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Chronology - 1996 - Quarter 2

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- 1996 Apr 3 - Nation: USA. Launch Vehicle: Starfire 1.

Conquest 1
Microgravity experiments.

- 1996 Apr 3 - - 23:01 GMT. Nation: International. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral . Launch Complex: LC36A. Launch Vehicle: Atlas IIA. LV Configuration: Atlas IIA (4) s/n AC-122 / Centaur II.

Inmarsat 3 F1 Program: Inmarsat. Mass: 2,068 kg. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: AS 4000. Agency: Inmarsat. Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin. Perigee: 35,765 km. Apogee: 35,805 km. Inclination: 2.2 deg. Period: 1,436.1 min. COSPAR: 1996-020A.
Geostationary at 64.1E. Launch vehicle put payload into geosynchronous transfer orbit with RAAN Cntl trajectory option. References: 4 , 6 , 278 .

- 1996 Apr 8 - - 23:09 GMT. Nation: Europe. Launch Site: Baikonur . Launch Complex: LC81L. Launch Vehicle: Proton 8K82K / DM3. LV Configuration: Proton 8K82K s/n 390-01 / DM3 s/n 1L.

Astra 1F Program: Astra. Mass: 3,010 kg. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 601. Agency: SES. Perigee: 35,778 km. Apogee: 35,793 km. Inclination: 0.1 deg. Period: 1,436.1 min. COSPAR: 1996-021A.
Geostationary at 19.3E. References: 4 , 6 , 67 , 274 .

- 1996 Apr 20 - - 22:36 GMT. Nation: Canada. Launch Site: Kourou . Launch Complex: ELA2. Launch Vehicle: Ariane 42P. LV Configuration: Ariane 42P s/n V85.

M-SAT 1 Program: M-SAT. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 601. Agency: TMI. Perigee: 35,777 km. Apogee: 35,794 km. Inclination: 0.0 deg. Period: 1,436.1 min. COSPAR: 1996-022A.
Geostationary at 106.5W. References: 4 , 6 .

- 1996 Apr 23 - - 11:48 GMT. Nation: Russia. Launch Site: Baikonur . Launch Complex: LC81L. Launch Vehicle: Proton 8K82K. LV Configuration: Proton 8K82K s/n 385-01.

Priroda Payload: 77KSI s/n 17401. Mass: 19,000 kg. Class: Manned. Type: Space station. Spacecraft: Priroda. Agency: Russian Space Agency. Perigee: 220 km. Apogee: 347 km. Inclination: 51.7 deg. Period: 89.9 min. COSPAR: 1996-023A.
LEO. Remote sensing module for Mir space station Docked with Mir Apr 26. References: 4 , 6 , 67 , 274 .

- 1996 Apr 24 - - 13:03 GMT. Nation: Russia. Launch Site: Plesetsk . Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 11K65M.

Cosmos 2332 Class: Calibration. Spacecraft: Taifun-1. Agency: MO RF. Perigee: 294 km. Apogee: 1,548 km. Inclination: 82.9 deg. Period: 102.7 min. COSPAR: 1996-025A.
Radar calibration mission. References: 4 , 6 .

- 1996 Apr 24 - - 12:27 GMT. Nation: USA. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: SLC2W. Launch Vehicle: Delta 7925. LV Configuration: Delta 7920-10 / Delta s/n 235.

MSX Mass: 2,700 kg. Class: Military. Type: SDI. Spacecraft: MSX. Agency: BMDO. Perigee: 897 km. Apogee: 907 km. Inclination: 99.4 deg. Period: 103.1 min. COSPAR: 1996-024A.
LEO. Midcourse Space eXperiment; missile detection technology tests; also used for auroral and atmospheric studies References: 4 , 6 .

- 1996 Apr 24 - - 23:37 GMT. Nation: USA. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral . Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Vehicle: Titan 4. LV Configuration: Titan 401A / Centaur G s/n K-16 (45E-4).

