List of spaceflight launches in January–June 2021
This article lists orbital and suborbital launches during the first half of the year 2021.
For all other spaceflight activities, see 2021 in spaceflight. For launches in the second half of 2021 see List of spaceflight launches in July–December 2021.
Orbital launches
[edit]Date and time (UTC) | Rocket | Flight number | Launch site | LSP | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Payload (⚀ = CubeSat) | Operator | Orbit | Function | Decay (UTC) | Outcome | |||
Remarks | ||||||||
January[edit] | ||||||||
8 January 02:15[1] | ![]() | F9-104 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | Türksat | Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Operational | |||
17 January 19:38:51[4][5] | ![]() | F2 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
⚀ ![]() | Capitol Technology University | Low Earth | Technology demonstration | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | UL Lafayette | Low Earth | Technology demonstration | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | Cal Poly | Low Earth | Atmospheric research | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | University of Michigan | Low Earth | Technology demonstration | 15 June 2023[6] | Successful | |||
⚀ ![]() | Brigham Young University | Low Earth | Technology demonstration | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | CU Boulder | Low Earth | Technology demonstration | 6 June 2023[7] | Successful | |||
⚀ ![]() | U.S. Department of Defense | Low Earth | Technology demonstration | 27 April 2023[8] | Successful | |||
⚀ ![]() | U.S. Department of Defense | Low Earth | Technology demonstration | 2 May 2023[9] | Successful | |||
⚀ ![]() | UCF | Low Earth | Microgravity research | In orbit | Spacecraft failure[10] | |||
⚀ ![]() | Vanderbilt University | Low Earth | Technology demonstration | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | NASA Ames | Low Earth | Technology demonstration | 4 May 2022[11] | Successful | |||
Launch of NASA's ELaNa 20 mission.[2][3] Second flight and first successful launch of LauncherOne. | ||||||||
19 January 16:25[12] | ![]() | 3B-Y74 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | China Satcom | Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Operational | |||
20 January 07:26[13] | ![]() | "Another One Leaves The Crust" | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | OHB SE / GMS | Low Earth | Communications | In orbit | Operational | |||
20 January 13:02[14] | ![]() | Starlink V1.0-L16 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | SpaceX | Low Earth | Communications | In orbit | Operational | |||
First time that a Falcon 9 first stage booster (B1051) is re-flown and recovered for the 8th time and shortest turnaround for a booster so far (38 days). | ||||||||
24 January 15:00[21] | ![]() | Transporter-1 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | SpaceX | Low Earth (SSO) | Communications | 25 January 2022[23] | Successful | |||
![]() | D-Orbit | Low Earth (SSO) | CubeSat deployer | In orbit | Operational | |||
![]() | Capella Space | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth observation | 26 February 2023[26] | Successful | |||
![]() | Capella Space | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth observation | 8 April 2023[27] | Successful | |||
![]() | GHGSat | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth observation | In orbit | Operational | |||
![]() | HawkEye 360 | Low Earth (SSO) | SIGINT / Technology demonstration | In orbit | Operational | |||
![]() | ICEYE | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth observation | In orbit | Operational | |||
![]() | iQPS | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth observation | In orbit | Operational | |||
![]() | ICEYE-US | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth observation | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | University of South Florida | Low Earth (SSO) | Technology demonstration | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | ASELSAT | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth observation | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | Astrocast SA | Low Earth (SSO) | Communications | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | Aurora Insight | Low Earth (SSO) | RF sensing | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | Planet Labs | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth observation | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | Hiber | Low Earth (SSO) | Remote sensing | In orbit | Spacecraft failure[40] | |||
