Launch Log (2021-2022)

2022

Dec. 29/30, 2022Falcon 9 • EROS C3
Launch time: 0738 GMT on 30th (2:38 a.m. EST on 30th; 11:38 p.m. PST on 29th)
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the EROS C3 high-resolution Earth-imaging satellite for ImageSat International, an Israeli remote sensing company. EROS C3 was built by Israel Aerospace Industries and will collect optical multispectral imagery. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster returned to Landing Zone 4 at Vandenberg Space Force Base. Delayed from Dec. 28/29. Read our full story. [Dec. 30]
Dec. 28, 2022Falcon 9 • Starlink 5-1
Launch time: 0934 GMT (4:34 a.m. EST)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched another batch of 54 Starlink internet satellites. This mission was the first into a new orbital shell for SpaceX’s second-generation Starlink constellation, called Starlink Gen2. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster landed on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. Read our full story. [Dec. 28]
Dec. 20/21, 2022Vega-C • Pléiades Neo 5 & 6
Launch time: 0147:31 GMT on 21st (8:47:31 p.m. EST on 20th)
Launch site: ZLV, Kourou, French Guiana
An Arianespace Vega C rocket, designated VV22, failed during launch of the Pléiades Neo 5 and 6 Earth observation satellites for Airbus. Pléiades Neo 5 and 6 were the third and fourth members of the four-satellite Pléiades Neo constellation built, owned, and operated by Airbus. Delayed from Nov. 21, Nov. 23, and Nov. 24. Read our full story. [Dec. 21]
Dec. 17, 2022Falcon 9 • Starlink 4-37
Launch time: 2132:30 GMT (4:32:30 p.m. EST)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched with another batch of 54 Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster landed on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. Delayed from October, November, Dec. 5,, Dec. 6, and Dec. 16. Read our full story. [Dec. 17]
Dec. 16, 2022Falcon 9 • O3b mPOWER 1 & 2
Launch time: 2248 GMT (5:48 p.m. EST)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the first two O3b mPOWER broadband internet satellites into Medium Earth Orbit for SES of Luxembourg. The satellites, built by Boeing, will provide internet services over most of the populated world, building on SES’s O3b network. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster landed on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. Delayed from May, June, and August, and November, and Dec. 13. Read our full story. [Dec. 16]
Dec. 16, 2022Falcon 9 • SWOT
Launch time: 1146:47 GMT (6:46:47 a.m. EST; 3:46:47 a.m. PST)
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the Surface Water and Ocean Topography mission for NASA. SWOT is a science mission jointly developed by NASA and CNES, the French space agency, to measure how much water is in Earth’s oceans, lakes, and rivers. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster returned to Landing Zone 4 at Vandenberg Space Force Base. Delayed from Dec. 12 and Dec. 15. Read our full story. [Dec. 16]
Dec. 13, 2022Ariane 5 • Galaxy 35, Galaxy 36, and MTG-I1
Launch time: 2030 GMT (3:30 p.m. EST)
Launch site: ELA-3, Kourou, French Guiana
Arianespace used an Ariane 5 ECA rocket, designated VA259, to launch the Galaxy 35 and 36 communications satellites for Intelsat, and the MTG-I1 weather satellite for Eumetsat. Galaxy 35 and 36, built by Maxar, will provide C-band television and video broadcast services over the United States. The first Meteosat Third Generation Imager satellite, MTG-I1, will provide weather imagery over Europe for the European weather satellite agency, Eumetsat. Read our full story. [Dec. 13]
Dec. 11, 2022Falcon 9 • ispace Hakuto-R Mission 1
Launch time: 0738:13 GMT (2:38:13 a.m. EST)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the first commercial Hakuto-R lunar lander for ispace, a Japan-based company that competed for the Google Lunar XPRIZE and is now developing a series of robotic lunar landers. The first lunar lander, called ispace Mission 1, was assembled in partnership with ArianeGroup and carries a package of international and commercial payloads, including two small lunar rovers from the United Arab Emirates and Japan. The mission will target a landing in the Lacus Somniorum region of the moon. NASA’s Lunar Flashlight CubeSat was a rideshare payload on this launch. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster returned to Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Delayed from mid-November, Nov. 22, Nov. 29, Nov. 30, and Dec. 7. Read our full story. [Dec. 11]
Dec. 8, 2022Falcon 9 • OneWeb 15
Launch time: 2227:48 GMT (5:27:48 p.m. EST)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched 40 satellites into orbit for OneWeb, which is developing and deploying a constellation of hundreds of satellites in low Earth orbit for low-latency broadband communications. This was the first launch of OneWeb satellites with SpaceX. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster returned to Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Delayed from November, Dec. 6, and Dec. 7. Read our full story. [Dec. 8]
Nov. 29, 2022Long March 2F • Shenzhou 15
Launch time: 1508:17 GMT (10:08:17 a.m. EST)
Launch site: Jiuquan, China
A Chinese Long March 2F rocket launched the Shenzhou 15 spacecraft with Chinese astronauts Fei Junlong, Deng Qingming, and Zhang Lu to rendezvous and dock with the Chinese space station in low Earth orbit. This is China’s 10th crewed space mission, and the fourth to the Chinese space station. Read our full story. [Nov. 29]
Nov. 27, 2022Soyuz • Glonass M
Launch time: 1517 GMT (10:17 a.m. EST)
Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russia
A Russian government Soyuz rocket launched a Glonass M navigation satellite for Russia’s independent positioning, navigation, and timing network. The rocket flew in the Soyuz-2.1b configuration with a Fregat upper stage. Read our full story. [Nov. 27]
Nov. 26, 2022Falcon 9 • SpaceX CRS 26
Launch time: 1920:43 GMT (2:20:43 p.m. EST)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched a Dragon 2 spacecraft on its sixth cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster landed on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. The flight is the 26th mission by SpaceX conducted under a Commercial Resupply Services contract with NASA. Delayed from October. Delayed from Nov. 18 and Nov. 21. Scrubbed on Nov. 22 due to poor weather. Read our full story. [Nov. 26]
Nov. 26, 2022PSLV • EOS-06
Launch time: 0626 GMT (1:26 a.m. EST)
Launch site: Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota, India
India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) launched on the PSLV-C54 mission with the EOS-06 Earth observation satellite, previously named Oceansat 3. The EOS-06, or Oceansat 3, satellite will take measurements of ocean color, ocean winds, and sea surface temperatures. This mission also launched eight small rideshare payloads, including a joint project between India and Bhutan called BhutanSat, the Anand Earth-imaging satellite for Pixxel, four satellites for Astrocast’s data relay constellation, and two Thybolt CubeSats for an Indian startup named Dhruva Space. The PSLV flew in the PSLV XL configuration with six strap-on solid rocket boosters. Read our full story. [Nov. 26]
Nov. 22/23, 2022Falcon 9 • Eutelsat 10B
Launch time: 0257 GMT on 23rd (9:57 p.m. EST 22nd)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the Eutelsat 10B communications satellite for Eutelsat. Based on the Spacebus Neo platform built by Thales Alenia Space, Eutelsat 10B will provide maritime and in-flight broadband, data, and video connectivity to customers in the Americas, the Atlantic Ocean, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster was expended. Delayed from Nov. 20 and Nov. 21. Read our full story. [Nov. 23]
Nov. 16, 2022Space Launch System • Artemis 1
Launch window: 0647:44 GMT (1:47:44 a.m. EST)
Launch site: LC-39B, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
NASA’s Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket launched on its first test flight with an uncrewed Orion spacecraft. The mission, known as Artemis 1, aimed to place the Orion spacecraft into orbit around the moon before the capsule returns to Earth for splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Ten small CubeSat rideshare payloads also launched on the Artemis 1 mission. Delayed from February, March, April, May, and June. Scrubbed on Aug. 29 by engine cooling issue. Scrubbed on Sept. 3 by hydrogen leak. Delayed from no earlier than Sept. 23 to allow more time to prepare for tanking test. Delayed from Sept. 27 due to threat from Hurricane Ian. Delayed from Nov. 14 due to threat from Tropical Storm Nicole. Read our full story. [Nov. 16]
Nov. 12, 2022Falcon 9 • Galaxy 31 & 32
Launch time: 1606 GMT (11:06 a.m. EST)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the Galaxy 31 and Galaxy 32 commercial communications satellites for Intelsat. Built by Maxar, Galaxy 31 and Galaxy 32 will be positioned in geostationary orbit to provide C-band video and television broadcast services in the United States. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster will be expended on this mission. Delayed from Nov. 8 by Subtropical Storm Nicole. Read our full story. [Nov. 12]
Nov. 11/12, 2022Long March 7 • Tianzhou 5
Launch time: 0203 GMT on 12th (9:03 p.m. EST on 11th)
Launch site: Wenchang, China
A Chinese Long March 7 rocket launched the Tianzhou 5 resupply ship to dock with the Chinese space station. The automated cargo craft is the fourth resupply freighter for the Chinese space station. Delayed from Nov. 6. [Nov. 12]
Nov. 10, 2022Atlas 5 • JPSS 2 & LOFTID
Launch time: 0949 GMT (4:49 a.m. EST; 1:49 a.m. PST)
Launch site: SLC-3E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-098, launched the Joint Polar Satellite System 2, or JPSS 2, polar-orbiting weather satellite for NASA and NOAA. Built by Northrop Grumman, JPSS 2 will provide global weather observations for medium and long-term forecasts. The Atlas 5 also launched the Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator, or LOFTID, re-entry aeroshell vehicle on a test flight. LOFTID is a joint project between NASA and ULA. 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 Sept. 30 due to anomaly during testing of the satellite’s Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite, or VIIRS, instrument. Delayed from Nov. 1 and Nov. 9. Read our full story. [Nov. 10]
Nov. 7, 2022Antares • NG-18
Launch time: 1032:42 GMT (5:32:42 a.m. EST)
Launch site: Pad 0A, Wallops Island, Virginia
A Northrop Grumman Antares rocket launched the 19th Cygnus cargo freighter on the 18th operational cargo delivery flight to the International Space Station. The mission is known as NG-18. The rocket flew in the Antares 230+ configuration, with two RD-181 first stage engines and a Castor 30XL second stage. Delayed from Aug. 15 and Oct. 15. Scrubbed on Nov. 6 by fire alarm at Northrop Grumman mission control center in Dulles, Virginia. Read our full story. [Nov. 7]
Nov. 5, 2022Long March 3B • Chinasat 19
Launch time: 1150 GMT (7:50 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Xichang, China
A Chinese Long March 3B rocket launched the Chinasat 19 communications satellite. Chinasat 19 will provide broadband services over China. Read our full story. [Nov. 5]
Nov. 3, 2022Falcon 9 • Hotbird 13G
Launch window: 0522 GMT (1:22 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the Hotbird 13G television broadcasting satellite for Eutelsat. Hotbird 13G is the second satellite to be built on Airbus’s new Eurostar Neo all-electric spacecraft design, and will provide television broadcast services to Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster landed on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. Read our full story. [Nov. 3]
Nov. 1, 2022Falcon Heavy • USSF 44
Launch time: 1341 GMT (9:41 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket launched the USSF 44 mission for the U.S. Space Force. The mission deployed two main spacecraft payloads directly into geosynchronous orbit. One is called the Shepherd Demonstration mission to test technologies for rendezvous and proximity operations, and the other is the Long Duration Propulsive ESPA 2, or LDPE 2, spacecraft. LDPE 2 hosts six payloads, including three small satellites that will separate in geosynchronous orbit in the weeks and months after launch. The Falcon Heavy’s two side boosters landed at Landing Zone 1 and 2 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, and the core stage was expended. Delayed from late 2020, 2nd quarter of 2021, July 2021, and October 2021 by payload issues. Delayed from early 2022 and June 2022. Delayed from Oct. 28 and Oct. 31. Read our full story. [Nov. 1]
Oct. 31, 2022Long March 5B • Mengtian
Launch time: 0737:23 GMT (3:37:23 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Wenchang, China
A Chinese Long March 5B rocket launched the Mengtian laboratory module, the third major element of China’s space station in low Earth orbit. Read our full story. [Oct. 31]
Oct. 27/28, 2022Falcon 9 • Starlink 4-31
Launch time: 0114:10 GMT on 28th (9:14:10 p.m. EDT; 6:14:10 p.m. PDT on 27th)
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched with another batch of 53 Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster landed on a drone ship in the Pacific Ocean. Read our full story. [Oct. 28]
Oct. 25/26, 2022Soyuz • Progress 82P
Launch time: 0020:09 GMT on 26th (8:20:09 p.m. EDT on 25th)
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
A Russian government Soyuz rocket launched the 82nd Progress cargo delivery ship to the International Space Station. The rocket flew in the Soyuz-2.1a configuration. Read our full story. [Oct. 25]
Oct. 22, 2022GSLV Mk.3 • OneWeb 14
Launch time: 1837:40 GMT (2:37:40 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota, India
India’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mk. 3 (GSLV Mk.3) launched 36 satellites into orbit for OneWeb, which is developing a constellation of hundreds of satellites in low Earth orbit for low-latency broadband communications. This was the first launch of OneWeb satellites since the suspension of launches on Soyuz rockets following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Read our full story. [Oct. 22]
Oct. 20, 2022Falcon 9 • Starlink 4-36
Launch time: 1450:40 GMT (10:50:40 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched with another batch of Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster landed on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. Delayed from Sept. 26 in ripple effect from Starlink 4-34 delays. Delayed from Sept. 30 after Hurricane Ian. Read our full story. [Oct. 20]
Oct. 15, 2022Falcon 9 • Hotbird 13F
Launch time: 0522 GMT (1:22 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the Hotbird 13F television broadcasting satellite for Eutelsat. Hotbird 13F is the first satellite to be built on Airbus’s new Eurostar Neo all-electric spacecraft design, and will provide television broadcast services to Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster landed on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. Delayed from Oct. 12. Read our full story. [Oct. 15]
Oct. 8, 2022Falcon 9 • Galaxy 33 & 34
Launch time: 2305 GMT (7:05 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the Galaxy 33 and Galaxy 34 commercial communications satellites for Intelsat. Built by Northrop Grumman, Galaxy 33 and Galaxy 34 will be positioned in geostationary orbit to provide C-band video and television broadcast services in the United States. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster landed on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. Delayed from Oct. 5. Scrubbed on Oct. 6 by small helium leak. Scrubbed again Oct. 7. Read our full story. [Oct. 8]
