1963 Space Launch Chronology
Every orbital and deep-space launch attempt of 1963, successes and failures alike, drawn from the GCAT launch catalog.
Data current as of 2026-07-19.
69
Launch attempts
52
Successes
17
Failures
75%
Success rate
Launches by vehicle family
Thor
29
Atlas
10
Vostok
9
Kosmos
8
Scout
7
Molniya
4
Polyot 11A59
1
Voskhod
1
| Date | Designator | Payloads | Vehicle | Site / Pad | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 1963 (3) | |||||
| Jan 04 | 1963-001 | T103-09 : E-6 No. 2, E-6 No. 2 SA, 8K78I +10 more, BOZ, Blok-L, Otdelyaemiy otsek No. 1, Otdelyaemiy otsek No. 2, 8K74B, 8K74V, 8K74G, 8K74D, 8K74A, Molniya Fairing | Molniya 8K78 | NIIP-5 / LC1 | Failure |
| Jan 07 | 1963-002 | 369/1157 : CORONA M-18, SRV, AFTRACK 30/Mission 7205 +4 more, deb USAF satellite/Agena D, Agena D 1157, Star 12, Thor DM-21 369 | Thor Agena D | V / 75-1-1 | Success |
| Jan 16 | 1963-003 | 363/2313 : Project 698BK Group 1-D, deb USAF satellite/Agena D, Agena B 2313 +2 more, Thor DM-21 363, Unknown Fairing | Thor Agena B | V / 75-3-5 | Success |
| February 1963 (4) | |||||
| Feb 03 | 1963-F01 | G103-10 : E-6 No. 3, E-6 No. 3 SA, 8K78I +10 more, BOZ, Blok-L, Otdelyaemiy otsek No. 1, Otdelyaemiy otsek No. 2, 8K74B, 8K74V, 8K74G, 8K74D, 8K74A, Molniya Fairing | Molniya 8K78 | NIIP-5 / LC1 | Failure |
| Feb 14 | 1963-004 | 358/D016 : HS-301 Syncom A, Altair X-248-A5DM SV-330, TE-M-375 +4 more, Thor DM-21 358, Fairing, AJ10-118A S/N 20003, Syncom 1 | Thor Delta B | CC / LC17B | Success |
| Feb 19 | 1963-005 | S126 : FTV 3503, MG-18 S/N 6, FTV 0240 despin weight +4 more, Algol 2A S126, Castor, X-259A3, Altair Fairing | Scout X-3M | PA / LC-D | Success |
| Feb 28 | 1963-F02 | 354/1159 : CORONA M-20, SRV, Research Module +5 more, AFTRACK 31/Mission 7206, Agena D, Star 12, Castor 1, Thor DSV-2C 354 | Thor SLV-2A Agena D | V / 75-3-5 | Failure |
| March 1963 (2) | |||||
| Mar 18 | 1963-F03 | 360/1164 : LANYARD 1, SRV, P-11 No. 4051 +5 more, Agena D, Star 12, P-11 motor, Castor 1, Thor DSV-2C 360 | Thor SLV-2A Agena D | V / 75-3-4 | Failure |
| Mar 21 | 1963-006 | T 15000- 01 : Zenit-2 No. 9L, 8A92E, PO +6 more, 8K74B, 8K74V, 8K74G, 8K74D, 8K74A, 11S512 Fairing | Vostok 8A92 | NIIP-5 / LC1 | Success |
| April 1963 (10) | |||||
| Apr 01 | 1963-007 | 376/1160 : CORONA M-19, SRV, Agena D 1160 +2 more, Star 12, Thor DM-21 376 | Thor Agena D | V / 75-3-5 | Success |
| Apr 02 | 1963-008 | G103-11 : E-6 No. 4, E-6 No. 4 SA, 8K78I +10 more, Blok-L, BOZ, Otdelyaemiy otsek No. 1, Otdelyaemiy otsek No. 2, 8K74B, 8K74V, 8K74G, 8K74D, 8K74A, Molniya Fairing | Molniya 8K78 | NIIP-5 / LC1 | Success |
| Apr 03 | 1963-009 | 357/D017 : AE-A, Altair X-248-A5DM SU-338, Thor DM-21 357 +2 more, Fairing, AJ10-118A S/N 20002 | Thor Delta B | CC / LC17A | Success |
