NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

Scout X-4 | Beacon Explorer C

SUCCESS Scout X-4 →
Apr 29, 1965 at 14:17 UTC
Low Earth Orbit Earth Science Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USA 92% success
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Mission Control3D trajectory · Live telemetry · AI narrator · Booster tracking
PADLaunch Area 3A
SITEWallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USA →
ORBITLow Earth Orbit
TYPEEarth Science

The BE (Beacon Explorer) satellites provided Laser reflectors for geodetic measurements as well measured the electron density in the ionosphere.

VEHICLE
Scout X-4
MISSION
Beacon Explorer C
MISSION TYPE
Earth Science
TARGET ORBIT
Low Earth Orbit
LAUNCH PAD
Launch Area 3A
COUNTRY
USA
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: 40595a20-0c5b-4bc0-9f1a-e36b317e6baf
Reported date: Apr 29, 1965 at 14:17 UTC
Last synced: 13 seconds ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
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MANUFACTURER
Vought
VARIANT
4
FLIGHTS
12
SUCCESSES
11
SUCCESS RATE
91.7%

The Scout family of rockets were were American launch vehicles designed to place small satellites into orbit around the Earth. The Scout multistage rocket was the first orbital launch vehicle to be entirely composed of solid fuel stages.

When is the Scout X-4 | Beacon Explorer C launch?
The Scout X-4 | Beacon Explorer C is scheduled for Thursday, April 29, 1965 at 2:17 PM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for Beacon Explorer C?
The Scout X-4 | Beacon Explorer C mission uses the Scout X-4 rocket, manufactured by Vought. The Scout X-4 has flown 12 times with a 91.7% success rate.
Where is the Scout X-4 | Beacon Explorer C launching from?
The launch takes place from Launch Area 3A at Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USA.
What orbit is Beacon Explorer C going to?
The Beacon Explorer C mission is targeting Low Earth Orbit.
Who is launching Beacon Explorer C?
The Scout X-4 | Beacon Explorer C is operated by National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Can I watch the Scout X-4 | Beacon Explorer C 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.
Mar 28, 2026 20:13 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 28, 2026 20:13 UTC
Launch date set: Apr 29, 1965 at 14:17 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mar 28, 2026 20:13 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
Last data sync: 13 seconds ago
Launch Library 213 seconds ago
Launch ID: 40595a20-0c5b-4bc0-9f1a-e36b317e6baf
Open-Meteo Weather1 day ago
Pad weather at 37.85, -75.47

Mission Profile

Beacon Explorer C was a Scout X-4 mission operated by National Aeronautics and Space Administration that lifted off from Launch Area 3A, Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USA on April 29, 1965. The flight carried its payload on a earth science mission to Low Earth Orbit. The launch was a success.

UPCOMING
Long March 6A | Unknown Payload China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
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