normally.” Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-017A ; TRW Space Log ; Astronautical Events of 1964, p. 128 ;

.

Gemini 1 Spacecraft:  Gemini spacecraft 1 Chronologies: 1964 payload #29 ; 1964-018A ; 381st spacecraft. Type: Piloted spacecraft test Sponsor: NASA Launch: 8 April 1964 at 16h00 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's LC-19, by a Titan 2 (GLV GT-1). Orbit: 160 km x 328 km x x 89.27 min. Decayed: 12 April 1964 Mission: Titan II launched unmanned Gemini spacecraft into orbit in first Project Gemini flight (GT-1), a test of Titan II launch vehicle system, Gemini spacecraft structural integrity, and spacecraft-launch vehicle compatibility. After an uninterrupted countdown at Cape Kennedy, the Titan II lifted off and placed the spacecraft in orbit. Walter C. Willianis said all systems functioned “well within manned tolerances.” Only imperfection in the flight was Titan II’s 22.5 km/h excess speed (28,212 instead of 28,190 km/h), sending spacecraft 34 km higher than planned. However, this was within tolerance and, on manned flight, crewmen could easily correct the extra height. The 3,200 kg spacecraft was not separated from the spent rocket casing. The  spacecraft re-entered the earth’s atmosphere on 12 April 1964 and disintegrated midway between South America and Africa. Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-018A ; TRW Space Log ; Astronautical Events of 1964, p. 128, 134 ;

.

Polyot 2 Spacecraft:  I-2B No. 2 Chronologies: 1964 payload #30 ; 1964-019A ; 382nd spacecraft. Type: Technology (ASAT) Sponsor: Soviet Union's Defense ministry Launch: 12 April 1964 at 9h21 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome's, by a Polyot (11A59). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Purposes of the steerable Polet II spacecraft were said to be to “further improve space vehicles capable of maneuvering extensively in all directions, and to work out questions concerning the problem of space rendezvous.” After being placed in initial orbit, Polet II was maneuvered in various directions by means of special engine system. “As a result of one of these maneuvers in the area of the equator, the space vehicle substantially changed the angle of inclination of its orbital plane.” After the programed space maneuvers, Polet II was in a 310 x 500 km orbit, inclined at 58.06 degrees to the equator, and with an orbital period of 92.4 min. Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-019A ; TRW Space Log ; Astronautical Events of 1964, p. 134 ;

.

Luna Spacecraft:  ALS / E-6 No. 5 SA Chronologies: 1964 payload #31 ; 1964 6th loss ; 383rd spacecraft. Type: Lunar probe Sponsor: Soviet Union (Korolev's Design Bureau) Launch: 20 April 1964 at 8h08 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome's LC-1, by an A-2-e/"Molniya" (8K78M T15000-21). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Transit 5BN3 Spacecraft:  Chronologies: 1964 payload #32 ; 1964 7th loss ; 384th spacecraft. Type: Navigation Sponsor: U.S. Navy Launch: 21 April 1964 at 18h50 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-1-1, by a Thor-Able-Star (Thor Ablestar 379 AB014). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Transit 5E2 Spacecraft:  Transit VE-2 Chronologies: 1964 payload #33 ; 1964 8th loss ; 385th spacecraft. Type: Navigation Sponsor: U.S. Air Force Launch: 21 April 1964 at 18h50 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-1-1, by a Thor-Able-Star (Thor Ablestar 379 AB014). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Improve Samos 7 / KH-7 7 Spacecraft:  OPS 3743 ;  AFP-206 SV 957  Chronologies: 1964 payload #34 ; 1964-020A ; 386th spacecraft. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 23 April 1964 at 16h19 UTC, from Vendenberg Air Force Base (Point Arguello)'s LC-2-3, by an Atlas-Agena D (Atlas LV-3A 351D / Agena D S01A 4805). Orbit: 150 km x 336 km x 103.6° Decayed: 29 April 1964 (5.2 days) Mission: “USAF launched Atlas-Agena D booster combination from Point Arguello, Calif., with unidentified satellite payload.” Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-020A ; TRW Space Log ; Jonathan McDowell's USAF imaging programs' Satellite Summary: KH-7 (Program 206) ; Astronautical Events of 1964, p. 143 ;

.

Kosmos 29 Spacecraft: Zenit-2 No. 19 Chronologies: 1964 payload #35 ; 1964-021A ; 387th spacecraft. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: Soviet Union's Defense ministry Launch: 25 April 1964 at 10h19 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome's LC-31, by an A-1/"Vostok" (8A92). Orbit: 204 km x 309 km x 65,4° x 89.52 min. Decayed: Mission: “U.S.S.R launched Cosmos XXIX into orbit from unspecified site. Soviet press agency Tass said scientific equipment, radio systems, and onboard instrumentation were functionhg normally, and ground station was processing incoming information.” Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-021A ; TRW Space Log ; Astronautical Events of 1964, p. 149 ;

.

