Launch Log (2015-2016)

A Chinese Long March 2D rocket launched two SuperView 1 Earth observation satellites for Beijing Space View Technology Co. Also named GaoJing, the satellites will provide sub-meter high-resolution images for civilian and commercial customers in China and internationally. Delayed from Dec. 26. Read our full story. [Dec. 28]

Arianespace used an Ariane 5 ECA rocket, designated VA234, to launch the Star One D1 and JCSAT 15 communications satellites. The Star One D1 satellite will provide television, Internet, corporate network and cellular backhaul services over Latin America for Embratel Star One of Brazil. JCSAT 15 will broadcast pay television programming over Japan for SKY Perfect JSAT Corp. Delayed from Dec. 20. Read our full story. [Dec. 21]

A Chinese Long March 2D rocket launched the TanSat spacecraft to map the global distribution of carbon dioxide in Earth’s atmosphere and support efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Delayed from Dec. 19. Read our full story. [Dec. 21]

Japan’s Epsilon rocket launched JAXA’s Exploration of Energization and Radiation in Geospace (ERG) satellite to investigate the Van Allen radiation belts and study the origins of geomagnetic storms. This launch was the second flight of Japan’s small Epsilon launch vehicle. Read our full story. [Dec. 20]

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-071, launched the EchoStar 19 communications satellite to provide high-speed Internet services for HughesNet in North America. The satellite is also known as Jupiter 2. The rocket flew in the 431 vehicle configuration with a four-meter fairing, three solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. Delayed from Nov. 10, Dec. 8 and Dec. 16. Read our full story. [Dec. 18]

An air-launched Orbital ATK Pegasus XL rocket deployed NASA’s Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) mission in orbit. The CYGNSS mission’s eight satellites will use GPS signals to study how tropical cyclones grow stronger over warm ocean waters. Delayed from Oct. 17 and Nov. 21. Scrubbed on Dec. 12. Delayed from Dec. 14. Read our full story. [Dec. 15]

A Chinese Long March 3B rocket launched the Fengyun 4A geostationary weather satellite for the China Meteorological Administration. Fengyun 4A is the first satellite a new series of Chinese geostationary weather platforms designed to collect imagery of storm systems, atmospheric sounding measurements, lightning maps and observations of space weather phenomena. Read our full story. [Dec. 10]

A Japanese H-2B rocket launched the sixth H-2 Transfer Vehicle. The HTV serves as an unmanned cargo vehicle to deliver equipment and supplies to the International Space Station. Delayed from Sept. 30. Read our full story. [Dec. 9]

A United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket launched the eighth Wideband Global SATCOM spacecraft, formerly known as the Wideband Gapfiller Satellite. Built by Boeing, this geostationary communications spacecraft will serve U.S. military forces. The rocket flew in the Medium+ (5,4) configuration with four solid rocket boosters. Delayed from Sept. 22, Sept. 28, Oct. 20 and Nov. 17. Moved forward from Dec. 15. Read our full story. [Dec. 7]

India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), flying on the PSLV-C36 mission, launched India’s Resourcesat 2A Earth observation satellite designed to support agriculture and urban planning, monitor water resources and land use, and help officials respond to natural disasters. Delayed from Nov. 23. Read our full story. [Dec. 7]

A European Vega rocket, designated VV08, launched with the Gokturk 1 reconnaissance satellite for the Turkish military. Read our full story. [Dec. 5]

A Russian government Soyuz rocket failed during launch of the 65th Progress cargo delivery ship to the International Space Station. Delayed from April 22 and Oct. 20. Read our full story. [Dec. 1]

A Chinese Long March 3C rocket launched China’s fourth Tianlian 1 data relay satellite. Read our full story. [Nov. 22]

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-069, launched GOES-R, the first next-generation geostationary weather satellite for NASA and NOAA. GOES-R will orbit 22,300 miles above the equator to monitor weather conditions across the United States. The rocket flew in the 541 vehicle configuration with a five-meter fairing, four solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. Delayed from March 11. Moved forward from Oct. 14. Delayed from Oct. 13, Nov. 4 and Nov. 16. Read our full story. [Nov. 19]

A Russian government Soyuz rocket launched the crewed Soyuz spacecraft to the International Space Station with members of the next Expedition crew. The capsule will remain at the station for about six months, providing an escape pod for the residents. Moved forward from Nov. 16. Delayed from Nov. 15. Read our full story. [Nov. 17]

Arianespace used an Ariane 5 ES rocket, designed VA233, to launch four Galileo full operational capability satellites for Europe’s Galileo navigation constellation. Read our full story. [Nov. 17]

A Chinese Long March 2D rocket launched the Yunhai 1 weather satellite into polar orbit. Read our full story. [Nov. 11]

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-062, launched the WorldView 4 Earth observation satellite for DigitalGlobe. The rocket flew in the 401 vehicle configuration with a four-meter fairing, no solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. Delayed from June 29 and Sept. 15. Scrubbed on Sept. 16. Delayed from Sept. 26 and Nov. 6. Read our full story. [Nov. 11]

A Chinese Long March 11 rocket launched the X-ray Pulsar Navigation (XPNAV 1) satellite to test spacecraft navigation techniques using periodic X-ray emissions from pulsars. Read our full story. [Nov. 9]

A Chinese Long March 5 rocket launched on its inaugural flight from a new launch pad on Hainan Island. The heavy-lift rocket is among the world’s most powerful boosters, and it will be used to launch components of China’s planned space station and interplanetary missions. The maiden flight carried the experimental Shijian 17 satellite to geostationary orbit. Read our full story. [Nov. 3]

A Japanese H-2A rocket launched the Himawari 9 weather satellite for the Japan Meteorological Agency. Himawari 9 will collect weather imagery over the East Asia and Western Pacific regions. Delayed from 3rd Quarter and Nov. 1. Read our full story. [Nov. 2]

