A regularly updated listing of planned orbital missions from spaceports around the globe. Dates and times are given in Greenwich Mean Time. “NET” stands for no earlier than. “TBD” means to be determined. Recent updates appear in red type. Please send any corrections, additions or updates by e-mail to: sclark@spaceflightnow.com.
See our Launch Log for a listing of completed space missions since 2004.
Latest changes:
Aug. 19: PSLV/IRNSS 1H delayed; Adding date for Delta 2/JPSS 1
Aug. 16: Adding date and window for H-2A/Michibiki 3; Adjusting window for Minotaur 4/ORS 5
Aug. 15: Adding window for Falcon 9/Formosat 5; Ariane 5/Intelsat 37e & BSAT 4a delayed; Antares/OA-8 delayed; Adding time for Minotaur-C/SkySats; Adding Falcon 9/Hispasat 30W-6; Falcon 9/SpaceX CRS 13 delayed; Adding Falcon 9/Bangabandhu 1; Adding Falcon 9/SES 16/GovSat 1; Adding date for Atlas 5/SBIRS GEO Flight 4; Adding Falcon 9/SpaceX CRS 14; Soyuz/Progress 70P delayed; Adding Soyuz 55S; Adding timeframe for Atlas 5/AEHF 4; Adding Delta 4-Heavy/Parker Solar Probe
Aug. 12: H-2A/Michibiki 3 scrubbed
Aug. 10: Updating window for H-2A/Michibiki 3; Adding Proton/Blagovest; Adding time for Soyuz 52S
Aug. 24Falcon 9 • Formosat 5
Launch window: 1850-1934 GMT (2:50-3:34 p.m. EDT; 11:50 a.m.-12:34 p.m. PDT)
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Formosat 5 Earth observation satellite for Taiwan’s National Space Organization (NSPO). The Falcon 9 rocket’s first stage will return to landing on a platform downrange in the Pacific Ocean. Delayed from July. [Aug. 15]
Aug. 25/26Minotaur 4 • ORS 5
Launch window: 0314-0715 GMT on 26th (11:14 p.m.-3:15 a.m. EDT on 25th/26th)
Launch site: SLC-46, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
Launch site: SLC-46, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
An Orbital ATK Minotaur 4 rocket will launch the ORS 5 mission for the U.S. military’s Operationally Responsive Space program. ORS 5, also known as SensorSat, is designed to scan for other satellites and debris to aid the U.S. military’s tracking of objects in geosynchronous orbit, replacing capability previously provided by the SBSS mission. The Minotaur 4 rocket will fly with an Orion 38 fifth stage motor to give the launcher extra capability to place the ORS 5 payload into an equatorial orbit. Delayed from July 15. [Aug. 16]
Aug. 31PSLV • IRNSS 1H
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota, India
Launch site: Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota, India
India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, flying on the PSLV-C39 mission, will launch the IRNSS 1H navigation satellite. The payload is the eighth spacecraft in the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System, which aims to improve positioning services over India and neighboring regions. The PSLV will fly in the PSLV XL configuration with enlarged solid rocket boosters. Delayed from Aug. 28. [Aug. 19]
Sept. 5Ariane 5 • Intelsat 37e & BSAT 4a
Launch window: 2151-2224 GMT (5:51-6:24 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: ELA-3, Kourou, French Guiana
Launch site: ELA-3, Kourou, French Guiana
Arianespace will use an Ariane 5 ECA rocket, designated VA239, to launch the Intelsat 37e and BSAT 4a communications satellites. The high-throughput Intelsat 37e satellite is part of Intelsat’s “Epic” fleet, providing broadband, video and mobile communications services. BSAT 4a will provide digital broadcast services over Japan, including 4K/8K Ultra HD services, for Broadcasting Satellite System Corp. Delayed from Aug. 31. [Aug. 15]
Sept. 7Falcon 9 • OTV-5
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the U.S. military’s X-37B, a spaceplane also called the Orbital Test Vehicle, on the program’s fifth mission. The Falcon 9 rocket’s first stage will return to landing at Cape Canaveral a few minutes after liftoff. Delayed from Aug. 28. [July 26]
Sept. 9Proton • Amazonas 5
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
An International Launch Services Proton rocket with a Breeze M upper stage will deploy the Amazonas 5 communications satellite into orbit. Amazonas 5 will provide broadband, television, corporate network and other telecommunications services over Mexico, Central America and South America for Hispasat of Madrid. [Aug. 9]
Sept. 11Atlas 5 • NROL-42
Launch period: TBD
Launch site: SLC-3E, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
Launch site: SLC-3E, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-072, will launch a classified spacecraft payload for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office. The rocket will fly in the 541 vehicle configuration with a five-meter fairing, four solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. Delayed from June 13 and Aug. 14. [July 26]
Sept. 12Soyuz • ISS 52S
Launch time: 2117 GMT (5:17 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
