2009 in spaceflight

Last updated

2009 in spaceflight
STS-125 FD9 Release.jpg
The Hubble Space Telescope was serviced for the last time during the STS-125 mission
Orbital launches
First18 January
Last29 December
Total78
Successes73
Failures4
Partial failures1
Catalogued 75
National firsts
SpaceflightFlag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand
Satellite Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  Switzerland [1]
Orbital launch Flag of Iran.svg  Iran [2]
Rockets
Maiden flights Delta IV-M+ (5,4)
H-IIB
Naro-1
Taurus-XL 3110
Unha-2
Retirements Ariane 5GS
Falcon 1
Tsyklon-3
Crewed flights
Orbital9
Total travellers46
2009 in spaceflight
  2008
2010  

Several significant events in spaceflight occurred in 2009, including Iran conducting its first indigenous orbital launch, the first Swiss satellite being launched and New Zealand launching its first sounding rocket. The H-IIB and Naro-1 rockets conducted maiden flights, whilst the Tsyklon-3, Falcon 1 and Ariane 5GS were retired from service. [3] [4] The permanent crew of the International Space Station increased from three to six in May, and in the last few months of the year, Japan's first resupply mission to the outpost, HTV-1, was conducted successfully.

Contents

Overview

An Iridium satellite Iridium satellite.jpg
An Iridium satellite

The internationally accepted definition of a spaceflight is any flight which crosses the Kármán line, 100 kilometres above sea level. The first spaceflight launch of the year was that of a Delta IV Heavy, carrying the USA-202 ELINT satellite, which launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 02:47 GMT on 18 January. This was also the first orbital launch of the year.

On 2 February, Iran conducted its first successful orbital launch, [2] when a Safir was used to place the Omid satellite into low Earth orbit.

At 16:56 GMT on 10 February, the first major collision between two satellites in orbit occurred, resulting in the destruction of Kosmos 2251 and Iridium 33, launched in 1993 and 1997 respectively. Up until the collision, Iridium 33 was operational, and an active part of the Iridium network of satellites, whilst Kosmos 2251 was an inactive piece of space junk.

On 25 August, the Russo- South Korean Naro-1 rocket made its maiden flight on 25 August, marking South Korea's first involvement in conducting a satellite launch attempt, however the rocket failed to reach orbit after its payload fairing malfunctioned.

HTV-1 arriving at the ISS HTV after grapple.jpg
HTV-1 arriving at the ISS

The first flight of the SpaceX Falcon 9 carrier rocket was scheduled to occur in November, but was delayed to February 2010 to allow more time for preparations. The SpaceX Dragon, a commercial uncrewed logistics spacecraft which was developed as part of NASA's COTS programme, was also scheduled to make its first flight in 2009, however its launch has also slipped to 2010 as a result of knock-on delays. The first H-II Transfer Vehicle, HTV-1, was successfully launched on the maiden flight of the H-IIB carrier rocket on 10 September. The first Swiss satellite, SwissCube-1, was launched on 23 September aboard a PSLV.

On 18 December, the Ariane 5GS made its final flight, delivering the Helios-IIB satellite into a Sun-synchronous orbit. The last orbital launch of the year was conducted eleven days later, on 29 December, when a Proton-M with a Briz-M upper stage launched the DirecTV-12 satellite.

Space exploration

Although no planetary probes were launched in 2009, four astronomical observatories were placed into orbit. The Kepler spacecraft, which was launched by a Delta II on 7 March, entered an Earth-trailing heliocentric orbit from where it will search for exoplanets. On 14 May, and Ariane 5ECA launched the Herschel and Planck spacecraft. Both were placed at the L2 Lagrangian point between the Earth and Sun, from where they will be used for astronomy. Herschel carries an infrared telescope whilst Planck carries an optical one. The fourth observatory to be launched was the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, which is a replacement for the Wide Field Infrared Explorer which failed shortly after launch. WISE was launched into a Sun-synchronous orbit by a Delta II on 14 December, and will be used for infrared astronomy. Repairs made to the Hubble Space Telescope during STS-125 restored it to full operations after a series of malfunctions in 2008.

Two lunar probes were launched in 2009; the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite were launched on a single Atlas V rocket on 18 June. LRO entered selenocentric orbit and began a series of experiments, whilst LCROSS remained attached to the Centaur upper stage of the carrier rocket, and flew past the Moon. After orbiting the Earth twice, LCROSS separated from the upper stage and both it and the Centaur impacted the Cabeus crater at the South Pole of the Moon, on 9 October. By observing the Centaur's impact, LCROSS was able to confirm the presence of water on the Moon. [5] Several other Lunar probes ceased operations in 2009; Okina impacted the far side of the Moon on 12 February, Chang'e 1 was deorbited on 1 March, having completed its operations. Kaguya was also deorbited following a successful mission, impacting near Gill crater on 12 June. The Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft failed on 29 August, having operated for less than half of its design life.

The Mars Science Laboratory and Fobos-Grunt missions to Mars had been scheduled for launch at the end of 2009, however both were delayed to 2011 to allow more time for the spacecraft to be developed. Fobos-Grunt, a sample return mission to Mars' natural satellite Phobos, would have carried the first Chinese planetary probe, Yinghuo-1.

Several flybys occurred in 2009, with Cassini continuing to orbit Saturn, passing close to a number of its natural satellites. In February, Dawn passed within 549 kilometres (341 mi) of Mars, during a gravity assist manoeuvre for its journey to the asteroid belt. In September, MESSENGER made its third and final flyby of Mercury before entering orbit in 2011. Whilst the primary objective of the flyby, achieving a gravitational assist, was successful, the spacecraft entered safe mode shortly before its closest approach, which prevented it recording data as it flew away from the planet. [6] In November, the Rosetta spacecraft performed its third and final gravity assist flyby of Earth.

Crewed spaceflight

Launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis on STS-125, the last Hubble servicing flight STS-125 launch cropped.jpg
Launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis on STS-125, the last Hubble servicing flight

Nine crewed launches occurred in 2009, the most since 1997. STS-119, using Space Shuttle Discovery, was launched on 15 March. It installed the last set of solar arrays on the International Space Station. Soyuz TMA-14, the 100th crewed Soyuz launch, delivered the Expedition 19 crew in March. In May, Space Shuttle Atlantis conducted the final mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope, STS-125. Several days later, Soyuz TMA-15 launched with the ISS Expedition 20 crew, brought the total ISS crew size up to six for the first time. This was also the 100th crewed spaceflight of the Soyuz programme, excluding the original Soyuz T-10 mission which failed to reach space. In July, Space Shuttle Endeavour delivered the final component of the Japanese Experiment Module on mission STS-127. STS-128, using Discovery in August, delivered supplies using the Leonardo MPLM. September saw the launch of Soyuz TMA-16, with the ISS Expedition 21 crew. This was the 100th crewed Soyuz mission reach orbit. In November, Space Shuttle Atlantis flew mission STS-129, delivering two EXPRESS Logistics Carriers to the ISS. The final crewed flight of the year, Soyuz TMA-17, was launched on 20 December with the ISS Expedition 22 crew.

The launch of Ares I-X Ares I-X launch 12.jpg
The launch of Ares I-X

Although not a spaceflight in its own right, the Ares I-X test flight was conducted on 28 October, with the rocket lifting off from Launch Complex 39B of the Kennedy Space Center at 15:30 GMT. The flight was successful and reached an altitude of around 46 kilometres (29 mi), within the upper atmosphere. A parachute failure during descent resulted in some damage to the first stage, which was recovered.

Launch failures

OCO launches on a Taurus Orbiting Carbon Observatory launch from Vandenberg.jpg
OCO launches on a Taurus

Four orbital launch failures occurred in 2009. On 24 February, a Taurus-XL launched from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, United States, with the Orbiting Carbon Observatory. The payload fairing did not separate from the rocket, leaving the upper stage with too much mass to reach orbit. The stage, with spacecraft and fairing still attached, reentered the atmosphere, coming down off the coast of Antarctica. The second failure was a controversial North Korean launch attempt using an Unha rocket to launch the Kwangmyŏngsŏng-2 communications satellite. The launch was conducted on 5 April, and North Korea maintains that it successfully reached orbit, however no objects from the launch were tracked as having orbital velocity, and US radar systems tracking the rocket detected that it failed at around the time of third stage ignition, with debris falling in the Pacific Ocean.

A Soyuz-2.1a suffered a failure during the launch of Meridian 2 on 21 May, due to the premature cutoff of the second core stage of the carrier rocket. The satellite was placed in a lower than planned orbit, which it was initially expected to be able to correct by means of its onboard propulsion system, and the launch was reported to be a partial failure. By the time of the next Meridian launch in 2010 it had been confirmed that the satellite could not correct its own orbit, and that the mission was a failure. [7] On 25 August, the Naro-1 rocket was launched on its maiden flight, however one half of the payload fairing failed to separate, and it did not reach orbit.

