2007 in spaceflight

Last updated

2007 in spaceflight
ISRO-SCRE-1-Spacecraft-1.jpg
SRE-1, the first Indian recovered spacecraft, on public display at Thiruvananthapuram
Orbital launches
First10 January
Last25 December
Total68
Successes63
Failures3
Partial failures2
Catalogued 65
National firsts
Satellite Flag of Colombia.svg  Colombia
Flag of Mauritius.svg  Mauritius
Space traveller Flag of Malaysia 23px.svg  Malaysia
Rockets
Maiden flights Atlas V 421
Long March 3B/E
Proton-M Enhanced
PSLV-CA
Shavit-2
Zenit-2M
Retirements H-IIA 2022
Crewed flights
Orbital5
Total travellers27
2007 in spaceflight
  2006
2008  

The year 2007 contained several significant events in spaceflight, including a Chinese ASAT test, the launches of the US Phoenix and Dawn missions to study Mars and Asteroid belt respectively, Japan's Kaguya Lunar orbiter, and the first Chinese Lunar probe, Chang'e 1.

Contents

The internationally accepted definition of a spaceflight is any flight which crosses the Kármán line, 100 kilometres above sea level. The first recorded spaceflight launch of the year occurred on 10 January, when a PSLV, launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, placed four spacecraft into low Earth orbit. One of these spacecraft was SRE-1, which returned to Earth twelve days later, in the first Indian attempt to recover a satellite after re-entry.

Several carrier rockets made their maiden flights in 2007; the PSLV-CA, Long March 3B/E, Shavit-2, Zenit-2M, Proton-M Enhanced. These were all modernised or upgraded versions of existing systems. The RS-24 missile also conducted its first launch, and the Atlas V made its first flight in the 421 configuration. The first Colombian and Mauritian satellites, Libertad 1 and Rascom-QAF 1 respectively, were launched in 2007, although a helium leak reduced Rascom's operational lifetime by thirteen years.

Space exploration

The launch of a Delta II Heavy with the Dawn spacecraft. Dawn launch.jpg
The launch of a Delta II Heavy with the Dawn spacecraft.

Several spacecraft were launched to explore the Moon. Japan's Kaguya orbiter, along with the smaller Okina and Ouna relay spacecraft, was launched on 14 September. The spacecraft entered Selenocentric orbit on 3 October. China launched its first Lunar probe, Chang'e 1, on 24 October, with the spacecraft entering Selenocentric orbit on 5 November. In 2009, two satellites launched into highly elliptical Earth orbits in 2007 as part of the THEMIS mission were also sent to the Moon. They are expected to arrive in October 2010.

In August, the NASA Phoenix spacecraft was launched towards Mars, followed by the Dawn mission to the Asteroid belt in September. Cassini continued to make flybys of the moons of Saturn, mostly focussing on Titan. In November, Rosetta flew past Earth, where it was mistaken for an asteroid, and given the provisional designation 2007 VN84.

Crewed spaceflight

Five crewed flights were launched in 2007, two by Russia and three by the United States. Russia flew two Soyuz missions to the International Space Station for crew rotation. Soyuz TMA-10, launched on 7 April, carried the Expedition 15 crew to the Station. Space tourist Charles Simonyi was also launched on this flight, and landed aboard Soyuz TMA-9 a few days later. When TMA-10 returned to Earth in October, it made the first of two consecutive ballistic re-entries of Soyuz spacecraft, due to problems with separation bolts. Soyuz TMA-11, launched on 10 October, carried the Expedition 16 crew, and the first Malaysian in space, Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, who was selected for flight under the Angkasawan programme. He landed aboard Soyuz TMA-10. When TMA-11 landed in 2008, it also made a ballistic descent.

The newly installed Harmony node of the ISS Iss016e012617.jpg
The newly installed Harmony node of the ISS

2007 also saw the continued assembly of the International Space Station, by US Space Shuttle flights. On 8 June Atlantis made the first Shuttle launch of the year, STS-117, with seven astronauts, and the S3/4 truss segment of the ISS. It was the first Shuttle to launch from Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center since STS-107 in 2003. Launch had previously been delayed from February due to Hail damage to the External Tank, which required a rollback to repair in the Vehicle Assembly Building. In August, Endeavour launched on its first mission since 2002, STS-118. This carried the S5 truss segment, and marked the final flight of the Spacehab module, which was used to carry supplies. NASA's first Educator Astronaut, Barbara Morgan flew aboard STS-118. Morgan had previously been a backup for Christa McAuliffe, who was killed in the Challenger accident in 1986. STS-120, launched on 23 October using Discovery, carried the Harmony node, the first pressurised ISS component to be launched since Pirs in September 2001. Attempts to launch Atlantis in December on STS-122 were scrubbed, and the launch was delayed to 2008 after ECO sensors in the External Tank failed.

Launch failures

Three orbital launch attempts in 2007, involving a Zenit, a Falcon 1, and a Proton failed, and two others, an Atlas V and a GSLV, resulted in partial failures. On 30 January, a Sea Launch Zenit-3SL exploded on the Ocean Odyssey launch platform, seconds after ignition. The failure destroyed the NSS-8 satellite, and caused considerable damage to the Odyssey platform. It was later determined that the failure had been caused by debris in the turbopump. As a result of downtime to conduct repairs, and bad sea conditions at the end of the year, Sea Launch did not conduct another launch until 2008.

On 21 March, SpaceX launched the second Falcon 1. Due to the failure of the maiden flight, the launch was conducted as a demonstration flight without a functional payload. The launch failed to reach orbit due to a chain of events, starting with an error in setting the fuel mix ratio, which resulted in first stage underperformance, and the rocket being too low at the time of first stage separation. Additional atmospheric drag at this altitude caused recontact between the stages, setting up a fuel slosh in the second stage. This resulted in the premature cutoff of the second stage, and the rocket failed to reach orbit. This was the last launch of the Falcon 1 with the ablatively cooled Merlin-1A engine, which was replaced with the regeneratively cooled Merlin-1C for subsequent flights, starting in August 2008. As several test objectives were completed, SpaceX claimed that the launch was a success overall, and declared the Falcon 1 operational.

The Atlas family ended a run of eighty consecutive successful launches over fourteen years, after a partial failure of an Atlas V launched on 15 June. A faulty valve caused a fuel leak in the Centaur upper stage, resulting in a premature cutoff at the end of its second burn. This resulted in the USA-194 satellites being delivered into a lower orbit than planned. The spacecraft were able to correct the orbit using their manoeuvring engines.

The fifth GSLV was launched on 2 September, with the INSAT-4CR satellite. This was the first GSLV launch since the failure in July 2006. The rocket underperformed, and placed the satellite into an orbit with a lower apogee and greater inclination than planned. This required the spacecraft to use fuel reserved for stationkeeping to raise itself to the correct orbit, at the expense of its operational lifetime.

On 5 September, a Proton-M with a Briz-M upper stage failed to place the JCSAT-11 into orbit, after the second stage of the carrier rocket failed to separate from the first. It was later established that damaged cabling had been the cause of the malfunction.

Summary of launches

The launch of a Delta IV Heavy with the final DSP satellite. Delta-4H DSP-23 2.jpg
The launch of a Delta IV Heavy with the final DSP satellite.

In total, sixty eight orbital launches were made in 2007, with sixty five reaching orbit, and three outright failures. This was an increase of two orbital launch attempts on 2006, with one more launch reaching orbit. The final launch of the year was conducted on 25 December, by a Proton-M with three GLONASS navigation satellites for the Russian government.

Suborbital spaceflight in 2007 saw a number of sounding rocket and missile launches. On 11 January, the Chinese People's Liberation Army used a Dong-Feng 21 derived anti-satellite weapon to destroy Feng Yun 1C, a retired weather satellite. Russia also began testing the RS-24 Yars missile

China conducted ten orbital launches in 2007, using the Long March family of rockets, whilst Europe conducted five using the Ariane 5. India made three orbital launch attempts, using PSLV-C, PSLV-CA and GSLV rockets, with the GSLV launch resulting in a partial failure. Israel conducted a single successful launch using the first Shavit-2 rocket. Japan successfully launched two H-IIA rockets. Russia and the former Soviet Union conducted twenty six launches, including one failure, but not including the international Sea Launch programme, whose single launch attempt failed. Nineteen launches were conducted by the United States, which had originally announced plans to launch many more, however technical issues with the Atlas V, Delta IV and Falcon 1, caused a number of delays. Two of six planned Space Shuttle launches were also delayed to 2008, STS-123 due to knock-on delays from STS-117, and STS-122 due to problems with engine cutoff sensors.

