American agency overseeing development of spacecraft. Strategic Defense Initiative Organization (renamed the BMDO), USA.
More... - Chronology...
Associated Countries
Associated Spacecraft
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LACE American military strategic defense satellite. One launch, 1990.02.14, USA 51. The Low-power Atmospheric Compensation Experiment was part of a dual payload with RME carrying laser defense experiments. More...
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RME American military strategic defense satellite. One launch, 1990.02.14, USA 52. The Relay Mirror Experiment (RME) was launched as a dual payload with LACE. More...
See also
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Agency Agencies or institutions overseeing design, development, construction, or operation of space-related systems. More...
SDIO Chronology
1985 July 14 - .
15:05 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Barking Sands.
Launch Complex:
Barking Sands KP.
LV Family:
Terrier.
Launch Vehicle:
Terrier Malemute.
LV Configuration: Terrier Malemute Sandia 497-013.
- ACE I Target - .
Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO; Lincoln. Apogee: 497 km (308 mi).
1985 September 27 - .
15:20 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Barking Sands.
Launch Complex:
Barking Sands KP.
LV Family:
Terrier.
Launch Vehicle:
Terrier Malemute.
LV Configuration: Terrier Malemute Sandia 497-014.
- ACE II Target - .
Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO; Lincoln. Apogee: 497 km (308 mi).
1985 October 10 - .
15:25 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Barking Sands.
Launch Complex:
Barking Sands KP.
LV Family:
Terrier.
Launch Vehicle:
Terrier Malemute.
LV Configuration: Terrier Malemute Sandia 497-015.
- ACE III Target - .
Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO; Lincoln. Apogee: 479 km (297 mi).
1985 December 10 - .
15:50 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Barking Sands.
Launch Complex:
Barking Sands KP.
LV Family:
Terrier.
Launch Vehicle:
Terrier Malemute.
LV Configuration: Terrier Malemute Sandia 497-016.
- ACE IV Target - .
Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO; Lincoln. Apogee: 486 km (301 mi).
1986 September 5 - .
15:08 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Cape Canaveral.
Launch Complex:
Cape Canaveral LC17B.
LV Family:
Delta.
Launch Vehicle:
Delta 3920.
LV Configuration: Delta 3920 D180.
- USA 19 - .
Payload: Delta 180 / Payload Adapter System. Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Class: Military. Type: Strategic defense satellite. Spacecraft: SDI. Decay Date: 1986-09-28 . USAF Sat Cat: 16937 . COSPAR: 1986-069A. Apogee: 748 km (464 mi). Perigee: 213 km (132 mi). Inclination: 39.1000 deg. Period: 94.20 min. Summary: SDIO sensor tests. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). .
- Delta 180 Sensor Module - .
Payload: DM 43 Sensor Module. Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Spacecraft: SDI. Decay Date: 1986-11-25 . USAF Sat Cat: 16938 . COSPAR: 1986-069B. Apogee: 539 km (334 mi). Perigee: 215 km (133 mi). Inclination: 22.7000 deg. Period: 92.09 min.
1986 September 5 - .
16:30 GMT - .
Launch Site:
White Sands.
Launch Complex:
White Sands LC36.
Launch Vehicle:
Aries.
LV Configuration: Aries SDIO.
- Delta 180 Target Target mission - .
Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).
1987 July 27 - .
Launch Site:
Eareckson.
Launch Vehicle:
Aries.
LV Configuration: Aries Queen Match.
- ABM infrared sensor technology mission - .
Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).
1987 August 24 - .
03:52 GMT - .
Launch Site:
ETR Launch Area.
Launch Platform: SSBN 629.
LV Family:
Trident.
Launch Vehicle:
Trident C-4.
- JANUS Demonstration and shakedown operations launch - .
Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).
1987 December 14 - .
01:45 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Wallops Island.
Launch Complex:
Wallops Island LA2.
LV Family:
Black Brant.
Launch Vehicle:
Black Brant 10.
LV Configuration: Black Brant X GL A22.703.
- SPEAR I Active plasma mission - .
Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 370 km (220 mi).
1988 February 8 - .
22:08 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Cape Canaveral.
Launch Complex:
Cape Canaveral LC17B.
