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:
April 20: Adding Long March 11/Zhuhai 1; Adding window for Falcon 9/Bangabandhu 1; Adding date for Falcon 9/SES 12; Adding H-2A/IGS Radar 6; Falcon Heavy/STP-2 delayed; Adding date for Vega/Aeolus
April 17: Falcon 9/TESS delayed; Rocket Lab/It’s Business Time delayed; Long March 3B/Apstar 6C delayed
April 12: Adding window for Atlas 5/AFSPC 11; Updating window for Falcon 9/TESS; Falcon 9/Bangabandhu 1 delayed
April 9: Falcon 9/Iridium 51-55 & GRACE Follow-On delayed; Updating window for Delta 4-Heavy/Parker Solar Probe; Adding Soyuz/MetOp C
April 8: Adding time for PSLV/IRNSS 1I; Adding time for Proton/Blagovest No. 12L; Adding Electron/It’s Business Time; Updating timeframe for GSLV Mk.3/GSAT 29; Ariane 5/GSAT 11 & Azerspace 2/Intelsat 38 delayed; Adding Falcon 9/Telstar 19V; Falcon 9/SpaceX CRS 15 delayed; Adding Long March 3A/Fengyun 2H; Adding Long March 2C/PRSS 1; Adding Falcon 9/Iridium Next 56-65; Adding date for Ariane 5/Galileo 23-26; Adding Falcon 9/Spaceflight SSO-A; Adding Falcon 9/Iridium Next 66-75; Adding date for H-2B/HTV 7; Adding Long March 2D/CFOSAT; Adding Vega/PRISMA
April 25Rockot • Sentinel 3B
Launch time: 1757 GMT (1:57 p.m. EDT)
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. Delayed from March and April 6. [March 26]
April 26Long March 11 • Zhuhai 1
Launch time: 1757 GMT (1:57 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: Jiuquan, China
Launch site: Jiuquan, China
A Chinese Long March 11 rocket will launch multiple Zhuhai 1 remote sensing satellites for a commercial constellation of Earth-imaging craft for Zhuhai Orbita Control Engineering Co. Ltd. [April 20]
TBDElectron • It’s Business Time
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 third flight, which Rocket Lab calls “It’s Business Time,” from a facility on the Mahia Peninsula on New Zealand’s North Island. Two commercial CubeSats for Spire Global’s weather and ship tracking constellation, and one small satellite for GeoOptics’ commercial remote sensing network will be aboard the rocket. A Curie upper stage will place the satellites into the proper orbit. Delayed from April 20. [April 17]
May 4Falcon 9 • Bangabandhu 1
Launch window: 2000-2225 GMT (4:00-6:25 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, 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. This will be the first launch of the upgraded Block 5 version of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. Delayed from December, February, April 5 and April 24. [April 20]
May 5Atlas 5 • InSight
Launch window: 1105-1305 GMT (7:05-9:05 a.m. EDT; 4:05-6:05 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, designated AV-078, 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. [March 2]
May 6Long March 3B • Apstar 6C
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Xichang, China
Launch site: Xichang, China
A Chinese Long March 3B rocket will launch the Apstar 6C communications satellite. Apstar 6C will provide commercial video and direct-to-home broadcast, VSAT connectivity, cellular backhaul and mobile broadband services over the Asia-Pacific region for APT Satellite. Delayed from March 15 and April 21. [April 17]
May 19Falcon 9 • Iridium Next 51-55 & GRACE Follow-On
Launch time: 2003 GMT (4:03 p.m. EDT; 1:03 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 five satellites for the Iridium next mobile communications fleet and two Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On (GRACE Follow-On) satellites for NASA and the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ). The Falcon 9 rocket will launch with a previously-flown first stage. Delayed from March 21, April 14, April 28 and May 10. [April 9]
May 20Antares • 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. Delayed from March, May 1 and May 9. [April 4]
MayLong March 4C • Chang’e 4 Relay
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Xichang, China
Launch site: Xichang, China
A Chinese Long March 4C rocket will launch a relay satellite toward the Earth-moon L2 Lagrange point to enable communications between Earth and the Chang’e 4 lunar lander and rover on the far side of the moon. Two Chinese microsatellites will launch with the Chang’e 4 relay mission to conduct astronomical observations from deep space. [March 19]
NET May 24Falcon 9 • SES 12
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 the SES 12 communications satellite for SES of Luxembourg. The SES 12 satellite will provide direct-to-home broadcast and other high-throughput communications services in the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region, including rapidly growing markets such as India and Indonesia. The satellite was built by Airbus Defense and Space. The Falcon 9 rocket will launch with a previously-flown first stage. Delayed from February and April 30. [April 20]
May 25Ariane 5 • GSAT 11 & Azerspace 2/Intelsat 38
Launch window: 2041-2155 GMT (4:41-5:55 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 VA243, to launch the Azerspace 2/Intelsat 38 and GSAT 11 communications satellites. The Indian Space Research Organization’s GSAT 11 mission is an advanced communication satellite with multi-spot beam coverage over the Indian mainland and nearby islands. Built by Space Systems/Loral, the Azerspace 2/Intelsat 38 spacecraft will be the second satellite owned by Azercosmos, the national satellite operator of Azerbaijan, which will use the new platform to support growing demands in the region for direct-to-home television, government and network services. For Intelsat, the satellite will replace the Intelsat 12 spacecraft offering direct-to-home television and network services over Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, and Asia. Delayed from April and May 18. [April 8]