| Apr 05 | 1963-F04 | S119 : Transit VA-2, Transit 5A-2 despin weight, Altair X-248-A5 BSB-223 +4 more, Algol 2A S119, Castor, X-259A3, Altair Fairing | Scout X-3 | PA / LC-D | Failure |
| Apr 06 | 1963-F05 | DS-P1 No. 2, S1, R-12 +1 more, Fairing | Kosmos 63S1 | GTsP-4 / Mayak-2 | Failure |
| Apr 13 | 1963-010 | Omega-1 No. 1, S1, R-12 +1 more, Fairing | Kosmos 63S1 | GTsP-4 / Mayak-2 | Success |
| Apr 22 | 1963-011 | T 15000- 08 : Zenit-2 No. 8L, 8A92E, PO +6 more, 8K74B, 8K74V, 8K74G, 8K74D, 8K74A, 11S512 Fairing | Vostok 8A92 | NIIP-5 / LC1 | Success |
| Apr 26 | 1963-F06 | S121 : FTV 3504, MG-18 S/N 13/Sep B, P35 despin weight +4 more, Algol 1D S121, Castor, X-259A3, Altair Fairing | Scout X-2M | PA / LC-D | Failure |
| Apr 26 | 1963-F07 | 372/1411 : ARGON 12, SRV, Agena D +2 more, Star 12, Thor DM-21 372 | Thor Agena D | V / 75-1-1 | Failure |
| Apr 28 | 1963-012 | E 15000- 02 : Zenit-2 No. 10L, 8A92E, PO +6 more, 8K74B, 8K74V, 8K74G, 8K74D, 8K74A, 11S512 Fairing | Vostok 8A92 | NIIP-5 / LC1 | Success |
| May 1963 (6) | |||||
| May 07 | 1963-013 | 366/D018 : Telstar 2, Altair X-248-A5DM, Thor DM-21 366 +2 more, Fairing, AJ10-118A S/N 20005 | Thor Delta B | CC / LC17B | Success |
| May 09 | 1963-014 | 119D/1206 : Midas ETS-III F2, ERS 5, DASH 1 +51 more, ERS 6, West Ford Telemetry Package, Research Module, Strongback [RCS 0.4], Strongback [RCS 1.0], West Ford Package part, RCS 0.16, RCS 0.10, RCS 0.64, RCS 0.15, RCS 0.60, RCS 0.26, RCS 0.11, RCS 0.24, RCS 0.14, RCS 0.13, RCS 0.18, RCS 0.22, [UNID002 1966-000B], [UNID003 1966-000C], [UNID004 1966-000D] RCS 0.20, High A/m- maybe Pageos deb, West Ford dipoles, RCS 2.5, RCS 0.17, RCS 0.04, RCS 0.21, RCS 0.08, RCS 0.06, RCS 0.09, RCS 0.25, RCS 0.27, RCS 0.20, RCS 0.12, RCS 0.03, RCS 0.07, RCS 0.28, RCS 0.31, RCS 0.05, RCS 0.19, RCS 0.23, RCS 0.02, deb ERS 5, Agena B, West Ford Needles deployer, deb West Ford, Mistag 1963-014DA, Atlas D Booster, Atlas D 119D, Midas Fairing, [Or Iridium 33] | Atlas Agena B | PA / LC1-2 | Success |
| May 15 | 1963-015 | 130D : Mercury SC20, MA-9 Xe Light Subsatellite, MA-9 Balloon Subsatellite +5 more, Atlas D 130D, MA-9 clamp band segment, Mercury Retro, Atlas D Booster, Mercury LES | Atlas D | CC / LC14 | Success |
| May 18 | 1963-016 | 364/1165 : LANYARD 2, Research Module, SRV +6 more, Agena D 1165, LANYARD camera door, Star 12, STOPPER/CORONA, Castor 1, Thor DSV-2C 364 | Thor SLV-2A Agena D | V / 75-3-5 | Success |
| May 22 | 1963-017 | DS-A1 No. 2, deb Kosmos-17, DS-A1 high debris +3 more, S1, R-12, Fairing | Kosmos 63S1 | GTsP-4 / Mayak-2 | Success |
| May 24 | 1963-018 | E 15000- 12 : Zenit-2 No. 11L, 8A92E, PO +6 more, 8K74B, 8K74V, 8K74G, 8K74D, 8K74A, 11S512 Fairing | Vostok 8A92 | NIIP-5 / LC1 | Success |