Oct. 6, 2022Electron • GAzelle
Launch time: 1709:21 GMT (1:09:21 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: Launch Complex 1B, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
A Rocket Lab Electron rocket launched the GAzelle small satellite, formerly known as Orbital Test Bed 3, for General Atomics. The GAzelle satellite carries the Argos 4 Advanced Data Collection System payload for NOAA, the U.S. Space Force, and the French space agency CNES. Argos 4 is the latest mission in the international Argos program, a satellite-based system that captures, processes and distributes environmental data — ranging from atmospheric pressure and sea surface temperatures to wildlife monitoring and marine animal tracking — from fixed and mobile platforms around the world. Rocket Lab did plan to recover the first stage booster on this mission. Delayed from Oct. 5. Read our full story. [Oct. 5]
Oct. 5, 2022Falcon 9 • Starlink 4-29
Launch time: 2310:30 GMT (7:10:30 p.m. EDT; 4:10:30 p.m. PDT)
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched with another batch of 52 Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster landed on a drone ship in the Pacific Ocean. Scrubbed Oct. 3 to allow more time for pre-launch checkouts. Delayed from Oct. 4 to give priority of SpaceX’s Crew-5 mission for NASA. Read our full story. [Oct. 5]
Oct. 5, 2022Falcon 9 • Crew 5
Launch time: 1600:57 GMT (12:00:57 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the Crew Dragon Endurance spacecraft on its eighth flight with astronauts. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster landed on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. NASA astronauts Nicole Mann, Josh Cassada, Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata, and Russian cosmonaut Anna Kikina launched on the Crew Dragon Endurance spacecraft to begin a six-month expedition on the International Space Station. The Crew Dragon will return to a splashdown at sea. Delayed from Sept. 1 after first stage booster was damaged during transport. Delayed from Sept. 29. Read our full story. [Oct. 5]
Oct. 4, 2022Atlas 5 • SES 20 & SES 21
Launch time: 2136 GMT (5:36 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket launched the SES 20 and SES 21 communications satellites for SES of Luxembourg. SES 20 and 21 will provide C-band television and data services over the United States. The rocket flew in the 531 vehicle configuration with a five-meter fairing, three solid rocket boosters, and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. Delayed from August. Delayed from Sept. 30 after Hurricane Ian. Read our full story. [Oct. 4]
Oct. 1, 2022Alpha • Demo Flight 2
Launch time: 0701 GMT (3:01 a.m. EDT; 12:01 a.m. PDT)
Launch site: SLC-2W, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
A Firefly Alpha rocket launched on its second test flight with a rideshare payload consisting of multiple small satellites. Delayed from May. Scrubbed due to drop in helium pressure on Sept. 11 and scrubbed due to bad weather on Sept. 12. Delayed from Sept. 19 due to poor weather forecast and range unavailability. Scrubbed on Sept. 30 due to last-second after engine start. Read our full story. [Oct. 1]
Sept. 24, 2022Falcon 9 • Starlink 4-35
Launch time: 2332:10 GMT (7:32:10 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched with another batch of 52 Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster landed on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. Delayed from Sept. 19 in ripple effect from Starlink 4-34 delays. Read our full story. [Sept. 24]
Sept. 24, 2022Delta 4-Heavy • NROL-91
Launch time: 2225:30 GMT (6:25:30 p.m. EDT; 3:25:30 p.m. PDT)
Launch site: SLC-6, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
A United Launch Alliance Delta 4-Heavy rocket launched a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office, the U.S. government’s spy satellite agency. This was the final Delta 4 launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base. Delayed from August. Read our full story. [Sept. 24]
Sept. 21, 2022Soyuz • ISS 68S
Launch time: 1354:49 GMT (9:54:49 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
A Russian government Soyuz rocket launched the crewed Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft to the International Space Station with the next team of three cosmonauts and astronauts to live and work on the complex. The crew is led by commander Sergey Prokopyev, who was joined by Russian flight engineer Dmitry Petelin and NASA astronaut Frank Rubio. The rocket flew in the Soyuz-2.1a configuration. Read our full story. [Sept. 21]
Sept. 18/19, 2022Falcon 9 • Starlink 4-34
Launch time: 0018:40 GMT on 19th (8:18:40 p.m. on 18th)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched with another batch of 54 Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster landed on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. Delayed from Sept. 11. Scrubbed on Sept. 13, Sept. 14, Sept. 15, and Sept. 16 due to clouds and lightning. Delayed again from Sept. 17. Read our full story. [Sept. 19]
Sept. 15, 2022Electron • StriX 1
Launch time: 2038 GMT (4:38 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: Launch Complex 1B, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
A Rocket Lab Electron rocket launched the StriX 1 synthetic aperture radar satellite for Synspective, a Japanese Earth-imaging company. Synspective is developing spacecraft for a planned constellation of more than 30 small radar observation satellites to collate data of metropolitan centers across Asia on a daily basis that can be used for urban development planning, construction and infrastructure monitoring, and disaster response. StriX 1 is Synspective’s first commercial satellite. Delayed from Sept. 14 due to bad weather forecast. Read our full story. [Sept. 15]
Sept. 10/11, 2022Falcon 9 • Starlink 4-2 & BlueWalker 3
Launch time: 0120 GMT on 11th (9:20 p.m. EDT on 10th)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched with another batch of 34 Starlink internet satellites. The BlueWalker 3 test satellite for AST SpaceMobile’s planned space-based cellular broadband network was a ridshare payload on this mission. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster landed on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. Read our full story. [Sept. 10]
Sept. 7, 2022Ariane 5 • Eutelsat Konnect VHTS
Launch time: 2145 GMT (5:45 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: ELA-3, Kourou, French Guiana
Arianespace used an Ariane 5 ECA rocket, designated VA258, to launch the Eutelsat Konnect VHTS communications satellite. Owned by Eutelsat and built by Thales Alenia Space, Eutelsat Konnect VHTS will provide fixed broadband and in-flight connectivity services over Europe. Read our full story. [Sept. 7]
Sept. 4/5, 2022Falcon 9 • Starlink 4-20 & Sherpa-LTC2
Launch time: 0209:40 GMT on 5th (10:09:40 p.m. EDT on 4th)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched with another batch of 51 Starlink internet satellites. This mission also launched Spaceflight’s propulsive Sherpa-LTC2 space tug, which will climb into a higher orbit with Boeing’s Varuna Technology Demonstration Mission, a pathfinder for a planned constellation of broadband satellites. The Varuna demo mission is a hosted payload on the Sherpa-LTC2 orbital transfer vehicle. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster landed on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. Read our full story. [Sept. 4]
Aug. 30/31, 2022Falcon 9 • Starlink 3-4
Launch time: 0540:10 GMT on 31st (1:40:10 a.m. EDT on 31st; 10:40:10 p.m. PDT on 30th)
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched with another batch of 46 Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster landed on a drone ship in the Pacific Ocean. Read our full story. [Aug. 31]
Aug. 27/28, 2022Falcon 9 • Starlink 4-23
Launch time: 0341 GMT on 28th (11:41 p.m. EDT on 27th)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched with another batch of 54 Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster landed on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. Read our full story. [Aug. 28]
Aug. 19, 2022Falcon 9 • Starlink 4-27
Launch time: 1921:20 GMT (3:21:20 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched with another batch of 53 Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster landed on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. Read our full story. [Aug. 19]
Aug. 12, 2022Falcon 9 • Starlink 3-3
Launch time: 2140:20 GMT (5:40:20 p.m. EDT; 2:40:20 p.m. PDT)
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched with another batch of 46 Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster landed on a drone ship in the Pacific Ocean. Read our full story. [Aug. 12]
Aug. 9/10, 2022Falcon 9 • Starlink 4-26
Launch time: 0314:40 GMT on 10th (10:14:40 p.m. EDT on 9th)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch with another batch of 52 Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster landed on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. Read our full story. [Aug. 10]
Aug. 6/7, 2022SSLV • EOS-02
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota, India
India’s Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) failed during launch on its first orbital test flight. Consisting of three solid-fueled stages and a liquid-fueled upper stage, the SSLV is a new Indian launch vehicle designed to carry small satellites into low Earth orbit. The payloads on the first test flight consisted of a small Earth observation satellite named EOS-02 and a student-developed CubeSat. Delayed from September and December 2019. Delayed from January and December 2020. Delayed from April 2021, May 2022, and June 2022. Read our full story. [Aug. 7]
Aug. 4, 2022Falcon 9 • KPLO
Launch time: 2308:48 GMT (7:08:48 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter, or KPLO. This is South Korea’s first space exploration mission. The KPLO spacecraft carries science instruments to image permanently shadowed craters to search for signs of water ice, measure the composition of lunar regolith, and capture high-resolution images to map future landing sites. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster landed on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. Delayed from Aug. 2. Read our full story. [Aug. 4]
Aug. 4, 2022Long March 2F • Reusable Test Spacecraft
Launch time: 1600 GMT (12:00 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: Jiuquan, China
A Chinese Long March 2F rocket launched a Reusable Test Spacecraft. The Chinese spacecraft, possibly a winged spaceplane, is on a classified mission in low Earth orbit. Read our full story. [Aug. 4]
Aug. 4, 2022Atlas 5 • SBIRS GEO 6
Launch window: 1029 GMT (6:29 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-097, launched the U.S. Space Force’s sixth Space Based Infrared System Geosynchronous satellite, or SBIRS GEO 6, for missile early-warning detection. 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 June 18 and July 31. Read our full story. [Aug. 4]
Aug. 4, 2022Electron • NROL-199
Launch time: 0500 GMT (1:00 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Launch Complex 1B, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
A Rocket Lab Electron rocket launched a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office. This mission was contracted through the NRO’s Rapid Acquisition of a Small Rocket, or RASR, program. Delayed from July 22. Read our full story. [Aug. 4]
Aug. 3/4, 2022Long March 4B • TECIS
Launch time: 1328 GMT (9:28 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Taiyuan, China
A Chinese Long March 4B rocket launched the Terrestrial Ecosystem Carbon Inventory Satellite, also named Goumang. The TECIS environmental satellite was accompanied on the launch by two smaller secondary payloads. Read our full story. [Aug. 4]
July 29, 2022Long March 2D • Yaogan 35
Launch time: 1328 GMT (9:28 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Xichang, China
A Chinese Long March 2D rocket launched three Yaogan 35 military satellites. Read our full story. [Aug. 4]
July 27, 2022Lijian 1 • Reusable Test Spacecraft
Launch time: 0412 GMT (12:12 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Jiuquan, China
A Chinese Lijian 1 rocket successfully placed six small satellites into orbit on its first test flight. The Lijian 1 rocket was developed by a spinoff of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and is the largest solid-fueled rocket in China’s inventory. Read our full story. [Aug. 4]
July 24, 2022Falcon 9 • Starlink 4-25
Launch window: 1338:20 GMT (9:38:20 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched with another batch of 53 Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster landed on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. Read our full story. [July 24]
July 24, 2022Long March 5B • Wentian
Launch time: 0622:32 GMT (2:22:32 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Wenchang, China
A Chinese Long March 5B rocket launched the Wentian laboratory module, the second major element of China’s space station in low Earth orbit. Read our full story. [July 24]
July 22, 2022Falcon 9 • Starlink 3-2
Launch time: 1739:40 GMT (1:39:40 p.m. EDT; 10:39:40 a.m. PDT)
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched with another batch of 46 Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster landed on a drone ship in the Pacific Ocean. Scrubbed at T-minus 46 seconds on July 21. Read our full story. [July 22]
July 17, 2022Falcon 9 • Starlink 4-22
Launch time: 1420 GMT (10:20 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched with another batch of 53 Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster landed on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. Read our full story. [July 17]
July 15, 2022Long March 2C • Siwei Gaojing 2-01 & 2-02
Launch time: 2257 GMT (6:57 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: Jiuquan, China
A Chinese Long March 2C rocket launched the Siwei Gaojing 2-01 and 2-02 Earth observation satellites for China Siwei Surveying and Mapping Technology Co. Ltd. Read our full story. [July 15]
July 14/15, 2022Falcon 9 • SpaceX CRS 25
Launch time: 0044:22 GMT on 15th (8:44:22 p.m. EDT on 14th)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched a Dragon 2 spacecraft on its fifth cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster landed on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. The flight is the 25th mission by SpaceX conducted under a Commercial Resupply Services contract with NASA. Delayed to June 9, June 10, June 12, June 28, and July 11. Read our full story. [July 14]
July 13, 2022Vega C • LARES 2
Launch time: 1313:17 GMT (9:13:17 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: ZLV, Kourou, French Guiana
A European Vega C rocket launched the LARES 2 satellite for ASI, the Italian space agency. The spherical LARES 2 satellite is covered in laser mirrors to enable precise tracking from the ground, enabling research into geoodynamics and general relativity. This was the inaugural flight of Europe’s new Vega C rocket, featuring a more powerful first stage motor, an enlarged second stage, an improved liquid-fueled upper stage, and a new payload fairing design. Delayed from mid-2020 by coronavirus impacts. Delayed from December 2020, early 2021, April 2022, May, and June 2022. Delayed from July 7. Read our full story. [July 13]