A Russian government Soyuz rocket will launch the crewed Soyuz spacecraft to the International Space Station with members of the next Expedition crew. The capsule will remain at the station for about six months, providing an escape pod for the residents. [Aug. 10]
Sept. 21Rockot • Sentinel 5p
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russia
Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russia
A Eurockot Rockot vehicle will launch with the Sentinel 5 Precursor Earth observation satellite for the European Space Agency and the European Commission. Sentinel 5p carries an instrument to measure air quality, ozone, pollution and aerosols in Earth’s atmosphere. Delayed from Oct. 31, early 2017, June and August. [June 9]
Sept. 25Atlas 5 • NROL-52
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-075, will launch a classified spacecraft payload for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office. The rocket will fly in the 421 vehicle configuration with a four-meter fairing, two solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. Delayed from Aug. 31. [July 26]
NET Sept. 27Falcon 9 • SES 11/EchoStar 105
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Cape Canaveral, Florida
Launch site: Cape Canaveral, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the SES-11/EchoStar 105 hybrid communications satellite to replace the AMC-15 and AMC-18 satellites. As SES-11, the spacecraft’s C-band capacity will provide replacement capacity for SES of Luxembourg for AMC-18. EchoStar Corp. of Englewood, Colorado, will market the Ku-Band transponder capacity, with coverage of the 50 U.S. states, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean, as EchoStar 105, replacing AMC-15. The Falcon 9 rocket will launch with a previously-flown first stage. Delayed from October, November and July. [July 30]
Sept. 28Proton • AsiaSat 9
Launch time: 1850 GMT (2:50 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
An International Launch Services Proton rocket with a Breeze M upper stage will deploy the AsiaSat 9 communications satellite into orbit. AsiaSat 9 will provide additional capacity, enhanced power and coverage for direct broadcast, video distribution, private networks and broadband services across the Asia-Pacific region for AsiaSat of Hong Kong. [July 31]
Sept. 30Falcon 9 • Iridium Next 21-30
Launch time: 1330 GMT (9:30 a.m. EDT; 6:30 a.m. PDT)
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch 10 satellites for the Iridium next mobile communications fleet. Delayed from October, December, April and August. [July 27]
Oct. 12Soyuz • Progress 68P
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
A Russian government Soyuz rocket will launch the 68th Progress cargo delivery ship to the International Space Station. [Nov. 19]
4th QuarterElectron • Still Testing
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
Launch site: Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
A Rocket Lab Electron rocket will launch on its second orbital test flight, which Rocket Lab calls “Still Testing,” from a new facility on the Mahia Peninsula on New Zealand’s North Island. The commercial rocket is designed to carry small spacecraft into orbit. Several commercial CubeSats are expected to be aboard the Electron’s second mission. Delayed from mid-2017. [Aug. 9]
4th QuarterFalcon 9 • Hispasat 30W-6
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Cape Canaveral, Florida
Launch site: Cape Canaveral, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Hispasat 30W-6 communications satellite, formerly known as Hispasat 1F, for Madrid-based Hispasat. Hispasat 30W-6 will provide television, broadband, corporate networks and other communications services over Europe, North Africa and the Americas. The Hispasat 30W-6 satellite was built by Space Systems/Loral. [Aug. 15]
Oct. 17Minotaur-C • SkySat
Launch time: 2137 GMT (5:37 p.m. EDT; 2:37 p.m. PDT)
Launch site: SLC-576E, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
Launch site: SLC-576E, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
An Orbital ATK Minotaur-C rocket will launch six SkySat Earth observation satellites for Planet and several CubeSat secondary payloads for university and corporate customers. The Minotaur-C is an upgraded, renamed version of the Orbital Sciences Taurus rocket. Delayed from late 2015, mid-2016, October 2016, early 2017, May 2017 and September 2017. [Aug. 15]
Late 2017H-2A • Michibiki 4
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Tanegashima Space Center, Japan
Launch site: Tanegashima Space Center, Japan
A Japanese H-2A rocket will launch the Michibiki 4 navigation spacecraft, the fourth member of Japan’s Quasi-Zenith Satellite System. Japan plans to initially deploy four QZSS satellites to augment regional navigation services over Japan and neighboring countries provided by the U.S. Global Positioning System. [June 17]