On 31 August a Long March 3B placed the Palapa-D satellite into a lower than expected orbit after its third stage gas generator burned through, resulting in an engine failure at the start of the second burn. [8] The satellite was able to raise itself to its correct orbit at the expense of fuel which would have been used for five or six years of operations. [8]

Summary of launches

In total, seventy eight orbital launches were attempted in 2009, with seventy five catalogued as having reached orbit, and the three outright launch failures, including the North Korean launch, not being catalogued. This is an increase of nine attempts compared to 2008, and eight more launches reached orbit. This continues a four-year trend of increasing annual launch rates. The United States National Space Science Data Center catalogued 123 spacecraft placed into orbit by launches which occurred in 2009. [9]

Launch of a Delta IV-M+(4,2) EELV with GOES 14 GOES-O launch.jpg
Launch of a Delta IV-M+(4,2) EELV with GOES 14

Suborbital spaceflight in 2009 saw a number of sounding rocket and missile launches. New Zealand's Ātea-1 sounding rocket was launched on 30 November, marking that country's first suborbital flight. Russia twice attempted launches of its Bulava missile, however both launches failed. The second failure, which occurred on 9 December, resulted in a spiral pattern which was observed in the sky over Norway. The SpaceLoft-XL rocket experienced another launch failure during its third flight, on 2 May. The payload section separated from the rocket whilst it was still burning, and as a result the vehicle did not reach space. [10] It had been carrying samples of cremated human remains for Celestis, and student experiments.

By country

China conducted six launches in 2009; satellite problems early in the year followed by the fallout of the August partial launch failure resulted in many planned launches slipping into 2010. Europe launched seven Ariane 5 rockets, six in the ECA configuration and one in the GS configuration. It had also intended to launch the first Vega rocket, however this was delayed due to ongoing development issues, which had already left the project several years behind schedule. India conducted two launches of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles, however the first flight of a new variant of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle with an Indian-built upper stage slipped into 2010. Japan conducted three launches; two using the H-IIA, plus the first H-IIB. Russia and the former Soviet Union conducted twenty nine launches, not including the international Sea and Land launch programmes, which conducted four, and the single Naro-1 launch conducted in cooperation with South Korea.

The United States made twenty four launch attempts, with the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicles accounting for eight; the most EELV launches in a single year to date. Eight Delta II launches were also made, including its last mission with a GPS satellite, and its last flight with a payload for the United States armed forces. As the Delta II programme wound down, Space Launch Complex 17A at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, one of the oldest operational launch pads in the world, was deactivated. SpaceX launched a single Falcon 1, which successfully placed an operational satellite into orbit for the first time. This was the final flight of the Falcon 1, which was subsequently retired from service in favour of the Falcon 1e. [4] At the start of the year, a mockup Falcon 9 was erected on its launch pad at Canaveral, however the type's maiden flight slipped into 2010.

Sea Launch only conducted a single launch in 2009; a Zenit-3SL launched Sicral 1B in April. In June, the company was declared bankrupt, [11] and subsequently it lost a number of launch contracts. [12] By the end of the year it was expecting to resume launches in 2010. [12] Its subsidiary, Land Launch, conducted three launches. Iran made its first successful indigenous orbital launch, however planned follow-up launches had not been conducted by the end of the year. North Korea made one launch which it claimed had successfully placed a satellite into orbit, however no such satellite was detected by any country capable of doing so. Israel was not reported to have scheduled or conducted an orbital launch attempt.

Orbital launches

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

January

18 January
02:47 [13]
Flag of the United States.svg Delta IV Heavy [14] 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-202 / Orion 6 [15] NRO Geosynchronous ELINT In orbitOperational
NROL-26 mission.
23 January
03:54 [16]
Flag of Japan.svg H-IIA 202 Flag of Japan.svg Tanegashima LA-Y1 Flag of Japan.svg Mitsubishi
Flag of Japan.svg Ibuki (GOSAT) JAXA Low Earth (SSO) Climatology In orbitOperational
Flag of Japan.svg SDS-1 JAXA Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration In orbitSuccessful [17]
Flag of Japan.svg Sohla-1 (Maido-1) SOHLA [18] Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration In orbitSuccessful [19]
Flag of Japan.svg Raijin (Sprite-Sat) [21] Tohoku University Low Earth (SSO) Sprite researchIn orbitSpacecraft failure [22]
Flag of Japan.svg Kagayaki [24] Sorun [25] Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration In orbitSpacecraft failure [22]
Flag of Japan.svg Hitomi (PRISM) [27] University of Tokyo Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration In orbitOperational
Flag of Japan.svg Kukai (STARS) [28] [29] Kagawa University Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration In orbitSpacecraft failure [22]
Flag of Japan.svg Kiseki (KKS-1) [31] TMCIT Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration In orbitSpacecraft failure [22]
Raijin failed to respond to commands from ground following electromagnetic boom deployment, Kagayaki failed to contact ground, STARS tether deployment failed, Kiseki failed to respond to commands from ground. [22]
30 January
13:30 [3]
Flag of Ukraine.svg Tsyklon-3 Flag of Russia.svg Plesetsk Site 32/2 Flag of Russia.svg Roscosmos
Flag of Russia.svg Koronas-Foton Roscosmos / MEPhI / NIIEM [32] Low Earth [32] Heliophysics In orbitSpacecraft failure
Final flight of Tsyklon-3 rocket, [3] satellite problems during mid-2009, loss of signal in early December due to power system malfunction. Declared a total loss in April 2010. [33]

February

2 February
18:36 [34]
Flag of Iran.svg Safir Flag of Iran.svg Semnan Flag of Iran.svg ISA
Flag of Iran.svg Omid [35] ISA Low Earth Technology demonstration 25 AprilSuccessful
First successful Iranian orbital launch [2]
6 February
10:22:01 [36]
Flag of the United States.svg Delta II 7320-10C Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg SLC-2W Flag of the United States.svg United Launch Alliance
Flag of the United States.svg NOAA-19 (NOAA-N') NOAA / NASA Low Earth (SSO) Meteorology In orbitOperational
10 February
05:49:46 [37]
Flag of Russia.svg Soyuz-U Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 31/6 Flag of Russia.svg Roscosmos
Flag of Russia.svg Progress M-66 Roscosmos Low Earth (ISS) ISS logistics 18 May
15:14:45
Successful
ISS flight 32P
11 February
00:03 [38]
Flag of Russia.svg Proton-M / Briz-M Enhanced Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 200/39 Flag of Russia.svg Khrunichev
Flag of Russia.svg Ekspress-AM44 [40] RSCC Geosynchronous Communication In orbitOperational
Flag of Russia.svg Ekspress-MD1 RSCC Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational
12 February
22:09:00 [41]
Flag of Europe.svg Ariane 5 ECA Flag of France.svg Kourou ELA-3 Flag of France.svg Arianespace
Flag of France.svg Hot Bird 10 Eutelsat Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational
Flag of the Netherlands.svg NSS-9 SES New Skies Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational
Flag of France.svg Spirale-A CNES Highly elliptical Technology demonstration In orbitOperational
Flag of France.svg Spirale-B CNES Highly elliptical Technology demonstration In orbitOperational
24 February
09:55:30 [42]
Flag of the United States.svg Taurus-XL 3110 Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg LC-576E Flag of the United States.svg Orbital Sciences
Flag of the United States.svg OCO NASA Intended: Low Earth (SSO) Climatology 24 FebruaryLaunch failure
Maiden flight of Taurus-XL 3110, payload fairing failed to separate, failed to reach orbit. [43] Satellite was to have been part of A-train constellation
26 February
18:29:55 [44]
Flag of Ukraine.svg Zenit-3SLB Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 45/1 Flag of the United Nations.svg Land Launch
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Telstar 11N Telesat Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational
28 February
04:10
Flag of Russia.svg Proton-K / DM-2 Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 81/24 Flag of Russia.svg Khrunichev
Flag of Russia.svg Raduga-1 VKS Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational

March

7 March
03:49:57 [45]
Flag of the United States.svg Delta II 7925-10L 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 Kepler NASA Heliocentric Exoplanetary science In orbitOperational
Exosolar planet research, operating in an Earth-trailing orbit [46]
15 March
23:43:44 [47]
Flag of the United States.svg Space Shuttle Discovery [48] Flag of the United States.svg Kennedy LC-39A Flag of the United States.svg United Space Alliance
Flag of the United States.svg STS-119 [49] NASA Low Earth (ISS) ISS assembly [50] [51] 28 March
19:13 [52]
Successful
Flag of the United Nations.svg ITS S6 Truss NASA Low Earth (ISS) ISS assembly In orbitOperational
Crewed flight with seven astronauts.
17 March
14:21 [53]
Flag of Russia.svg Rokot / Briz-KM Flag of Russia.svg Plesetsk Site 133/3 [54] Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Russia.svg Eurockot
Flag of Europe.svg GOCE ESA Low Earth Gravitational research 11 November 2013
00:16
Successful
24 March
08:34:00 [55]
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-203 (GPS IIR-20/M7) U.S. Air Force Medium Earth Navigation In orbitPartial spacecraft failure
Operational
26 March
11:49:06
Flag of Russia.svg Soyuz-FG Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 1/5 Flag of Russia.svg Roscosmos
Flag of Russia.svg Soyuz TMA-14 [14] Roscosmos Low Earth (ISS) Expedition 19 11 October
04:32
Successful
Crewed flight with three cosmonauts. First space tourist to make two flights.