July 13, 2022Electron • NROL-162
Launch time: 0630 GMT (2:30 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Launch Complex 1A, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
A Rocket Lab Electron rocket launched a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office. This mission was contracted through the NRO’s Rapid Acquisition of a Small Rocket, or RASR, program. Read our full story. [July 13]
July 12, 2022Long March 3B • Tianlian 2-03
Launch time: 1630 GMT (12:30 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: Xichang, China
A Chinese Long March 3B rocket launched Tianlian 2-03 satellite to relay data and communications between mission control and Chinese spacecraft, such as China’s space station. Read our full story. [July 12]
July 10/11, 2022Falcon 9 • Starlink 3-1
Launch time: 0139:40 GMT on 11th (9:39:40 p.m. EDT; 6:39:40 p.m. PDT on 10th)
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched with another batch of 46 Starlink internet satellites. This was the first dedicated mission deploying satellites into a new Starlink shell at an inclination of 97.6 degrees to the equator. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster landed on a drone ship in the Pacific Ocean. Delayed from July 8. Read our full story. [July 11]
July 7, 2022Falcon 9 • Starlink 4-21
Launch time: 1311:10 GMT (9:11:10 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched with another batch of 53 Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster landed on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. Moved forward from July. Delayed from June. Changed from LC-39A. Read our full story. [July 7]
July 7, 2022Soyuz • Glonass K
Launch time: 0918 GMT (5:18 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russia
A Russian government Soyuz rocket launched a Glonass K navigation satellite. The Glonass K satellites are upgraded spacecraft for Russia’s Glonass positioning and timing network. The rocket flew in the Soyuz-2.1b configuration with a Fregat upper stage. Read our full story. [July 13]
July 1/2, 2022LauncherOne • STP-S28A
Launch time: 0653 GMT on 2nd (2:53 a.m. EDT; 11:53 p.m. PDT on 1st)
Launch site: Cosmic Girl (Boeing 747), Mojave Air and Space Port, California
A Virgin Orbit LauncherOne rocket launched on its fifth flight after dropping from a modified Boeing 747 carrier jet. The mission was Virgin Orbit’s third operational launch, carrying seven small satellites for government agencies sponsored by the U.S. military’s Space Test Program. Virgin Orbit called this mission “Straight Up.” Delayed from June 29/30 by issue with propellant temperature. Read our full story. [July 2]
July 1, 2022Atlas 5 • USSF 12
Launch time: 2315 GMT (7:15 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket launched the USSF 12 mission with Wide Field Of View, or WFOV, experimental missile warning satellite for the U.S. Space Force. WFOV hosts a new type of infrared staring sensor in geosynchronous orbit to detect the heat from missile launch plumes. The USSF 12 mission also launched the USSF 12 Ring spacecraft, a rideshare payload hosting several additional classified experiments. 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 April at the request of the U.S. Space Force. Delayed from June 29. Scrubbed on June 30 by stormy weather. Read our full story. [July 1]
June 30, 2022PSLV • DS-EO
Launch time: 1232 GMT (8:32 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota, India
India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) launched on the PSLV-C53 mission with three payloads from Singapore. The DS-EO optical Earth-imaging satellite is the largest spacecraft on the PSLV-C53 mission. The DS-EO mission is a collaboration between ST Engineering and Singapore’s Defense Science and Technology Agency. The NeuSAR satellite is a small commercial radar observation spacecraft, and SCOOB-1 was developed by university students in Singapore. The PSLV’s upper stage will serve as an experiment platform with several Indian payloads. The PSLV flew in the Core Alone configuration with no strap-on solid rocket boosters. Read our full story. [June 30]
June 29, 2022Falcon 9 • SES 22
Launch time: 2104 GMT (5:04 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the SES 22 communications satellite for SES of Luxembourg. Built by Thales Alenia Space, SES 22 will provide C-band television and data services in the United States. Delayed from June 28. Read our full story. [June 29]
June 28, 2022Electron • CAPSTONE
Launch time: 0955:52 GMT (5:55:52 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Launch Complex 1B, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
A Rocket Lab Electron rocket launched NASA’s Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment, or CAPSTONE, mission to the moon. CAPSTONE is flying to the moon on Rocket Lab’s Lunar Photon space tug, entering a unique halo-like lunar orbit to test deep space navigation and communications in the same orbit to be used by NASA’s Gateway mini-space station. Moved from Launch Complex 2 in Virginia to Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand. Delayed from 2021 due to COVID-related issues. Delayed from March 2022. Delayed from June 6, June 13, June 25, and June 27. Read our full story. [June 28]
June 27, 2022Long March 4C • Gaofen 12-03
Launch time: 1546 GMT (11:46 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Jiuquan, China
A Chinese Long March 4C rocket launched the Gaofen 12-03 Earth observation satellite to assist in land surveys, urban planning, and agriculture monitoring. Read our full story. [June 27]
June 22/23, 2022Long March 2D • Yaogan 35
Launch time: 0222 GMT on 23rd (10:22 p.m. EDT on 22nd)
Launch site: Xichang, China
A Chinese Long March 2D rocket launched three Yaogan 35 military satellites. Read our full story. [June 23]
June 22, 2022Ariane 5 • MEASAT 3d & GSAT 24
Launch time: 2150 GMT (5:50 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: ELA-3, Kourou, French Guiana
Arianespace used an Ariane 5 ECA rocket, designated VA257, to launch the MEASAT 3d and GSAT 24 communications satellites. Built by Airbus Defense and Space for MEASAT, a Malaysian operator, MEASAT 3d is a multi-mission communications satellite outfitted with C-band, Ku-band, and Ka-band payloads for direct-to-home TV broadcasting and internet services over Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. GSAT 24 is a direct-to-home TV broadcasting satellite for the Indian Space Research Organization. Delayed from April and June 17. Read our full story. [June 22]
June 21/22, 2022Kuaizhou 1A • Tianxing 1
Launch time: 0208 GMT on 22nd (10:08 p.m. EDT on 21st)
Launch site: Jiuquan, China
A Chinese Kuaizhou 1A rocket launched the Tianxing 1 satellite, which the Chinese government said will be used for research on the space environment. Read our full story. [June 22]
June 21, 2022Nuri • PVSAT
Launch time: 0700 GMT (3:00 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Naro Space Center, South Korea
A South Korean KSLV 2 rocket successfully launched on its second orbital test flight, followed a failed mission in 2021. The Korea Space Launch Vehicle 2, or Nuri, rocket was developed by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute. The second Nuri launch carried PVSAT, or the Performance Verification Satellite, and four CubeSats into orbit. Delayed from June 16. Read our full story. [June 21]
June 19, 2022Falcon 9 • Globalstar FM15 & USA 328-331
Launch time: 0427:36 GMT (12:27:36 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched a spare satellite for Globalstar’s messaging and data relay network and four classified U.S. government payloads designated USA 328, USA 329, USA 330, and USA 331. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster landed on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. Read our full story. [June 19]
June 18, 2022Falcon 9 • SARah 1
Launch time: 1419:52 GMT (10:19:52 a.m. EDT; 7:19:52 a.m. PDT)
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the SARah 1 radar remote sensing satellite for the German military. SARah 1 is the first of three synthetic aperture radar satellites for the German military. It was built by Airbus. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster returned to Landing Zone 4 at Vandenberg. Read our full story. [June 18]
June 17, 2022Falcon 9 • Starlink 4-19
Launch time: 1609:20 GMT (12:09:20 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched with another batch of 53 Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster landed on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. Read our full story. [June 17]
June 12, 2022Astra Rocket 3.3 • TROPICS 1 & 2
Launch time: 1743 GMT (1:43 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-46, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A commercial small satellite launch vehicle developed by Astra failed during launch the first pair of small CubeSats for NASA’s TROPICS mission. The Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats, or TROPICS, mission will measure environmental and inner-core conditions for tropical cyclones. There are four more TROPICS satellites slated to launch after this mission. Delayed from April. Read our full story. [June 12]
June 8, 2022Falcon 9 • Nilesat 301
Launch time: 2104 GMT (5:04 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the Nilesat 301 geostationary communications satellite. Nilesat 301, built by Thales Alenia Space, will provide digital broadband and internet connectivity services for the Egyptian operator Nilesat. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster landed on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. Delayed from April 30. Read our full story. [June 8]
June 4/5, 2022Long March 2F • Shenzhou 14
Launch time: 0244:10 GMT on 5th (10:44:10 p.m. EDT on 4th)
Launch site: Jiuquan, China
A Chinese Long March 2F rocket launched the Shenzhou 14 spacecraft with three Chinese astronauts to rendezvous and dock with the Chinese space station in low Earth orbit. This is China’s ninth crewed space mission, and the third to the Chinese space station. The crew included astronauts Chen Dong, Liu Yang, and Cai Xuzhe. Delayed from May. Read our full story. [June 5]
June 3, 2022Soyuz • Progress 81P
Launch time: 0932:20 GMT (5:32:20 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
A Russian government Soyuz rocket launched the 81st Progress cargo delivery ship to the International Space Station. The rocket flew in the Soyuz-2.1a configuration. Read our full story. [June 3]
June 2, 2022Long March 2C • GeeSAT 1
Launch time: 0400 GMT (12:00 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Xichang, China
A Chinese Long March 2C rocket launched the first nine small satellites for a planned constellation of spacecraft developed by China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group to aid navigation and communications for self-driving cars. Read our full story. [June 2]
May 25, 2022Falcon 9 • Transporter 5
Launch time: 1835 GMT (2:35 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the Transporter 5 mission, a rideshare flight to a sun-synchronous orbit with 59 small microsatellites, nanosatellites and hosted research payloads for commercial and government customers. Moved to Cape Canaveral from Vandenberg Space Force Base. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster returned to Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Read our full story. [May 25]
May 20, 2022Long March 2C • Communications Test Satellites
Launch time: 1030 GMT (6:30 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Jiuquan, China
A Chinese Long March 2C rocket launched three communications test satellites — two built by Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co. Ltd. and one from the China Academy of Space Technology. Read our full story. [May 20]
May 19, 2022Atlas 5 • CST-100 Starliner Orbital Flight Test 2
Launch time: 2254:47 GMT (6:54:47 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-082, launched Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft on second unpiloted test flight to the International Space Station. This mission was added after Boeing’s decision to refly the Starliner’s Orbital Flight Test before proceeding with the Crew Flight Test. The rocket flew in a vehicle configuration with two solid rocket boosters and a dual-engine Centaur upper stage. Delayed from 3rd Quarter. Delayed from Jan. 4. Moved forward from March 29, April 2, and May. Delayed from July 30 and Aug. 3. Delayed from late 2021. [May 19]
May 19, 2022Soyuz • Bars-M
Launch time: 0803 GMT (4:03 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russia
A Russian government Soyuz-2.1a rocket launched a Bars-M optical and stereo mapping satellite for the Russian military. The Russian Defense Ministry designated the satellite Kosmos 2556. Read our full story. [May 19]
May 18, 2022Falcon 9 • Starlink 4-18
Launch time: 1059:40 GMT (6:59:40 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched with another batch of 53 Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster landed on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. Moved forward from May 21. Read our full story. [May 18]
May 14, 2022Falcon 9 • Starlink 4-15
Launch time: 2040:50 GMT (4:40:50 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched with another batch of 53 Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster landed on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. Delayed from May 8. Moved forward from May 15. Read our full story. [May 14]
May 13, 2022Falcon 9 • Starlink 4-13
Launch time: 2207:50 GMT (6:07:50 p.m. EDT; 3:07:50 p.m. PDT)
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched with another batch of 53 Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster landed on a drone ship in the Pacific Ocean. Delayed from May 8, May 10, and May 12. Read our full story. [May 13]
May 13, 2022Hyperbola 1 • Jilin 1 Mofang 01A-R
Launch time: 0709 GMT (3:09 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Jiuquan, China
A Chinese Hyperbola 1 rocket developed by the startup launch company iSpace failed during a mission to deploy a small Jilin 1 commercial Earth-imaging satellite. Read our full story. [May 13]
May 9, 2022Long March 7 • Tianzhou 4
Launch time: 1756:37 GMT (1:56:37 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: Wenchang, China
A Chinese Long March 7 rocket launched the Tianzhou 4 resupply ship to dock with the Chinese space station. The automated cargo craft is the third resupply freighter for the Chinese space station. Read our full story. [May 9]
May 6, 2022Falcon 9 • Starlink 4-17
Launch time: 0942 GMT (5:42 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched with another batch of 53 Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster landed on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. Moved forward from May 8. Delayed from May 5. Read our full story. [May 6]
May 2, 2022Electron • “There And Back Again”
Launch time: 2249:52 GMT (6:49:52 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: Launch Complex 1A, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
A Rocket Lab Electron rocket launched 34 small payloads from commercial operators Alba Orbital, Astrix Astronautics, Aurora Propulsion Technologies, E-Space, Unseenlabs, and Swarm Technologies. Rocket Lab caught the Electron’s first stage booster with a helicopter for the first time, but the pilot released the booster due to unexpected loads on the end of the capture boom. Rocket Lab nicknamed the mission “There And Back Again.” Delayed from April 22. Delayed from April 23, April 27, and April 28 by bad weather in rocket recovery area. Read our full story. [May 3]