LV Family:
Delta.
Launch Vehicle:
Delta 3910.
LV Configuration: Delta 3910 D181.
- USA 30 - .
Payload: Delta 181 Canister Cluster. Mass: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Class: Military. Type: Strategic defense satellite. Spacecraft: SDI. Decay Date: 1988-03-01 . USAF Sat Cat: 18847 . COSPAR: 1988-008A. Apogee: 342 km (212 mi). Perigee: 225 km (139 mi). Inclination: 28.6000 deg. Period: 90.20 min. Summary: Military tracking exercise; released subsatellites. Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space (US Cat B). .
- Delta 181 Sensor Module - .
Payload: Thrusted Vector Sensor Mo. Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Spacecraft: SDI. Decay Date: 1988-04-02 . USAF Sat Cat: 18848 . COSPAR: 1988-008B. Apogee: 314 km (195 mi). Perigee: 287 km (178 mi). Inclination: 30.7000 deg. Period: 90.53 min.
1988 February 9 - .
Launch Site:
Barking Sands.
Launch Complex:
Barking Sands LC1.
Launch Pad: LC1?.
LV Family:
Strypi.
Launch Vehicle:
Strypi XI.
- Reentry test - .
Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).
1988 August 1 - .
Launch Site:
Eareckson.
Launch Vehicle:
Aries.
LV Configuration: Aries Queen Match.
- Recovery failed ABM infrared sensor technology mission - .
Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).
1989 January 1 - .
Launch Site:
Barking Sands.
Launch Complex:
Barking Sands LC1.
Launch Pad: LC1?.
LV Family:
Strypi.
Launch Vehicle:
Strypi XI.
- THORNY MERIT Reentry test - .
Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).
1989 February 4 - .
03:03 GMT - .
Launch Site:
ETR Launch Area.
Launch Platform: SSBN 643.
LV Family:
Trident.
Launch Vehicle:
Trident C-4.
- DASO-32 technology mission / demonstration and shakedown operations launch - .
Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).
1989 March 24 - .
21:50 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Cape Canaveral.
Launch Complex:
Cape Canaveral LC17B.
LV Family:
Delta.
Launch Vehicle:
Delta 3920-8.
LV Configuration: Delta 3920-8 D183.
- USA 36 - .
Payload: Delta Star. Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Class: Military. Type: Strategic defense satellite. Spacecraft: SDI. Decay Date: 1992-06-23 . USAF Sat Cat: 19911 . COSPAR: 1989-026A. Apogee: 312 km (193 mi). Perigee: 307 km (190 mi). Inclination: 47.7000 deg. Period: 90.70 min. Summary: Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). .
1989 July 1 - .
Launch Site:
Eareckson.
Launch Vehicle:
Aries.
LV Configuration: Aries Queen Match.
- ABM infrared sensor technology mission - .
Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).
1989 July 13 - .
08:30 GMT - .
Launch Site:
White Sands.
Launch Complex:
White Sands LC36.
Launch Vehicle:
Aries.
LV Configuration: Aries GL A24.602.
- BEAR Active plasma mission - .
Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 195 km (121 mi). The Beam Experiment Aboard Rocket (BEAR) payload was recovered with minimal damage via parachute after an 11-minute flight to a maximum altitude of 195 km. The neutral partical beam experiment was provided by Los Alamos National Laboratory. The Attitude Control System spun-up the payload at various rates and orientations with respect to the earths magnetic field after separation from the booster. After re-entry, at 5,000 m, the nose was jettisoned and the recovery parachute system deployed. The payload impacted the ground at less than 30 feet per second. The BEAR mission was declared a total success by SDIO.
1989 July 24 - .
08:39 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Poker Flat.
LV Family:
Black Brant.
Launch Vehicle:
Black Brant 8C.
LV Configuration: Black Brant 8C SP-4 DRO-0401.
- CHEER / Black Star 1 Target mission - .
Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 340 km (210 mi).
1989 July 31 - .
Launch Site:
Wallops Island.
LV Family:
Black Brant.
Launch Vehicle:
Black Brant 10.
LV Configuration: Black Brant X Black Star 3.
- Target mission - .
Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 900 km (550 mi).
