1957 in spaceflight

1957 in spaceflight

Artist's impression of Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite, in orbit
Orbital launches
First	4 October
Last	6 December
Total	3
Successes	1
Failures	1
Partial failures	1
Catalogued	2
National firsts
Spaceflight	Australia  United Kingdom
Satellite	Soviet Union
Orbital launch	Soviet Union
Rockets
Maiden flights	Sputnik-PS Vanguard
Retirements	Sputnik-PS

Launches

Date and time (UTC)	Rocket		Launch site		LSP
	Payload	Operator	Orbit	Function	Decay (UTC)	Outcome
	Remarks
8 January	X-17		Cape Canaveral LC-3		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	REV test	8 January	Successful
	Apogee: 140 kilometres (87 mi)
15 January	X-17		Cape Canaveral LC-3		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	REV test	15 January	Launch failure
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
19 January	R-5M Pobeda		Kapustin Yar		OKB-1
		OKB-1	Suborbital	Nuclear test	19 January	Successful
	Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
26 January	PGM-17 Thor DM-18		Cape Canaveral LC-17B		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	26 January	Launch failure
	Maiden launch of Thor missile, exploded on launch pad
29 January	X-17		Cape Canaveral LC-3		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	REV test	29 January	Launch failure
2 February 08:05	Aerobee AJ10-34		Holloman LC-A		US Air Force
	Firefly	US Air Force	Suborbital	Aeronomy	2 February	Successful
	Apogee: 143 kilometres (89 mi)
7 February	X-17		Cape Canaveral LC-3		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	REV test	7 February	Successful
	Apogee: 107 kilometres (66 mi)
14 February	X-17		Cape Canaveral LC-3		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	REV test	14 February	Successful
	Apogee: 141 kilometres (88 mi)
1 March 21:51	PGM-19 Jupiter		Cape Canaveral LC-5		US Air Force
		ABMA	Suborbital	Missile test	1 March	Launch failure
	Apogee: 14 kilometres (8.7 mi), maiden flight of Jupiter missile, overheated and disintegrated
1 March	X-17		Cape Canaveral LC-3		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	REV test	1 March	Successful
	Apogee: 151 kilometres (94 mi)
11 March	X-17		Cape Canaveral LC-3		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	REV test	11 March	Successful
	Apogee: 134 kilometres (83 mi)
21 March	X-17		Cape Canaveral LC-3		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	REV test	21 March	Successful
	Apogee: 103 kilometres (64 mi)
25 March	R-11M Zemlya		Kapustin Yar		OKB-1
		OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test	25 March	Unknown
	Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
29 March 04:51	Aerobee RTV-N-10c		White Sands LC-35		US Navy
		NRL	Suborbital	UV astronomy	29 March	Successful
	Apogee: 135 kilometres (84 mi)
11 April 16:31	Aerobee-150 (Hi)		White Sands LC-35		US Navy
		NRL	Suborbital	Technology	11 April	Successful
	Apogee: 204 kilometres (127 mi)
11 April	R-11M Zemlya		Kapustin Yar		OKB-1
		OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test	11 April	Unknown
	Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
12 April	R-2A		Kapustin Yar		OKB-1
		OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test	12 April	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
13 April	X-17		Cape Canaveral LC-3		US Air Force
		US Navy	Suborbital	REV test	13 April	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
14 April	R-2A		Kapustin Yar		OKB-1
		OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test	14 April	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
20 April 04:33	PGM-17 Thor DM-18		Cape Canaveral LC-17B		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	20 April	Launch failure
	Destroyed by range safety after console error gave erroneous indications that the missile was off course
26 April 20:12	PGM-19 Jupiter		Cape Canaveral LC-5		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	26 April	Launch failure
	Apogee: 18 kilometres (11 mi)
30 April 15:10	Aerobee-150 (Hi)		White Sands LC-35		US Navy
		NRL	Suborbital	Meteorite research	30 April	Successful
	Apogee: 289 kilometres (180 mi)
April	R-11M Zemlya		Kapustin Yar		OKB-1
		OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test		Unknown
	Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
1 May 06:29	Viking		Cape Canaveral LC-18A		US Navy
		US Navy	Suborbital	Technology	1 May	Successful
	Apogee: 195 kilometres (121 mi), final flight of Viking
3 May 14:04	Aerobee-150 (Hi)		White Sands LC-35		US Navy
	Sunfollower	NRL	Suborbital	Solar	3 May	Successful
	Apogee: 204 kilometres (127 mi)
15 May 07:55	Jupiter-C		Cape Canaveral LC-6		ABMA
		ABMA	Suborbital	REV test	15 May	Launch failure