April 29/30, 2022Long March 11H • Jilin 1 Gaofen 03D & Jilin 1 Gaofen 04A
Launch time: 0330 GMT on 30th (11:30 p.m. EDT on 29th)
Launch site: Tai Rui Ocean Platform, East China Sea
A Chinese Long March 11H rocket launched from an ocean-going platform off the Chinese coast with five small Jilin 1 Earth observation satellites for Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co. Ltd. Four of the satellites are part of the Jilin 1 Gaofen 03D high-resolution imaging constellation, and the other payload was a Jilin 1 Gaofen 04A video imaging satellite. Delayed from April 27. Read our full story. [April 29]
April 29, 2022Falcon 9 • Starlink 4-16
Launch time: 2127:10 GMT (5:27:10 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch with another batch of 53 Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster landed on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. Read our full story. [April 29]
April 29, 2022Angara 1.2 • EMKA
Launch time: 1955 GMT (3:55 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russia
A Russian government Angara 1.2 rocket launched the small EMKA military reconnaissance satellite. This was the first orbital launch for the Angara 1.2 rocket. Delayed from April 27. Read our full story. [April 29]
April 29, 2022Long March 2C • Siwei 01 & 02
Launch time: 0411 GMT (12:11 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Jiuquan, China
A Chinese Long March 2C rocket launched the Siwei 01 and 02 satellites for China Siwei Surveying and Mapping Technology Co. Ltd. Read our full story. [April 29]
April 27, 2022Falcon 9 • Crew 4
Launch time: 0752:55 GMT (3:52:55 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched a Crew Dragon spacecraft on its seventh flight with astronauts. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster landed on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. NASA astronauts Kjell Lindgren, Robert Hines, and Jessica Watkins, and European Space Agency astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti launched on the Crew Dragon spacecraft to begin a multi-month expedition on the International Space Station. The Crew Dragon will return to a splashdown at sea. Delayed from April 23 and April 26. Read our full story. [April 27]
April 21, 2022Falcon 9 • Starlink 4-14
Launch time: 1751:40 GMT (1:51:40 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched with another batch of 53 Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster landed on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. Read our full story. [April 22]
April 17, 2022Falcon 9 • NROL-85
Launch time: 1313 GMT (9:13 a.m. EDT; 6:13 a.m. PDT)
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office, the U.S. government’s spy satellite agency. The mission was designated NROL-85. The first stage returned to Landing Zone 4 at Vandenberg. Delayed from April 15 by technical issues. Delayed from April 16 by poor upper level winds forecast. Read our full story. [April 17]
April 15, 2022Long March 4C • Daqi 1
Launch time: 1816 GMT (2:16 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: Taiyuan, China
A Chinese Long March 4C rocket the Daqi 1 atmospheric environmental monitoring satellite. Read our full story. [April 15]
April 15, 2022Long March 3B • Chinasat 6D
Launch time: 1200 GMT (8:00 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Xichang, China
A Chinese Long March 3B rocket launched the Chinasat 6D, or Zhongxing 6D, communications satellite for China Satcom. Chinasat 6D will provide radio and TV broadcast services over the Asia-Pacific region. Read our full story. [April 15]
April 8, 2022Falcon 9 • Axiom Mission 1
Launch time: 1517:12 GMT (11:17:12 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched a Crew Dragon spacecraft on its sixth flight with astronauts. The commercial mission, managed by Axiom Space, is commanded by former NASA astronaut Michael López-Alegría. Paying passengers Larry Connor, Mark Pathy, and Eytan Stibbe are also on-board for the 10-day mission to the International Space Station. The Crew Dragon will return to a splashdown at sea. Delayed from Feb. 21, March 30, April 3, and April 6. Read our full story. [April 8]
April 7, 2022Soyuz • Lotos-S1
Launch time: 1120 GMT (7:20 a.m. EST)
Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russia
A Russian government Soyuz rocket launched a Lotos electronic intelligence spy satellite. The rocket flew in the Soyuz 2-1b configuration. Read our full story. [April 7]
April 6, 2022Long March 4C • Gaofen 3-03
Launch time: 2347 GMT (7:47 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: Jiuquan, China
A Chinese Long March 4C rocket launched the Gaofen 3-03 radar Earth observation satellite. Read our full story. [April 6]
April 2, 2022Electron • BlackSky 16 & 17
Launch time: 1241:38 GMT (8:41:38 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Launch Complex 1A, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
A Rocket Lab Electron rocket launched two small second-generation satellites for BlackSky’s commercial fleet of Earth observation spacecraft. Rocket Lab nicknamed this mission “Without Mission a Beat.” Delayed from September. Read our full story. [April 2]
April 1, 2022Falcon 9 • Transporter 4
Launch time: 1624:17 GMT (12:24:17 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the Transporter 4 mission, a rideshare flight to a sun-synchronous orbit with 40 payloads for commercial and government customers, including the EnMAP environmental mapping satellite for DLR, the German space agency. The booster landed on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. Read our full story. [April 1]
March 29/30, 2022Long March 11 • Tianping 2A, 2B, 2C
Launch time: 0229 GMT on 30th (10:29 p.m. EDT on 29th)
Launch site: Jiuquan, China
A Chinese Long March 11 rocket launched the Tianping 2A, 2B, and 2C satellites for orbital calibration and orbit model correction purposes. Read our full story. [March 30]
March 29, 2022Long March 6A • Pujiang 2 & Tiankun 2
Launch time: 0950 GMT (5:50 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Taiyuan, China
A Chinese Long March 6A rocket launched the Pujiang 2 and Tiankun 2 satellites. Pujiang 2 will perform scientific tests and research, and land and resources surveys. Tiankun 2 will demonstrate a new small spacecraft design. This was the first launch of a Long March 6A rocket, a new rocket variant with four strap-on solid-fueled boosters. Read our full story. [March 29]
March 22, 2022Soyuz • Meridian M
Launch time: 1248 GMT (8:48 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russia
A Russian government Soyuz rocket with a Fregat upper stage launched a Meridian M communications satellite for the Russian Ministry of Defense. The Soyuz rocket flew in the Soyuz-2.1a configuration. Read our full story. [March 22]
March 19, 2022Falcon 9 • Starlink 4-12
Launch time: 0442:30 GMT (12:42:30 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch with another batch of 53 Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster landed on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. Read our full story. [March 19]
March 18, 2022Soyuz • ISS 67S
Launch time: 1555 GMT (11:55 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
A Russian government Soyuz rocket launched the crewed Soyuz MS-21 spacecraft to the International Space Station with the next team of three cosmonauts to live and work on the complex. The crew is led by commander Oleg Artemyev, with flight engineers Denis Matveyev and Sergey Korsakov. The rocket flew in the Soyuz-2.1a configuration. Read our full story. [March 18]
March 17, 2022Long March 4C • Yaogan 34-02
Launch time: 0709 GMT (3:09 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Jiuquan, China
A Chinese Long March 4C rocket launched the Yaogan 34-02 reconnaissance satellite for the Chinese military. Read our full story. [March 17]
March 15, 2022Rocket 3.3 • Astra-1
Launch time: 1622 GMT (12:22 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: LP-3B, Pacific Spaceport Complex, Kodiak Island, Alaska
A commercial small satellite launch vehicle developed by Astra launched a non-deployable demonstration payload for NearSpace Launch, the OreSat0 CubeSat for Portland State University, and payloads for an unspecified third customer. Read our full story. [March 14]
March 9, 2022Falcon 9 • Starlink 4-10
Launch time: 1345:10 GMT (8:45:10 a.m. EST)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched with another batch of 48 Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster landed on the drone ship “A Shortfall of Gravitas” in the Atlantic Ocean. Read our full story. [March 9]
March 8, 2022Qased • Noor 2
Launch time: 0506 GMT (12:06 a.m. EST)
Launch site: Shahroud, Iran
An Iranian Qased rocket carried the Noor 2 military reconnaissance satellite into orbit. Read our full story. [March 8]
March 5, 2022Long March 2C • Yinhe 2
Launch time: 0601 GMT (1:01 a.m. EST)
Launch site: Xichang, China
A Chinese Long March 2C rocket launched six Yinhe 2 internet demonstration satellites for Galaxy Space, a Beijing-based company. The mission also launched a smaller research CubeSat. Read our full story. [March 5]
March 3, 2022Falcon 9 • Starlink 4-9
Launch time: 1425 GMT (9:25 a.m. EST)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch edwith another batch of 47 Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster landed on the drone ship “Just Read the Instructions” in the Atlantic Ocean. Read our full story. [March 3]
March 1, 2022Atlas 5 • GOES-T
Launch time: 2138 GMT (4:38 p.m. EST)
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-095, launched GOES-T, the third next-generation geostationary weather satellite for NASA and NOAA. GOES-T 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. Read our full story. [March 1]
Feb. 28, 2022Electron • StriX β
Launch time: 2037:25 GMT (3:37:25 p.m. EST)
Launch site: Launch Complex 1B, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
A Rocket Lab Electron rocket launched the StriX β synthetic aperture radar satellite for Synspective, a Japanese Earth-imaging company. Synspective is developing spacecraft for a planned constellation of more than 30 small radar observation satellites to collate data of metropolitan centers across Asia on a daily basis that can be used for urban development planning, construction and infrastructure monitoring, and disaster response. Read our full story. [Feb. 28]
Feb. 26/27, 2022Long March 8 • Multi-payload Rideshare
Launch time: 0306 GMT on 27th (10:06 p.m. EST on 26th)
Launch site: Wenchang, China
A Chinese Long March 8 rocket launched 22 small satellites for Earth-observing, maritime surveillance, communications, and technology demonstration missions. The Long March 8 flew in a new configuration without any strap-on boosters. Read our full story. [Feb. 27]
Feb. 26, 2022Long March 4C • Ludi Tance 01B
Launch time: 2344 GMT (6:44 p.m. EST)
Launch site: Jiuquan, China
A Chinese Long March 4C rocket launched the Ludi Tance 01B radar remote sensing satellite. The Ludi Tance radar satellites are used for all-weather land imaging. Read our full story. [Feb. 26]
Feb. 25, 2022Falcon 9 • Starlink 4-11
Launch time: 1712:10 GMT (12:12:10 p.m. EST; 9:12:10 a.m. PST)
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched with another batch of 50 Starlink internet satellites. The booster landed on SpaceX’s drone ship “Of Course I Still Love You” in the Pacific Ocean. Read our full story. [Feb. 25]
Feb. 21, 2022Falcon 9 • Starlink 4-8
Launch time: 1444:20 GMT (9:44:20 a.m. EST)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched with another batch of 46 Starlink internet satellites. Read our full story. [Feb. 21]
Feb. 19, 2022Antares • NG-17
Launch time: 1740:03 GMT (12:40:03 p.m. EST)
Launch site: Pad 0A, Wallops Island, Virginia
A Northrop Grumman Antares rocket launched the 18th Cygnus cargo freighter on the 17th operational cargo delivery flight to the International Space Station. The mission is known as NG-17. The rocket flew in the Antares 230+ configuration, with two RD-181 first stage engines and a Castor 30XL second stage. Read our full story. [Feb. 19]
Feb. 14/15, 2022Soyuz • Progress 80P
Launch time: 0425:40 GMT on 15th (11:25:40 p.m. EST on 14th)
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
A Russian government Soyuz rocke launched the 80th Progress cargo delivery ship to the International Space Station. The rocket flew in the Soyuz-2.1a configuration. Read our full story. [Feb. 14]
Feb. 13/14, 2022PSLV • EOS 04
Launch time: 0029 GMT on 14th (7:29 p.m. EST on 13th)
Launch site: Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota, India
India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), designated PSLV-C52, launched the Indian EOS 04 radar Earth observation satellite, previously known as RISAT 1A. Two small rideshare payloads also flew on this mission. Delayed from 2021. Read our full story. [Feb. 13]
Feb. 10, 2022Astra Rocket 3.3 • VCLS Demo 2
Launch time: 2000 GMT (3:00 p.m. EST)
Launch site: SLC-46, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A commercial small satellite launch vehicle developed by Astra failed during launch with four small experimental CubeSats developed by NASA and U.S. universities. The payloads included the BAMA 1 CubeSat, the Ionospheric Neutron Content Analyzer, QubeSat, and a mission called R5-S1. The CubeSats were selected for launch by NASA through the agency’s Venture Class Launch Services program. Delayed from Jan. 18 and late January. Scrubbed on Feb. 5 and Feb. 7. Read our full story. [Feb. 10]
Feb. 10, 2022Soyuz • OneWeb 13
Launch time: 1809:37 GMT (1:09:37 p.m. EST)
Launch site: ELS, Sinnamary, French Guiana
An Arianespace Soyuz rocket, designed VS27, launched on a mission from the Guiana Space Center in South America. The Soyuz launched 34 satellites into orbit for OneWeb, which is developing a constellation of hundreds of satellites in low Earth orbit for low-latency broadband communications. The Soyuz-2.1b (Soyuz ST-B) rocket used a Fregat upper stage. Read our full story. [Feb. 10]
Feb. 5, 2022Soyuz • Kosmos 2553
Launch time: 0700 GMT (2:00 a.m. EST)
Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russia
A Russian government Soyuz rocket launched a classified satellite payload for the Russian military. The payload is believed to be a Neitron military reconnaissance satellite, and was officially designated Kosmos 2553. The rocket flew in the Soyuz-2.1a configuration. Read our full story. [Feb. 5]
Feb. 3, 2022Falcon 9 • Starlink 4-7
Launch time: 1813:20 GMT (1:13:20 p.m. EST)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched with another batch of 49 Starlink internet satellites. Delayed from Jan. 29, Jan. 30,, Jan. 31, Feb. 1, and Feb. 2. Read our full story. [Feb. 3]
Feb. 2, 2022Falcon 9 • NROL-87
Launch time: 2027:26 GMT (3:27:26 p.m. EST; 12:27:26 p.m. PST)
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office, the U.S. government’s spy satellite agency. The mission is designated NROL-87. The first stage returned to Landing Zone 4 at Vandenberg. Read our full story. [Feb. 2]
Jan. 31, 2022Falcon 9 • CSG 2
Launch time: 2311:14 GMT (6:11:14 p.m. EST)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the second COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation, or CSG 2, radar surveillance satellite for ASI, the Italian space agency. The spacecraft was built by Thales Alenia Space. The first stage booster returned to Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral. Delayed from Nov. 18 and Dec. 14. Scrubbed on Jan. 27 and Jan. 28 by poor weather. Delayed from Jan. 29 by bad weather affecting pre-launch preparations. Scrubbed on Jan. 30 by ship in hazard area. Read our full story. [Jan. 31]