USA-118 Payload: Mercury ELINT 2. Class: Military. Type: ELINT. Spacecraft: Mercury ELINT. Agency: NRO/USAF. Perigee: 30,000 km. COSPAR: 1996-026A.
Second launch of Mercury ELINT satellite. References: 4 , 6 .

- 1996 Apr 30 - - 04:31 GMT. Nation: Italy. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral . Launch Complex: LC36B. Launch Vehicle: Atlas I. LV Configuration: Atlas I MPF s/n AC-78 / Centaur I s/n 5058.

Beppo SAX Payload: BeppoSAX. Class: Astronomy. Spacecraft: SAX. Agency: ASI. Perigee: 584 km. Apogee: 601 km. Inclination: 4.0 deg. Period: 96.5 min. COSPAR: 1996-027A.
LEO. Satellite per Astronomia a raggi X; X-ray celestial observatory Launch vehicle put payload into low earth orbit with IFR trajectory option. References: 4 , 6 , 278 .

- 1996 May 5 - - 07:04 GMT. Nation: Russia. Launch Site: Baikonur . Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U.

Progress M-31 Program: Mir. Payload: Progress M s/n 231. Mass: 7,140 kg. Class: Manned. Type: Logistics. Spacecraft: Progress M. Agency: Russian Space Agency. Perigee: 376 km. Apogee: 390 km. Inclination: 51.7 deg. Period: 92.2 min. COSPAR: 1996-028A. Duration: 88.56 days. Completed Operations Date: 01 August 1996.
Unmanned resupply vessel to Mir. Delivered 1,140 kg of fuel and 1,700 kg of cargo to the Mir complex. Docked with Mir on 7 May 1996 08:54:19 GMT. Undocked on 1 Aug 1996 16:44:54 GMT. Destroyed in reentry over the Pacific on 1 Aug 1996 20:33:03 GMT. Total free-flight time 2.23 days. Total docked time 86.33 days. References: 4 , 6 , 275 , 276 .

- 1996 May 12 - - 21:32 GMT. Nation: USA. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: SLC4E. Launch Vehicle: Titan 4. LV Configuration: Titan 403A s/n K-22 (45F-11).

TLD Spacecraft: SDS-2. COSPAR: 1996-029xx. References: 279 .
USA 119 Payload: SDS B-2. Mass: 700 kg. Class: Communications. Type: Military. Spacecraft: SDS-2. Agency: NRO. COSPAR: 1996-029A.
Unknown orbit References: 4 , 6 .
USA 120 Payload: SSU. Class: ELINT. Type: Naval reconnaisance. Spacecraft: NOSS-Subsat. Agency: NRO/USN. Perigee: 1,058 km. Apogee: 1,157 km. Inclination: 63.4 deg. COSPAR: 1996-029B. References: 4 , 6 .
USA 121 Payload: SSU. Class: ELINT. Type: Naval reconnaisance. Spacecraft: NOSS-Subsat. Agency: NRO/USN. Perigee: 1,055 km. Apogee: 1,160 km. Inclination: 63.4 deg. COSPAR: 1996-029C. References: 4 , 6 .
USA 122 Payload: NOSS B-4. Class: ELINT. Type: Naval reconnaisance. Spacecraft: NOSS-2. Agency: NRO/USN. Perigee: 1,060 km. Apogee: 1,156 km. Inclination: 63.4 deg. COSPAR: 1996-029D. References: 4 , 6 .
USA 123 Payload: TIPS Ralph. Class: Technology. Type: Tether. Spacecraft: TIPS. Agency: NRO/USN. Perigee: 1,010 km. Apogee: 1,032 km. Inclination: 63.4 deg. COSPAR: 1996-029E.
??? References: 4 , 6 .
USA 124 Payload: TIPS Norton. Class: Technology. Type: Tether. Spacecraft: TIPS. Agency: NRO/USN. Perigee: 1,010 km. Apogee: 1,032 km. Inclination: 63.4 deg. COSPAR: 1996-029F. References: 4 , 6 .