	Apogee: 655 kilometres (407 mi), gyroscope malfunctioned 134 seconds after launch, missed landing point by 778 kilometres (483 mi)
15 May 16:01	R-7 Semyorka		Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS
		MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	15 May	Launch failure
	Maiden flight of R-7 and first launch of an ICBM. Engine fire in Block D booster rocket at liftoff, followed by premature separation 98 seconds after launch. Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
16 May 02:14	R-2A		Kapustin Yar		OKB-1
		OKB-1/AN	Suborbital	Missile test	16 May	Successful
	Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
16 May 03:18	R-2A		Kapustin Yar		OKB-1
		OKB-1/AN	Suborbital	Missile test Biological	16 May	Successful
	Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
22 May 03:00	PGM-17 Thor DM-18		Cape Canaveral LC-17B		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	22 May	Launch failure
	Exploded on pad after valve malfunction caused pressure build up
24 May	R-2A		Kapustin Yar		OKB-1
		OKB-1/AN	Suborbital	Missile test Biological	24 May	Successful
	Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
31 May 18:08	PGM-19 Jupiter		Cape Canaveral LC-5		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	31 May	Successful
	Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
7 June	R-2A		Kapustin Yar		OKB-1
		OKB-1	Suborbital	Target	7 June	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
10 June	R-2A		Kapustin Yar		OKB-1
		OKB-1	Suborbital	Target	10 June	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
11 June 19:37	SM-65A Atlas		Cape Canaveral LC-14		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	+23 seconds	Launch failure
	Maiden flight of Atlas missile, destroyed by range safety after fuel system malfunction, apogee: 3 kilometres (1.9 mi)
18 June 14:00	Aerobee-150 (Hi)		Holloman LC-A		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Ionospheric	18 June	Successful
	Apogee: 171 kilometres (106 mi)
22 June	R-2A		Kapustin Yar		OKB-1
		OKB-1	Suborbital	Target	22 June	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
22 June	R-12 Dvina		Kapustin Yar		OKB-1
		OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test	22 June	Successful
	Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi), maiden flight of R-12
23 June	R-2A		Kapustin Yar		OKB-1
		OKB-1	Suborbital	Target	23 June	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
25 June 14:07	Aerobee-150 (Hi)		Holloman LC-A		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Ionospheric	25 June	Successful
	Apogee: 202 kilometres (126 mi)
27 June	X-17		Cape Canaveral LC-3		US Air Force
		US Navy	Suborbital	REV test	27 June	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
28 June	R-2A		Kapustin Yar		OKB-1
		OKB-1	Suborbital	Target	28 June	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
29 June	R-2A		Kapustin Yar		OKB-1
		OKB-1	Suborbital	Target	29 June	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
3 July 09:28	Nike-Deacon		San Nicolas		US Navy
		NRL	Suborbital	Solar	3 July	Successful
	Apogee: 113 kilometres (70 mi)
4 July 17:15:40	Aerobee-150 (Hi)		Fort Churchill		US Navy
		NRL	Suborbital	Ionospheric	4 July	Successful
	Apogee: 237 kilometres (147 mi)
4 July	R-2A		Kapustin Yar		OKB-1
		OKB-1	Suborbital	Target	4 July	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
5 July 05:17:56	Aerobee-150 (Hi)		Fort Churchill		US Navy
		NRL	Suborbital	Ionospheric	5 July	Launch failure
	Apogee: 16 kilometres (9.9 mi)
5 July	R-2A		Kapustin Yar		OKB-1
		OKB-1	Suborbital	Target	5 July	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
12 July 12:53	R-7 Semyorka		Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS
		MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	12 July	Launch failure
	Control system short-circuited resulting in loss of control, boosters fell off 33 seconds after launch, apogee: 20 kilometres (12 mi)
15 July 14:23	Nike-Deacon		San Nicolas		US Navy
		NRL	Suborbital	Solar	15 July	Launch failure
	Apogee: 28 kilometres (17 mi)
16 July	X-17		Cape Canaveral LC-3		US Air Force
		US Navy	Suborbital	REV test	16 July	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
16 July	Aerobee		Holloman LC-A		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Meteorite research	16 July	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
18 July	Aerobee		Holloman LC-A		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Meteorite research	18 July	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
19 July	X-17		Cape Canaveral LC-3		US Air Force
		US Navy	Suborbital	REV test	19 July	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
22 July	X-17		Cape Canaveral LC-3		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	REV test	22 July	Successful
