Orbital Sciences CorporationPegasus XLVandenberg Space Force Base, Air launch to orbit
Space Test Experiments Platform-3 (STEP-3)
Launched
June 22, 1995
Image: NASA/Laurie Losey
Summary
STEP-3 launched on an Orbital Sciences Corporation Pegasus XL from Vandenberg Space Force Base, Air launch to orbit on June 22, 1995. The mission failed: Destroyed during second stage flight. It was Orbital Sciences Corporation's 10th launch, 2nd this year and humanity's 3,994th orbital launch attempt. It was the 2nd Pegasus XL flight and the 1st this year. The payload was bound for low Earth orbit (LEO).
- Result
- Destroyed during second stage flight
- Watch
- No webcast on record.
- Vehicle
- Pegasus XL · Orbital Sciences Corporation
- Booster
- No booster details on record.
- Mission
- Technology · Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
- Milestone
- 2nd Pegasus XL flight · 1st this yearOrbital Sciences Corporation's 10th launch2nd this yearhumanity's 3,994th orbital launch attempt33rd orbital launch attempt this year
Flight preview
About this launch
STEP-3 was a US Air Force Space Test Program satellite carrying five Defense Department technology experiments, destined for a 450 km polar orbit. It was lost in the second consecutive Pegasus XL launch failure.
Pad
Vandenberg Space Force Base, Air launch to orbit
3rd launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base, 2nd this year · 9th from Air launch to orbit
22 launches from this pad · 52 from Air launch to orbit
80 days after the previous launch from this pad
Questions
When did STEP-3 launch?
STEP-3 launched on June 22, 1995. The time is known to the hour, not the minute.
Why did STEP-3 fail?
Destroyed during second stage flight.
Where can I watch STEP-3?
No webcast is on record for this launch.
What rocket launched STEP-3?
Pegasus XL, flown by Orbital Sciences Corporation. Pegasus XL spec sheet
Where did STEP-3 launch from?
Vandenberg Space Force Base, Air launch to orbit.
What orbit was STEP-3 going to?
Low Earth Orbit (LEO), a technology mission.