Rocket Launches in 1959
Spaceflight in 1959: The Soviet Union reaches the Moon. Luna 1 misses it in January but becomes the first spacecraft to escape Earth's gravity, Luna 2 strikes the surface in September, and in October Luna 3 photographs the far side for the first time. The United States starts the Discoverer flights, the public cover for its Corona spy satellites.
23 launches in 1959 · 10 failures
Launch list for 1959
| Date (UTC) | Rocket | Mission | Provider | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1959-01-02 | Vostok-L 8K72 | Luna-1 | RKK Energia | Success |
| 1959-02-17 | Vanguard | Vanguard II | LM | Success |
| 1959-02-28 | Thor Agena A | Discoverer 1 | McDonnell Douglas | Failure |
| 1959-03-03 | Juno II | Pioneer 4 | Chrysler | Success |
| 1959-04-13 | Thor Agena A | Discoverer 2 | McDonnell Douglas | Success |
| 1959-04-14 | Vanguard | Vanguard | LM | Failure |
| 1959-06-03 | Thor Agena A | Discoverer 3 | McDonnell Douglas | Failure |
| 1959-06-18 | Vostok-L 8K72 | Luna-2a | RKK Energia | Failure |
| 1959-06-22 | Vanguard | Vanguard | LM | Failure |
| 1959-06-25 | Thor Agena A | Discoverer 4 | McDonnell Douglas | Failure |
| 1959-07-16 | Juno II | NASA S-1 | Chrysler | Failure |
| 1959-08-07 | Thor Able III | Explorer 6 | McDonnell Douglas | Success |
| 1959-08-13 | Thor Agena A | Discoverer 5 | McDonnell Douglas | Success |
| 1959-08-15 | Juno II | Beacon | Chrysler | Failure |
| 1959-08-19 | Thor Agena A | Discoverer 6 | McDonnell Douglas | Success |
| 1959-09-12 | Vostok-L 8K72 | Luna-2 | RKK Energia | Success |
| 1959-09-17 | Thor Able II | Transit 1A | McDonnell Douglas | Failure |
| 1959-09-18 | Vanguard | Vanguard III | LM | Success |
| 1959-10-04 | Vostok-L 8K72 | Luna-3 | RKK Energia | Success |
| 1959-10-13 | Juno II | Explorer 7 | Chrysler | Success |
| 1959-11-07 | Thor Agena A | Discoverer 7 | McDonnell Douglas | Success |
| 1959-11-20 | Thor Agena A | Discoverer 8 | McDonnell Douglas | Success |
| 1959-11-26 | Atlas-Able | P-3 | Convair | Failure |