Discoverer 74 / CORONA 1005 / KH-4A Spacecraft:  OPS 2921 Chronologies: 1964 payload #36 ; 1964-022A ; 388th spacecraft. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 27 April 1964 at 23h23 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-3-4, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2C 395 / Agena D 1604). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: “USAF launched Thor-Agena D booster combination from Vandenberg AFB, Calif., with unidentified satellite payload.” Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-022A ; TRW Space Log ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona : Space Review 18 Feb 08 ;  Astronautical Events of 1964, p. 151 ;

.

Kosmos 30 Spacecraft:  Zenit-4 Chronologies: 1964 payload #37 ; 1964-023A ; 389th spacecraft. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: Soviet Union's Defense ministry Launch: 18 May 1964 at 9h50 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome, by an A-2/"Voskhod" (11A57). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-023A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Improve Samos 8 / KH-7 8 Spacecraft:  OPS 3592 ; AFP-206 SV 958 Chronologies: 1964 payload #38 ; 1964-024A ; 390th spacecraft. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 19 May 1964 at 19h21 UTC, from Vendenberg Air Force Base (Point Arguello)'s LC-2-3, by an Atlas-Agena D (Atlas LV-3A 350D / Agena D S01A 4806)). Orbit: 141 km x 380 km x 101.1° Decayed: 22 May 1964 (2.9 days) Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-024A ; TRW Space Log ; Jonathan McDowell's USAF imaging programs' Satellite Summary: KH-7 (Program 206) ;

.

Apollo SA-5 Spacecraft:  Apollo BP-13 Chronologies: 1964 payload #39 ; 1964-025A ; 391st spacecraft. Type: Piloted spacecraft test Sponsor: NASA Launch: 28 May 1964 at 1h07 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's LC-37B, by a Saturn I (SA-6). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-025A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Molniya-1 No 2 Spacecraft:  Chronologies: 1964 payload #40 ; 1964 9th loss ; 392nd spacecraft. Type: Communications Sponsor: Soviet Union Launch: 4 June 1964, from Baykonur Cosmodrome's LC-1, by an A-2-e/"Molniya" (8K78 R103-34). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Transit 5C1 Spacecraft:  Transit VC Chronologies: 1964 payload #41 ; 1964-026A ; 393rd spacecraft. Type: Navigation Sponsor: U.S Navy Source: A. Parsch Launch: 4 June 1964 at 3h50 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-D, by a Scout (X-4 S125R). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-026A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Discoverer 75 / CORONA 1006 / KH-4A Spacecraft:  OPS 3483 Chronologies: 1964 payload #52 ; 1964-027A ; 394th spacecraft. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 4 June 1964 at 22h59 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-1-1, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2C 403 / Agena D 1176). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-027A ; TRW Space Log ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona :

.

Kosmos 31 Spacecraft:  DS-MT No. 2 Chronologies: 1964 payload #43 ; 1964-028A ; 395th spacecraft. Type: Earth/space studies (civil) Spnsor: Soviet Union Launch: 6 June 1964 at 6h00 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 ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-028A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Kosmos 32 Spacecraft:  Zenit-2 No. 18 Chronologies: 1964 payload #44 ; 1964-029A ; 396th spacecraft. Type: Reconnaisance Sponsor: Soviet Union's Defense ministry Launch: 10 June 1964 at 10h48 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome's LC-31, by an A-1/"Vostok" (8A92). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-029A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Discoverer 76 / CORONA 9063A / KH-5 Spacecraft:  OPS 3236 Chronologies: 1964 payload #45 ; 1964-030A ; 397th spacecraft. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 13 June 1964 at 15h47 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2C 408 / Agena D 1606). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-030A ; TRW Space Log ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona :

.

Starflash 1A Spacecraft:  Chronologies: 1964 payload #46 ; 1964-030A ; 398th spacecraft. Type: Technology? Sponsor: U.S. Air Force Launch: 13 June 1964 at 15h47 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2C 408 / Agena D 1606). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-030A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

P-35-8 / DAPP 8 Spacecraft: OPS 4467A ; AFP-43 Data Acquisition and Processing Program Chronologies: 1964 payload #47 ; 1964-031A ; 399th spacecraft. Type: Technology Sponsor: U.S. Air Force Launch: 18 June 1964 at 4h56 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-3-4, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2A 407 / Agena D 2304). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-031A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

P-35-9 / DAPP 9 Spacecraft:  OPS 4467B ; AFP-43 Data Acquisition and Processing Program Chronologies: 1964 payload #48 ; 1964-031C ; 400th spacecraft. Type: Technology Sponsor: U.S. Air Force Launch: 18 June 1964 at 4h56 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-3-4, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2A 407 / Agena D 2304). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-031C ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Discoverer 77 / CORONA 1007 / KH-4A Spacecraft: OPS 3754 ;  Chronologies: 1964 payload #49 ; 1964-032A ; 401st spacecraft. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 19 June 1964 at 23h18 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-1-1, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2C 410 / Agena D 1609). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-032A ; TRW Space Log ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona :

.

