2011 in spaceflight

Last updated

2011 in spaceflight
STS-135 landing cropped.jpg
Space Shuttle Atlantis lands at the Shuttle Landing Facility on 21 July 2011, completing the final mission of the Space Shuttle programme.
Orbital launches
First20 January
Last28 December
Total84
Successes78
Failures6
Catalogued 80
National firsts
Satellite Flag of the Isle of Man.svg  Isle of Man
Rockets
Maiden flights Zenit-3F
Long March 2F/G
Atlas V 541
Retirements Space Shuttle
Delta II Heavy
Crewed flights
Orbital7
Total travellers28
EVAs 10
2011 in spaceflight
  2010
2012  

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. [1] 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.

Contents

Overview of orbital spaceflight

A total of 84 orbital launches were attempted in 2011, with 78 being reported as successful; 80 launches reached orbit. 35 launches were conducted using Russian and former Soviet rockets, whilst China launched 19 rockets, and the United States launched 18. Europe conducted five launches, India and Japan launched three rockets each, and Iran conducted one launch.

Crewed launches

Seven crewed spaceflights – four Soyuz and three Space Shuttle missions – were launched in 2011, carrying a total of 28 astronauts and cosmonauts into orbit. At the beginning of the year, the Expedition 26 crew was aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The first crewed flight of 2011 was STS-133, the final flight of the Space Shuttle Discovery, which launched from the Kennedy Space Center on 24 February. STS-133 carried Leonardo , the final American pressurised module of the ISS, for installation. Discovery returned to Earth on 9 March.

On 16 March, Expedition 27 began aboard the ISS with the departure of the Soyuz TMA-01M spacecraft, which had been docked since October 2010. On 4 April, Soyuz TMA-21 launched to the space station, delivering a further three crewmembers. On 16 May, Space Shuttle Space Shuttle Endeavour launched to the station on its final mission, STS-134, delivering and installing the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, before returning to Earth on 1 June. Expedition 28 began aboard the ISS on 23 May with the departure of Soyuz TMA-20, which had been launched in December 2010, and landed in the early morning of 24 May. Three more crewmembers were launched to the space station aboard Soyuz TMA-02M on 7 June.

The final Space Shuttle mission, STS-135, began on 8 July with the launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis, carrying supplies for the ISS aboard the Raffaello Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM). After resupplying the space station, Atlantis returned to Earth, landing at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility at 09:57 UTC on 21 July, and concluding thirty years of Space Shuttle operations. Two days before landing, Atlantis deployed PSSC-2, the last satellite to be launched from a Space Shuttle.

On 29 September, China launched its first space station module, Tiangong-1, which was placed into orbit by a Long March 2F/G carrier rocket flying from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre. Although no crewed missions to Tiangong-1 were conducted in 2011, the uncrewed Shenzhou 8 spacecraft, which was launched on 31 October, docked twice with the module to test its systems in preparation for a successful 2012 crewed docking.

ISS Expedition 28 ended, and Expedition 29 began, with the undocking of Soyuz TMA-21 on 16 September. The launch of Soyuz TMA-22 did not take place until 14 November, having been delayed by reliability concerns surrounding the Soyuz rocket after an uncrewed launch failure in August. A week later, Soyuz TMA-02M undocked, beginning Expedition 30, with the Soyuz spacecraft landing on 22 November. The final crewed launch of the year took place on 21 December, when Soyuz TMA-03M was launched to bring a further three crewmembers to the ISS.

Ten spacewalks were conducted in 2011, all of them by ISS or Space Shuttle astronauts. The final spacewalk by a Space Shuttle crew was conducted on 27 May, during the STS-134 mission.

Robotic exploration

Numerous scientific exploration missions were begun in 2011. In March 2011, the MESSENGER probe became the first artificial satellite of the planet Mercury. In July, the Dawn spacecraft became the first artificial satellite of the asteroid 4 Vesta. The Mars Science Laboratory – at the time, the largest Mars rover ever constructed – was launched in November, conducting a successful landing on Mars in August 2012. [2]

Launch failures

Six orbital launches failed in 2011, four of which failed to achieve orbit and the remaining two reached lower orbits than expected. The first failure occurred on 1 February, when a Rokot with a Briz-KM upper stage placed Kosmos 2470 into a useless orbit, from which it could not recover. The failure was later traced to a software problem on the Briz-KM.

The next failure occurred on 4 March, when the payload fairing of a Taurus-XL failed to separate, resulting in the rocket being too heavy to reach orbit. The Glory climate research satellite was lost in the failure, along with the KySat-1, Hermes and Explorer-1 [PRIME] CubeSats. The previous Taurus-XL launch, carrying the Orbiting Carbon Observatory in February 2009, also failed due to the fairing not separating.

No more launch failures occurred until mid-August when, over the space of a week, three consecutive orbital launches failed. On 17 August, a Proton-M/Briz-M launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, carrying the Ekspress-AM4 communications satellite. In the morning of 18 August, the rocket's upper stage failed to conduct the fourth of five planned burns due to an attitude control system malfunction, leaving the spacecraft in a parking orbit. Later that same day, a Long March 2C launched from Jiuquan carrying the Shijian XI-04 satellite. The second stage vernier engine's mounting suffered a structural failure, resulting in a loss of control, and the rocket failed to reach orbit. Finally, on 24 August, a Soyuz-U carrying the Progress M-12M cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station suffered a third-stage engine failure and also failed to attain orbit.

The final launch failure of 2011 occurred on 23 December, when a Soyuz-2-1b/Fregat carrying the Meridian 5 satellite failed to achieve orbit due to a third-stage malfunction. Debris fell over Novosibirsk Oblast, with one piece hitting a house; however, no casualties were reported.

In November 2011, Russia's Fobos-Grunt Martian sample return probe launched successfully, but experienced a malfunction post-launch and became stranded in orbit. The spacecraft, which was Russia's first attempt at an interplanetary mission since the 1996 Mars 96 mission, disintegrated over the Pacific Ocean on 15 January 2012. [3] [4] China's first Mars probe, Yinghuo-1, which was being carried by the same rocket as Fobos-Grunt, was also lost in the incident.

Orbital launches

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

January

20 January
12:29:01
Flag of Ukraine.svg Zenit-3F Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 45/1 Flag of Russia.svg Roscosmos
Flag of Russia.svg Elektro-L No.1 Roscosmos Geostationary Meteorology In orbitOperational [5]
Maiden flight of Zenit-3F.
20 January
21:10 [6]
Flag of the United States.svg Delta IV-H Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg SLC-6 Flag of the United States.svg United Launch Alliance
Flag of the United States.svg USA-224 (KH-11) NRO Low Earth Earth observation In orbitOperational
NRO Launch 49, first Delta IV Heavy launch from Vandenberg. [7]
22 January
05:37:57 [8]
Flag of Japan.svg H-IIB Flag of Japan.svg Tanegashima LA-Y2 Flag of Japan.svg JAXA [9]
Flag of Japan.svg Kounotori 2 (HTV-2) JAXA Low Earth (ISS) ISS logistics 30 MarchSuccessful
28 January
01:31:41
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-09M / 41P Roscosmos Low Earth (ISS) ISS logistics 26 April
13:22:53
Successful
Flag of Russia.svg Kedr RKK Energia Low Earth Amateur radio 4 January 2012 [11] Successful