	Apogee: 114 kilometres (71 mi)
23 July 16:29	Nike-Deacon		San Nicolas		US Navy
		NRL	Suborbital	Solar	23 July	Successful
	Apogee: 129 kilometres (80 mi)
29 July 21:59	Aerobee-150 (Hi)		Fort Churchill		US Navy
		NRL	Suborbital	Aeronomy	29 July	Successful
	Apogee: 210 kilometres (130 mi)
30 July 18:10	Nike-Cajun		Fort Churchill		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Aeronomy	30 July	Launch failure
	Apogee: 25 kilometres (16 mi)
July	R-12 Dvina		Kapustin Yar		OKB-1
		OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test		Successful
	Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
July	R-12 Dvina		Kapustin Yar		OKB-1
		OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test		Successful
	Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
July	R-12 Dvina		Kapustin Yar		OKB-1
		OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test		Successful
	Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
5 August 11:53	Loki Rockoon		USS Plymouth Rock, IGY Atlantic Launch Site 01 LP-1		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital	Aeronomy	5 August 11:53	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
5 August 12:20	Nike-Deacon		San Nicolas		US Navy
		NRL	Suborbital	Solar	5 August	Launch failure
	Apogee: 14 kilometres (8.7 mi)
5 August 16:59	Loki Rockoon		USS Plymouth Rock, IGY Atlantic Launch Site 01 LP-2		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		5 August	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
6 August 10:52	Loki Rockoon		USS Plymouth Rock, IGY Atlantic Launch Site 01 LP-3		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		6 August	Successful
	Apogee: 116 kilometres (72 mi)
6 August 15:30	Aerobee		Holloman LC-A		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Solar	6 August	Successful
	Apogee: 143 kilometres (89 mi)
6 August 16:03	Loki Rockoon		USS Plymouth Rock, IGY Atlantic Launch Site 01 LP-4		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		6 August	Successful
	Apogee: 117 kilometres (73 mi)
7 August 03:28	Loki Rockoon		USS Plymouth Rock, IGY Atlantic Launch Site 01 LP-5		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		7 August	Launch failure
7 August 22:04	Loki Rockoon		USS Plymouth Rock, IGY Atlantic Launch Site 01 LP-6		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		7 August	Launch failure
8 August 06:59	Jupiter-C		Cape Canaveral LC-6		ABMA
		ABMA	Suborbital	REV test	8 August	Successful
	Apogee: 460 kilometres (290 mi), re-entry vehicle recovered
8 August 07:17	Loki Rockoon		USS Plymouth Rock, IGY Atlantic Launch Site 01 LP-7		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		8 August	Successful
	Apogee: 132 kilometres (82 mi)
8 August	R-11M Zemlya		Kapustin Yar		OKB-1
		OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test	8 August	Unknown
	Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
9 August	X-17		Cape Canaveral LC-3		US Air Force
		US Navy	Suborbital	REV test	9 August	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
10 August 05:07	Loki Rockoon		USS Plymouth Rock, IGY Atlantic Launch Site 01 LP-8		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		10 August	Successful
	Apogee: 117 kilometres (73 mi)
11 August 05:16	Loki Rockoon		USS Plymouth Rock, IGY Atlantic Launch Site 01 LP-10		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		11 August	Launch failure
11 August 20:30	Loki Rockoon		USS Plymouth Rock, IGY Atlantic Launch Site 01 LP-11		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		11 August	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
12 August 07:48	Loki Rockoon		USS Plymouth Rock, IGY Atlantic Launch Site 01 LP-12		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		12 August	Launch failure
12 August 13:55	Loki Rockoon		USS Plymouth Rock, IGY Atlantic Launch Site 01 LP-13		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		12 August	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
13 August 01:58	Loki Rockoon		USS Plymouth Rock, IGY Atlantic Launch Site 01 LP-14		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		13 August	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
13 August	R-2A		Kapustin Yar		OKB-1
	SOI	OKB-1	Suborbital	Solar	13 August	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
14 August 08:06	Loki Rockoon		USS Plymouth Rock, IGY Atlantic Launch Site 01 LP-15		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		14 August	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
14 August 20:00	Loki Rockoon		USS Plymouth Rock, IGY Atlantic Launch Site 01 LP-17		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		14 August	Successful
	Apogee: 130 kilometres (81 mi)
16 August	X-17		Cape Canaveral LC-3		US Air Force