Jan. 25, 2022Long March 4C • Ludi Tance 01A
Launch time: 2344 GMT (6:44 p.m. EST)
Launch site: Jiuquan, China
A Chinese Long March 4C rocket launched the Ludi Tance 01A radar remote sensing satellite. The Ludi Tance radar satellites are used for all-weather land imaging. [Jan. 25]
Jan. 21, 2022Atlas 5 • USSF 8 (GSSAP 5 & 6)
Launch time: 1900 GMT (2:00 p.m. EST)
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket launched the USSF 8 mission with the fifth and sixth satellites for the Space Force’s Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program, or GSSAP, designed to help the military track and observe objects in geosynchronous orbit. The rocket flew in the 511 vehicle configuration with a five-meter fairing, one solid rocket booster and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. Delayed from 4th Quarter of 2020, March, August, and early September. Read our full story. [Jan. 21]
Jan. 18/19, 2022Falcon 9 • Starlink 4-6
Launch time: 0202 GMT on 19th (9:02 p.m. EST on 18th)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched with another batch of 49 Starlink internet satellites. Delayed from Jan. 17. Read our full story. [Jan. 19]
Jan. 16/17, 2022Long March 2D • Shiyan 13
Launch time: 0235 GMT on 17th (9:35 p.m. EST on 16th)
Launch site: Taiyuan, China
A Chinese Long March 2D rocket launched the Shiyan 13 satellite, which Chinese state media said would be used for space environment data collection and technology tests. Read our full story. [Jan. 17]
Jan. 13, 2022LauncherOne • Above the Clouds
Launch time: 2253 GMT (5:53 p.m. EST; 2:53 p.m. PST)
Launch site: Cosmic Girl (Boeing 747), Mojave Air and Space Port, California
A Virgin Orbit LauncherOne rocket launched on its fourth flight after dropping from a modified Boeing 747 carrier jet. The mission was Virgin Orbit’s second operational launch, carrying seven small satellites for the U.S. military’s Space Test Program, NASA, Spire, and the Polish company SatRevolution. Delayed from Dec. 22. Read our full story. [Jan. 13]
Jan. 13, 2022Falcon 9 • Transporter 3
Launch time: 1525:39 GMT (10:25:39 a.m. EST)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the Transporter 3 mission, a rideshare flight to a sun-synchronous orbit with 105 small microsatellites and nanosatellites for commercial and government customers. The booster returned to landing at Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Delayed from December. Read our full story. [Jan. 13]
Jan. 6, 2022Falcon 9 • Starlink 4-5
Launch time: 2149:10 GMT (4:49:10 p.m. EST)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched with another batch of 49 Starlink internet satellites. Read our full story. [Jan. 6]

2021

Dec. 30, 2021Simorgh • Shiyan 13
Launch time: 0330 GMT on 30th (10:30 p.m. EST on 29th)
Launch site: Imam Khomeini Spaceport, Semnan, Iran
An Iranian Simorgh rocket failed to place three test payloads into orbit. [Dec. 30]
Dec. 29, 2021Long March 3B • TJSW 9
Launch time: 1643 GMT (11:43 a.m. EST)
Launch site: Xichang, China
A Chinese Long March 3B rocket launched the TJSW 9 satellite. Chinese officials said the satellite will perform tests of communication technology, but it’s likely a military signals intelligence satellite. [Dec. 29]
Dec. 29, 2021Long March 2D • Tianhui 4
Launch time: 1113 GMT (6:13 a.m. EST)
Launch site: Jiuquan, China
A Chinese Long March 2D rocket launched the Tianhui 4 Earth observation satellite. [Dec. 29]
Dec. 27, 2021Angara-A5 • Test Flight
Launch time: 1900 GMT (2:00 p.m. EST)
Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russia
A Russian government Angara-A5 rocket launched on its third orbital test flight with a Perseus, or Persei, upper stage derived from Russia’s venerable Block DM upper stage. The Persei upper stage failed to complete its planned burns, stranding the rocket and its dummy satellite payload in a lower-than-planned orbit. Delayed from Dec. 23. Read our full story. [Dec. 27]
Dec. 27, 2021Soyuz • OneWeb 12
Launch time: 1310:37 GMT (8:10:37 a.m. EST)
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
A Russian Soyuz rocket launched 36 satellites into orbit for OneWeb, which is developing a constellation of hundreds of satellites in low Earth orbit for low-latency broadband communications. The Soyuz-2.1b rocket used a Fregat upper stage. Read our full story. [Dec. 27]
Dec. 25/26, 2021Long March 4C • Ziyuan 1-2E
Launch time: 0311 GMT on 26th (10:11 p.m. EST on 25th)
Launch site: Taiyuan, China
A Chinese Long March 4C rocket launched the Ziyuan 1-2E Earth-imaging satellite. Ziyuan 1-2E carries a near-infrared camera, a hyperspectral camera, and an infrared camera for Earth observations useful in environmental monitoring and disaster response. The mission also launched a small secondary payload developed by Chinese grade school students. [Dec. 26]
Dec. 25, 2021Ariane 5 • James Webb Space Telescope
Launch time: 1220 GMT (7:20 a.m. EST)
Launch site: ELA-3, Kourou, French Guiana
Arianespace used an Ariane 5 ECA rocket, designated VA256, to launch the James Webb Space Telescope, a flagship observatory developed by NASA, the European Space Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency. JWST is the largest space telescope ever built, with a deployable mirror measuring 21.3 feet (6.5 meters) in diameter and four scientific instruments to observe the universe in infrared wavelengths. The mission will study the formation of galaxies, stars, and planets. The Ariane 5 ECA rocket launched JWST on a trajectory toward its operating position at the L2 Lagrange point nearly a million miles (1.5 million kilometers) from Earth. Delayed from Oct. 31, November, Dec. 18, Dec. 22, and Dec. 24. Read our full story. [Dec. 25]
Dec. 23, 2021Long March 7A • Shiyan 12-01 and 12-02
Launch time: 1012 GMT (5:12 a.m. EST)
Launch site: Wenchang, China
A Chinese Long March 7A rocket launched two Shiyan 12 satellites into geostationary transfer orbit. Details about the two satellites are classified, other than Chinese state media reports that they will be used for space environment detection and related technical tests. Read our full story. [Dec. 23]
Dec. 22, 2021H-2A • Inmarsat 6 F1
Launch time: 1532 GMT (10:32 a.m. EST)
Launch site: Tanegashima Space Center, Japan
A Japanese H-2A rocket launched the Inmarsat 6 F1 communications satellite for London-based Inmarsat. Built by Airbus Defense and Space, the satellite carries L-band and Ka-band payloads to provide mobile communications services to airplanes and ships. The H-2A rocket flew in the “204” configuration with four strap-on solid rocket boosters. Delayed from Dec. 21. Read our full story. [Dec. 22]
Dec. 21, 2021Falcon 9 • SpaceX CRS 24
Launch time: 1007:08 GMT (5:07:08 a.m. EST)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched a Dragon 2 spacecraft on its fourth cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station. The flight is the 24th mission by SpaceX conducted under a Commercial Resupply Services contract with NASA. Delayed from Dec. 4. Read our full story. [Dec. 21]
Dec. 18/19, 2021Falcon 9 • Turksat 5B
Launch time: 0358:39 GMT on 19th (10:58:39 p.m. EST on 18th)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the Turksat 5B communications satellite for Turksat, a Turkish satellite operator. Built by Airbus Defense and Space with significant Turkish contributions, the Turksat 5B satellite will provide broadband services over a wide coverage area, including Turkey, the Middle East and large regions of Africa. Delayed from June. Read our full story. [Dec. 18]
Dec. 18, 2021Falcon 9 • Starlink 4-4
Launch time: 1241:40 GMT (7:41:30 a.m. EST; 4:41:40 a.m. PST)
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched with a batch of Starlink internet satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base. This mission deployed 52 Starlink satellites into a 53.2-degree inclination orbit. Delayed from Oct. 17 and Dec. 17. Read our full story. [Dec. 18]
Dec. 14/15, 2021Kuaizhou 1A • Ziyuan 1-2E
Launch time: 0200 GMT on 15th (9:00 p.m. EST on 14th)
Launch site: Jiuquan, China
A Chinese Kuaizhou 1A rocket failed during launch of two GeeSAT commercial satellites to test space-based navigation augmentation technology. [Dec. 15]
Dec. 13, 2021Long March 3B • Tianlian 2-02
Launch time: 1609 GMT (11:09 a.m. EST)
Launch site: Xichang, China
A Chinese Long March 3B rocket launched Tianlian 2-02 satellite to relay data and communications between mission control and Chinese spacecraft, such as China’s space station. Read our full story. [Dec. 13]
Dec. 13, 2021Proton • Express AMU3 & Express AMU7
Launch time: 1207 GMT (7:07 a.m. EST)
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
A Russian government Proton rocket and Breeze M upper stage launched the Express AMU3 and Express AMU7 communications satellites for the Russian Satellite Communications Company. Built by ISS Reshetnev, the satellites will provide advanced communications, television and radio broadcasting services for millions of users in Russia and other countries. Thales Alenia Space supplied the telecom payloads on the satellites. Delayed from Dec. 6 and Dec. 12. Read our full story. [Dec. 13]
Dec. 9/10, 2021Long March 4B • Shijian 6-05
Launch time: 0011 GMT on 10th (7:11 p.m. EST on 9th)
Launch site: Jiuquan, China
A Chinese Long March 4B rocket launched the Shijian 6-05A and Shijian-05B satellites on technology demonstration and space environment monitoring missions. Read our full story. [Dec. 10]
Dec. 9, 2021Falcon 9 • IXPE
Launch time: 0600 GMT (1:00 a.m. EST)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the NASA’s Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer. IXPE exploits the polarization state of light from astrophysical sources to provide insight into our understanding of X-ray production in objects such as neutron stars and pulsar wind nebulae, as well as stellar and supermassive black holes. Delayed from Nov. 17. Moved forward from Dec. 13. Read our full story. [Dec. 9]
Dec. 8/9, 2021Electron • BlackSky 14 & 15
Launch time: 0002:07 GMT on 9th (7:02:07 p.m. EST on 8th)
Launch site: Launch Complex 1A, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
A Rocket Lab Electron rocket launched two small second-generation satellites for BlackSky’s commercial fleet of Earth observation spacecraft. Delayed from September and October due to COVID-relayed restrictions. Delayed from November and Dec. 7. Read our full story. [Dec. 9]
Dec. 8, 2021Soyuz • ISS 66S
Launch time: 0738:15 GMT (2:38:15 a.m. EST)
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
A Russian government Soyuz rocket launched the crewed Soyuz MS-20 spacecraft to the International Space Station on a 12-day flight with cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin and space tourists Yusaku Maezawa and Yozo Hirano. The rocket flew in the Soyuz-2.1a configuration. Delayed from Sept. 22. Read our full story. [Dec. 8]
Dec. 7, 2021Atlas 5 • STP-3
Launch time: 1019 GMT (5:19 a.m. EST)
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket launched the STP-3 mission for the U.S. Space Force. The STP-3 rideshare mission launched the STPSat 6 satellite and several small satellites. STPSat 6 hosts several payloads and experiments, including the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Space and Atmospheric Burst Reporting System-3 (SABRS-3) payload, and NASA’s Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) experiment. 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 Feb. 26, June 23, early September, Nov. 22, Dec. 4, and Dec. 5. Read our full story. [Dec. 7]
Dec. 6/7, 2021Ceres 1 • Multi-payload
Launch time: 0412 GMT on 7th (11:12 p.m. EST on 6th)
Launch site: Jiuquan, China
A Chinese Ceres 1 rocket launched five small satellites into a sun-synchronous orbit. The Ceres 1 rocket is operated by the Chinese startup Galactic Energy. The mission launched the Golden Bauhinia 1-03 and Golden Bauhinia 5 remote sensing satellites for Hong Kong Aerospace Technology Group, the Tianjin Daxue 1 infrared imaging satellite for Tianjin University, and the Lize 1 and Baoyun satellites for Tianyi Research Institute. Read our full story. [Dec. 7]
Dec. 4/5, 2021Soyuz • Galileo 27 & 28
Launch time: 0019:20 GMT on 5th (7:19:20 p.m. EST on 4th)
Launch site: ELS, Sinnamary, French Guiana
An Arianespace Soyuz rocket, designed VS26, 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 upper stage. Delayed from mid-2021, September, Nov. 22, Nov. 30, and Dec. 1. Delayed from Dec. 2 due to the unavailability of a downrange telemetry station. Scrubbed Dec. 3 due to lightning risk. Read our full story. [Dec. 5]
Dec. 2, 2021Falcon 9 • Starlink 4-3
Launch time: 2312 GMT (6:12 p.m. EST)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched a group of 48 Starlink internet satellites and two commercial Earth observation satellites for BlackSky. Delayed from Dec. 1. Read our full story. [Dec. 2]
Nov. 26, 2021Long March 3B • Chinasat 1D
Launch time: 1640 GMT (11:40 a.m. EST)
Launch site: Xichang, China
A Chinese Kuaizhou 1A rocket launched the Zhongxing 1D, or Chinasat 1D, military communications satellite. Read our full story. [Nov. 26]
Nov. 24/25, 2021Soyuz • EKS 5
Launch time: 0109 GMT on 25th (8:09 p.m. EST on 24th)
Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russia
A Russian government Soyuz rocket launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome with the EKS 5 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. 24]
Nov. 24, 2021Kuaizhou 1A • Shiyan 11
Launch time: 2341 GMT (6:41 p.m. EST)
Launch site: Jiuquan, China
A Chinese Kuaizhou 1A rocket launched the Shiyan 11 satellite, which the Chinese government said will be used for land imaging, urban planning, crop yield estimation, and disaster monitoring. The Shiyan satellite family are typically used for technology demonstrations or scientific experiments. Read our full story. [Nov. 24]
Nov. 24, 2021Soyuz • Prichal
Launch time: 1306:35 GMT (8:06:35 a.m. EST)
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
A Russian government Soyuz rocket launched the Prichal module to the International Space Station. Prichal, also known as Uzlovoy Module, docked with the Nauka Multi-purpose Laboratory Module and be used as a docking port for visiting Russian vehicles. A modified Progress resupply craft ferried the Prichal module to the space station. The rocket flew in the Soyuz-2.1b configuration. Read our full story. [Nov. 24]
Nov. 23/24, 2021Falcon 9 • DART
Launch time: 0621:02 GMT on 24th (1:21:02 a.m. EST; 10:21:02 p.m. PST on 23rd)
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test, or DART, mission. DART is NASA’s first flight demonstration for planetary defense. The mission seeks to test and validate a method to protect Earth in case of an asteroid impact threat. The mission aims to shift an asteroid’s orbit through kinetic impact — specifically, by impacting a spacecraft into the smaller member of the binary asteroid system Didymos to change its orbital speed. Delayed from July. Read our full story. [Nov. 24]
Nov. 22, 2021Long March 4C • Gaofen 3-02
Launch time: 2345 GMT (6:45 p.m. EST)
Launch site: Jiuquan, China
A Chinese Long March 4C rocket launched the Gaofen 3-02 Earth observation satellite. Gaofen 3-02 carries a C-band synthetic aperture radar imaging instrument to collect day and night views of the globe. Read our full story. [Nov. 22]
Nov. 19/20, 2021Rocket 3.3 • STP-27AD2
Launch time: 0616 GMT on 20th (1:16 a.m. EST; 9:16 p.m. AKST on 19th)