A Russian government Soyuz rocket launched the crewed Soyuz spacecraft to the International Space Station with members of the next Expedition crew. The capsule will remain at the station for about six months, providing an escape pod for the residents. Delayed from Sept. 22. Read our full story. [Oct. 19]

An Orbital ATK Antares rocket launched the seventh Cygnus cargo freighter on the sixth operational cargo delivery flight to the International Space Station. The mission is known as OA-5. The rocket flew in the Antares 230 configuration, with two RD-181 first stage engines and a Castor 30XL second stage. Delayed from May 31, June 24, July 6, Aug. 22, September, Oct. 13, Oct. 14 and Oct. 16. Read our full story. [Oct. 17]

A Chinese Long March 2F rocket launched the Shenzhou 11 spacecraft, a crewed mission to dock with the orbiting Tiangong 2 laboratory module. The flight is China’s sixth human space mission. Delayed from mid-2016. Read our full story. [Oct. 16]

Arianespace used an Ariane 5 ECA rocket, designated VA231, to launch the Sky Muster 2 (NBN Co 1B) and GSAT 18 communications satellites. The Sky Muster 2 satellite will provide high-speed Internet services for Australia’s National Broadband Network. GSAT 18 is a multipurpose communications satellite for the Indian Space Research Organization. Sky Muster 2 replaced Japan’s Superbird 8 satellite on the mission after it was damaged during transport to the launch site. Delayed from July 12 and July 26. Scrubbed on Oct. 4. Read our full story. [Oct. 5]

India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), flying on the PSLV-C35 mission, launched India’s ScatSat 1 spacecraft designed to aid tropical cyclone forecasting. A collection of smaller secondary payloads from India, the United States and Algeria were also be aboard the launch. Delayed from July, early August and late August. Read our full story. [Sept. 26]

A European Vega rocket, designated VV07, launched with the PeruSat 1 reconnaissance satellite for the Peruvian government and four SkySat Earth observation satellites for Google/Terra Bella. Delayed from July. Read our full story. [Sept. 15]

A Chinese Long March 2F rocket launched the Tiangong 2 mini-space station laboratory module designed for docking tests and crewed visits. Delayed from early 2016. Read our full story. [Sept. 15]

An Israeli Shavit 2 rocket launched the Ofeq 11 electro-optical reconnaissance satellite for the Israeli Defense Ministry. Read our full story. [Sept. 13]

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-067, launched NASA’s OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return mission. The Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security, Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) will reach asteroid Bennu in 2018 to collect surface samples for return to Earth in 2023. The rocket flew in the 411 vehicle configuration with a four-meter fairing, one solid rocket booster and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. Delayed from Aug. 28. Read our full story. [Sept. 8]

India’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), flying on the GSLV-F05 mission, launched the Insat 3DR geostationary weather satellite. The rocket flew in the GSLV Mk.2 configuration with an Indian-built cryogenic third stage. Delayed from Aug. 28. Read our full story. [Sept. 8]

A Chinese Long March 4C rocket failed during the launch of the Gaofen 10 Earth observation satellite. Read our full story. [Aug. 31]

Arianespace used an Ariane 5 ECA rocket, designated VA232, to launch the Intelsat 33e and Intelsat 36 communications satellites. Intelsat 33e is the second Intelsat Epic high throughput satellite, hosting a next-generation all-digital payload that can be reconfigured in orbit and is resilient to interference and jamming. Intelsat 33e offers coverage in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Intelsat 36 will provide television broadcast and other communications services over Africa and South Asia. Read our full story. [Aug. 24]

A United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket launched the AFSPC 6 mission for the U.S. Air Force carrying the third and fourth satellites for the Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program, or GSSAP. The rocket flew in the Medium+ (4,2) configuration with two solid rocket boosters. Delayed from July 21 and Aug. 4. Read our full story. [Aug. 19]

A Chinese Long March 2D rocket launched with the Quantum Science Satellite, the world’s first mission to test ultra-secure quantum communications in orbit. Delayed from July. Read our full story. [Aug. 15]

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the JCSAT 16 communications satellite for Tokyo-based SKY Perfect JSAT Corp. JCSAT 16 will be a backup satellite for Ku-band and Ka-band communications services over the Japanese market. Read our full story. [Aug. 14]

A Chinese Long March 4C rocket launched the Gaofen 3 Earth observation satellite to collect all-weather high-resolution radar imagery for resource monitoring, environmental surveys and disaster response. Read our full story. [Aug. 9]

A Chinese Long March 3B rocket launched the Tiantong 1 mobile communications satellite. Read our full story. [Aug. 5]

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-065, launched a classified spacecraft payload for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office. The rocket flew in the 421 vehicle configuration with a four-meter fairing, two solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. Delayed from April 21, June 14 and June 24. Moved forward from July 29. Read our full story. [July 28]

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the 11th Dragon spacecraft on the ninth operational cargo delivery mission to the International Space Station. The flight is being conducted under the Commercial Resupply Services contract with NASA. Delayed from Dec. 9, June 24, June 27 and July 16. Read our full story. [July 18]

A Russian government Soyuz rocket launched the 64th Progress cargo delivery ship to the International Space Station. Delayed from April 22, July 4 and July 7. Read our full story. [July 16]

A Russian government Soyuz rocket launched the manned Soyuz spacecraft to the International Space Station with members of the next Expedition crew. The capsule will remain at the station for about six months, providing an escape pod for the crew. Delayed from May 20, June 21 and June 24. Read our full story. [July 7]

A Chinese Long March 4B rocket launched a Shijian 16 electronic surveillance satellite for the Chinese government. Read our full story. [June 29]

A Chinese Long March 7 rocket launched on its first flight with a re-entry capsule to demonstrate technologies for China’s next-generation human-rated spacecraft. The launch also marked the first mission from China’s new Wenchang Satellite Launch Center on Hainan Island. Moved forward from June 26. Read our full story. [June 25]