Launches

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

January

10 January
03:53 [1]
Flag of India.svg PSLV-C Flag of India.svg Satish Dhawan FLP Flag of India.svg ISRO
Flag of India.svg Cartosat-2 ISRO Low Earth (SSO) Earth observation 14 February 2024
10:18
Successful
Flag of India.svg SRE-1 ISRO Low Earth (polar) Technology demonstration 22 January
04:16 [2]
Successful
Flag of Indonesia.svg Flag of Germany.svg Lapan-TUBsat LAPAN/TU Berlin Low Earth (polar) Earth observation In orbitOperational
Flag of Argentina.svg Pehuensat-1 AATE Low Earth (polar) Technology demonstration 16 January 2023 [4] Successful
SRE was the first Indian spacecraft to be recovered following reentry. Pehuensat-1 intentionally remained attached to the payload adapter.
18 January
02:12 [5]
Flag of Russia.svg Soyuz-U Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 1/5 Flag of Russia.svg Roskosmos
Flag of Russia.svg Progress M-59 RoskosmosLow Earth (ISS)Logistics1 August
19:26
Successful
ISS flight 24P
30 January
23:22 [5]
Flag of Ukraine.svg Zenit-3SL Flag of Norway.svg Ocean Odyssey Flag of the United Nations.svg Sea Launch
Flag of the Netherlands.svg NSS-8 SES New Skies Intended: Geosynchronous CommunicationT-0Launch failure
First stage engine failed due to debris in turbopump, [6] rocket exploded on launch pad

February

2 February
16:28 [7]
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Long March 3A Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Xichang LA-2 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg CNSA
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Beidou-1D CNSA Geostationary NavigationIn orbitPartial spacecraft failure
Operational
Problems deploying solar panels, eventually corrected from ground
17 February
23:01 [7]
Flag of the United States.svg Delta II 7925-10C Flag of the United States.svg Cape Canaveral SLC-17B Flag of the United States.svg United Launch Alliance
Flag of the United States.svg THEMIS A NASA Highly elliptical AuroralIn orbitOperational
Flag of the United States.svg THEMIS B (2007–2009)
Flag of the United States.svg Artemis P1 (2009—)
NASAHighly elliptical
Selenocentric (planned)
AuroralIn orbitOperational
Flag of the United States.svg THEMIS C (2007–2009)
Flag of the United States.svg Artemis P2 (2009—)
NASAHighly elliptical
Selenocentric (planned)
AuroralIn orbitOperational
Flag of the United States.svg THEMIS D NASAHighly ellipticalAuroralIn orbitOperational
Flag of the United States.svg THEMIS E NASAHighly ellipticalAuroralIn orbitOperational
Primary THEMIS mission completed in 2009. Three spacecraft remain in use for an extension of the same mission, whilst the other two are en route to the Moon for the Artemis mission.
24 February
04:41 [7]
Flag of Japan.svg H-IIA 2024 Flag of Japan.svg Tanegashima LA-Y1 Flag of Japan.svg JAXA
Flag of Japan.svg IGS-Radar 2 [7] CSICE Sun-synchronousReconnaissance13 April 2014Partial spacecraft failure
Flag of Japan.svg IGS-Optical 3V [7] CSICESun-synchronousReconnaissance
Technology
12 November 2013
02:31
Successful
IGS-Radar 2 failed on 29 August 2010 due to battery problems [8]

March

9 March
03:10 [9]
Flag of the United States.svg Atlas V 401 Flag of the United States.svg Cape Canaveral SLC-41 Flag of the United States.svg United Launch Alliance
Flag of the United States.svg ASTRO DARPA Low EarthTechnology25 October 2013 [11] Successful
Flag of the United States.svg CFESat LANL Low EarthIonospheric12 November 2022 [13] Successful
Flag of the United States.svg FalconSAT-3 US Air Force Academy Low EarthIonospheric
Plasma
21 January 2023 [15] Successful
Flag of the United States.svg MidSTAR-1 US Naval Academy Low EarthRadiation
Technology
17 August 2023 [17] Successful
Flag of the United States.svg NEXTSat DARPALow EarthTechnology21 April 2023 [19] Successful
Flag of the United States.svg STPSat-1 US Air Force/STP Low Earth Atmospheric
Technology
8 November 2023 [21] Successful
ASTRO and NEXTSat were used for the Orbital Express test programme, with the former refuelling and servicing the latter. Launch designated STP-1.
11 March
22:03 [9]
Flag of Europe.svg Ariane 5ECA Flag of France.svg Kourou ELA-3 Flag of France.svg Arianespace
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Skynet 5A Paradigm/MoD Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational
Flag of India.svg INSAT-4B ISRO Geosynchronous Communications In orbitSuccessful
21 March
01:10 [22]
Flag of the United States.svg Falcon 1 Flag of the Marshall Islands.svg Omelek Flag of the United States.svg SpaceX
Flag of the United States.svg DemoSat (LCT2/AFSS)SpaceX/DARPA/NASAIntended: Low EarthTechnology21 MarchLaunch failure
Loss of signal after control problems, failed to reach orbit, some test objectives achieved.

April

7 April
17:31 [22]
Flag of Russia.svg Soyuz-FG Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 1/5 Flag of Russia.svg Roskosmos
Flag of Russia.svg Soyuz TMA-10 RoskosmosLow Earth (ISS)ISS Expedition 15 21 October
10:36
Successful
Crewed flight with three cosmonauts, including a paying space tourist
9 April
22:54 [22]
Flag of Russia.svg Proton-M/Briz-M Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 200/39 Flag of Russia.svg Flag of the United States.svg ILS
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Anik F3 Telesat GeosynchronousCommunicationsIn orbitPartial spacecraft failure
Ka-band transmitter malfunction
11 April
03:27 [22]
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Long March 2C-III Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Taiyuan LC-1 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg CNSA
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Haiyang-1B CAST Sun-synchronousOceanographyIn orbitOperational
13 April
20:11 [22]
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Long March 3A Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Xichang LA-3 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg CNSA
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Compass-M1 (Beidou-2A)CNSA Medium Earth NavigationIn orbitOperational
17 April
06:46:34 [22]
Flag of Ukraine.svg Dnepr Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 109/95 Flag of Russia.svg ISC Kosmotras
Flag of Egypt.svg EgyptSat 1 NARS Sun-synchronousObservationIn orbitOperational
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Saudisat-3 RSRI Sun-synchronousScientificIn orbitOperational
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg SaudiComsat-3 RSRISun-synchronousCommunicationsIn orbitOperational
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg SaudiComsat-4 RSRISun-synchronousCommunicationsIn orbitOperational
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg SaudiComsat-5 RSRISun-synchronousCommunicationsIn orbitOperational
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg SaudiComsat-6 RSRISun-synchronousCommunicationsIn orbitOperational
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg SaudiComsat-7 RSRISun-synchronousCommunicationsIn orbitOperational
Flag of the United States.svg CP-3 CalPoly Sun-synchronousTechnologyIn orbitPartial spacecraft failure
Operational
Flag of the United States.svg CP-4 CalPolySun-synchronousTechnologyIn orbitOperational
Flag of the United States.svg CAPE-1 Lafayette Sun-synchronousTechnologyIn orbitPartial spacecraft failure
Flag of Colombia.svg Libertad 1 Sergio Arboleda Sun-synchronousTechnologyIn orbitSuccessful
Flag of the United States.svg AeroCube 2 Aerospace Corporation Sun-synchronousTechnologyIn orbitSpacecraft failure
Flag of the United States.svg CSTB-1 Boeing Sun-synchronousTechnologyIn orbitOperational
Flag of the United States.svg MAST Tethers Unlimited Sun-synchronousTechnologyIn orbitOperational
CP-3, CP-4, CAPE-1, Libertad 1, AeroCube 2, CSTB-1, and MAST in P-POD containers, problems with power supply of CAPE-1; Libertad 1 deactivated following completion of mission; AeroCube 2 suffered solar panel/converter malfunction; [23] CP-3 mission affected by communications system reliability issues [24]
23 April
10:00 [22]
Flag of India.svg PSLV-CA Flag of India.svg Satish Dhawan SLP Flag of India.svg ISRO
Flag of Italy.svg AGILE ASI Low Earth GR Astronomy 13 February 2024Successful
Flag of India.svg AAM ISROLow EarthTechnology19 July 2022 [26] Successful
Maiden flight of PSLV-CA
24 April
06:48 [27]
Flag of the United States.svg Minotaur I Flag of the United States.svg MARS Pad 0B Flag of the United States.svg Orbital Sciences
Flag of the United States.svg NFIRE MDALow EarthMissile defence4 November 2015 [29] Successful
25 April
20:26:00 [27]
Flag of the United States.svg Pegasus-XL Flag of the United States.svg L-1011, Vandenberg Flag of the United States.svg Orbital Sciences
Flag of the United States.svg AIM (SMEX 9)NASALow Earth Aeronomy In orbitOperational