April

3 April
16:24
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 France.svg Eutelsat W2A Eutelsat Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational
4 April
00:31 [56]
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-204 (WGS-2) U.S. Air Force Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational
5 April
02:30:15 [57]
Flag of North Korea.svg Unha-2 Flag of North Korea.svg Tonghae Flag of North Korea.svg KCST
Flag of North Korea.svg Kwangmyŏngsŏng-2 KCST Intended: Low Earth Technology demonstration 5 AprilLaunch failure
North Korea claimed the launch was successful; [58] however, no objects were tracked in orbit.
14 April
16:16
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Long March 3C 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 Compass-G2 CNSA Geosynchronous Navigation In orbitSpacecraft failure
Failed in orbit shortly after launch. Towed to a high graveyard orbit by Shijian-21 on 22 January 2022. [59]
20 April
01:15
Flag of India.svg PSLV-CA Flag of India.svg Satish Dhawan SLP Flag of India.svg ISRO
Flag of India.svg RISAT-2 ISRO Low Earth Radar imaging 30 October 2022
00:06 [60]
Successful
Flag of India.svg ANUSAT Anna University Low Earth Technology demonstration 18 April 2012Successful
20 April
08:16
Flag of Ukraine.svg Zenit-3SL Flag of Norway.svg Ocean Odyssey Flag of the United Nations.svg Sea Launch
Flag of Italy.svg Sicral-1B ASI Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational
22 April
02:55
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Long March 2C Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Taiyuan LC-1 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg CASC
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Yaogan-6 CNSA Low Earth (SSO) Earth observation In orbitOperational
29 April
16:58
Flag of Russia.svg Soyuz-U Flag of Russia.svg Plesetsk Site 16/2 Flag of Russia.svg VKS
Flag of Russia.svg Kosmos 2450 (Kobal't-M) VKS Low Earth Optical reconnaissance 27 JulySuccessful

May

5 May
20:24:25 [14] [56]
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 USA-205 (STSS-ATRR) U.S. Air Force / MDA Low Earth (SSO) Missile defence
Technology demonstration
In orbitOperational
7 May
18:37
Flag of Russia.svg Soyuz-U Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 1/5 Flag of Russia.svg Roscosmos
Flag of Russia.svg Progress M-02M Roscosmos Low Earth (ISS) ISS logistics 13 July
16:28:47
Successful
ISS flight 33P
11 May
18:01
Flag of the United States.svg Space Shuttle Atlantis [48] Flag of the United States.svg Kennedy LC-39A Flag of the United States.svg United Space Alliance
Flag of the United States.svg STS-125 [62] NASA [63] Low Earth (HST) HST servicing flight [64] [65] 24 May
15:39
Successful
Crewed flight with seven astronauts, final Space Shuttle mission to the Hubble Space Telescope.
14 May [66]
13:12
Flag of Europe.svg Ariane 5 ECA Flag of France.svg Kourou ELA-3 Flag of France.svg Arianespace
Flag of Europe.svg Herschel [67] ESA Sun–Earth L2 Infrared astronomy In orbitOperational
Flag of Europe.svg Planck [68] ESA Sun–Earth L2 Space telescope In orbitOperational
16 May
00:57
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 Bermuda.svg ProtoStar II ProtoStar Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational
19 May
23:55
Flag of the United States.svg Minotaur I Flag of the United States.svg MARS LP-0B Flag of the United States.svg Orbital Sciences
Flag of the United States.svg TacSat-3 USAF-RL Low Earth Technology demonstration 30 April 2012Successful
Flag of the United States.svg PharmaSat NASA Low Earth Biological 14 August 2012Successful
Flag of the United States.svg AeroCube 3 Aerospace Corporation Low Earth Technology demonstration 6 January 2011Successful
Flag of the United States.svg HawkSat I [69] HISS Low Earth Technology demonstration [69] [70] 4 September 2011Successful
Flag of the United States.svg CP6 [69] CalPoly Low Earth Technology demonstration 6 October 2011Successful
All payloads except TacSat-3 and Pharmasat are CubeSats.
21 May
21:53
Flag of Russia.svg Soyuz-2.1a / Fregat Flag of Russia.svg Plesetsk Site 43/4 Flag of Russia.svg RVSN RF
Flag of Russia.svg Meridian 2 [71] VKS Intended: Molniya
Achieved: Medium Earth
Communications 23 April 2021
04:48 [72]
Launch failure [73]
Core vehicle second stage shut down five seconds early, [74] attempt to compensate using Fregat resulted in propellent depletion during second of three burns [71] Satellite reached a lower orbit than expected, and despite being expected to be recoverable to fully operational status [75] was unable to recover. [73]
27 May
10:34:42
Flag of Russia.svg Soyuz-FG Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 1/5 Flag of Russia.svg Roscosmos
Flag of Russia.svg Soyuz TMA-15 Roscosmos Low Earth (ISS) Expedition 20 1 December
07:17
Successful
Crewed flight with three cosmonauts, established first permanent six-man crew on the ISS.

June

18 June [76]
21:32
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 LRO NASA Selenocentric Lunar orbiter In orbitOperational
Flag of the United States.svg LCROSS NASA High Earth (TLI)Lunar impactor 9 October
11:37
Successful
LCROSS observed the upper stage impacting the Cabeus crater on the Moon at 11:31 on 9 October shortly before its own impact into the same crater. The LCROSS spacecraft confirmed the presence of water at the Lunar South Pole. [5]
21 June
21:50
Flag of Ukraine.svg Zenit-3SLB Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 45/1 Flag of the United Nations.svg Land Launch
Flag of Malaysia.svg MEASAT-3a MEASAT Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational
27 June
22:51 [77]
Flag of the United States.svg Delta IV-M+ (4,2) 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 GOES-O (GOES-14) NOAA / NASA Geosynchronous Meteorology In orbitOperational
30 June
19:10
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 Sirius FM-5 (RadioSat-5) Sirius XM Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational

July

1 July
17:52 [78]
Flag of Europe.svg Ariane 5 ECA Flag of France.svg Kourou ELA-3 Flag of France.svg Arianespace
Flag of the United States.svg TerreStar-1 TerreStar Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational
6 July
01:26
Flag of Russia.svg Rokot / Briz-KM Flag of Russia.svg Plesetsk Site 133/3 Flag of Russia.svg VKS
Flag of Russia.svg Kosmos 2451 (Rodnik) VKS Low Earth Communications In orbitOperational
Flag of Russia.svg Kosmos 2452 (Rodnik) VKS Low Earth Communications In orbitOperational
Flag of Russia.svg Kosmos 2453 (Rodnik) VKS Low Earth Communications In orbitOperational
14 July
03:35 [79]
Flag of the United States.svg Falcon 1 Flag of the Marshall Islands.svg Omelek Flag of the United States.svg SpaceX
Flag of Malaysia.svg RazakSat-1 (MACSat) ATSB Low Earth Earth observation In orbitSpacecraft failure
Final flight of Falcon 1. [4]
15 July [77]
22:03
Flag of the United States.svg Space Shuttle Endeavour [49] Flag of the United States.svg Kennedy LC-39A Flag of the United States.svg United Space Alliance
Flag of the United States.svg STS-127 NASA Low Earth (ISS) ISS assembly 31 July
14:48
Successful
Flag of the United Nations.svg JEM-EF JAXA Low Earth (ISS) ISS assembly In orbitOperational
Flag of the United States.svg AggieSat 2 NASA Low Earth Technology demonstration 17 March 2010
18:26 [80]
Partial spacecraft failure
Successful
Flag of the United States.svg BEVO-1 NASA Low Earth Technology demonstration Partial spacecraft failure
Successful
Flag of the United States.svg Castor [81] NRL Low Earth Atmospheric science 18 August 2010
17:48 [82]
Successful
Flag of the United States.svg Pollux [81] NRL Low Earth Atmospheric science 29 March 2010Successful
Crewed flight with seven astronauts, AggieSat 2 and BEVO-1 collectively designated Dragonsat, Castor and Pollux collectively designated ANDE-2, both deployed on 30 July; Dragonsat at 12:34:30 UTC and ANDE-2 at 17:23:02; Dragonsat satellites failed to separate from each other.
21 July
03:57:43
Flag of Russia.svg Kosmos-3M Flag of Russia.svg Plesetsk Site 132/1 Flag of Russia.svg RVSN RF
Flag of Russia.svg Kosmos 2454 (Parus) VKS Low Earth Navigation
Communications
In orbitOperational
Flag of Russia.svg Sterkh-1 Roscosmos Low Earth Communications
Search and rescue
In orbitSpacecraft failure
24 July
10:56:51
Flag of Russia.svg Soyuz-U Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 1/5 Flag of Russia.svg Roscosmos
Flag of Russia.svg Progress M-67 Roscosmos Low Earth (ISS) ISS logistics 27 September
10:19:11
Successful
Final flight of original Progress-M; ISS flight 34P
29 July
18:46
Flag of Ukraine.svg Dnepr Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 109/95 Flag of Russia.svg ISC Kosmotras
Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg DubaiSat-1 EIAST Low Earth (SSO) Earth observation In orbitOperational
Flag of Spain.svg Deimos-1 Deimos Space Low Earth (SSO) Earth observation In orbitOperational
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg UK-DMC 2 BNSC (2009-2010)
UKSA (2010—)
Low Earth (SSO) Earth observation In orbitOperational
Flag of Spain.svg Nanosat 1B INTA Low Earth (SSO) Earth observation In orbitOperational
Flag of Argentina.svg AprizeSat-3 LatinSat Low Earth (SSO) Communications In orbitOperational
Flag of Argentina.svg AprizeSat-4 LatinSat Low Earth (SSO) Communications In orbitOperational