		US Navy	Suborbital	REV test	16 August	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
21 August 21:25	R-7 Semyorka		Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS
		MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	21 August	Successful
	First successful R-7 launch. Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
23 August 21:54	Nike-Cajun		Fort Churchill		US Army
		BRL	Suborbital	Test flight	23 August	Successful
	Apogee: 114 kilometres (71 mi)
24 August 06:00	Nike-Cajun		Fort Churchill		US Army
		US Army	Suborbital	Aeronomy	24 August	Launch failure
	Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi)
25 August 02:23	R-2A		Kapustin Yar		OKB-1
		OKB-1	Suborbital	Ionospheric	25 August	Successful
	Apogee: 206 kilometres (128 mi)
25 August 03:27	R-2A		Kapustin Yar		OKB-1
		OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test	25 August	Successful
	Apogee: 208 kilometres (129 mi)
27 August 08:54	Nike-Deacon		San Nicolas		US Navy
		US Navy	Suborbital	Solar	27 August	Launch failure
	Apogee: 16 kilometres (9.9 mi)
28 August 21:02	PGM-19 Jupiter		Cape Canaveral LC-26A		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	28 August	Successful
	Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
29 August 14:12	Nike-Deacon		San Nicolas		US Navy
		US Navy	Suborbital	Solar	29 August	Successful
	Apogee: 113 kilometres (70 mi)
30 August	PGM-17 Thor DM-18		Cape Canaveral LC-17A		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	+92 seconds	Launch failure
	Disintegrated 92 seconds after launch
31 August 04:57	Nike-Cajun		Fort Churchill		US Air Force
		NRL	Suborbital	Auroral	31 August	Successful
	Apogee: 115 kilometres (71 mi)
31 August 05:30	R-2A		Kapustin Yar		OKB-1
		OKB-1	Suborbital	Ionospheric Biological	31 August	Successful
	Apogee: 185 kilometres (115 mi)
August	R-11M Zemlya		Kapustin Yar		OKB-1
		OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test		Unknown
	Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
August	R-12 Dvina		Kapustin Yar		OKB-1
		OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test		Successful
	Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
August	R-12 Dvina		Kapustin Yar		OKB-1
		OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test		Successful
	Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
1 September 22:28	Aerobee-150 (Hi)		Fort Churchill		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Aeronomy	1 September	Successful
	Apogee: 160 kilometres (99 mi)
2 September	R-11M Zemlya		Kapustin Yar		OKB-1
		OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test	2 September	Unknown
	Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
3 September	X-17		Cape Canaveral LC-3		US Air Force
		US Navy	Suborbital	REV test	3 September	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
7 September 11:39	R-7 Semyorka		Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS
		MVS	Suborbital	Missile test	7 September	Successful
	Apogee: 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
9 September 15:50	R-2A		Kapustin Yar		OKB-1
		OKB-1	Suborbital	Ionospheric Biological	9 September	Successful
	Apogee: 212 kilometres (132 mi)
12 September 16:20	Nike-Deacon		San Nicolas		US Navy
		US Navy	Suborbital	Solar	12 September	Launch failure
	Apogee: 3 kilometres (1.9 mi)
15 September 13:27	Nike-Deacon		San Nicolas		US Navy
		US Navy	Suborbital	Solar	15 September	Launch failure
18 September 18:42	Nike-Deacon		San Nicolas		US Navy
		US Navy	Suborbital	Solar	18 September	Launch failure
	Apogee: 21 kilometres (13 mi)
19 September 16:30	Aerobee		Holloman LC-A		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Aeronomy	19 September	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), released caesium
20 September	PGM-17 Thor DM-18		Cape Canaveral LC-17B		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	20 September	Successful
	First successful Thor launch, apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
21 September	Aerobee		Holloman LC-A		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Aeronomy	21 September	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
25 September 19:57	SM-65A Atlas		Cape Canaveral LC-14		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	25 September	Launch failure
	Destroyed by range safety following fuel system malfunction, apogee: 4 kilometres (2.5 mi)
25 September	Farside		Eniwetak		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Ionospheric	25 September	Launch failure
	Apogee: 20 kilometres (12 mi), maiden flight of Farside, stage zero malfunction
26 September 17:05	Loki Rockoon		USS Glacier, IGY Atlantic Launch Site 02		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		26 September	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