May

4 May
22:29 [27]
Flag of Europe.svg Ariane 5ECA Flag of France.svg Kourou ELA-3 Flag of France.svg Arianespace
Flag of Luxembourg.svg Astra 1L SES Astra GeosynchronousCommunicationsIn orbitOperational
Flag of the United States.svg Galaxy 17 Intelsat GeosynchronousCommunicationsIn orbitOperational
12 May
03:25:38 [27]
Flag of Russia.svg Soyuz-U Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 1/5 Flag of Russia.svg Roskosmos
Flag of Russia.svg Progress M-60 RoskosmosLow Earth (ISS)Logistics25 September
19:48
Successful
ISS flight 25P
13 May
16:01 [27]
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Long March 3B/E Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Xichang LA-2 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg CNSA
Flag of Nigeria.svg NigComSat-1 NASRDA Service: Geosynchronous
Now: Graveyard
CommunicationsIn orbitSpacecraft failure
Maiden flight of Long March 3B/E, first African geosynchronous communication satellite, retired due to power system malfunction in November 2008. [30]
25 May
07:12 [31]
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Long March 2D Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Jiuquan LA-4/SLS-2 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg CNSA
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Yaogan 2 CNSASun-synchronousEarth imagingIn orbitOperational
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Zheda PiXing-1 (MEMS-Pico) Zhejiang University Sun-synchronousTechnologyIn orbitOperational
100th successful Chinese orbital launch, [32] MEMS-Pico conducted microelectronic research
29 May
20:31:30 [31]
Flag of Russia.svg Soyuz-FG/Fregat Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 31/6 Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Russia.svg Starsem
Flag of the United States.svg Globalstar 65 Globalstar Low EarthCommunicationsIn orbitOperational
Flag of the United States.svg Globalstar 69 GlobalstarLow EarthCommunicationsIn orbitOperational
Flag of the United States.svg Globalstar 71 GlobalstarLow EarthCommunicationsIn orbitOperational
Flag of the United States.svg Globalstar 72 GlobalstarLow EarthCommunicationsIn orbitOperational
31 May
16:08 [31]
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Long March 3A Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Xichang LA-2 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg CNSA
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Sinosat-3 Sinosat GeosynchronousCommunicationsIn orbitOperational
100th flight of Long March carrier rocket

June

7 June
18:00 [31]
Flag of Russia.svg Soyuz-U Flag of Russia.svg Plesetsk Site 16/2 Flag of Russia.svg VKS
Flag of Russia.svg Kosmos 2427 (Kobal't-M)VKSLow EarthReconnaissance22 August
21:00
Successful
8 June
02:34:01 [31]
Flag of the United States.svg Delta II 7420-10 Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg SLC-2W Flag of the United States.svg United Launch Alliance
Flag of Italy.svg COSMO-1 ASI [33] Sun-synchronousImagingIn orbitOperational
8 June
23:38:04 [31]
Flag of the United States.svg Space Shuttle Atlantis Flag of the United States.svg Kennedy Space Center LC-39A Flag of the United States.svg United Space Alliance
Flag of the United States.svg STS-117 NASALow Earth (ISS)ISS assembly22 June
19:49:38
Successful
Flag of the United Nations.svg ITS S3/4 Truss NASALow Earth (ISS)ISS componentIn orbitOperational
Crewed orbital flight with 7 astronauts, ISS crew rotation
10 June Flag of Israel.svg Shavit-2 Flag of Israel.svg Palmachim Flag of Israel.svg Israel Aerospace Industries
Flag of Israel.svg Ofeq-7 IAI/Israeli military Low Earth (retrograde)ReconnaissanceIn orbitOperational [34]
Maiden flight of Shavit-2
15 June
02:14 [31]
Flag of Ukraine.svg Dnepr Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 109/95 Flag of Russia.svg ISC Kosmotras
Flag of Germany.svg TerraSAR-X DLR Low Earth Radar imaging In orbitOperational
15 June
15:04 [31]
Flag of the United States.svg Atlas V 401 Flag of the United States.svg Cape Canaveral SLC-41 Flag of the United States.svg United Launch Alliance
Flag of the United States.svg USA-194 (NOSS-3-4A) NRO Low EarthOcean surveillanceIn orbitPartial launch failure
Operational
Flag of the United States.svg USA-194 (NOSS-3-4B)NROLow EarthOcean surveillanceIn orbitPartial launch failure
Operational
NRO Launch 30R, placed in incorrect orbit due to premature cutoff of Centaur upper stage, [35] spacecraft corrected using their own thrusters, reducing lifespan
28 June
15:02 [36]
Flag of Ukraine.svg Dnepr Flag of Russia.svg Dombarovskiy Flag of Russia.svg ISC Kosmotras
Flag of the United States.svg Genesis II Bigelow Aerospace Low EarthTechnologyIn orbitOperational
Experimental inflatable module
29 June
10:00 [36]
Flag of Ukraine.svg Zenit-2M Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 45/1 Flag of Russia.svg VKS
Flag of Russia.svg Kosmos 2428 (Tselina-2)VKSLow Earth ELINT In orbitOperational
Maiden flight of Zenit-2M

July

2 July
19:38 [36]
Flag of Russia.svg Kosmos-3M Flag of Russia.svg Plesetsk Site 132/1 Flag of Russia.svg COSMOS International
Flag of Germany.svg SAR-Lupe-2 Bundeswehr Low Earth (Polar)Radar reconnaissanceIn orbitOperational
5 July
12:08 [36]
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Long March 3B Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Xichang LA-2 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg CNSA
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Chinasat-6B ChinaSatcom GeosynchronousCommunicationsIn orbitOperational
7 July
01:16:00 [36]
Flag of Russia.svg Proton-M/Briz-M Enhanced Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 200/39 Flag of Russia.svg Flag of the United States.svg International Launch Services
Flag of the United States.svg DirecTV-10 DirecTV GeosynchronousCommunicationsIn orbitOperational
Maiden flight of Proton-M Enhanced [37]

August

2 August
17:33:48 [38]
Flag of Russia.svg Soyuz-U Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 1/5 Flag of Russia.svg Roskosmos
Flag of Russia.svg Progress M-61 RoskosmosLow Earth (ISS)Logistics
Technology
22 January 2008
19:52
Successful
ISS flight 26P, Remained in orbit after undocking to conduct technological experiments
4 August
09:26:34 [38]
Flag of the United States.svg Delta II 7925 Flag of the United States.svg Cape Canaveral SLC-17A Flag of the United States.svg United Launch Alliance
Flag of the United States.svg Phoenix NASA Heliocentric Mars lander25 May 2008
23:38
Successful
Landed on Mars, discovered water there, last signal from spacecraft received on 2 November 2008
8 August
22:36:42 [39]
Flag of the United States.svg Space Shuttle Endeavour Flag of the United States.svg Kennedy Space Center LC-39A Flag of the United States.svg United Space Alliance
Flag of the United States.svg STS-118 NASALow Earth (ISS)ISS assembly21 August
16:32
Successful
Flag of the United States.svg SpaceHab LSM NASA/SpaceHab Low Earth (STS)LogisticsSuccessful
Flag of the United Nations.svg S5 Truss NASALow Earth (ISS)ISS componentIn orbitOperational
Crewed orbital flight with seven astronauts, final flight of SpaceHab module
14 August
23:44 [39]
Flag of Europe.svg Ariane 5ECA Flag of France.svg Kourou ELA-3 Flag of Europe.svg Arianespace
Flag of the United States.svg Spaceway 3 Hughes GeostationaryCommunicationsIn orbitOperational
Flag of Japan.svg BSat 3a BSAT GeostationaryCommunicationsIn orbitOperational