August

11 August
19:47
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 the People's Republic of China.svg AsiaSat 5 AsiaSat Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational
17 August
10:35:00
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-206 (GPS IIR-21/M8) U.S. Air Force Medium Earth Navigation In orbitOperational
Final launch from SLC-17A, [55] final GPS IIR launch, final flight of Delta II 7925
21 August
22:09
Flag of Europe.svg Ariane 5 ECA Flag of France.svg Kourou ELA-3 Flag of France.svg Arianespace
Flag of Japan.svg JCSAT-12 SKY Perfect JSAT Group Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Optus D3 Optus Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational
25 August [83]
08:00
Flag of Russia.svg Flag of South Korea.svg Naro-1 Flag of South Korea.svg Naro [84] Flag of Russia.svg Flag of South Korea.svg Khrunichev / KARI [84]
Flag of South Korea.svg STSAT-2A KARI [85] Intended: Low Earth Technology demonstration 25 AugustLaunch failure [86]
Maiden flight of Naro-1, [87] first South Korean orbital launch attempt (with Russian assistance). First flight of Angara Universal Rocket Module (used as first stage), half of payload fairing failed to separate, failed to reach orbit. [88] [89]
29 August
03:59
Flag of the United States.svg Space Shuttle Discovery Flag of the United States.svg Kennedy LC-39A Flag of the United States.svg United Space Alliance
Flag of the United States.svg STS-128 [91] NASA Low Earth (ISS) ISS assembly 11 September
00:53
Successful
Flag of Italy.svg Flag of the United States.svg Leonardo MPLM ASI / NASA Low Earth (ISS) ISS logistics Successful
Crewed flight with seven astronauts.
31 August
09:28 [92]
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Long March 3B Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Xichang Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg CASC
Flag of Indonesia.svg Palapa-D Indosat Geosynchronous Communications In orbitPartial launch failure
Operational [93]
Third stage failed during restart [92] due to gas generator burn-through. [8]

September

8 September
21:35
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-207 (PAN) NRO Geosynchronous Reconnaissance In orbitOperational
10 September
17:01:46 [94]
Flag of Japan.svg H-IIB Flag of Japan.svg Tanegashima LA-Y2 Flag of Japan.svg JAXA [95]
Flag of Japan.svg HTV-1 JAXA Low Earth (ISS) ISS logistics 1 November
21:26
Successful
Maiden flight of H-IIB and H-II Transfer Vehicle, first launch from LA-Y2.
17 September
15:55:07 [96] [97]
Flag of Russia.svg Soyuz-2.1b / Fregat Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 31/6 Flag of Russia.svg Roscosmos
Flag of Russia.svg Meteor-M No.1 Roscosmos Low Earth (SSO) Meteorology In orbitSuccessful
Flag of Russia.svg BLITS Roscosmos Low Earth (SSO)Geodesy, satellite laser ranging In orbitOperational
Flag of Russia.svg Flag of Europe.svg IRIS [100] NPO Lavochkin / EADS Astrium Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration 12 March 2021 [101] Successful
Flag of Russia.svg Sterkh-2 Roscosmos Low Earth (SSO) Communications
Search and rescue
In orbitSpacecraft failure [102]
Flag of South Africa.svg SumbandilaSat [104] Stellenbosch Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration 10 December 2021Spacecraft failure; Partial success
Flag of Russia.svg UGATUSAT [106] UGATU Low Earth (SSO) Earth observation In orbitSpacecraft failure [107]
Flag of Russia.svg Universitetsky-Tatyana-2 [108] MSU Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration In orbitSpacecraft failure; Partial success
Meteor M-1 was a replacement for Meteor-3M No.1. IRIS intentionally remained attached to upper stage.
17 September
19:19:19
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 Canada (Pantone).svg Nimiq 5 Telesat Canada Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational [109]
23 September
06:21 [110]
Flag of India.svg PSLV-CA Flag of India.svg Satish Dhawan FLP Flag of India.svg ISRO
Flag of India.svg Oceansat-2 ISRO Low Earth (SSO) Oceanography In orbitOperational
Flag of Germany.svg Rubin 9.1 OHB-System Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration In orbitSuccessful
Flag of Germany.svg Rubin 9.2 OHB-System Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration In orbitSuccessful
Flag of Germany.svg BeeSat-1 TU Berlin Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration In orbitOperational
Flag of Turkey.svg ITU-pSat1 ITU Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration In orbitOperational
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg SwissCube-1 EPFL Low Earth (SSO) Atmospheric science In orbitOperational
Flag of Germany.svg UWE-2 Würzburg Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration In orbitOperational
First Swiss satellite, Rubin payloads intentionally remained attached to upper stage.
25 September
12:20 [111]
Flag of the United States.svg Delta II 7920-10C 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 USA-208 (STSS-Demo 1) U.S. Air Force Low Earth Technology demonstration
Missile defence
In orbitSuccessful [112]
Flag of the United States.svg USA-209 (STSS-Demo 2) U.S. Air Force Low Earth Technology demonstration
Missile defence
In orbitSuccessful [112]
30 September
07:14
Flag of Russia.svg Soyuz-FG Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 1/5 Flag of Russia.svg Roscosmos
Flag of Russia.svg Soyuz TMA-16 Roscosmos Low Earth (ISS) Expedition 21 18 March 2010Successful
Crewed flight with three cosmonauts

October

1 October
21:59 [113]
Flag of Europe.svg Ariane 5 ECA Flag of France.svg Kourou ELA-3 Flag of France.svg Arianespace
Flag of Spain.svg Amazonas-2 Hispasat Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational
Flag of Germany.svg COMSATBw-1 Bundeswehr Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational
8 October
18:51 [114]
Flag of the United States.svg Delta II 7920 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-2 DigitalGlobe Low Earth (SSO) Earth observation In orbitOperational
15 October
01:14
Flag of Russia.svg Soyuz-U Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 1/5 Flag of Russia.svg Roscosmos
Flag of Russia.svg Progress M-03M Roscosmos Low Earth (ISS) ISS logistics 27 April 2010
18:50:56
Successful
ISS flight 35P
18 October
16:12
Flag of the United States.svg Atlas V 401 Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg SLC-3E Flag of the United States.svg United Launch Alliance
Flag of the United States.svg USA-210 (DMSP-5D3 F18) U.S. Air Force / NOAA Low Earth (SSO) Meteorology In orbitOperational
29 October
20:00
Flag of Europe.svg Ariane 5 ECA Flag of France.svg Kourou ELA-3 Flag of France.svg Arianespace
Flag of Norway.svg Thor-6 Telenor Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational
Flag of the Netherlands.svg NSS-12 SES World Skies Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational

November

2 November
01:50
Flag of Russia.svg Rokot / Briz-KM Flag of Russia.svg Plesetsk Site 133/3 Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Russia.svg Eurockot [115]
Flag of Europe.svg SMOS [117] ESA Low Earth (SSO) Earth observation In orbitOperational
Flag of Europe.svg Proba-2 ESA Low Earth (SSO) Earth observation In orbitOperational
10 November [56]
14:22
Flag of Russia.svg Soyuz-U Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 1/5 Flag of Russia.svg Roscosmos
Flag of Russia.svg Progress M-MIM2 Roscosmos Low Earth (ISS) Orbital tug 8 December
05:27 [118]
Successful
Flag of the United Nations.svg Poisk (MRM-2) Roscosmos Low Earth (ISS) ISS assembly In orbitOperational
ISS flight 5R
12 November
02:45 [119]
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Long March 2C Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Jiuquan LA-4 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg CASC
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Shijian 11-01 CASC Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration In orbitOperational
16 November [77]
19:28
Flag of the United States.svg Space Shuttle Atlantis [49] Flag of the United States.svg Kennedy LC-39A Flag of the United States.svg United Space Alliance
Flag of the United States.svg STS-129 NASA Low Earth (ISS) ISS assembly 27 November
14:44 [120]
Successful
Flag of the United Nations.svg ExPRESS-1 NASA Low Earth (ISS) ISS logistics In orbitOperational
Flag of the United Nations.svg ExPRESS-2 NASA Low Earth (ISS) ISS logistics In orbitOperational
Crewed flight, launching with six astronauts, and landing with seven.
20 November
10:44
Flag of Russia.svg Soyuz-U Flag of Russia.svg Plesetsk Site 16/2 Flag of Russia.svg RVSN RF
Flag of Russia.svg Kosmos 2455 (Lotos-S) VKS Low Earth ELINT In orbitOperational
23 November
06:55 [121]
Flag of the United States.svg Atlas V 431 Flag of the United States.svg Cape Canaveral SLC-41 Flag of the United States.svg United Launch Alliance
Flag of the United Nations.svg Intelsat 14 Intelsat Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational
24 November
14:19 [122]
Flag of Russia.svg Proton-M / Briz-M Enhanced [123] Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 200/39 Flag of Russia.svg Flag of the United States.svg International Launch Services
Flag of France.svg Eutelsat W7 Eutelsat Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational
28 November [124]
01:21
Flag of Japan.svg H-IIA 202 Flag of Japan.svg Tanegashima LA-Y1 Flag of Japan.svg Mitsubishi
Flag of Japan.svg IGS Optical 3 [125] CSICE Low Earth (SSO) Reconnaissance In orbitSuccessful [126]
30 November
21:00 [127]
Flag of Ukraine.svg Zenit-3SLB [128] Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 45/1 Flag of the United Nations.svg Land Launch
Flag of the United Nations.svg Intelsat 15 Intelsat Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational

December

6 December
01:47 [129]
Flag of the United States.svg Delta IV-M+ (5,4) 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-211 (WGS-3) U.S. Air Force Geosynchronous Communications In orbitSuccessful
Maiden flight of Delta IV-M+ (5,4), final Block I WGS satellite.
9 December
08:42 [130]
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Long March 2D Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Jiuquan SLS-2 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg CASC
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Yaogan-7 CNSA Low Earth (SSO) Earth observation In orbitOperational
14 December
10:38 [131]
Flag of Russia.svg Proton-M / DM-2 Enhanced Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 81/24 Flag of Russia.svg Khrunichev
Flag of Russia.svg Kosmos 2456 (Glonass-M   730) VKS Medium Earth Navigation In orbitOperational
Flag of Russia.svg Kosmos 2457 (Glonass-M   733) VKS Medium Earth Navigation In orbitOperational
Flag of Russia.svg Kosmos 2458 (Glonass-M   734) VKS Medium Earth Navigation In orbitOperational
14 December
14:09 [132]
Flag of the United States.svg Delta II 7320 Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg SLC-2W Flag of the United States.svg United Launch Alliance
Flag of the United States.svg WISE NASA Low Earth (SSO) Infrared astronomy In orbitOperational
15 December
02:31 [133]
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Long March 4C Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Taiyuan LC-2 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg CASC
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Yaogan-8 CNSA Low Earth (SSO) Earth observation In orbitOperational
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Xiwang 1 CNSA Low Earth (SSO) Amateur radio In orbitOperational
18 December
16:26
Flag of Europe.svg Ariane 5GS Flag of France.svg Kourou ELA-3 Flag of France.svg Arianespace
Flag of France.svg Helios IIB DGA Low Earth (SSO) Reconnaissance In orbitOperational
Final flight of Ariane 5GS.
20 December
21:52
Flag of Russia.svg Soyuz-FG Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 1/5 Flag of Russia.svg Roscosmos
Flag of Russia.svg Soyuz TMA-17 Roscosmos Low Earth (ISS) Expedition 22 2 June 2010
03:25
Successful
Crewed flight with three cosmonauts.
29 December
00:22
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-12 DirecTV Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational

Suborbital flights

Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload
(⚀ = CubeSat)
Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC)Outcome
Remarks
26 January
00:15 [134]
Flag of Japan.svg S-310 Flag of Norway.svg Andøya LA-U3 Flag of Japan.svg ISAS
Flag of Japan.svg Delta-2 JAXA/Nagoya [134] [135] [136] Suborbital Auroral [134] 26 JanuarySuccessful
29 January
09:49
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 ACES-I [137] University of Iowa Suborbital Auroral 09:59Successful
29 January
09:51
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 ACES-II [137] University of Iowa Suborbital Auroral 10:01Successful
13 February [138] Flag of the United States.svg UGM-133 Trident II D5 Flag of the United States.svg USS Alabama, Pacific Ocean Flag of the United States.svg U.S. Navy
U.S. Navy Suborbital Missile test13 FebruarySuccessful
18 February
09:52:00 [139]
Flag of the United States.svg Terrier-Orion Flag of the United States.svg Poker Flat Flag of the United States.svg NASA
Clemson Suborbital Atmospheric18 FebruarySuccessful
18 February
10:29:00 [139]
Flag of the United States.svg Terrier-Orion Flag of the United States.svg Poker Flat Flag of the United States.svg NASA
Clemson Suborbital Atmospheric18 FebruarySuccessful
18 February
10:59:00 [139]
Flag of the United States.svg Terrier-Orion Flag of the United States.svg Poker Flat Flag of the United States.svg NASA
Clemson Suborbital Atmospheric18 FebruarySuccessful
18 February
11:47:00 [139]
Flag of the United States.svg Terrier-Orion Flag of the United States.svg Poker Flat Flag of the United States.svg NASA
Clemson Suborbital Atmospheric18 FebruarySuccessful
25 February
10:45 [140]
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 CIBER Caltech Suborbital IR Astronomy [141] 10:55Successful
February [34] Flag of the United States.svg UGM-133 Trident II D5 Flag of the United States.svg Submarine, Pacific Ocean Flag of the United States.svg U.S. Navy
U.S. Navy Suborbital Missile testFebruarySuccessful
6 March
10:54 [142]
Flag of India.svg Dhanush Flag of India.svg Ship, Indian Ocean Flag of India.svg DRDO
DRDO Suborbital Target6 MarchSuccessful
Target for successful Prithvi interceptor test, apogee: 120 kilometres (75 mi) [142]
18 March [143]
00:25 [71]
Flag of the United States.svg TRBM FTT-10a Flag of the United States.svg USS Tripoli, Barking Sands Flag of the United States.svg U.S. Army
U.S. Army/MDA Suborbital Target18 MarchSuccessful
Intercepted by THAAD launched at 00:30 UTC [143] [71]
18 March [143]
00:30 [71]
Flag of the United States.svg THAAD FTT-10a Flag of the United States.svg Barking Sands Flag of the United States.svg U.S. Army
U.S. Army/MDA Suborbital ABM test18 MarchSuccessful
Intercepted target missile [143]
18 March [143]
00:30 [71]
Flag of the United States.svg THAAD FTT-10a Flag of the United States.svg Barking Sands Flag of the United States.svg U.S. Army
U.S. Army/MDA Suborbital ABM test18 MarchSuccessful
Backup interceptor, destroyed by range safety after first missile succeeded [144]
20 March
11:04
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 Cascades-2 Dartmouth Suborbital Auroral 20 MarchSuccessful
25 March
13:25 [145]
Flag of the United States.svg Hera Flag of the United States.svg Fort Wingate LC-96 Flag of the United States.svg U.S. Army
U.S. Army Suborbital Target25 MarchSuccessful
Target for MIM-104 Patriot PAC-3 test, interceptor failed
7 April Flag of Israel.svg Blue Sparrow Flag of Israel.svg F-15 Eagle, Israel Flag of Israel.svg Israeli Air Force
Israeli Air Force Suborbital Arrow-2 target7 AprilSuccessful
Arrow-2 target, successfully intercepted
7 April Flag of Israel.svg Arrow-2 Flag of Israel.svg Negev Flag of Israel.svg Israel Aerospace Industries
IAI/Israeli Defense Forces Suborbital ABM Test7 AprilSuccessful
Successful intercept of a Blue Sparrow target over the Mediterranean
10 April
09:10
Flag of Russia.svg RS-12M Topol Flag of Russia.svg Plesetsk Flag of Russia.svg RVSN RF
RVSN RF Suborbital Missile test10 AprilSuccessful
17 April
11:17 [146]
Flag of the United States.svg FalconLaunch Flag of the United States.svg White Sands Flag of the United States.svg US Air Force Academy
Flag of the United States.svg FalconLAUNCH VII US Air Force Academy Suborbital Technology demonstration 17 AprilSuccessful
Apogee: 108 kilometres (67 mi), [146] first student-built rocket to reach space
2 May
14:02[ citation needed ]
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 SL-3 NMSGC Suborbital Student research2 MayLaunch failure [147]
Flag of the United States.svg Discovery Celestis Suborbital Space burial
Failed to reach space due to premature payload separation whilst rocket was still burning [10] [148] [147]
7 May
02:42:00 [149]
Flag of the United States.svg Terrier-Orion [149] Flag of Australia (converted).svg Woomera Flag of Australia (converted).svg DSTO
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Flag of the United States.svg HiFIRE 0 DSTO/AFRL Suborbital Technology demonstration 7 MaySuccessful
19 May
04:36
Flag of India.svg Agni II Flag of India.svg Integrated Test Range Flag of India.svg Indian Army/DRDO
Indian Army/DRDO Suborbital Missile test+127 secondsLaunch failure
Loss of control, landed in sea 203 kilometres (126 mi) downrange [150]
20 May [71] Flag of Iran.svg Sejjil-2 Flag of Iran.svg Semnan Flag of Iran.svg IRGC
IRGC Suborbital Missile test20 MaySuccessful
Apogee: 800 kilometres (500 mi)
22 May
10:32 [151]
Flag of the United States.svg Nike-Orion Flag of Sweden.svg Esrange Flag of Europe.svg EuroLaunch
Flag of Germany.svg MAPHEUS DLR Suborbital Technology demonstration 22 MaySuccessful
Apogee: 140.8 kilometres (87.5 mi) [151]
26 May Flag of the United States.svg UGM-133 Trident II D5 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg HMS Victorious Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Royal Navy
Royal Navy Suborbital Missile test26 JulySuccessful
28 May
16:52
Flag of the United States.svg Terrier-Orion Flag of the United States.svg Wallops Island Flag of the United States.svg NASA
Flag of the United States.svg SOAREX VII NASA Suborbital 28 MaySuccessful
29 May Flag of the United States.svg Improved Orion Flag of Brazil.svg Alcântara Flag of Brazil.svg AEB
Flag of Brazil.svg Maracati 1 INPE Suborbital Microgravity29 MaySuccessful
6 June Flag of the United States.svg Terrier-Lynx Flag of the United States.svg San Nicolas Flag of the United States.svg U.S. Air Force
U.S. Air Force Suborbital YAL-1 target6 JuneSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
13 June Flag of the United States.svg Terrier-Lynx Flag of the United States.svg San Nicolas Flag of the United States.svg U.S. Air Force
U.S. Air Force Suborbital YAL-1 target13 JuneSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
26 June
09:30
Flag of the United States.svg Terrier-Orion Flag of the United States.svg Wallops Island LA-2 Flag of the United States.svg NASA
Flag of the United States.svg RockOn! University of Colorado Suborbital Student research09:45Successful
27 June
07:30
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 DICE University of Colorado Suborbital UV Astronomy 07:40Spacecraft failure [152]
29 June
10:01
Flag of the United States.svg LGM-30G Minuteman III Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg Flag of the United States.svg U.S. Air Force
Flag of the United States.svg GT-199GM U.S. Air Force Suborbital Missile test29 JuneSuccessful
13 July
01:20 [153]
Flag of Russia.svg R-29RMU Sineva Flag of Russia.svg K-84 Ekaterinburg Flag of Russia.svg VMF
VMF Suborbital Missile test13 JulySuccessful
Carried ten re-entry vehicles, impacted Kura Test Range
13 July
23:50 [153]
Flag of Russia.svg R-29RMU Sineva Flag of Russia.svg K-117 Bryansk, North Pole Flag of Russia.svg VMF
VMF Suborbital Missile test14 JulySuccessful
Carried ten re-entry vehicles, impacted Chizha test site
16 July [154] Flag of Russia.svg RSM-56 Bulava Flag of Russia.svg TK-208 Dmitri Donskoi, White Sea Flag of Russia.svg VMF
VMF Suborbital Missile test16 JulyLaunch failure
First stage malfunction [154]
22 July
03:40
Flag of the United States.svg LRALT C-17 Globemaster III, Pacific Ocean Flag of the United States.svg MDA
MDA/IMDO Suborbital ABM target22 JulySuccessful
Target for Arrow test, interceptor launch scrubbed
31 July
03:40
FTM-17 Flag of the United States.svg Kauai Flag of the United States.svg MDA
MDA Suborbital ABM target31 JulySuccessful
Target for Stellar Avenger test, intercept successful
31 July
03:42
Flag of the United States.svg RIM-161 SM-3 FTM-17 Flag of the United States.svg USS Hopper Flag of the United States.svg MDA
Flag of the United States.svg Stellar Avenger MDA Suborbital ABM test31 JulySuccessful
31 July
04:00 [153]
FTM-17 Flag of the United States.svg Kauai Flag of the United States.svg MDA
MDA Suborbital ABM target31 JulySuccessful
Radar target for exercise after Stellar Avenger, not intercepted
11 August
04:50
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Black Brant IX Flag of the United States.svg San Nicolas Flag of the United States.svg NASA
Flag of the United States.svg MARTI U.S. Air Force Suborbital ABL target11 AugustSuccessful
17 August
12:52:00 [155]
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Black Brant IX Flag of the United States.svg Wallops Island Flag of the United States.svg NASA
Flag of the United States.svg IRVE-II NASA Suborbital Technology demonstration 17 AugustSuccessful
23 August
16:01 [156]
Flag of the United States.svg LGM-30G Minuteman III Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg Flag of the United States.svg U.S. Air Force
Flag of the United States.svg GT-200GM U.S. Air Force Suborbital Missile test23 AugustSuccessful [156]
Travelled 6,743 kilometres (4,190 mi) downrange [156]
3 September [157] Flag of the United States.svg UGM-133 Trident II D5 Flag of the United States.svg USS West Virginia, Eastern Range Flag of the United States.svg U.S. Navy
U.S. Navy Suborbital Missile test3 SeptemberSuccessful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
4 September [157] Flag of the United States.svg UGM-133 Trident II D5 Flag of the United States.svg USS West Virginia, Eastern Range Flag of the United States.svg U.S. Navy
U.S. Navy Suborbital Missile test4 SeptemberSuccessful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)
14 September
17:40 [152]
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 HERSCHEL NRL Suborbital Solar14 SeptemberSuccessful
19 September
23:32
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Black Brant XII Flag of the United States.svg Wallops Island LP-1 Flag of the United States.svg NASA
Flag of the United States.svg CARE [159] NRL Suborbital Aeronomy 19 SeptemberSuccessful
27 September [157] Flag of Iran.svg Shahab 1 Flag of Iran.svg Iran Flag of Iran.svg IRGC
IRGC Suborbital Missile test27 SeptemberSuccessful
Part of Great Prophet IV exercise, apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
27 September [157] Flag of Iran.svg Shahab 2 Flag of Iran.svg Iran Flag of Iran.svg IRGC
IRGC Suborbital Missile test27 SeptemberSuccessful
Part of Great Prophet IV exercise, apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
28 September [157] Flag of Iran.svg Shahab 3 Flag of Iran.svg Iran Flag of Iran.svg IRGC
IRGC Suborbital Missile test28 SeptemberSuccessful
Part of Great Prophet IV exercise, apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
28 September [157] Flag of Iran.svg Sejjil-1 Flag of Iran.svg Iran Flag of Iran.svg IRGC
IRGC Suborbital Missile test28 SeptemberSuccessful
Part of Great Prophet IV exercise, apogee: 800 kilometres (500 mi)
6 October [160] Flag of Russia.svg R-29R Volna Flag of Russia.svg K-433 Svyatoy Georgiy Pobedonosets, Sea of Okhotsk Flag of Russia.svg VMF
VMF Suborbital Missile test6 OctoberSuccessful
Carried four re-entry vehicles
7 October [160] Flag of Russia.svg R-29R Volna Flag of Russia.svg K-44 Ryazan, Sea of Okhotsk Flag of Russia.svg VMF
VMF Suborbital Missile test7 OctoberSuccessful
Carried four re-entry vehicles
12 October Flag of India.svg Prithvi 2 Flag of India.svg Odisha Flag of India.svg Indian Air Force
Indian Air Force Suborbital Target12 OctoberSuccessful
16 October [160] Flag of the United States.svg ARAV-B (Terrier-Oriole) Flag of the United States.svg Kauai Flag of the United States.svg MDA
Flag of the United States.svg FTX-06 Event 2 MDA Suborbital ABM target16 OctoberSuccessful
Radar target, not intercepted
16 October [160] Flag of the United States.svg ARAV-B (Terrier-Oriole) Flag of the United States.svg Kauai Flag of the United States.svg MDA
Flag of the United States.svg FTX-06 Event 3 MDA Suborbital ABM target16 OctoberSuccessful
Radar target, not intercepted
28 October
04:00 [160]
JFTM-3 Flag of the United States.svg Kauai Flag of the United States.svg MDA
JMSDF/MDA Suborbital ABM target28 OctoberSuccessful
Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi), intercepted by SM-3
28 October
04:04 [160]
Flag of the United States.svg RIM-161 SM-3JFTM-3 Flag of Japan.svg JDS Myōkō, Pacific Ocean Flag of Japan.svg JMSDF
JMSDF Suborbital ABM test28 OctoberSuccessful
Apogee: 150 kilometres (93 mi), intercepted target
1 November [160] Flag of Russia.svg R-29RMU Sineva Flag of Russia.svg K-117 Bryansk, Barents Sea Flag of Russia.svg VMF
VMF Suborbital Missile test1 NovemberSuccessful
Carried four re-entry vehicles
5 November [160] Flag of the United States.svg ARAV-C (Talos-Castor) Flag of the United States.svg Kauai Flag of the United States.svg MDA
Flag of the United States.svg FTX-06 Event 4 MDA Suborbital ABM target5 NovemberSuccessful
Radar target, not intercepted
14 November
02:30 [161]
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 CyXESS Colorado Suborbital X-ray astronomy [162] 14 NovemberSuccessful
22 November
11:15 [163]
Flag of Brazil.svg VSB-30 Flag of Sweden.svg Esrange Flag of Europe.svg EuroLaunch
Flag of Europe.svg TEXUS-46 ESA Suborbital Microgravity 22 NovemberSuccessful
Apogee: 252 kilometres (157 mi) [125]
23 November
14:20[ citation needed ]
Flag of India.svg Agni II Flag of India.svg Integrated Test Range Flag of India.svg Indian Army/DRDO
Indian Army/DRDO Suborbital Missile test23 NovemberLaunch failure
Loss of control after second stage separation[ citation needed ]
29 November
09:00 [163]
Flag of Brazil.svg VSB-30 Flag of Sweden.svg Esrange Flag of Europe.svg EuroLaunch
Flag of Europe.svg TEXUS-47 ESA Suborbital Microgravity29 NovemberSuccessful
Apogee: 264 kilometres (164 mi) [125]
30 November
01:38 [125]
Flag of New Zealand.svg Ātea-1 Flag of New Zealand.svg Great Mercury Island Flag of New Zealand.svg Rocket Lab
Flag of New Zealand.svg Manu Karere Rocket Lab Suborbital Test flight30 NovemberSuccessful
Apogee: 120 kilometres (75 mi), [125] maiden flight of Ātea-1, first spaceflight to be conducted by New Zealand
9 December
06:45 [125]
Flag of Russia.svg RSM-56 Bulava Flag of Russia.svg TK-208 Dmitri Donskoi, White Sea Flag of Russia.svg VMF
VMF Suborbital Missile test9 DecemberLaunch failure
Loss of control during third stage burn, [125] caused spiral patterns in the sky above Norway
10 December
11:35 [125]
Flag of Russia.svg RS-12M Topol Flag of Russia.svg Kapustin Yar Flag of Russia.svg RVSN RF
RVSN RF Suborbital Missile test10 DecemberSuccessful
11 December Flag of the United States.svg LRALT FTT-11 C-17 Globemaster III, Pacific Ocean Flag of the United States.svg MDA
MDA/IMDO Suborbital ABM target11 DecemberLaunch failure
Target for THAAD
13 December Flag of India.svg Dhanush Flag of India.svg INS Subhadra Flag of India.svg Indian Navy
Indian Navy Suborbital Target13 DecemberSuccessful
16 December [125] Flag of Iran.svg Sejjil-2 Flag of Iran.svg Iran Flag of Iran.svg IRGC
IRGC Suborbital Missile test16 DecemberSuccessful
Apogee: 800 kilometres (500 mi)
17 December
03:25
Flag of the United States.svg Terrier-Orion Flag of the United States.svg Wallops Island Flag of the United States.svg NASA
Flag of the United States.svg HAROH [164] ERAU Suborbital Aeronomy 17 DecemberSuccessful
19 December [165] Flag of the United States.svg UGM-133 Trident II D5 Flag of the United States.svg USS Alaska Flag of the United States.svg US Navy
U.S. Navy Suborbital Test flight19 DecemberSuccessful
Demonstration and Shakedown Operation
24 December [166] Flag of Russia.svg R-36M2 Voyevoda Flag of Russia.svg Dombarovsky Flag of Russia.svg RVSN RF
RVSN RF Suborbital Missile test24 DecemberSuccessful