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-063, launched the fifth Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite for the U.S. Navy. Built by Lockheed Martin, this U.S. military spacecraft will provide narrowband tactical communications designed to significantly improve ground communications for U.S. forces on the move. The rocket flew in the 551 vehicle configuration with a five-meter fairing, five solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. Delayed from May 5 and May 27. Read our full story. [June 24]

India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), flying on the PSLV-C34 mission in the PSLV-XL configuration, launched the Cartosat 2C high-resolution Earth observation satellite and a collection of smaller secondary payloads from international customers. Delayed from May, June 10 and June 20. Read our full story. [June 22]

Arianespace used an Ariane 5 ECA rocket, designated VA230, to launch the EchoStar 18 and BRIsat communications satellites. EchoStar 18 will provide direct-to-home television broadcast services over North America for EchoStar and Dish Network. BRIsat will support banking services provided by BRI, a large Indonesian bank. Delayed from May, June 7, June 8 and June 16. Scrubbed on June 17. Read our full story. [June 18]

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the ABS 2A and Eutelsat 117 West B communications satellites. ABS 2A will distribute direct-to-home television, mobile and maritime communications services across Russia, India, the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean region for Asia Broadcast Satellite of Bermuda and Hong Kong. Eutelsat 117 West B will provide Latin America with video, data, government, and mobile services for Paris-based Eutelsat. Built by Boeing, the satellites launched in a conjoined configuration and will use all-electric propulsion for orbit-raising. Delayed from 4th quarter 2015, March, April, May 3 and late May. Moved forward from June 16. Delayed from June 14. Read our full story. [June 15]

A Chinese Long March 3C rocket will launch a Beidou navigation satellite into orbit for the Chinese government. Read our full story. [June 12]

A United Launch Alliance Delta 4-Heavy rocket launched a classified spy satellite cargo for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office. The largest of the Delta 4 family, the Heavy version features three Common Booster Cores mounted together to form a triple-body rocket. Delayed from April 27, May 12, June 3 and June 4. Scrubbed on June 9. Read our full story. [June 11]

An International Launch Services Proton rocket with a Breeze M upper stage deployed the Intelsat 31/DLA-2 communications satellite owned by Intelsat. A majority of Intelsat 31’s capacity will be leased to DirecTV Latin America to provide direct-to-home television broadcasts to Central America, South America and the Caribbean. Delayed from April 23, May 17, May 28 and June 8. Read our full story. [June 9]

A Russian government Rockot launch vehicle and Breeze KM upper stage launched the GEO-IK 2 spacecraft. The satellite is designed to survey Earth to measure variations in the gravitational field and study other geodetic features of the planet. Delayed from May. Read our full story. [June 4]

A Chinese Long March 4B rocket launched the second Ziyuan 3 land survey satellite and the ÑuSat 1 and ÑuSat 2 commercial high-resolution Earth observation microsatellites for Satellogic of Argentina. Read our full story. [May 30]

A Russian government Soyuz rocket launched a Glonass M navigation satellite. The rocket flew in the Soyuz 2-1b configuration with a Fregat upper stage. Delayed from May 21. Read our full story. [May 29]

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the Thaicom 8 communications satellite. Thaicom 8 will provide Ku-band broadcast and data services to Thailand, Southeast Asia, India and Africa. Moved forward from June. Scrubbed on May 26. Read our full story. [May 27]

An Arianespace Soyuz rocket, designated VS15, launched on a mission from the Guiana Space Center in South America. The Soyuz carried two Galileo full operational capability satellites for Europe’s Galileo navigation constellation. The Soyuz 2-1b (Soyuz ST-B) rocket used a Fregat-MT upper stage. Read our full story. [May 24]

A Chinese Long March 2D rocket launched with the Yaogan 30 military reconnaissance satellite. Read our full story. [May 15]

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the JCSAT 14 communications satellite for Tokyo-based SKY Perfect JSAT Corp. JCSAT 14 will support data networks, television broadcasters and mobile communications users in Japan, East Asia, Russia, Oceania, Hawaii and other Pacific islands. Delayed from late 2015, April 28, May 3, May 4 and May 5. Read our full story. [May 6]

India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), flying on the PSLV-C33 mission in the PSLV-XL configuration, launched the IRNSS 1G navigation satellite. The payload is the seventh spacecraft in the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System, which aims to improve positioning services over India and neighboring regions. Delayed from March 31. Read our full story. [April 28]

A Russian government Soyuz rocket launched for the first time from the new Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia’s Far East, carrying a satellite named Mikhailo Lomonosov with instruments to study high-energy cosmic rays, gamma rays and the Earth’s upper atmosphere and magnetosphere. Two smaller secondary payloads, named Aist 2 and SamSat 218, also launched aboard the Soyuz rocket. The rocket flew in the Soyuz-2.1a configuration with a Volga upper stage. Delayed from April 25. Scrubbed on April 26. Read our full story. [April 28]

An Arianespace Soyuz rocket, designated VS14, launched on a mission from the Guiana Space Center in South America. The Soyuz carried the Sentinel 1B radar observation satellite for the European Space Agency and the European Commission, the Microscope microsatellite to research gravitational forces, and three CubeSats sponsored by the European Space Agency. The Soyuz 2-1a (Soyuz ST-A) rocket used a Fregat upper stage. Moved forward from April 14. Delayed from April 12, April 22 and April 23. Scrubbed on April 24. Read our full story. [April 25]

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the 10th Dragon spacecraft on the eighth operational cargo delivery mission to the International Space Station. The flight is being conducted under the Commercial Resupply Services contract with NASA. Delayed from Aug. 13, Sept. 2, Jan. 3, Feb. 7, March 20 and March 29. Read our full story. [April 8]

A Chinese Long March 2D rocket launched the Shijian 10 recoverable satellite with a package of physical science, materials science, and biological experiments. The spacecraft will return to Earth after several weeks in orbit. Read our full story. [April 5]