September

2 September
12:51 [40]
Flag of India.svg GSLV Flag of India.svg Satish Dhawan SLP Flag of India.svg ISRO
Flag of India.svg INSAT-4CR ISROGeosynchronousCommunicationsIn orbitPartial launch failure
Partial spacecraft failure
Operational
Apogee lower and inclination higher than expected, due to carrier rocket underperformance, [41] lifespan further reduced by drift following tracking failure. 5 years of operational life lost. [42]
5 September
22:43 [40]
Flag of Russia.svg Proton-M/Briz-M Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 200/39 Flag of Russia.svg Flag of the United States.svg International Launch Services
Flag of Japan.svg JCSAT-11 JSAT Corporation Intended: GeostationaryCommunications~+135 secondsLaunch failure
Second stage failed to separate due to damaged cabling. [43]
11 September
13:05 [40]
Flag of Russia.svg Kosmos-3M Flag of Russia.svg Plesetsk Site 132/1 Flag of Russia.svg VKS
Flag of Russia.svg Kosmos 2429 (Parus)VKSLow EarthNavigationIn orbitOperational
14 September
01:31:01 [40]
Flag of Japan.svg H-IIA 2022 Flag of Japan.svg Tanegashima LA-Y1 Flag of Japan.svg Mitsubishi
Flag of Japan.svg Kaguya (SELENE)JAXA Selenocentric Lunar orbiterIn orbitOperational
Flag of Japan.svg Okina (RStar)JAXASelenocentricLunar orbiter12 February 2009
08:46
Successful
Flag of Japan.svg Ouna (VStar)JAXASelenocentricLunar orbiterIn orbitOperational
14 September
11:00 [40]
Flag of Russia.svg Soyuz-U Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 1/5 Flag of Russia.svg Roskosmos
Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Russia.svg Foton-M3 Roskosmos/ESA Low EarthScientific26 SeptemberSuccessful
Flag of Europe.svg YES2 Low EarthTechnology developmentUnknownSpacecraft failure
YES2 tether may have failed to deploy fully. Satellite recovery failed. [44]
18 September
18:35 [40]
Flag of the United States.svg Delta II 7920-10C Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg SLC-2W Flag of the United States.svg United Launch Alliance
Flag of the United States.svg WorldView-1 DigitalGlobe Low EarthImagingIn orbitOperational
75th consecutive successful Delta II launch.
19 September
03:26 [40]
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Long March 4B Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Taiyuan LC-1 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg CNSA
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Flag of Brazil.svg CBERS-2B (Ziyuan 1-02B) CASC/INPESun-synchronousRemote sensingIn orbitOperational
27 September
11:34 [45]
Flag of the United States.svg Delta II 7925H Flag of the United States.svg Cape Canaveral SLC-17B Flag of the United States.svg United Launch Alliance
Flag of the United States.svg Dawn NASAHeliocentric
Then: Ceres orbit
Then: Vesta orbit
Asteroid researchIn orbitOperational
Will explore dwarf planet Ceres and asteroid 4 Vesta, Ceres was designated as an asteroid during mission planning

October

5 October
22:02:26 [45]
Flag of Europe.svg Ariane 5GS Flag of France.svg Kourou ELA-3 Flag of Europe.svg Arianespace
Flag of the United States.svg Intelsat 11 IntelsatGeosynchronousCommunicationsIn orbitOperational
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Optus D2 Optus GeosynchronousCommunicationsIn orbitOperational
10 October
13:22:39 [45]
Flag of Russia.svg Soyuz-FG Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 1/5 Flag of Russia.svg Roskosmos
Flag of Russia.svg Soyuz TMA-11 RoskosmosLow Earth (ISS)ISS Expedition 16 19 April 2008Successful
Crewed orbital flight with 3 cosmonauts, first Malaysian & South Korean in space
11 October
00:22 [45]
Flag of the United States.svg Atlas V 421 Flag of the United States.svg Cape Canaveral SLC-41 Flag of the United States.svg United Launch Alliance
Flag of the United States.svg USA-195 (WGS-1)US Air ForceGeosynchronousCommunicationsIn orbitOperational
Maiden flight of Atlas V 421
17 October
12:23:00 [46]
Flag of the United States.svg Delta II 7925-9.5 Flag of the United States.svg Cape Canaveral SLC-17A Flag of the United States.svg United Launch Alliance
Flag of the United States.svg USA-196 (GPS 2R-17/M4)US Air ForceMedium EarthNavigationIn orbitOperational
700th flight of Thor rocket (Variant used as first stage).
20 October
20:12:25 [46]
Flag of Russia.svg Soyuz-FG/Fregat Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 31/6 Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Russia.svg Starsem
Flag of the United States.svg Globalstar 66 GlobalstarLow EarthCommunicationsIn orbitOperational
Flag of the United States.svg Globalstar 67 GlobalstarLow EarthCommunicationsIn orbitOperational
Flag of the United States.svg Globalstar 68 GlobalstarLow EarthCommunicationsIn orbitOperational
Flag of the United States.svg Globalstar 70 GlobalstarLow EarthCommunicationsIn orbitOperational
23 October
04:39 [46]
Flag of Russia.svg Molniya-M/2BL Flag of Russia.svg Plesetsk Site 16/2 Flag of Russia.svg VKS
Flag of Russia.svg Kosmos 2430 (Oko) VKS Molniya Early warning 5 January 2019
07:58 [47]
Successful
23 October
15:38:19 [46]
Flag of the United States.svg Space Shuttle Discovery Flag of the United States.svg Kennedy Space Center LC-39A Flag of the United States.svg United Space Alliance
Flag of the United States.svg STS-120 NASALow Earth (ISS)ISS assembly7 November
18:01
Successful
Flag of the United Nations.svg Harmony (Node 2)NASALow Earth (ISS)ISS componentIn orbitOperational
Crewed orbital flight with 7 astronauts, crew rotation
24 October
10:05 [46]
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Long March 3A Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Xichang LA-3 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg CNSA
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Chang'e 1 CNSASelenocentricLunar orbiter1 March 2009
08:13 [48]
Successful
First Chinese lunar probe
26 October
07:35:24 [46]
Flag of Russia.svg Proton-K/DM-2 Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 81/24 Flag of Russia.svg VKS
Flag of Russia.svg Kosmos 2431 (GLONASS-M)VKSMedium EarthNavigationIn orbitOperational
Flag of Russia.svg Kosmos 2432 (GLONASS-M)VKSMedium EarthNavigationIn orbitOperational
Flag of Russia.svg Kosmos 2433 (GLONASS-M)VKSMedium EarthNavigationIn orbitOperational

November

1 November
00:51:44 [49]
Flag of Russia.svg Kosmos-3M Flag of Russia.svg Plesetsk Site 132/1 Flag of Russia.svg COSMOS International
Flag of Germany.svg SAR-Lupe 3 BundeswehrLow Earth (polar)Radar reconnaissanceIn orbitOperational
Flag of Germany.svg Rubin-7 OHB System Low Earth (polar)TechnologyIn orbitOperational
11 November
01:50 [49]
Flag of the United States.svg Delta IV Heavy 9250H Flag of the United States.svg Cape Canaveral SLC-37B Flag of the United States.svg United Launch Alliance
Flag of the United States.svg USA-197 (DSP-23) DoD GeosynchronousMissile defenceIn orbitSpacecraft failure [50]
Final DSP satellite
Stopped transmitting in September 2008 [50]
11 November
22:48 [49]
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Long March 4C (4B-II) Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Taiyuan LC-1 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg CNSA
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Yaogan 3 CNSASun-synchronousRemote sensingIn orbitOperational
First launch of Long March 4C after redesignation
14 November
22:06 [49]
Flag of Europe.svg Ariane 5ECA Flag of France.svg Kourou ELA-3 Flag of Europe.svg Arianespace
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Skynet 5B Paradigm/MoD GeosynchronousCommunicationsIn orbitOperational
Flag of Brazil.svg Star One C1 Star One GeosynchronousCommunicationsIn orbitOperational
Record mass to GTO – 9,535 kg (21,021 lb) [51]
17 November
22:39:47 [49]
Flag of Russia.svg Proton-M/Briz-M Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 200/39 Flag of Russia.svg Flag of the United States.svg International Launch Services
Flag of Sweden.svg Sirius 4 SES Sirius GeostationaryCommunicationsIn orbitOperational