| June 1963 (11) | |||||
| Jun 01 | 1963-F08 | DS-MT No. 1, S1, R-12 +1 more, Fairing | Kosmos 63S1 | GTsP-4 / Mayak-2 | Failure |
| Jun 12 | 1963-F09 | 139D/1204 : Midas ETS-III F3, ERS 7, ERS 8 +4 more, Agena B, Atlas D Booster, Atlas D 139D, Midas Fairing | Atlas Agena B | PA / LC1-2 | Failure |
| Jun 12 | 1963-019 | 362/1161 : CORONA M-21, Expt. Reflector Orbital Shot, SRV +5 more, AFTRACK 32/Mission 7207, Agena D, Star 12, Castor 1, Thor DSV-2C 362 | Thor SLV-2A Agena D | V / 75-3-4 | Success |
| Jun 14 | 1963-020 | E103-24 : Vostok-3A No. 7, 8K72KE No. E103-24, PO +6 more, 8K71B, 8K71V, 8K71G, 8K71D, 8K71A, Vostok Fairing | Vostok 8K72 | NIIP-5 / LC1 | Success |
| Jun 15 | 1963-021 | 378/2353 : AFTRACK 33/Mission 7216, SURCAL, POPPY 2 Charlie +7 more, POPPY 2 Alfa, POPPY 2 Bravo, Lofti 2B, deb USN satellite/Agena D, Agena D, Thor DM-21 378, Hammerhead Fairing | Thor Agena D | V / 75-1-1 | Failure |
| Jun 16 | 1963-022 | S120 : Transit VA-3, Altair X-248-A5S BSB-254, Transit VA-3 despin weight +4 more, Algol 2A S120, Castor, X-259A3, Altair Fairing | Scout X-3 | PA / LC-D | Success |
| Jun 16 | 1963-023 | E103-25 : Vostok-3A No. 8, 8K72KE No. E103-25, PO +6 more, 8K71B, 8K71V, 8K71G, 8K71D, 8K71A, Vostok Fairing | Vostok 8K72 | NIIP-5 / LC1 | Success |
| Jun 19 | 1963-024 | 359/D019 : Tiros G, Altair X-248-A5DM SV-355, Tiros VII despin weight +3 more, Thor DM-21 359, Fairing, AJ10-118A S/N 20004 | Thor Delta B | CC / LC17B | Success |
| Jun 27 | 1963-025 | 381/1166 : CORONA M-22, P-11 No. 4201, SRV +6 more, Agena D, Star 12, P-11 motor, STOPPER/CORONA, Castor 1, Thor DSV-2C 381 | Thor SLV-2A Agena D | V / 75-1-2 | Success |
| Jun 28 | 1963-026 | S113 : AFCRL A, Altair 2 X-258B1 RH-48, Algol 2A S113 +3 more, Castor, X-259A3, Altair Fairing | Scout X-4 | WI / LA3 | Success |
| Jun 29 | 1963-027 | 380/2314 : Project 698BK Group 1-D, AFTRACK 34/Mission 7208, deb USAF satellite/Agena B +4 more, Agena B, Castor 1, Thor DSV-2C 380, Unknown Fairing | Thor SLV-2A Agena B | V / 75-3-5 | Success |
| July 1963 (5) | |||||
| Jul 12 | 1963-028 | 201D/4702 : GAMBIT SV 951, SRV, AFP-206 sensor cover +4 more, Agena D, Star 12, Atlas D Booster, Atlas D 201D | Atlas Agena D | PA / LC2-3 | Success |
| Jul 19 | 1963-029 | 388/1412 : CORONA M-23, SRV, deb USAF satellite/Agena D +3 more, Agena D, Star 12, Thor DM-21 388 | Thor Agena D | V / 75-1-1 | Success |
| Jul 19 | 1963-030 | 75D/1207 : Midas ETS-III F4, DASH 2, ERS 9 +11 more, West Ford Telemetry Package, ERS 10, Strongback, deb Midas, [UNID136] RCS 0.07, deb DASH, Agena B, West Ford Telem Test, Atlas D Booster, Atlas D 75D, Midas Fairing | Atlas Agena B | PA / LC1-2 | Success |