⚀ ![]() | NSPO / NCU | Low Earth (SSO) | Technology demonstration | In orbit | Successful[42] | |||
⚀ ![]() | Kepler | Low Earth (SSO) | Communications | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | Spire Global | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth observation | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | DLR / TESAT | Low Earth (SSO) | Technology demonstration | In orbit | Successful[44] | |||
⚀ ![]() | U.S. Department of Defense | Low Earth (SSO) | Technology demonstration | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | NASA Ames / Tyvak | Low Earth (SSO) | Technology demonstration | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | TU Dresden | Low Earth (SSO) | Technology demonstration | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | Swarm Technologies | Low Earth (SSO) | Communications | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | UVSQ | Low Earth (SSO) | Technology demonstration | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | NASA | Low Earth (SSO) | Communications | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | NSPO | Low Earth (SSO) | Technology demonstration | In orbit | Successful[42] | |||
Dedicated SmallSat Rideshare mission to Sun-synchronous orbit. ELaNa 35 launched aboard Spaceflight's Sherpa-FX1 as part of the SXRS-3 mission.[15][16][17] Sherpa-FX1 hosts two on-board payloads: Celestis Horizon space burial flight[17][18] and TAGSAT-1.[19] A record 143 satellites were deployed, exceeding the previous record of 108 satellites launched by an Antares in 2018.[20] | ||||||||
29 January 04:47[51][52] | ![]() | 4C-Y31 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | CAS | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational | |||
![]() | CAS | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational | |||
![]() | CAS | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational | |||
February[edit] | ||||||||
1 February 08:15[55][56] | ![]() | Y2 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | Xu Bing | Low Earth (SSO) | Space art | 1 February | Launch failure | |||
Second Hyperbola-1 flight. Rocket disintegrated shortly after passing max q. Contrary to initial reports, Space Ark's Fangzhou-2 (Ark-2) satellite did not launch on this flight.[53][54] | ||||||||
2 February 20:45:28[57] | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |||||
![]() | VKS | Low Earth | ELINT | In orbit | Operational | |||
4 February 06:19[59] | ![]() | Starlink V1.0-L18 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | SpaceX | Low Earth | Communications | In orbit | Operational | |||
4 February 15:36[60][61] | ![]() | 3B-Y77 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | SAST | Geosynchronous | SIGINT | In orbit | Operational | |||
15 February 04:45:05[62] | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |||||
![]() | Roscosmos | Low Earth (ISS) | ISS logistics | 26 July 2021 14:51[63] | Successful | |||
Progress 77 deorbited the Pirs module to make way for the arrival of Nauka in July 2021. | ||||||||
16 February 03:59:37[65] | ![]() | Starlink V1.0-L19 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | SpaceX | Low Earth | Communications | In orbit | Operational | |||
At least one of the engines of the first-stage booster, B1059.6, failed during or at the end of its re-entry burn, precluding recovery of the booster. It impacted the Atlantic away from the drone ship.[64] | ||||||||
20 February 17:36:50[71][72] | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |||||
![]() S.S. Katherine Johnson | NASA | Low Earth (ISS) | ISS logistics | 2 July 01:30 | Successful | |||
![]() ![]() | MAEU / Hokkaido University | Low Earth | Earth observation | 4 April 2023[74] | Successful | |||
![]() | Virginia Space | Low Earth | Technology demonstration / Education | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() ![]() | Kyushu Institute of Technology / Paraguayan Space Agency | Low Earth | Technology demonstration | 5 July 2022[77] | Successful | |||
⚀ ![]() | USA SMDC / LANL | Low Earth | Technology demonstration | 28 December 2023[79] | Successful | |||
⚀ ![]() | Osaka Prefecture University / Muroran Institute of Technology | Low Earth | Technology demonstration | 15 April 2022[81] | Successful | |||
⚀ ![]() | MSU | Low Earth | Ionospheric research | In orbit | Operational[83] | |||
⚀ ![]() | Kyushu Institute of Technology | Low Earth | Technology demonstration | 7 July 2022[85] | Successful | |||
⚀ ![]() | Khalifa University | Low Earth | Technology demonstration | In orbit | Operational[83] | |||
⚀ ![]() | DARPA | Low Earth | Technology demonstration | 31 January 2023[88] | Successful | |||