1989 July 31 - .
Launch Site:
Wallops Island.
LV Family:
Black Brant.
Launch Vehicle:
Black Brant 5C.
LV Configuration: Black Brant VC Black Star 5.
- Target mission - .
Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 250 km (150 mi).
1989 July 31 - .
Launch Site:
Wallops Island.
LV Family:
Black Brant.
Launch Vehicle:
Black Brant 10.
LV Configuration: Black Brant X Black Star 3.
- Target mission - .
Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 900 km (550 mi).
1989 August 13 - .
09:00 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Poker Flat.
LV Family:
Black Brant.
Launch Vehicle:
Black Brant 8C.
LV Configuration: Black Brant 8C SP-4 DRO-0402.
- CHEER / Black Star 2 Target mission - .
Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 340 km (210 mi).
1989 September 4 - .
Launch Site:
Barking Sands.
LV Family:
Terrier.
Launch Vehicle:
Terrier Malemute.
LV Configuration: Terrier Malemute SDIO Starmate.
- Target mission - .
Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 724 km (449 mi).
1989 September 11 - .
Launch Site:
Barking Sands.
LV Family:
Terrier.
Launch Vehicle:
Terrier Malemute.
LV Configuration: Terrier Malemute SDIO Starmate.
- Target mission - .
Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 724 km (449 mi).
1989 September 15 - .
Launch Site:
Wallops Island.
LV Family:
Black Brant.
Launch Vehicle:
Black Brant 5C.
LV Configuration: Black Brant VC Black Star 6.
- Target mission - .
Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 250 km (150 mi).
1990 January 26 - .
Launch Site:
White Sands.
Launch Complex:
White Sands LC37.
Launch Vehicle:
HEDI.
- KITE-1 test - .
Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).
1990 February 14 - .
16:15 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Cape Canaveral.
Launch Complex:
Cape Canaveral LC17B.
LV Family:
Delta.
Launch Vehicle:
Delta 6920-8.
LV Configuration: Delta 6920-8 D192.
- USA 51 - .
Payload: LACE. Mass: 1,430 kg (3,150 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Class: Military. Type: Strategic defense satellite. Spacecraft: LACE. Decay Date: 2000-05-24 . USAF Sat Cat: 20496 . COSPAR: 1990-015A. Apogee: 480 km (290 mi). Perigee: 463 km (287 mi). Inclination: 43.1000 deg. Period: 94.00 min. Low-power Atmospheric Compensation Experiment for SDIO. Research and exploration of the upper atmosphere and outer space. The McDonnell Douglas Corporation has provided the following information for its launch of the Losat spacecraft on 14 Feb 1990: LACE spacecraft (Losat-L), launch time 1615:00.626 GMT, ETR Launch Complex 17. Programmed orbital parameters 95.6 min, apogee 551 km, inc. 43.1 deg. Evaluate laser beam distortion in space.
- USA 52 - .
Payload: RME. Mass: 1,040 kg (2,290 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Class: Military. Type: Strategic defense satellite. Spacecraft: RME. Decay Date: 1992-05-24 . USAF Sat Cat: 20497 . COSPAR: 1990-015B. Apogee: 281 km (174 mi). Perigee: 261 km (162 mi). Inclination: 43.1000 deg. Period: 89.90 min. Relay Mirror Experiment; also known as Losat-R. RME validated stabilization, tracking, and pointing technologies for Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) missions through a credible demonstration of a space-based relay mirror system. The Wideband Angular Vibration Experiment (WAVE) measured low-level angular vibrations affecting performance of acquisition, tracking, and pointing systems. The experiment demonstrated that a laser beam can be accurately relayed from the earth to an orbiting satellite 450 kilometers away and then back to a 3-meter target on the ground. It achieved relay beam pointing accuracy which was 16 times better than the technical requirement. WAVE demonstrated the capability to discern platform disturbance amplitudes of a few nanoradians at discrete frequencies and is therefore a candidate to fulfill similar requirements for future ATP experiments.
1990 March 29 - .
Launch Site:
Wallops Island.
LV Family:
Terrier.
Launch Vehicle:
Terrier Malemute.