- 1996 May 14 - - 08:55 GMT. Nation: Russia. Launch Site: Baikonur . Launch Complex: LC31. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. LV Configuration: Soyuz 11A511U s/n PVB78051-368. FAILURE: Upper stage failure.

Kometa Payload: Yantar-1KFT no. 18. Mass: 6,600 kg. Class: Surveillance. Type: Cartography. Spacecraft: Yantar-1KFT. COSPAR.
Topographic mapping satellite failed to reach orbit. References: 4 , 101 , 102 .

- 1996 May 16 - - 01:56 GMT. Nation: Israel. Launch Site: Kourou . Launch Complex: ELA2. Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. LV Configuration: Ariane 44L s/n V86.

AMOS Payload: AMOS 1. Mass: 996 kg. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: AMOS. Agency: IAI. Perigee: 35,770 km. Apogee: 35,802 km. Inclination: 0.0 deg. Period: 1,436.1 min. COSPAR: 1996-030B.
7 Ku-band transponders Geostationary at 4.1W. References: 4 , 6 .
Palapa C2 Program: Palapa. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 601. Agency: Satelindo. Perigee: 35,780 km. Apogee: 35,790 km. Inclination: 0.0 deg. Period: 1,436.2 min. COSPAR: 1996-030A.
34 transponders; Geostationary at 113.0E. References: 4 , 6 .

- 1996 May 17 - - 02:44 GMT. Nation: USA. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: RW30/12 . Launch Vehicle: Pegasus. LV Configuration: Pegasus H s/n F11.

MSTI-3 Payload: MSTI 3. Class: Military. Type: SDI. Spacecraft: MSTI. Agency: BMDO. Perigee: 420 km. Apogee: 432 km. Inclination: 97.1 deg. Period: 90.7 min. COSPAR: 1996-031A.
LEO. Sensor technology tests References: 4 , 6 , 276 .

- 1996 May 19 - - 10:30 GMT. Nation: USA. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral . Launch Complex: LC39B. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. LV Configuration: STS-77.

GBA-9 Program: STS. COSPAR: 1996-032xx. References: 279 .
IAE Payload: Inflatable Antenna Experiment. Class: Technology. Spacecraft: IAE. Agency: NASA/JPL. Perigee: 180 km. Apogee: 201 km. Inclination: 39.1 deg. Period: 88.3 min. COSPAR: 1996-032C.
LEO. Inflatable Antenna Experiment; deployed from Spartan 207 5/20/96; test of inflatable antenna technology. Reentered May 22. References: 4 , 6 , 276 .
PAMS STU Class: Technology. Spacecraft: PAMS. Agency: NASA-GSFC. Perigee: 132 km. Apogee: 138 km. Inclination: 39.0 deg. Period: 87.2 min. COSPAR: 1996-032D.
LEO. Passive Aerodynamically Stabilized Magnetically Damped Satellite; deployed from STS 77 5/22/96; attitude control technology test. Reentered Oct 26. References: 4 , 6 , 276 .
Spacehab 4 Program: STS. Class: Manned. Type: Spacelab. Spacecraft: Spacehab. COSPAR: 1996-032xx. References: 279 .
Spartan 207 Class: Astronomy. Spacecraft: Spartan. Agency: NASA-GSFC. Perigee: 278 km. Apogee: 288 km. Inclination: 39.0 deg. Period: 90.2 min. COSPAR: 1996-032B.
LEO. Deployed from STS 77 on 5/20/96; retrieved 5/21/96; deployed IAEsatellite during free flight. References: 4 , 6 , 276 .
STS-77 Program: STS. Payload: Endeavour F10 / GBA-9. Mass: 12,233 kg. Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Endeavour. Agency: NASA-JSC. Perigee: 274 km. Apogee: 285 km. Inclination: 39.0 deg. Period: 90.1 min. COSPAR: 1996-032A. Duration: 10.03 days. Flight Crew: Brown, Bursch, Casper, Garneau, Runco, Thomas Andrew. Manned flight: STS-77.
Deployed and retrieved Spartan 2; deployed PAMS-STU; carried Spacehab module. Payloads: Shuttle Pointed Research Tool for Astronomy (SPARTAN) 207/Inflatable Antenna Experiment (IAE); Technology Experiments Advancing Missions in Space (TEAMS) 01 (includes Vented Tank Resupply Experiment (VTRE), Global Positioning System (GPS) Attitude and Navigation Experiment (GANE) (RME 1316), Liquid Metal Test Experiment (LMTE) and Passive Aerodynami-cally Stabilized Magnetically Damped Satellite (PAMS) Satellite Test Unit (STU); SPACEHAB-4; Brilliant Eyes Ten-Kelvin Sorption Cryocooler Experiment (BETSCE); 12 getaway specials attached to a GAS bridge assembly (GAS 056, 063, 142, 144, 163, 200, 490, 564, 565, 703, 741 and the Reduced-Fill Tank Pressure Control Experiment (RFTPCE); Aquatic Research Facility (ARF) 01; Biological Research in Canisters (BRIC) 07, Block III. Additional Details: STS-77. References: 4 , 6 , 7 , 276 .
TEAMS Program: STS. COSPAR: 1996-032xx. References: 279 .