February

1 February
14:00
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 2470 (Geo-IK-2 No.11) VKS Low Earth Geodesy 15 July 2013 [13] Launch failure
Upper stage malfunctioned due to problems with the flight software, [14] reached lower orbit than planned.
6 February
12:26
Flag of the United States.svg Minotaur I Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg SLC-8 Flag of the United States.svg Orbital Sciences
Flag of the United States.svg USA-225 (RPP) NRO Low Earth Technology demonstration In orbitOperational [15]
NRO Launch 66
16 February
21:50 [16]
Flag of Europe.svg Ariane 5 ES Flag of France.svg Kourou ELA-3 Flag of France.svg Arianespace
Flag of Europe.svg Johannes Kepler ATV ESA Low Earth (ISS) ISS logistics 21 JuneSuccessful
24 February
21:53:24
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-133 NASA Low Earth (ISS) ISS logistics 9 March
16:57:17
Successful
Flag of the United Nations.svg Leonardo (PMM) [17] ASI / NASA Low Earth (ISS) ISS assembly In orbitOperational
Flag of the United Nations.svg ExPRESS-4 NASA Low Earth (ISS) ISS logistics In orbitOperational
Crewed flight, final flight of Discovery.
26 February
03:07
Flag of Russia.svg Soyuz-2.1b / Fregat Flag of Russia.svg Plesetsk Site 43/4 Flag of Russia.svg RVSN RF
Flag of Russia.svg Kosmos 2471 (Glonass-K   701) VKS Medium Earth Navigation 12 November 2021Successful [18]

March

4 March
10:09:43
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 Glory NASA Intended: Low Earth (SSO) Climatology 4 MarchLaunch failure
Flag of the United States.svg KySat-1 Kentucky Space Intended: Low Earth Technology demonstration
Flag of the United States.svg Hermes Colorado Intended: Low Earth Technology demonstration
Flag of the United States.svg Explorer-1 [PRIME] Montana State Intended: Low Earth Radiation
All payloads CubeSats except Glory, which would have been part of the A-train constellation. Fairing failed to separate.
5 March
22:46
Flag of the United States.svg Atlas V 501 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-226 (X-37B FLT-2) U.S. Air Force Low Earth Technology demonstration 16 June 2012
12:48 [19] [20]
Successful
11 March
23:38
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 USA-227 (SDS-3) NRO Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational
NRO Launch 27

April

4 April
22:18:20 [21] [22]
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-21 Roscosmos Low Earth (ISS) Expedition 27/28 16 September
03:59:39
Successful
9 April
20:47:04
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Long March 3A Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Xichang LC-3 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg CNSA
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Compass-IGSO3 CNSA IGSO Navigation In orbitOperational
14 April
04:24
Flag of the United States.svg Atlas V 411 [23] 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-229 (NOSS) NRO Low Earth ELINT In orbitOperational
Flag of the United States.svg USA-229 (NOSS) NRO Low Earth ELINT In orbitOperational
NRO Launch 34
20 April
04:42 [24] [25] [26]
Flag of India.svg PSLV Flag of India.svg Satish Dhawan FLP Flag of India.svg ISRO
Flag of India.svg Resourcesat-2 ISRO Low Earth (SSO) Earth observation In orbitOperational
Flag of India.svg Flag of Russia.svg YouthSat ISRO / MGU Low Earth (SSO)EducationIn orbitOperational
Flag of Singapore.svg X-Sat CREST Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration In orbitOperational
22 April
21:37 [27] [28] [29]
Flag of Europe.svg Ariane 5 ECA [30] Flag of France.svg Kourou ELA-3 Flag of France.svg Arianespace
Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Yahsat 1A Yahsat Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational
Flag of the United Nations.svg New Dawn [31] Intelsat Geosynchronous Communications In orbitPartial spacecraft failure
New Dawn's C-Band antenna failed to deploy.
27 April
13:05:21
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-10M / 42P Roscosmos Low Earth (ISS) ISS logistics 29 October
13:00:31
Successful

May

4 May
17:41:33 [32]
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 4 VKS Medium Earth Communications In orbitOperational
7 May
18:10
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-230 (SBIRS-GEO 1) U.S. Air Force Geosynchronous Missile defense In orbitOperational
16 May
12:56
Flag of the United States.svg Space Shuttle Endeavour 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-134 NASA Low Earth (ISS) ISS logistics 1 June
06:35
Successful
Flag of the United Nations.svg AMS-02 [17] NASA Low Earth (ISS) Cosmic-ray observatory In orbitOperational
Flag of the United Nations.svg ExPRESS-3 NASA Low Earth (ISS) ISS logistics In orbitOperational
Crewed flight, final flight of Endeavour.
20 May
19:15 [33]
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 Telstar 14R Telesat Geosynchronous Communications In orbitPartial spacecraft failure
Second solar panel failed to deploy due to tangled cable [34]
20 May
20:38 [35]
Flag of Europe.svg Ariane 5 ECA Flag of France.svg Kourou ELA-3 Flag of France.svg Arianespace
Flag of Singapore.svg Flag of the Republic of China.svg ST-2 SingTel / Chunghwa Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational
Flag of India.svg INSAT-4G/GSAT-8 [37] ISRO Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational

June

7 June
20:12:45
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-02M Roscosmos Low Earth (ISS) Expedition 28/29 22 November
02:26
Successful
10 June
14:20
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 Argentina.svg Flag of the United States.svg SAC-D CONAE / NASA Low Earth (SSO) Oceanography In orbitOperational
Final scheduled flight of Delta II 7300 series; spacecraft carrying NASA's Aquarius instrument.
15 June
09:14[ citation needed ]
Flag of Iran.svg Safir-1A UIS.0001 Flag of Iran.svg Semnan LP-1 Flag of Iran.svg ISA
Flag of Iran.svg Rasad 1 ISA Low Earth Earth observation 6 July 2011Successful
20 June
16:13 [38]
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Long March 3B Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Xichang LC-2 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg CNSA
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg ChinaSat 10 China Satellite Communications Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational
21 June
14:38
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-11M / 43P Roscosmos Low Earth (ISS) ISS logistics 1 September
10:21:41
Successful
27 June
16:00 [39]
Flag of Russia.svg Soyuz-U Flag of Russia.svg Plesetsk Site 16/2 Flag of Russia.svg VKS
Flag of Russia.svg Kosmos 2472 (Kobalt-M No.7) VKS Low Earth Reconnaissance 24 OctoberSuccessful
30 June
03:09
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 USA-231 (ORS-1) ORSO Low Earth Reconnaissance 12 March 2018 [41] Successful