Early JuneFalcon 9 • Telstar 19V
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Cape Canaveral, Florida
Launch site: Cape Canaveral, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Telstar 19V communications satellite for Telesat of Canada. The Telstar 19 Vantage satellite will provide high-throughput Ku-band and Ka-band communications services, supporting broadband applications over South America, the Caribbean, the North Atlantic and Canada. The satellite was built SSL. [April 8]
JuneGSLV Mk.3 • GSAT 29
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota, India
Launch site: Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota, India
India’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mk. 3 (GSLV Mk.3), designated GSLV Mk.3-D2, will launch the GSAT 29 communications satellite carrying Ka-band, Ku-band and optical communications payloads. [April 8]
June 6Soyuz • 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. Moved forward from April 27. Delayed from April 25. [Jan. 15]
JuneLong March 3A • Fengyun 2H
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Xichang, China
Launch site: Xichang, China
A Chinese Long March 3A rocket will launch the Fengyun 2H geostationary weather satellite. [April 8]
June 11H-2A • IGS Radar 6
Launch window: 0400-0600 GMT (12:00-2:00 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Tanegashima Space Center, Japan
Launch site: Tanegashima Space Center, Japan
A Japanese H-2A rocket will launch an Information Gathering Satellite with a radar reconnaissance payload for the Japanese government. [April 20]
JuneLong March 2C • PRSS 1
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Taiyuan, China
Launch site: Taiyuan, China
A Chinese Long March 2C rocket will launch the Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite, or PRSS 1, for SUPARCO, Pakistan’s national space agency. The PakTES 1A remote sensing satellite, developed in partnership by Pakistan and South Africa, will also launch on this mission. [April 8]
June 14Pegasus XL • ICON
Launch time: TBD
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, Nov. 14 and Dec. 8. [March 19]
June 28Falcon 9 • SpaceX CRS 15
Launch time: Approx. 0900 GMT (5 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Cape Canaveral, Florida
Launch site: Cape Canaveral, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the 17th Dragon spacecraft mission on its 15th operational cargo delivery flight to the International Space Station. The flight is being conducted under the Commercial Resupply Services contract with NASA. Delayed from June 6 and June 9. [April 8]
Mid-2018Falcon 9 • Iridium Next 56-65
Launch time: 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 8]
Mid-2018Falcon 9 • Telkom 4
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Cape Canaveral, Florida
Launch site: Cape Canaveral, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Telkom 4 communications satellite for Telkom Indonesia. Telkom 4 will provide C-band telecommunications services over Indonesia and India, replacing the aging Telkom 1 communications craft. The Telkom 4 satellite was built by Space Systems/Loral. [March 5]
July 10Soyuz • 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. Moved up from June 27. Delayed from June 13. [Jan. 15]
July 25Ariane 5 • Galileo 23-26
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 VA244, to launch four Galileo full operational capability satellites for Europe’s Galileo navigation constellation. [April 8]
JulyFalcon 9 • Spaceflight SSO-A
Launch time: 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 with Spaceflight’s SSO-A rideshare mission, a stack of satellites heading into sun-synchronous polar orbit. Numerous small payloads will be launched on this mission for nearly 50 government and commercial organizations from 16 countries, including the United States, Australia, Finland, Germany, Singapore and Thailand. [April 8]
July 31Delta 4-Heavy • Parker Solar Probe
Launch window: 0815-1015 GMT (4:15-6:15 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. [April 9]
AugustFalcon 9 • Iridium Next 66-75
Launch time: 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 8]
AugustFalcon 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, November 2017, February 2018 and April 2018. [Jan. 15]
Aug. 16H-2B • HTV 7
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Tanegashima Space Center, Japan
Launch site: Tanegashima Space Center, Japan
A Japanese H-2B rocket will launch the seventh H-2 Transfer Vehicle. The HTV serves as an unmanned cargo vehicle to deliver equipment and supplies to the International Space Station. [April 8]
Aug. 21Vega • 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, Jan. 20 and mid-2018. [April 20]
Aug. 27Atlas 5 • CST-100 Starliner Orbital Flight Test
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-080, will launch Boeing’s first CST-100 Starliner spacecraft on an unpiloted Orbital Test Flight to the International Space Station. The capsule will dock with the space station, then return to Earth to landing in the Western United States after an orbital shakedown cruise ahead of a two-person Crew Test Flight. The rocket will fly in a vehicle configuration with two solid rocket boosters and a dual-engine Centaur upper stage. [Jan. 15]
SeptemberLong March 2C • CFOSAT
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Jiuquan, China
Launch site: Jiuquan, China
A Chinese Long March 2C rocket will launch the China-France Oceanography Satellite, or CFOSAT. CFOSAT will study ocean surface winds and waves. These data will enable more reliable sea-state forecasts and yield new insights into ocean-atmosphere interactions. [April 8]
