# 1955 in spaceflight

In 1955, both the United States and the Soviet Union (USSR) announced plans for launching the world's first satellites during the International Geophysical Year (IGY) of 1957–58. Project Vanguard, proposed by the US Navy, won out over the US Army's Project Orbiter as the satellite and rocket design to be flown in the IGY. Development of Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles, the Atlas by the US and the R-7 by the USSR, accelerated, entering the design and construction phase.
Both the US and USSR continued to launch a myriad of sounding rockets to probe the outer reaches of Earth's atmosphere and to take quick glimpses of the sun beyond the obscuring layers of air. The Aerobee Hi, first launched in April, promised a comparatively low cost alternative to other high altitude sounding rockets. The State University of Iowa meanwhile experimented with balloon-launched rockoons on its fourth expedition into the Atlantic Ocean.

## Space exploration highlights
### Sounding Rockets

The Aerobee family of rockets expanded considerably this year, both in variety and capability. Most significant was the introduction of the Aerobee-Hi, doubling the altitude range of the Aerobee sounding rocket from 125 km (78 mi) to 220 km (140 mi) and increasing the payload carried from 68 kg (150 lb) to 91 kg (201 lb). Able to probe the upper atmosphere, its $30,000 per flight price tag compared favorably to that of its high altitude contemporaries, the Viking and the Bumper; at least one 1955 Aerobee-Hi flight returned scientific data. Other, less capable, Aerobee rockets still lofted instruments beyond the 100-kilometer (62 mi) boundary of space (as defined by the World Air Sports Federation) returning spectra of the Sun in ultraviolet and investigating atmospheric airglow.
The Viking series of rockets wrapped up with the flight of Viking 12, launched 4 February 1955. Reaching an altitude of 143.5 mi (230.9 km), the rocket's K-25 camera snapped an infrared picture of the Southwestern United States, from the Pacific coast to Phoenix, just after reaching its apogee.
A number of sounding rockets based on the Nike booster (used as the first stage in various anti-aircraft missiles), were developed and launched. Just one, the 5 April Nike-Deacon flight, breached the limits of space. The Soviet Union launched three R-1E sounding rocket variants of its R-1 missile (a copy of the German V-2), all carrying dogs as biological payloads.
$^a$ (the mission date has not yet been determined) $^b$ (see table below for details and citations)

### Fourth Atlantic Rockoon expedition

Members of the State University of Iowa (SUI) physics department embarked September 1955 on their fourth naval expedition into the Atlantic Ocean to survey the distribution of cosmic rays and auroral radiation by latitude using balloon-launched rockets (rockoons). The team leader was Frank B. McDonald, formerly of the University of Minnesota. Their vessel was the USS Ashland, a World War 2 era Dock landing ship originally used to transport and launch landing craft and amphibious vehicles. Two research teams with the Naval Research Laboratory also sailed on the Ashland. In addition to the Deacon-equipped rockoons that had been used on the prior expeditions, the SUI team experimented with Loki I rockets launched from balloons. The new vehicle worked perfectly, the first being launched 23 September.
This set the stage for the most ambitious missions of the cruise: the launchings of two two-stage Loki I/Deacon rockoons. The first was a failure, the smaller Loki second stage failing to separate from the Deacon. On the second attempt, both stages fired properly. However, two and a half seconds after second stage ignition, telemetry from the rocket abruptly stopped. Professor James Van Allen, head of the SUI physics department, determined that the thin aluminum nosecone on the rocket had melted due to the incredible friction encountered at its speed of more than 8,000 km (5,000 mi) per hour. Had it reached its target altitude, Van Allen later stated, it might well have discovered the Van Allen Belts two and a half years before the missions of Explorer 1 and Explorer 3. As it turned out, no more Loki/Deacon missions were attempted.$^{:34,37–51}$

## Spacecraft development
### Preparation for the International Geophysical Year (IGY)

The origin of the International Geophysical Year can be traced to the International Polar Years held in 1882–1883, then in 1932–1933 and most recently from March 2007 to March 2009. On 5 April 1950, several top scientists (including Lloyd Berkner, Sydney Chapman, S. Fred Singer, and Harry Vestine), met in James Van Allen's living room and suggested that the time was ripe to have a worldwide Geophysical Year instead of a Polar Year, especially considering recent advances in rocketry, radar, and computing. Berkner and Chapman proposed to the International Council of Scientific Unions that an International Geophysical Year (IGY) be planned for 1957–58, coinciding with an approaching period of maximum solar activity. In 1952, the IGY was announced.
In January 1955, Radio Moscow announced that the Soviet Union might be expected to launch a satellite in the near future. This announcement galvanized American space efforts; in the same month, the National Academy of Sciences' IGY committee established a Technical Panel on Rocketry to evaluate plans to orbit an American satellite. Already under consideration was Project Orbiter,$^{:25–26}$ an Army plan to use a slightly modified Redstone (a 200 miles (320 km)) range surface-to-surface missile developed the prior year) combined with upper stages employing 31 Loki solid-propellant rockets could put a 5 lb (2.3 kg) satellite into orbit, which could be tracked optically.
On 26 May 1955, the U.S. National Security Council also endorsed a satellite program. On 8 June, United States Secretary of Defense Charles Wilson directed Assistant Secretary Donald A. Quarles to coordinate the implementation of a satellite program, with the United States Department of Defense providing the rocket and launch facilities, and the civilian IGY National Committee producing the satellite and its experimental package, the National Science Foundation mediating between the two agencies. A committee, under the chairmanship of Homer J. Stewart of Jet Propulsion Laboratory, was developed to manage the project to evaluate and choose between the available satellite orbiting options. Project Orbiter now had competition in the form of the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) plan to develop an orbital capability for its Viking rocket (Project Vanguard), even though the Loki upper stage rockets had been replaced with higher powered Sergeants. On 28 July, confident that a satellite could be lofted during the IGY, President Dwight D. Eisenhower's press secretary, James Hagerty, announced that a satellite would officially be among the United States' contributions to the IGY. The Soviets responded four days later with their own announcement of a planned IGY satellite launch.$^{:25–43}$
By 9 September, the Stewart Committee had chosen the NRL proposal over the Army's citing the Navy's impressive planned Minitrack communications technology and network as well as both the civilian nature and the greater growth potential of the Viking/Vanguard rocket. The contract authorizing the construction of two more Viking rockets (13 and 14) was expanded to include development of the Vanguard rockets.$^{:51–58}$ NRL received the assignment to develop the Vanguard satellite in early October.$^{:77}$