⚀ ![]() | DARPA | Low Earth | Technology demonstration | 31 January 2023[89] | Successful | |||
⚀ ![]() | Ryman Sat Project | Low Earth | Technology demonstration | 10 June 2022[90] | Successful | |||
⚀ ![]() | Shizuoka University | Low Earth | Technology demonstration | 15 April 2022[92] | Successful | |||
⚀ ![]() | Tel Aviv University | Low Earth | Education | 5 May 2022[94] | Successful | |||
⚀ ![]() | Kyushu Institute of Technology | Low Earth | Technology demonstration | 5 July 2022[95] | Successful | |||
⚀ ![]() | Warpspace | Low Earth | Technology demonstration | 1 May 2022[97] | Successful | |||
The ELaNa 33 mission (consisting of one satellite, IT-SPINS) launched on this resupply flight.[15] Carrying two undisclosed satellites.[66] First Paraguayan and Burmese satellites launched on this flight. Tsuru, Maya-2, GuaraníSat-1, OPUSAT-II, RSP-01, WARP-01, TAU-SAT1, and STARS-EC were deployed into orbit from ISS on 14 March 2021.[67] MMSATS-1—Myanmar's first satellite—was temporarily held on board the station, its deployment delayed due to the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état.[68] MMSATS-1 was deployed into orbit on 22 March 2021.[69] IT-Spins and MySat-2 were deployed into orbit on 29 June 2021 from Cygnus NG-15 after its departure from the ISS.[70] | ||||||||
24 February 02:22[98][99] | ![]() | 4C-Y32 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | CAS | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational | |||
![]() | CAS | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational | |||
![]() | CAS | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational | |||
28 February 04:54[100][101] | ![]() | C51 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | INPE | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth observation | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | UNAM | Low Earth (SSO) | Technology demonstration | 25 November 2023[104] | Successful | |||
⚀ ![]() | Space Kidz India | Low Earth (SSO) | Magnetospheric research / Education | 18 July 2023[105] | Successful | |||
⚀ ![]() | PESU / DRDO | Low Earth (SSO) | AIS ship tracking | 14 December 2023[106] | Successful | |||
⚀ ![]() | Swarm Technologies | Low Earth (SSO) | Communications | First: 24 November 2022[107] Last: 10 January 2023[108] | Successful | |||
⚀ ![]() | JIT | Low Earth (SSO) | Amateur radio / IoT | 6 June 2023[109] | Successful | |||
⚀ ![]() | GHRCE | Low Earth (SSO) | Amateur radio / IoT | 11 July 2023[110] | Successful | |||
⚀ ![]() | SIET | Low Earth (SSO) | Amateur radio / IoT | 6 June 2023[111] | Successful | |||
First Brazilian Earth observation satellite. | ||||||||
28 February 06:55:01[112] | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |||||
![]() | Roscosmos | Molniya | Meteorology | In orbit | Operational | |||
March[edit] | ||||||||
4 March 08:24:54[114] | ![]() | Starlink V1.0-L17 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | SpaceX | Low Earth | Communications | In orbit | Operational | |||
Starlink V1.0-L17 mission launched after L18 and L19 due to multiple launch delays. | ||||||||
11 March 08:13:29[115] | ![]() | Starlink V1.0-L20 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | SpaceX | Low Earth | Communications | In orbit | Operational | |||
11 March 17:51:28[116] | ![]() | 7A-Y2 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | CAST | Geosynchronous | Technology demonstration | In orbit | Operational | |||
Reflight of the Long March 7A, which failed its maiden flight on 16 March 2020. | ||||||||
13 March 02:19[117][118] | ![]() | 4C-Y42 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | CAS | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational | |||
![]() | CAS | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational | |||
![]() | CAS | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational | |||
14 March 10:01:26[119] | ![]() | Starlink V1.0-L21 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | SpaceX | Low Earth | Communications | In orbit | Operational | |||
First time a first-stage booster flew and landed for the ninth time (B1051) and fastest turnaround time for a fairing half so far (49 days). | ||||||||
22 March 06:07:12[121] | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |||||
![]() | KARI | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth observation | In orbit | Operational | |||
![]() | Astroscale | Low Earth (SSO) | Technology demonstration | In orbit | Operational | |||
![]() | Astroscale | Low Earth (SSO) | Technology demonstration | In orbit | Operational | |||
![]() | MBRSC | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth observation | In orbit | Operational | |||