Kosmos 33 Spacecraft:  Zenit-2 No. 20 Chronologies: 1964 payload #50 ; 1964-033A ; 402nd spacecraft. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: Soviet Union's Defense ministry Launch: 23 June 1964 at 10h19 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome's LC-31, by an A-1/"Vostok" (8A92). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-033A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

ESRS / AFCRL B Spacecraft:  Environmental Sciences Research Satellite Chronologies: 1964 payload #51 ; 1964 10th loss ; 403rd spacecraft. Type: Earth upper atmosphere studies Sponsor: U.S. Air Force Launch: 25 June 1964 at 1h40 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-D, by a Scout (X-4 S128R). Orbit: Decayed: Mission:      Although details remain sketchy, it appears as if an experimental radar satellite program was started during the Kennedy administration. This program, known as Quill, produced three satellites: two flight models and a test model. One satellite was launched in 1964. It used a radar that was probably built by Raytheon to take images of the ground which were stored on magnetic tape. Quill used the same recovery system as the Corona reconnaissance satellite, returning the magnetic tape to Earth in a recoverable capsule that was caught in mid-air by an aircraft.      Apparently, the flight and the mission were successful, but the program was not continued. It is easy to speculate why. The satellite’s relatively low power and early technology undoubtedly limited its capabilities, particularly the size of objects it could spot. Quill could probably not spot anything smaller than a naval vessel. In addition, the data retrieval technique meant that information was not processed until long after it had been collected. The intelligence value was therefore probably too limited to justify further efforts. Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's ENSAT ; TRW Space Log ; Space Review's 22 Jan 07 ;

.

AC-3 / Atlas-Centaur 3 Spacecraft:  Centaur 1C Chronologies: 1964 payload #52 ; 1964 11th loss ; 404th spacecraft. Type: Technology Sponsor: NASA Launch: 30 June 1964 at 14h04 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's LC-36A, by an Atlas-Centaur (Atlas LV-3C AC-3 / Centaur D 135D). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's ATCEN3 ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Kosmos 34 Spacecraft:  Zenit-4 Chronologies: 1964 payload #53 ; 1964-034A ; 405th spacecraft. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: Soviet Union's Defense ministry Launch: 1st July 1964 at 11h16 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome, by an A-2/"Voskhod" (11A57). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-034A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Ferret 6 Spacecraft: OPS 3395 Chronologies: 1964 payload #54 ; 1964-035A ; 406th spacecraft. Type: Electronic intelligence Sponsor: U.S. Air Force Launch: 2 July 1964 at 23h59 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-3-5, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2C 409 / Agena D 2315). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-035A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Improve Samos 9 / KH-7 9 Spacecraft:  OPS 3684 ; AFP-206 SV 959 Chronologies: 1964 payload #55 ; 1964-036A ; 407th spacecraft. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 6 July 1964 at 18h51 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base (Point Arguello)'s LC-2-3, by an Atlas-Agena D (Atlas LV-3A 352D / Agena D S01A 4807). Orbit: 121 km x 346 km x 92.9°  Decayed: 8 July 1964 (2.0 days) Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-036A ; TRW Space Log ; Jonathan McDowell's USAF imaging programs' Satellite Summary: KH-7 (Program 206) ;

.

Hitchhiker 5 Spacecraft:  OPS 4923 / [EHH A3] Chronologies: 1964 payload #56 ; 1964-036B ; 408th spacecraft. Type: Electronic intelligence Sponsor: U.S. Air Force Launch: 6 July 1964 at 18h51 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base (Point Arguello)'s LC-2-3, by an Atlas-Agena D (Atlas LV-3A 352D / Agena D S01A 4807).. Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Note: “Reported in Astronuutics and Aerospace Engineering that a 'hitchhiker' satellite called Satar (Satellite-Aerospace Research) would be built and tested by General Dynamics. A bullet-shaped spacecraft 3.7-metre long and 75 cm in diameter, Satar would be incorporated in Atlas missiles used for training missions. It would consist of a payload section capable of accommodating “several hundred pounds of experiments” and a propulsion section including a solid-propellant motor, guidance, attitude control, and related equipment. Satar would be released after Atlas burnout and about 15 min. before its own engine ignited to send it into orbit. First flight was scheduled for next spring.” (A&A 1963, p. 455) Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-036B ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Elektron 3 Spacecraft:  2D No. 3 Chronologies: 1964 payload #57 ; 1964-038A ; 409th spacecraft. Type: Earth upper atmosphere and radiations studies Sponsor: Soviet Union Launch: 10 July 1964 at 21h51 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome, by an A-1/"Vostok" (8A92). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-038A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Elektron 4 Spacecraft:  2D No. 4 Chronologies: 1964 payload #59 ; 1964-038B ; 410th spacecraft. Type: Earth upper atmosphere and radiations studies Sponsor: Soviet Union Launch: 10 July 1964 at 21h51 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome, by an A-1/"Vostok" (8A92). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-038B ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Discoverer 78 / CORONA 1008 / KH-4A Spacecraft:  OPS 3491 Chronologies: 1964 payload #59 ; 1964-037A ; 411th spacecraft. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 10 July 1964 at 23h15 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-1-1, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2C 404 / Agena D 1177). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-037A ; TRW Space Log ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona :

.