### United States

In January 1955, Convair was awarded a long-term government contract for the development of the Atlas, America's first ICBM, beginning Phase Three: detail design and development. With the increasing availability of smaller, lighter thermonuclear weapons, the Atlas design could reach a desired range of 5,500 km (3,400 mi) while using just three engines (original plans had contemplated five). Work on the Atlas accelerated in response to a secret report made in February 1955$^{:191}$ by James Rhyne Killian to the National Security Council on Soviet rocket progress; in December 1955, Atlas was made the highest-priority project in the nation. In addition, after the issuance of the Killian report, a second ICBM, the Titan, was authorized, along with the Thor Intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), this latter rocket using many of the systems already being developed for Atlas. All three of these missiles were adapted into workhorse orbital delivery rockets,$^{:131–137}$ the Atlas offered as a backup alternative to both the Redstone and the Vanguard as an IGY launching vehicle.$^{:41}$
Also authorized in the wake of the Killian report was the U.S. Army's Jupiter IRBM proposal, which was to be jointly developed by the U.S. Navy for use on vessels (the Navy dropped out of the project late the following year). The Jupiter also ultimately became a space launcher under the designation Juno II.

### Soviet Union

The single-stage R-5 missile completed its test launch series and entered operational service in 1955; it was able to carry the same 1,000 kilograms (2,200 lb) payload as its shorter ranged predecessors, the R-1 and R-2 but over a distance of 1,200 kilometres (750 mi). Work then proceeded on an upgrade designated R-5M, with similar launch mass and range, but designed to carry a nuclear warhead.$^{:242–243}$ This rocket, which would be the world's first nuclear missile, was a stopgap weapon pending the development of an ICBM, the development of both of which had been decreed by the USSR Council of Ministers in late 1953.$^{:275}$
This ICBM was the R-7, whose design began in 1954. Initially contemplated as a two-stage design, the R-7 ultimately employed a cluster of four strapon boosters around a central rocket (or "sustainer"). For the first time, Soviet engineers were developing a rocket with more than a single combustion chamber (in the case of the R-7, there were 32). This ambitious project was the joint effort of three design entities: OKB-1, responsible for the general hydraulic system, NII-885, managing the general electrical system, and OKB-456, developing the engines' layout and thrust sequence.$^{:290–1}$ In 1955, after the traditional launch pad proved to be unusable for the R-7, a plan was advanced to suspend the sustainer at the launch site, attaching the strapon cluster there; the entire assembly would be suspended by the launch facility rather than resting on the ground.$^{:295}$ The first test launches were planned for 1957. The site for these launches, decided 12 February 1955, was Ministry of Defense Scientific-Research and Test Firing Range No.5 (NIIP-5), located in the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic (now Kazakhstan) near the Syr-Darya river. The town of Baikonur grew to support the facility.$^{:308}$
Though the R-7 was developed explicitly as a nuclear missile, OKB-1's head Sergei Korolev already had plans to utilize the rocket for delivering satellites into orbit. At a private meeting on 30 August 1955, Korolev proposed this possibility Vasily Ryabikov, chairman of the Military Industrial Meeting. This suggestion culminated in the governmental resolution of January 1956 calling for the production of the Soviet Union's first satellite.$^{:380}$

## Launches

* ← Jan
* Feb
* Mar
* Apr
* May
* Jun
* Jul
* Aug
* Sep
* Oct
* Nov
* Dec →

### January

January launches :
| Date and time (UTC) | Rocket | Rocket | Flight number | Launch site | Launch site | LSP | LSP |
| Date and time (UTC) | | Payload | Operator | Orbit | Function | Decay (UTC) | Outcome |
| Remarks ||||||
| 4 January | R-2 | R-2 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 4 January | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 4 January | Successful |
| 6 January | R-5 | R-5 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 6 January | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 6 January | Successful |
| 8 January | R-5 | R-5 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 8 January | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 8 January | Successful |
| 15 January | R-2 | R-2 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 15 January | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 15 January | Successful |
| 17 January | R-5 | R-5 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 17 January | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 17 January | Successful |
| 20 January | R-5M | R-5M | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 20 January | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 20 January | Successful |
| Maiden flight of the R-5M ||||||
| 21 January | R-5 | R-5 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 21 January | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 21 January | Successful |
| 22 January 00:54 | Aerobee RTV-A-1a | Aerobee RTV-A-1a | USAF 51 | Holloman LC-A | Holloman LC-A | US Air Force | US Air Force |
| 22 January 00:54 | | Sodium Release 1 | AFCRC | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 22 January | Successful |
| Apogee: 94.8 kilometres (58.9 mi)$^{:145–146}$ ||||||
| 22 January | R-5 | R-5 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 22 January | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 22 January | Successful |
| 25 January | R-1E | R-1E | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 25 January | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Biological | 25 January | Successful |
| Maiden flight of the R-1E, carried dogs ||||||
| 25 January | R-2 | R-2 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 25 January | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 25 January | Successful |
| 28 January | R-1 | R-1 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 28 January | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 28 January | Successful |
| 29 January | R-1 | R-1 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 29 January | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 29 January | Successful |
| 29 January | R-5 | R-5 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 29 January | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 29 January | Successful |
| 31 January | R-2 | R-2 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 31 January | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 31 January | Successful |