LV Configuration: Terrier Malemute SDIO Laser Radar.
- Firefly 1 Target - .
Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 462 km (287 mi).
1990 April 25 - .
05:32 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Wallops Island.
LV Family:
Terrier.
Launch Vehicle:
Terrier Malemute.
LV Configuration: Terrier Malemute SDIO BSUV.
- Bow Shock 1 re-entry vehicle test flight - .
Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 721 km (448 mi).
1990 April 27 - .
Launch Site:
White Sands.
Launch Complex:
White Sands LC36.
Launch Vehicle:
Aries.
LV Configuration: Aries GL A24.570.
- EXCEDE-3 Active plasma mission - .
Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 116 km (72 mi).
1990 July 26 - .
05:51 GMT - .
Launch Site:
White Sands.
Launch Complex:
White Sands LC36.
Launch Vehicle:
Aries.
LV Configuration: Aries SPEAR-2.
FAILURE: Failure.
- Technology mission - .
Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 2.00 km (1.20 mi).
1990 August 25 - .
Launch Site:
Wallops Island.
LV Family:
Black Brant.
Launch Vehicle:
Black Brant 10CM1.
LV Configuration: Black Brant 10CM1 SDI BP-1.
- SPFE 1 (LACE Target) Technology test - .
Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).
1990 October 20 - .
Launch Site:
Wallops Island.
LV Family:
Terrier.
Launch Vehicle:
Terrier Malemute.
LV Configuration: Terrier Malemute SDIO.
- Firefly 2 Target - .
Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 456 km (283 mi).
1991 February 18 - .
14:30 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Barking Sands.
Launch Complex:
Barking Sands LC1.
LV Family:
Strypi.
Launch Vehicle:
Strypi XI.
LV Configuration: Strypi XI LACE.
- Bow Shock 2 re-entry vehicle test flight - .
Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 120 km (70 mi).
1991 April 17 - .
07:46 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Wallops Island.
LV Family:
Black Brant.
Launch Vehicle:
Black Brant 10CM1.
LV Configuration: Black Brant 10CM1 SDI BP-2.
- SPFE 2 (LACE Target) Technology test - .
Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).
1991 April 28 - .
11:33 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Cape Canaveral.
Launch Complex:
Cape Canaveral LC39A.
LV Family:
Shuttle.
Launch Vehicle:
Shuttle.
LV Configuration: Space Shuttle STS-39.
- CRO-C - .
Payload: Discovery F12 / IBSS-SPAS 02 / CRO A / CRO B / CRO. Mass: 197 kg (434 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Class: Military. Type: Strategic defense satellite. Spacecraft: CRO. Decay Date: 1991-05-14 . USAF Sat Cat: 21245 . COSPAR: 1991-031D. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). Perigee: 67 km (41 mi). Inclination: 56.9000 deg. Period: 85.70 min. Summary: Chemical Release Observation; deployed 2 May 1991; released gases for observation by IBSS..
- CRO-A - .
Payload: Discovery F12 / IBSS-SPAS 02 / CRO A / CRO B / CRO. Mass: 197 kg (434 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Class: Military. Type: Strategic defense satellite. Spacecraft: CRO. Decay Date: 1991-05-13 . USAF Sat Cat: 21247 . COSPAR: 1991-031F. Apogee: 236 km (146 mi). Perigee: 215 km (133 mi). Inclination: 57.0000 deg. Period: 89.00 min. Summary: Chemical Release Observation; deployed 3 May 1991; released gases for observation by IBSS..
- CRO-B - .
Payload: Discovery F12 / IBSS-SPAS 02 / CRO A / CRO B / CRO. Mass: 197 kg (434 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Class: Military. Type: Strategic defense satellite. Spacecraft: CRO. Decay Date: 1991-05-12 . USAF Sat Cat: 21246 . COSPAR: 1991-031E. Apogee: 88 km (54 mi). Perigee: 68 km (42 mi). Inclination: 56.9000 deg. Period: 85.80 min. Summary: Chemical Release Observation; deployed 2 May 1991; released gases for observation by IBSS..
- IBSS - .