A Russian government Soyuz rocket launched the 63rd Progress cargo delivery ship to the International Space Station. Delayed from Feb. 12. Read our full story. [March 31]

A Chinese Long March 3A rocket launched a Beidou navigation satellite into orbit for the Chinese government. Read our full story. [March 29]

A Russian government Soyuz rocket launched a Bars-M spy satellite for the Russian military. The Soyuz rocket flew in the Soyuz-2.1a configuration with a digital flight control system. Read our full story. [March 24]

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-064, launched the sixth Orbital Sciences Cygnus cargo freighter on its fifth operational cargo delivery flight to the International Space Station. The mission is known as OA-6. The rocket flew in the 401 vehicle configuration with a four-meter fairing, no solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. Delayed from March 10 and March 20. Read our full story. [March 23]

A Russian government Soyuz rocket launched the manned Soyuz spacecraft to the International Space Station with members of the next Expedition crew. The capsule will remain at the station for about six months, providing an escape pod for the crew. Read our full story. [March 18]

A Russian government Proton rocket with a Breeze M upper stage deployed the European Space Agency’s ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter. The mission will make improved measurements of trace gases in the Martian atmosphere, such as methane, which could be an indicator of biological activity. ESA’s Schiaparelli lander accompanied the Trace Gas Orbiter to Mars. Delayed from Jan. 7. Read our full story. [March 14]

A Russian government Soyuz rocket launched the Resurs P3 Earth observation satellite to collect remote sensing data for Russian government agencies and foreign customers. Scrubbed on March 12. Read our full story. [March 13]

India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), flying on the PSLV-C32 mission in the PSLV-XL configuration, launched the IRNSS 1F navigation satellite. The payload is the sixth spacecraft in the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System, which aims to improve positioning services over India and neighboring regions. Delayed from December and February. Read our full story. [March 10]

Arianespace used an Ariane 5 ECA rocket, designated VA229, to launch the Eutelsat 65 West A communications satellite. Eutelsat 65 West A will provide direct-to-home video broadcasts and broadband Internet services to Eutelsat customers in Latin America and Brazil. Delayed from Feb. 25. Read our full story. [March 9]

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the SES 9 communications satellite. Owned by SES of Luxembourg, the spacecraft will provide direct-to-home and other communications services over Northeast Asia, South Asia and Indonesia, as well as maritime communications for vessels in the Indian Ocean. The rocket flew on a full-thrust version of the Falcon 9 rocket. Delayed from July 15, August, November, December and Feb. 6. Scrubbed on Feb. 24, Feb. 25, Feb. 28 and March 1. Read our full story. [March 4]

A Japanese H-2A rocket launched the Astro-H X-ray observatory for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Astro-H will observe the X-ray universe, studying objects such as supernova explosions, supermassive black holes, and galaxy clusters. Delayed from late 2015 and Feb. 12. Read our full story. [Feb. 17]

A Eurockot Rockot vehicle launched with the Sentinel 3A Earth observation satellite for the European Space Agency and the European Commission. Sentinel 3A carries instruments to measure sea surface topography, sea and land surface temperature, and ocean and land color. Delayed from Oct. 31 and Dec. 10. Read our full story. [Feb. 16]

A United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket launched a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office, the U.S. government agency that develops and owns spy satellites. The rocket flew in the Medium+ (5,2) configuration with two solid rocket boosters. Delayed from April 15, June 6, Sept. 15 and Dec. 9. Read our full story. [Feb. 10]

A North Korean Unha rocket launched from the Tongchang-ri launch base and a Kwangmyongsong Earth observation satellite into orbit, according to the North Korean government. Read our full story. [Feb. 7]

A Russian government Soyuz rocket launched a Glonass M navigation satellite. The rocket flew in the Soyuz-2.1b configuration with a Fregat upper stage. Delayed from Dec. 29. Read our full story. [Feb. 7]

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-057, launched the U.S. Air Force’s 12th Block 2F navigation satellite for the Global Positioning System. The rocket flew in the 401 vehicle configuration with a four-meter fairing, no solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. Delayed from Jan. 26 and Feb. 3. Read our full story. [Feb. 5]

A Chinese Long March 3C rocket launched a Beidou navigation satellite into orbit for the Chinese government. The rocket flew with a Yuanzheng upper stage. Read our full story. [Feb. 1]

An International Launch Services Proton rocket with a Breeze M upper stage deployed the Eutelsat 9B communications satellite owned by Paris-based Eutelsat. Eutelsat 9B will provide digital television and video programming across Europe. The spacecraft hosts the first payload for the European Space Agency’s European Data Relay Satellite (EDRS) system to relay communications between ground stations and satellites in low Earth orbit. Delayed from Jan. 25 and Jan. 27. Read our full story. [Jan. 29]

Arianespace used an Ariane 5 ECA rocket, designated VA228, to launch the Intelsat 29e communications satellite. Intelsat 29e is the first Intelsat Epic high throughput satellite, hosting a next-generation all-digital payload that can be reconfigured in orbit and is resilient to interference and jamming. Intelsat 29e offers coverage spanning North and South America, the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, and the North Atlantic aeronautical route connecting North America and Europe. Read our full story. [Jan. 27]

India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), flying on the PSLV-C31 mission in the PSLV-XL configuration, launched the IRNSS 1E navigation satellite. The payload is the fifth spacecraft in the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System, which aims to improve positioning services over India and neighboring regions. Delayed from September and November. Read our full story. [Jan. 20]

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the Jason 3 ocean altimetry mission. Jason 3 will measure ocean surface topography to aid in ocean circulation and climate change research for NOAA, EUMETSAT, NASA and the French space agency, CNES. Delayed from March 31, July 22 and December. Read our full story. [Jan. 17]

