1981 in spaceflight

The following is an outline of 1981 in spaceflight.

1981 in spaceflight
The launch of STS-1, the maiden flight of the Space Shuttle
Orbital launches
First6 January
Last23 December
Total126
Successes119
Failures6
Partial failures1
Catalogued123
National firsts
Satellite Bulgaria
Space traveller Mongolia
 Romania
Rockets
Maiden flightsN-II
Space Shuttle Columbia
RetirementsFeng Bao 1
Crewed flights
Orbital5
Total travellers10

Launches

Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload
(⚀ = CubeSat)
Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC) Outcome
Remarks

January

6 January
12:15
Soyuz-U Plesetsk Site 41/1 RVSN
Kosmos 1237 (Zenit-6U) Low Earth Optical imaging20 JanuarySuccessful
Film capsule recovered
9 January
14:57
Molniya-M/ML Plesetsk Site 41/1 RVSN
Molniya-3 No.25 Molniya Communications3 July 1999Successful
10 January
18:22
Nike-Tomahawk Siple Station NASA
NASA Suborbital Ionospheric research10 JanuarySuccessful
Apogee: 198 kilometres (123 mi)
14 January
22:00
TT-500A Tanegashima LA-T NASDA
NASDA Suborbital Test flight14 JanuarySuccessful
Apogee: 320 kilometres (200 mi)
16 January
09:00
Kosmos-3M Plesetsk Site 132/1 RVSN
Kosmos 1238 (Taifun-1) Low Earth Radar calibrationIn orbitSuccessful
16 January
12:00
Soyuz-U Plesetsk Site 41/1 RVSN
Kosmos 1239 (Zenit-4MT) Low Earth Optical imaging28 JanuarySuccessful
Film capsule recovered
19 January
03:37:27
Black Brant VB Churchill NRC
NRC Suborbital Aeronomy19 JanuarySuccessful
Apogee: 263 kilometres (163 mi)
20 January
04:50
Astrobee-F White Sands NASA
NASA Suborbital Ultraviolet astronomy20 JanuarySuccessful
Apogee: 209 kilometres (130 mi)
20 January
11:00
Soyuz-U Baikonur Site 31/6 RVSN
Kosmos 1240 (Yantar-2K No.975) Low Earth Optical imaging17 FebruarySuccessful
Returned three film capsules; two small and one large
21 January
00:25
Black Brant VIII-C White Sands NASA
SPAR-9 NASA Suborbital Microgravity research21 JanuarySuccessful
Apogee: 209 kilometres (130 mi)
21 January
08:29
Kosmos-3M Plesetsk Site 132/1 RVSN
Kosmos 1241 (Lira) Low Earth ASAT TargetIn orbitSuccessful
Target for Kosmos 1243 and Kosmos 1258; both interceptors failed
21 January
21:46
S-310 Kagoshima ISAS
ISAS Suborbital Aeronomy21 JanuarySuccessful
Apogee: 174 kilometres (108 mi)
23 January
11:20
Tsyklon-3 Plesetsk Site 32/1 RVSN
Musson No.11 Intended: Low Earth Geodesy23 JanuaryLaunch failure
Payload fairing failed to separate
24 January
14:18:02
Soyuz-U Baikonur Site 1/5
Progress 12 Low Earth (Salyut 6) Station logistics20 MarchSuccessful
Final resupply mission to Salyut 6
26 January
07:20:06
Black Brant IVB Churchill NRC
NRC Suborbital Auroral research26 JanuarySuccessful
Apogee: 584 kilometres (363 mi)
27 January
14:58
Vostok-2M Plesetsk Site 43/3 RVSN
Kosmos 1242 (Tselina-D) Low Earth ELINT8 May 2014Successful
27 January R-39 Rif Nenoksa RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Test flight27 JanuarySuccessful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi), carried five reentry vehicles
29 January
04:12
Astrobee-F Churchill NASA
NASA Suborbital Auroral research29 JanuarySuccessful
Apogee: 189 kilometres (117 mi)
29 January
07:00
S-520 Kagoshima LA-K ISAS
TPE-2 ISAS Suborbital Ionospheric research
Technology
29 JanuarySuccessful
Apogee: 323 kilometres (201 mi)
30 January
16:27
Molniya-M/ML Plesetsk Site 43/3 RVSN
Molniya 1-49 Molniya CommunicationsIn orbitSuccessful

February

2 February
02:19
Tsyklon-2 Baikonur Site 90 RVSN
Kosmos 1243 (IS-A) Low Earth ASAT test2 FebruarySpacecraft failure
Failed to intercept Kosmos 1241; passed within 50 metres (160 ft) of target but explosive charge failed to detonate
4 February
01:10
Aries White Sands LC-36 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Technology4 FebruarySuccessful
Apogee: 387 kilometres (240 mi)
4 February
05:00
Centaure Thumba
ISRO Suborbital Ionospheric research4 FebruarySuccessful
Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi)
4 February
15:00
MGM-31A Pershing Cape Canaveral LC-16 US Army
US Army Suborbital Test flight4 February
Apogee: 180 kilometres (110 mi)
4 February
15:33
MGM-31A Pershing Cape Canaveral LC-16 US Army
US Army Suborbital Test flight4 February
Apogee: 180 kilometres (110 mi)
4 February
15:53
MGM-31A Pershing Cape Canaveral LC-16 US Army
US Army Suborbital Test flight4 February
Apogee: 180 kilometres (110 mi)
5 February
11:25
MGM-29 Sergeant Poker Flat US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Auroral research5 FebruarySuccessful
Apogee: 130 kilometres (81 mi)
6 February
08:00
Kosmos-3M Plesetsk Site 132/1
Interkosmos 21 Interkosmos Low Earth Technology7 July 1982Successful
Ceased operations on 2 June 1982
7 February
20:13:45
Petrel 2 Esrange
SRC Suborbital Aeronomy7 FebruarySuccessful
Apogee: 171 kilometres (106 mi)
7 February
20:30:40
Nike-Orion Esrange SSC
SSC Suborbital Aeronomy7 FebruarySuccessful
Apogee: 145 kilometres (90 mi)
9 February
14:31
LGM-30G Minuteman III Vandenberg LF-08 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Test flight9 FebruarySuccessful
Apogee: 1,300 kilometres (810 mi)
9 February
16:38
LGM-30G Minuteman III Vandenberg LF-09 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Test flight9 FebruarySuccessful
Apogee: 1,300 kilometres (810 mi)
11 February
08:30
N-II Tanegashima Osaki NASDA
Kiku 3 (ETS-IV) NASDA Geostationary transfer TechnologyIn orbitSuccessful
Maiden flight of N-II; satellite ceased operations on 24 December 1984
12 February
05:27
Centaure 2B Thumba
ISRO Suborbital Ionospheric research12 FebruarySuccessful
Apogee: 158 kilometres (98 mi)
12 February
18:21
Kosmos-3M Plesetsk Site 132/1 RVSN
Kosmos 1244 (Parus) Low Earth NavigationIn orbitSuccessful
13 February
11:15
Soyuz-U Plesetsk Site 43/3 RVSN
Kosmos 1245 (Zenit-6U) Low Earth Optical imaging27 FebruarySuccessful
Film capsule recovered
13 February
17:15
Black Brant VIII-C White Sands NASA
NASA Suborbital Solar research13 FebruarySuccessful
Apogee: 265 kilometres (165 mi)
17 February
17:15
MGM-31A Pershing Cape Canaveral LC-16 US Army
US Army Suborbital Test flight17 February
Apogee: 180 kilometres (110 mi)
17 February
17:51
MGM-31A Pershing Cape Canaveral LC-16 US Army
US Army Suborbital Test flight17 February
Apogee: 180 kilometres (110 mi)
17 February
19:17
MGM-31A Pershing Cape Canaveral LC-16 US Army
US Army Suborbital Test flight17 February
Apogee: 180 kilometres (110 mi)
18 February
09:00
Soyuz-U Baikonur Site 31/6 RVSN
Kosmos 1246 (Yantar-1KFT No.1) Low Earth Optical imaging13 MarchSuccessful
18 February INTA-300 El Arenosillo INTA
INTA Suborbital Aeronomy18 FebruarySuccessful
Apogee: 285 kilometres (177 mi)
18 February LGM-30B Minuteman IB Vandenberg LF-06 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital REV test18 FebruarySuccessful
Apogee: 1,300 kilometres (810 mi)
19 February
10:00
Molniya-M/2BL Plesetsk Site 16/2 RVSN
Kosmos 1247 (US-K) Molniya Missile defenceIn orbitSuccessful
21 February
00:30
Mu-3S Kagoshima LA-M ISAS
Hinotori (ASTRO-A) ISAS Low Earth Astronomy11 July 1991Successful
21 February
23:23
Atlas SLV-3D Centaur-D1AR Cape Canaveral LC-36A NASA
Comstar D4 COMSAT
SSC Parallax
TongaSat
Geostationary CommunicationsIn orbitOperational
Transferred to SSC Parallax as Parallax 1 in 2001, to TongaSat as Esiafi 1 in 2002.
21 February LGM-30G Minuteman III Vandenberg LF-26 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Test flight21 FebruarySuccessful
Apogee: 1,300 kilometres (810 mi)
25 February
17:20
Sergeant-Hydac Poker Flat US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Test flight25 FebruarySuccessful
Apogee: 400 kilometres (250 mi)
28 February
19:10
Titan III(24)B Vandenberg SLC-4W US Air Force
OPS 1166 (KH-8) NRO Sun-synchronous Optical imaging20 JuneSuccessful