26 September 20:00	Nike-Asp		San Nicolas		US Navy
		US Navy	Suborbital	Test flight	26 September	Launch failure
	Apogee: 16 kilometres (9.9 mi)
27 September 13:12	Loki Rockoon		USS Glacier, IGY Atlantic Launch Site 03		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		27 September	Successful
	Apogee: 119 kilometres (74 mi)
September	R-12 Dvina		Kapustin Yar		OKB-1
		OKB-1	Suborbital	Missile test		Successful
	Apogee: 402 kilometres (250 mi)
1 October	Long Tom		Woomera LA-2		WRE
		WRE	Suborbital	Test flight	1 October	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), maiden flight of Long Tom, first Australian spaceflight
3 October 17:13	PGM-17 Thor DM-18		Cape Canaveral LC-17A		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	3 October	Launch failure
3 October	Farside		Eniwetak		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Ionospheric	3 October	Launch failure
	Apogee: 800 kilometres (500 mi)
4 October 19:16	Loki Rockoon		USS Glacier, IGY Atlantic Launch Site 04		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		4 October	Successful
	Apogee: 113 kilometres (70 mi)
4 October 19:28:34	Sputnik-PS (8K71PS)		Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS
	Sputnik 1 (PS-1)	MVS	Low Earth	Technology	4 January 1958	Successful
	First orbital launch, first artificial satellite of Earth, maiden flight of Sputnik rocket
7 October	Farside		Eniwetak		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Ionospheric	7 October	Launch failure
	Apogee: 700 kilometres (430 mi)
11 October 16:33	PGM-17 Thor DM-18		Cape Canaveral LC-17B		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	11 October	Partial launch failure
	Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi), turbopump gearbox malfunctioned, still met primary test objectives
11 October	Farside		Eniwetak		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Ionospheric	11 October	Launch failure
	Apogee: 30 kilometres (19 mi)
13 October 18:15	Loki Rockoon		USS Glacier, IGY Pacific Launch Site 05		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		13 October	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
14 October 01:04	Aerobee		Holloman LC-A		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Meteorite research	14 October	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
14 October 21:16	Loki Rockoon		USS Glacier, IGY Pacific Launch Site 06		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		14 October	Successful
	Apogee: 113 kilometres (70 mi)
16 October 20:02	Loki Rockoon		USS Glacier, IGY Pacific Launch Site 07		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		16 October	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
17 October 00:09	Loki Rockoon		USS Glacier, IGY Pacific Launch Site 08		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		17 October	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
17 October 02:18	Loki Rockoon		USS Glacier, IGY Pacific Launch Site 09		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		17 October	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
17 October 20:01	Loki Rockoon		USS Glacier, IGY Pacific Launch Site 10		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		17 October	Launch failure
	Apogee: 41 kilometres (25 mi)
17 October 23:44	Loki Rockoon		USS Glacier, IGY Pacific Launch Site 11		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		17 October	Successful
	Apogee: 127 kilometres (79 mi)
18 October 09:35	Loki Rockoon		USS Glacier, IGY Pacific Launch Site 12		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		18 October	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
18 October 19:43	Loki Rockoon		USS Glacier, IGY Pacific Launch Site 13		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		18 October	Successful
	Apogee: 121 kilometres (75 mi)
18 October 23:43	Loki Rockoon		USS Glacier, IGY Pacific Launch Site 14		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		18 October	Successful
	Apogee: 121 kilometres (75 mi)
19 October 18:50	Loki Rockoon		USS Glacier, IGY Pacific Launch Site 15		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		19 October	Successful
	Apogee: 122 kilometres (76 mi)
20 October 01:06	Loki Rockoon		USS Glacier, IGY Pacific Launch Site 16		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		20 October	Successful
	Apogee: 104 kilometres (65 mi)
20 October 03:57	Loki Rockoon		USS Glacier, IGY Pacific Launch Site 17		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		20 October	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
20 October 20:11	Loki Rockoon		USS Glacier, IGY Pacific Launch Site 18		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		20 October	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