### February

February launches :
| Date and time (UTC) | Rocket | Rocket | Flight number | Launch site | Launch site | LSP | LSP |
| Date and time (UTC) | | Payload | Operator | Orbit | Function | Decay (UTC) | Outcome |
| Remarks ||||||
| 1 February | R-5 | R-5 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 1 February | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 1 February | Successful |
| 3 February | R-1 | R-1 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 3 February | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 3 February | Successful |
| 4 February 21:55 | Viking (second model) | Viking (second model) | | White Sands LC-33 | White Sands LC-33 | US Navy | US Navy |
| 4 February 21:55 | | Viking 12 | NRL | Suborbital | REV test / Photography / Aeronomy | 4 February | Successful |
| Apogee: 232 kilometres (144 mi) ||||||
| 5 February | R-1E | R-1E | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 5 February | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Biological | 5 February | Partial Failure |
| Carried dogs, not recovered ||||||
| 7 February | R-1 | R-1 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 7 February | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 7 February | Successful |
| 7 February | R-5 | R-5 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 7 February | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 7 February | Successful |
| 7 February 18:51 | Aerobee RTV-A-1a | Aerobee RTV-A-1a | USAF 52 | Holloman LC-A | Holloman LC-A | US Air Force | US Air Force |
| 7 February 18:51 | | | AFCRC / University of Utah | Suborbital | Ionospheric | 7 February | Successful |
| Apogee: 120.4 kilometres (74.8 mi)$^{:147–148}$ ||||||
| 8 February | R-2 | R-2 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 8 February | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 8 February | Successful |
| 8 February | R-2 | R-2 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 8 February | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 8 February | Successful |
| 9 February | R-5M | R-5M | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 9 February | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 9 February | Successful |
| 10 February 22:38 | Aerobee RTV-A-1a | Aerobee RTV-A-1a | USAF 53 | Holloman LC-A | Holloman LC-A | US Air Force | US Air Force |
| 10 February 22:38 | | | AFCRC / University of Utah | Suborbital | Ionospheric | 10 February | Successful |
| Apogee: 76.1 kilometres (47.3 mi)$^{:149–150}$ ||||||
| 14 February | R-5M | R-5M | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 14 February | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 14 February | Successful |
| 21 February 18:25 | Aerobee RTV-N-10c | Aerobee RTV-N-10c | NRL 29 | White Sands LC-35 | White Sands LC-35 | US Navy | US Navy |
| 21 February 18:25 | | | NRL | Suborbital | Solar UV | 21 February | Successful |
| Apogee: 115 kilometres (71 mi), maiden flight of the RTV-N-10c; obtained UV spectrum in 30 second exposure over range 977 to 1817 A. Used University of Colorado biaxial pointer to keep camera trained on the Sun. ||||||
| 25 February | R-2 | R-2 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 25 February | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 25 February | Successful |
| 28 February | R-2 | R-2 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 28 February | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 28 February | Successful |

### March

March launches :
| Date and time (UTC) | Rocket | Rocket | Flight number | Launch site | Launch site | LSP | LSP |
| Date and time (UTC) | | Payload | Operator | Orbit | Function | Decay (UTC) | Outcome |
| Remarks ||||||
| 1 March | R-2 | R-2 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 1 March | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 1 March | Successful |
| 2 March | R-2 | R-2 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 2 March | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 2 March | Successful |
| 19 March 06:00 | Aerobee RTV-N-10 | Aerobee RTV-N-10 | NRL 26 | White Sands LC-35 | White Sands LC-35 | US Navy | US Navy |
| 19 March 06:00 | | | NRL | Suborbital | Airglow | 19 March | Successful |
| Apogee: 115 kilometres (71 mi) ||||||
| 21 March | R-2 | R-2 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 21 March | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 21 March | Successful |
| 29 March 16:47 | Aerobee RTV-A-1a | Aerobee RTV-A-1a | USAF 54 | Holloman LC-A | Holloman LC-A | US Air Force | US Air Force |
| 29 March 16:47 | | | AFCRC / University of Colorado | Suborbital | Solar UV | 29 March | Successful |
| Apogee: 113 kilometres (70 mi)$^{:151–152}$ ||||||

### April

April launches :
| Date and time (UTC) | Rocket | Rocket | Flight number | Launch site | Launch site | LSP | LSP |
| Date and time (UTC) | | Payload | Operator | Orbit | Function | Decay (UTC) | Outcome |
| Remarks ||||||
| 4 April | R-2 | R-2 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 4 April | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 4 April | Successful |
| 8 April | R-1 | R-1 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 8 April | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 8 April | Successful |
| 8 April | Nike-Nike-Tri-Deacon-T40 | Nike-Nike-Tri-Deacon-T40 | | Wallops Island | Wallops Island | NACA | NACA |
| 8 April | | | NACA | Suborbital | REV test | 8 April | Launch failure |
| Apogee: 18 kilometres (11 mi), maiden (and only) flight of the Nike-Nike-Tri-Deacon-T40 ||||||
| 8 April 15:19 | Nike-Deacon | Nike-Deacon | DAN-1 | Wallops Island | Wallops Island | US Air Force | US Air Force |
| 8 April 15:19 | | | US Air Force | Suborbital | Test flight | 8 April | Successful |
| Apogee: 108 kilometres (67 mi), maiden flight of the Nike-Deacon ||||||
| 9 April | R-1 | R-1 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 9 April | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 9 April | Successful |
| 12 April | R-1 | R-1 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 12 April | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 12 April | Successful |
| 15 April | R-1 | R-1 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 15 April | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 15 April | Successful |
| 21 April 15:58 | Aerobee Hi | Aerobee Hi | USAF 55 | Holloman LC-A | Holloman LC-A | US Air Force | US Air Force |
| 21 April 15:58 | | | AFCRC | Suborbital | Test flight | 21 April | Successful |
| Apogee: 192 kilometres (119 mi), maiden flight of the AJ11-6 Aerobee Hi (USAF variant)$^{:153–154}$ ||||||
| 29 April | R-5M | R-5M | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 29 April | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 29 April | Partial Failure |

