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Orbica
1966

1966 · United States Air Force

PRIME 1

successAtlas SLV-3 | PRIME 1

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.

Overview

Date / time
December 21, 1966 at 10:15 PM UTC
Outcome
success
Launch site
Space Launch Complex 3E
Mission
PRIME 1
Mission type
Test Flight
Orbit achieved
Suborbital

Payloads deployed· 1