![]() | Axelspace / FSTRA | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth observation | In orbit | Operational | |||
![]() | Axelspace | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth observation | In orbit | Operational | |||
![]() | Low Earth (SSO) | Mass simulator | In orbit | Successful | ||||
⚀ ![]() | Technion | Low Earth (SSO) | Satellite formation flying Technology demonstration | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | TU Berlin | Low Earth (SSO) | Technology demonstration | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | Telnet Tunisie [fr] | Low Earth (SSO) | IoT | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | HSE | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth observation Education | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | Sirius Educational Centre [ru] | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth observation Education | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | TUKE | Low Earth (SSO) | Technology demonstration | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | Hiber | Low Earth (SSO) | IoT | In orbit | Spacecraft failure[40] | |||
⚀ ![]() | Kepler | Low Earth (SSO) | Communications | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | Chosun University | Low Earth (SSO) | Microgravity research | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | KSU | Low Earth (SSO) | Education | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | Lacuna Space | Low Earth (SSO) | IoT | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | KACST | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth observation | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | UFSM | Low Earth (SSO) | Ionospheric research | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | Sputnix | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth observation | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | Yonsei University | Low Earth (SSO) | Solar observation | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | Yonsei University | Low Earth (SSO) | Solar observation | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() ![]() | Sapienza University of Rome / University of Nairobi / Machakos University | Low Earth (SSO) | Animal tracking | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | Sateliot / AEC | Low Earth (SSO) | IoT | In orbit | Operational | |||
![]() | GAUSS Srl | Low Earth (SSO) | Satellite dispenser Technology demonstration | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | Bangkok Christian College / KMUTNB | Low Earth (SSO) | Education | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | GP Advanced Projects | Low Earth (SSO) | Technology demonstration | In orbit | Operational | |||
▫ ![]() | Diysatellite | Low Earth (SSO) | Education | 22 July 2023[134] | Successful | |||
▫ ![]() | BME | Low Earth (SSO) | Spectrum analysis | In orbit | Operational | |||
▫ ![]() | Sapienza University of Rome | Low Earth (SSO) | Laser ranging | In orbit | Operational | |||
First fully commercial mission launched by GK Launch Services. ELSA-d will demonstrate space debris removal technology.[120] ChallengeOne is the first Tunisian satellite. | ||||||||
22 March 22:30[135][136] | ![]() | "They Go Up So Fast" | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | Rocket Lab | Low Earth | Space tug Technology demonstration | 14 March 2023[137] | Successful | |||
![]() | BlackSky | Low Earth | Earth observation | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | Fleet Space | Low Earth | IoT | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | USA SMDC / LANL | Low Earth | Technology demonstration | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | UNSW | Low Earth | Technology demonstration | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | Myriota | Low Earth | IoT | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | Care Weather Technologies | Low Earth | Meteorology | In orbit | Operational | |||
Second Photon satellite. This Photon will be used to perform tests in preparation for the upcoming CAPSTONE mission. | ||||||||
24 March 08:28:24[138] | ![]() | Starlink V1.0-L22 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | SpaceX | Low Earth | Communications | In orbit | Operational | |||
25 March 02:47:33[139] | ![]() | ST30 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ||||
![]() | OneWeb | Low Earth | Communications | In orbit | Operational | |||
30 March 22:45[140] | ![]() | 4C-Y36 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | CNSA | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth observation | In orbit | Operational | |||
April[edit] | ||||||||
