Series of Italian satellites primarily designed to study Earth’s upper atmosphere. In this joint programme (between the Italian space program and NASA) Italy developed the satellite, while NASA provided the launch vehicles, use of its facilities, and the training of Italian personnel. San Marco 1 successfully launched into orbit on 15 December 1964 aboard a Scout rocket from Wallops Flight Facility, making this Italy’s first satellite and the first non-US/Soviet satellite to achieve orbit. Four additional San Marco rockets were launched between April 1967 and March 1988 before the programme was terminated.