A Chinese Long March 3B rocket launched the Belintersat 1 communications satellite for the government of Belarus. Read our full story. [Jan. 15]

A Chinese Long March 3B rocket launched the Gaofen 4 Earth observation satellite. Gaofen 4 will be positioned in geostationary orbit with optical and infrared staring imagers for continuous observations of China and surrounding regions. Read our full story. [Dec. 28]

A Russian government Proton rocket with a Breeze M upper stage deployed the Express AMU1 communications satellite for the Russian Satellite Communications Co. Express AMU1 will provide broadcast communications services to Russia for RSCC and communications coverage over sub-Saharan Africa for Eutelsat, which calls its part of the spacecraft payload Eutelsat 36C. Delayed from Dec. 19. Read our full story. [Dec. 24]

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched 11 second-generation Orbcomm communications satellites. The satellites will operate for Orbcomm Inc., providing two-way data messaging services for global customers. The rocket flew on a full-thrust version of the Falcon 9 rocket with upgraded Merlin 1D engines, stretched fuel tanks, and a payload fairing. Delayed from December 2014 and 1st Quarter 2015 and August. Delayed from Dec. 19 and Dec. 20. Read our full story. [Dec. 22]

A Russian government Soyuz rocket will launch the 62nd Progress cargo delivery ship to the International Space Station. Moved forward from Feb. 12. Delayed from Nov. 19 and Nov. 21. Read our full story. [Dec. 21]

An Arianespace Soyuz rocket, designated VS13, launched on a mission from the Guiana Space Center in South America. The Soyuz carried two Galileo full operational capability satellites for Europe’s Galileo navigation constellation. The Soyuz 2-1b (Soyuz ST-B) rocket used a Fregat-MT upper stage. Read our full story. [Dec. 17]

A Chinese Long March 2D rocket launched the Dark Matter Particle Explorer, a satellite designed to measure high-energy particles in space in search of dark matter. Read our full story. [Dec. 16]

India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), flying on the PSLV-C29 mission in the PSLV-CA configuration, launched six satellites for Singapore. The largest of the satellites, TeLEOS 1, is an Earth observation satellite designed to operate in an equatorial orbit for ST Electronics and AgilSpace. Five other satellites aboard the launch were developed by university students in Singapore will test new technologies, observe Earth and study the climate. Read our full story. [Dec. 16]

A Russian government Soyuz rocket launched the manned Soyuz spacecraft to the International Space Station with members of the next Expedition crew. The capsule will remain at the station for about six months, providing an escape pod for the crew. Delayed from Nov. 20. Read our full story. [Dec. 15]

A Russian government Proton rocket with a Breeze M upper stage deployed the Garpun communications satellite into orbit for the Russian military. Delayed from May 19, Dec. 2 and Dec. 10. Read our full story. [Dec. 13]

A Ukrainian Zenit rocket with a Russian Fregat upper stage launched Russia’s Elektro-L 2 geostationary weather satellite. Read our full story. [Dec. 11]

A Chinese Long March 3B rocket launched the Chinasat 1C communications satellite. Read our full story. [Dec. 9]

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-061, launched the fifth Orbital Sciences Cygnus cargo freighter on its fourth operational cargo delivery flight to the International Space Station. The mission is known as OA-4. The rocket flew in the 401 vehicle configuration with a four-meter fairing, no solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. Delayed from Nov. 19. Scrubbed on Dec. 3, Dec. 4 and Dec. 5. Read our full story. [Dec. 6]

A Russian government Soyuz 2-1v rocket with a Volga upper stage launched with the Kanopus ST Earth observation satellite, but the primary payload failed to separate from the launcher. Delayed from Feb. 1. Read our full story. [Dec. 5]

A European Vega rocket, designated VV06, launched with the European Space Agency’s LISA Pathfinder mission. LISA Pathfinder will test the concept of gravitational wave detection from the L1 Lagrangian point between the Earth and sun. Delayed from July, Oct. 2, Nov. 27 and Dec. 2. Read our full story. [Dec. 3]

A Chinese Long March 4C rocket launched the Yaogan 29 reconnaissance satellite. Read our full story. [Nov. 26]

A Japanese H-2A rocket launched the Telstar 12 Vantage communications satellite for Telesat. Telstar 12V will provide broadband communications coverage over the Americas, the Atlantic Ocean, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The rocket flew in the “204” configuration with four solid rocket boosters. Read our full story. [Nov. 24]

A Chinese Long March 3B rocket launched the LaoSat 1 communications satellite. LaoSat 1 will provide telecommunications and broadcast services for Laos and Southeast Asia. Read our full story. [Nov. 20]

A Russian government Soyuz rocket launched the EKS 1 early warning satellite for the Russian military. The EKS, or Tundra, satellites fly in highly elliptical tundra orbits. The rocket flew in the Soyuz-2.1b configuration with a Fregat upper stage. Read our full story. [Nov. 17]

Arianespace used an Ariane 5 ECA rocket, designated VA227, to launch the Badr 7 and GSAT 15 satellites. The Badr 7 satellite, also known as Arabsat 6B, will provide direct-to-home television programming and broadband services over the Middle East, Africa and Central Asia for Arabsat. GSAT 15 will provide communications services over India for the Indian Space Research Organization. Delayed from Nov. 5. Read our full story. [Nov. 10]

A Chinese Long March 4B rocket launched the Yaogan 28 reconnaissance satellite. Read our full story. [Nov. 8]

The ORS 4 mission was a first flight demonstration of the experimental, low-cost Super Strypi small launch system. The Operationally Responsive Space office is managing development of Super Strypi in partnership with the University of Hawaii, Sandia National Laboratories, the Pacific Missile Range Facility and Aerojet Rocketdyne Corp. The goal is to deliver payloads in the range of 300 kilograms to low Earth orbit. A Super Strypi launch vehicle failed to deliver the HiakaSat spacecraft and multiple CubeSat payloads into orbit on the ORS 4 mission. Delayed from October 2013, April and October 2014. Delayed from January 2015. Delayed from Oct. 29. Read our full story. [Nov. 3]