March

1 March
09:20
OTRAG Seba Oasis OTRAG
OTRAG Suborbital Test flight1 MarchSuccessful
Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi)
5 March
15:00
Soyuz-U Plesetsk Site 41/1 RVSN
Kosmos 1248 (Yantar-2K No.940) Low Earth Optical imaging4 AprilSuccessful
Returned three film capsules; two small and one large
5 March
16:48
Sergeant-Hydac Poker Flat US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Test flight5 MarchSuccessful
Apogee: 400 kilometres (250 mi)
5 March
18:09
Tsyklon-2 Baikonur Site 90 RVSN
Kosmos 1249 (US-A) Low Earth Radar imaging19 JulySuccessful
6 March
11:31
Kosmos-3M Plesetsk Site 132/2 RVSN
Kosmos 1250 (Strela-1M) Low Earth CommunicationsIn orbitSuccessful
Kosmos 1251 (Strela-1M) Low Earth CommunicationsIn orbitSuccessful
Kosmos 1252 (Strela-1M) Low Earth CommunicationsIn orbitSuccessful
Kosmos 1253 (Strela-1M) Low Earth CommunicationsIn orbitSuccessful
Kosmos 1254 (Strela-1M) Low Earth CommunicationsIn orbitSuccessful
Kosmos 1255 (Strela-1M) Low Earth CommunicationsIn orbitSuccessful
Kosmos 1256 (Strela-1M) Low Earth CommunicationsIn orbitSuccessful
Kosmos 1257 (Strela-1M) Low Earth CommunicationsIn orbitSuccessful
7 March
08:09
Taurus-Orion Poker Flat US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Auroral research7 MarchSuccessful
Apogee: 156 kilometres (97 mi)
7 March
08:09
Taurus-Orion Poker Flat US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Aeronomy
Auroral research
7 MarchSuccessful
Apogee: 203 kilometres (126 mi)
7 March
08:26
Taurus-Orion Poker Flat US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Auroral research7 MarchSuccessful
Apogee: 169 kilometres (105 mi)
7 March
08:38
Paiute-Tomahawk Poker Flat US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Auroral research7 MarchSuccessful
Apogee: 187 kilometres (116 mi)
8 March
16:00
Nike-Orion Churchill NASA
CWAS-1 NASA Suborbital Aeronomy8 MarchSuccessful
Apogee: 140 kilometres (87 mi)
12 March
04:30
Sergeant-Hydac Poker Flat US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Test flight12 MarchSuccessful
Apogee: 400 kilometres (250 mi)
12 March
19:00:11
Soyuz-U Baikonur Site 1/5 RVSN
Soyuz T-4 Low Earth (Salyut 6) Salyut 6 expedition26 May
12:37:34
Successful
Crewed flight with two cosmonauts, last long-duration crew of Salyut 6
13 March
16:00
Nike-Orion Churchill NASA
CWAS-2 NASA Suborbital Aeronomy13 MarchSuccessful
Apogee: 140 kilometres (87 mi)
14 March
16:55
Tsyklon-2 Baikonur Site 90 RVSN
Kosmos 1258 (IS-A) Low Earth ASAT test14 MarchSpacecraft failure
Failed to intercept Kosmos 1241
15 March LGM-30B Minuteman IB Vandenberg LF-03 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital REV test15 MarchSuccessful
Apogee: 1,300 kilometres (810 mi)
16 March
19:24:00
Titan III(23)C Cape Canaveral LC-40 US Air Force
OPS 7350 (DSP F-9) US Air Force Geostationary Missile defenceIn orbitSuccessful
Operated until 1992
17 March
08:40
Soyuz-U Baikonur Site 31/6 RVSN
Kosmos 1259 (Zenit-6U) Low Earth Optical imaging31 MarchSuccessful
Film capsule recovered
18 March
04:40
Proton-K/DM Baikonur Site 200/40 RVSN
Gran' No.18L Geosynchronous Communications 
20 March
23:45
Tsyklon-2 Baikonur Site 90 RVSN
Kosmos 1260 (US-P) Low Earth ELINT22 May 1982Successful
22 March
14:58:55
Soyuz-U Baikonur Site 31/6 RVSN
Soyuz 39 Low Earth (Salyut 6) Salyut 6 visit30 March
11:40:58
Successful
Crewed flight with two cosmonauts, carried first Mongolian in space
24 March
03:00
Black Brant VIII-C White Sands NASA
NASA Suborbital Ultraviolet astronomy24 MarchSuccessful
Apogee: 261 kilometres (162 mi)
24 March
03:31
Molniya-M/ML Plesetsk Site 41/1 RVSN
Molniya-3 No.24 Molniya Communications19 October 1992Successful
25 March
08:05:16
Taurus-Tomahawk Poker Flat NASA
NASA Suborbital Plasma research25 MarchSuccessful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
28 March
01:54:06
Black Brant VB Churchill NRC
NRC Suborbital Ionospheric research28 MarchSuccessful
Apogee: 327 kilometres (203 mi)
28 March
01:54
Black Brant IVB Churchill NRC
NRC Suborbital Ionospheric research28 MarchSuccessful
Apogee: 675 kilometres (419 mi)
28 March
09:30
Soyuz-U Baikonur Site 31/6 RVSN
Yantar-2K No.979 Intended: Low Earth Optical imaging28 MarchLaunch failure
Failed to orbit
30 March
05:52:55
Nike-Orion Poker Flat DNA
DNA Suborbital Aeronomy30 MarchSuccessful
Apogee: 140 kilometres (87 mi)
31 March
09:40
Molniya-M/2BL Plesetsk Site 41/1 RVSN
Kosmos 1261 (US-K) Molniya Missile defenceIn orbitSuccessful