Kosmos 35 Spacecraft:  Zenit-2 No. 21 Chronologies: 1964 payload #60 ; 1964-039A ; 412th spacecraft. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: Soviet Union's Defense ministry Launch: 15 July 1964 at 11h31 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodroem's LC-31, by an A-1/"Vostok" (8A92). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-039A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Vela Hotel 3 / Vela 2A Spacecraft:  Chronologies: 1964 payload #61 ; 1964-040A ; 413th spacecraft. Type: Nuclear explosion monitoring Sponsor: U.S. Air Force Launch: 17 July 1964 at 8h23 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's LC-13, by an Atlas-Agena D (Atlas LV-3A 216D / Agena D 1802). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-040A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Vela Hotel 4 / Vela 2B Spacecraft:  Chronologies: 1964 payload #62 ; 1964-040B ; 414th spacecraft. Type: Nuclear explosion monitoring Sponsor: U.S. Air Force Launch: 17 July 1964 at 8h23 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's LC-13, by an Atlas-Agena D (Atlas LV-3A 216D / Agena D 1802). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-040B ; TRW Space Log ;

.

ERS 13 / TRS 6 Spacecraft:  TRS 2(B) Chronologies: 1964 payload #63 ; 1964-040C ; 415th spacecraft. Type: Technology Sponsor: U.S. Air Force Launch: 17 July 1964 at 8h23 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's LC-13, by an Atlas-Agena D (Atlas LV-3A 216D / Agena D 1802). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-040C ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Ranger 7 Spacecraft:  Chronologies: 1964 payload #64 ; 1964-041A ; 416th spacecraft. Type: Lunar probe Sponsor: NASA Launch: 28 July 1964 at 16h05 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's LC-12, by an Atlas-Agena B (Atlas LV-3A 250D / Agena B 6009). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-041A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Kosmos 36 Spacecraft:  DS-P1-Yu No. 1 Chronologies: 1964 payload #65 ; 1964-042A ; 417th spacecraft. Type: Military technologies Sponsor: Soviet Union's Defense ministry Launch: 30 July 1964 at 3h36 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 ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-042A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Discoverer 79 / CORONA 1009 / KH-4A Spacecraft:  OPS 3042 Chronologies: 1964 payload #66 ; 1964-043A ; 418th spacecraft. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 5 August 1964 at 23h15 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-3-4, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2C 413 / Agena D 1605). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-043A ; TRW Space Log ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona :

.

Kosmos 37 Spacecraft:  Zenit-2 No. 22 Chronologies: 1964 payload #67 ; 1964-044A ; 419th spacecraft. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: Soviet Union's Defense ministry Launch: 14 August 1964 at 9h36 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome's LC-31, by an A-1/"Vostok" (8A92). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-044A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Improve Samos 10 / KH-7 10 Spacecraft:  OPS 3802 ; AFP-206 SV 960 Chronologies: 1964 payload #68 ; 1964-045A ; 420th spacecraft. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 14 August 1964 at 22h00 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's PALC-2-4, by an Atlas-Agena D (Atlas 7101 / Agena D S01A 4808). Orbit: 149 km x 307 km x 95.5°  Decayed: 23 August 1964 (8.8 days) Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-045A ; TRW Space Log ; Jonathan McDowell's USAF imaging programs' Satellite Summary: KH-7 (Program 206) ;

.

Hitchhiker 6 Spacecraft: OPS 3316 / P-11 No. 4202 Chronologies: 1964 payload #69 ; 1964-045B ; 421st spacecraft. Type: Electronic intelligence Sponsor: U.S. Air Force Launch: 14 August 1964 at 22h00 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's PALC-2-4, by an Atlas-Agena D (Atlas 7101 / Agena D S01A 4808). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-045B ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Kosmos 38 Spacecraft:  Strela-1 Chronologies: 1964 payload #70 ; 1964-046A ; 422nd spacecraft. Type: Communications (store-dump) Sponsor: Soviet Union's Defense ministry Launch: 18 August 1964 at 9h21 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome's LC-41, by a Kosmos C-1 (65S3). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-046A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Kosmos 39 Spacecraft:  Strela-1 Chronologies: 1964 payload #71 ; 1964-046B ; 423rd spacecraft. Type: Communications (store-dump) Sponsor: Soviet Union's Defense ministry Launch: 18 August 1964 at 9h21 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome's LC-41, by a Kosmos C-1 (65S3). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-046B ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Kosmos 40 Spacecraft:  Strela-1 Chronologies: 1964 payload #72 ; 1964-046C ; 424th spacecraft. Type: Communications (store-dump) Sponsor: Soviet Union's Defense ministry Launch: 18 August 1964 at 9h21 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome's LC-41, by a Kosmos C-1 (65S3). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-046C ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Syncom 3 Spacecraft:  Syncom C Chronologies: 1964 payload #73 ; 1964-047A ; 425th spacecraft. Type: Communications Sponsor: NASA Launch: 19 August 1964 at 12h15 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's LC-17A, by a Delta DSV-3D (Thor Delta D 417 / Delta 25). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-047A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Discoverer 80 / CORONA 9064A / KH-5 Spacecraft:  OPS 2739 Chronologies: 1964 payload #74 ; 1964-048A ; 426th spacecraft. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 21 August 1964 at 15h45 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-1-2, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2C 412 / Agena D 1603). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-048A ; TRW Space Log ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona :

.