7 April 16:34:18[141] | ![]() | Starlink V1.0-L23 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | SpaceX | Low Earth | Communications | In orbit | Operational | |||
8 April 23:01[143] | ![]() | 4B-Y49 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | CAST | Low Earth (SSO) | Technology demonstration | In orbit | Operational | |||
Shiyan 6-03 is demonstrating an ultra-dark nanocomposite coating, which aims to reduce stray light interference with onboard optical sensors.[142] | ||||||||
9 April 07:42:40[144] | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |||||
![]() | Roscosmos | Low Earth (ISS) | Expedition 64/65 | 17 October 04:35[145] | Successful | |||
23 April 09:49:02[146] | ![]() | F9-114 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | SpaceX / NASA | Low Earth (ISS) | Expedition 65/66 | 9 November 03:33:16 | Successful | |||
Second operational Crew Dragon mission, as part of the Commercial Crew Program. | ||||||||
25 April 22:14:08[147] | ![]() | ST31 | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ||||
![]() | OneWeb | Low Earth | Communications | In orbit | Operational | |||
26 April 20:47[148] | ![]() | D-386 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | NRO | Low Earth (SSO) | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational | |||
NROL-82 mission. | ||||||||
27 April 03:20[149][150] | ![]() | Y5 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | SDIIT | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth observation | In orbit | Operational | |||
![]() | SDIIT | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth observation | In orbit | Operational | |||
![]() | Ji Hua Laboratory | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth observation | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | Hangsheng Satellite / Zhongan Guotong Satellite Technology Development | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth observation | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | Guodian Gaoke | Low Earth (SSO) | IoT | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | Origin Space | Low Earth (SSO) | Technology demonstration | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | MinoSpace | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth observation | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | ZeroG Lab | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth observation | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | ZeroG Lab | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth observation | In orbit | Operational | |||
First Long March Express commercial rideshare mission with launch services contracted by CGWIC. | ||||||||
29 April 01:50:00[153] | ![]() | VV18 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | Airbus Defence and Space | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth observation | In orbit | Operational | |||
![]() | NOSA | Low Earth (SSO) | AIS ship tracking | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | Aurora Insight | Low Earth (SSO) | RF sensing | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | Eutelsat | Low Earth (SSO) | IoT | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | Spire Global | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth observation | In orbit | Operational | |||
Small Satellites Mission Service (SSMS) piggyback mission.[151] Return to flight for Vega after the November 2020 launch failure.[152] | ||||||||
29 April 03:23:15[158][159] | ![]() | 5B-Y2 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | CMSA | Low Earth | Space station assembly | In orbit | Operational | |||
Tianhe is the core module of the Tiangong space station, providing life support and living quarters for three crew members, and guidance, navigation and attitude control for the station. | ||||||||
29 April 03:44[160] | ![]() | Starlink V1.0-L24 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | SpaceX | Low Earth | Communications | In orbit | Operational | |||
30 April 07:27[161] | ![]() | 4C-Y34 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | CAS | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational | |||
May[edit] | ||||||||
4 May 19:01:07[162] | ![]() | Starlink V1.0-L25 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | SpaceX | Low Earth | Communications | In orbit | Operational | |||
6 May 18:11[163][164] | ![]() | 2C-Y47 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | CAS | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational | |||
![]() | CAS | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational | |||
![]() | CAS | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | Guodian Gaoke | Low Earth | IoT | In orbit | Operational | |||