Deep space rendezvous

DateSpacecraftEventRemarks
7 February Cassini 50th flyby of Titan Closest approach: 960 kilometres (600 mi)
12 February [167] Okina Lunar impactFarside of the Moon
17 February Dawn Flyby of Mars Gravity assist, closest approach 549 kilometres (341 mi) at 00:28 GMT
1 March [168] Chang'e 1 Lunar impactDeorbited at 07:36 and impacted at 08:13 [168]
27 MarchCassini51st flyby of TitanClosest approach: 960 kilometres (600 mi)
4 AprilCassini52nd flyby of TitanClosest approach: 4,150 kilometres (2,580 mi)
20 AprilCassini53rd flyby of TitanClosest approach: 3,600 kilometres (2,200 mi)
5 MayCassini54th flyby of TitanClosest approach: 3,244 kilometres (2,016 mi)
21 MayCassini55th flyby of TitanClosest approach: 965 kilometres (600 mi)
6 JuneCassini56th flyby of TitanClosest approach: 965 kilometres (600 mi)
10 June [169] Kaguya Lunar Impactat 18:25 UTC, around Gill crater.
22 JuneCassini57th flyby of TitanClosest approach: 955 kilometres (593 mi)
23 June LRO Selenocentric orbit insertionOrbital insersion burn lasted from 09:47 to 10:26 UTC
23 June LCROSS/Centaur Lunar flybyGravity assist to align for impact in October, closest approach: 3,200 kilometres (2,000 mi) at 10:30:33 UTC
8 JulyCassini58th flyby of TitanClosest approach: 965 kilometres (600 mi)
24 JulyCassini59th flyby of TitanClosest approach: 955 kilometres (593 mi)
9 AugustCassini60th flyby of TitanClosest approach: 970 kilometres (600 mi)
25 AugustCassini61st flyby of TitanClosest approach: 970 kilometres (600 mi)
17 September Artemis P1 Lunar flybyClosest approach: 43,875 kilometres (27,263 mi) at 00:49 UTC [170]
30 September MESSENGER 3rd flyby of Mercury Gravity assist, closest approach: 229 kilometres (142 mi) [171]
9 October AV-020 Centaur Lunar impact2,000-kilogram (4,400 lb) upper stage of the Atlas V rocket used to launch LRO and LCROSS. Impacted Cabeus crater [5] at Lunar South Pole. [172] Impact occurred at 11:31 UTC, and was observed by LCROSS.
LCROSS (S-S/C)Lunar impact700-kilogram (1,500 lb) shepherding spacecraft. Detached from Centaur at 01:50 UTC, and impacted same crater at 11:37.
12 OctoberCassini62nd flyby of TitanClosest approach: 1,300 kilometres (810 mi)
2 NovemberCassini7th flyby of Enceladus Closest approach: 103 kilometres (64 mi)
13 November Rosetta 3rd flyby of Earth Gravity assist
21 NovemberCassini8th flyby of EnceladusClosest approach: 1,607 kilometres (999 mi)
8 DecemberArtemis P1Lunar flybyClosest approach: 16,101 kilometres (10,005 mi) at 01:25 UTC [170]
12 DecemberCassini63rd flyby of TitanClosest approach: 4,850 kilometres (3,010 mi)
28 DecemberCassini64th flyby of TitanClosest approach: 955 kilometres (593 mi)
Distant, non-targeted flybys of Dione, Mimas, Rhea, Tethys and Titan by Cassini occurred throughout the year.

EVAs

Start Date/TimeDurationEnd TimeSpacecraftCrewRemarks
10 March
16:22
4 hours
49 minutes
21:11 Expedition 18
ISS Pirs
Flag of Russia.svg Yuri Lonchakov
Flag of the United States.svg Michael Fincke
Installed the EXPOSE-R experiment, removed tape straps from a docking target on the Pirs docking compartment, inspected and photographed the exterior of the Russian portion of the station. [173] [174]
19 March
17:16
6 hours
7 minutes
23:23 STS-119
ISS Quest
Flag of the United States.svg Steven Swanson
Flag of the United States.svg Richard R. Arnold
Installed the S6 truss to the S5 truss, connected S5/S6 umbilicals, released launch restraints, removed keel pins, stored and removed thermal covers, and deployed the S6 photovoltaic radiator. [175]
21 March
16:51
6 hours
30 minutes
23:21STS-119
ISS Quest
Flag of the United States.svg Steven Swanson
Flag of the United States.svg Joseph M. Acaba
Advanced preparation of worksite for STS-127, installation of an unpressurised cargo carrier attachment system on the P3 truss, installation of a Global Positioning System antenna to the Kibo laboratory, and infrared imagery of panels of the radiators on the P1 and S1 trusses. [176] [177] Cargo carrier installation unsuccessful
23 March
15:37
6 hours
27 minutes
22:04STS-119
ISS Quest
Flag of the United States.svg Joseph M. Acaba
Flag of the United States.svg Richard R. Arnold
Relocation of a crew equipment cart, complete the deployment of a cargo carrier, lubricated the station robotic arm's latching end effector B snare bearings, and finish swapping electrical relays to the station's gyroscopes. [178] Cargo carrier deployment unsuccessful
14 May
12:52
7 hours
20 minutes
20:12 STS-125
Atlantis
Flag of the United States.svg John M. Grunsfeld
Flag of the United States.svg Andrew J. Feustel
HST servicing: Replaced the WFPC-2 with WFC-3, replaced the Science Instrument Command and Data Handling Unit, lubricated three shroud doors, installed SCM. [179] [180] [181]
15 May
12:49
7 hours
56 minutes
20:46STS-125
Atlantis
Flag of the United States.svg Michael J. Massimino
Flag of the United States.svg Michael T. Good
HST servicing: Replaced rate sensing gyroscopes, removed one of two batteries. [182] [183]
16 May
13:35
6 hours
36 minutes
20:11STS-125
Atlantis
Flag of the United States.svg John M. Grunsfeld
Flag of the United States.svg Andrew J. Feustel
HST servicing: Replaced COSTAR with COS. Repaired ACS, performed get-ahead tasks from EVA-5. [184]
17 May
13:45
8 hours
2 minutes
21:47STS-125
Atlantis
Flag of the United States.svg Michael J. Massimino
Flag of the United States.svg Michael T. Good
HST servicing: Repaired Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph. [185]
18 May
13:20
7 hours
2 minutes
20:22STS-125
Atlantis
Flag of the United States.svg John M. Grunsfeld
Flag of the United States.svg Andrew J. Feustel
HST servicing: Final HST servicing EVA, final EVA from Space Shuttle. Replaced second battery, installed FGS-3, replaced some insulation and a low-gain antenna cover. [186] [187] [188]
5 June
07:52
4 hours
54 minutes
12:46 Expedition 20
ISS Pirs
Flag of Russia.svg Gennady Padalka
Flag of the United States.svg Michael R. Barratt
Prepared the Zvezda service module transfer compartment for the arrival of the Poisk module, installed docking antenna for the module, photographed antenna for evaluation on the ground, and photographed the Strela-2 crane. First use of the Orlan-MK spacesuit. [189] [190]
10 June
06:55
12 minutes07:07Expedition 20
ISS Zvezda
Flag of Russia.svg Gennady Padalka
Flag of the United States.svg Michael R. Barratt
Internal spacewalk in the depressurised Zvezda transfer compartment, replaced one of the Zvezda hatches with a docking cone, in preparation for the docking of Poisk, later this year. [191]
18 July
16:19
5 hours
32 minutes
21:51 STS-127
ISS Quest
Flag of the United States.svg David Wolf
Flag of the United States.svg Timothy L. Kopra
JEF installed and P3 nadir UCCAS deployed. S3 zenith outboard PAS deploy postponed due to time constraints.
20 July
15:27
6 hours
53 minutes
22:20STS-127
ISS Quest
Flag of the United States.svg David Wolf
Flag of the United States.svg Thomas Marshburn
Transferred Orbital Replacement Units (ORUs) from the Shuttle Integrated Cargo Carrier (ICC) to the External Stowage Platform-3 (ESP-3). Transferred materials included a spare high-gain antenna, cooling-system pump module and spare parts for the Mobile Servicing System. JEF Visual Equipment (JEF-VE) installation on the forward section was postponed due to time constraints.
22 July
14:32
5 hours
59 minutes
20:31STS-127
ISS Quest
Flag of the United States.svg David Wolf
Flag of the United States.svg Christopher Cassidy
JPM preparation work, ICS-EF MLI, and P6 battery replacement (2 of 6 units). EVA was cut short due to high levels of CO2 in Cassidy's suit.
24 July
13:54
7 hours
12 minutes
21:06STS-127
ISS Quest
Flag of the United States.svg Christopher Cassidy
Flag of the United States.svg Thomas Marshburn
P6 battery replacement (final 4 of 6).
27 July
11:33
4 hours
54 minutes
16:27STS-127
ISS Quest
Flag of the United States.svg Christopher Cassidy
Flag of the United States.svg Thomas Marshburn
SPDM thermal cover adjustment, Z1 patch panel reconfiguration, JEM visual equipment (JEM-VE) installation (forward and aft), and JEM-LTA reconfigurations. S3 Nadir PAS (outboard) deployment postponed to later mission.
1 September
21:49
6 hours
35 minutes
2 September
04:24
STS-128
ISS Quest
Flag of the United States.svg John D. Olivas
Flag of the United States.svg Nicole P. Stott
Prepared for the replacement of an empty ammonia tank on the station's port truss by releasing its bolts. Retrieved the MISSE-6 and EuTEF experiments mounted outside Columbus, and stowed them in the Shuttle's payload bay for their return to Earth. Nicole Stott becomes the tenth woman to conduct a spacewalk.
3 September
22:13
6 hours
39 minutes
4 September
04:51
STS-128
ISS Quest
Flag of the United States.svg John D. Olivas
Flag of Sweden.svg Christer Fuglesang
Removed the new ammonia tank from the shuttle's payload bay and replaced it with the used tank from the station. The new tank, weighing about 1,800 pounds (820 kg), was the most mass ever moved by spacewalking astronauts. With this spacewalk, Christer Fuglesang became the first person, who is not from either an American or Russian space program, to have participated in four or more spacewalks.
5 September
20:39
7 hours
1 minute
6 September
03:40
STS-128
ISS Quest
Flag of the United States.svg John D. Olivas
Flag of Sweden.svg Christer Fuglesang
Prepared for the arrival of Tranquility by attaching cables between the starboard truss and Unity, the area where Tranquility will be installed. The spacewalkers also replaced a communications sensor device, installed two new GPS antennas, deployed the PAS on the S3 truss, and replaced a circuit breaker.
19 November
14:24
6 hours
37 minutes
21:01 STS-129
ISS Quest
Flag of the United States.svg Michael Foreman
Flag of the United States.svg Robert Satcher
Installed a spare antenna on the station's truss and a bracket for ammonia lines on Unity. Lubricated the grapple mechanism on the Payload Orbital Replacement Unit Attachment Device on the Mobile Base System and lubricated the snares of the hand of the station's Japanese robotic arm. Deployed the S3 outboard Payload Attach System.
21 November
14:31
6 hours
8 minutes
20:39STS-129
ISS Quest
Flag of the United States.svg Michael Foreman
Flag of the United States.svg Randolph Bresnik
Installed the GATOR (Grappling Adaptor to On-Orbit Railing) bracket to Columbus and an additional ham radio antenna. Installed on the truss an antenna for wireless helmet camera video. Relocated the Floating Potential Measurement Unit that records electrical potential around the station as it orbits the Earth. Deployed two brackets to attach cargo on the truss.
23 November
13:24
5 hours
42 minutes
19:06STS-129
ISS Quest
Flag of the United States.svg Robert Satcher
Flag of the United States.svg Randolph Bresnik
Installed a new High Pressure Gas Tank (HPGT) on the Quest airlock. Installed MISSE-7A and 7B on ELC-2. Strapped two micrometeoroid and orbital debris (MMOD) shields to External Stowage Platform #2. Relocated foot restraint, released a bolt on Ammonia Tank Assembly, installed insulated covers on cameras on mobile servicing system and Canadarm 2's end effector. Worked heater cables on docking adapter.