December

9 December
00:16 [52]
Flag of Russia.svg Proton-M/Briz-M Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 81/24 Flag of Russia.svg VKS
Flag of Russia.svg Globus-1M #11L (Raduga-1M 1)VKSGeosynchronousCommunicationsIn orbitOperational
9 December
02:31:42 [52]
Flag of the United States.svg Delta II 7420-10 Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg SLC-2W Flag of the United States.svg United Launch Alliance
Flag of Italy.svg COSMO-2 ASI [33] Sun-synchronousReconnaissanceIn orbitOperational
10 December
22:05 [52]
Flag of the United States.svg Atlas V 401 Flag of the United States.svg Cape Canaveral SLC-41 Flag of the United States.svg United Launch Alliance
Flag of the United States.svg USA-198 (SDS-3-5)NROMolniyaCommunicationsIn orbitOperational
NRO Launch 24
14 December
13:17:34 [52]
Flag of Russia.svg Soyuz-FG/Fregat Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 31/6 Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Russia.svg Starsem
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg RADARSAT 2 MDA Corporation Sun-synchronousRadar imagingIn orbitOperational
20 December
20:04:00 [52]
Flag of the United States.svg Delta II 7925-9.5 Flag of the United States.svg Cape Canaveral SLC-17A Flag of the United States.svg United Launch Alliance
Flag of the United States.svg USA-199 (GPS 2R-18/M5)US Air ForceMedium EarthNavigationIn orbitOperational
21 December
21:41:55 [52]
Flag of Europe.svg Ariane 5GS Flag of France.svg Kourou ELA-3 Flag of Europe.svg Arianespace
Flag of the United States.svg Flag of Japan.svg Horizons-2 Intelsat/JSAT Corporation GeosynchronousCommunicationsIn orbitOperational
Flag of Mauritius.svg Rascom-QAF 1 RascomSTAR-QAF GeosynchronousCommunicationsIn orbitPartial spacecraft failure
Operational
Helium leak affected early operations of Rascom-QAF 1, [53] reducing operational lifetime by 13 years.
23 December
07:12:41 [54]
Flag of Russia.svg Soyuz-U Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 1/5 Flag of Russia.svg Roskosmos
Flag of Russia.svg Progress M-62 RoskosmosLow Earth (ISS)Logistics15 February 2008
10:29
Successful
ISS flight 27P
25 December
19:32 [54]
Flag of Russia.svg Proton-M/DM-2 Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 81/24 Flag of Russia.svg VKS
Flag of Russia.svg Kosmos 2434 (GLONASS-M)VKSMedium EarthNavigationIn orbitOperational
Flag of Russia.svg Kosmos 2435 (GLONASS-M)VKSMedium EarthNavigationIn orbitOperational
Flag of Russia.svg Kosmos 2436 (GLONASS-M)VKSMedium EarthNavigationIn orbitOperational
Maiden flight of Proton-M/DM-2

Suborbital launches

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

January

11 January
22:28 [55] [40]
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg DF-21 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Xichang [5] Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg PLA
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg ASAT PLA Suborbital ASAT test11 JanuarySuccessful
Destroyed Feng Yun 1C satellite
16 January
02:20 [40]
Flag of Japan.svg S-310 Flag of Japan.svg Uchinoura Flag of Japan.svg JAXA
JAXASuborbital Ionospheric 16 JanuarySuccessful
19 January
12:29 [40]
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Black Brant VB Flag of the United States.svg Poker Flat Flag of the United States.svg NASA
Flag of the United States.svg JOULE II Clemson Suborbital Auroral 19 JanuarySuccessful
19 January
12:30 [40]
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Black Brant IX Flag of the United States.svg Poker Flat Flag of the United States.svg NASA
Flag of the United States.svg JOULE IIClemsonSuborbitalAuroral19 JanuarySuccessful
19 January
12:44 [40]
Flag of the United States.svg Terrier-Orion Flag of the United States.svg Poker Flat Flag of the United States.svg NASA
Flag of the United States.svg JOULE IIClemsonSuborbitalAuroral19 JanuarySuccessful
19 January
12:45 [40]
Flag of the United States.svg Terrier-Orion Flag of the United States.svg Poker Flat Flag of the United States.svg NASA
Flag of the United States.svg JOULE IIClemsonSuborbitalAuroral19 JanuarySuccessful
27 January
05:20 [40]
Flag of Russia.svg R-17 Elbrus FTT-06 Flag of the United States.svg Barking Sands Flag of the United States.svg US Army
MDA SuborbitalTarget27 JanuarySuccessful
Intercepted by THAAD
27 January [40] Flag of the United States.svg THAAD FTT-06 Flag of the United States.svg Barking Sands Flag of the United States.svg US Army
MDASuborbital ABM test27 JanuarySuccessful
30 January [40] Flag of Russia.svg R-17 Elbrus Flag of Syria.svg Syria Flag of Syria.svg Syrian Army
Syrian ArmySuborbitalMissile test30 JanuarySuccessful

February

7 February
08:15 [40]
Flag of the United States.svg LGM-30G Minuteman III Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg LF-10 Flag of the United States.svg US Air Force
Flag of the United States.svg GT-193GM US Air ForceSuborbitalMissile test7 FebruarySuccessful
Impacted Reagan Test Site
12 February
12:45 [40]
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Black Brant XII Flag of the United States.svg Poker Flat Flag of the United States.svg NASA
Flag of the United States.svg ROPA [56] Dartmouth SuborbitalAuroral12 FebruarySuccessful
14 February
09:22 [40]
Flag of the United States.svg Terrier-Orion Flag of the United States.svg Poker Flat Flag of the United States.svg NASA
Flag of the United States.svg HEX 2 Alaska Suborbital Thermospheric 14 FebruarySuccessful
14 February
09:27 [40]
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Black Brant X Flag of the United States.svg Poker Flat Flag of the United States.svg NASA
Flag of the United States.svg HEX 2AlaskaSuborbitalThermospheric14 FebruarySuccessful
14 February
09:36 [40]
Flag of the United States.svg Terrier-Orion Flag of the United States.svg Poker Flat Flag of the United States.svg NASA
Flag of the United States.svg HEX 2AlaskaSuborbitalThermospheric14 FebruarySuccessful
14 February
09:38 [40]
Flag of the United States.svg Terrier-Orion Flag of the United States.svg Poker Flat Flag of the United States.svg NASA
Flag of the United States.svg HEX 2AlaskaSuborbitalThermospheric14 FebruarySuccessful
25 February [7] Flag of Iran.svg Shahab-3 Flag of Iran.svg Iran Flag of Iran.svg IARI
Flag of Iran.svg Kavosh INSA SuborbitalScientific25 FebruarySuccessful
First successful Iranian scientific launch
28 February
08:39 [40]
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Black Brant XII Flag of the United States.svg Poker Flat Flag of the United States.svg NASA
Flag of the United States.svg CHARM DartmouthSuborbitalScientific28 FebruarySuccessful

March

1 March Flag of India.svg RH-200SV Flag of Norway.svg Andøya Flag of Norway.svg Andøya
Flag of Norway.svg Mini-DUSTY 13 AndøyaSuborbitalTechnology1 MarchPartial launch failure
Rocket underperformed and failed to reach correct apogee
6 March
00:30 [40]
Flag of the United States.svg SR-19 Flag of the United States.svg C-17, Kauai Flag of the United States.svg US Air Force
US Army/MDASuborbitalTarget6 MarchSuccessful
21 March
04:27 [40]
Flag of the United States.svg Chimera (Minuteman/Minotaur II) Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg LF-06 Flag of the United States.svg Orbital Sciences
US Air ForceSuborbitalTarget21 MarchSuccessful
Tracking demonstration
30 March Flag of India.svg Dhanush Flag of India.svg Ship, Indian Ocean Flag of India.svg DRDO
DRDOSuborbitalTarget30 MarchSuccessful
apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)