Launch site: Pacific Spaceport Complex, Kodiak Island, Alaska
A commercial small satellite launch vehicle developed by Astra launched a non-deployable test payload into orbit for the U.S. Space Force and the Space Test Program. This was Astra’s first successful orbital launch. Delayed from Oct. 27. Scrubbed on Nov. 19. Read our full story. [Nov. 20]
Nov. 19/20, 2021Long March 4B • Gaofen 11-03
Launch time: 0151 GMT on 20th (8:51 p.m. EST on 19th)
Launch site: Taiyuan, China
A Chinese Long March 4B rocket launched the Gaofen 11-03 Earth observation satellite. Read our full story. [Nov. 20]
Nov. 17/18, 2021Electron • BlackSky 10 & 11
Launch time: 0138:13 GMT on 18th (8:38:13 p.m. EST on 17th)
Launch site: Launch Complex 1A, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
A Rocket Lab Electron rocket launched two small satellites for BlackSky’s commercial fleet of Earth observation spacecraft. Rocket Lab has nicknamed this mission “Love At First Insight.” Delayed from late August, September, and October due to COVID-related restrictions. Scrubbed on Nov. 10. Read our full story. [Nov. 18]
Nov. 16, 2021Vega • CERES
Launch time: 0927:55 GMT (4:27:55 a.m. EST)
Launch site: ZLV, Kourou, French Guiana
An Arianespace Vega rocket, designated VV20, launched three CERES signals intelligence satellites for the French military. The three small satellites were built by Airbus Defense and Space and Thales Alenia Space. Delayed from Nov. 15. Read our full story. [Nov. 16]
Nov. 13, 2021Falcon 9 • Starlink 4-1
Launch time: 1219:30 GMT (7:19:30 a.m. EST)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched a group of 53 Starlink internet satellites. Delayed from mid-August. Scrubbed on Nov. 12 by bad weather. Read our full story. [Nov. 13]
Nov. 10/11, 2021Falcon 9 • Crew 3
Launch time: 0203:31 GMT on 11th (9:03:31 p.m. EST on 10th)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched a Crew Dragon spacecraft on its fifth flight with astronauts. It was the first flight of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Endurance spacecraft. NASA astronauts Raja Chari and Thomas Marshburn, European Space Agency astronaut Matthias Maurer, and NASA mission specialist Kayla Barron launched on the Crew Dragon spacecraft to begin a six-month expedition on the International Space Station. The Crew Dragon will return to a splashdown at sea. Delayed from Oct. 30, Oct. 31, and Nov. 3. Read our full story. [Nov. 11]
Nov. 8/9, 2021Epsilon • RAISE 2
Launch time: 0055:19 GMT on 9th (7:55:19 p.m. EST on 8th)
Launch site: Uchinoura Space Center, Japan
A Japanese Epsilon rocket launched the Rapid Innovative Payload Demonstration Satellite 2, or RAISE 2, technology demonstration satellite for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Eight smaller rideshare payloads were also on this launch. Scrubbed on Sept. 30 by ground station malfunction and on Oct. 6 by unfavorable upper level winds, then delayed to November to allow H-2A launch to proceed. Delayed from Nov. 7 due to poor weather forecast. Read our full story. [Nov. 9]
Nov. 5/6, 2021Long March 2D • Yaogan 35
Launch time: 0300 GMT on 6th (11:00 p.m. EDT on 5th)
Launch site: Xichang, China
A Chinese Long March 2D rocket launched three Yaogan 35 military satellites. [Nov. 6]
Nov. 4/5, 2021Long March 6 • SDGSAT 1
Launch time: 0219 GMT on 5th (10:19 p.m. EDT on 4th)
Launch site: Taiyuan, China
A Chinese Long March 6 rocket launched the SDGSAT 1 Earth observation satellite dedicated to measuring humanity’s impact on the natural environment, supporting the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Read our full story. [Nov. 5]
Nov. 3, 2021Long March 2C • Yaogan 32-02
Launch time: 0743 GMT (3:43 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Jiuquan, China
A Chinese Long March 2C rocket with a Yuanzheng 1S upper stage launched two Yaogan 32 military satellites. Read our full story. [Nov. 3]
Oct. 27/28, 2021Soyuz • Progress 79P
Launch time: 0000 GMT on 28th (8:00 p.m. EDT on 27th)
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
A Russian government Soyuz rocket launched the 79th Progress cargo delivery ship to the International Space Station. The rocket flew in the Soyuz-2.1a configuration. Delayed from Aug. 21. Read our full story. [Oct. 27]
Oct. 27, 2021Kuaizhou 1A • Jilin 1 Gaofen 02F
Launch time: 0619 GMT (2:19 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Jiuquan, China
A Chinese Kuaizhou 1A rocket launched a small satellite to join the Jilin 1 Earth observation constellation owned by Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co. Ltd. Delayed from Oct. 22. Read our full story. [Oct. 27]
Oct. 25/26H-2A • QZS 1R
Launch time: 0219:37 GMT on 26th (10:19:37 p.m. EDT on 25th)
Launch site: Tanegashima Space Center, Japan
A Japanese H-2A rocket launched a replacement satellite for Japan’s Quasi-Zenith Satellite System, which provides regional navigation services over the Asia-Pacific Region. The QZS 1R satellite, built by Mitsubishi Electric Corp., will replace the aging QZS 1 satellite launched in 2010. The H-2A rocket flew in the “202” configuration with two strap-on solid rocket boosters. Delayed from Oct. 25 by poor weather forecast. Read our full story. [Oct. 26]
Oct. 23/24, 2021Ariane 5 • SES 17 & Syracuse 4A
Launch time: 0210 GMT on 24th (10:10 p.m. EDT on 23rd)
Launch site: ELA-3, Kourou, French Guiana
Arianespace used an Ariane 5 ECA rocket, designated VA255, to launch the SES 17 and Syracuse 4A communications satellites. Built Thales Alenia Space, the SES 17 communications satellite will provide internet connectivity to airline passengers over the Americas, the Caribbean, and the Atlantic Ocean for SES of Luxembourg. The Syracuse 4A spacecraft, also built by Thales Alenia Space, will provide communications services for the French military. Delayed from Oct. 22. Read our full story. [Oct. 24]
Oct. 23/24, 2021Long March 3B • Shijian 21
Launch time: 0127 GMT on 24th (9:27 p.m. EDT on 23rd)
Launch site: Xichang, China
A Chinese Long March 3B launched the Shijian 21 satellite. Chinese state media reported the satellite will perform space debris mitigation technology demonstration experiments. Read our full story. [Oct. 24]
Oct. 21, 2021Nuri • Test Flight
Launch time: 0800 GMT (4:00 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Naro Space Center, South Korea
A South Korean KSLV 2 rocket launched on its first orbital launch attempt, but failed to reach orbit after a premature shutdown of its third stage engine. The Korea Space Launch Vehicle 2, or Nuri, rocket was developed by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute. The first KSLV 2 mission carried a dummy payload. Read our full story. [Oct. 21]
Oct. 16, 2021Atlas 5 • Lucy
Launch time: 0934 GMT (5:34 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket launched NASA’s Lucy spacecraft. Built by Lockheed Martin and led by the Southwest Research Institute, Lucy will fly by seven Trojan asteroids, a unique family of asteroids that orbit the sun in front of and behind Jupiter. The rocket flew in the 401 vehicle configuration with a four-meter fairing, no solid rocket boosters, and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. Read our full story. [Oct. 16]
Oct. 15, 2021Long March 2F • Shenzhou 13
Launch time: 1623:53 GMT (12:23:53 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: Jiuquan, China
A Chinese Long March 2F rocket launched the Shenzhou 13 spacecraft with three Chinese astronauts to rendezvous and dock with the Chinese space station in low Earth orbit. This is China’s eighth crewed space mission, and the second to the Chinese space station. Read our full story. [Oct. 15]
Oct. 14, 2021Long March 2D • Xihe
Launch time: 1051 GMT (6:51 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Taiyuan, China
A Chinese Long March 2D rocket launched the Xihe solar observatory and 10 small secondary payloads. The Xihe spacecraft, also known as the Chinese Hydrogen Alpha Solar Explorer, or CHASE satellite, will study the processes that drive solar flares. Read our full story. [Oct. 14]
Oct. 14, 2021Soyuz • OneWeb 11
Launch time: 0940:10 GMT (5:40:10 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Vostochny Cosmodrome, Russia
A Russian Soyuz rocket launched 36 satellites into orbit for OneWeb, which is developing a constellation of hundreds of satellites in low Earth orbit for low-latency broadband communications. The Soyuz-2.1b rocket used a Fregat upper stage. Delayed from Sept. 18. Read our full story. [Oct. 14]
Oct. 5, 2021Soyuz • ISS 65S
Launch time: 0855:02 GMT (4:55:02 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
A Russian government Soyuz rocket launched the crewed Soyuz MS-19 spacecraft to the International Space Station with cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov, film director Klim Shipenko, and actress Yulia Peresild. Shkaplerov will remain on the ISS for a long-duration expedition, while Shipenko and Peresild will spend about 12 days before returning on a different Soyuz spacecraft. The Soyuz MS-19 capsule will remain at the station for about six months, providing an escape pod for the residents. The rocket flew in the Soyuz-2.1a configuration. Delayed from Sept. 22. Read our full story. [Oct. 5]
Sept. 27, 2021Atlas 5 • Landsat 9
Launch time: 1812 GMT (2:12 p.m. EDT; 11:12 a.m. PDT)
Launch site: SLC-3E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket launched the Landsat 9 Earth observation satellite for NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey. Built by Northrop Grumman, Landsat 9 will continue the series of Landsat images of Earth dating back nearly 50 years. 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 Sept. 16 by liquid oxygen shortage. Delayed from Sept. 23. Read our full story. [Sept. 27]
Sept. 27, 2021Long March 3B • Shiyan 10
Launch time: 0820 GMT (4:20 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Xichang, China
A Chinese Long March 3B launched the Shiyan 10 experimental technology demonstration satellite. Read our full story. [Sept. 27]
Sept. 27, 2021Kuaizhou 1A • Jilin 1 Gaofen 02D
Launch time: 0619 GMT (2:19 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Jiuquan, China
A Chinese Kuaizhou 1A rocket launched a small satellite to join the Jilin 1 Earth observation constellation owned by Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co. Ltd. Delayed from Oct. 22. Read our full story. [Oct. 27]
Sept. 20, 2021Long March 7 • Tianzhou 3
Launch time: 0710 GMT (3:10 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Wenchang, China
A Chinese Long March 7 launched the Tianzhou 3 resupply ship to dock with the Chinese space station. The automated cargo craft is the second resupply freighter for the Chinese space station. Read our full story. [Sept. 20]
Sept. 15/16, 2021Falcon 9 • Inspiration4
Launch time: 0002:56 GMT on 16th (8:02:56 p.m. on 15th/16th)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched a Crew Dragon spacecraft on the first all-private orbital mission without any government-employed astronauts. The mission, known as Inspiration4, was organized to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The mission is commanded by billionaire Jared Isaacman, who was joined on the three-day mission by scientist and educator Sian Proctor, medical officer Hayley Arceneaux, and mission specialist Christopher Sembroski. Delayed from Sept. 14/15. Read our full story. [Sept. 16]
Sept. 14, 2021Soyuz • OneWeb 10
Launch time: 1807:19 GMT (2:07:19 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
A Russian Soyuz rocket launched 34 satellites into orbit for OneWeb, which is developing a constellation of hundreds of satellites in low Earth orbit for low-latency broadband communications. The Soyuz-2.1b rocket used a Fregat upper stage. Delayed from Aug. 26. Read our full story. [Sept. 14]
Sept. 13/14, 2021Falcon 9 • Starlink 2-1
Launch time: 0355:50 GMT on 14th (11:55:50 p.m. EDT; 8:55:50 p.m. PDT on 13th)
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched on the first dedicated mission with Starlink internet satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base. This mission deployed 51 Starlink satellites into a high-inclination orbit. Delayed from July and Aug. 10. Read our full story. [Sept. 14]
Sept. 9Soyuz 2-1v • Razbeg
Launch time: 1859 GMT (2:59 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russia
A Russian Soyuz rocket launched a Razbeg satellite for the Russian military. The classified satellite may carry a miniature optical reconnaissance camera. Read our full story. [Sept. 9]
Sept. 9, 2021Long March 3B • Chinasat 9B
Launch time: 1150 GMT (7:50 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Xichang, China
A Chinese Long March 3B rocket launched the Chinasat 9B communications satellite. Also known as Zhongxing 9B, the satellite will provide television broadcast services over China for China Satcom. Read our full story. [Sept. 9]
Sept. 6/7, 2021Long March 4C • Gaofen 5-02
Launch time: 0301 GMT on 7th (11:01 p.m. EDT on 6th)
Launch site: Taiyuan, China
A Chinese Long March 4C rocket launched the Gaofen 5-02 hyperspectral Earth observation satellite. Read our full story. [Sept. 9]
Sept. 2/3Alpha • DREAM
Launch time: 0159 GMT on 3rd (9:59 p.m. EDT on 2nd/3rd; 6:59 p.m. PDT on 2nd)
Launch site: SLC-2W, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
A Firefly Alpha rocket failed during launch on its first test flight to attempt to reach low Earth orbit. Firefly Aerospace offered free capacity on the first Alpha launch for multiple CubeSats from the U.S. government and commercial customers. Firefly called the free launch opportunity the Dedicated Research and Education Accelerator Mission, or DREAM. Read our full story. [Sept. 3]
Aug. 29, 2021Falcon 9 • SpaceX CRS 23
Launch time: 0714:49 GMT (3:14:49 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched a Dragon 2 spacecraft on its third cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station. The flight is the 23rd mission by SpaceX conducted under a Commercial Resupply Services contract with NASA. Delayed from Aug. 18. Scrubbed on Aug. 27 by bad weather. Read our full story. [Aug. 29]
Aug. 28, 2021Rocket 3.3 • STP-27AD1
Launch window: 2235 GMT (6:35 p.m. EDT; 2:35 p.m. AKDT)
Launch site: Pacific Spaceport Complex, Kodiak Island, Alaska
A commercial small satellite launch vehicle developed by Astra failed during launch of a non-deployable test payload for the U.S. Space Force and the Space Test Program. Scrubbed on Aug. 27. Read our full story. [Aug. 28]
Aug. 24, 2021Long March 3B • TJS 7
Launch time: 1541 GMT (11:41 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Xichang, China
A Chinese Long March 3B rocket launched the TJS 7 geostationary satellite for China’s military. The satellite may have an intelligence or early warning mission. Read our full story. [Aug. 24]
Aug. 24, 2021Long March 2C • RSW
Launch time: 1115 GMT (7:15 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Jiuquan, China
A Chinese Long March 2C rocket with a Yuanzheng 1S upper stage launched two RSW demonstration satellites for a planned Chinese space-based internet network. Read our full story. [Aug. 24]
Aug. 21, 2021Soyuz • OneWeb 9
Launch time: 2213:40 GMT (6:13:40 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
A Russian Soyuz rocket launched 34 satellites into orbit for OneWeb, which is developing a constellation of hundreds of satellites in low Earth orbit for low-latency broadband communications. The Soyuz-2.1b rocket used a Fregat upper stage. Delayed from Aug. 2 and Aug. 19. Read our full story. [Aug. 21]
Aug. 18, 2021Long March 4B • Tianhui 2-02
Launch time: 2232 GMT (6:32 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: Taiyuan, China
