1959 Space & Exploration Events — Verified Historical Highlights
1959 Space & Exploration Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 15 Feb First weather satellite launched: The first weather satellite, Vanguard 2, was launched on February 15, 1959. This satellite provided crucial data for meteorology and paved the way for future advancements in weather forecasting technology. source: nasa.gov
- 03 Mar Pioneer 4 launched into solar orbit: On March 3, 1959, NASA launched Pioneer 4, the second of two early attempts to send a spacecraft to the Moon. The mission was designed primarily to photograph the Moon up close, but due to a trajectory error, the spacecraft passed at a much farther distance than planned, and the camera sensor failed to trigger. However, Pioneer 4 provided valuable data on radiation and the tracking of space objects. source: jpl.nasa.gov
- 04 Mar Pioneer 4 passes within 37,000 miles of the Moon: On March 4, 1959, Pioneer 4, launched on March 3, passed within 37,000 miles of the Moon's surface. Although it did not achieve its primary objective of photographing the Moon, the spacecraft provided valuable data on radiation and the tracking of space objects. source: jpl.nasa.gov
- 12 Apr NASA conducts second full-scale beach abort test at Wallops Island: On April 12, 1959, NASA's Space Task Group performed the second full-scale beach abort test at Wallops Island. The test involved a deliberate thrust misalignment of 1 inch in the escape combination, resulting in a clean liftoff and a slow pitch during the escape rocket motor's burn. source: american-spacecraft.org
- 13 Apr Vanguard SLV-5 launch failure: On April 13, 1959, the Vanguard SLV-5 rocket failed to achieve orbit. A momentary delay in first-stage separation caused the second-stage engine to ignite while still attached to the first stage, leading to loss of attitude control and the subsequent failure of the mission. source: nextspaceflight.com
- 01 Jun Miss Able: Space Monkey Tragedy: On May 28, 1959, rhesus macaque Miss Able and squirrel monkey Miss Baker successfully flew aboard the JUPITER AM-18 mission, reaching over 100 miles in altitude and withstanding 38g forces. However, Miss Able died on June 1, 1959, during surgery to remove an infected medical electrode, due to a reaction to the anesthesia. Miss Baker survived and lived until 1984. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 16 Jul Major Solar Flare Event: A significant solar flare occurred on July 16, 1959, impacting radio communications and satellite operations. This event was part of the solar cycle and demonstrated the sun's influence on Earth. source: nasa.gov
- 20 Jul Mercury Tracking Network negotiations begin: On July 20, 1959, NASA initiated negotiations with the Western Electric Company and its subcontractors—Bendix Aviation, IBM, Bell Telephone Laboratories, and Burns and Roe—for the construction of the Mercury tracking network, a critical component for Project Mercury's space missions. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 07 Aug Explorer 6 satellite launch: On August 7, 1959, the United States successfully launched the Explorer 6 satellite from Cape Canaveral, Florida. This satellite was designed to study Earth's magnetic fields, radiation, cosmic rays, geomagnetism, and micrometeorites. It also carried a photocell scanner intended to photograph Earth's cloud cover. Despite operating at reduced power due to a solar cell malfunction, Explorer 6 successfully orbited Earth and conducted comprehensive surveys of the Van Allen radiation belts and the Earth's geomagnetic field. On August 14, 1959, it transmitted the first photograph of Earth from space, a blurry image of the Pacific Ocean, laying the groundwork for future Earth imaging missions. The satellite ceased functioning on October 6, 1959. source: astronomy.com
- 17 Sep First powered flight of the X-15 hypersonic research aircraft: On September 17, 1959, the X-15 hypersonic research aircraft achieved its first powered flight, marking a significant milestone in aerospace engineering. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 07 Oct Luna 3 captures first images of Moon's far side: On October 7, 1959, the Soviet Union's Luna 3 spacecraft transmitted the first photographs of the Moon's far side, revealing previously unseen lunar terrain. source: esa.int
- 25 Dec Birth of astronaut Michael P. Anderson: Michael Phillip Anderson was born on December 25, 1959, in Plattsburgh, New York. He became a NASA astronaut and United States Air Force officer. Anderson flew on two Space Shuttle missions, STS-89 in 1998 and STS-107 in 2003. Tragically, he perished in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster on February 1, 2003. source: en.wikipedia.org
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