### May

May launches :
| Date and time (UTC) | Rocket | Rocket | Flight number | Launch site | Launch site | LSP | LSP |
| Date and time (UTC) | | Payload | Operator | Orbit | Function | Decay (UTC) | Outcome |
| Remarks ||||||
| 18 May | R-2 | R-2 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 18 May | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 18 May | Successful |
| 20 May | R-2 | R-2 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 20 May | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 20 May | Successful |
| 20 May | R-5M | R-5M | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 20 May | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 20 May | Successful |
| 26 May | R-5M | R-5M | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 26 May | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 26 May | Successful |
| 28 May | R-2 | R-2 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 28 May | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 28 May | Successful |
| 31 May | R-2 | R-2 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 31 May | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 31 May | Successful |

### June

June launches :
| Date and time (UTC) | Rocket | Rocket | Flight number | Launch site | Launch site | LSP | LSP |
| Date and time (UTC) | | Payload | Operator | Orbit | Function | Decay (UTC) | Outcome |
| Remarks ||||||
| 1 June | R-2 | R-2 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 1 June | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 1 June | Successful |
| 6 June | R-5M | R-5M | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 6 June | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 6 June | Successful |
| 15 June | R-5M | R-5M | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 15 June | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 15 June | Successful |
| 16 June 01:11 | Aerobee AJ10-27 | Aerobee AJ10-27 | USAF 56 | Holloman LC-A | Holloman LC-A | US Air Force | US Air Force |
| 16 June 01:11 | | | Holloman Air Development Center | Suborbital | Classified | 16 June | Successful |
| Apogee: 203 kilometres (126 mi), maiden flight of the Aerobee AJ10-27$^{:157}$ ||||||
| 18 June | R-1 | R-1 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 18 June | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 18 June | Successful |
| 20 June | R-2 | R-2 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 20 June | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 20 June | Successful |
| 22 June | R-5M | R-5M | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 22 June | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 22 June | Successful |
| 23 June | R-5M | R-5M | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 23 June | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 23 June | Successful |
| 23 June | Nike-Nike-T40-T55 | Nike-Nike-T40-T55 | | Wallops Island | Wallops Island | NACA | NACA |
| 23 June | | | NACA | Suborbital | Heat transfer REV test | 23 June | Launch failure |
| Apogee: 30 kilometres (19 mi) ||||||
| 23 June 12:47 | Aerobee Hi | Aerobee Hi | USAF 57 | Holloman LC-A | Holloman LC-A | US Air Force | US Air Force |
| 23 June 12:47 | | | AFCRC | Suborbital | Test flight | 23 June | Launch failure |
| Apogee: 61 kilometres (38 mi), premature burnout at 23 seconds$^{:155–156}$ ||||||
| 24 June | R-1 | R-1 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 24 June | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 24 June | Successful |
| 24 June 18:04 | Nike-Deacon | Nike-Deacon | DAN-2 | Wallops Island | Wallops Island | US Air Force | US Air Force |
| 24 June 18:04 | | | NACA | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 24 June | Successful |
| Apogee: 105 kilometres (65 mi) ||||||
| 28 June | R-2 | R-2 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 28 June | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 28 June | Successful |
| 28 June | R-5M | R-5M | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 28 June | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 28 June | Successful |
| 30 June | R-5M | R-5M | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 30 June | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 30 June | Successful |

### July

July launches :
| Date and time (UTC) | Rocket | Rocket | Flight number | Launch site | Launch site | LSP | LSP |
| Date and time (UTC) | | Payload | Operator | Orbit | Function | Decay (UTC) | Outcome |
| Remarks ||||||
| 1 July | R-2 | R-2 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 1 July | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 1 July | Successful |
| 7 July | R-5M | R-5M | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 7 July | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 7 July | Successful |
| 8 July 08:39 | Aerobee RTV-N-10 | Aerobee RTV-N-10 | NRL 23 | White Sands LC-35 | White Sands LC-35 | US Navy | US Navy |
| 8 July 08:39 | | | NRL | Suborbital | Ionospheric | 8 July | Successful |
| Apogee: 113 kilometres (70 mi) ||||||
| 9 July | R-5M | R-5M | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 9 July | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 9 July | Successful |
| 13 July 06:59 | Aerobee RTV-N-10a | Aerobee RTV-N-10a | NRL 23 | White Sands LC-35 | White Sands LC-35 | US Navy | US Navy |
| 13 July 06:59 | | | NRL | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 13 July | Successful |
| Apogee: 69 kilometres (43 mi), maiden flight of the Aerobee RTV-N-10a ||||||
| 15 July | R-2 | R-2 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 15 July | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 15 July | Successful |
| 25 July | R-1 | R-1 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 25 July | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 25 July | Successful |
| 26 July | R-1 | R-1 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 26 July | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 26 July | Successful |
| 26 July | R-2 | R-2 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 26 July | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 26 July | Successful |
| 29 July | R-1 | R-1 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 29 July | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 29 July | Successful |