Payload: SPAS-2. Mass: 1,901 kg (4,190 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Class: Astronomy. Type: X-ray astronomy satellite. Spacecraft: IBSS. Decay Date: 1991-05-06 . USAF Sat Cat: 21244 . COSPAR: 1991-031B. Apogee: 255 km (158 mi). Perigee: 245 km (152 mi). Inclination: 57.0000 deg. Period: 89.50 min. Summary: Infrared Background Signature Survey; sensor technology test; retrieved 2 May 1991..
1991 July 4 - .
02:32 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Cape Canaveral.
Launch Complex:
Cape Canaveral LC17A.
LV Family:
Delta.
Launch Vehicle:
Delta 7925.
LV Configuration: Delta 7925 D206.
- Losat X - .
Mass: 75 kg (165 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Class: Military. Type: Strategic defense satellite. Spacecraft: Losat. Decay Date: 1991-11-15 . USAF Sat Cat: 21553 . COSPAR: 1991-047B. Apogee: 417 km (259 mi). Perigee: 405 km (251 mi). Inclination: 40.0000 deg. Period: 92.80 min. Summary: Test flight of DOD sensors; Low Altitude Satellite Experiment. Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space (US Cat B)..
1991 August 20 - .
09:45 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Cape Canaveral.
Launch Complex:
Cape Canaveral LC20.
Launch Vehicle:
Aries.
LV Configuration: Aries Red Tigress 1A.
FAILURE: Failure.
- Target mission - .
Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 2.00 km (1.20 mi).
1991 September 23 - .
15:40 GMT - .
Launch Site:
White Sands.
Launch Complex:
White Sands LC37.
Launch Vehicle:
HEDI.
FAILURE: Failure.
- KITE-2 test - .
Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 0 km ( mi).
1991 October 14 - .
10:17 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Cape Canaveral.
Launch Complex:
Cape Canaveral LC20.
Launch Vehicle:
Aries.
LV Configuration: Aries Red Tigress 1B.
- Target - .
Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 320 km (190 mi). Summary: LEAP-1. Missile Tracking and Discrimination for SDIO..
1992 February 18 - .
Launch Site:
White Sands.
Launch Complex:
White Sands LC36.
Launch Vehicle:
Aries.
LV Configuration: Aries LEAP 1.
- Technology mission - .
Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 320 km (190 mi).
1992 May 24 - .
Launch Site:
Barking Sands.
LV Family:
Terrier.
Launch Vehicle:
Terrier Malemute.
- CDX (LWIS) Target - .
Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 290 km (180 mi).
1992 June 19 - .
11:01 GMT - .
Launch Site:
White Sands.
Launch Complex:
White Sands LC36.
Launch Vehicle:
Aries.
LV Configuration: Aries LEAP 2.
- Technology test - .
Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 330 km (200 mi). Summary: LEAP-2. Missile Tracking and Discrimination for SDIO..
1992 August 26 - .
14:31 GMT - .
Launch Site:
White Sands.
Launch Complex:
White Sands LC37.
Launch Vehicle:
HEDI.
- KITE-2A test - .
Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi).
1992 October 22 - .
Launch Site:
Wallops Island.
Launch Vehicle:
Aries.
LV Configuration: Aries BP-3 (ALV).
FAILURE: Failure..
- SPFE-3 / Orbus 1 Target - .
Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi). Summary: LEAP-3. Missile Tracking and Discrimination for SDIO..
1993 March 16 - .
02:12 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Wallops Island.
Launch Complex:
Wallops Island LA2.
LV Family:
Black Brant.
Launch Vehicle:
Black Brant 9CM1.
- SPEAR 3 Active plasma mission - .
Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 290 km (180 mi).
1993 May 23 - .
09:17 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Cape Canaveral.
Launch Complex:
Cape Canaveral LC20.
LV Family:
Super Chief.
Launch Vehicle:
LCLV.
LV Configuration: LCLV Red Tigress 2A.
- Target mission - .
Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 378 km (234 mi).
1993 May 28 - .
08:34 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Cape Canaveral.
Launch Complex:
Cape Canaveral LC20.
LV Family:
Super Chief.
Launch Vehicle:
LCLV.
LV Configuration: LCLV Red Tigress 2B.
- Target mission - .
Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 390 km (240 mi).
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