PADNaval Air Weapons Station China Lake
SITEAir launch to Suborbital flight →ORBITLow Earth Orbit
TYPEGovernment/Top Secret
MISSION OVERVIEW
The project pilot payloads were small cylindrical satellites. These missions intended to be the first to launch a satellite from an aircraft. They had only a single instrument, a very primitive infrared line scanning device to make IR images of the ground.
LAUNCH DETAILS
VEHICLE
Project PilotAGENCY
US NavyMISSION
NOTS 2
MISSION TYPE
Government/Top Secret
TARGET ORBIT
Low Earth Orbit
LAUNCH PAD
Naval Air Weapons Station China LakeLAUNCH SITE
Air launch to Suborbital flightCOUNTRY
USA
LAUNCH TIME VERIFICATION
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Day + approximate time
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: ac4c0c44-1925-4636-99b5-8c3b33d6c62a
Reported date: Aug 12, 1958 at 00:00 UTC
Last synced: 53 seconds ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
LAUNCH MAP
PAD WEATHER
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VEHICLE — Project Pilot →
MANUFACTURER
US Navy
FLIGHTS
6
The NOTS-EV-1 Pilot, also known as NOTSNIK was an expendable launch system and anti-satellite weapon developed by the United States Navy's United States Naval Ordnance Test Station (NOTS).
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the Project Pilot | NOTS 2 launch?
The Project Pilot | NOTS 2 is scheduled for Tuesday, August 12, 1958 at 12:00 AM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: FAILURE.
What rocket is being used for NOTS 2?
The Project Pilot | NOTS 2 mission uses the Project Pilot rocket, manufactured by US Navy.
Where is the Project Pilot | NOTS 2 launching from?
The launch takes place from Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake at Air launch to Suborbital flight.
What orbit is NOTS 2 going to?
The NOTS 2 mission is targeting Low Earth Orbit.
Who is launching NOTS 2?
The Project Pilot | NOTS 2 is operated by US Navy.
Can I watch the Project Pilot | NOTS 2 launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
LAUNCH TIMELINE
Mar 28, 2026 20:12 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 28, 2026 20:12 UTC
Launch date set: Aug 12, 1958 at 00:00 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by US Navy
Mar 28, 2026 20:12 UTC
Launch failure reported
Updated via Launch Library 2
LIVE DATA SOURCES
Last data sync: 53 seconds ago
●Launch Library 253 seconds ago
Launch ID: ac4c0c44-1925-4636-99b5-8c3b33d6c62a
●Open-Meteo Weather1 day ago
Pad weather at 35.69, -117.69
Mission Profile
NOTS 2 was a Project Pilot mission operated by US Navy that lifted off from Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, Air launch to Suborbital flight on August 12, 1958. The flight carried its payload on a government/top secret mission to Low Earth Orbit. The launch ended in failure.