A Chinese Long March 4B rocket launched two Tianhui-02 radar mapping satellites. Read our full story. [Aug. 18]
Aug. 16/17, 2021Vega • Pléiades Neo 4
Launch time: 0147:06 GMT on 17th (9:47:06 p.m. EDT on 16th)
Launch site: ZLV, Kourou, French Guiana
An Arianespace Vega rocket, designated VV19, launched the Pléiades Neo 4 Earth observation satellite for Airbus. Pléiades Neo 4 is the second of four Pléiades Neo high-resolution Earth observation satellites built, owned, and operated by Airbus. The Vega rocket also launched four rideshare payloads. Delayed from February after VV17 launch failure. Delayed from June and July. Read our full story. [Aug. 17]
Aug. 11/12, 2021GSLV Mk.2 • EOS 3
Launch time: 0013 GMT on 12th (8:13 p.m. EDT on 11th)
Launch site: Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota, India
India’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mk. 2 (GSLV Mk.2), designated GSLV-F10, failed during the launch of India’s first GEO Imaging Satellite, officially named EOS 3. The EOS 3 spacecraft, previously known as GISAT 1, was to provide continuous remote sensing observations over the Indian subcontinent from geostationary orbit more than 22,000 miles (nearly 36,000 kilometers) above Earth. Delayed from Jan. 15, February and March 5, 2020. Delayed from March 28, April 18, and May 2021. Read our full story. [Aug. 12]
Aug. 10, 2021Antares • NG-16
Launch time: 2201:05 GMT (6:01:05 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: Pad 0A, Wallops Island, Virginia
A Northrop Grumman Antares rocket launched the 17th Cygnus cargo freighter on the 16th operational cargo delivery flight to the International Space Station. The mission is known as NG-16. The rocket flew in the Antares 230+ configuration, with two RD-181 first stage engines and a Castor 30XL second stage. Delayed from July and Aug. 1. Read our full story. [Aug. 10]
Aug. 5, 2021Long March 3B • Zhongxing 2E
Launch time: 1630 GMT (12:30 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: Xichang, China
A Chinese Long March 3B rocket launched the Zhongxing 2E, or Chinasat 2E, communications satellite. The satellite is believed to have launched on a mission to serve the Chinese military. Read our full story. [Aug. 5]
Aug. 4, 2021Long March 6 • KL-Beta A/B
Launch time: 1101 GMT (7:01 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Taiyuan, China
A Chinese Long March 6 rocket launched the KL-Beta A and B technology demonstration satellites for the Shanghai Institute of Microsatellite Innovation and the German company KLEO Connect. The small satellites will test communications and electric thruster technology. Read our full story. [Aug. 4]
Aug. 3, 2021Hyperbola 1 • Unknown
Launch time: 0739 GMT (3:39 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Jiuquan, China
A Hyperbola 1 rocket developed by i-Space, a commercial space company in China, failed during an orbital launch attempt. The payload on this mission was not immediately identified. Read our full story. [Aug. 3]
July 30, 2021Ariane 5 • Star One D2 & Eutelsat Quantum
Launch time: 2100 GMT (5:00 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: ELA-3, Kourou, French Guiana
Arianespace used an Ariane 5 ECA rocket, designated VA254, to launch the Star One D2 and Eutelsat Quantum communications satellites. Owned by the Brazilian operator Embratel Star One, the Star One D2 was built by Maxar and will deliver telecommunications, direct-to-home television services, and fast broadband to customers in South America, Mexico, Central America, and parts of the Atlantic Ocean. The Eutelsat Quantum satellite was built by SSTL and Airbus Defense and Space under the auspices of a public-private research and development project between the European Space Agency, Eutelsat and Airbus. Designed for coverage over the Middle East and North Africa, the software-defined satellite can be reprogrammed for new communications missions in orbit. Delayed from January, February, March 4, May, and July 27. Read our full story. [July 30]
July 29, 2021Electron • STP-27RM
Launch time: 0600 GMT (2:00 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Launch Complex 1A, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
A Rocket Lab Electron rocket launched an experimental mission for the U.S. military’s Space Test Program called Monolith with a space weather instrument. The Monolith mission, also known as STP-27RM, will demonstrate the ability of a small satellite to support large aperture payloads. Delayed from 2nd Quarter of 2019. Delayed from August 2020 and September 2020. Delayed from 4th Quarter of 2020. Moved from Launch Complex 2 in Virginia to Launch Complex 1A in New Zealand. Read our full story. [July 29]
July 29, 2021Long March 2D • Tianhui 1-04
Launch time: 0401 GMT (12:01 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Jiuquan, China
A Chinese Long March 2D rocket launched the Tianhui 1-04 mapping and surveying satellite for the Chinese military. Delayed from July 15. Read our full story. [July 29]
July 21, 2021Proton • Nauka
Launch time: 1458:25 GMT (10:58:25 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
A Russian government Proton rocket launched the Nauka laboratory module to the International Space Station. The Nauka module, or the Multipurpose Laboratory Module, also carried the European Robotic Arm to the space station. Delayed from July 15. Read our full story. [July 21]
July 18/19, 2021Long March 2C • Yaogan 30-10
Launch time: 0019 GMT on 19th (8:19 p.m. EDT on 18th)
Launch site: Xichang, China
A Chinese Long March 2C rocket launched three Yaogan 30-10 surveillance satellites for the Chinese military and the Tianqi 15 data relay small satellite. Read our full story. [July 19]
July 9Long March 6 • Ningxia 1
Launch time: 1159 GMT (7:59 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Taiyuan, China
A Chinese Long March 6 rocket launched five Ningxia 1 satellites for a signals intelligence mission. Read our full story. [July 9]
July 6Long March 3C • Tianlian 1-05
Launch time: 1553 GMT (11:53 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Xichang, China
A Chinese Long March 3C rocket launched China’s fifth Tianlian 1 data relay satellite. Read our full story. [July 6]
July 4, 2021Long March 4C • Fengyun 3E
Launch time: 2328 GMT (7:28 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: Jiuquan, China
A Chinese Long March 4C rocket launched the Fengyun 3E polar-orbiting weather satellite for the China Meteorological Administration. Read our full story. [July 4]
July 2/3, 2021Long March 2D • Jilin 1
Launch time: 0251 GMT on 3rd (10:51 p.m. EDT on 2nd)
Launch site: Taiyuan, China
A Chinese Long March 2D rocket launched five small spacecraft, including four Jilin 1 Earth observation satellites for Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co. Ltd., a commercial remote sensing company based in China’s Jilin province. The rocket also launched a small satellite named Xingshidai 10. Read our full story. [July 3]
July 1, 2021Soyuz • OneWeb 8
Launch time: 1248:33 GMT (8:48:33 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Vostochny Cosmodrome, Russia
A Russian Soyuz rocket launched 36 satellites into orbit for OneWeb, which is developing a constellation of hundreds of satellites in low Earth orbit for low-latency broadband communications. The Soyuz-2.1b rocket used a Fregat upper stage. Read our full story. [July 1]
June 30, 2020Falcon 9 • Transporter 2
Launch time: 1931 GMT (3:31 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the Transporter 2 mission, a rideshare flight to a sun-synchronous orbit with 88 small microsatellites and nanosatellites for commercial and government customers. Moved up from July. Delayed from June 25. Scrubbed on June 29. Read our full story. [June 30]
June 30, 2021LauncherOne • Tubular Bells: Part One
Launch time: 1447 GMT (10:47 a.m. EDT; 7:47 a.m. PDT)
Launch site: Cosmic Girl (Boeing 747), Mojave Air and Space Port, California
A Virgin Orbit LauncherOne rocket launched on its third flight after dropping from a modified Boeing 747 carrier jet. The mission was Virgin Orbit’s first operational launch, carrying four CubeSats for the U.S. military, a nanosatellite for the Dutch military, and two small satellites for the Polish company SatRevolution. Read our full story. [June 30]
June 29, 2021Soyuz • Progress 78P
Launch time: 2327:20 GMT (7:27:20 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
A Russian government Soyuz rocket launched the 78th Progress cargo delivery ship to the International Space Station. The rocket flew in the Soyuz-2.1a configuration. Delayed from March 19. Read our full story. [June 29]
June 25, 2021Soyuz • Pion-NKS 1
Launch time: 1950 GMT (3:50 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russia
A Russian government Soyuz rocket launched the Pion-NKS 1 electronic intelligence-gathering satellite for the Russian military. This is the first Pion-NKS spacecraft, a new generation of reconnaissance satellites for naval surveillance. The rocket flew in the Soyuz-2.1b configuration without an upper stage. Read our full story. [June 25]
June 18, 2021Long March 2C • Yaogan 30-09
Launch time: 0630 GMT (2:30 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Xichang, China
A Chinese Long March 2C rocket launched three Yaogan 30-09 surveillance satellites for the Chinese military and the Tianqi 14 data relay small satellite. Read our full story. [June 18]
June 17, 2021Falcon 9 • GPS 3 SV05
Launch window: 1609:35 GMT (12:09:35 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the U.S. Space Force’s fifth third-generation navigation satellite for the Global Positioning System. The satellite was built by Lockheed Martin. Read our full story. [June 17]
June 16/17, 2021Long March 2F • Shenzhou 12
Launch time: 0122:27 GMT on 17th (9:22:27 p.m. EDT on 16th)
Launch site: Jiuquan, China
A Chinese Long March 2F rocket launched the Shenzhou 12 spacecraft with three Chinese astronauts to rendezvous and dock with the Chinese space station in low Earth orbit. This is China’s seventh crewed space mission, and the first to the Chinese space station. Delayed from June 10. Read our full story. [June 17]
June 15, 2021Minotaur 1 • NROL-111
Launch time: 1335 GMT (9:35 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Pad 0B, Wallops Island, Virginia
A U.S. Space Force and Northrop Grumman Minotaur 1 rocket launched three classified spacecraft for the National Reconnaissance Office, the U.S. government’s spy satellite agency. Delayed from December 2018, 2nd Quarter 2019, late 2019, and March 2021. Read our full story. [June 15]
June 13, 2021Pegasus XL • Odyssey (TacRL-2)
Launch time: 0811 GMT (4:11 a.m. EDT; 1:11 a.m. PDT)
Launch site: L-1011, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
An air-launched Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket deployed the Odyssey space domain awareness satellite into orbit for the U.S. Space Force’s Tactically Responsive Launch program. Read our full story. [June 13]
June 12, 2021Simorgh • Unknown
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Imam Khomeini Spaceport, Semnan, Iran
An Iranian Simorgh rocket failed to place an unknown small satellite into orbit, according to U.S. military sources. [June 12]
June 10/11, 2021Long March 2D • Beijing 3
Launch time: 0303 GMT on 11th (11:03 p.m. EDT on 10th)
Launch site: Taiyuan, China
A Chinese Long March 2D rocket launched four small satellites, including the Beijing 3 optical remote sensing satellite for 21st Century Aerospace Technology, the Haisi 2 optical remote sensing satellite, the Yangwang 1 asteroid observation satellite for Origin Space, and the Tianjian tech demo spacecraft. Read our full story. [June 11]
June 6, 2021Falcon 9 • SXM 8
Launch time: 0426 GMT (12:26 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the SXM 8 satellite for SiriusXM. The satellite will replenish SiriusXM’s fleet providing satellite radio programming to consumers across North America. SXM 8 was built by Maxar Technologies, and features a large unfurlable S-band reflector to broadcast radio signals to users on the ground. Delayed from June 1. Read our full story. [June 6]
June 3, 2021Falcon 9 • SpaceX CRS 22
Launch time: 1729:15 GMT (1:29:15 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched a Dragon 2 spacecraft on its second cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station. The flight is the 22nd mission by SpaceX conducted under a Commercial Resupply Services contract with NASA. Delayed from March and May 20. Read our full story. [June 3]
June 2, 2021Long March 3B • Fengyun 4B
Launch time: 1617 GMT (12:17 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: Xichang, China
A Chinese Long March 3B rocket launched the Fengyun 4B geostationary weather satellite, the second in a new generation of Chinese meteorological observatories. Delayed from May 27. Read our full story. [June 2]
May 29, 2021Long March 7 • Tianzhou 2
Launch time: 1255 GMT (8:55 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Wenchang, China
A Chinese Long March 7 launched the Tianzhou 2 resupply ship to dock with the Chinese space station. The automated cargo craft is the first resupply freighter for the Chinese space station. Scrubbed on May 19 and May 20. Read our full story. [May 29]
May 28, 2021Soyuz • OneWeb 7
Launch time: 1738:39 GMT (1:38:39 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: Vostochny Cosmodrome, Russia
A Russian Soyuz rocket launched 36 satellites into orbit for OneWeb, which is developing a constellation of hundreds of satellites in low Earth orbit for low-latency broadband communications. The Soyuz-2.1b rocket used a Fregat upper stage. Scrubbed on May 27. Read our full story. [May 28]
May 26, 2021Falcon 9 • Starlink V1.0-L28
Launch time: 1859 GMT (2:59 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the 29th batch of approximately 60 satellites for SpaceX’s Starlink broadband network, a mission designated Starlink V1.0-L28. Read our full story. [May 26]
May 19, 2021Long March 4B • Haiyang 2D
Launch time: 0403 GMT (12:03 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Jiuquan, China
A Chinese Long March 4B rocket launched China’s Haiyang 2D oceanography satellite. Read our full story. [May 19]
May 18, 2021Atlas 5 • SBIRS GEO 5
Launch time: 1737 GMT (1:37 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket launched the U.S. Space Force’s fifth Space Based Infrared System Geosynchronous satellite, or SBIRS GEO 5, for missile early-warning detection. The rocket flew in the 421 vehicle configuration with a four-meter fairing, two solid rocket boosters, and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. Scrubbed on May 17 due to issue during chilldown. Read our full story. [May 18]
May 15, 2021Falcon 9 • Starlink V1.0-L26
Launch time: 2256 GMT (6:56 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the 28th batch of satellites for SpaceX’s Starlink broadband network, a mission designated Starlink V1.0-L26. Rideshare payloads for Capella Space and Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems accompanied 52 Starlink satellites into orbit on this mission. Read our full story. [May 15]
May 15, 2021Electron • “Running Out Of Toes”
Launch time: 1111 GMT (7:11 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Launch Complex 1A, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
A Rocket Lab Electron rocket failed during a launch of two small optical Earth observation microsatellites for BlackSky. Although the mission failed moments after second stage ignition, Rocket Lab recovered the Electron’s first stage booster at sea. Rocket Lab nicknamed the mission “Running Out Of Toes.” Read our full story. [May 15]