### August

August launches :
| Date and time (UTC) | Rocket | Rocket | Flight number | Launch site | Launch site | LSP | LSP |
| Date and time (UTC) | | Payload | Operator | Orbit | Function | Decay (UTC) | Outcome |
| Remarks ||||||
| 1 August | R-1 | R-1 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 1 August | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 1 August | Successful |
| 1 August | R-2 | R-2 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 1 August | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 1 August | Successful |
| 3 August | R-2 | R-2 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 3 August | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 3 August | Successful |
| 6 August | R-2 | R-2 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 6 August | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 6 August | Successful |
| 8 August | R-2 | R-2 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 8 August | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 8 August | Successful |
| 9 August | R-5M | R-5M | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 9 August | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 9 August | Successful |
| 12 August | R-5M | R-5M | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 12 August | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 12 August | Successful |
| 16 August | R-5M | R-5M | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 16 August | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 16 August | Partial Failure |
| 24 August | R-1 | R-1 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 24 August | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 24 August | Successful |
| 24 August | R-2 | R-2 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 24 August | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 24 August | Successful |
| 25 August | R-1 | R-1 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 25 August | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 25 August | Successful |
| 25 August 13:00 | Aerobee Hi | Aerobee Hi | NRL 37 | White Sands LC-35 | White Sands LC-35 | US Navy | US Navy |
| 25 August 13:00 | | | NRL | Suborbital | Test flight | 25 August | Launch failure |
| Apogee: 4 kilometres (2.5 mi), maiden flight of the Aerobee Hi (NRL variant), Navy designation: RTV-N-13 ||||||
| 26 August | X-17 | X-17 | | Cape Canaveral LC-3 | Cape Canaveral LC-3 | US Air Force | US Air Force |
| 26 August | | | ARDC | Suborbital | Test flight | 26 August | Launch failure |
| Apogee: 3 kilometres (1.9 mi), maiden flight of the X-17 ||||||
| 27 August | R-2 | R-2 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 27 August | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 27 August | Successful |
| 30 August | R-2 | R-2 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 30 August | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 30 August | Successful |
| 31 August | R-2 | R-2 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 31 August | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 31 August | Successful |