Starflash 1B Spacecraft:  Chronologies: 1964 payload #75 ; 1964-048B ; 427th spacecraft. Type: Technology? Sponsor: U.S. Air Force Launch: 21 August 1964 at 15h45 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-1-2, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2C 412 / Agena D 1603). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-048B ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Kosmos 41 Spacecraft:  Molniya-1 Chronologies: 1964 payload #76 ; 1964-049A ; 428th spacecraft. Type: Communications Sponsor: Soviet Union Launch: 22 August 1964 at 7h12 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome, by an A-2-e/"Molniya" (8K78 R103-36). Orbit: Decayed: 9 April/7 May 2004. Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-049A ; TRW Space Log ; Spacewarn No. 606 &  607 ;

.

Kosmos 42 Spacecraft:  Strela-1 Chronologies: 1964 payload #77 ; 1964-050A ; 429th spacecraft. Type: Communications (store/dump) Sponsor: Soviet Union Defense ministry Launch: 22 August 1964 at 11h02 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 ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-050A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Kosmos 43 Spacecraft:  Strela-1 Chronologies: 1964 payload #78 ; 1964-050B ; 430th spacecraft. Type: Communications (store/dump) Sponsor: Soviet Union's Defense ministry Launch: 22 August 1964 at 11h02 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 ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-050B ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Explorer 20 / IE-A / TOPSI Spacecraft:  NASA S-48  Chronologies: 1964 payload #79 ; 1964-051A ; 431st spacecraft. Type: Earth upper atmosphere studies Sponsor: NASA Launch: 25 August 1964 at 13h43 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's PALC-D, by a Scout (X-4 S134R). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-051A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Nimbus 1 Spacecraft:  Nimbus A Chronologies: 1964 payload #80 ; 1964-052A ; 432nd spacecraft. Type: Meteorology Sponsor: NASA Launch: 28 August 1964 at 7h56 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-1-1, by a Thor-Agena B (Thor 399 / Agena B 6201 (TA3)). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-052A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Kosmos 44 Spacecraft:  Meteor No. 1 Chronologies: 1964 payload #81 ; 1964-053A ; 433rd spacecraft. Type: Meteorology Sponsor: Soviet Union Launch: 28 August 1964 at 16h19 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome, by an A-1/"Vostok" (8A92). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-053A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Transtage Spacecraft:  Transtage 2 Chronologies: 1964 payload #82 ; 1964 12th loss ; 434th spacecraft. Type: Technology Sponsor: U.S. Air Force Launch: 1st September 1964, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Base's LC-20, by a Titan 3A (3A-2). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's TRANSG ; TRW Space Log ;

.

OGO 1 / EOGO 1 Spacecraft: OGO A / Orbiting Geophysical Observatories Chronologies: 1964 payload #83 ; 1964-054A ; 435th spacecraft. Type: Geophysics Sponsor: NASA Launch: 5 September 1964 at 01h23 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's LC-12, by a Atlas-Agena B  (Atlas LV-3A 195D / Agena B 6501). Orbit: Decayed: 10 August 1980 Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-054A ; TRW Space Log; Spacewarn No. 550 ;

.

Kosmos 45 Spacecraft:  Zenit-4 Chronologies: 1964 payload #84 ; 1964-055A ; 436th spacecraft. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: Soviet Union's Defense ministry Launch: 13 September 1964 at 9h50 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome, by an A-2/"Voskhod" (11A57). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-055A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Discoverer 81 / CORONA 1010 / KH-4A Spacecraft:  OPS 3497  Chronologies: 1964 payload #85 ; 1964-056A ; 437th spacecraft. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 14 September 1964 at 22h53 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's PALC-1-1, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2C 405 / Agena D 1178). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-056A ; TRW Space Log ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona :

.

Apollo SA-7 Spacecraft:  Apollo BP-15 Chronologies: 1964 payload #86 ; 1964-057A ; 438th spacecraft. Type: Piloted spacecraft test Sponsor: NASA Launch: 18 September 1964 at 11h23 UTC, from Cape Canaveral LC-37B, by a Saturn I (SA-7). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-057A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Improve Samos 11 / KH-7 11 Spacecraft:  OPS 4262 ; AFP-206 SV 962 Chronologies: 1964 payload #87 ; 1964-058A ; 439th spacecraft. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 23 September 1964 at 20h09 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's PALC-2-4, by an Atlas-Agena D (Atlas 7102 / Agena D). Orbit: 145 km x 303 km x 92.9° Decayed: 28 September 1964 (4.8 days) Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-058A ; TRW Space Log ; Jonathan McDowell's USAF imaging programs' Satellite Summary: KH-7 (Program 206) ;

.