Orbital launch statistics

By country

Circle frame.svgChina: 6Europe: 7India: 2Iran: 1Japan: 3North Korea: 1South Korea: 1Russia: 27Ukraine: 6USA: 24
CountryLaunchesSuccessesFailuresPartial
failures
Remarks
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 6501
Flag of Europe.svg  Europe 7700
Flag of India.svg  India 2200
Flag of Iran.svg  Iran 1100First successful orbital launch [2]
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 3300
Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea 1010
Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 1010With Russian assistance
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 272610
Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine 6600
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 242310
World787341

By rocket

5
10
15
20
R-7
UR

By family

By type

By configuration

By launch site

5
10
15
20
25
30
China
France
India
International waters
Iran
Japan
Kazakhstan
Marshall Islands
North Korea
Russia
SiteCountryLaunchesSuccessesFailuresPartial failuresRemarks
Baikonur Flag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan 242400
Cape Canaveral Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 111100
Jiuquan Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 2200
Kennedy Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 5500
Kwajalein Flag of the Marshall Islands.svg  Marshall Islands 1100
Kourou Flag of France.svg  France 7700
MARS Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 1100
Ocean Odyssey Flag of the United Nations.svg International1100
Naro Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 1010First launch
Plesetsk Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 8710
Satish Dhawan Flag of India.svg  India 2200
Semnan Flag of Iran.svg  Iran 1100
Taiyuan Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 2200
Tanegashima Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 3300
Tonghae Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea 1010
Vandenberg Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 6510
Xichang Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 2101
Total787341

By orbit

10
20
30
40
50
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 45423014 to ISS
Medium Earth / Molniya 4311
Geosynchronous / GTO 262600
High Earth / Lunar transfer 1100
Heliocentric / Planetary transfer 2200
Total787441

See also

Related Research Articles

Space Shuttle missions designated STS-3xx were rescue missions which would have been mounted to rescue the crew of a Space Shuttle if their vehicle was damaged and deemed unable to make a successful reentry. Such a mission would have been flown if Mission Control determined that the heat shielding tiles and reinforced carbon-carbon panels of a currently flying orbiter were damaged beyond the repair capabilities of the available on-orbit repair methods. These missions were also referred to as Launch on Demand (LOD) and Contingency Shuttle Crew Support. The program was initiated following loss of Space Shuttle Columbia in 2003. No mission of this type was launched during the Space Shuttle program.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 in spaceflight</span>

This article outlines notable events occurring in 2006 in spaceflight, including major launches and EVAs. 2006 saw Brazil, Iran, and Sweden all get a national into space for the first time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2005 in spaceflight</span>

This article outlines notable events occurring in 2005 in spaceflight, including major launches and EVAs. 2005 saw Iran launch its first satellite.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2007 in spaceflight</span>

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2003 in spaceflight</span>

This article outlines notable events occurring in 2003 in spaceflight, including major launches and EVAs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2002 in spaceflight</span>

This article outlines notable events occurring in 2002 in spaceflight, including major launches and EVAs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2001 in spaceflight</span>

This article outlines notable events occurring in 2001 in spaceflight, including major launches and EVAs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2000 in spaceflight</span>

This article outlines notable events occurring in 2000 in spaceflight, including major launches and EVAs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 in spaceflight</span>

The year 2008 contained several significant events in spaceflight, including the first flyby of Mercury by a spacecraft since 1975, the discovery of water ice on Mars by the Phoenix spacecraft, which landed in May, the first Chinese spacewalk in September, the launch of the first Indian Lunar probe in October, and the first successful flight of a privately developed orbital launch vehicle by SpaceX's Falcon 1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Briz (rocket stage)</span> Russian rocket upper stages family

The Briz-K, Briz-KM and Briz-M are Russian liquid-propellant rocket orbit insertion upper stages manufactured by Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center and used on the Proton-M and Angara A5. The upper stages were also used on Rokot, one of Russia's smaller launchers, before its retirement in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1996 in spaceflight</span>

This article outlines notable events occurring in 1996 in spaceflight, including major launches and EVAs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 in spaceflight</span>

The year 2010 saw a number of notable events in worldwide spaceflight activities. These included the first test flight of the SpaceX Dragon commercial resupply spacecraft, which is intended to resupply the International Space Station (ISS), and the maiden flights of the Falcon 9 and Minotaur IV rockets. In June 2010, South Korea conducted a second Naro-1 launch, after the failure of the rocket's maiden flight in 2009; however, the second attempt also failed. The Kosmos-3M was retired from service, making its final flight in April. The Molniya-M was also retired from service, making its final flight in September.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1993 in spaceflight</span>

The following is an outline of 1993 in spaceflight.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 in spaceflight</span>

The year 2011 saw a number of significant events in spaceflight, including the retirement of NASA's Space Shuttle after its final flight in July 2011, and the launch of China's first space station module, Tiangong-1, in September. A total of 84 orbital launches were conducted over the course of the year, of which 78 were successful. Russia, China and the United States conducted the majority of the year's orbital launches, with 35, 19 and 18 launches respectively; 2011 marked the first year that China conducted more successful launches than the United States. Seven crewed missions were launched into orbit during 2011, carrying a total of 28 astronauts to the International Space Station. Additionally, the Zenit-3F and Long March 2F/G carrier rockets made their maiden flights in 2011, while the Delta II Heavy made its last.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 in spaceflight</span>

The year 2012 saw a number of significant events in spaceflight. In May and October, the first Commercial Orbital Transportation Services resupply missions took place, during which the SpaceX Dragon became the first private spacecraft to dock with the International Space Station (ISS). In June, China launched the crewed Shenzhou 9 orbital mission, and North Korea achieved its first successful orbital launch in December. 2012 also saw China's first successful asteroid exploration mission, and the landing of NASA's Curiosity rover on Mars. The Vega and Unha-3 rockets made their maiden flights in 2012, while the Proton-K made its last.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 in spaceflight</span>

In 2015, the maiden spaceflights of the Chinese Long March 6 and Long March 11 launch vehicles took place.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 in spaceflight</span>

In 2014, the maiden flight of the Angara A5, Antares 120 and Antares 130 took place.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 in spaceflight</span>

Several new rockets and spaceports began operations in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 in spaceflight</span>

In 2013, the maiden spaceflight of the Orbital Sciences' Antares launch vehicle, designated A-ONE, took place on 13 April. Orbital Science also launched its first spacecraft, Cygnus, that docked with the International Space Station in late September 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 in spaceflight</span>

This article documents notable spaceflight events during the year 2018. For the first time since 1990, more than 100 orbital launches were performed globally.

References

Generic references:
RocketSunIcon.svg Spaceflightportal

Footnotes

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