July

6 July
04:28 [42]
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Long March 2C Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Jiuquan SLS-2 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg CNSA
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Shijian 11-03 CNSA Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration In orbitOperational
8 July
15:29
Flag of the United States.svg Space Shuttle Atlantis 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-135 NASA Low Earth (ISS) ISS logistics 21 July 2011
09:57
Successful
Flag of Italy.svg Flag of the United States.svg Raffaelo MPLM NASA Low Earth (ISS) ISS logistics Successful
Flag of the United States.svg PSSC-2 U.S. Air Force Low Earth Technology demonstration 8 DecemberSuccessful
Crewed flight, final flight of Atlantis and of Space Shuttle programme.
11 July
15:41 [43] [44]
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Long March 3C Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Xichang LC-2 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg CNSA
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Tianlian I-02 (1B) CNSA Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational
13 July
02:27 [45] [46]
Flag of Russia.svg Soyuz-2.1a / 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 M081 Globalstar Low Earth Communications In orbitOperational
Flag of the United States.svg Globalstar M083 Globalstar Low Earth Communications In orbitOperational
Flag of the United States.svg Globalstar M085 Globalstar Low Earth Communications In orbitOperational
Flag of the United States.svg Globalstar M088 Globalstar Low Earth Communications In orbitOperational
Flag of the United States.svg Globalstar M089 Globalstar Low Earth Communications In orbitOperational
Flag of the United States.svg Globalstar M091 Globalstar Low Earth Communications In orbitOperational
15 July
11:18
Flag of India.svg PSLV-XL Flag of India.svg Satish Dhawan FLP Flag of India.svg ISRO
Flag of India.svg GSAT-12 ISRO Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational
15 July
23:16
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 Netherlands.svg SES-3 SES World Skies (July–September)
SES S.A. (September—)
Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational
Flag of Kazakhstan.svg KazSat-2 JSC KazSat Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational
16 July
06:41
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 USA-232 (GPS-IIF-2) U.S. Air Force Medium Earth Navigation In orbitOperational
18 July
02:31 [47]
Flag of Ukraine.svg Flag of Russia.svg Zenit-3F Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 45/1 Flag of Russia.svg Roscosmos
Flag of Russia.svg Spektr-R (RadioAstron) Roscosmos High Earth Radio astronomy 30 May 2019Successful
Russian scientific satellite with a 10 m (33 ft) radio telescope on board. Together with some of the largest ground-based radio telescopes, the Spektr-R formed interferometric baselines extending up to 350,000 km (220,000 mi).
26 July
21:44 [48]
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Long March 3A Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Xichang LC-3 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg CNSA
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Compass-IGSO4 CNSA IGSO Navigation In orbitOperational
29 July
07:42 [49]
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Long March 2C Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Jiuquan SLS-2 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg CNSA
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Shijian 11-02 CNSA Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration In orbitOperational

August

5 August
16:25 [50]
Flag of the United States.svg Atlas V 551 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 Juno NASA Jovicentric Jupiter orbiter In orbitOperational
6 August
22:52 [51]
Flag of Europe.svg Ariane 5 ECA Flag of France.svg Kourou ELA-3 Flag of France.svg Arianespace
Flag of Luxembourg.svg Astra 1N SES Astra (August–September)
SES S.A. (September—)
Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational
Flag of Japan.svg BSAT-3c / JCSAT-110R BSAT / JSAT Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational
11 August
16:15 [52]
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Long March 3B/E Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Xichang LC-2 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg CNSA
Flag of Pakistan.svg Paksat-1R SUPARCO Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational
15 August
22:57 [53]
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Long March 4B Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Taiyuan LC-2 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg CNSA
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Hai Yang 2A CAST Low Earth (SSO) Oceanography In orbitOperational
17 August
07:12 [54]
Flag of Ukraine.svg Dnepr Flag of Russia.svg Dombarovsky Site 13 Flag of Russia.svg ISC Kosmotras
Flag of Ukraine.svg Sich-2 NKAU Low Earth (SSO) Earth observation In orbitOperational
Flag of Nigeria.svg NigeriaSat-2 NASRDA Low Earth (SSO) Earth observation In orbitOperational
Flag of Nigeria.svg NigeriaSat-X NASRDA Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration In orbitOperational
Flag of Turkey.svg RASAT TÜBİTAK Low Earth (SSO) Earth observation In orbitSuccessful
Flag of Italy.svg EduSAT GAUSS Srl Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration In orbitOperational
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg AprizeSat-5 exactEarth Low Earth (SSO) Communications In orbitOperational
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg AprizeSat-6 exactEarth Low Earth (SSO) Communications In orbitOperational
Flag of Ukraine.svg BPA-2 Hartron-Arkos Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration In orbitSuccessful
17 August
21:25 [55]
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 AM-4 RSCC Intended: Geosynchronous
Achieved: GTO
Communications 25 March 2012Launch failure
Briz-M upper stage failed before the planned fourth burn. An insufficient time slot was allocated for re-setting the gyroscopes of the upper stage control system before launch, which led to loss of adequate attitude control in flight. [56]
18 August
09:28 [57]
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Long March 2C Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Jiuquan SLS-2 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg CNSA
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Shijian 11-04 CNSA Intended: Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration 18 AugustLaunch failure
Failed to reach orbit. Second stage's vernier engine support structure failed in flight, led to loss of attitude control. [58]
24 August
13:00 [59]
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-12M / 44P Roscosmos Intended: Low Earth (ISS) ISS logistics 24 AugustLaunch failure
Third stage engine failure 325 seconds after launch due to the gas generator fuel supply pipeline being blocked by contaminants. [60]

September

10 September
13:08:52 [61]
Flag of the United States.svg Delta II 7920H 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 GRAIL-A (Ebb) NASA Selenocentric Lunar orbiter 17 December 2012
22:28:51 [62]
Successful
Flag of the United States.svg GRAIL-B (Flow) NASA Selenocentric Lunar orbiter 17 December 2012
22:29:21 [62]
Successful
Final launch of Delta II Heavy, final Delta II launch from Cape Canaveral, and last launch from SLC-17.
18 September
16:33 [63]
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Long March 3B/E Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Xichang LC-2 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg CNSA
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Chinasat-1A China Satcom Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational
20 September
22:47
Flag of Russia.svg Proton-M / Briz-M Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 81/24 Flag of Russia.svg Khrunichev
Flag of Russia.svg Kosmos 2473 (Garpun #1) VKS Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational
21 September
21:38
Flag of Europe.svg Ariane 5 ECA Flag of France.svg Kourou ELA-3 Flag of France.svg Arianespace
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Arabsat 5C Arabsat Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational
Flag of the Netherlands.svg SES-2 SES S.A. Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational
23 September
04:36:50
Flag of Japan.svg H-IIA Flag of Japan.svg Tanegashima LA-Y1 Flag of Japan.svg MHI
Flag of Japan.svg IGS Optical 4 CSICE Low Earth (SSO) Reconnaissance In orbitSuccessful [64]
24 September
20:18
Flag of Ukraine.svg Zenit-3SL Flag of Norway.svg Ocean Odyssey Flag of the United Nations.svg Sea Launch
Flag of the United States.svg Atlantic Bird 7 Eutelsat Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational
27 September
15:49
Flag of the United States.svg Minotaur IV+ Flag of the United States.svg Kodiak LP-1 Flag of the United States.svg Orbital Sciences
Flag of the United States.svg TacSat-4 U.S. Air Force Highly elliptical Technology demonstration In orbitOperational
29 September
13:16:03 [65]
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Long March 2F/G T1 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Jiuquan SLS-1 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg CNSA
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Tiangong-1 CMSA Low Earth Space station 2 April 2018
00:16 [66]
Successful
Maiden flight of Long March 2F/G, first Chinese space station prototype.
29 September
18:32 [67]
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 Isle of Man.svg QuetzSat 1 SES Satellite Leasing Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational
Intended for lease to QuetzSat.