### September

September launches :
| Date and time (UTC) | Rocket | Rocket | Flight number | Launch site | Launch site | LSP | LSP |
| Date and time (UTC) | | Payload | Operator | Orbit | Function | Decay (UTC) | Outcome |
| Remarks ||||||
| 14 September 13:30 | Aerobee AJ10-27 | Aerobee AJ10-27 | USAF 58 | Holloman LC-A | Holloman LC-A | US Air Force | US Air Force |
| 14 September 13:30 | | | AFCRC / University of Michigan | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 14 September | Successful |
| Apogee: 95 kilometres (59 mi)$^{:158–159}$ ||||||
| 15 September | HJ-Nike | HJ-Nike | | Wallops Island | Wallops Island | NACA | NACA |
| 15 September | | | NACA | Suborbital | Test flight | 15 September | Launch failure |
| Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi), maiden flight of the HJ-Nike ||||||
| 19 September | R-5M | R-5M | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 19 September | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 19 September | Successful |
| 23 September | R-5M | R-5M | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 23 September | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 23 September | Successful |
| 23 September | X-17 | X-17 | | Cape Canaveral LC-3 | Cape Canaveral LC-3 | US Air Force | US Air Force |
| 23 September | | | ARDC | Suborbital | Test flight | 23 September | Launch failure |
| Apogee: 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) ||||||
| 23 September 20:34 | Loki Rockoon | Loki Rockoon | SUI 38 | USS Staten Island, Atlantic Ocean, near Nova Scotia | USS Staten Island, Atlantic Ocean, near Nova Scotia | US Navy | US Navy |
| 23 September 20:34 | | | University of Iowa | Suborbital | Ionospheric / Aeronomy | 23 September | Successful |
| Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi) ||||||
| 24 September 16:35 | Deacon Rockoon | Deacon Rockoon | SUI 39 | USS Staten Island, Atlantic Ocean, near Nova Scotia | USS Staten Island, Atlantic Ocean, near Nova Scotia | US Navy | US Navy |
| 24 September 16:35 | | | University of Iowa | Suborbital | Ionospheric / Aeronomy | 24 September | Successful |
| Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi) ||||||
| 24 September 21:09 | Loki Rockoon | Loki Rockoon | SUI 40 | USS Staten Island, Atlantic Ocean, near Nova Scotia | USS Staten Island, Atlantic Ocean, near Nova Scotia | US Navy | US Navy |
| 24 September 21:09 | | | University of Iowa | Suborbital | Ionospheric / Aeronomy | 24 September | Successful |
| Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi) ||||||
| 25 September 20:39 | Loki Rockoon | Loki Rockoon | SUI 41 | USS Staten Island, Atlantic Ocean, near Newfoundland | USS Staten Island, Atlantic Ocean, near Newfoundland | US Navy | US Navy |
| 25 September 20:39 | | | University of Iowa | Suborbital | Ionospheric / Aeronomy | 25 September | Launch failure |
| Apogee: 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) ||||||
| 27 September | R-5M | R-5M | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 27 September | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 27 September | Successful |
| 27 September | Nike-Deacon | Nike-Deacon | | Wallops Island | Wallops Island | NACA | NACA |
| 27 September | | | NACA | Suborbital | REV test flight | 27 September | Successful |
| Apogee: 30 kilometres (19 mi) ||||||
| 27 September 19:12 | Deacon Rockoon | Deacon Rockoon | NRL Rockoon 14 | USS Staten Island, Labrador Sea | USS Staten Island, Labrador Sea | US Navy | US Navy |
| 27 September 19:12 | | | NRL | Suborbital | Ionospheric / Aeronomy | 27 September | Launch failure |
| Apogee: 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) ||||||
| 27 September 19:43 | Deacon Rockoon | Deacon Rockoon | NRL Rockoon 13 | USS Staten Island, Labrador Sea | USS Staten Island, Labrador Sea | US Navy | US Navy |
| 27 September 19:43 | | | NRL | Suborbital | Ionospheric / Aeronomy | 27 September | Successful |
| Apogee: 90 kilometres (56 mi) ||||||
| 27 September 20:54 | Deacon Rockoon | Deacon Rockoon | SUI 42 | USS Staten Island, Labrador Sea | USS Staten Island, Labrador Sea | US Navy | US Navy |
| 27 September 20:54 | | | University of Iowa | Suborbital | Ionospheric / Aeronomy | 27 September | Successful |
| Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi) ||||||
| 28 September 01:13 | Loki Rockoon | Loki Rockoon | SUI 43 | USS Staten Island, Labrador Sea | USS Staten Island, Labrador Sea | US Navy | US Navy |
| 28 September 01:13 | | | University of Iowa | Suborbital | Ionospheric / Aeronomy | 28 September | Launch failure |
| Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi) ||||||
| 28 September 12:45 | Deacon Rockoon | Deacon Rockoon | NRL Rockoon 15 | USS Staten Island, southern Davis Strait | USS Staten Island, southern Davis Strait | US Navy | US Navy |
| 28 September 12:45 | | | NRL | Suborbital | Ionospheric / Aeronomy | 28 September | Successful |
| Apogee: 90 kilometres (56 mi) ||||||
| 28 September 14:54 | Deacon Rockoon | Deacon Rockoon | SUI 44 | USS Staten Island, southern Davis Strait | USS Staten Island, southern Davis Strait | US Navy | US Navy |
| 28 September 14:54 | | | University of Iowa | Suborbital | Ionospheric / Aeronomy | 28 September | Successful |
| Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi) ||||||
| 28 September 17:40 | Deacon Rockoon | Deacon Rockoon | NRL Rockoon 16 | USS Staten Island, southern Davis Strait | USS Staten Island, southern Davis Strait | US Navy | US Navy |
| 28 September 17:40 | | | NRL | Suborbital | Ionospheric / Aeronomy | 28 September | Launch failure |
| Apogee: 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) ||||||
| 28 September 19:22 | Deacon-Loki Rockoon | Deacon-Loki Rockoon | SUI 45 | USS Staten Island, southern Davis Strait | USS Staten Island, southern Davis Strait | US Navy | US Navy |
| 28 September 19:22 | | | University of Iowa | Suborbital | Test flight | 28 September | Launch failure |
| Apogee: 102 kilometres (63 mi), maiden flight of the Deacon-Loki rockoon ||||||
| 29 September | R-2 | R-2 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 29 September | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 29 September | Successful |
| 29 September 13:42 | Deacon Rockoon | Deacon Rockoon | SUI 46 | USS Staten Island, Davis Strait | USS Staten Island, Davis Strait | US Navy | US Navy |
| 29 September 13:42 | | | University of Iowa | Suborbital | Ionospheric / Aeronomy | 29 September | Successful |
| Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi) ||||||
| 29 September 19:13 | Deacon Rockoon | Deacon Rockoon | SUI 47 | USS Staten Island, northern Davis Strait | USS Staten Island, northern Davis Strait | US Navy | US Navy |
| 29 September 19:13 | | | University of Iowa | Suborbital | Ionospheric / Aeronomy | 29 September | Successful |
| Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi) ||||||
| 29 September 21:52 | Deacon-Loki Rockoon | Deacon-Loki Rockoon | SUI 48 | USS Staten Island, Davis Strait | USS Staten Island, Davis Strait | US Navy | US Navy |
| 29 September 21:52 | | | University of Iowa | Suborbital | Test flight | 29 September | Launch failure |
| Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), final flight of the Deacon-Loki rockoon ||||||
| 30 September 15:50 | Aerobee AJ10-27 | Aerobee AJ10-27 | USAF 59 | Holloman LC-A | Holloman LC-A | US Air Force | US Air Force |
| 30 September 15:50 | | | AFCRC / University of Utah / University of Colorado | Suborbital | Solar UV | 30 September | Successful |
| Apogee: 74 kilometres (46 mi)$^{:160–161}$ ||||||
| 30 September 20:10 | Loki Rockoon | Loki Rockoon | SUI 49 | USS Staten Island, Baffin Bay | USS Staten Island, Baffin Bay | US Navy | US Navy |
| 30 September 20:10 | | | University of Iowa | Suborbital | Ionospheric / Aeronomy | 30 September | Successful |
| Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi) ||||||