A Chinese Long March 3B rocket launched the Chinasat 2C communications satellite. Read our full story. [Nov. 3]

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-060, will launch the U.S. Air Force’s 11th Block 2F navigation satellite for the Global Positioning System. The rocket will fly in the 401 vehicle configuration with a four-meter fairing, no solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. Delayed from Sept. 16, Sept. 22 and Oct. 30. Read our full story. [Oct. 31]

A Chinese Long March 2D rocket launched the Tianhui 1C mapping satellite. Read our full story. [Oct. 26]

An International Launch Services Proton rocket with a Breeze M upper stage deployed the Turksat 4B communications satellite. Delayed from June 2014 and early 2015. Delayed from June 30, Oct. 5 and Oct. 13. Read our full story. [Oct. 16]

A Chinese Long March 3B rocket launched the Apstar 9 communications satellite. Apstar 9 will provide commercial video broadcast, VSAT connectivity and cellular backhaul services over the Asia-Pacific and Southeast Asia for APT Satellite. Read our full story. [Oct. 16]

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-058, launched a classified spacecraft payload for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office. The rocket flew in the 401 vehicle configuration with a four-meter fairing, no solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. Delayed from Aug. 27 and Sept. 25. Read our full story. [Oct. 8]

A Chinese Long March 2D rocket launched the Jilin 1 mission, China’s first commercial high-resolution Earth observation satellite. The mission consists of four satellites for high-definition imagery, video observations and technology demonstrations. Read our full story. [Oct. 7]

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-059, launched the Morelos 3, or Mexsat 2, communications satellite for the Mexican Ministry of Communications and Transportation. The rocket flew in the 421 vehicle configuration with a four-meter fairing, two solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. Delayed from Oct. 20. Moved up from Oct. 22. Read our full story. [Oct. 2]

A Russian government Soyuz rocket launched the 61st Progress cargo delivery ship to the International Space Station. Moved forward from Oct. 22. Delayed from Sept. 21. Read our full story. [Oct. 1]

Arianespace used an Ariane 5 ECA rocket, designated VA226, to launch the Sky Muster (NBN Co 1A) and Arsat 2 satellites. The Sky Muster satellite will provide high-speed Internet services for Australia’s National Broadband Network. Arsat 2 will provide data transmission, Internet and television services over the Americas for the Arsat operator based in Argentina. Read our full story. [Sept. 30]

A Chinese Long March 3B rocket launched a Beidou navigation satellite into orbit for the Chinese government. Read our full story. [Sept. 29]

India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), flying on the PSLV-C30 mission in the PSLV-XL configuration, launched the Astrosat observatory. Astrosat is India’s first dedicated astronomical satellite mission, and it carries instruments to observe the universe in visible, ultraviolet and X-ray wavelengths, studying black holes, neutron stars, pulsars, quasars, white dwarfs, and active galactic nuclei. Four Lemur satellites for U.S.-based Spire Global, Canada’s exactView 9 maritime tracking satellite, and Indonesia’s Lapan A2 microsatellite were also on the launch. Read our full story. [Sept. 28]

A Chinese Long March 11 rocket launched multiple small satellites into orbit on its maiden flight. The Long March 11 is a solid-fueled, quick-responce launcher designed to place small satellites into low Earth orbit. The payloads included Pujiang 1 and three Tianwang CubeSats designed for technology demonstrations. Read our full story. [Sept. 25]

A Russian government Rockot vehicle launched three Rodnik communications satellites for the Russian military. Read our full story. [Sept. 23]

A Chinese Long March 6 rocket launched with a cluster of small Chinese amateur and university research satellites. The flight marked the first launch of the Long March 6, a new rocket fueled by kerosene and liquid oxygen to replace China’s previous generation of launch vehicles. Delayed from July 20. Read our full story. [Sept. 19]

A Russian government Proton rocket with a Block DM upper stage deployed the Express AM8 satellite for the Russian Satellite Communications Co. Express AM8 will provide television broadcasting and other communications services across Russia and neighboring countries. Delayed from April 6, May, June 18 and August. Read our full story. [Sept. 14]

A Chinese Long March 2D rocket launched the Gaofen 9 remote sensing satellite. Read our full story. [Sept. 14]

A Chinese Long March 3B rocket launched an experimental communications satellite for the Chinese government. No other information about the payload was released. Read our full story. [Sept. 12]

An Arianespace Soyuz rocket, designated VS12, launched on a mission from the Guiana Space Center in South America. The Soyuz carried two Galileo full operational capability satellites for Europe’s Galileo navigation constellation. The Soyuz 2-1b (Soyuz ST-B) rocket used a Fregat-MT upper stage. Read our full story. [Sept. 11]

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-056, launched the fourth Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite for the U.S. Navy. Built by Lockheed Martin, this U.S. military spacecraft will provide narrowband tactical communications designed to significantly improve ground communications for U.S. forces on the move. The rocket flew in the 551 vehicle configuration with a five-meter fairing, five solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. Delayed from Aug. 13, Aug. 20, Aug. 27 and Aug. 31. Read our full story. [Sept. 2]

A Russian government Soyuz rocket launched the Soyuz spacecraft to the International Space Station with members of the next Expedition crew. The capsule will remain at the station for about six months, providing an escape pod for the crew. Read our full story. [Sept. 2]

An International Launch Services Proton rocket with a Breeze M upper stage will deploy the Inmarsat 5 F3 communications satellite for Inmarsat of London. Delayed from May 31. Read our full story. [Aug. 28]

India’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mk. 2, flying on the GSLV-D6 mission, launched the GSAT 6 communications satellite. GSAT 6 will provide communications services for the Indian military. Delayed from March and May. Read our full story. [Aug. 27]

