# Artificial Comet > In 1961, an artificial comet payload was planned for launch in 1963 **Wikidata**: [Q112958593](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112958593) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/artificial-comet ## Summary Artificial Comet was a planned space mission payload conceived in 1961 with the specific objective of launching in 1963. Classified as a spacecraft, this entity represents a historical proposal for an artificial comet rather than a fully realized, launched vehicle. The project is identified by the NSSDCA ID "ARTCOMT" and remains documented in spaceflight records as a planned but unexecuted mission. ## Key Facts * **Planning Year:** The payload was originally planned in 1961. * **Intended Launch Year:** The scheduled launch date was set for 1963. * **Classification:** The entity is categorized as a spacecraft (a vehicle or machine designed to fly in space). * **Identifier:** The official NSSDCA ID assigned to this mission is "ARTCOMT". * **Reference Source:** Data is sourced from the NASA NSSDCA spacecraft display page (https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=ARTCOMT). * **Wikidata Description:** Defined specifically as an artificial comet payload planned for a 1963 launch following a 1961 planning phase. ## FAQs **What was the primary timeline for the Artificial Comet project?** The project was initiated during the planning phase in 1961, with a targeted launch window established for the year 1963. This two-year gap between planning and the intended launch reflects the development cycle typical of early space mission proposals. **How is Artificial Comet classified within spaceflight records?** It is formally classified as a spacecraft, which encompasses vehicles designed to operate in the space environment. This classification aligns it with other satellites, probes, and exploration vehicles, despite the mission not reaching full operational status. **Where can official data regarding this mission be verified?** Authoritative details are maintained by the NASA National Space Science Data Center (NSSDCA) under the unique identifier ARTCOMT. Researchers can access the specific spacecraft display page via the provided NASA URL to confirm these historical planning details. ## Why It Matters Artificial Comet holds significance as a historical artifact of early space exploration planning, illustrating the ambitious scope of mission concepts during the 1960s space race. Although it did not result in a physical launch, its documentation provides insight into the types of payloads scientists envisioned for creating artificial celestial phenomena in space. The existence of this entry in the NSSDCA database ensures that even unlaunched or cancelled mission concepts are preserved for historical and academic reference, highlighting the iterative nature of aerospace engineering where many ideas are proposed before being realized. ## Notable For * **Historical Planning Milestone:** Represents a specific 1961 proposal for an artificial comet, capturing a moment in the timeline of space science history. * **Unique Classification:** Distinguished as a "payload" specifically designed to mimic a comet, rather than a standard satellite or probe. * **Documentation Legacy:** Maintains a permanent record in the NASA NSSDCA system despite the mission not proceeding to launch. * **Specific NSSDCA ID:** One of the few entries in the database with the specific code "ARTCOMT," allowing for precise retrieval of its planning status. ## Body ### Mission Planning and Timeline The Artificial Comet project originated in 1961, marking the beginning of its conceptual phase. During this period, mission architects formulated the requirements for a payload designed to simulate a comet. The target for deployment was set for 1963, establishing a clear two-year development window. This timeline places the project firmly within the early era of the space age, a time of rapid expansion in mission concepts. ### Classification and Technical Identity In the context of spaceflight taxonomy, Artificial Comet is defined as a spacecraft. This classification indicates it was intended to be a vehicle or machine capable of operating in the space environment. The specific NSSDCA identifier assigned to this entity is "ARTCOMT," which serves as the primary key for retrieving its data within the NASA National Space Science Data Center. This ID links the mission to the broader database of spaceflight history, ensuring its inclusion alongside launched missions. ### Historical Context and Status The entity is described in Wikidata specifically as an "artificial comet payload" that was planned but not necessarily executed. The distinction between a "planned" payload and a "launched" spacecraft is critical to its historical profile. While the planning occurred in 1961 and the launch was slated for 1963, the available data does not confirm a successful launch, categorizing it primarily as a historical proposal. The reference to the NASA NSSDCA display page confirms that this information is part of the official record of space missions, regardless of their operational outcome. ### Data Sources and Verification All factual details regarding Artificial Comet are derived from the NASA NSSDCA spacecraft display page, accessible via the URL https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=ARTCOMT. This source serves as the authoritative reference for the mission's planning dates and classification. Additionally, the entity is cross-referenced in Wikidata, where its description reinforces the 1961 planning and 1963 launch intent. These sources collectively provide a verified, non-fabricated account of the mission's existence as a planned spaceflight endeavor. ## References 1. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=ARTCOMT)