9 May 06:42[165] | ![]() | Starlink V1.0-L27 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | SpaceX | Low Earth | Communications | In orbit | Operational | |||
First time a first-stage booster flew and landed for the tenth time (B1051). | ||||||||
15 May 11:11[167] | ![]() | "Running Out of Toes" | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | BlackSky | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth observation | 15 May | Launch failure | |||
![]() | BlackSky | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth observation | |||||
First of four dedicated launches for BlackSky.[166] Second ocean splashdown recovery mission for the first stage. An anomaly occurred at second stage ignition, causing the vehicle to spin out of control. The first stage successfully splashed down using parachutes in the Pacific Ocean. | ||||||||
15 May 22:56[169] | ![]() | Starlink V1.0-L26 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | SpaceX | Low Earth | Communications | In orbit | Operational | |||
![]() | Capella Space | Low Earth | Earth observation | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | Tyvak / LLNL | Low Earth | Earth observation | In orbit | Operational | |||
Starlink SmallSat Rideshare mission. | ||||||||
18 May 17:37[172] | ![]() | AV-091[173] | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | U.S. Space Force | Geosynchronous | Early warning | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | U.S. Air Force Academy | Highly elliptical | Technology demonstration | 27 September 2022[175] | Successful | |||
⚀ ![]() | U.S. Air Force Academy | Highly elliptical | Technology demonstration | 18 September 2022[176] | Successful | |||
19 May 04:03[177] | ![]() | 4B-Y48 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | Ministry of Natural Resources | Low Earth | Oceanography | In orbit | Operational | |||
26 May 18:59[178] | ![]() | Starlink V1.0-L28 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | SpaceX | Low Earth | Communications | In orbit | Operational | |||
First Starlink orbital shell, consisting of 1,584 satellites orbiting at an altitude of 550 kilometres (340 mi), was completed with this launch. | ||||||||
28 May 17:38:39[179] | ![]() | ST32[180] | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ||||
![]() | OneWeb | Low Earth | Communications | In orbit | Operational | |||
29 May 12:55:29[181][182] | ![]() | Y3 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | CMSA | Low Earth (TSS) | Space logistics | 31 March 2022 10:40[183] | Successful | |||
First cargo flight to the Tiangong space station. | ||||||||
June[edit] | ||||||||
2 June 16:17:04[184] | ![]() | 3B-Y72 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | CMA | Geosynchronous | Meteorology | In orbit | Operational | |||
3 June 17:29:15[189] | ![]() | F9-120 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | NASA | Low Earth (ISS) | ISS logistics | 10 July 03:29 | Successful | |||
⚀ ![]() | OneTeam / TOCOG | Low Earth | Space advertising | 15 September 2022[191] | Successful | |||
⚀ ![]() | MRIC | Low Earth | Technology demonstration | 18 April 2022[193] | Successful | |||
⚀ ![]() | Robertsville Middle School | Low Earth | Education | 12 October 2022[195] | Successful | |||
⚀ ![]() | University of Manchester | Low Earth | Technology demonstration | 14 March 2022[197] | Successful[198] | |||
The ELaNa 36 mission (consisting of one satellite, RamSat) launched on this resupply flight.[185] RamSat and SOAR were deployed into orbit from ISS on 14 June 2021.[186] MIR-SAT1 and G-SATELLITE 2 were deployed on 22 June 2021.[187][188] Two Roll Out Solar Array (iROSA) units were delivered to the station to supplement the existing ISS Solar Arrays. | ||||||||
6 June 04:26[199] | ![]() | F9-121 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | Sirius XM | Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Operational | |||
11 June 03:03[200][201] | ![]() | 2D-Y54 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | China Spacesat | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth observation | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | Xiamen University | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth observation | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | Origin Space | Low Earth (SSO) | Space telescope / Asteroid cataloging | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | PLASSF Space Engineering University | Low Earth (SSO) | Technology demonstration | In orbit | Operational | |||
12 June[203] | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |||||
![]() | Low Earth | 12 June | Launch failure | |||||