| Jul 26 | 1963-031 | 370/D020 : HS-301 Syncom B, Altair X-248-A5DM, JPL SR-12-1 +3 more, Thor DM-21 370, Fairing, AJ10-118A S/N 20006 | Thor Delta B | CC / LC17A | Success |
| Jul 31 | 1963-032 | 382/1167 : LANYARD 3, SRV, LANYARD camera door +5 more, Agena D, Star 12, STOPPER/CORONA, Castor 1, Thor DSV-2C 382 | Thor SLV-2A Agena D | V / 75-1-2 | Success |
| August 1963 (4) | |||||
| Aug 06 | 1963-033 | DS-P1 No. 3, S1, R-12 +1 more, Fairing | Kosmos 63S1 | GTsP-4 / Mayak-2 | Success |
| Aug 22 | 1963-F11 | DS-A1 No. 3, S1, R-12 +1 more, Fairing | Kosmos 63S1 | GTsP-4 / Mayak-2 | Failure |
| Aug 25 | 1963-034 | 377/1162 : CORONA J-1, SRV 1001-1, SRV 1001-2 +5 more, Fairing, Agena D, Star 12, Castor 1, Thor DSV-2C 377 | Thor SLV-2A Agena D | V / 75-3-4 | Success |
| Aug 29 | 1963-035 | 394/1169 : ARGON 11, 0.1 Square Meter Target, LAMPO +4 more, deb USAF satellite, Agena D, Star 12, Thor DSV-2A 394 | Thor SLV-2 Agena D | V / 75-3-5 | Success |
| September 1963 (4) | |||||
| Sep 06 | 1963-036 | 212D/4701 : GAMBIT SV 952, SRV, Agena D +4 more, deb USAF satellite/Agena D, Star 12, Atlas D Booster, Atlas D 212D | Atlas Agena D | PA / LC2-3 | Success |
| Sep 23 | 1963-037 | 383/1163 : CORONA J-2, Research Module, SRV 1002-1 +6 more, SRV 1002-2, Agena D, Star 12, Fairing, Castor 1, Thor DSV-2C 383 | Thor SLV-2A Agena D | V / 75-1-2 | Success |
| Sep 27 | 1963-F12 | S132 : FTV 3505, Altair 2 X-258B1 RH-53, P35 despin weight +4 more, Algol 1D S132, Castor, X-259A3, Altair Fairing | Scout X-2B | PA / LC-D | Failure |
| Sep 28 | 1963-038 | 375/AB013 : Transit VBN-1, APL SN-39, AJ10-104D 013 +9 more, Transit VBN-1 part, Transit VBN-1 launch debris, [was UNID011] RCS 0.0, [was UNID031] RCS 0.0, deb Transit VBN-1, [UNID085] RCS 0.04, was [UNID128], Thor DSV-2A 375, Ablestar Fairing | Thor Ablestar | V / 75-1-1 | Success |
| October 1963 (5) | |||||
| Oct 17 | 1963-039 | 197D/1801 : Vela 1A, ERS 12, Vela 1B +7 more, Agena D, Vela interstage, Vela heat shield, B3A, Atlas D Booster, Atlas D 197D, Unknown Fairing | Atlas Agena D | CC / LC13 | Success |
| Oct 18 | 1963-040 | G 15001- 01 : Zenit-2 No. 13L, 8A92E, PO +6 more, 8K74B, 8K74V, 8K74G, 8K74D, 8K74A, 11S512 Fairing | Vostok 8A92 | NIIP-5 / LC1 | Success |
| Oct 24 | 1963-F13 | DS-A1 No. 4, S1, R-12 +1 more, Fairing | Kosmos 63S1 | GTsP-4 / Mayak-2 | Failure |
| Oct 25 | 1963-041 | 224D/4703 : GAMBIT SV 953, [UN Registered], SRV +5 more, Agena D, deb USAF satellite, Star 12, Atlas D Booster, Atlas D 224D | Atlas Agena D | PA / LC2-3 | Success |
| Oct 29 | 1963-042 | 386/1601 : ARGON 6, P-11 No. 4001, Research Module +7 more, SRV, deb USAF satellite/Agena D, Agena D, Star 5C, Star 12, Castor 1, Thor DSV-2C 386 | Thor SLV-2A Agena D | V / 75-3-4 | Success |
| November 1963 (8) | |||||