October

2 October
20:15
Flag of Russia.svg Soyuz-2.1b / Fregat Flag of Russia.svg Plesetsk Site 43/4 Flag of Russia.svg RVSN RF
Flag of Russia.svg Kosmos 2474 (Glonass-M   742) VKS Medium Earth Navigation In orbitOperational
5 October
21:00
Flag of Ukraine.svg Zenit-3SLB Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 45/1 Flag of the United Nations.svg Land Launch
Flag of the United Nations.svg Intelsat 18 Intelsat Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational
7 October
08:21
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Long March 3B/E Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Xichang LC-2 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg CNSA
Flag of France.svg Eutelsat W3C Eutelsat Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational
12 October
05:31
Flag of India.svg PSLV-CA Flag of India.svg Satish Dhawan FLP Flag of India.svg ISRO
Flag of India.svg Flag of France.svg Megha-Tropiques [68] ISRO / CNES Low Earth Climatology 7 March 2023 [70] Successful
Flag of India.svg SRMSAT SRM Low Earth Climatology In orbitOperational
Flag of Luxembourg.svg VesselSat-1 Luxspace Low Earth Communications In orbitOperational
Flag of India.svg Jugnu IITK Low Earth Earth observation In orbitOperational
19 October
18:48
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 Isle of Man.svg ViaSat-1 ViaSat-IOM / ManSat Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational
21 October [71] [72]
10:30
Flag of Russia.svg Soyuz ST-B / Fregat-MT Flag of France.svg Kourou ELS Flag of France.svg Arianespace
Flag of Europe.svg Galileo IOV 1 ESA Medium Earth Navigation / Technology demonstration In orbitOperational
Flag of Europe.svg Galileo IOV 2 ESA Medium Earth Navigation / Technology demonstration In orbitOperational
First Soyuz launch from Kourou.
28 October
09:48:01
Flag of the United States.svg Delta II 7920-10 Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg SLC-2W Flag of the United States.svg United Launch Alliance
Flag of the United States.svg NPP NASA / NOAA Low Earth Meteorology In orbitOperational
Flag of the United States.svg AubieSat 1 Auburn University Low Earth Technology demonstration In orbitOperational
Flag of the United States.svg DICE-1 Space Dynamics Laboratory Low Earth Magnetospheric research In orbitOperational
Flag of the United States.svg DICE-2 Space Dynamics Laboratory Low Earth Magnetospheric research In orbitOperational
Flag of the United States.svg E1P-U2 Montana State Low Earth Radiation In orbitOperational
Flag of the United States.svg M-Cubed University of Michigan Low Earth Technology demonstration In orbitOperational
Flag of the United States.svg RAX-2 University of Michigan Low Earth Auroral In orbitOperational
30 October
10:11
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-13M / 45P Roscosmos Low Earth (ISS) ISS logistics 25 January 2012Successful
Flag of Russia.svg Chibis-M (RS-39) IKI Low Earth Ionospheric research 15 October 2014Successful
31 October
21:58:10
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Long March 2F Y8 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Jiuquan SLS-1 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg CNSA
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Shenzhou 8 CMSA Low Earth (Tiangong-1) Technology demonstration 17 November
11:36
Successful
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Shenzhou-8-GC CMSA Low Earth (Tiangong-1) Technology demonstration 2 April 2012Successful
Uncrewed flight, first Chinese orbital docking.

November

4 November
12:51:41 [73]
Flag of Russia.svg Proton-M / Briz-M Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 81/24 Flag of Russia.svg Khrunichev
Flag of Russia.svg Kosmos 2475 (Glonass-M   743) VKS Medium Earth Navigation In orbitOperational
Flag of Russia.svg Kosmos 2476 (Glonass-M   744) VKS Medium Earth Navigation In orbitOperational
Flag of Russia.svg Kosmos 2477 (Glonass-M   745) VKS Medium Earth Navigation In orbitOperational
8 November
20:16
Flag of Ukraine.svg Zenit-2M Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 45/1 Flag of Russia.svg Roscosmos
Flag of Russia.svg Fobos-Grunt Roscosmos Intended: Areocentric
Achieved: Low Earth
Phobos sample return 15 January 2012Spacecraft failure
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Yinghuo-1 CNSA Intended: Areocentric
Achieved: Low Earth
Mars orbiter
First Russian attempt at an interplanetary mission since 1996. [74]
First Chinese Mars probe
Spacecraft stranded in low Earth orbit, as telemetry was lost soon after launch and the two trans-Martian injection burns by the payload did not take place [75]
9 November
03:21 [76]
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Long March 4B Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Taiyuan LC-2 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg CNSA
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Yaogan 12 CNSA Low Earth (SSO) Reconnaissance In orbitOperational
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Tian Xun 1 Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration 7 February 2016 [78] Successful
14 November
04:14 [79]
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-22 Roscosmos Low Earth (ISS) Expedition 29/30 27 April 2012Successful
20 November
00:15 [80]
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 CNSA
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Shiyan 4 CNSA Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration In orbitOperational
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Chuang Xin 1C CNSA Low Earth (SSO) Technology demonstration In orbitOperational
25 November
19:10:34
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 People's Republic of China.svg AsiaSat 7 AsiaSat Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational
26 November
15:02
Flag of the United States.svg Atlas V 541 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 Mars Science Laboratory (Curiosity) NASA TMI to Martian Surface Mars rover 6 August 2012
05:18
Successful [2]
Maiden flight of Atlas V 541, largest Mars rover yet launched.
28 November
08:25:57
Flag of Russia.svg Soyuz-2.1b / Fregat Flag of Russia.svg Plesetsk Site 43/4 Flag of Russia.svg RVSN RF
Flag of Russia.svg Kosmos 2478 (Glonass-M   746) VKS Medium Earth Navigation In orbitOperational
29 November
18:50 [81]
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Long March 2C Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Taiyuan LC-2 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg CNSA
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Yaogan 13 CNSA Low Earth (SSO) Reconnaissance In orbitOperational

December

1 December
21:07 [82]
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Long March 3A Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Xichang LC-3 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg CNSA
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Compass-IGSO5 CNSA IGSO Navigation In orbitOperational
11 December
11:17
Flag of Russia.svg Proton-M / Briz-M Enhanced Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Site 81/24 Flag of Russia.svg Roscosmos
Flag of Russia.svg Luch 5A Gonets Satellite System Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational
Flag of Israel.svg Amos-5 SCL Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational
12 December
01:21
Flag of Japan.svg H-IIA Flag of Japan.svg Tanegashima LA-Y1 Flag of Japan.svg MHI
Flag of Japan.svg IGS Radar 3 CSICE Low Earth (SSO) Reconnaissance (radar)In orbitOperational
17 December
02:03:08
Flag of Russia.svg Soyuz ST-A / Fregat Flag of France.svg Kourou ELS Flag of France.svg Arianespace
Flag of France.svg Pléiades-HR 1A CNES Low Earth (SSO) Earth observation/ReconnaissanceIn orbitOperational
Flag of Chile.svg FASat-Charlie (SSOT) MDN Low Earth (SSO) Earth observation/ReconnaisanceIn orbitOperational
Flag of France.svg ELISA 1 CNES / DGA Low Earth (SSO) ELINT In orbitOperational
Flag of France.svg ELISA 2 CNES / DGA Low Earth (SSO) ELINT In orbitOperational
Flag of France.svg ELISA 3 CNES / DGA Low Earth (SSO) ELINT In orbitOperational
Flag of France.svg ELISA 4 CNES / DGA Low Earth (SSO) ELINT In orbitOperational
19 December
16:41 [83]
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Long March 3B/E Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Xichang LC-2 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg CNSA
Flag of Nigeria.svg NigComSat-1R NIGCOMSAT / NASRDA Geosynchronous Communications In orbitOperational
21 December
13:16
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-03M Roscosmos Low Earth (ISS) Expedition 30/31 1 July 2012
08:14 [84]
Successful
22 December
03:26
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Long March 4B Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Taiyuan LC-2 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg CNSA
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Ziyuan 1-02C CNSA Low Earth (SSO) Earth observation In orbitOperational
23 December
12:08
Flag of Russia.svg Soyuz-2.1b / Fregat Flag of Russia.svg Plesetsk Site 43/4 Flag of Russia.svg VKO
Flag of Russia.svg Meridian 5 VKO Intended: Molniya Communications 23 DecemberLaunch failure
Third stage engine malfunctioned 421 seconds after launch, failed to reach orbit; first launch conducted by the Russian Aerospace Defence Forces
28 December
17:09
Flag of Russia.svg Soyuz-2.1a / 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 M080 Globalstar Low Earth Communications In orbitOperational
Flag of the United States.svg Globalstar M082 Globalstar Low Earth Communications In orbitOperational
Flag of the United States.svg Globalstar M084 Globalstar Low Earth Communications In orbitOperational
Flag of the United States.svg Globalstar M086 Globalstar Low Earth Communications In orbitOperational
Flag of the United States.svg Globalstar M090 Globalstar Low Earth Communications In orbitOperational
Flag of the United States.svg Globalstar M092 Globalstar Low Earth Communications In orbitOperational