A Chinese Long March 4C rocket launched the Yaogan 22 reconnaissance satellite. Read our full story. [Aug. 27]

Arianespace will use an Ariane 5 ECA rocket, designated VA225, to launch the Eutelsat 8 West B and Intelsat 34 satellites. The Eutelsat 8 West B satellite will provide direct-to-home television broadcasts over North Africa and the Middle East. The Intelsat 34 communications satellite will cover Latin America and beam broadband services for aircraft traveling routes over the North Atlantic. Read our full story. [Aug. 20]

A Japanese H-2B rocket launched the fifth H-2 Transfer Vehicle. The HTV serves as an unmanned cargo vehicle to deliver equipment and supplies to the International Space Station. Delayed from July 1, 2014. Delayed from Feb. 1. Moved forward from Aug. 17. Delayed from Aug. 16. Read our full story. [Aug. 19]

A Chinese Long March 3B rocket launched two Beidou navigation satellites into orbit for the Chinese government. The rocket flew with a Yuanzheng upper stage. Read our full story. [July 25]

A United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket launched the seventh Wideband Global SATCOM spacecraft, formerly known as the Wideband Gapfiller Satellite. Built by Boeing, this geostationary communications spacecraft will serve U.S. military forces. The rocket flew in the Medium+ (5,4) configuration with four solid rocket boosters. Delayed from July 21 and July 22. Read our full story. [July 23]

A Russian government Soyuz rocket launched the manned Soyuz spacecraft to the International Space Station with members of the next Expedition crew. The capsule will remain at the station for about six months, providing an escape pod for the crew. Delayed from May 26. Moved forward from July 24. Read our full story. [July 22]

Arianespace used an Ariane 5 ECA rocket, designated VA224, to launch the Star One C4 and MSG 4 satellites. The Star One C4 satellite will provide television services over Latin America and the United States for the Brazilian operator Embratel Star One. MSG 4 will be based in geostationary orbit providing real-time weather imagery for Eumetsat, operator of Europe’s meteorological satellites. Delayed from July 2 and July 8. Read our full story. [July 15]

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-055, launched the U.S. Air Force’s 10th Block 2F navigation satellite for the Global Positioning System. The rocket flew in the 401 vehicle configuration with a four-meter fairing, no solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. Delayed from June 16, June 30 and July 14. Read our full story. [July 15]

India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), flying on the PSLV-C28 mission in the PSLV-XL configuration, launched three satellites built by Britain’s Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. in the DMC3 disaster monitoring constellation for the Beijing-based imaging company 21AT. An SSTL technology demonstration satellite named CBNT-1 and a UK-built CubeSat named DeorbitSail also launched. Delayed from June 25. Read our full story. [July 10]

A Russian government Soyuz rocket launched the 60th Progress cargo delivery ship to the International Space Station. Moved up from Aug. 6. Read our full story. [July 3]

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket failed to launch the ninth Dragon spacecraft on the seventh operational cargo delivery mission to the International Space Station. The flight was conducted under the Commercial Resupply Services contract with NASA. Delayed from June 13. Moved forward from June 22. Delayed from June 19 and June 26. Read our full story. [June 28]

A Chinese Long March 4B rocket launched with the Gaofen 8 high-resolution optical imaging satellite. Read our full story. [June 26]

A Russian government Soyuz rocket launched a Persona reconnaissance satellite for the Russian military. The rocket flew in the Soyuz 2-1b configuration with a modernized digital flight control system and upgraded third stage engine. Delayed from May 15. Read our full story. [June 23]

A European Vega rocket, designated VV05, launched with the Sentinel 2A Earth observation satellite for the European Space Agency and the European Commission. Sentinel 2A carries an optical imaging payload for land observation. Delayed from April and June 12. Read our full story. [June 23]

A Russian government Soyuz rocket launched a Kobalt M reconnaissance satellite for the Russian military. The rocket flew in the Soyuz 2-1a configuration with a modernized digital flight control system. Delayed from May 15. Read our full story. [June 5]

Arianespace used an Ariane 5 ECA rocket, designated VA223, to launch the DirecTV 15 and Sky Mexico 1 satellites. DirecTV 15 will provide direct-to-home television broadcasts across the United States. Sky Mexico 1 will beam direct television programming to Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean for a subsidiary of DirecTV. Delayed from May 20 and May 22. Read our full story. [May 27]

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket launched the AFSPC 5 mission for the U.S. Air Force. The payloads include the military’s X-37B space plane and UltraSat, a package of small CubeSat secondary payloads. The rocket flew in the 501 vehicle configuration with a five-meter fairing, no solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. Read our full story. [May 20]

An International Launch Services Proton rocket with a Breeze M upper stage failed to deploy the Mexsat 1 communications satellite for the Mexican government. The satellite was also named Centenario. Delayed from April 24 and April 29. Read our full story. [May 16]

A Russian government Soyuz rocket launched the 59th Progress cargo delivery ship to the International Space Station. Moved forward from April 30. Read our full story. [April 28]

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the TurkmenAlem52E/MonacoSat 1 communications satellite for Thales Alenia Space and the government of Turkmenistan. The spacecraft is Turkmenistan’s first national satellite and will support communications over Central Asia. Delayed from March 21 and April 24. Read our full story. [April 27]

Arianespace used an Ariane 5 ECA rocket, designated VA222, to launch the Thor 7 and Sicral 2 satellites. Thor 7 will provide high-throughput Ka-band broadband services for the offshore sector in the North Sea, the Norwegian Sea, the Red Sea, the Baltic Sea, the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean for Norway’s Telenor Satellite Broadcasting. Sicral 2 carries communications payloads for Italian and French military authorities. Delayed from January and March. Moved forward from April 16. Delayed from April 15 and April 24. Read our full story. [April 26]