### October

October launches :
| Date and time (UTC) | Rocket | Rocket | Flight number | Launch site | Launch site | LSP | LSP |
| Date and time (UTC) | | Payload | Operator | Orbit | Function | Decay (UTC) | Outcome |
| Remarks ||||||
| 1 October | R-2 | R-2 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 1 October | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 1 October | Successful |
| 1 October | R-5M | R-5M | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 1 October | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 1 October | Successful |
| 4 October 21:18 | Loki Rockoon | Loki Rockoon | SUI 50 | USS Staten Island, Baffin Bay | USS Staten Island, Baffin Bay | US Navy | US Navy |
| 4 October 21:18 | | | University of Iowa | Suborbital | Ionospheric / Aeronomy | 4 October | Successful |
| Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi) ||||||
| 5 October | R-1 | R-1 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 5 October | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 5 October | Successful |
| 6 October 10:45 | Deacon Rockoon | Deacon Rockoon | NRL Rockoon 17 | USS Staten Island, Davis Strait | USS Staten Island, Davis Strait | US Navy | US Navy |
| 6 October 10:45 | | | NRL | Suborbital | Ionospheric / Aeronomy | 6 October | Launch failure |
| Apogee: 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) ||||||
| 6 October 19:10 | Deacon Rockoon | Deacon Rockoon | SUI 51 | USS Staten Island, Davis Strait | USS Staten Island, Davis Strait | US Navy | US Navy |
| 6 October 19:10 | | | University of Iowa | Suborbital | Ionospheric / Aeronomy | 6 October | Successful |
| Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi) ||||||
| 7 October | Nike-Nike-T40-T55 | Nike-Nike-T40-T55 | | Wallops Island | Wallops Island | NACA | NACA |
| 7 October | | | NACA | Suborbital | Heat transfer REV test | 7 October | Successful |
| Apogee: 30 kilometres (19 mi) ||||||
| 8 October | R-1 | R-1 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 8 October | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 8 October | Successful |
| 11 October 14:33 | Deacon Rockoon | Deacon Rockoon | SUI 52 | USS Staten Island, southern Davis Strait | USS Staten Island, southern Davis Strait | US Navy | US Navy |
| 11 October 14:33 | | | University of Iowa | Suborbital | Ionospheric / Aeronomy | 11 October | Launch failure |
| Apogee: 20 kilometres (12 mi) ||||||
| 11 October 14:37 | Deacon Rockoon | Deacon Rockoon | NRL Rockoon 18 | USS Staten Island, southern Davis Strait | USS Staten Island, southern Davis Strait | US Navy | US Navy |
| 11 October 14:37 | | | NRL | Suborbital | Ionospheric / Aeronomy | 11 October | Successful |
| Apogee: 90 kilometres (56 mi) ||||||
| 13 October 01:00 | Aerobee RTV-A-1a | Aerobee RTV-A-1a | USAF 60 | Holloman LC-A | Holloman LC-A | US Air Force | US Air Force |
| 13 October 01:00 | | Sodium Release 2 | AFCRC | Suborbital | Aeronomy | 13 October | Successful |
| Apogee: 101 kilometres (63 mi)$^{:162–163}$ ||||||
| 13 October 06:37 | Deacon Rockoon | Deacon Rockoon | NRL Rockoon 19 | USS Staten Island, Labrador Sea | USS Staten Island, Labrador Sea | US Navy | US Navy |
| 13 October 06:37 | | | NRL | Suborbital | Ionospheric / Aeronomy | 13 October | Successful |
| Apogee: 60 kilometres (37 mi) ||||||
| 13 October 12:44 | Deacon Rockoon | Deacon Rockoon | SUI 53 | USS Staten Island, Labrador Sea | USS Staten Island, Labrador Sea | US Navy | US Navy |
| 13 October 12:44 | | | University of Iowa | Suborbital | Ionospheric / Aeronomy | 13 October | Successful |
| Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi) ||||||
| 13 October 13:42 | Deacon Rockoon | Deacon Rockoon | NRL Rockoon 20 | USS Staten Island, Labrador Sea | USS Staten Island, Labrador Sea | US Navy | US Navy |
| 13 October 13:42 | | | NRL | Suborbital | Ionospheric / Aeronomy | 13 October | Launch failure |
| Apogee: 50 kilometres (31 mi) ||||||
| 13 October 15:24 | Deacon Rockoon | Deacon Rockoon | SUI 54 | USS Staten Island, Labrador Sea | USS Staten Island, Labrador Sea | US Navy | US Navy |
| 13 October 15:24 | | | University of Iowa | Suborbital | Ionospheric / Aeronomy | 13 October | Launch failure |
| Apogee: 20 kilometres (12 mi) ||||||
| 13 October 20:13 | Deacon Rockoon | Deacon Rockoon | SUI 55 | USS Staten Island, Labrador Sea | USS Staten Island, Labrador Sea | US Navy | US Navy |
| 13 October 20:13 | | | University of Iowa | Suborbital | Ionospheric / Aeronomy | 13 October | Successful |
| Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi) ||||||
| 18 October 22:49 | Aerobee RTV-N-10c | Aerobee RTV-N-10c | NRL 34 | White Sands LC-35 | White Sands LC-35 | US Navy | US Navy |
| 18 October 22:49 | | | NRL | Suborbital | Solar UV / Solar X-Ray | 18 October | Successful |
| Apogee: 101 kilometres (63 mi) ||||||
| 22 October 00:20 | Aerobee RTV-N-10c | Aerobee RTV-N-10c | NRL 35 | White Sands LC-35 | White Sands LC-35 | US Navy | US Navy |
| 22 October 00:20 | | | NRL | Suborbital | Solar UV | 22 October | Successful |
| Apogee: 185 kilometres (115 mi) ||||||
| 31 October | R-2 | R-2 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 31 October | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 31 October | Successful |

### November

November launches :
| Date and time (UTC) | Rocket | Rocket | Flight number | Launch site | Launch site | LSP | LSP |
| Date and time (UTC) | | Payload | Operator | Orbit | Function | Decay (UTC) | Outcome |
| Remarks ||||||
| 1 November | R-5M | R-5M | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 1 November | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 1 November | Successful |
| 4 November | R-1E | R-1E | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 4 November | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Biological | 4 November | Successful |
| Carried dogs, all recovered ||||||
| 4 November | R-5M | R-5M | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 4 November | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 4 November | Successful |
| 4 November 15:30 | Aerobee RTV-N-10c | Aerobee RTV-N-10c | NRL 36 | White Sands LC-35 | White Sands LC-35 | US Navy | US Navy |
| 4 November 15:30 | | | NRL | Suborbital | Solar UV | 4 November | Successful |
| Apogee: 135 kilometres (84 mi) ||||||
| 17 November 09:15 | Aerobee RTV-N-10 | Aerobee RTV-N-10 | NRL 25 | White Sands LC-35 | White Sands LC-35 | US Navy | US Navy |
| 17 November 09:15 | | | NRL | Suborbital | Meteorites / UV Astronomy | 17 November | Successful |
| Apogee: 105 kilometres (65 mi) ||||||
| 19 November | R-2 | R-2 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 19 November | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 19 November | Successful |
| 19 November | R-5M | R-5M | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 19 November | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 19 November | Successful |
| 23 November | R-2 | R-2 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 23 November | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 23 November | Successful |
| 23 November | R-2 | R-2 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 23 November | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 23 November | Successful |
| 29 November 17:16 | Aerobee RTV-N-10 | Aerobee RTV-N-10 | NRL 24 | White Sands LC-35 | White Sands LC-35 | US Navy | US Navy |
| 29 November 17:16 | | | NRL | Suborbital | Ionospheric | 29 November | Successful |
| Apogee: 132 kilometres (82 mi) ||||||