Suborbital flights

Date and time (UTC) Rocket Flight number Launch site LSP
Payload
(⚀ = CubeSat)
Operator Orbit Function Decay (UTC)Outcome
Remarks
22 January
06:10 [85]
Flag of the United States.svg Terrier-Oriole Flag of the United States.svg Wallops Island Flag of the United States.svg MDA
Flag of the United States.svg Aegis Radar Test MDA SuborbitalRadar target22 JanuarySuccessful
Aegis Radar target, not intercepted, Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
28 January
10:46:00 [86]
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 FIRE Colorado SuborbitalAstronomy28 JanuarySpacecraft failure [86]
5 February
08:11:11 [86]
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 Polar NOx VPI SuborbitalGeospace5 FebruarySpacecraft failure [86]
February [85] Flag of Iran.svg Shahab-3 Flag of Iran.svg Flag of Iran.svg IRGC
IGRCSuborbitalMissile testFebruarySuccessful
Two missiles with a range of 1,900 kilometres were fired into the Indian Ocean prior to 19 February[ citation needed ]
February [85] Flag of Iran.svg Sejjil-2 Flag of Iran.svg Flag of Iran.svg IRGC
IGRCSuborbitalMissile testFebruarySuccessful
Two missiles with a range of 1,900 kilometres were fired into the Indian Ocean prior to 19 February[ citation needed ]
1 March
21:00 [85]
Flag of the United States.svg UGM-133 Trident II D5 Flag of the United States.svg USS Nevada, Pacific Ocean Flag of the United States.svg US Navy
US NavySuborbitalMissile test1 MarchSuccessful
Demonstration and Shakedown Operation 22 (DASO-22)
2 March
13:40 [85]
Flag of the United States.svg Juno Flag of the United States.svg Fort Wingate LC-96 Flag of the United States.svg U.S. Army
U.S. Army SuborbitalTarget2 MarchSuccessful
Target for MIM-104 Patriot PAC-3 MSE test, successfully intercepted
9 March [85] Flag of the United States.svg Terrier-Oriole Flag of the United States.svg Kauai Flag of the United States.svg MDA
Flag of the United States.svg ARAV-B MDA SuborbitalRadar target9 MarchSuccessful
Tracked by STSS satellites
11 March Flag of India.svg Dhanush Flag of India.svg Sea launch from Indian Ocean Flag of India.svg DRDO
DRDOSuborbitalTarget11 MarchSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
11 March Flag of India.svg Prithvi II Flag of India.svg Integrated Test Range IC-3 Flag of India.svg DRDO
DRDOSuborbitalMissile test11 MarchSuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
15 March [85] Flag of Iran.svg Kavoshgar (Zelzal-based) Flag of Iran.svg Semnan Space Center Flag of Iran.svg ISA
Flag of Iran.svg Kavoshgar-4 ISASuborbitalTest flight15 MarchSuccessful
Test of biological capsule. Apogee: 120 kilometres (75 mi)
16 March [85] Flag of the United States.svg Terrier-Oriole Flag of the United States.svg Kauai Flag of the United States.svg MDA
Flag of the United States.svg ARAV-B MDA SuborbitalRadar target16 MarchSuccessful
Tracked by both STSS Demo satellites
23 March
18:50:00 [86]
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Black Brant IX Flag of the United States.svg White Sands Flag of the United States.svg NASA
Flag of the United States.svg EVE CU Boulder Suborbital SDO calibration [87] 23 MarchSuccessful [86]
29 March
04:01 [88]
Flag of Brazil.svg VSB-30 Flag of Sweden.svg Esrange Flag of Europe.svg EuroLaunch
Flag of Germany.svg Flag of Europe.svg TEXUS-49DLR/ESASuborbitalMicrogravity29 MarchSuccessful
Apogee: 268 kilometres (167 mi)
15 April
06:52 [85]
Flag of the United States.svg UGM-96 Trident I C4 (LV-2) [89] FTM-15 Flag of the Marshall Islands.svg Meck Flag of the United States.svg MDA
MDA SuborbitalABM target15 AprilSuccessful
15 April
07:03 [85]
Flag of the United States.svg RIM-161 Standard Missile 3 FTM-15 Flag of the United States.svg USS O'Kane, Pacific Ocean Flag of the United States.svg US Navy
Flag of the United States.svg FTM-15 US NavySuborbitalABM test15 AprilSuccessful
First intercept of an IRBM by an SM-3 (FTM-15 Stellar Charon)
26 April [85] Flag of Russia.svg R-29RMU Sineva Flag of Russia.svg K-84 Ekaterinburg, Barents Sea Flag of Russia.svg VMF
VMFSuborbitalMissile test26 AprilSuccessful
27 April
08:00:00 [86]
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 WFF SuborbitalTest flight27 AprilSuccessful [86]
6 May [90]
23:02 [91]
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Tianying 3C Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Hainan Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg CNSA
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Kunpeng-1 CSSAR SuborbitalEnvironment monitoring23:09Successful
Apogee: 196.6 kilometres (122.2 mi).
11 May
18:00 [85]
Flag of the United States.svg Improved Orion Flag of Brazil.svg Barreira do Inferno Flag of Brazil.svg AEB
INPE SuborbitalMicrogravity11 MaySuccessful
20 May
13:21[ 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
Suborbital Technology demonstration 20 MaySuccessful
Flag of the United States.svg Goddard Celestis SuborbitalSpace burialSuccessful
Apogee: 118.3 kilometres (73.5 mi), successfully recovered.
20 May
14:50 [85]
Flag of Russia.svg R-29RMU2.1 Layner Flag of Russia.svg K-84 Ekaterinburg, Barents Sea Flag of Russia.svg VMF
VMFSuborbitalMissile test20 MaySuccessful
Maiden flight of Layner missile
10 June
11:11:16 [86]
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 SubTec IV [85] GSFCSuborbital Technology demonstration 10 JuneSuccessful [86]
22 June
13:35
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 U.S. Air Force
U.S. Air Force SuborbitalTest flight22 JuneSuccessful
23 June
10:18:00 [86]
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 RockOn ColoradoSuborbitalStudent experiments23 JuneSuccessful [86]
28 June
11:55 [85]
Flag of Russia.svg RSM-56 Bulava Flag of Russia.svg K-535 Yuri Dolgorukiy, White Sea Flag of Russia.svg VMF
VMFSuborbitalMissile test28 JuneSuccessful
28 June [85] Flag of Iran.svg Shahab-1 Flag of Iran.svg Iran Flag of Iran.svg IRGC
IGRCSuborbitalMissile test28 JuneSuccessful
Part of an exercise with 14 missile launches, apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
28 June [85] Flag of Iran.svg Shahab-1 Flag of Iran.svg Iran Flag of Iran.svg IGRC
IRGCSuborbitalMissile test28 JuneSuccessful
Part of an exercise with 14 missile launches, apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
28 June [85] Flag of Iran.svg Shahab-2 Flag of Iran.svg Iran Flag of Iran.svg IRGC
IRGCSuborbitalMissile test28 JuneSuccessful
Part of an exercise with 14 missile launches, apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
28 June [85] Flag of Iran.svg Shahab-2 Flag of Iran.svg Iran Flag of Iran.svg IRGC
IRGCSuborbitalMissile test28 JuneSuccessful
Part of an exercise with 14 missile launches, apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
28 June [85] Flag of Iran.svg Ghadr-1 [85] Flag of Iran.svg Iran Flag of Iran.svg IRGC
IRGCSuborbitalMissile test28 JuneSuccessful
Part of an exercise with 14 missile launches, apogee: 500 kilometres (310 mi)
9 July
02:04 [85]
Flag of the United States.svg SRALT Flag of the United States.svg C-17, Pacific Ocean Flag of the United States.svg MDA
Flag of the United States.svg FTX-17 MDA SuborbitalRadar target9 JulySuccessful
Tracked by STSS Demo satellites
9 July
09:00:00 [86]
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Black Brant VB Flag of the United States.svg Wallops LA-2 [85] Flag of the United States.svg NASA
Flag of the United States.svg Daytime Dynamo NASA SuborbitalGeospace9 JulySuccessful [86]
9 July
09:00:15 [86]
Flag of the United States.svg Terrier-Orion Flag of the United States.svg Wallops LA-2 [85] Flag of the United States.svg NASA
Flag of the United States.svg Daytime Dynamo NASA SuborbitalGeospace9 JulySuccessful [86]
11 July
15:35 [85]
Flag of Argentina.svg Gradicom II Flag of Argentina.svg Chamical Flag of Argentina.svg CITEFA
CITEFASuborbitalTest flight11 JulySuccessful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)
21 July
07:00 [92]
Flag of the United States.svg Nike-Improved Orion Flag of Sweden.svg Esrange Flag of Europe.svg EuroLaunch