April

1 April
09:04:35
Taurus-Tomahawk Poker Flat NASA
NASA Suborbital Plasma research1 AprilSuccessful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
1 April
09:10
UGM-96 Trident I C4 USS Simon Bolivar, Eastern Test Range US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Test flight1 AprilSuccessful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
1 April LGM-30G Minuteman III Vandenberg LF-04 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Test flight1 AprilSuccessful
Apogee: 1,300 kilometres (810 mi)
1 April R-39 Rif Nenoksa RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Test flight1 AprilLaunch failure
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
2 April
09:48
Taurus-Orion Wallops NASA
NASA Suborbital Plasma research2 AprilSuccessful
Apogee: 220 kilometres (140 mi)
3 April
06:20:55
Nike-Orion Poker Flat DNA
DNA Suborbital Aeronomy3 AprilSuccessful
Apogee: 140 kilometres (87 mi)
3 April
09:51
Taurus-Orion Wallops NASA
NASA Suborbital Plasma research3 AprilSuccessful
Apogee: 210 kilometres (130 mi)
4 April LGM-30B Minuteman IB Vandenberg LF-06 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital REV test4 AprilSuccessful
Apogee: 1,300 kilometres (810 mi)
7 April
10:51
Soyuz-U Plesetsk Site 43/3 RVSN
Kosmos 1262 (Zenit-6U) Low Earth Optical imaging21 AprilSuccessful
Film capsule recovered
7 April
14:00
MGM-31A Pershing Cape Canaveral LC-16 US Army
US Army Suborbital Test flight7 AprilUnknown
Apogee: 180 kilometres (110 mi)
7 April
14:19
MGM-31A Pershing Cape Canaveral LC-16 US Army
US Army Suborbital Test flight7 AprilUnknown
Apogee: 180 kilometres (110 mi)
7 April
14:40
MGM-31A Pershing Cape Canaveral LC-16 US Army
US Army Suborbital Test flight7 AprilUnknown
Apogee: 180 kilometres (110 mi)
9 April
12:00
Kosmos-3M Plesetsk Site 132/1 RVSN
Kosmos 1263 (Taifun-1) Low Earth Radar calibrationIn orbitSuccessful
12 April
12:00:04
Space Shuttle Columbia Kennedy LC-39A NASA
STS-1 NASA Low Earth Test flight14 AprilSuccessful
DFI NASA Low Earth (Columbia) Flight recorderSuccessful
Maiden flight of the Space Shuttle, carried two astronauts
15 April
10:30
Soyuz-U Baikonur Site 31/6 RVSN
Kosmos 1264 (Zenit-6U) Low Earth Optical imaging29 AprilSuccessful
Film capsule recovered
16 April
11:30
Soyuz-U Plesetsk Site 41/1 RVSN
Kosmos 1265 (Zenit-6U) Low Earth Optical imaging28 AprilSuccessful
Film capsule recovered
18 April MR-UR-100U Baikonur Site 172 RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Test flight18 AprilSuccessful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
21 April
03:45
Tsyklon-2 Baikonur Site 90 RVSN
Kosmos 1266 (US-A) Low Earth Radar imaging20 May
Nuclear powered; reactor ejected and remains in orbit
22 April R-39 Rif Nenoksa RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Test flight22 AprilLaunch failure
Failed to reach space; apogee: 30 kilometres (19 mi)
24 April
21:32
Titan III(34)B Vandenberg SLC-4W US Air Force
OPS 7225 (Quasar) NRO Molniya CommunicationsIn orbitSuccessful
25 April
02:01
Proton-K Baikonur Site 200/39 RVSN
Kosmos 1267 (TKS No.16301) Low Earth (Salyut 6) Technology29 July 1982Successful
Technology demonstration for modular space stations; permanently docked to Salyut 6 and used to deorbit station; return capsule separated prior to docking and recovered on 24 May 1981
27 April
23:15
Aries White Sands LC-36 NASA
NASA Suborbital Ultraviolet astronomy27 AprilSuccessful
Apogee: 263 kilometres (163 mi)
28 April
09:00
Soyuz-U Baikonur Site 31/6 RVSN
Kosmos 1268 (Zenit-6U) Low Earth Optical imaging12 MaySuccessful
Film capsule recovered
30 April
06:00
Skylark 7 Esrange
TEXUS IIIB DFVLR Suborbital Microgravity research30 AprilSuccessful
Apogee: 253 kilometres (157 mi)
April R-17 Elbrus
Suborbital Missile strike 
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), launched as part of the Iran–Iraq War
April R-17 Elbrus
Suborbital Missile strike Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), launched as part of the Iran–Iraq War
April R-17 Elbrus
Suborbital Missile strike Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), launched as part of the Iran–Iraq War
April R-17 Elbrus
Suborbital Missile strike Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), launched as part of the Iran–Iraq War
April R-17 Elbrus
Suborbital Missile strike Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi), launched as part of the Iran–Iraq War

May

4 May
07:55
Black Brant VIII-C White Sands NASA
NASA Suborbital X-ray astronomy4 MaySuccessful
Apogee: 294 kilometres (183 mi)
6 May
08:00
Black Brant VIII-C White Sands NASA
NASA Suborbital Aeronomy6 MaySuccessful
Apogee: 322 kilometres (200 mi)
7 May
13:21
Kosmos-3M Plesetsk Site 132/1 RVSN
Kosmos 1269 (Strela-2M) Low Earth CommunicationsIn orbitSuccessful
8 May
05:27
Skylark 7 Esrange
TEXUS IV DFVLR Suborbital Microgravity research8 MaySuccessful
Apogee: 258 kilometres (160 mi)
14 May
17:16:38
Soyuz-U Baikonur Site 1/5 RVSN
Soyuz 40 Low Earth Salyut 6 visit22 May
13:58:30
Successful
Crewed mission with two cosmonauts, carried first Romanian in space. Final crewed flight to Salyut 6, final flight of Soyuz 7K-T spacecraft
14 May
21:45
Vostok-2M Plesetsk Site 43/3 RVSN
Meteor-2 No.8 Low Earth WeatherIn orbitSuccessful
15 May
06:07:17
Scout G-1 Vandenberg SLC-5
Nova-1 (NNS-30480) US Navy Low Earth NavigationIn orbitSuccessful
18 May
11:50
Soyuz-U Baikonur Site 31/6 RVSN
Kosmos 1270 (Yantar-2K No.980) Low Earth Optical imaging17 JuneSuccessful
19 May
03:49
Vostok-2M Plesetsk Site 43/3 RVSN
Kosmos 1271 (Tselina-D) Low Earth ELINTIn orbitSuccessful
21 May
09:10
Soyuz-U Baikonur Site 31/6 RVSN
Kosmos 1272 (Zenit-6U) Low Earth Optical imaging4 JuneSuccessful
22 May
07:10
Soyuz-U Plesetsk Site 41/1 RVSN
Kosmos 1273 (Zenit-4MKT No.17) Low Earth Optical imaging4 JuneSuccessful
22 May
22:29
Delta 3914 Cape Canaveral LC-17A NASA
GOES 5 (GOES-E) NOAA Geostationary WeatherIn orbitPartial spacecraft failure
Primary instrument failed in 1984, satellite remained partially operable until decommissioned on 18 July 1990
23 May
22:42
Atlas SLV-3D Centaur-D1AR Cape Canaveral LC-36B NASA
Intelsat V F-1 Intelsat Geostationary CommunicationsIn orbitSuccessful
27 May
04:25
Black Brant VC White Sands LC-36 NASA
JHU Suborbital Ultraviolet astronomy27 MaySuccessful
Apogee: 225 kilometres (140 mi)
31 May
05:00
Satellite Launch Vehicle Sriharikota SLV Pad ISRO
Rohini RS-D1 ISRO Low Earth Technology8 JuneLaunch failure
Reached lower-than-planned orbit and quickly decayed
May MR-12 Professor Zubov, Atlantic Ocean
Suborbital Aeronomy Successful
Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi)
May MR-12 Professor Zubov, Atlantic Ocean
Suborbital Aeronomy Successful
Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi)
May MR-12 Professor Zubov, Atlantic Ocean
Suborbital Aeronomy Successful
Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi)
May MR-12 Professor Zubov, Atlantic Ocean
Suborbital Aeronomy Successful
Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi)