- 1996 May 20 - Nation: Russia.

EVA Soyuz TM-23-2 Program: Mir. Class: Manned. Type: Space station. Spacecraft: Mir. Flight Crew: Onufrienko, Usachyov.
Installed MCSA solar array. References: 66 .

- 1996 May 24 - Nation: Russia.

EVA Soyuz TM-23-3 Program: Mir. Class: Manned. Type: Space station. Spacecraft: Mir. Flight Crew: Onufrienko, Usachyov.
Deployed MCSA solar array. References: 66 .

- 1996 May 24 - - 01:10 GMT. Nation: USA. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral . Launch Complex: LC17B. Launch Vehicle: Delta 7925. LV Configuration: Delta 7925 / Delta s/n 236.

Galaxy 9 Program: Galaxy. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 601. Agency: HCI. Perigee: 35,783 km. Apogee: 35,789 km. Inclination: 0.0 deg. Period: 1,436.1 min. COSPAR: 1996-033A.
Geostationary at 123.0W. References: 4 , 6 .

- 1996 May 25 - - 02:05 GMT. Nation: Russia. Launch Site: Baikonur . Launch Complex: LC200L. Launch Vehicle: Proton 8K82K / 11S861. LV Configuration: Proton 8K82K s/n 379-01 / 11S861 s/n 100L.

Gorizont 32 Payload: Gorizont s/n 44L. Mass: 2,125 kg. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Gorizont . Agency: MSvyazi. Perigee: 35,718 km. Apogee: 35,851 km. Inclination: 1.1 deg. Period: 1,436.1 min. COSPAR: 1996-034A.
Stationed at 53.2E. References: 4 , 6 , 67 , 111 , 274 .

- 1996 May 27 -

Chechnya peace treaty signed

- 1996 May 30 - Nation: Russia.

EVA Soyuz TM-23-4 Program: Mir. Class: Manned. Type: Space station. Spacecraft: Mir. Flight Crew: Onufrienko, Usachyov.
Multi-Spectral Scanner installed. References: 66 .

- 1996 June - Nation: Russia/USA.

Soyuz TMA, X-38 selected as ISS lifeboat over Alpha Lifeboat Spacecraft: Alpha Lifeboat, Soyuz TMA, X-38, International Space Station.
The Alpha lifeboat was based on the Zarya reentry vehicle with a solid retrofire motor and cold gas thruster package. The design was rejected in favor of use of modified Soyuz TM in short term, US X-38 in long term.

- 1996 Jun 4 - - 12:34 GMT. Nation: Europe. Launch Site: Kourou . Launch Complex: ELA3. Launch Vehicle: Ariane 5. LV Configuration: Ariane 5 s/n V88. FAILURE: Vehicle went off course and was destroyed by range safety. Reuse of flight software from Ariane 4 was the cause (faulty program logic that only took effect on Ariane 5 launch trajectory).