### December

December launches :
| Date and time (UTC) | Rocket | Rocket | Flight number | Launch site | Launch site | LSP | LSP |
| Date and time (UTC) | | Payload | Operator | Orbit | Function | Decay (UTC) | Outcome |
| Remarks ||||||
| 1 December | X-17 | X-17 | | Cape Canaveral LC-3 | Cape Canaveral LC-3 | US Air Force | US Air Force |
| 1 December | | | ARDC | Suborbital | Test flight | 1 December | Successful |
| Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi) ||||||
| 9 December 14:50 | Aerobee Hi | Aerobee Hi | NRL 38 | White Sands LC-35 | White Sands LC-35 | US Navy | US Navy |
| 9 December 14:50 | | | NRL | Suborbital | Test flight | 9 December | Launch failure |
| 13 December 05:00 | Aerobee RTV-N-10a | Aerobee RTV-N-10a | NRL 28 | White Sands LC-35 | White Sands LC-35 | US Navy | US Navy |
| 13 December 05:00 | | | NRL | Suborbital | Airglow / Aeronomy | 13 December | Successful |
| Apogee: 142 kilometres (88 mi), final flight of the Aerobee RTV-N-10a; carried photometers to measure altitude and intensity of airglow at 5577 and 5890-6 A. Also took three ultraviolet spectrograms of the Sun, investigating Ly-α emissions. ||||||
| 13 December 17:58 | Aerobee AJ10-27 | Aerobee AJ10-27 | USAF 61 | Holloman LC-A | Holloman LC-A | US Air Force | US Air Force |
| 13 December 17:58 | | | AFCRC / University of Utah / University of Colorado | Suborbital | Solar UV | 13 December | Successful |
| Apogee: 138 kilometres (86 mi), final flight of the Aerobee AJ10-27$^{:164–165}$ ||||||
| 16 December | R-2 | R-2 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 16 December | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 16 December | Successful |
| 17 December | R-2 | R-2 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 17 December | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 17 December | Successful |
| 21 December | HJ-Nike | HJ-Nike | | Wallops Island | Wallops Island | NACA | NACA |
| 21 December | | | NACA | Suborbital | Test flight | 21 December | Launch failure |
| Apogee: 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) ||||||
| 24 December | R-2 | R-2 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 24 December | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 24 December | Successful |
| 27 December | R-2 | R-2 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 27 December | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 27 December | Successful |
| 28 December | R-2 | R-2 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 28 December | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 28 December | Successful |
| 30 December | R-2 | R-2 | | Kapustin Yar | Kapustin Yar | OKB-1 | OKB-1 |
| 30 December | | | OKB-1 | Suborbital | Missile test | 30 December | Successful |
* ← Jan
* Feb
* Mar
* Apr
* May
* Jun
* Jul
* Aug
* Sep
* Oct
* Nov
* Dec →

## Suborbital launch summary
### By country

Launches by country :
| Country | Country | Launches | Successes | Failures | Partial failures |
| | United States | 61 | 42 | 19 | 0 |
| | Soviet Union | 95 | 92 | 0 | 3 |

### By rocket

* Viking (second model)
* Aerobee RTV-N-10
* Aerobee RTV-N-10c
* Aerobee RTV-N-10a
* Aerobee Hi (NRL)
* Aerobee RTV-A-1a
* Aerobee Hi (USAF)
* Aerobee AJ10-27
* Deacon rockoon (SUI)
* Deacon rockoon (NRL)
* Loki rockoon
* Deacon-Loki rockoon
* Nike-Nike-T40-T55
* Nike-Deacon
* Nike-Nike-Tri-Deacon-T40
* X-17
* HJ-Nike
* R-1
* R-1E
* R-2
* R-5
* R-5M
Launches by rocket :
| Rocket | Country | Launches | Successes | Failures | Partial failures | Remarks |
| Viking (second model) | United States | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Aerobee RTV-N-10 | United States | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
| Aerobee RTV-N-10c | United States | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | Maiden flight |
| Aerobee RTV-N-10a | United States | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Maiden flight, retired |
| Aerobee Hi (NRL) | United States | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | Maiden flight |
| Aerobee RTV-A-1a | United States | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | |
| Aerobee Hi (USAF) | United States | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Maiden flight |
| Aerobee AJ10-27 | United States | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | Maiden flight, retired |
| Deacon rockoon (SUI) | United States | 10 | 8 | 2 | 0 | |
| Deacon rockoon (NRL) | United States | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | |
| Loki rockoon | United States | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | Maiden flight |
| Deacon-Loki rockoon | United States | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | Maiden flight, retired |
| Nike-Nike-T40-T55 | United States | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Nike-Deacon | United States | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | Maiden flight |
| Nike-Nike-Tri-Deacon-T40 | United States | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | Maiden flight, retired |
| X-17 | United States | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | Maiden flight |
| HJ-Nike | United States | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | Maiden flight |
| R-1 | Soviet Union | 18 | 18 | 0 | 0 | |
| R-1E | Soviet Union | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | Maiden flight |
| R-2 | Soviet Union | 42 | 42 | 0 | 0 | |
| R-5 | Soviet Union | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | |
| R-5M | Soviet Union | 24 | 22 | 0 | 2 | Maiden flight |