Late 2017Falcon 9 • Koreasat 5A
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Cape Canaveral, Florida
Launch site: Cape Canaveral, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Koreasat 5A communications satellite for KTsat based in South Korea. Koreasat 5A will provide direct-to-home television broadcast and other communications services over Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Guam, Indochina, and South Asia. The satellite will also support maritime communications. Delayed from July. [June 6]
NovemberLong March 5 • Chang’e 5
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Wenchang, China
Launch site: Wenchang, China
A Chinese Long March 5 rocket will launch the Chang’e 5 mission to return samples from the moon. It is the first lunar sample return mission attempted since 1976. [Jan. 29]
Nov. 7/8Vega • MN35-13
Launch time: Approx. 0100 GMT on 8th (8 p.m. EST on 7th)
Launch site: ZLV, Kourou, French Guiana
Launch site: ZLV, Kourou, French Guiana
An Arianespace Vega rocket, designated VV11, will launch with the MN35-13 Earth observation satellite for the government of Morocco. [July 19]
Nov. 10Delta 2 • JPSS 1
Launch time: 0948 GMT (4:48 a.m. EST; 2:48 a.m. PST)
Launch site: SLC-2W, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
Launch site: SLC-2W, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
A United Launch Alliance Delta 2 rocket will launch the first spacecraft in the Joint Polar Satellite System, NOAA’s next-generation series of polar-orbiting weather observatories. The rocket will fly in the 7920 configuration with nine solid rocket boosters and no third stage. Delayed from March 16. Moved forward from Sept. 23. Delayed from Sept. 21. [Aug. 19]
Nov. 10Antares • OA-8
Launch time: 1302 GMT (8:02 a.m. EST)
Launch site: Pad 0A, Wallops Island, Virginia
Launch site: Pad 0A, Wallops Island, Virginia
An Orbital ATK Antares rocket will launch the ninth Cygnus cargo freighter on the eighth operational cargo delivery flight to the International Space Station. The mission is known as OA-8. The rocket will fly in the Antares 230 configuration, with two RD-181 first stage engines and a Castor 30XL second stage. Delayed from July 6. Moved forward from Oct. 1. Delayed from Sept. 12. [Aug. 15]
Nov. 14Pegasus XL • ICON
Launch time: 1528 GMT (10:28 a.m. EST)
Launch site: L-1011, Kwajalein, Marshall Islands
Launch site: L-1011, Kwajalein, Marshall Islands
An air-launched Orbital ATK Pegasus XL rocket will deploy NASA’s Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) satellite into orbit. ICON will study the ionosphere, a region of Earth’s upper atmosphere where terrestrial weather meets space weather. Disturbances in the ionosphere triggered by solar storms or weather activity in the lower atmosphere can cause disturbances in GPS navigation and radio transmissions. Delayed from June 15. [July 17]
NovemberFalcon Heavy • Demo Flight
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket will launch on its first demonstration flight. The heavy-lift rocket is formed of three Falcon 9 rocket cores strapped together with 27 Merlin 1D engines firing at liftoff. Delayed from 3rd Quarter of 2015 and April, September and December 2016. Delayed from 1st Quarter 2017, 2nd Quarter 2017 and 3rd Quarter 2017. [July 27]
Late NovemberFalcon 9 • Iridium Next 31-40
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch 10 satellites for the Iridium next mobile communications fleet. Delayed from October. [July 27]
DecemberAriane 5 • Galileo 19-22
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: ELA-3, Kourou, French Guiana
Launch site: ELA-3, Kourou, French Guiana
Arianespace will use an Ariane 5 ES rocket, designated VA240, to launch four Galileo full operational capability satellites for Europe’s Galileo navigation constellation. Delayed from Aug. 9. [July 19]
Early DecemberFalcon 9 • SpaceX CRS 13
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Cape Canaveral, Florida
Launch site: Cape Canaveral, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the 15th Dragon spacecraft mission on its 13th operational cargo delivery flight to the International Space Station. The flight is being conducted under the Commercial Resupply Services contract with NASA. Delayed from Sept. 13 and Nov. 1. [Aug. 15]
DecemberFalcon 9 • Iridium Next 41-50
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch 10 satellites for the Iridium next mobile communications fleet. [April 28]
Dec. 13Delta 4 • NROL-47
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: SLC-6, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
Launch site: SLC-6, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
A United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket will launch a classified spacecraft payload for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office. The rocket will fly in the Medium+ (5,2) configuration with two solid rocket boosters. Delayed from Oct. 3 and Oct. 18. [June 8]