Kosmos 46 Spacecraft:  Zenit-2 No. 23 Chronologies: 1964 payload #88 ; 1964-059A ; 440th spacecraft. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: Soviet Union's Defense ministry Launch: 24 September 1964 at 12h00 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome's LC-31, by an A-1/"Vostok" (8A92). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-059A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Explorer 21 / IMP 2 Spacecraft:  IMP B Chronologies: 1964 payload #89 ; 1964-060A ; 441st spacecraft. Type: Earth-space studies Sponsor: NASA Launch: 4 October 1964 at 3h45 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's LC-17A, by a Delta DSV-3C (Thor Delta C 392 / Delta 26). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-060A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Discoverer 82 / CORONA 1011 / KH-4A Spacecraft:  OPS 3333 Chronologies: 1964 payload #90 ; 1964-061A ; 442nd spacecraft. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 5 October 1964 at 21h50 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-3-4, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2C 421 / Agena D SS-01A 1170). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-061A ; TRW Space Log ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona :

.

Kosmos 47 Spacecraft:  Voskhod 3KV No. 2 Chronologies: 1964 payload #91 ; 1964-062A ; 443rd spacecraft. Type: Piloted spacecraft test Sponsor: Soviet Union (Korolev's Design Bureau) Launch: 6 October 1964 at 7h12 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome, by an A-2/"Voskhod" (11A57). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-062A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Transit O-1 Spacecraft:  Transit 5B-4 / NNS O-1 / NNS 30010 Chronologies: 1964 payload #92 ; 1964-063A ; 444th spacecraft. Type: Navigation Sponsor: U.S. Navy Source: A. Parsch Launch: 6 October 1964 at 17h04 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-1-2, by a Thor-Able-Star (Thor Ablestar 423 AB016). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-063A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Calsphere 1 / Dragsphere 1 Spacecraft:  Chronologies: 1964 payload #93 ; 1964-063B ; 445th spacecraft. Type: Radar calibration Sponsor: U.S. Air Force & U.S. Navy Launch: 6 October 1964 at 17h04 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-1-2, by a Thor-Able-Star (Thor Ablestar 423 AB016). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-063B ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Calsphere 2 / Dragsphere 2 Spacecraft:  Chronologies: 1964 payload #94 ; 1964-063C ; 446th spacecraft. Type: Radar calibration Sponsor: U.S. Air Force & U.S. Navy Launch: 6 October 1964 at 17h04 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-1-2, by a Thor-Able-Star (Thor Ablestar 423 AB016). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-063C ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Improve Samos 12 / KH-7 12 Spacecraft:  OPS 4036 ; AFP-206 SV 961 Chronologies: 1964 payload #95 ; 1964 13th loss ; 447th spacecraft. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 8 October 1964 at UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base'S PALC-2-4, by an Atlas-Agena D (Atlas SLV-3 7103 / Agena D). Orbit: n/a Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's NNN6402 ; TRW Space Log ; Jonathan McDowell's USAF imaging programs' Satellite Summary: KH-7 (Program 206) ;

.

Explorer 22 / BE-B Spacecraft:  Beacon Explorer B Chronologies: 1964 payload #96 ; 1964-064A ; 448th spacecraft. Type: Earth upper atomphere studies Sponsor: NASA Launch: 10 October 1964 at 3h00 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's PALC-D, by a Scout (X-4 S123R). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-064A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Voskhod Spacecraft:  Voskhod 3KV No. 3 Chronologies: 1964 payload #97 ; 1964-065A ; 449th spacecraft. Type: Piloted spacecraft Sponsor: Soviet Union (Korolev's Design Bureau) Launch: 12 October 1964 at 7h31 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome's LC-1, by an A-2/"Voskhod" (11A57). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-065A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Kosmos 48 Spacecraft:  Zenit-2 No. 24 Chronologies: 1964 payload #98 ; 1964-066A ; 450th spacecraft. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: U.S. Air Force Launch: 14 October 1964 at 9h50 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome's LC-31, by an A-1/"Vostok" (8A92). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-066A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Discoverer 83 / CORONA 1012 / KH-4A Spacecraft:  OPS 3559 Chronologies: 1964 payload #99 ; 1964-067A ; 451st spacecraft. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 17 October 1964 at 22h02 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's PALC1-1, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2C 418 / Agena D SS-01A 1179). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-067A ; TRW Space Log ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona :

.

Kosmos Spacecraft:  Strela-1 Chronologies: 1964 payload #100 ; 1964 14th loss ; 452nd spacecraft. Type: Communications (store/dump) Sponsor: Soviet Union's Defense ministry Launch: 23 October 1964, from Baykonur Cosmodrome, by a Kosmos C-1 (65S3). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Kosmos Spacecraft:  Strela-1 Chronologies: 1964 payload #101 ; 1964 15th loss ; 453rd spacecraft. Type: Communications (store/dump) Sponsor: Soviet Union's Defense ministry Launch: 23 October 1964, from Baykonur Cosmodrome, by a Kosmos C-1 (65S3). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Kosmos Spacecraft:  Strela-1 Chronologies: 1964 payload #102 ; 1964 16th loss ; 454th spacecraft. Type: Communications (store/dump) Sponsor: Soviet Union's Defense ministry Launch: 23 October 1964, from Baykonur Cosmodrome, by a Kosmos C-1 (65S3). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Improve Samos 13 / KH-7 13 Spacecraft:  OPS 4384 ; AFP-206 SV 963 Chronologies: 1964 payload #103 ; 1964-068A ; 455th spacecraft. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 23 October 1964 at 18h28 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's PALC-2-3, by an Atlas-Agena D (Atlas LV-3A 353D / Agena D). Orbit: 139 km x 271 km x 95.6° Decayed: 28 October 1964 (5.1 days) Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-068A ; TRW Space Log ; Jonathan McDowell's USAF imaging programs' Satellite Summary: KH-7 (Program 206) ;

.