Flag of Sweden.svg PHOCUS Stockholm/SSC SuborbitalAtmospheric21 JulySuccessful
21 July
11:58:00 [86]
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 RockSat-X Wallops Flight FacilitySuborbitalStudent experiments21 JulySuccessful [86]
27 July
10:01 [85]
Flag of the United States.svg LGM-30G Minuteman III Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg LF-04 Flag of the United States.svg U.S. Air Force
U.S. Air Force SuborbitalTest flight27 JulyLaunch failure
An anomaly was detected five minutes after launch and the flight was terminated.
27 July [85] Flag of Russia.svg R-29RMU Sineva Flag of Russia.svg K-84 Ekaterinburg, Barents Sea Flag of Russia.svg VMF
VMFSuborbitalMissile test27 JulySuccessful
11 August
14:45 [85]
Flag of the United States.svg Minotaur IV Lite Flag of the United States.svg Vandenberg SLC-8 Flag of the United States.svg Orbital
Flag of the United States.svg HTV-2b U.S. Air Force Suborbital Technology demonstration 11 AugustSpacecraft failure
Second flight of the HTV-2, loss of contact approximately 20 minutes after launch at Mach 20.
27 August
03:20 [85]
Flag of Russia.svg RSM-56 Bulava Flag of Russia.svg K-535 Yuri Dolgorukiy, White Sea Flag of Russia.svg VMF
VMFSuborbitalMissile test27 AugustSuccessful
1 September
13:53 [85]
Flag of the United States.svg Terrier-OrioleFTM-16 E2 Flag of the United States.svg Kauai Flag of the United States.svg MDA
MDA SuborbitalABM target1 SeptemberSuccessful
SM-3 Block 1B target
1 September
13:54 [85]
Flag of the United States.svg RIM-161C SM-3 Block 1BFTM-16 E2 Flag of the United States.svg USS Lake Erie, Pacific Ocean Flag of the United States.svg US Navy
US NavySuborbitalABM test1 SeptemberSpacecraft failure
First launch of SM-3 Block 1B, intercept failed
3 September
09:46 [85]
Flag of Russia.svg RS-12M Topol Flag of Russia.svg Plesetsk Flag of Russia.svg RVSN
RVSNSuborbitalMissile test3 SeptemberSuccessful
15 September [93] Flag of Iran.svg Kavoshgar (Zelzal-based) Flag of Iran.svg Semnan Flag of Iran.svg ISA
Flag of Iran.svg Kavoshgar-5 ISASuborbitalBiological15 SeptemberLaunch failure
First Iranian attempt to launch a monkey into space; failed, resulting in death of the monkey
26 September [94]
03:20 [85]
Flag of India.svg Prithvi II Flag of India.svg Integrated Test Range IC-3 [85] Flag of India.svg DRDO
DRDOSuborbitalMissile test27 SeptemberSuccessful
27 September
07:08 [93]
Flag of Russia.svg RS-26 Rubezh Flag of Russia.svg Plesetsk Flag of Russia.svg RVSN
RVSNSuborbitalMissile test27 SeptemberLaunch failure
29 September[ citation needed ] Flag of Russia.svg R-29RMU2.1 Layner Flag of Russia.svg K-114 Tula, Barents Sea Flag of Russia.svg VMF
VMFSuborbitalMissile test30 SeptemberSuccessful
30 September
04:02 [95]
Flag of India.svg Agni-II Flag of India.svg ITR IC-4 [85] Flag of India.svg Indian Army
Indian ArmySuborbitalMissile test30 SeptemberSuccessful
Travelled 2,500 kilometres (1,600 mi) downrange
5 October
05:56 [85]
Flag of the United States.svg SRALTFTT-12 Flag of the United States.svg C-17, Pacific Ocean Flag of the United States.svg MDA
U.S. Army / MDA SuborbitalABM target5 OctoberSuccessful
Intercepted by THAAD missile
5 October
05:56 [85]
Flag of Russia.svg R-17 Elbrus FTT-12 Flag of the United States.svg MLP, Barking Sands Flag of the United States.svg U.S. Army
U.S. Army / MDA SuborbitalABM target5 OctoberSuccessful
Intercepted by THAAD missile
5 October
06:00 [85]
Flag of the United States.svg THAAD FTT-12 Flag of the United States.svg Barking Sands Flag of the United States.svg U.S. Army
U.S. Army / MDA SuborbitalABM test5 OctoberSuccessful
Intercepted target missile
5 October
06:00 [85]
Flag of the United States.svg THAADFTT-12 Flag of the United States.svg Barking Sands Flag of the United States.svg U.S. Army
U.S. Army / MDA SuborbitalABM test5 OctoberSuccessful
Intercepted target missile
8 October
10:25:01 [86]
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Black Brant IX Flag of the United States.svg White Sands Flag of the United States.svg NASA
Flag of the United States.svg PICTURE BostonSuborbitalAstronomy8 OctoberSpacecraft failure [86]
11 October
21:15:00 [86]
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 CHAMPSColoradoSuborbitalGeospace11 OctoberSuccessful [86]
13 October
13:50:00 [86]
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 CHAMPSColoradoSuborbitalGeospace13 October [86] Successful
28 October
03:40 [85]
Flag of Russia.svg RSM-56 Bulava Flag of Russia.svg K-535 Yuri Dolgorukiy, White Sea Flag of Russia.svg VMF
VMFSuborbitalMissile test28 OctoberSuccessful
2 November
07:50 [85]
Flag of Israel.svg Jericho III Flag of Israel.svg Palmachim Flag of Israel.svg Israeli Air Force
Israeli Air ForceSuborbitalMissile test2 NovemberSuccessful
3 November
06:45 [85]
Flag of Russia.svg RS-12M Topol Flag of Russia.svg Plesetsk Flag of Russia.svg RVSN
RVSNSuborbitalMissile test3 NovemberSuccessful
6 November
07:00 [86]
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Black Brant IX Flag of the United States.svg White Sands Flag of the United States.svg NASA
XQC F5 Wisconsin SuborbitalAstronomy6 NovemberSuccessful [86]
15 November
03:30 [96]
Flag of India.svg Agni IV Flag of India.svg Integrated Test Range IC-4 Flag of India.svg DRDO
Indian ArmySuborbitalMissile test15 NovemberSuccessful
17 November
11:30
Flag of the United States.svg UGM-27 Polaris (STARS) Flag of the United States.svg Barking Sands LC-42 Flag of the United States.svg U.S. Air Force
Flag of the United States.svg AHW Flight 1A U.S. Army Suborbital Technology demonstration 17 NovemberSuccessful
25 November
23:00 [85]
Flag of the United States.svg Improved Orion Flag of Brazil.svg Barreira do Inferno Flag of Brazil.svg AEB
INPESuborbitalMicrogravity25 NovemberSuccessful
27 November
09:10 [97]
Flag of Brazil.svg VSB-30 Flag of Sweden.svg Esrange Flag of Europe.svg EuroLaunch
Flag of Germany.svg / Flag of Europe.svg TEXUS-48DLR/ESASuborbitalMicrogravity27 NovemberSuccessful
2 December
22:00 [85]
Flag of Brazil.svg VS-30 Flag of Brazil.svg Barreira do Inferno Flag of Brazil.svg AEB
Flag of Brazil.svg Brasil-AlemanhaINPESuborbitalMicrogravity2 DecemberSuccessful
3 December
07:21:31 [85]
Flag of Brazil.svg VS-30/Improved Orion Flag of Norway.svg Ny-Ålesund Flag of Norway.svg Andøya
Flag of Sweden.svg Flag of Norway.svg ICI-3 (CanoRock 4) Oslo/AndøyaSuborbitalAtmospheric3 DecemberSuccessful [98]
10 December
10:30:00 [99]
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Black Brant IX Flag of the United States.svg White Sands Flag of the United States.svg NASA
ColoradoSuborbitalAstronomy10 DecemberSuccessful
19 December
14:48 [100]
Flag of Japan.svg S-310 Flag of Japan.svg Uchinoura Flag of Japan.svg JAXA
JAXA/TPU/TU SuborbitalIonospheric19 DecemberSuccessful
19 December Flag of Russia.svg MN-300 Flag of Russia.svg Kapustin Yar Flag of Russia.svg Roshydromet
Flag of Russia.svg MR-30RoshydrometSuborbitalMeteorology
Test flight
19 DecemberSuccessful
Maiden flight of MN-300
23 December Flag of Russia.svg RSM-56 Bulava Flag of Russia.svg K-535 Yuri Dolgorukiy, White Sea Flag of Russia.svg VMF
VMFSuborbitalMissile test23 DecemberSuccessful
23 December Flag of Russia.svg RSM-56 Bulava Flag of Russia.svg K-535 Yuri Dolgorukiy, White Sea Flag of Russia.svg VMF
VMFSuborbitalMissile test23 DecemberSuccessful
27 December
12:00
Flag of Russia.svg RS-18 UR-100N Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Baikonur Flag of Russia.svg RVSN
RVSNSuborbitalMissile test27 DecemberSuccessful
? Flag of the United States.svg UGM-133 Trident II D5 Flag of the United States.svg USS ?, Pacific Ocean Flag of the United States.svg US Navy
US NavySuborbitalMissile test?Successful
Follow-on Commander's Evaluation Test 44
? Flag of the United States.svg UGM-133 Trident II D5 Flag of the United States.svg USS ?, Pacific Ocean Flag of the United States.svg US Navy
US NavySuborbitalMissile test?Launch failure
Follow-on Commander's Evaluation Test 44 ?