20 October	Farside		Eniwetak		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Ionospheric	20 October	Spacecraft failure
	Apogee: 5,000 kilometres (3,100 mi), returned no data due to transmitter malfunction[1]
22 October	Farside		Eniwetak		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Ionospheric	22 October	Spacecraft failure
	Apogee: 5,000 kilometres (3,100 mi), returned no data due to transmitter malfunction[1]
22 October 22:31	Loki Rockoon		USS Glacier, IGY Pacific Launch Site 19		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		22 October	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
23 October 01:07	PGM-19 Jupiter		Cape Canaveral LC-26B		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	23 October	Successful
	Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
23 October 19:22:54	Vanguard		Cape Canaveral LC-18A		US Navy
		US Navy	Suborbital	Test flight	23 October	Successful
	Maiden flight of Vanguard, battleship upper stages, apogee: 175 kilometres (109 mi)
23 October	X-17		Cape Canaveral LC-3		US Air Force
		US Navy	Suborbital	REV test	23 October	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
23 October	Aerobee		Holloman LC-A		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Aeronomy	23 October	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
24 October 16:32	PGM-17 Thor DM-18		Cape Canaveral LC-17A		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	24 October	Successful
	Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
24 October	X-17		Cape Canaveral LC-3		US Air Force
		US Navy	Suborbital	REV test	24 October	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
25 October	Aerobee		Holloman LC-A		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Ionospheric	25 October	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
26 October 19:47	Loki Rockoon		USS Glacier, IGY Pacific Launch Site 20		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		26 October	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
27 October 02:46	Loki Rockoon		USS Glacier, IGY Pacific Launch Site 21		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		27 October	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
29 October 00:13	Loki Rockoon		USS Glacier, IGY Pacific Launch Site 22		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		29 October	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
30 October 21:40	Loki Rockoon		USS Glacier, IGY Pacific Launch Site 23		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		30 October	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
31 October 00:29	Loki Rockoon		USS Glacier, IGY Pacific Launch Site 24		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		31 October	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
31 October 19:51	Loki Rockoon		USS Glacier, IGY Pacific Launch Site 25		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		31 October	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
1 November 01:00	Loki Rockoon		USS Glacier, IGY Pacific Launch Site 26		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		1 November	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
3 November 02:30:42	Sputnik-PS (8K71PS)		Baikonur Site 1/5		MVS
	Sputnik 2 (PS-2)	MVS	Low Earth	Biological	14 April 1958	Partial launch failure Partial spacecraft failure
	Carried Laika, the first animal in orbit. Spacecraft failed to separate from rocket and Laika died prior to completion of experiments. Final flight of Sputnik-PS.
3 November 20:08	Loki Rockoon		USS Glacier, IGY Pacific Launch Site 27		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		3 November	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
3 November 23:24	Loki Rockoon		USS Glacier, IGY Pacific Launch Site 28		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		3 November	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
4 November 01:41	Loki Rockoon		USS Glacier, IGY Pacific Launch Site 29		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		4 November	Successful
	Apogee: 113 kilometres (70 mi)
4 November 03:47	Loki Rockoon		USS Glacier, IGY Pacific Launch Site 30		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		4 November	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
4 November 07:16	Loki Rockoon		USS Glacier, IGY Pacific Launch Site 31		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		4 November	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
4 November 18:52	Loki Rockoon		USS Glacier, IGY Pacific Launch Site 32		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		4 November	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