Hitchicker 7 Spacecraft:  OPS 5063 / [EHH A4] Chronologies: 1964 payload #104 ; 1964-068B ; 456th spacecraft. Type: Electtronic intelligence Sponsor: U.S. Air Force Launch: 23 October 1964 at 18h28 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's PALC-2-3, by an Atlas-Agena D (Atlas LV-3A 353D / Agena D). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-068B ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Kosmos 49 Spacecraft:  DS-MG No. 2 Chronologies: 1964 payload #105 ; 1964-069A ; 457th spacecraft. Type: Military technologies Sponsor: Soviet Union Launch: 24 October 1964 at 5h16 UTC, from Kapustin Cosmodrome's Yar Mayak-2, by a Kosmos  B-1 (63S1). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-069A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Kosmos 50 Spacecraft: Zenit-2 No. 25 Chronologies: 1964 payload #106 ; 1964-070A ; 458th spacecraft. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: Soviet Union's Defense ministry Launch: 28 October 1964 at 10h48 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome's LC-31, by an A-1/"Vostok" (8A92). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-070A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Discoverer 84 / CORONA 1013 / KH-4A Spacecraft:  OPS 5434 Chronologies: 1964 payload #107 ; 1964-071A ; 459th spacecraft. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 2 November 1964 at 21h30 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-3-4, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2C 420 / Agena D SS-01A 1173). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-071A ; TRW Space Log ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona :

.

Ferret 7 Spacecraft:  OPS 3062 Chronologies: 1964 payload #108 ; 1964-072A ; 460th spacecraft. Type: Electronic intelligence Sponsor: U.S. Air Force Launch: 4 November 1964 at 2h12 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's  LC-75-3-5, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2C 430 / Agena D SS-01A 2317). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-072A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Mariner 3 Spacecraft:  Mariner C-2, Chronologies: 1964 payload #109 ; 1964-073A ; 461st spacecraft. Type: Mars probe Sponsor: NASA Launch: 5 November 1964 at 19h22 UTC, from Cape Canaveral LC-13, by an Atlas-Agena D (Atlas LV-3A 289D / Agena D 6931). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-073A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Explorer 23 Spacecraft:  NASA S-55C Chronologies: 1964 payload #110 ; 1964-074A ; 462nd spacecraft. Type: Micrometeroids studies Sponsor: NASA Launch: 6 November 1964 at 12h02 UTC, from Wallops Island's LA-3, by a Scout (X-4 S133R). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-074A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Discoverer 85 / CORONA 1014 / KH-4A Spacecraft:  OPS 3360 Chronologies: 1964 payload #111 ; 1964-075A ; 463rd spacecraft. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 18 November 1964 at 20h35 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-1-1, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2C 416 / Agena D SS-01A 1180). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-075A ; TRW Space Log ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona :

.

ORBIS Spacecraft:  Chronologies: 1964 payload #112 ; 1964-075B ; 464th spacecraft. Type: Technology? Sponsor: U.S. Air Force? Launch: 18 November 1964 at 20h35 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-1-1, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2C 416 / Agena D SS-01A 1180). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-075B ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Explorer 24 / AD-B Spacecraft:  Air Density Chronologies: 1964 payload #113 ; 1964-076A ; 465th spacecraft. Type: Earth upper atmospheric studies Sponsor: NASA Launch: 21 November 1964 at 17h09 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's PALC-D, by a Scout (X-4 S135R). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-076A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Explorer 25 / Injun 4 Spacecraft:  Chronologies: 1964 payload #114 ; 1964-076B ; 466th spacecraft. Type: Energetic particles studies Sponsor: NASA Launch: 21 November 1964 at 17h09 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's PALC-D, by a Scout (X-4 S135R). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-076B ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Mariner 4 Spacecraft:  Mariner C-3 Chronologies: 1964 payload #115 ; 1964-077A ; 467th spacecraft. Type: Mars probe Sponsor: NASA Launch: 28 November 1964 at 14h22 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's LC-12, by a Atlas-Agena D (Atlas LV-3A 288D / Agena D  6932). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-077A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Zond 2 Spacecraft:  3MV-4A No. 2 Chronologies: 1964 payload #116 ; 1964-078A ; 468th spacecraft. Type: Mars probe Sponsor: Soviet Union (Korolev's Design Bureau) Launch: 30 November 1964 at 13h12 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome's LC-1, by an A-2-e/"Molniya" (8K78). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-078A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Kosmos Spacecraft:  DS-2 No. 2 Chronologies: 1964 payload #117 ; 1964 17th loss ; 469th spacecraft. Type: Technology and Earth upper atmosphere studies Sponsor: Soviet Union's Defense ministry Launch: 1st December 1964, from Kapustin Yar Cosmodrome's LC-86/1, by a Kosmos B-1 (63S1). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Improve Samos 14 / KH-7 14 Spacecraft:  OPS 4439 ; AFP-206 SV 964 Chronologies: 1964 payload #118 ; 1964-079A ; 470th spacecraft. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 4 December 1964 at 18h57 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Basse's  PALC2-4, by an Atlas-Agena D (Atlas 7102 / Agena D). Orbit: 158 km x 357 km x 97.0°  Decayed: 6 December 1964 (1.2 day) Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-079A ; TRW Space Log ; Jonathan McDowell's USAF imaging programs' Satellite Summary: KH-7 (Program 206) ;