June

3 June
14:00
Soyuz-U Plesetsk Site 41/1 RVSN
Kosmos 1274 (Yantar-2K No.942) Low Earth Optical imaging3 JulySuccessful
3 June S3 Biscarosse DGA
DGA Suborbital Test flight3 JuneSuccessful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
4 June
15:41
Kosmos-3M Plesetsk Site 132/2 RVSN
Kosmos 1275 (Parus) Low Earth NavigationIn orbitSuccessful
9 June
03:33
Molniya-M/ML Plesetsk Site 41/1 RVSN
Molniya-3 No.30 Molniya Communications10 February 1998Successful
12 June LGM-30G Minuteman III Vandenberg LF-09 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Test flight12 JuneSuccessful
Apogee: 1,300 kilometres (810 mi)
12 June Castor I Roi-Namur US Air Force
DOT-4 US Air Force Suborbital Technology12 JuneSuccessful
Apogee: 303 kilometres (188 mi)
16 June
07:00
Soyuz-U Plesetsk Site 43/3 RVSN
Kosmos 1276 (Zenit-4MKT No.18) Low Earth Optical imaging29 JuneSuccessful
17 June
09:30
Soyuz-U Baikonur Site 31/6 RVSN
Kosmos 1277 (Zenit-6U) Low Earth Optical imaging1 JulySuccessful
19 June
01:15
UGM-73 Poseidon C3 USS Lewis and Clark, Eastern Test Range US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Test flight19 JuneSuccessful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
19 June
01:15
UGM-73 Poseidon C3 USS Lewis and Clark, Eastern Test Range US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Test flight19 JuneSuccessful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
19 June
01:16
UGM-73 Poseidon C3 USS Lewis and Clark, Eastern Test Range US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Test flight19 JuneSuccessful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
19 June
01:16
UGM-73 Poseidon C3 USS Lewis and Clark, Eastern Test Range US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Test flight19 JuneSuccessful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
19 June
12:32:59
Ariane 1 Kourou ELA-1 Arianespace
Meteosat 2 EUMETSAT Geosynchronous WeatherIn orbitSuccessful
APPLE ISRO Geosynchronous Communications
Technology
In orbitSuccessful
CAT-3 European Space Agency Geosynchronous transfer Vehicle monitoringIn orbitSuccessful
19 June
19:37:04
Molniya-M/2BL Plesetsk Site 43/3 RVSN
Kosmos 1278 (US-K) Molniya Missile defence2 September 2000Successful
23 June
10:52:59
Atlas E/F Star-37S-ISS Vandenberg SLC-3W US Air Force
NOAA-7 (NOAA-C) NOAA Sun-synchronous WeatherIn orbitSuccessful
24 June
17:47
Molniya-M/ML Plesetsk Site 43/3 RVSN
Molniya 1-50 Molniya Communications14 December 1991Successful
25 June
23:55
Proton-K/DM Baikonur Site 200/40 RVSN
Ekran No.21L Geostationary CommunicationsIn orbitSuccessful
26 June LGM-30G Minuteman III Vandenberg LF-26 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Test flight26 JuneSuccessful
Apogee: 1,300 kilometres (810 mi)
June MR-12 Professor Zubov, Atlantic Ocean
Suborbital Aeronomy Successful
Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi)
June MR-12 Professor Zubov, Atlantic Ocean
Suborbital Aeronomy Successful
Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi)
June MR-12 Professor Zubov, Atlantic Ocean
Suborbital Aeronomy Successful
Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi)
June MR-12 Professor Zubov, Atlantic Ocean
Suborbital Aeronomy Successful
Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi)
June R-17 Elbrus
Suborbital Missile strike Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
June R-17 Elbrus
Suborbital Missile strike Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
June R-17 Elbrus
Suborbital Missile strike Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)

July

1 July
09:30
Soyuz-U Baikonur Site 31/6 RVSN
Kosmos 1279 (Zenit-6U) Low Earth Optical imaging15 JulySuccessful
2 July
07:10
Soyuz-U Plesetsk Site 43/3 RVSN
Kosmos 1280 (Resurs-F1 No.15L) Low Earth Optical imaging16 JulySuccessful
7 July
12:30
Soyuz-U Plesetsk Site 43/3 RVSN
Kosmos 1281 (Zenit-6U) Low Earth Optical imaging21 JulySuccessful
10 July
05:14
Vostok-2M Baikonur RVSN
Meteor-Priroda 2-4 Sun-synchronous WeatherIn orbitSuccessful
Iskra 1 Sun-synchronous Microgravity research16 April 1990Successful
11 July
14:48
UGM-73 Poseidon C3 USS George C. Marshall, Eastern Test Range US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Test flight11 JulySuccessful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
11 July
14:48
UGM-73 Poseidon C3 USS George C. Marshall, Eastern Test Range US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Test flight11 JulySuccessful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
11 July
14:49
UGM-73 Poseidon C3 USS George C. Marshall, Eastern Test Range US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Test flight11 JulySuccessful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
11 July
14:49
UGM-73 Poseidon C3 USS George C. Marshall, Eastern Test Range US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Test flight11 JulySuccessful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
15 July
13:00
Soyuz-U Baikonur Site 31/6 RVSN
Kosmos 1282 (Yantar-2K No.951) Low Earth Optical imaging14 AugustSuccessful
17 July
08:00
Soyuz-U Plesetsk Site 41/1 RVSN
Kosmos 1283 (Zenit-6U) Low Earth Optical imaging31 JulySuccessful
29 July
11:55
Soyuz-U Plesetsk Site 41/1 RVSN
Kosmos 1284 (Zenit-6U) Low Earth Optical imaging12 AugustSuccessful
30 July
21:38
Proton-K/DM Baikonur Site 200/39 RVSN
Gran' No.19L Geostationary CommunicationsIn orbitSuccessful
Operated until May 1986
31 July
10:50
Aries White Sands LC-36 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Infrared astronomy31 JulySuccessful
Apogee: 395 kilometres (245 mi)
July MR-12 Professor Zubov, Atlantic Ocean
Suborbital Aeronomy Successful
Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi)
July MR-12 Professor Zubov, Atlantic Ocean
Suborbital Aeronomy Successful
Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi)
July MR-12 Professor Zubov, Atlantic Ocean
Suborbital Aeronomy Successful
Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi)