April

6 April
06:42 [40]
Flag of Russia.svg R-17 Elbrus Flag of the United States.svg Kauai Flag of the United States.svg US Army
MDASuborbitalTarget6 AprilSuccessful
Tracking demonstration
12 April
05:32 [40]
Flag of India.svg Agni-III Flag of India.svg Integrated Test Range Flag of India.svg IDRDL
Flag of India.svg Re-entry vehicle IDRDLSuborbitalMissile test12 AprilSuccessful
26 April
21:31 [40]
Flag of the United States.svg Terrier-OrionFTM-11 E4 Flag of the United States.svg Kauai Flag of the United States.svg US Navy
TargetUS NavySuborbitalTarget26 AprilSuccessful
Intercepted by SM-3
26 April
21:32 [40]
Flag of the United States.svg RIM-161 SM-3 FTM-11 E4 Flag of the United States.svg USS Lake Erie, Kauai Flag of the United States.svg US Navy
InterceptorUS NavySuborbitalABM test26 AprilSuccessful
Intercepted Terrier-Orion
28 April
14:56 [40]
Flag of the United States.svg SpaceLoft XL Flag of the United States.svg Spaceport America Flag of the United States.svg UP Aerospace
Flag of the United States.svg Legacy Celestis Suborbital Space burial 28 AprilSuccessful
Flag of the United States.svg LaunchQuest CCAT/NALI SuborbitalStudent research28 AprilSuccessful
Flag of the United States.svg RocketSat II NASA/Colorado SuborbitalTechnology28 AprilSuccessful
Flag of the United States.svg Seeds Epsori Space Systems SuborbitalBiological28 AprilSuccessful
Flag of the United States.svg Antimatter/Space2O MEI SuborbitalDrink ingredients28 AprilSuccessful
Flag of the United States.svg Commemorative items Astrata
RocketFoto
Astrax
Suborbital28 AprilSuccessful
Recoverable sounding launch to an apogee of 117 kilometres, Legacy included remains of Astronaut Gordon Cooper and actor James Doohan, bad weather delayed recovery

May

15 May [40] Flag of the United States.svg UGM-133 Trident II Flag of the United States.svg ETR, USS Tennessee Flag of the United States.svg US Navy
Flag of the United States.svg FCET-37US NavySuborbital SLBM test15 MaySuccessful
15 May [40] Flag of the United States.svg UGM-133 Trident II Flag of the United States.svg ETR, USS Tennessee Flag of the United States.svg US Navy
Flag of the United States.svg FCET-37US NavySuborbitalSLBM test15 MaySuccessful
25 May
13:15
Flag of the United States.svg UGM-27 Polaris (STARS)FTG-03 Flag of the United States.svg Kodiak Flag of the United States.svg Sandia
MDASuborbitalABM Target25 MayFailure
FTG-03 target, did not reach correct altitude, GMD-OBV interceptor not launched [57]
29 May
10:20 [40]
Flag of Russia.svg RS-24 Flag of Russia.svg Plesetsk Flag of Russia.svg RVSN
RVSNSuborbitalMissile test29 MaySuccessful
Maiden flight of RS-24 missile

June

15 June
02:45 [40]
Flag of the United States.svg Talos-Castor Flag of Australia (converted).svg Woomera Flag of Australia (converted).svg DSTO
Flag of Australia (converted).svg HyShot/HYCAUSEDSTOSuborbitalHypersonic research15 JuneSuccessful
15 June [40] Flag of the United States.svg Terrier-Orion Flag of the United States.svg Kauai Flag of the United States.svg US Navy
Flag of the United States.svg ARAV US NavySuborbitalTarget15 JuneSuccessful
15 June [40] Flag of the United States.svg Terrier-Orion Flag of the United States.svg Kauai Flag of the United States.svg US Navy
Flag of the United States.svg ARAVUS NavySuborbitalTarget15 JuneSuccessful
20 June Flag of the United States.svg MEI-F3 Flag of the United States.svg Las Cruces Flag of the United States.svg MEI
Flag of the United States.svg RocketSat III NASA/ColoradoSuborbitalTechnology20 JuneSuccessful
Flag of the United States.svg Antimatter/Space2OMEISuborbitalDrink ingredients20 JuneSuccessful
21 June [40] Flag of the United States.svg Terrier-Orion Flag of the United States.svg White Sands NASA
Flag of the United States.svg ST-5000/CACS NASA/NSROC SuborbitalTest rocket21 JuneSuccessful
21 June [40] Flag of France.svg M51 Flag of France.svg Biscarrosse, Submarine Flag of France.svg FOST
FOSTSuborbitalMissile test21 JuneSuccessful
23 June
02:40 [40]
Flag of the United States.svg Castor 4B FTM-12 Flag of the United States.svg Kauai Flag of the United States.svg US Navy
US NavySuborbitalTarget23 JuneSuccessful
Intercepted by SM-3
23 June
02:44 [40]
Flag of the United States.svg RIM-161 SM-3FTM-12 Flag of the United States.svg USS Decatur, Kauai Flag of the United States.svg US Navy
US NavySuborbitalABM test23 JuneSuccessful
Intercepted Castor 4B
28 June [40] Flag of Russia.svg RSM-56 Bulava Flag of Russia.svg White Sea, Submarine Flag of Russia.svg VMF
VMFSuborbitalMissile test28 JuneSuccessful

July

19 July [40] Flag of Brazil.svg VSB-30 (306) Flag of Brazil.svg Alcântara Flag of Brazil.svg AEB
Flag of Brazil.svg Cuma II INPE SuborbitalMicrogravity19 JulyPartial spacecraft failure
Parachute or flotation system malfunction prevented recovery

August

3 August
22:51:20 [40]
Flag of the United States.svg Terrier-Orion Flag of Norway.svg Andøya Flag of the United States.svg NASA
Flag of the United States.svg MASS 1 NASA/ColoradoSuborbitalAtmospheric3 AugustSuccessful
3 August
23:22 [40]
Flag of the United States.svg Nike Orion Flag of Norway.svg Andøya Flag of Germany.svg DLR
Flag of Norway.svg Flag of Germany.svg Flag of France.svg ECOMA 3 ARR, DLR, IAP SuborbitalAtmospheric3 AugustSuccessful
Apogee: 126.5 kilometres (78.6 mi)
6 August
22:56 [40]
Flag of the United States.svg Terrier-Orion Flag of Norway.svg Andøya Flag of the United States.svg NASA
Flag of the United States.svg MASS 2 NASA/ColoradoSuborbitalAtmospheric6 AugustSuccessful
7 August [40] Flag of Russia.svg R-29R Volna Flag of Russia.svg Pacific Ocean, Delta III submarine Flag of Russia.svg VMF
VMFSuborbitalMissile test7 AugustSuccessful
13 August
05:45 [40]
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Black Brant IX Flag of the United States.svg White Sands LC-36 Flag of the United States.svg NASA
Flag of the United States.svg LIDOS 2 NASA/JHU Suborbital Ultraviolet astronomy 13 AugustSuccessful
23 August
08:31 [40]
Flag of the United States.svg Chimera (Minuteman/Minotaur II) Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg LF-06 Flag of the United States.svg Orbital Sciences
Flag of the United States.svg NFIRE 2a MDASuborbitalTarget23 August
09:01
Successful
Tracking target for the NFIRE spacecraft

September

2 September
10:20
Flag of Japan.svg S-520 Flag of Japan.svg Uchinoura Flag of Japan.svg JAXA
Flag of Japan.svg WINDJAXA/Kochi Suborbital Thermospheric 2 SeptemberSuccessful
6 September
21:09
Flag of the United States.svg Terrier-Orion Flag of the United States.svg Wallops Flight Facility Flag of the United States.svg NASA
Flag of the United States.svg PLAYERNASASuborbitalTechnology6 September
21:19
Successful
13 September
05:50
Flag of the Republic of China.svg Taiwan Sounding Rocket Sounding Rocket VI Flag of the Republic of China.svg Jiu Peng Air Base Flag of the Republic of China.svg NSPO
Flag of the Republic of China.svg Reaction control system, recovery capsule NSPO/NCU SuborbitalTechnology test13 SeptemberSuccessful
Apogee: ~280 km (174 mi). Recovery capsule succesfully splashed down, but was not recovered due to weather conditions. [58]
28 September
20:16
Flag of the United States.svg Polaris (STARS)FTG-03a Flag of the United States.svg Kodiak Flag of the United States.svg Sandia
MDASuborbitalTarget28 SeptemberSuccessful
Intercepted by Ground Based Interceptor
28 September
20:18
Flag of the United States.svg Ground Based Interceptor FTG-03a Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg LF-23 Flag of the United States.svg MDA
MDASuborbitalABM test28 SeptemberSuccessful
Intercepted Polaris (STARS)