Deep space rendezvous

Date (UTC)SpacecraftEventRemarks
9 January Mars Express Flyby of Phobos Closest approach: 100 kilometres (62 mi). Mars Express made a total of 8 flybys of Phobos at a distance of less than 1,400 kilometres (870 mi) between 20 December and 16 January.
9 January Artemis P1 Spacecraft left LL2 orbit and joined Artemis P2 in LL1 orbit
11 January Cassini 3rd flyby of Rhea Closest approach: 76 kilometres (47 mi) [101]
15 February Stardust (NExT)Flyby of Tempel 1 Closest approach: 181 kilometres (112 mi). Observed changes since Deep Impact flyby and imaged crater created by Deep Impact impactor, as well as new terrain.
18 FebruaryCassini74th flyby of Titan Closest approach: 3,651 kilometres (2,269 mi)
18 March MESSENGER Hermocentric orbit injectionFirst artificial satellite of Mercury; elliptical orbit with a periapsis of 200 kilometers (120 mi) and an apoapsis of 15,000 km (9,300 mi). [102]
19 AprilCassini75th flyby of TitanClosest approach: 10,053 kilometres (6,247 mi)
8 MayCassini76th flyby of TitanClosest approach: 1,873 kilometres (1,164 mi)
8 June Chang'e 2 Departed lunar orbitTravelled to L2 Lagrangian point, which it reached in August 2011. [103]
20 JuneCassini77th flyby of TitanClosest approach: 1,359 kilometres (844 mi)
27 June Artemis P1 Lunar orbit insertionInitial orbital parameters were: apogee 3,543 kilometres (2,202 mi), perigee 27,000 kilometres (17,000 mi). Over the following three months, the orbit was lowered to an apogee of 97 kilometres (60 mi) and a perigee of 18,000 kilometres (11,000 mi), with an inclination of 20 degrees; retrograde orbit.
16 July Dawn Vestiocentric orbit injectionFirst artificial satellite of 4 Vesta. [104] Initial orbit was 16,000 kilometres (9,900 mi) high and was reduced to 2,700 kilometres (1,700 mi) until 11 August.
17 July Artemis P2 Lunar orbit insertionInitial orbital parameters were similar to Artemis P1. Over the following three months the orbit was lowered to an apogee of 97 kilometres (60 mi) and a perigee of 18,000 kilometres (11,000 mi), with an inclination of 20 degrees; prograde orbit.
25 AugustCassiniSecond-closest flyby of Hyperion [105] Closest approach: 25,000 kilometres (16,000 mi)
12 SeptemberCassini78th flyby of TitanClosest approach: 5,821 kilometres (3,617 mi)
16 SeptemberCassiniFlyby of HyperionClosest approach: 58,000 kilometres (36,000 mi)
1 OctoberCassini14th flyby of Enceladus Closest approach: 99 kilometres (62 mi)
19 OctoberCassini15th flyby of EnceladusClosest approach: 1,231 kilometres (765 mi)
6 NovemberCassini16th flyby of EnceladusClosest approach: 496 kilometres (308 mi)
12 DecemberCassini3rd flyby of Dione Closest approach: 99 kilometres (62 mi)
13 DecemberCassini79th flyby of TitanClosest approach: 3,586 kilometres (2,228 mi)
31 December GRAIL-A Lunar orbit insertionTwin satellite Grail-B's insertion occurred a day later, on 1 January 2012.