Cluster F1 Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Spacecraft: Cluster. COSPAR.
The Cluster satellites were a series of sophisticated earth-observation platforms that were to be launched aboard the first Ariane 5. The explosion of the booster led to a costly setback for European space science. There were no back-up spacecraft. Some instruments may fly on other future satellites. References: 4 .
Cluster F2 Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Spacecraft: Cluster. COSPAR. References: 4 .
Cluster F3 Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Spacecraft: Cluster. COSPAR. References: 4 .
Cluster F4 Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Spacecraft: Cluster. COSPAR. References: 4 .

- 1996 Jun 6 -

China agrees to world ban on atomic testing

- 1996 Jun 6 - Nation: Russia.

EVA Soyuz TM-23-5 Program: Mir. Class: Manned. Type: Space station. Spacecraft: Mir. Flight Crew: Onufrienko, Usachyov.
Retrieved and installed material samples References: 66 .

- 1996 Jun 13 - Nation: Russia.

EVA Soyuz TM-23-6 Program: Mir. Class: Manned. Type: Space station. Spacecraft: Mir. Flight Crew: Onufrienko, Usachyov.
Assembled truss. Deployed SAR radar antenna. References: 66 .

- 1996 Jun 14 -

Leaders in Balkans sign accord on arms limits

- 1996 Jun 15 - - 06:55 GMT. Nation: International. Launch Site: Kourou . Launch Complex: ELA2. Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44P. LV Configuration: Ariane 44P s/n V87.

Intelsat 709 Program: Intelsat. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: FS-1300. Agency: Intelsat. Perigee: 35,779 km. Apogee: 35,795 km. Inclination: 0.0 deg. Period: 1,436.1 min. COSPAR: 1996-035A.
36 transponders Geostationary at 50.0W. References: 4 , 6 .

- 1996 Jun 20 - - 14:49 GMT. Nation: USA. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral . Launch Complex: LC39B. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. LV Configuration: STS-78.

EDO Program: STS. COSPAR: 1996-036xx. References: 279 .
Spacelab LMS Program: Spacelab. Payload: Spacelab Long Module. Class: Manned. Type: Spacelab. Spacecraft: Spacelab. COSPAR: 1996-036xx. References: 279 .
Spacelab LMS 1 Program: Spacelab. Payload: Columbia F / EDO. Class: Manned. Type: Spacelab. Spacecraft: Spacelab. Agency: NASA-JSC. Perigee: 246 km. Apogee: 261 km. Inclination: 39.0 deg. Period: 89.6 min. COSPAR: 1996-036A.
LEO. Columbia; carried Terence T. Henricks, Kevin R. Kregel, Susan J. Helms, Richard M. Linnehan, Charles E. Brady, Jr., Jean-Jacques Favier, Robert Brent Thirsk; carried Life and Microgravity Spacelab; human biological and microgravity experiments. Landed aboard STS-78. References: 4 , 6 , 276 .
STS-78 Program: STS. Payload: Columbia F20 / EDO. Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Columbia. Agency: NASA-JSC. Perigee: 246 km. Apogee: 261 km. Inclination: 39.0 deg. Period: 89.6 min. COSPAR: 1996-036A. Duration: 16.91 days. Flight Crew: Brady, Favier, Helms, Henricks, Kregel, Linnehan, Thirsk. Manned flight: STS-78.
Carried Life and Microgravity Spacelab; human biological and microgravity experiments. Landed KSC July 7. Additional Details: STS-78. References: 4 , 6 , 7 , 276 .

- 1996 Jun 20 - - 18:45 GMT. Nation: Russia. Launch Site: Plesetsk . Launch Complex: LC16/2. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. FAILURE: Launch vehicle failure.

Yantar-4K1 Mass: 6,600 kg. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Yantar-4K1. COSPAR.
High resolution photo reconnaissance mission. References: 4 .

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