August

1 August
22:00
TT-500A Tanegashima LA-T NASDA
NASDA Suborbital Test flight1 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 320 kilometres (200 mi)
3 August
09:56
Delta 3913 Vandenberg SLC-2W NASA
Dynamics Explorer 1 (Explorer 62) NASA Highly elliptical MagnetosphericIn orbitPartial launch failure
Dynamics Explorer 2 (Explorer 63) NASA Low Earth Magnetospheric19 February 1983Partial launch failure
Both payloads deployed into low Earth orbit, with DE-1 raising itself into its operational orbit. Premature first-stage cutoff resulted in slightly lower orbit than had been planned, spacecraft were able to compensate and complete their missions.
4 August
00:13
Molniya-M/2BL Plesetsk Site 16/2 RVSN
Kosmos 1285 (US-K) Molniya Missile defenceIn orbitSuccessful
4 August
08:28
Tsyklon-2 Baikonur Site 90 RVSN
Kosmos 1286 (US-PM) Low Earth ELINT16 October 1982Successful
6 August
08:16:00
Atlas SLV-3D Centaur-D1AR Cape Canaveral LC-36A
FLTSATCOM 5 US Navy Geosynchronous CommunicationsIn orbitLaunch failure
Payload fairing collapsed during ascent, resulting in damage which left satellite unusable after arrival in geosynchronous orbit
6 August
11:49
Kosmos-3M Plesetsk Site 132/2 RVSN
Kosmos 1287 (Strela-1M) Low Earth CommunicationsIn orbitSuccessful
Kosmos 1288 (Strela-1M) Low Earth CommunicationsIn orbitSuccessful
Kosmos 1289 (Strela-1M) Low Earth CommunicationsIn orbitSuccessful
Kosmos 1290 (Strela-1M) Low Earth CommunicationsIn orbitSuccessful
Kosmos 1291 (Strela-1M) Low Earth CommunicationsIn orbitSuccessful
Kosmos 1292 (Strela-1M) Low Earth CommunicationsIn orbitSuccessful
Kosmos 1293 (Strela-1M) Low Earth CommunicationsIn orbitSuccessful
Kosmos 1294 (Strela-1M) Low Earth CommunicationsIn orbitSuccessful
7 August
13:35
Vostok-2M Plesetsk Site 43/3
Bulgaria 1300 (Interkosmos 22) IKIT Low Earth OperationalIn orbitSuccessful
First Bulgarian satellite, launched as part of the Interkosmos programme
9 August Taurus-Orion Wallops NASA
NASA Suborbital Plasma research9 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 160 kilometres (99 mi)
10 August
20:03
N-II Tanegashima Osaki NASDA
Himawari 2 JMA Geostationary WeatherIn orbitSuccessful
Operated until February 1988
12 August
05:46
Kosmos-3M Plesetsk Site 132/2 RVSN
Kosmos 1295 (Parus) Low Earth NavigationIn orbitSuccessful
13 August
02:26
UGM-96 Trident I C4 USS John C. Calhoun, Eastern Test Range US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Test flight13 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
13 August
02:46
UGM-96 Trident I C4 USS John C. Calhoun, Eastern Test Range US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Test flight13 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
13 August
03:32
UGM-96 Trident I C4 USS John C. Calhoun, Eastern Test Range US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Test flight13 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
13 August
03:32
UGM-96 Trident I C4 USS John C. Calhoun, Eastern Test Range US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Test flight13 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
13 August
16:20
Soyuz-U Plesetsk Site 41/1 RVSN
Kosmos 1296 (Yantar-2K No.943) Low Earth Optical imaging13 SeptemberSuccessful
14 August
07:43
Black Brant X Wallops NASA
NASA Suborbital Test flight14 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 625 kilometres (388 mi)
18 August
09:30
Soyuz-U Plesetsk Site 41/1 RVSN
Kosmos 1297 (Zenit-6U) Low Earth Optical imaging30 AugustSuccessful
18 August R-36MUTTKh Uzhur Site 2/2 RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Test flight18 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
21 August
10:20
Soyuz-U Baikonur Site 1/5 RVSN
Kosmos 1298 (Yantar-4K2) Low Earth Optical imaging2 OctoberSuccessful
22 August
01:00
UGM-73 Poseidon C3 USS Nathanael Greene, Eastern Test Range US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Test flight22 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
24 August
12:00
S-310 Kagoshima ISAS
ISAS Suborbital Aeronomy
Auroal research
24 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 187 kilometres (116 mi)
24 August
16:37
Tsyklon-2 Baikonur Site 90 RVSN
Kosmos 1299 (US-A) Low Earth Radar imaging27 September
Nuclear-powered satellite, reactor ejected at end of mission and remains in orbit
24 August
21:40
Tsyklon-3 Plesetsk Site 32/1 RVSN
Kosmos 1300 (Tselina-D) Low Earth ELINTIn orbitSuccessful
25 August Taurus-Orion White Sands LC-36 NASA
NASA Suborbital Aeronomy25 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
27 August
10:30
Soyuz-U Plesetsk Site 41/1 RVSN
Kosmos 1301 (Resurs-F1 No.16L) Low Earth Optical imaging10 SeptemberSuccessful
28 August
00:03
UGM-96 Trident I C4 USS Simon Bolivar, Eastern Test Range US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Test flight28 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
28 August
00:04
UGM-96 Trident I C4 USS Simon Bolivar, Eastern Test Range US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Test flight28 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
28 August
00:04
UGM-96 Trident I C4 USS Simon Bolivar, Eastern Test Range US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Test flight28 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
28 August
00:04
UGM-96 Trident I C4 USS Simon Bolivar, Eastern Test Range US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Test flight28 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
28 August
02:40
R-5 Vertikal Kapustin Yar
Vertikal 9 Suborbital Solar research28 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
28 August
16:18
Kosmos-3M Plesetsk Site 132/1 RVSN
Kosmos 1302 (Strela-2M) Low Earth CommunicationsIn orbitSuccessful
August MR-12 Professor Zubov, Atlantic Ocean
Suborbital Aeronomy Successful
Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi)
August MR-12 Professor Zubov, Atlantic Ocean
Suborbital Aeronomy Successful
Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi)
August MR-12 Professor Zubov, Atlantic Ocean
Suborbital Aeronomy Successful
Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi)
August MR-12 Professor Zubov, Atlantic Ocean
Suborbital Aeronomy Successful
Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi)