.

Kosmos 51 Spacecraft:  DS-MT No. 3 Chronologies: 1964 payload #119 ; 1964-080A ; 471st spacecraft. Type: Earth/space studies (civil) Sponsor: Soviet Union Launch: 10 December 1964 at 23h02 UTC, from Kapustin Yar Cosmodrome's LC-86/1, by a Kosmos B-1 (63S1). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-080A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Transtage 1 Spacecraft:  Transtage 2 Chronologies: 1964 payload #120 ; 1964-081A ; 472nd spacecraft. Type: Technology Sponsor: U.S. Air Force Launch: 10 December 1964, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Base's LC-20, by a Titan 3A (3A-1). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-081A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Surveyor SD-1 (AC-4) Spacecraft:  Centaur 4C Chronologies: 1964 payload #121 ; 1964-082A ; 473rd spacecraft. Type: Technology Sponsor: NASA Launch: 11 December 1964 at 14h25 UTC, from Cape Canaveral'S LC-36A, by an Atlas Centaur (Atlas LV-3C AC-4 / Centaur D 146D). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-082A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Transit 5E5 Spacecraft:  Transit VE-5 / APL SN-43 Chronologies: 1964 payload #122 ; 1964-083A ; 474th spacecraft. Type: Navigation Sponsor: U.S. Navy/U.S. Air Force Launch: 13 December 1964 at 0h08 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-1-2, by a Thor-Able-Star (Thor Ablestar 427 AB017). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-083A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Transit O-2 / NNS O-2 Spacecraft:  Chronologies: 1964 payload #123 ; 1964-083B ; 475th spacecraft. Type: Navigation Sponsor: U.S. Navy/U.S Air Force Launch: 13 December 1964 at 0h08 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-1-2, by a Thor-Able-Star (Thor Ablestar 427 AB017). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-083A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

San Marco 1 Spacecraft:  Chronologies: 1964 payload #124 ; 1964-084A ; 476th spacecraft. Type: Earth upper atmosphere studies  Sponsor: Italy Launch: 15 December 1964 at 20h20 UTC, from Wallops Island's LA-3, by a Scout (X-4 S137R). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-084A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

Discoverer 86 / CORONA 1015 / KH-4A Spacecraft: OPS 3358 Chronologies: 1964 payload #125 ; 1964-085A ; 477th spacecraft. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 19 December 1964 at 21h10 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-3-4, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2C 424 / Agena D SS-01A 1607). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-085A ; TRW Space Log ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona :

.

Explorer 26 / EPE-D Spacecraft:  Chronologies: 1964 payload #126 ; 1964-086A ; 478th spacecraft. Type: Particles and geomagnetic field studies Sponsor: NASA Launch: 21 December 1964 at 9h00 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's LC-17A, by a Delta DSV-3C (Thor Delta C 393 / Delta 27). Orbit: Decayed: Mission: Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-086A ; TRW Space Log ;

.

QUILL / Ferret 11 Spacecraft:  OPS 3762 / FTV 2355 Chronologies: 1964 payload #127 ; 1964-087A ; 479th spacecraft. Type: Electronic intelligence Sponsor: U.S. Air Force Launch: 21 December 1964 at 19h08 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-1-1, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2C  425 / Agena D SS-01A 2355). Orbit: 236 km x 263 km x 70.1° De-orbited: 11 January 1965 at 10h27 UT (capsule recovered on 23 December 1964 at 20h56 UT) Mission: QUILL was the world's first SAR (synthetic aperture radar) imaging satellite, flown as a proof of concept and used to image test targets in the U.S., proving that space radar could identify features through cloud cover. The 1,477-kg satellite consisted of a modified CORONA/Agena vehicle, with a 0.6 x 4.6-metre X-band radar antenna panel flush with the body of the Agena D upper stage. The camera system in the payload body was replaced by the KP-II radar itself and a recorder/transmitter system.  The 139-kg SRV CORONA-type recovery capsule was recovered on 23 December 1964 in mid-air over the Pacific, northeast of Hawaii. The KP-II radar continued operations until 26 December, when the spacecraft batteries failed, and the QUILL spacecraft reentered on 11 January 1965 over the South Atlantic. Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List & 662 ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica ; National Space Science Data Center's 1964-087A ; TRW Space Log ;