Failed to reach orbit. | ||||||||
13 June 08:11[204] | ![]() | F45 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | U.S. Space Force | Low Earth (SSO) | Space domain awareness | 18 December 2022[205] | Successful | |||
Tactically Responsive Launch-2 (TacRL-2) mission. | ||||||||
15 June 13:35[207] | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |||||
![]() | NRO | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational | |||
![]() | NRO | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational | |||
![]() | NRO | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational | |||
NROL-111 mission.[206] | ||||||||
17 June 01:22:27[208][209] | ![]() | 2F-Y12 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | CMSA | Low Earth (TSS) | Crewed spaceflight | 17 September 05:34[210] | Successful | |||
First crewed flight to the Tianhe core module of the Tiangong space station, with astronauts Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo onboard. | ||||||||
17 June 16:09:35[212] | ![]() | F9-122 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | U.S. Space Force | Medium Earth | Navigation | In orbit | Operational | |||
First DoD payload to fly on the single-stick Falcon 9 with a flight-proven first stage booster; the booster B1062 previously launched GPS IIIA-04 Sacagawea in November 2020. Named after American astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the Moon.[211] | ||||||||
18 June 06:30[213] | ![]() | 2C-Y48 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | CAS | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational | |||
![]() | CAS | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational | |||
![]() | CAS | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | Guodian Gaoke | Low Earth | IoT | In orbit | Operational | |||
25 June 19:50:00[215] | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |||||
![]() | VKS | Low Earth | SIGINT | In orbit | Operational | |||
Part of the Russian Liana SIGINT system.[214] | ||||||||
29 June 23:27:20[217] | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |||||
![]() | Roscosmos | Low Earth (ISS) | ISS logistics | 25 November 14:34 | Successful | |||
30 June 14:47[220] | ![]() | "Tubular Bells, Part One" | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
⚀ ![]() | RNLAF | Low Earth | Technology demonstration | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | MDA | Low Earth | Technology demonstration | CNCE1: 31 October 2023[221] CNCE3: 31 October 2023[222] | Successful | |||
⚀ ![]() | USA SMDC / LANL | Low Earth | Technology demonstration | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | U.S. Navy | Low Earth | Technology demonstration | 25 November 2023[224] | Successful | |||
⚀ ![]() | SatRevolution | Low Earth | Earth observation | 3 October 2023[225] | Successful | |||
⚀ ![]() | SatRevolution | Low Earth | Earth observation | 22 October 2023[226] | Successful | |||
The launch campaign is named after Tubular Bells, the first record produced by Virgin Records in 1973.[218] STP-27VPA is composed of four military CubeSats: Gunsmoke-J 3, HALO-Net Free Flyer, and two CNCE Blk 1 satellites.[219] | ||||||||
30 June 19:31[228] | ![]() | Transporter-2 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | D-Orbit | Low Earth (SSO) | CubeSat deployer | In orbit | Operational | |||
![]() | Spaceflight, Inc. | Low Earth (SSO) | CubeSat deployer | In orbit | Operational | |||
![]() | Spaceflight, Inc. | Low Earth (SSO) | Space tug | In orbit | Operational | |||
![]() | SpaceX | Low Earth (SSO) | Communications | In orbit | Operational | |||
![]() | Orbital Sidekick / Astro Digital | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth observation | In orbit | Operational | |||
![]() | Capella Space | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth observation | 23 February 2023[234] | Successful | |||
![]() | PlanetIQ | Low Earth (SSO) | Radio occultation | In orbit | Operational | |||
![]() | HawkEye 360 | Low Earth (SSO) | SIGINT / Technology demonstration | In orbit | Operational | |||
![]() | ICEYE | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth observation | In orbit | Operational | |||
![]() | Lynk Global | Low Earth (SSO) | Technology demonstration | In orbit | Operational | |||
![]() | Satellogic | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth observation | In orbit | Operational | |||
![]() | Orbit Fab / Accion Systems | Low Earth (SSO) | Propellant depot Technology demonstration | In orbit | Operational | |||
![]() | TU Berlin | Low Earth (SSO) | Technology demonstration | In orbit | Operational | |||