DecemberFalcon 9 • Bangabandhu 1
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Cape Canaveral, Florida
Launch site: Cape Canaveral, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Bangabandhu 1 communications satellite for the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission. The spacecraft will provide broadcasting and telecommunication services to rural areas and introduce direct-to-home television programming across Bangladesh and neighboring countries. The Bangabandhu 1 satellite was built by Thales Alenia Space. [Aug. 15]
Late 2017Epsilon • ASNARO 2
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Uchinoura Space Center, Japan
Launch site: Uchinoura Space Center, Japan
Japan’s Epsilon rocket will launch the ASNARO 2 radar Earth observation satellite, a mission developed by Japan Space Systems and NEC Corp. The project is the second for the ASNARO program, which stands for Advanced Satellite with New System ARchitecture for Observation. [Jan. 10]
4th QuarterFalcon 9 • SES 16/GovSat 1
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Cape Canaveral, Florida
Launch site: Cape Canaveral, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the SES 16/GovSat 1 communications satellite for LuxGovSat, a joint venture between SES and the government of Luxembourg. SES 16/GovSat 1 will. The SES 16/GovSat 1 satellite will provide secure military X-band and Ka-band communications links, helping support Luxembourg’s NATO obligations. The satellite was built by Orbital ATK. [Aug. 15]
Dec. 27Soyuz • ISS 53S
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
A Russian government Soyuz rocket will launch the crewed Soyuz spacecraft to the International Space Station with members of the next Expedition crew. The capsule will remain at the station for about six months, providing an escape pod for the residents. Delayed from Oct. 26. [April 28]
Jan. 18Atlas 5 • SBIRS GEO Flight 4
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-076, will launch the U.S. military’s fourth Space Based Infrared System Geosynchronous satellite, or SBIRS GEO 4, for missile early-warning detection. The rocket will fly in the 411 vehicle configuration with a four-meter fairing, one solid rocket booster and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. Delayed from Oct. 27 and Nov. 9. [Aug. 15]
Jan. 20Vega • Aeolus
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: ZLV, Kourou, French Guiana
Launch site: ZLV, Kourou, French Guiana
An Arianespace Vega rocket, designated VV12, will launch with the Aeolus satellite for the European Space Agency. ADM-Aeolus will be the first ever satellite to deliver wind profiles on a global scale and on a daily basis. Delayed from November. [July 19]
Early 2018Falcon Heavy • Arabsat 6A
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket will launch the Arabsat 6A communications satellite for Arabsat of Saudi Arabia. Arabsat 6A will provide Ku-band and Ka-band communications coverage over the Middle East and North Africa regions, as well as a footprint in South Africa. [July 17]
Feb. 9Soyuz • Progress 69P
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
A Russian government Soyuz rocket will launch the 69th Progress cargo delivery ship to the International Space Station. [May 19]
FebruaryFalcon 9 • Crew Dragon Demo 1
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Crew Dragon spacecraft on an uncrewed test flight to the International Space Station under the auspices of NASA’s commercial crew program. Delayed from December 2016, May 2017, July 2017, August 2017 and November 2017. [May 19]
Early 2018Falcon 9 • SpaceX CRS 14
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Cape Canaveral, Florida
Launch site: Cape Canaveral, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the 15th Dragon spacecraft mission on its 13th operational cargo delivery flight to the International Space Station. The flight is being conducted under the Commercial Resupply Services contract with NASA. [Aug. 15]
March 1Atlas 5 • GOES-S
Launch time: 1001 GMT (5:01 a.m. EST)
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-079, will launch GOES-S, the second next-generation geostationary weather satellite for NASA and NOAA. GOES-S will orbit 22,300 miles above the equator to monitor weather conditions across the United States. The rocket will fly in the 541 vehicle configuration with a five-meter fairing, four solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. [July 17]
MarchRockot • Sentinel 3B
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russia
Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russia
A Eurockot Rockot vehicle will launch with the Sentinel 3B Earth observation satellite for the European Space Agency and the European Commission. Sentinel 3B carries instruments to measure sea surface topography, sea and land surface temperature, and ocean and land color. Delayed from mid-2017 and November. [July 19]