EVAs

Start Date/TimeDurationEnd TimeSpacecraftCrewRemarks
21 January
10:05
5 hours
23 minutes
15:49 Expedition 26
ISS Pirs
Flag of Russia.svg Dmitri Kondratyev
Flag of Russia.svg Oleg Skripochka
Prepared the ISS Poisk module for future dockings. [106]
16 February
13:15
6 hours
23 minutes
18:15 Expedition 26
ISS Pirs
Flag of Russia.svg Dmitri Kondratyev
Flag of Russia.svg Oleg Skripochka
Installed a radio antenna, deployed a nanosatellite, installed two experiments and retrieved two exposure panels on a third experiment.
28 February
15:46
6 hours
34 minutes
22:20 STS-133
ISS Quest
Flag of the United States.svg Stephen Bowen
Flag of the United States.svg Alvin Drew
Removed a failed coolant pump and routed a power extension cable.
2 March
15:41
6 hours
14 minutes
21:55 STS-133
ISS Quest
Flag of the United States.svg Stephen Bowen
Flag of the United States.svg Alvin Drew
Removed or repaired thermal insulation, swapped out an attachment bracket on the Columbus module, installed a camera assembly on Dextre and installed a light on a cargo cart.
20 May
07:10
6 hours
19 minutes
13:29 STS-134
ISS Quest
Flag of the United States.svg Andrew Feustel
Flag of the United States.svg Gregory Chamitoff
Completed installation of a new set of MISSE experiments, started installing a new wireless video system, installed an ammonia jumper, a new light on the CETA cart on the S3 truss segment, and a cover on the starboard SARJ.
22 May
06:05
8 hours
07 minutes
14:12 STS-134
ISS Quest
Flag of the United States.svg Andrew Feustel
Flag of the United States.svg Michael Fincke
Hooked up a jumper to transfer ammonia to the Port 6 PVTCS, lubricated the SARJ and one of the "hands" on Dextre, and installed a stowage beam on the S1 truss.
25 May
05:43
6 hours
54 minutes
12:37 STS-134
ISS Quest
Flag of the United States.svg Andrew Feustel
Flag of the United States.svg Michael Fincke
Installed PDGF (except for data cable), routed power cables from Unity to Zarya , finished installation of wireless video system, took pictures of Zarya's thrusters and captured infrared video of an experiment in ELC 3.
27 May
04:15
7 hours
24 minutes
11:39 STS-134
ISS Quest
Flag of the United States.svg Gregory Chamitoff
Flag of the United States.svg Mike Fincke
Installed OBSS on S1 truss, removed the EFGF and replaced it with a spare PDGF, and released some torque on the bolts that were holding the spare arm for Dextre down against ELC 3. Final shuttle spacewalk. [107]
12 July
13:22
6 hours
31 minutes
19:53 Expedition 28
ISS Quest
Flag of the United States.svg Ronald Garan
Flag of the United States.svg Michael Fossum
Moved a failed cooling pump from the station to the shuttle Atlantis, transferred a robotic refuelling apparatus from the shuttle to the ISS, installed a materials science experiment on the station's truss, serviced a robot arm attachment fitting, installed a thermal cover over the unused docking port PMA-3, and fixed a protruding wire on a grapple fixture on the Zarya module.
3 August
14:51
6 hours
22 minutes
21:22 Expedition 28
ISS Pirs
Flag of Russia.svg Sergei Volkov
Flag of Russia.svg Aleksandr Samokutyayev
Launched Kedr satellite, installed BIORISK experiment outside Pirs , and installed laser communication equipment to transmit scientific data from the Russian Orbital Segment.

Orbital launch statistics

By country

For the purposes of this section, the yearly tally of orbital launches by country assigns each flight to the country of origin of the rocket, not to the launch services provider or the spaceport. For example, Soyuz launches by Arianespace in Kourou are counted under Russia because Soyuz-2 is a Russian rocket.

Circle frame.svgChina: 19Europe: 5India: 3Iran: 1Japan: 3Russia: 29Ukraine: 6USA: 18
CountryLaunchesSuccessesFailuresPartial
failures
Remarks
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 191810
Flag of Europe.svg  Europe 5500
Flag of India.svg  India 3300
Flag of Iran.svg  Iran 1100
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 3300
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 292540Includes two European Soyuz launches from Kourou, French Guiana by Arianespace.
Fobos-Grunt launched successfully, but failed while on its parking orbit. [108]
Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine 6600Includes one Zenit from Sea Launch and one from Land Launch.
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 181710
World847860

By rocket

5
10
15
20
R-7
UR

By family

By type

By configuration

By spaceport

5
10
15
20
25
30
China
France
India
International waters
Iran
Japan
Kazakhstan
SiteCountryLaunchesSuccessesFailuresPartial failuresRemarks
Baikonur Flag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan 252320
Cape Canaveral Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 7700
Dombarovsky Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 1100
Kourou Flag of France.svg  France 7700
Jiuquan Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 6510
Kennedy Space Center Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 3300
Kodiak Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 1100
MARS Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 1100
Ocean Odyssey Flag of the United Nations.svg International waters1100
Plesetsk Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 6420
Satish Dhawan Flag of India.svg  India 3300
Semnan Flag of Iran.svg  Iran 1100
Tanegashima Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 3300
Taiyuan Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 4400
Vandenberg Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 6510
Xichang Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 9900
Total847860

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 44404014 to ISS, 1 to Tiangong-1
Medium Earth / Molniya 8710
Geosynchronous / GTO 272611
High Earth / Lunar transfer 3300
Heliocentric / Planetary transfer 2200
Total847861

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soyuz programme</span> Human spaceflight programme of the Soviet Union

The Soyuz programme is a human spaceflight programme initiated by the Soviet Union in the early 1960s. The Soyuz spacecraft was originally part of a Moon landing project intended to put a Soviet cosmonaut on the Moon. It was the third Soviet human spaceflight programme after the Vostok (1961–1963) and Voskhod (1964–1965) programmes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guiana Space Centre</span> French and European spaceport in French Guiana

The Guiana Space Centre, also called Europe's Spaceport, is a spaceport to the northwest of Kourou in French Guiana, an overseas region of France in South America. Kourou is located approximately 500 kilometres north of the equator at a latitude of 5°. In operation since 1968, it is a suitable location for a spaceport because of its near equatorial location and open sea to the east and north.

<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">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">Soyuz-2</span> Russian medium-lift launch vehicle

Soyuz‑2 is a modernized expendable medium-lift launch vehicle and the seventh major version of the Soyuz rocket family. It includes key enhancements over its predecessors, including improved engines along with digital flight control and telemetry systems, enabling launches from fixed platforms and the use of large payload fairings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 in spaceflight</span>

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. 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.

<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">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">2019 in spaceflight</span>

This article documents notable spaceflight events during the year 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 in spaceflight</span>

Notable spaceflight activities in 2017 included the maiden orbital flight of India's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III on 5 June and the first suborbital test of Rocket Lab's Electron rocket, inaugurating the Mahia spaceport in New Zealand. The rocket is named for its innovative Rutherford engine which feeds propellants via battery-powered electric motors instead of the usual gas generator and turbopumps.

<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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 in spaceflight</span>

This article documents notable spaceflight events during the year 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 in spaceflight</span>

The year 2021 broke the record for the most orbital launch attempts till then (146) and most humans in space concurrently (19) despite the effects of COVID-19 pandemic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 in spaceflight</span>

The year 2022 witnessed the number of launches of SpaceX's Falcon rocket family surpassing the CNSA's Long March rocket family, making the United States the country with the highest number of launches in 2022 instead of China. This year also featured the first successful launch of Long March 6A, Nuri, Angara 1.2, Vega C, Kinetica-1, and Jielong-3. National space agencies' activities in this year is also marred by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, leading to tension between Roscosmos and Western space agencies, threats of ending collaboration on the International Space Station (ISS), and delays on space missions.

References

Generic references:
RocketSunIcon.svg Spaceflightportal

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