| Nov 01 | 1963-043 | E 15003- 02A : I2B No. 102, deb Polyot, 8K74A +5 more, 8K74B, 8K74V, 8K74G, 8K74D, Polyot Fairing | Polyot 11A59 | NIIP-5 / LC31 | Success |
| Nov 09 | 1963-F14 | 400/1171 : CORONA M-24, SRV, PB-5 (Midas) +3 more, Agena D, Star 12, Thor DSV-2A 400 | Thor SLV-2 Agena D | V / 75-1-2 | Failure |
| Nov 11 | 1963-044 | G 15000- 17/G10318 : 3MV-1 No. 1, 3MV-1 No. 1 SA, 8K78I +8 more, Blok-L, BOZ, 8K74B, 8K74V, 8K74G, 8K74D, 8K74A, Molniya Fairing | Molniya 8K78 | NIIP-5 / LC1 | Failure |
| Nov 16 | 1963-045 | G 15000- 06 : Zenit-4 No. 1L, 11A57I, PO +6 more, 8K74B, 8K74V, 8K74G, 8K74D, 8K74A, 11S512 Fairing | Voskhod 11A57 | NIIP-5 / LC1 | Success |
| Nov 27 | 1963-046 | 387/D021 : IMP A, AJ10-118D S/N 20012, Altair 2 X-258B2 RH-60 +4 more, Explorer 18 despin weight, Thor DSV-2A 387, Fairing, X-258B2 RH-60 | Thor Delta C | CC / LC17B | Success |
| Nov 27 | 1963-047 | AC-2 : AC-2, Centaur D PLF, Insulation panel +6 more, Insulation blanket part, [UNID057] RCS 0.0, Centaur 2B, SSN00700 Mistag TLEs, Atlas D Booster, Atlas D 126D | Atlas Centaur | CC / LC36A | Success |
| Nov 27 | 1963-048 | 406/1172 : CORONA M-25, SRV, AFTRACK 35/Mission 7219 +3 more, Agena D, Star 12, Thor DSV-2A 406 | Thor SLV-2 Agena D | PA / LC1-1 | Success |
| Nov 28 | 1963-F15 | G 15001- 02 : Zenit-2 No. 14L, 8A92E, PO +6 more, 8K74B, 8K74V, 8K74G, 8K74D, 8K74A, 11S512 Fairing | Vostok 8A92 | NIIP-5 / LC1 | Failure |
| December 1963 (7) | |||||
| Dec 05 | 1963-049 | 385/AB015 : Transit VBN-2, APL SN-41, AJ10-104D +10 more, Transit VBN-2 adapter, VBN-2 launch debris, deb Ablestar 015, High drag debris, [UNID030] high drag, [UNID058] RCS 0.0, [UNID060] RCS 0.06, deb Transit VBN-2, Thor DSV-2A 385, Ablestar Fairing | Thor Ablestar | V / 75-1-1 | Success |
| Dec 13 | 1963-050 | Omega-1 No. 2, S1, deb Kosmos-23 +2 more, R-12, Fairing | Kosmos 63S1 | GTsP-4 / Mayak-2 | Success |
| Dec 18 | 1963-051 | 227D/4802 : GAMBIT SV 954, SRV, Agena D +3 more, Star 12, Atlas D Booster, Atlas D 227D | Atlas Agena D | PA / LC2-3 | Success |
| Dec 19 | 1963-052 | G 15001- 03 : Zenit-2 No. 15L, 8A92E, PO +6 more, 8K74B, 8K74V, 8K74G, 8K74D, 8K74A, 11S512 Fairing | Vostok 8A92 | NIIP-5 / LC1 | Success |
| Dec 19 | 1963-053 | S122R : AD-A, Altair 2 X-258B1 RH-61, Canister part +8 more, deb Explorer XIX, deb Explorer 19, AD-A Canister, Algol 2A S122R, Castor, X-259A3, Altair Fairing, 1963-053J Mistag | Scout X-4 | PA / LC-D | Success |
| Dec 21 | 1963-054 | 371/D022 : Tiros H, Altair X-248-A5DM, Tiros VIII despin weight +4 more, deb Tiros 8, Thor DM-21 371, Fairing, AJ10-118D S/N 20007 | Thor Delta B | CC / LC17B | Success |
| Dec 21 | 1963-055 | 398/1168 : CORONA M-26, P-11 No. 4101, SRV +6 more, AFTRACK 36/Mission 7218, Agena D, P-11 motor, Star 12, Castor 1, Thor DSV-2C 398 | Thor SLV-2A Agena D | V / 75-1-2 | Success |