3rd QuarterFalcon 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. Delayed from April 30 and June 13. [April 20]
NET SeptemberFalcon 9 • GPS 3-01
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Cape Canaveral, Florida
Launch site: Cape Canaveral, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the U.S. Air Force’s first third-generation navigation satellite for the Global Positioning System. Delayed from May 3 and late 2017. Switched from a United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket. The third GPS 3-series satellite will now launch on a Delta 4. [Feb. 8]
Sept. 12Delta 2 • ICESat 2
Launch window: 1246-1520 GMT (8:46-11:20 a.m. EDT; 5:46-8:20 a.m. PDT)
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 NASA ICESat 2 satellite to continue the important observations of ice-sheet elevation change, sea-ice freeboard, and vegetation canopy height begun by ICESat in 2003. The rocket will fly in the 7420 configuration with four solid rocket boosters and no third stage. This will be the final launch of a Delta 2 rocket. [Feb. 14]
Sept. 14Soyuz • ISS 56S
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 Sept. 7. [Jan. 15]
Sept. 18/19Soyuz • MetOp C
Launch time: 0046:57 GMT on 19th (8:46:57 p.m. EDT on 18th)
Launch site: ELS, Sinnamary, French Guiana
Launch site: ELS, Sinnamary, French Guiana
An Arianespace Soyuz rocket, designated VS19, will launch on a mission from the Guiana Space Center in South America. The Soyuz will carry the MetOp C polar-orbiting weather satellite for the European Space Agency and the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites, or Eumetsat. The Soyuz 2-1b (Soyuz ST-B) rocket will use a Fregat upper stage. [April 9]
Sept. 26Delta 4-Heavy • NROL-71
Launch time: 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-Heavy rocket will launch 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. [Jan. 22]
OctoberGSLV Mk.2 • Chandrayaan 2
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota, India
Launch site: Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota, India
India’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mk. 2 (GSLV Mk.2) will launch the Chandrayaan 2 mission, India’s second mission to the moon. Chandrayaan 2 will consist of an orbiter, lander and rover launched together into a high Earth orbit. The orbiter is designed to use on-board propulsion to reach the moon, then release the lander and rover. Delayed from March and April. [March 23]
Oct. 5Ariane 5 • BepiColombo
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: ELA-3, Kourou, French Guiana
Launch site: ELA-3, Kourou, French Guiana
Arianespace will use an Ariane 5 ECA rocket to launch the BepiColombo mission for the European Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. BepiColombo will begin a seven-year journey to Mercury, where two spacecraft built in Europe and Japan will survey the solar system’s innermost planet’s geology, evolution and magnetic field. BepiColombo will be the third space mission to visit Mercury, and the first led by Europe. [Jan. 22]
Oct. 11Soyuz • Progress 71P
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
A Russian government Soyuz rocket will launch the 71st Progress cargo delivery ship to the International Space Station. [Nov. 27]
Oct. 18Atlas 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, 2016. Delayed from Jan. 26, May 4, June 22, June 29 and Oct. 11, 2017. Delayed from July 2018. [Dec. 21]
Nov. 1Delta 4 • WGS 10
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 10th Wideband Global SATCOM spacecraft, formerly known as the Wideband Gapfiller Satellite. Built by Boeing, this geostationary communications spacecraft will serve U.S. military forces. The rocket will fly in the Medium+ (5,4) configuration with four solid rocket boosters. [Dec. 21]
NovemberVega • PRISMA
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: ZLV, Kourou, French Guiana
Launch site: ZLV, Kourou, French Guiana
An Arianespace Vega rocket, designated VV13, will launch with the PRISMA satellite for the Italian space agency — ASI. PRISMA is an Earth observation satellite fitted with an innovative electro-optical instrument, combining a hyperspectral sensor with a medium-resolution panchromatic camera. The mission will support environmental monitoring and security applications. [April 8]
Nov. 10Antares • OA-10
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 11th Cygnus cargo freighter on the 10th operational cargo delivery flight to the International Space Station. The mission is known as OA-10. The rocket will fly in the Antares 230 configuration, with two RD-181 first stage engines and a Castor 30XL second stage. Delayed from March. [Dec. 28]
Nov. 15Soyuz • ISS 57S
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 Nov. 6. [Jan. 15]
Nov. 16Falcon 9 • SpaceX CRS 16
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Cape Canaveral, Florida
Launch site: Cape Canaveral, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the 18th Dragon spacecraft mission on its 16th operational cargo delivery flight to the International Space Station. The flight is being conducted under the Commercial Resupply Services contract with NASA. [Dec. 28]
Late 2018Long March 3B • Chang’e 4
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Xichang, China
Launch site: Xichang, China
A Chinese Long March 3B rocket will launch the Chang’e 4 mission to attempt the first robotic landing on the far side of the moon. Chang’e 4 consists of a stationary lander and a mobile rover. [March 19]
Late 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. Delayed from first half of 2018. [March 2]
TBDLong 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. Delayed from November. [Sept. 26]