5 November 01:25	Loki Rockoon		USS Glacier, IGY Pacific Launch Site 33		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		5 November	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
5 November 21:59	Loki Rockoon		USS Glacier, IGY Pacific Launch Site 35		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		5 November	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
7 November 16:05	Aerobee		Holloman LC-A		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Ionospheric	7 November	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
8 November 14:57	Aerobee		Holloman LC-A		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Ionospheric	8 November	Launch failure
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
8 November 20:43	Loki Rockoon		USS Glacier, IGY Pacific Launch Site 36		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		8 November	Successful
	Apogee: 110 kilometres (68 mi)
8 November 23:15	Loki Rockoon		USS Glacier, IGY Pacific Launch Site 37		SUI
		SUI	Suborbital		8 November	Successful
	Apogee: 110 kilometres (68 mi)
8 November	X-17		Cape Canaveral LC-3		US Air Force
		US Navy	Suborbital	REV test	8 November	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
9 November 16:54	A-1		Kapustin Yar		OKB-1
		OKB-1	Suborbital	Ionospheric Aeronomy	9 November	Successful
	Apogee: 330 kilometres (210 mi)
10 November	Aerobee		Holloman LC-A		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Aeronomy	10 November	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
13 November 11:52	Skylark-1		Woomera LA-2		RAE
		RAE	Suborbital		13 November	Successful
	Apogee: 127 kilometres (79 mi), first British spaceflight
15 November	X-17		Cape Canaveral LC-3		US Air Force
		US Navy	Suborbital	REV test	15 November	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
19 November 16:29:56	Aerobee		Holloman LC-A		US Air Force
	Smoke Puff	US Air Force	Suborbital	Aeronomy	19 November	Successful
	Apogee: 121 kilometres (75 mi), released potassium nitrate and aluminium
26 November	Aerobee		Holloman LC-A		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Aeronomy	26 November	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
27 November 02:10	PGM-19 Jupiter		Cape Canaveral LC-26B		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	27 November	Launch failure
	Apogee: 20 kilometres (12 mi)
6 December 16:44:35	Vanguard TV3		Cape Canaveral LC-18A		US Navy
	6.5in Satellite 1	NRL	Intended: Medium Earth	Geodesy	+2 seconds	Launch failure
	First all up Vanguard test, first US orbital launch attempt, and first outright orbital failure of an orbital launch attempt. Exploded on launch pad after loss of thrust
7 December 22:11	PGM-17 Thor DM-18		Cape Canaveral LC-17B		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	7 December	Successful
	Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
10 December 17:35	Nike-Cajun		White Sands		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Ionospheric	10 December	Successful
	Apogee: 145 kilometres (90 mi)
10 December 18:10	Nike-Asp		San Nicolas		US Navy
		US Navy	Suborbital	Test flight	10 December	Successful
	Apogee: 169 kilometres (105 mi)
10 December 21:36	Nike-Cajun		Fort Churchill		US Army
		US Army	Suborbital	Aeronomy	10 December	Launch failure
	Apogee: 2 kilometres (1.2 mi)
11 December	X-17		Cape Canaveral LC-3		US Air Force
		US Navy	Suborbital	REV test	11 December	Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
16 December 00:38	Nike-Cajun		Fort Churchill		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Aeronomy	16 December	Launch failure
	Apogee: 9 kilometres (5.6 mi)
17 December 17:39	SM-65A Atlas		Cape Canaveral LC-14		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	17 December	Successful
	First successful Atlas launch, apogee: 120 kilometres (75 mi)
19 December 00:07	PGM-19 Jupiter		Cape Canaveral LC-26B		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	27 November	Launch failure
	Apogee: 92 kilometres (57 mi)
19 December 20:12	PGM-17 Thor DM-18		Cape Canaveral LC-17A		US Air Force
		US Air Force	Suborbital	Missile test	19 December	Successful
	Apogee: 520 kilometres (320 mi)
23 December	Nike-Cajun		Wallops Island		NACA
	HUGO	NACA	Suborbital	Aeronomy Imaging	23 December	Launch failure
	Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi)
Unknown	Terrapin		Wallops Island		NACA
		NACA	Suborbital	Test flight		Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
Unknown	Terrapin		Wallops Island		NACA
		NACA	Suborbital	Test flight		Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
Unknown	Terrapin		Wallops Island		NACA
		NACA	Suborbital	Test flight		Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
Unknown	Terrapin		Wallops Island		NACA
		NACA	Suborbital	Test flight		Successful
	Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)