September

3 September
18:29
Titan III(32)D Vandenberg SLC-4E US Air Force
OPS 3984 (KH-11) NRO Sun-synchronous Optical imaging23 November 1984Successful
4 September
08:00
Soyuz-U Baikonur Site 31/6 RVSN
Kosmos 1303 (Zenit-6U) Low Earth Optical imaging18 SeptemberSuccessful
4 September
11:06
Kosmos-3M Plesetsk Site 132/1 RVSN
Kosmos 1304 (Tsikada) Low Earth NavigationIn orbitSuccessful
5 September
01:00
S-520 Kagoshima LA-K ISAS
ISAS Suborbital Technology5 SeptemberSuccessful
Apogee: 224 kilometres (139 mi), payload recovered
7 September
09:38
S-310 Kagoshima ISAS
ISAS Suborbital Aeronomy7 SeptemberSuccessful
Apogee: 193 kilometres (120 mi)
8 September UR-100N Baikonur RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Test flight8 SeptemberLaunch failure
11 September
08:43
Molniya-M/ML Plesetsk Site 43/3 RVSN
Kosmos 1305 (Molniya-3 No.28) Intended: Molniya
Achieved: Medium Earth
CommunicationsIn orbitLaunch failure
Placed into unusable, lower-than-planned, orbit due to upper stage malfunction
12 September LGM-30B Minuteman IB Vandenberg LF-06 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital REV test12 SeptemberSuccessful
Apogee: 1,300 kilometres (810 mi)
14 September
20:31
Tsyklon-2 Baikonur Site 90 RVSN
Kosmos 1306 (US-PM) Low Earth ELINT12 July 1982Successful
15 September
11:30
Soyuz-U Plesetsk Site 43/3 RVSN
Kosmos 1307 (Zenit-6U) Low Earth Optical imaging29 SeptemberSuccessful
18 September
03:34
Kosmos-3M Plesetsk Site 132/1 RVSN
Kosmos 1308 (Parus) Low Earth NavigationIn orbitSuccessful
18 September
09:30
Soyuz-U Plesetsk Site 43/3 RVSN
Kosmos 1309 (Zenit-4MT) Low Earth Optical imaging1 OctoberSuccessful
18 September
17:59:58
Vertikal-4 Kapustin Yar Site 107 RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Plasma research18 SeptemberSuccessful
Apogee: 1,514 kilometres (941 mi)
19 September
21:28:40
Feng Bao 1 Jiuquan LA-2/138
Shijian 2 Low Earth Technology17 August 1982Successful
Shijian 2-01 Low Earth Technology6 October 1982Successful
Shijian 2-02 Low Earth Technology26 SeptemberSuccessful
Final flight of the Feng Bao 1
21 September
13:10
Tsyklon-3 Plesetsk Site 32/1
Oreol 3 Low Earth Magnetospheric researchIn orbitSuccessful
22 September
16:15
MGM-31A Pershing Fort Bliss US Army
US Army Suborbital Test flight22 SeptemberSuccessful
Apogee: 180 kilometres (110 mi)
22 September
16:48
MGM-31A Pershing Fort Bliss US Army
US Army Suborbital Test flight22 SeptemberSuccessful
Apogee: 180 kilometres (110 mi)
23 September
08:00
Kosmos-3M Plesetsk Site 132/2 RVSN
Kosmos 1310 (Taifun-1) Low Earth Radar calibration3 April 1989Successful
24 September
23:09
Delta 3910/PAM-D Cape Canaveral LC-17A NASA
SBS-2 SBS Geosynchronous CommunicationsIn orbitSuccessful
Operated until September 1996
28 September
21:00
Kosmos-3M Plesetsk Site 132/2 RVSN
Kosmos 1311 (Taifun-2) Low Earth Radar calibration28 August 1983Successful
Kosmos 1311 Subsatellite 1 Low Earth Radar calibration27 February 1982Successful
Kosmos 1311 Subsatellite 2 Low Earth Radar calibration26 February 1982Successful
Kosmos 1311 Subsatellite 3 Low Earth Radar calibration5 December 1982Successful
Kosmos 1311 Subsatellite 4 Low Earth Radar calibration5 December 1982Successful
Kosmos 1311 Subsatellite 5 Low Earth Radar calibration17 December 1982Successful
Kosmos 1311 Subsatellite 6 Low Earth Radar calibration16 December 1982Successful
Kosmos 1311 Subsatellite 7 Low Earth Radar calibration22 December 1982Successful
Kosmos 1311 Subsatellite 8 Low Earth Radar calibration23 December 1982Successful
Kosmos 1311 Subsatellite 9 Low Earth Radar calibration24 December 1982Successful
Kosmos 1311 Subsatellite 10 Low Earth Radar calibration18 December 1982Successful
Kosmos 1311 Subsatellite 11 Low Earth Radar calibration17 December 1982Successful
Kosmos 1311 Subsatellite 12 Low Earth Radar calibration17 December 1982Successful
Kosmos 1311 Subsatellite 13 Low Earth Radar calibration16 December 1982Successful
Kosmos 1311 Subsatellite 14 Low Earth Radar calibration31 December 1982Successful
Kosmos 1311 Subsatellite 15 Low Earth Radar calibration31 December 1982Successful
Kosmos 1311 Subsatellite 16 Low Earth Radar calibration31 December 1982Successful
Kosmos 1311 Subsatellite 17 Low Earth Radar calibration28 February 1983Successful
Kosmos 1311 Subsatellite 18 Low Earth Radar calibration28 February 1983Successful
Kosmos 1311 Subsatellite 19 Low Earth Radar calibration28 February 1983Successful
Kosmos 1311 Subsatellite 20 Low Earth Radar calibration28 February 1983Successful
Kosmos 1311 Subsatellite 21 Low Earth Radar calibration28 February 1983Successful
Kosmos 1311 Subsatellite 22 Low Earth Radar calibration28 February 1983Successful
Kosmos 1311 Subsatellite 23 Low Earth Radar calibration28 February 1983Successful
Kosmos 1311 Subsatellite 24 Low Earth Radar calibration28 February 1983Successful
29 September RT-2PM Topol Plesetsk Site 167 RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Test flight29 SeptemberSuccessful
Maiden flight of Topol missile, apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
29 September MGM-31A Pershing Fort Bliss US Army
US Army Suborbital Test flight29 SeptemberUnknown
Apogee: 180 kilometres (110 mi)
29 September MGM-31A Pershing Fort Bliss US Army
US Army Suborbital Test flight29 SeptemberUnknown
Apogee: 180 kilometres (110 mi)
30 September
08:00
Tsyklon-3 Plesetsk Site 32/1 RVSN
Kosmos 1312 (Musson No.12) Low Earth GeodesyIn orbitSuccessful
30 September
23:20:00
Black Brant VIII-C Esrange SSC
SSC Suborbital Infrared astronomy30 SeptemberSuccessful
Apogee: 270 kilometres (170 mi)
30 September Black Brant VC White Sands LC-36 NASA
NASA Suborbital Solar research30 SeptemberSuccessful
Apogee: 243 kilometres (151 mi)

October

1 October
09:00
Soyuz-U Baikonur Site 31/6 RVSN
Kosmos 1313 (Zenit-6U) Low Earth Optical imaging15 OctoberSuccessful
4 October LGM-30B Minuteman IB Vandenberg LF-03 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital REV test4 OctoberSuccessful
Apogee: 1,300 kilometres (810 mi)
6 October
11:27
Delta 2310 Vandenberg SLC-2W NASA
Solar Mesosphere Explorer (Explorer 64) NASA Sun-synchronous Atmospheric research5 March 1991Successful
UoSAT-1 Surrey Sun-synchronous Technology
Amateur radio
13 October 1989Successful
9 October
10:40
Soyuz-U Plesetsk Site 41/1 RVSN
Kosmos 1314 (Zenit-4MKT) Low Earth Optical imaging22 OctoberSuccessful
9 October
16:59
Proton-K/DM Baikonur Site 200/39 RVSN
Gran' No.20L Geostationary CommunicationsIn orbitSuccessful
13 October
23:01
Vostok-2M Plesetsk Site 43/3 RVSN
Kosmos 1315 (Tselina-D) Low Earth ELINTIn orbitSuccessful
13 October MGM-31A Pershing Fort Bliss US Army
US Army Suborbital Test flight13 OctoberSuccessful
Apogee: 180 kilometres (110 mi)
13 October MGM-31A Pershing Fort Bliss US Army
US Army Suborbital Test flight13 OctoberSuccessful
Apogee: 180 kilometres (110 mi)
14 October
05:47
Nike-Orion Wallops NASA
NASA Suborbital Plasma research14 OctoberSuccessful
Apogee: 197 kilometres (122 mi)
15 October
09:15
Soyuz-U Baikonur Site 31/6 RVSN
Kosmos 1316 (Zenit-6U) Low Earth Optical imaging29 OctoberSuccessful
16 October Nike-Tomahawk White Sands NASA
NASA Suborbital Aeronomy16 OctoberSuccessful
Apogee: 270 kilometres (170 mi)
17 October
05:59
Molniya-M/ML Plesetsk Site 41/1 RVSN
Molniya-3 No.31 Molniya Communications9 January 1997Successful
17 October Astrobee-F White Sands NASA
NASA Suborbital X-ray astronomy17 OctoberSuccessful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
21 October MGM-31A Pershing Fort Bliss US Army
US Army Suborbital Test flight21 OctoberSuccessful
Apogee: 180 kilometres (110 mi)
21 October MGM-31A Pershing Fort Bliss US Army
US Army Suborbital Test flight21 OctoberUnknown
Apogee: 180 kilometres (110 mi)
25 October
19:01:00
Nike-Tomahawk Andøya NDRE
NDRE Suborbital Auroral research25 OctoberSuccessful
Apogee: 184 kilometres (114 mi)
30 October
06:04
Proton-K/D-1 Baikonur Site 200/40 RVSN
Venera 13 Heliocentric Venus lander1 March 1982
03:20
Successful
31 October
09:22:00
Titan III(23)C Cape Canaveral LC-40 US Air Force
OPS 4029 (Vortex) NRO High Earth SIGINTIn orbitSuccessful
31 October
22:54
Molniya-M/2BL Plesetsk Site 16/2 RVSN
Kosmos 1317 (US-K) Molniya Missile defenceIn orbitSuccessful