October

5 October
05:50
Flag of India.svg Agni-I Flag of India.svg Integrated Test Range Flag of India.svg IDRDL
IDRDLSuborbitalMissile test5 OctoberSuccessful
29 October Flag of Russia.svg RS-18 UR-100N Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Flag of Russia.svg RVSN
RVSNSuborbitalMissile test29 OctoberSuccessful
30 October
04:12:52
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Black Brant IX Flag of the United States.svg Wallops Flight Facility Pad 1 Flag of the United States.svg NASA
Flag of the United States.svg EARLE NASA/Texas Suborbital Ionospheric 30 October
04:26:17
Successful

November

6 November
18:00
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Black Brant IX Flag of the United States.svg White Sands LC-36 Flag of the United States.svg NASA
Flag of the United States.svg EUNIS NASASuborbitalSolar6 NovemberSuccessful

December

8 December Flag of Russia.svg RT-2UTTH Topol-M Flag of Russia.svg Kapustin Yar Flag of Russia.svg RVSN
RVSNSuborbitalMissile test8 DecemberSuccessful
10 December
09:00:00
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Black Brant XII Flag of Norway.svg Andøya Flag of the United States.svg NASA
Flag of the United States.svg TRICE-High NASA/UoI Suborbital Electrodynamics 10 DecemberSuccessful
10 December
09:02:00
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Black Brant XII Flag of Norway.svg Andøya Flag of the United States.svg NASA
Flag of the United States.svg TRICE-Low NASA/UoISuborbitalElectrodynamics10 DecemberSuccessful
17 December
22:05 [59]
Flag of the United States.svg Castor 4BJFTM-1 Flag of the United States.svg Kauai Flag of the United States.svg US Navy
Flag of the United States.svg Mock warheadUS NavySuborbitalTarget17 DecemberSuccessful
Intercepted by SM-3
17 December
22:08 [59]
Flag of the United States.svg RIM-161 SM-3JFTM-1 Flag of Japan.svg JDS Kongō Flag of Japan.svg JMSDF
JMSDFSuborbitalABM test17 DecemberSuccessful
Intercepted Castor 4B, first Japanese ABM test (Using American technology)
17 December Flag of Russia.svg R-29RM Sineva (RSM-54) Flag of Russia.svg Barents Sea, K-114 Flag of Russia.svg VMF
Flag of Russia.svg Re-entry vehiclesVMFSuborbitalMissile test17 DecemberSuccessful
Multiple re-entry vehicles, impacted Kura Test Range
17 December Flag of Brazil.svg VS-30 Flag of Brazil.svg Barreira do Inferno Flag of Brazil.svg AEB
Flag of Brazil.svg Flag of Argentina.svg Angicos AEB/CONAESuborbitalMicrogravity17 DecemberSuccessful
25 December
10:00
Flag of Russia.svg R-29RM Sineva (RSM-54) Flag of Russia.svg Barents Sea, K-114 Flag of Russia.svg VMF
Flag of Russia.svg Re-entry vehiclesVMFSuborbitalMissile test25 DecemberSuccessful
Multiple re-entry vehicles, Impacted Kura Test Range
25 December
13:10
Flag of Russia.svg RS-24 Flag of Russia.svg Plesetsk Flag of Russia.svg RVSN
Flag of Russia.svg Re-entry vehiclesRVSNSuborbitalMissile test25 DecemberSuccessful
Multiple re-entry vehicles

Deep Space Rendezvous

Date (GMT)SpacecraftEventRemarks
13 January Cassini 23rd flyby of Titan Closest approach: 950 kilometres (590 mi)
29 JanuaryCassini24th flyby of TitanClosest approach: 2,775 kilometres (1,724 mi)
22 FebruaryCassini25th flyby of TitanClosest approach: 953 kilometres (592 mi)
25 February Rosetta Flyby of Mars Gravity assist
28 February New Horizons Flyby of Jupiter Gravity assist
10 MarchCassini26th flyby of TitanClosest approach: 956 kilometres (594 mi)
26 MarchCassini27th flyby of TitanClosest approach: 953 kilometres (592 mi)
10 AprilCassini28th flyby of TitanClosest approach: 951 kilometres (591 mi)
26 AprilCassini29th flyby of TitanClosest approach: 951 kilometres (591 mi)
12 MayCassini30th flyby of TitanClosest approach: 950 kilometres (590 mi)
28 MayCassini31stflyby of TitanClosest approach: 2,425 kilometres (1,507 mi)
5 June MESSENGER 2nd flyby of Venus Gravity assist; Closest approach: 338 kilometres (210 mi)
13 JuneCassini32nd flyby of TitanClosest approach: 950 kilometres (590 mi)
29 JuneCassini33rd flyby of TitanClosest approach: 1,942 kilometres (1,207 mi)
19 JulyCassini34thflyby of TitanClosest approach: 1,302 kilometres (809 mi)
30 AugustCassiniFlyby of Rhea Closest approach: 5,100 kilometres (3,200 mi)
31 AugustCassini35th flyby of TitanClosest approach: 3,227 kilometres (2,005 mi)
10 SeptemberCassiniFlyby of Iapetus Closest approach: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
2 OctoberCassini36th flyby of TitanClosest approach: 950 kilometres (590 mi)
3 October [60] Kaguya Selenocentric orbit injection
5 November Chang'e 1 Selenocentric orbit injection
13 NovemberRosetta2nd flyby of the EarthMistaken for asteroid, given the designation 2007 VN84
19 NovemberCassini37th flyby of TitanClosest approach: 950 kilometres (590 mi)
5 DecemberCassini38th flyby of TitanClosest approach: 1,300 kilometres (810 mi)
20 DecemberCassini39th flyby of TitanClosest approach: 953 kilometres (592 mi)
31 December Deep Impact (EPOXI)Flyby of Earth Closest approach: 15,566 kilometres (9,672 mi)
Distant, non-targeted flybys of Dione, Enceladus, Mimas, Tethys and Titan by Cassini occurred throughout the year.