Orbital launch summary

		Soviet Union   United States
Orbital launch attempts by country in 1957

By country

Country	Launches	Successes	Failures	Partial failures	Remarks
Soviet Union	2	1	0	1	First orbital launch
United States	1	0	1	0

By rocket

Rocket	Country	Type	Family	Launches	Successes	Failures	Partial failures	Remarks
Sputnik-PS 8K71PS	Soviet Union	Sputnik	R-7	2	1	0	1	Maiden and final flights
Vanguard	United States	Vanguard	Viking	1	0	1	0	Maiden flight

By launch site

Site	Country	Launches	Successes	Failures	Partial failures	Remarks
Baikonur	Soviet Union	2	1	0	1
Cape Canaveral	United States	1	0	1	0

By orbit

Orbital regime	Launches	Successes	Failures	Accidentally Achieved	Remarks
Failed to orbit	N/A	N/A	N/A	1
Low Earth	2	2	0	0
Medium Earth	1	0	1	0

References

Kyle, Ed. "Space Launch Report". Wade, Mark. "Encyclopedia Astronautica". Krebs, Gunter. "Chronology of Space Launches". Gunter's Space Page. "Space Information Center". JAXA. McDowell, Jonathan. "Jonathan's Space Report". Jonathan's Space Page. "NASASpaceFlight.com". "Space Calendar". NASA JPL. "Southwest Space Archive". "Launch Forecast". Space.com. "Spaceflight Now". Pietrobon, Steven. "Steven Pietrobon's Space Archive". "U.S. Space Objects Registry". "Хроника освоения космоса ('Chronicle of space exploration')" (in Russian). Cosmoworld.ru.

Generic references:

Footnotes

1. "Aeronautics Farside". Designation-Systems. 2004-11-27. Retrieved 2009-02-27.