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the eighth Dragon spacecraft on the sixth operational cargo delivery mission to the International Space Station. The flight is being conducted under the Commercial Resupply Services contract with NASA. Delayed from Dec. 5, Feb. 4, April 8 and April 10. Scrubbed on April 13. Read our full story. [April 14]

A Russian government Rockot vehicle with a Breeze KM upper stage launched three Gonets M communications satellites. Delayed from March 3. Read our full story. [March 31]

A Chinese Long March 3C rocket launched a Beidou navigation satellite into orbit for the Chinese government. Read our full story. [March 30]

India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), flying on the PSLV-C27 mission, launched the IRNSS 1D navigation satellite. The payload is the fourth spacecraft in the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System, which aims to improve positioning services over India and neighboring regions. Delayed from December, January and March 9. Read our full story. [March 28]

An Arianespace Soyuz rocket, designated VS11, launched on a mission from the Guiana Space Center in South America. The Soyuz carried two Galileo full operational capability satellites for Europe’s Galileo navigation constellation. The Soyuz 2-1b (Soyuz ST-B) rocket used a Fregat-MT upper stage. Arianespace oversaw the launch. Delayed from November, December and March 26. Read our full story. [March 27]

A Russian government Soyuz rocket launched the manned Soyuz TMA-16M spacecraft to the International Space Station with members of the next Expedition crew. The capsule will remain at the station for about six months, providing an escape pod for the crew. Moved forward from March 28. Read our full story. [March 27]

A Japanese H-2A rocket launched an Information Gathering Satellite with an optical reconnaissance payload for the Japanese government. Read our full story. [March 26]

An ISC Kosmotras Dnepr rocket launched the Kompsat 3A high-resolution Earth observation satellite for the Korea Aerospace Research Institute. Delayed from Jan. 22 and March 12. Read our full story. [March 25]

A United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket launched the U.S. Air Force’s ninth Block 2F navigation satellite for the Global Positioning System. The rocket flew in the Medium+ (4,2) configuration with two solid rocket boosters. Read our full story. [March 25]

A Russian government Proton rocket with a Breeze M upper stage deployed the Express AM7 satellite for the Russian Satellite Communications Co. Express AM7 will provide television and radio broadcasting services, broadband Internet access, and support multimedia and data links across Russia and neighboring countries. Read our full story. [March 18]

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket launched NASA’s Magnetospheric Multiscale, or MMS, mission. The Magnetospheric Multiscale mission will use four identical spacecraft, variably spaced in Earth orbit, to make three-dimensional measurements of magnetospheric boundary regions and examine the process of magnetic reconnection. The rocket flew in the 421 vehicle configuration with a four-meter fairing, two solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. Delayed from Nov. 26. Read our full story. [March 12]

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the Eutelsat 115 West B and ABS 3A communications satellites. Eutelsat 115 West B will provide the Americas with video, data, government, and mobile services for Paris-based Eutelsat. ABS 3A will distribute television programming, Internet and mobile phone connectivity, and maritime services across the Americas, Europe, Africa and the Middle East for Asia Broadcast Satellite of Bermuda and Hong Kong. Built by Boeing, the satellites are the first spacecraft to launch in a conjoined configuration and are the first payloads to use all-electric propulsion for orbit-raising. Delayed from Feb. 17 and Feb. 27. Read our full story. [March 2]

A Russian government Soyuz rocket launched the first Bars-M spy satellite for the Russian military. Read our full story. [Feb. 27]

A Russian government Soyuz rocket launched the 58th Progress cargo delivery ship to the International Space Station. Delayed from Feb. 3. Read our full story. [Feb. 17]

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the Deep Space Climate Observatory for the U.S Air Force, NOAA and NASA. DSCOVR will be positioned at the L1 libration point to monitor space weather and Earth’s climate. Delayed from Jan. 13, Jan. 23, Jan. 29 and Jan. 31. Scrubbed on Feb. 8 and Feb. 10. See our Mission Status Center. [Feb. 11]

A European Vega rocket, designated VV04, launched with the European Space Agency’s Intermediate Experimental Vehicle, or IXV. The IXV launched on a suborbital trajectory, testing advanced flight control and re-entry technologies before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean. Delayed from October and Nov. 18. See our Mission Status Center. [Feb. 11]

A Safir rocket orbited Iran’s Fajr satellite in the country’s fourth successful space launch. Read our full story. [Feb. 2]

An International Launch Services Proton rocket with a Breeze M upper stage deployed the Inmarsat 5 F2 communications satellite for Inmarsat of London. Delayed from May 2014 and Jan. 30. Read our full story. [Feb. 1]

A Japanese H-2A rocket launched an Information Gathering Satellite with a radar reconnaissance payload for the Japanese government. Delayed from Jan. 29. Read our full story. [Feb. 1]

A United Launch Alliance Delta 2 rocket launched the Soil Moisture Active Passive satellite for NASA. SMAP is an Earth satellite mission designed to measure and map Earth’s soil moisture and freeze/thaw state to better understand terrestrial water, carbon and energy cycles. The rocket flew in the 7320 configuration with three solid rocket boosters and no third stage. Delayed from November. Scrubbed on Jan. 29. See our Mission Status Center. [Jan. 31]

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-052, launched the third Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite for the U.S. Navy. Built by Lockheed Martin, this U.S. military spacecraft will provide narrowband tactical communications designed to significantly improve ground communications for U.S. forces on the move. The rocket flew in the 551 vehicle configuration with a five-meter fairing, five solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. Read our full story. [Jan. 20]

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the seventh Dragon spacecraft on the fifth operational cargo delivery mission to the International Space Station. The flight is being conducted under the Commercial Resupply Services contract with NASA. Delayed from Sept. 12. Moved up from Nov. 27. Delayed from Oct. 3, Dec. 1, Dec. 9, Dec. 16 and Dec. 19, 2014. Scrubbed on Jan. 6 and delayed from Jan. 9. Read our full story. [Jan. 10]