United States Air ForceAtlas SLV-3Space Launch Complex 3E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
PRIME 1
Launched
December 21, 1966
Summary
PRIME 1 launched on an United States Air Force Atlas SLV-3 from Space Launch Complex 3E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA on December 21, 1966. It was United States Air Force's 371st launch and 72nd this year. It was the 2nd Atlas SLV-3 flight. The payload was bound for Suborbital (Sub).
- Watch
- No webcast on record.
- Vehicle
- Atlas SLV-3 · United States Air Force
- Booster
- No booster details on record.
- Mission
- Test Flight · Suborbital (Sub)
- Milestone
- 2nd Atlas SLV-3 flightUnited States Air Force's 371st launch72nd this year
Flight preview
About this launch
The Martin X-23 PRIME (Precision Recovery Including Maneuvering Entry) was a small uncrewed lifting body re-entry vehicle tested by the United States Air Force in the late 1960s. PRIME 1 was launched on 21 December 1966 on a mission to simulate a low-earth orbit reentry with a zero cross-range. The ballute deployed at 30.43 km, though the recovery parachute failed to completely deploy. The vehicle crashed into the Pacific Ocean and was not recovered.
Pad
Space Launch Complex 3E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
13th launch from Space Launch Complex 3E, 4th this year · 244th from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
48 launches from this pad · 919 from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
77 days after the previous launch from this pad
Questions
When did PRIME 1 launch?
PRIME 1 launched on December 21, 1966. The time is known to the hour, not the minute.
Where can I watch PRIME 1?
No webcast is on record for this launch.
What rocket launched PRIME 1?
Atlas SLV-3, flown by United States Air Force. Atlas SLV-3 spec sheet
Where did PRIME 1 launch from?
Space Launch Complex 3E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA.
What orbit was PRIME 1 going to?
Suborbital (Sub), a test flight mission.