EVAs

Start date/timeDurationEnd timeSpacecraftCrewFunctionRemarks
31 January
15:14
7 hours
55 minutes 
23:09 Expedition 14  
ISS Quest
Flag of the United States.svg Michael Lopez-Alegria
Flag of the United States.svg Sunita Williams
Reconfigured Destiny cooling system, connected SSPTS, secured P6 starboard radiator, disconnected EAS. [61]
4 February
13:38
7 hours
11 minutes
20:49Expedition 14
ISS Quest
Flag of the United States.svg Michael Lopez-Alegria
Flag of the United States.svg Sunita Williams
Completed Destiny cooling system reconfiguration and EAS disconnection, photographed P6 inboard solar array, continued SSPTS installation. [62]
8 February
13:26
6 hours
40 minutes
20:06Expedition 14
ISS Quest
Flag of the United States.svg Michael Lopez-Alegria
Flag of the United States.svg Sunita Williams
Removed and jettisoned P3 thermal covers, install P3 attachment point, remove P5 launch restraints, continued SSPTS installation. [63]
22 February
10:27
6 hours
18 minutes
16:45Expedition 14
ISS Pirs
Flag of Russia.svg Mikhail Tyurin
Flag of the United States.svg Michael Lopez-Alegria
Retracted an antenna at the aft port of the Zvezda, photographed a satellite navigation antenna, and replaced a Russian materials experiment, inspected and photographed an antenna for the ATV, photographed a German robotics experiment, and inspected, remated, and photographed hardware connectors. [64]
30 May
19:05
5 hours
25 minutes
31 May
00:30
Expedition 15
ISS Pirs
Flag of Russia.svg Fyodor Yurchikhin
Flag of Russia.svg Oleg Kotov
Installed Service Module Debris Protection (SMDP) panels and rerouted a Global Positioning System antenna cable. [65]
6 June
14:23
5 hours
37 minutes
20:00Expedition 15
ISS Pirs
Flag of Russia.svg Fyodor Yurchikhin
Flag of Russia.svg Oleg Kotov
Installed a section of Ethernet cable on the Zarya module, installed additional Service Module Debris Protection (SMDP) panels on Zvezda, and deployed a Russian scientific experiment. [66]
11 June
20:02
6 hours
15 minutes
12 June
02:17
STS-117
ISS Quest
Flag of the United States.svg James F. Reilly
Flag of the United States.svg John D. Olivas
Began the S3/S4 Truss installation. [67]
13 June
18:28
7 hours
16 minutes
14 June
01:44
STS-117
ISS Quest
Flag of the United States.svg Patrick G. Forrester
Flag of the United States.svg Steven Swanson
Assisted in retraction of the solar panels on the P6 Truss. Completed the S3/S4 truss installation. Partial failure due to the S3/S4 SARJ motor control circuits being wired in reverse, so some launch restraints were left in place to prevent the possibility of undesired rotation. [68]
15 June
17:24
7 hours
58 minutes
16 June
01:22
STS-117
ISS Quest
Flag of the United States.svg James F. Reilly
Flag of the United States.svg John D. Olivas
Repaired the Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS) pod thermal blanket, finished the P6 solar array retraction, and installed a hydrogen ventilation valve onto Destiny. [69]
17 June
16:25
6 hours
29 minutes
22:54STS-117
ISS Quest
Flag of the United States.svg Patrick G. Forrester
Flag of the United States.svg Steven Swanson
Retrieved a television camera and its support structure from an ESP attached to Quest, and installed it on the S3 truss, verified the Drive Lock Assembly (DLA) 2 configuration, and removed the last six SARJ launch restraints. Installed a computer network cable on Unity, opened the hydrogen vent valve on Destiny, and tethered two orbital debris shield panels on Zvezda. [70]
23 July
10:25
7 hours
41 minutes
18:06Expedition 15
ISS Quest
Flag of the United States.svg Clayton Anderson
Flag of Russia.svg Fyodor Yurchikhin
Replaced components for the Mobile Transporter's redundant power system, jettisoned an ammonia tank and flight support equipment, and cleaned the Common Berthing Mechanism (CBM) on the nadir port of Unity. [71] [72]
11 August
16:28
6 hours
17 minutes
23:45 STS-118
ISS Quest
Flag of the United States.svg Richard Mastracchio
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Dafydd Williams
Attached the Starboard 5 (S5) segment of the station's truss, and retracted the forward heat-rejecting radiator from the station's Port 6 (P6) truss. [73]
13 August
15:32
6 hours
28 minutes
22:00STS-118
ISS Quest
Flag of the United States.svg Richard Mastracchio
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Dafydd Williams
Removed the new Control Moment Gyroscope (CMG) from the shuttle's payload bay and installed it onto the Z1 truss. Installed the failed CMG onto an External Stowage Platform (ESP-2). [74]
15 August
14:38
5 hours
28 minutes
20:05STS-118
ISS Quest
Flag of the United States.svg Richard Mastracchio
Flag of the United States.svg Clayton Anderson
Relocated two CETA carts around the Mobile Transporter and an antenna base from the P6 truss to P1, and installed a new transponder and signal processor for an S-band communications upgrade. [75] Mastracchio noted a hole on the thumb of his left glove and returned to the airlock as a precautionary measure.
18 August
14:17
5 hours
2 minutes
19:02STS-118
ISS Quest
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Dafydd Williams
Flag of the United States.svg Clayton Anderson
Retrieved Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE) containers 3 and 4, installed the Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS) Boom Stand, installed an External Wireless Instrumentation System (EWIS) antenna, and secured Z1 gimbal locks. [76]
26 October
10:02
6 hours
14 minutes
16:16 STS-120
ISS Quest
Flag of the United States.svg Scott E. Parazynski
Flag of the United States.svg Douglas H. Wheelock
Installed the new Harmony module in its temporary location, retrieved the S-Band Antenna Support Assembly, and prepared for the relocation of the P6 truss by disconnecting fluid lines on the P6/Z1 truss segments. [77]
28 October
09:32
6 hours
33 minutes
16:05STS-120
ISS Quest
Flag of the United States.svg Scott E. Parazysnki
Flag of the United States.svg Daniel M. Tani
Disconnected the Z1-to-P6 umbilicals, detached P6 from Z1, configured the S1 radiator, installed handrails onto Harmony, and inspected the S4 starboard Solar Alpha Rotary Joint (SARJ). [78]
30 October
08:45
7 hours
8 minutes
15:53STS-120
ISS Quest
Flag of the United States.svg Scott E. Parazysnki
Flag of the United States.svg Douglas H. Wheelock
Attached P6 to P5, installed P6/P5 umbilical connections, reconfigured S1 following its redeployment, and inspected the port SARJ. [79]
3 November
10:03
7 hours
19 minutes
17:22STS-120
ISS Quest
Flag of the United States.svg Scott E. Parazysnki
Flag of the United States.svg Douglas H. Wheelock
Inspection and repair of the P6 solar array. [80]
9 November
09:54
6 hours
55 minutes
16:49 Expedition 16
ISS Quest
Flag of the United States.svg Peggy Whitson
Flag of Russia.svg Yuri Malenchenko
Disconnected and stored the Station-to-Shuttle Power Transfer System cables, stored the PMA-2 umbilical, and stowed a Harmony node avionics umbilical into a temporary position. [81] [82]
20 November
10:10
7 hours
16 minutes
17:26Expedition 16
ISS Quest
Flag of the United States.svg Peggy Whitson
Flag of the United States.svg Daniel M. Tani
External configuration of PMA-2 and Harmony: Fluid, electrical, and data lines attached, avionics lines hooked up, heater cables attached, and relocated a fluid tray. [83]
24 November
09:50
7 hours
4 minutes
16:54Expedition 16
ISS Quest
Flag of the United States.svg Peggy Whitson
Flag of the United States.svg Daniel M. Tani
Completion of fluid, electrical, and data line hookups for PMA-2 and Harmony. Loop B Fluid Tray connected to the port side of the Destiny laboratory. Inspected and photographed the starboard Solar Alpha Rotary Joint (SARJ) to assist with troubleshooting on the ground. [84]
18 December
09:50
6 hours
56 minutes
16:46Expedition 16
ISS Quest
Flag of the United States.svg Peggy Whitson
Flag of the United States.svg Daniel M. Tani
Inspected the S4 starboard Solar Alpha Rotary Joint (SARJ), and a Beta Gimbal Assembly (BGA). [85] [86] 100th EVA in support of the ISS.
Whitson became the female astronaut with the most EVAs and the most time spent in EVA. [87] [88]

Orbital launch statistics

By country

Circle frame.svgChina: 10Europe: 6India: 3Israel: 1Japan: 2Russia: 22Ukraine: 5USA: 19
CountryLaunchesSuccessesFailuresPartial
failures
Remarks
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 101000
Flag of Europe.svg  Europe 6600
Flag of India.svg  India 3201
Flag of Israel.svg  Israel 1100
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 2200
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 222110
Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine 5410
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 191711
World686332

By rocket

5
10
15
20
R-7

By family

By type

By configuration

By launch site

5
10
15
20
China
France
India
International waters
Israel
Japan
Kazakhstan
Marshall Islands
SiteCountryLaunchesSuccessesFailuresPartial failuresRemarks
Baikonur Flag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan 201910
Cape Canaveral Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 10901
Dombarovsky Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 1100
Jiuquan Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 1100
Kennedy Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 3300
Kourou Flag of France.svg  France 6600
Kwajalein Flag of the Marshall Islands.svg  Marshall Islands 1010
MARS Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 1100
Ocean Odyssey Flag of the United Nations.svg International1010Damaged by explosion
Palmachim Flag of Israel.svg  Israel 1100
Plesetsk Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 5500
Satish Dhawan Flag of India.svg  India 3201
Taiyuan Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 3300
Tanegashima Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 2200
Vandenberg Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 4400One launch used Stargazer aircraft
Xichang Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 6600
Total686332

By orbit

10
20
30
40
Transatmospheric
  •   Transatmospheric
  •   Low Earth
  •   Low Earth (ISS)
  •   Low Earth (SSO)
  •   Low Earth (retrograde)
  •   Medium Earth
  •   Geosychronous
    (transfer)
  •   Inclined GSO
  •   High Earth
  •   Heliocentric
Orbital regimeLaunchesSuccessesFailuresAccidentally
achieved
Remarks
Transatmospheric0000
Low Earth 3736109 to ISS
Medium Earth / Molniya 7700
Geosynchronous / GTO 191720
High Earth / Lunar transfer 3300
Heliocentric / Planetary transfer 2200
Total686530

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RocketSunIcon.svg Spaceflightportal

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