March 9Soyuz • ISS 54S
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
A Russian government Soyuz rocket will launch the crewed Soyuz spacecraft to the International Space Station with members of the next Expedition crew. The capsule will remain at the station for about six months, providing an escape pod for the residents. Moved forward from March 14. [July 17]
NET March 20Falcon 9 • TESS
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). The TESS mission will identify planets ranging from Earth-sized to gas giants, orbiting a wide range of stellar types and orbital distances. The principal goal of the TESS mission is to detect small planets with bright host stars in the solar neighborhood, so that detailed characterizations of the planets and their atmospheres can be performed. TESS will be stationed in a high-Earth elliptical orbit. [May 19]
MarchAntares • OA-9
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Pad 0A, Wallops Island, Virginia
Launch site: Pad 0A, Wallops Island, Virginia
An Orbital ATK Antares rocket will launch the 10th Cygnus cargo freighter on the ninth operational cargo delivery flight to the International Space Station. The mission is known as OA-9. The rocket will fly in the Antares 230 configuration, with two RD-181 first stage engines and a Castor 30XL second stage. [May 19]
April 18Atlas 5 • AFSPC 11
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-081, will launch the AFSPC 11 mission for the U.S. Air Force. Delayed from Dec. 7 and March. [May 19]
April 27Soyuz • ISS 55S
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
A Russian government Soyuz rocket will launch the crewed Soyuz spacecraft to the International Space Station with members of the next Expedition crew. The capsule will remain at the station for about six months, providing an escape pod for the residents. [Aug. 15]
NET April 30Falcon Heavy • STP-2
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket will launch the U.S. Air Force’s Space Test Program-2 mission with a cluster of military and scientific research satellites. The heavy-lift rocket is formed of three Falcon 9 rocket cores strapped together with 27 Merlin 1D engines firing at liftoff. Delayed from October 2016, March 2017 and September 2017. [July 25]
May 5Atlas 5 • InSight
Launch time: 1110 GMT (7:10 a.m. EDT; 4:10 a.m. PDT)
Launch site: SLC-3E, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
Launch site: SLC-3E, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket will launch NASA’s InSight lander to Mars. InSight will touch down in the Elysium Planitia region of Mars in November 2018 to study the Martian interior and search for ongoing seismic activity. The rocket will fly in the 401 vehicle configuration with a four-meter fairing, no solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. Delayed from March 2016. [July 25]
June 27Soyuz • Progress 70P
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
A Russian government Soyuz rocket will launch the 70th Progress cargo delivery ship to the International Space Station. Delayed from April 15. [Aug. 15]
Summer 2018Atlas 5 • AEHF 4
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-073, will launch the fourth Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite. Built by Lockheed Martin, this U.S. military spacecraft will provide highly-secure communications. The rocket will fly in the 531 vehicle configuration with a five-meter fairing, three solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. Delayed from Dec. 15, Jan. 26, May 4, June 22, June 29 and Oct. 11. [Aug. 15]
July 31Delta 4-Heavy • Parker Solar Probe
Launch time: 1407 GMT (10:07 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-37B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
Launch site: SLC-37B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
A United Launch Alliance Delta 4-Heavy rocket will launch NASA’s Parker Solar Probe. The largest of the Delta 4 family, the Heavy version features three Common Booster Cores mounted together to form a triple-body rocket. The Parker Solar Probe will be the first-ever mission to “touch” the sun. The spacecraft, about the size of a small car, will travel directly into the sun’s atmosphere about 4 million miles from our star’s surface. [Aug. 15]
TBDDelta 4 • GPS 3-01
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: SLC-37B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
Launch site: SLC-37B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
A United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket will launch the U.S. Air Force’s first third-generation navigation satellite for the Global Positioning System. The rocket will fly in the Medium+ (4,2) configuration with two solid rocket boosters. Delayed from May 3 and late 2017. [March 8]