May 9, 2021Falcon 9 • Starlink V1.0-L27
Launch time: 0642 GMT (2:42 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the 27th batch of 60 satellites for SpaceX’s Starlink broadband network, a mission designated Starlink V1.0-L27. Read our full story. [May 9]
May 6, 2021Long March 2C • Yaogan 30-08
Launch time: 1811 GMT (2:11 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: Xichang, China
A Chinese Long March 2C rocket launched three Yaogan 30-08 surveillance satellites for the Chinese military and the Tianqi 12 data relay small satellite. Read our full story. [May 6]
May 4, 2021Falcon 9 • Starlink V1.0-L25
Launch time: 1901 GMT (3:01 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the 26th batch of 60 satellites for SpaceX’s Starlink broadband network, a mission designated Starlink V1.0-L25. Read our full story. [May 4]
April 30, 2021Long March 4C • Yaogan 34
Launch time: 0727 GMT (3:27 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Jiuquan, China
A Chinese Long March 4C rocket launched the Yaogan 34 military optical spy satellite. Read our full story. [April 30]
April 28/29, 2021Falcon 9 • Starlink V1.0-L24
Launch time: 0344 GMT on 29th (11:44 p.m. EDT on 28th)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the 25th batch of 60 satellites for SpaceX’s Starlink broadband network, a mission designated Starlink V1.0-L24. Read our full story. [April 29]
April 28/29, 2021Long March 5B • Tianhe
Launch time: 0323:15 GMT on 29th (11:23:15 p.m. EDT on 28th)
Launch site: Wenchang, China
A Chinese Long March 5B rocket launched Tianhe, the core module for a Chinese space station low Earth orbit. Read our full story. [April 29]
April 28/29, 2021Vega • Pléiades Neo 3
Launch time: 0150:47 GMT on 29th (9:50:47 p.m. EDT on 28th)
Launch site: ZLV, Kourou, French Guiana
An Arianespace Vega rocket, designated VV18, launched the Pléiades Neo 3 Earth observation satellite for Airbus. Pléiades Neo 3 is the first of four Pléiades Neo high-resolution Earth observation satellites built, owned, and operated by Airbus. The Vega rocket also launched multiple rideshare payloads, including Norsat 3 for the Norwegian Space Agency. Delayed from February after VV17 launch failure. Delayed from late March, April 20, and April 27. Read our full story. [April 29]
April 26/27, 2021Long March 6 • Qilu 1 & Qilu 4
Launch time: 0320 GMT on 27th (11:20 p.m. EDT on 26th)
Launch site: Taiyuan, China
A Chinese Long March 6 rocket launched the Qilu 1 and Qilu 4 Earth observation satellites, plus several smaller rideshare payloads. Read our full story. [April 27]
April 26, 2021Delta 4-Heavy • NROL-82
Launch time: 2047 GMT (1:47 p.m. PDT; 4:47 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-6, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
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 September. Read our full story. [April 26]
April 25, 2021Soyuz • OneWeb 6
Launch time: 2214:08 GMT (6:14:08 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: Vostochny Cosmodrome, Russia
A Russian Soyuz rocket launched 36 satellites into orbit for OneWeb, which is developing a constellation of hundreds of satellites in low Earth orbit for low-latency broadband communications. The Soyuz-2.1b rocket used a Fregat upper stage. Read our full story. [April 25]
April 23, 2021Falcon 9 • Crew 2
Launch time: 0949:02 GMT (5:49:02 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched a Crew Dragon spacecraft on its second operational flight with astronauts on-board to the International Space Station. NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough, Megan McArthur, Japanese astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, and European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Pesquet launched on the Crew Dragon Endeavour spacecraft. The Crew Dragon will return to a splashdown at sea. Delayed from March 30 and April 20. Delayed from April 22 by unfavorable weather in downrange abort area. Read our full story. [April 23]
April 9, 2021Soyuz • ISS 64S
Launch time: 0742:41 GMT (3:42:41 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
A Russian government Soyuz rocket launched the crewed Soyuz MS-18 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. The rocket flew in the Soyuz-2.1a configuration. Read our full story. [April 9]
April 8, 2021Long March 4B • Shiyan 6-02
Launch time: 2301 GMT (7:01 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: Taiyuan, China
A Chinese Long March 4B rocket launched the Shiyan 6-03 satellite to study the space environment and conduct related technology experiments. Read our full story. [April 8]
April 7, 2021Falcon 9 • Starlink V1.0-L23
Launch time: 1634:18 GMT (12:34:18 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the 24th batch of approximately 60 satellites for SpaceX’s Starlink broadband network, a mission designated Starlink V1.0-L23. Read our full story. [April 7]
March 30, 2021Long March 4C • Gaofen 12-02
Launch time: 2245 GMT (6:45 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: Jiuquan, China
A Chinese Long March 4C rocket launched the Gaofen 12-02 Earth observation satellite to assist in land surveys, urban planning, and agriculture monitoring. Read our full story. [March 25]
March 24/25, 2021Soyuz • OneWeb 5
Launch time: 0247:33 GMT on 25th (10:47:33 p.m. EDT on 24th)
Launch site: Vostochny Cosmodrome, Russia
A Russian Soyuz rocket launched 36 satellites into orbit for OneWeb, which is developing a constellation of hundreds of satellites in low Earth orbit for low-latency broadband communications. The Soyuz-2.1b rocket used a Fregat upper stage. Delayed from Feb. 25. Read our full story. [March 25]
March 24, 2021Falcon 9 • Starlink V1.0-L22
Launch time: 0828:24 GMT (4:28:24 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the 23rd batch of approximately 60 satellites for SpaceX’s Starlink broadband network, a mission designated Starlink V1.0-L22. Delayed from March 21 and March 22. Read our full story. [March 24]
March 22, 2021Electron • “They Go Up So Fast”
Launch time: 2230 GMT (6:30 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: Launch Complex 1A, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
A Rocket Lab Electron rocket launched the seven small satellite payloads, including a BlackSky optical Earth observation satellite, the M2 CubeSat mission for the University of New South Wales and the Royal Australian Air Force, a Gunsmoke-J tech demo satellite for the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, the Centauri 3 and Myriota 7 data relay satellites for Fleet Space and Myriota, the Veery Hatchling CubeSat for Care Weather Technologies, and the Photon Pathstone mission for Rocket Lab. Rocket Lab nicknamed the mission “They Go Up So Fast.” Read our full story. [March 22]
March 22, 2021Soyuz • CAS500 1
Launch time: 0607:12 GMT (2:07:12 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
A Russian Soyuz rocket launched on a rideshare mission managed by GK Launch Services. The 38 payloads on this mission included the CAS500 1 Earth observation satellite for the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, Astroscale’s ELSA-d active debris removal demonstration mission, and four Earth-imaging microsatellites built by Axelspace of Japan. The Soyuz-2.1a rocket used a Fregat upper stage. Scrubbed on March 20 by Fregat ground support equipment problem. Read our full story. [March 22]
March 14, 2021Falcon 9 • Starlink V1.0-L21
Launch time: 1001:26 GMT (6:01:26 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the 22nd batch of approximately 60 satellites for SpaceX’s Starlink broadband network, a mission designated Starlink V1.0-L21. Delayed from March 13. Read our full story. [March 14]
March 12/13, 2021Long March 4C • Yaogan 31
Launch time: 0219 GMT on 13th (9:19 p.m. EST on 12th)
Launch site: Jiuquan, China
A Chinese Long March 4C rocket launched three Yaogan 31 military reconnaissance satellites. Read our full story. [March 13]
March 11, 2021Long March 7A • Shiyan 9
Launch time: 1751 GMT (12:51 p.m. EST)
Launch site: Wenchang, China
A Chinese Long March 7A rocket launched the experimental Shiyan 9 satellite. The launch marked the second flight of the Long March 7A rocket variant with a third stage to place spacecraft into high-energy orbits. Read our full story. [March 11]
March 11, 2021Falcon 9 • Starlink V1.0-L20
Launch time: 0813:29 GMT (3:13:29 a.m. EST)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the 21st batch of approximately 60 satellites for SpaceX’s Starlink broadband network, a mission designated Starlink V1.0-L20. Scrubbed on March 9. Read our full story. [March 11]
March 4, 2021Falcon 9 • Starlink V1.0-L17
Launch time: 0824:54 GMT (3:24:54 a.m. EST)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the 20th batch of approximately 60 satellites for SpaceX’s Starlink broadband network, a mission designated Starlink V1.0-L17. Delayed from Jan. 29, Jan. 30, Jan. 31, Feb. 1, Feb. 2, Feb. 4, Feb. 5, Feb. 7, and Feb. 17. Scrubbed on Feb. 28. Delayed from March 2. Read our full story. [March 4]
Feb. 28, 2021Soyuz • Arktika-M 1
Launch time: 0655:01 GMT (1:55:01 a.m. EST)
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
A Russian Soyuz rocket launched the first Arktika-M 1 satellite for the Russian government. Flying in highly elliptical orbits, the Arktika-M satellites provide meteorological observations and emergency communications over Earth’s polar regions. The Soyuz-2.1b rocket used a Fregat upper stage. Read our full story. [Feb. 28]
Feb. 27/28, 2021PSLV • Amazônia 1
Launch time: 0454 GMT on 28th (11:54 p.m. EST on 27th)
Launch site: Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota, India
India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), designated PSLV-C51, launched the Amazônia 1 Earth observation satellite for Brazil. The Brazilian-built spacecraft carries an optical camera to monitor environmental conditions, such as deforestation, in the Amazon region. Multiple secondary payloads from private Indian companies, Mexican university students, and U.S.-based Swarm Technologies were also on this launch. Read our full story. [Feb. 28]
Feb. 23/24, 2021Long March 4C • Yaogan 31
Launch time: 0222 GMT on 24th (9:22 p.m. EST on 23rd)
Launch site: Jiuquan, China
A Chinese Long March 4C rocket launched three Yaogan 31 military reconnaissance satellites. Read our full story. [Feb. 24]
Feb. 20, 2021Antares • NG-15
Launch time: 1736:50 GMT (12:36:50 p.m. EST)
Launch site: Pad 0A, Wallops Island, Virginia
A Northrop Grumman Antares rocket launched the 16th Cygnus cargo freighter on the 15th operational cargo delivery flight to the International Space Station. The mission is known as NG-15. The rocket flew in the Antares 230+ configuration, with two RD-181 first stage engines and a Castor 30XL second stage. Delayed from Feb. 1. Read our full story. [Feb. 15]
Feb. 15/16, 2021Falcon 9 • Starlink V1.0-L19
Launch time: 0359:37 GMT on 16th (10:59:37 p.m. EST on 15th)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the 19th batch of approximately 60 satellites for SpaceX’s Starlink broadband network, a mission designated Starlink V1.0-L19. Delayed from Feb. 13. Read our full story. [Feb. 15]
Feb. 14/15, 2021Soyuz • Progress 77P
Launch time: 0445:06 GMT on 15th (11:45:06 p.m. EST on 14th)
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
A Russian government Soyuz rocket launched the 77th Progress cargo delivery ship to the International Space Station. The rocket flew in the Soyuz-2.1a configuration. Delayed from Dec. 11. Read our full story. [Feb. 15]
Feb. 4, 2021Long March 3B • TJS 6
Launch time: 1625 GMT (11:25 a.m. EST)
Launch site: Xichang, China
A Chinese Long March 3B rocket launched the TJS 6 satellite for China’s military. The satellite is believed to have an early warning mission. Read our full story. [Feb. 4]
Feb. 4, 2021Falcon 9 • Starlink V1.0-L18
Launch time: 0619 GMT (1:19 a.m. EST)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the 18th batch of approximately 60 satellites for SpaceX’s Starlink broadband network, a mission designated Starlink V1.0-L18. Read our full story. [Feb. 4]
Feb. 2, 2021Soyuz • Lotos-S1
Launch time: 2045 GMT (3:45 p.m. EST)
Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russia
A Russian government Soyuz rocket launched a Lotos electronic intelligence spy satellite. The rocket flew in the Soyuz 2-1b configuration. Read our full story. [Feb. 4]
Feb. 1, 2021Hyperbola 1 • Multi-payload
Launch time: 0815 GMT (3:15 a.m. EST)
Launch site: Jiuquan, China
A Hyperbola 1 rocket developed by i-Space, a commercial space company in China, failed during a launch attempt with several small unidentified payloads. Read our full story. [Feb. 1]
Jan. 28/29, 2021Long March 4C • Yaogan 31
Launch time: 0447 GMT on 29th (11:47 p.m. EST 28th)
Launch site: Jiuquan, China
A Chinese Long March 4C rocket launched three Yaogan 31 military reconnaissance satellites. Read our full story. [Jan. 29]
Jan. 24, 2021Falcon 9 • Transporter 1
Launch time: 1500 GMT (10:00 a.m. EST)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the Transporter 1 mission, a rideshare flight to a sun-synchronous orbit with 143 small microsatellites and nanosatellites for commercial and government customers. Delayed from Dec. 16, Jan. 14, Jan. 21, and Jan. 22. Scrubbed on Jan. 23 due to weather. Read our full story. [Jan. 24]
Jan. 20, 2021Falcon 9 • Starlink V1.0-L16
Launch time: 1302 GMT (8:02 a.m. EST)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the 17th batch of approximately 60 satellites for SpaceX’s Starlink broadband network, a mission designated Starlink V1.0-L16. Delayed from Jan. 18 and Jan. 19. Read our full story. [Jan. 20]
Jan. 20, 2021Electron • “Another One Leaves the Crust”
Launch time: 0726 GMT (2:26 a.m. EST)
Launch site: Launch Complex 1A, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
A Rocket Lab Electron rocket launched the small GMS-T communications satellite for OHB Group of Germany. The satellite “will enable specific frequencies to support future services from orbit,” according to Rocket Lab, which nicknamed the mission “Another One Leaves the Crust.” Scrubbed on Jan. 16 due to sensor issue. Read our full story. [Jan. 20]
Jan. 19, 2021Long March 3B • Tiantong 1-03
Launch time: 1625 GMT (11:25 a.m. EST)
Launch site: Xichang, China
A Chinese Long March 3B rocket launched the Tiantong 1-03 mobile communications satellite. Read our full story. [Jan. 19]
Jan. 17, 2021LauncherOne • ELaNa-20
Launch time: 1939 GMT (2:39 p.m. EST; 11:39 a.m. PST)
Launch site: Cosmic Girl (Boeing 747), Mojave Air and Space Port, California
A Virgin Orbit LauncherOne rocket launched on its second flight after dropping from a modified Boeing 747 carrier jet. The flight was conducted under contract to NASA’s Venture Class Launch Services Program, carrying 10 CubeSats to orbit for NASA field centers, U.S. educational institutions and laboratories on the ELaNa-20 rideshare mission. Delayed from Aug. 1, Sept. 1, November, Dec. 1, mid-February, July 1 and Aug. 14. Delayed from Dec. 19 due to COVID-19 concerns. Read our full story. [Jan. 17]
Jan. 7/8, 2021Falcon 9 • Turksat 5A
Launch time: 0215 GMT on 8th (9:15 p.m. EST on 7th)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the Turksat 5A communications satellite for Turksat, a Turkish satellite operator. Built by Airbus Defense and Space with significant Turkish contributions, the Turksat 5A satellite will provide Ku-band television broadcast services over Turkey, the Middle East, Europe and Africa. Delayed from Nov. 30 and December. Delayed from Jan. 4. Read our full story. [Jan. 8]