Historical Events tagged with "rocket launch"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Accidents & Tragedies

Long March 3B Rocket Crashes in Rural Village

February 15th, 1996 29 years ago

A Long March 3B rocket launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center carrying the Intelsat 708 satellite veered off course shortly after liftoff. The rocket crashed into a nearby rural village, resulting in casualties ranging from six to 100 people. The incident raised serious concerns about the safety protocols of China's space program and the risks posed to surrounding communities.

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Space Exploration

Apollo 4 Launches First Saturn V Rocket

November 9th, 1967 57 years ago

The unmanned Apollo 4 spacecraft was launched atop the Saturn V rocket from Cape Kennedy, Florida, demonstrating critical systems for the upcoming Apollo missions. The launch took place during a crucial time as NASA worked towards landing a man on the Moon. The successful flight was essential in validating the design and performance of the Saturn V rocket, which was pivotal for future crewed missions.

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Space Exploration

Mariner 1 spacecraft's erratic flight.

July 22nd, 1962 62 years ago

After being launched towards Venus, Mariner 1 began to veer off its intended trajectory just minutes after takeoff. The spacecraft's erratic flight path prompted immediate concerns from mission control, leading to the decision to destroy the vehicle. This incident highlighted the challenges of early space missions, particularly in the context of precision navigation. The mission aimed to gather important data about Venus.

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Space Exploration

China Launches First Sounding Rocket T-7

February 19th, 1960 65 years ago

China achieved a significant milestone in its aerospace program with the successful launch of its first sounding rocket, designated T-7. The launch took place at a designated testing facility and showcased China's growing capabilities in rocket technology. Aimed at gathering atmospheric data, the T-7 rocket was a key step in China's space exploration efforts and represented the beginning of an era of advancements in Chinese rocketry.

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Space Exploration

First Launch at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station

July 24th, 1950 74 years ago

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station commenced operations with the successful launch of a Bumper rocket. This event marked a significant milestone in American space exploration as the Bumper rocket, a combination of the V-2 and WAC Corporal rockets, soared into the atmosphere. The launch at this strategic site in Florida was coordinated by the U.S. Army and NASA, reflecting the beginning of a new era in rocket development and testing.

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