November

3 November
13:00
Soyuz-U Plesetsk Site 41/1 RVSN
Kosmos 1318 (Yantar-2K No.944) Low Earth Optical imaging4 DecemberSuccessful
4 November
05:31
Proton-K/D-1 Baikonur Site 200/39 RVSN
Venera 14 Heliocentric Venus lander5 March 1982Partial spacecraft failure
Surface sampler failed due to ejection of camera lens cap into its path
7 November
12:03:40
MGM-29 Sergeant Poker Flat US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Auroral research7 NovemberSuccessful
Apogee: 130 kilometres (81 mi)
9 November Taurus-Orion White Sands LC-36 NASA
NASA Suborbital Aeronomy9 NovemberSuccessful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
12 November
15:10:00
Space Shuttle Columbia Kennedy LC-39A NASA
STS-2 NASA Low Earth Test flight14 NovemberPartial spacecraft failure
DFI NASA Low Earth (Columbia) Vehicle monitoringUnknownSuccessful
OFTP Low Earth (Columbia) Remote sensingSuccessful
OSTA-1 Low Earth (Columbia) TechnologySuccessful
Crewed flight with two astronauts, first spacecraft to make two orbital flights. Mission truncated due to fuel cell failure
13 November
09:30
Soyuz-U Baikonur Site 31/6 RVSN
Kosmos 1319 (Zenit-6U) Low Earth Optical imaging27 NovemberSuccessful
15 November
17:50
UGM-96 Trident I C4 USS Benjamin Franklin, Eastern Test Range US Navy
US Navy Suborbital Test flight15 NovemberLaunch failure
Apogee: 20 kilometres (12 mi), failed to reach space
17 November
15:25
Molniya-M/ML Plesetsk Site 41/1 RVSN
Molniya 1-51 Molniya Communications2 November 1993Successful
17 November Black Brant VIII-B White Sands NASA
NASA Suborbital X-ray astronomy17 NovemberSuccessful
Apogee: 253 kilometres (157 mi)
17 November Black Brant VIII-B White Sands NASA
NASA Suborbital X-ray astronomy17 NovemberSuccessful
Apogee: 253 kilometres (157 mi)
20 November
01:37
Delta 3910/PAM-D Cape Canaveral LC-17A NASA
Satcom 3R RCA Satcom Geostationary CommunicationsIn orbitSuccessful
Decommissioned on 10 April 1991
20 November
08:30
Kosmos-3M Kapustin Yar Site 107/2
Bhaskara 2 ISRO Low Earth Remote sensing30 November 1991Successful
23 November
18:35
Black Brant VIII-C White Sands NASA
NASA Suborbital Solar research23 NovemberSuccessful
Apogee: 322 kilometres (200 mi)
24 November LGM-30G Minuteman III Vandenberg LF-09 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Test flight24 NovemberSuccessful
Apogee: 1,300 kilometres (810 mi)
27 November R-39 Rif Nenoksa RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Test flight27 NovemberSuccessful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
28 November
18:08
Kosmos-3M Plesetsk Site 132/2 RVSN
Kosmos 1320 (Strela-1M) Low Earth CommunicationsIn orbitSuccessful
Kosmos 1321 (Strela-1M) Low Earth CommunicationsIn orbitSuccessful
Kosmos 1322 (Strela-1M) Low Earth CommunicationsIn orbitSuccessful
Kosmos 1323 (Strela-1M) Low Earth CommunicationsIn orbitSuccessful
Kosmos 1324 (Strela-1M) Low Earth CommunicationsIn orbitSuccessful
Kosmos 1325 (Strela-1M) Low Earth CommunicationsIn orbitSuccessful
Kosmos 1326 (Strela-1M) Low Earth CommunicationsIn orbitSuccessful
Kosmos 1327 (Strela-1M) Low Earth CommunicationsIn orbitSuccessful
November R-17 Elbrus
Suborbital Missile strike Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
November R-17 Elbrus
Suborbital Missile strike Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)

December

1 December
01:38
Black Brant X Cape Parry NASA
NASA Suborbital Plasma research1 DecemberSuccessful
Apogee: 612 kilometres (380 mi)
1 December
15:50:00
Petrel 1 Esrange SRC
SRC Suborbital Aeronomy1 DecemberSuccessful
Apogee: 187 kilometres (116 mi)
3 December
11:47
Tsyklon-3 Plesetsk Site 32/1 RVSN
Kosmos 1328 (Tselina-D) Low Earth ELINTIn orbitSuccessful
4 December
09:50
Soyuz-U Baikonur Site 31/6 RVSN
Kosmos 1329 (Zenit-6U) Low Earth Optical imaging18 DecemberSuccessful
6 December
23:14:58
Black Brant IVB Cape Parry NRC
NRC Suborbital Auroral research6 DecemberSuccessful
Apogee: 615 kilometres (382 mi)
7 December
00:00:40
Terrier-Malemute Cape Parry NASA
NASA Suborbital Plasma research7 DecemberSuccessful
Apogee: 451 kilometres (280 mi)
7 December Dongfeng 5 Jiuquan LA-2/138
Suborbital Test flight7 DecemberSuccessful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
8 December Aerobee-150 White Sands LC-35 NASA
NASA Suborbital Magnetospheric research8 DecemberSuccessful
Apogee: 200 kilometres (120 mi)
9 December
17:17:00
Petrel 2 Esrange SRC
SRC Suborbital Aeronomy9 DecemberSuccessful
Apogee: 188 kilometres (117 mi)
9 December
21:25:35
Skylark 7 Esrange DFVLR
DFVLR Suborbital Ionospheric research9 DecemberSuccessful
Apogee: 237 kilometres (147 mi)
9 December LGM-30G Minuteman III Vandenberg LF-26 US Air Force
US Air Force Suborbital Test flight9 DecemberSuccessful
Apogee: 1,300 kilometres (810 mi)
10 December Sonda 3 Barreira do Inferno IAE
IAE Suborbital Ionospheric research10 DecemberSuccessful
Apogee: 239 kilometres (149 mi)
13 December
21:31:38
Black Brant IVB Cape Parry NRC
NRC Suborbital Auroral research13 DecemberLaunch failure
Apogee: 50 kilometres (31 mi), failed to reach space
13 December
22:54:25
Black Brant X Cape Parry NASA
NASA Suborbital Plasma research13 DecemberSuccessful
Apogee: 662 kilometres (411 mi)
15 December
23:35
Atlas SLV-3D Centaur-D1AR Cape Canaveral LC-36A NASA
Intelsat V F-3 Intelsat Geostationary CommunicationsIn orbitSuccessful
16 December
14:10:00
Petrel 1 Esrange SRC
SRC Suborbital Aeronomy16 DecemberSuccessful
Apogee: 187 kilometres (116 mi)
17 December
11:00
Kosmos-3M Plesetsk Site 132/2 RVSN
Radio Sputnik 3 Low Earth Amateur radioIn orbitSuccessful
Radio Sputnik 4 Low Earth Amateur radioIn orbitSuccessful
Radio Sputnik 5 Low Earth Amateur radioIn orbitSuccessful
Radio Sputnik 6 Low Earth Amateur radioIn orbitSuccessful
Radio Sputnik 7 Low Earth Amateur radioIn orbitSuccessful
Radio Sputnik 8 Low Earth Amateur radioIn orbitSuccessful
19 December
01:10
Atlas E/F SVS-1 Vandenberg SLC-3E US Air Force
Navstar 7 US Air Force Intended: Medium Earth Navigation+20 secondsLaunch failure
Incorrect repair to booster unit engine resulted in coolant line blockage. Rocket lost thrust within eight seconds of launch, destroyed by range safety.
19 December
11:50
Soyuz-U Baikonur Site 31/6 RVSN
Kosmos 1330 (Yantar-2K No.952) Low Earth Optical imaging19 January 1982Successful
19 December
20:00
Petrel 1 El Arenosillo INTA
INTA Suborbital Aeronomy19 DecemberSuccessful
Apogee: 106 kilometres (66 mi)
20 December
01:29:00
Ariane 1 Kourou ELA-1 Arianespace
MARECS-1 Inmarsat Geosynchronous CommunicationsIn orbitSuccessful
CAT-4 (Thesee) ESA Geosynchronous transfer Vehicle monitoring
Technology
In orbitSuccessful
21 December
18:37
Vertikal-4 Kapustin Yar Site 107 RVSN
Vertikal-10 RVSN Suborbital Aeronomy
Ionospheric research
21 DecemberSuccessful
Apogee: 1,500 kilometres (930 mi)
22 December R-39 Rif Nenoksa RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Test flight22 DecemberSuccessful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
23 December
13:15
Molniya-M/ML Baikonur Site 1/5 RVSN
Molniya-1 No.55 Molniya CommunicationsIn orbitSuccessful
27 December R-39 Rif Nenoksa RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Test flight27 DecemberSuccessful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
December R-17 Elbrus
Suborbital Missile strike Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
December R-17 Elbrus
Suborbital Missile strike Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
Unknown Perimetr Baikonur RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Test flightUnknownSuccessful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
Unknown M4 Biscarosse DGA
DGA Suborbital Test flightUnknownSuccessful
Apogee: 800 kilometres (500 mi)
Unknown M4 Biscarosse DGA
DGA Suborbital Test flightUnknownSuccessful
Apogee: 800 kilometres (500 mi)
Unknown M4 Biscarosse DGA
DGA Suborbital Test flightUnknownSuccessful
Apogee: 800 kilometres (500 mi)
Unknown M4 Biscarosse DGA
DGA Suborbital Test flightUnknownLaunch failure
Unknown Kosmos-3MR Kapustin Yar Site 107 RVSN
RVSN Suborbital REV testUnknownUnknown
Apogee: 675 kilometres (419 mi)
Unknown Kosmos-3MR Kapustin Yar Site 107 RVSN
RVSN Suborbital REV testUnknownUnknown
Apogee: 675 kilometres (419 mi)
Unknown Kosmos-3MR Kapustin Yar Site 107 RVSN
RVSN Suborbital REV testUnknownUnknown
Apogee: 675 kilometres (419 mi)
Unknown Kosmos-3MR Kapustin Yar Site 107 RVSN
RVSN Suborbital REV testUnknownUnknown
Apogee: 675 kilometres (419 mi)
Unknown Kosmos-3MR Kapustin Yar Site 107 RVSN
RVSN Suborbital REV testUnknownUnknown
Apogee: 675 kilometres (419 mi)
Unknown Kosmos-3MR Kapustin Yar Site 107 RVSN
RVSN Suborbital REV testUnknownUnknown
Apogee: 675 kilometres (419 mi)
Unknown Kosmos-3MR Kapustin Yar Site 107 RVSN
RVSN Suborbital REV testUnknownUnknown
Apogee: 675 kilometres (419 mi)
Unknown Kosmos-3MR Kapustin Yar Site 107 RVSN
RVSN Suborbital REV testUnknownUnknown
Apogee: 675 kilometres (419 mi)
Unknown Kosmos-3MR Kapustin Yar Site 107 RVSN
RVSN Suborbital REV testUnknownUnknown
Apogee: 675 kilometres (419 mi)
Unknown Kosmos-3MR Kapustin Yar Site 107 RVSN
RVSN Suborbital REV testUnknownUnknown
Apogee: 675 kilometres (419 mi)
Unknown Kosmos-3MR Kapustin Yar Site 107 RVSN
RVSN Suborbital REV testUnknownUnknown
Apogee: 675 kilometres (419 mi)
Unknown Kosmos-3MR Kapustin Yar Site 107 RVSN
RVSN Suborbital REV testUnknownUnknown
Apogee: 675 kilometres (419 mi)
Unknown Vertikal-4 Kapustin Yar Site 107 RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Ionospheric researchUnknownUnknown
Apogee: 1,500 kilometres (930 mi)
Unknown R-27 Zyb Submarine, Okhotsk RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Test flightUnknownSuccessful
Apogee: 620 kilometres (390 mi)
Unknown R-27 Zyb Submarine, Okhotsk RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Test flightUnknownSuccessful
Apogee: 620 kilometres (390 mi)
Unknown R-27 Zyb Submarine, Okhotsk RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Test flightUnknownSuccessful
Apogee: 620 kilometres (390 mi)
Unknown R-27 Zyb Submarine, Okhotsk RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Test flightUnknownSuccessful
Apogee: 620 kilometres (390 mi)
Unknown R-27 Zyb Submarine, Okhotsk RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Test flightUnknownSuccessful
Apogee: 620 kilometres (390 mi)
Unknown R-27 Zyb Submarine, Okhotsk RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Test flightUnknownSuccessful
Apogee: 620 kilometres (390 mi)
Unknown R-27 Zyb Submarine, Okhotsk RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Test flightUnknownSuccessful
Apogee: 620 kilometres (390 mi)
Unknown R-27 Zyb Submarine, Okhotsk RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Test flightUnknownSuccessful
Apogee: 620 kilometres (390 mi)
Unknown R-29R Volna Submarine, Okhotsk VMF
VMF Suborbital Test flightUnknownSuccessful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
Unknown R-29R Volna Submarine, Okhotsk VMF
VMF Suborbital Test flightUnknownSuccessful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
Unknown R-29R Volna Submarine, Okhotsk VMF
VMF Suborbital Test flightUnknownSuccessful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
Unknown R-29 Vysota Submarine, Okhotsk VMF
VMF Suborbital Test flightUnknownSuccessful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
Unknown R-29 Vysota Submarine, Okhotsk VMF
VMF Suborbital Test flightUnknownSuccessful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
Unknown R-29 Vysota Submarine, Okhotsk VMF
VMF Suborbital Test flightUnknownSuccessful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
Unknown R-29 Vysota Submarine, Okhotsk VMF
VMF Suborbital Test flightUnknownSuccessful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
Unknown R-36MUTTKh Baikonur RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Test flightUnknownSuccessful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
Unknown R-36MUTTKh Baikonur RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Test flightUnknownSuccessful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
Unknown R-36MUTTKh Baikonur RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Test flightUnknownSuccessful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
Unknown R-36MUTTKh Baikonur RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Test flightUnknownSuccessful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
Unknown UR-100N Baikonur RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Test flightUnknownSuccessful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
Unknown UR-100N Baikonur RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Test flightUnknownSuccessful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
Unknown UR-100N Baikonur RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Test flightUnknownSuccessful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
Unknown UR-100N Baikonur RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Test flightUnknownSuccessful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
Unknown UR-100N Baikonur RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Test flightUnknownSuccessful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
Unknown UR-100NUTTKh Baikonur RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Test flightUnknownSuccessful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
Unknown UR-100NUTTKh Baikonur RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Test flightUnknownSuccessful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
Unknown UR-100NUTTKh Baikonur RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Test flightUnknownSuccessful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
Unknown UR-100NUTTKh Baikonur RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Test flightUnknownSuccessful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
Unknown UR-100NUTTKh Baikonur RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Test flightUnknownSuccessful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
Unknown UR-100NUTTKh Baikonur RVSN
RVSN Suborbital Test flightUnknownSuccessful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)

Deep-space rendezvous

Date (UTC) Spacecraft Event Remarks
26 AugustVoyager 2Flyby of SaturnGravity assist; Closest approach: 101,000 kilometres (63,000 mi)

References

Generic references:
Spaceflight portal
  • Bergin, Chris. "NASASpaceFlight.com".
  • Clark, Stephen. "Spaceflight Now".
  • Kelso, T.S. "Satellite Catalog (SATCAT)". CelesTrak.
  • Krebs, Gunter. "Chronology of Space Launches".
  • Kyle, Ed. "Space Launch Report".
  • McDowell, Jonathan. "Jonathan's Space Report".
  • Pietrobon, Steven. "Steven Pietrobon's Space Archive".
  • Wade, Mark. "Encyclopedia Astronautica".
  • Webb, Brian. "Southwest Space Archive".
  • Zak, Anatoly. "Russian Space Web".
  • "ISS Calendar". Spaceflight 101.
  • "NSSDCA Master Catalog". NASA Space Science Data Coordinated Archive. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.
  • "Space Calendar". NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
  • "Space Information Center". JAXA.
  • "Хроника освоения космоса" [Chronicle of space exploration]. CosmoWorld (in Russian).

Footnotes


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