![]() | Umbra Lab | Low Earth (SSO) | Technology demonstration | In orbit | Operational | |||
![]() | Loft Orbital | Low Earth (SSO) | Technology demonstration | In orbit | Operational | |||
![]() | Loft Orbital | Low Earth (SSO) | Technology demonstration | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | Aerospacelab | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth observation | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | Astrocast SA | Low Earth (SSO) | Communications | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | Fleet Space | Low Earth (SSO) | IoT | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() ![]() ![]() | NanoAvionics / Dragonfly Aerospace / Space JLTZ | Low Earth (SSO) | Technology demonstration | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | EchoStar | Low Earth (SSO) | Mobile-satellite service | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | In-Space Missions | Low Earth (SSO) | Technology demonstration | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | Marshall Intech | Low Earth (SSO) | Technology demonstration | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | Kleos Space | Low Earth (SSO) | Navigation | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | Spire Global | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth observation | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | GA-EMS | Low Earth (SSO) | Laser communications | In orbit | Spacecraft failure[229] | |||
⚀ ![]() | DARPA | Low Earth (SSO) | Laser communications | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | RTAF | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth observation | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | Elecnor Deimos | Low Earth (SSO) | Technology demonstration | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | NASA | Low Earth (SSO) | Technology demonstration | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | CISESE | Low Earth (SSO) | Technology demonstration | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | Orbital Space | Low Earth (SSO) | Education | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | EnduroSat | Low Earth (SSO) | Technology demonstration | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | Swarm Technologies | Low Earth (SSO) | Communications | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | Swarm Technologies | Low Earth (SSO) | Communications | First: 12 September 2023[257] Last: 19 September 2023[258] | Successful | |||
⚀ ![]() ![]() | OQ Technology | Low Earth (SSO) | IoT | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | NASA | Low Earth (SSO) | Meteorology | In orbit | Operational | |||
⚀ ![]() | Reaktor Space Lab | Low Earth (SSO) | Technology demonstration | In orbit | Operational | |||
Dedicated SmallSat Rideshare mission to sun-synchronous orbit. QMR-KWT will be Kuwait's first satellite.[227] This launch will also carry LaserCube, Nebula and Worldfloods as hosted payloads in the ION SCV-3 deployer and TagSat-2 as hosted payload in the SHERPA-FX2 deployer.[228] The two LINCS satellites entered an uncontrollable tumble after deployment due to "an issue with the launch vehicle".[229] | ||||||||
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For flights after 30 June, see 2021 in spaceflight (July–December) |
Suborbital flights
[edit]Date and time (UTC) | Rocket | Flight number | Launch site | LSP | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Payload (⚀ = CubeSat) | Operator | Orbit | Function | Decay (UTC) | Outcome | ||
Remarks | |||||||
14 January 17:17[260][261] | ![]() | NS-14 | ![]() | ![]() | |||
![]() | Blue Origin | Suborbital | Flight test | 14 January 17:27 | Successful | ||
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Club For The Future | Suborbital | Education | 14 January 17:27 | Successful | ||
Apogee: 106.93 kilometres (66.44 mi). First flight of booster NS4 and crew capsule "RSS First Step". A BAT's postcard was the first payload from British Antarctic Territory to be sent into space. | |||||||
15 January[262][263] | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | IRGC | Suborbital | Missile test | 15 January | Successful | ||
Rapid launch of thirteen Dezful/Zolfaghar ballistic missiles with active warheads (1 of 13). | |||||||
15 January[262][263] | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | IRGC | Suborbital | Missile test | 15 January | Successful | ||
Rapid launch of thirteen Dezful/Zolfaghar ballistic missiles with active warheads (2 of 13). | |||||||
15 January[262][263] | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | IRGC | Suborbital | Missile test | 15 January | Successful | ||
Rapid launch of thirteen Dezful/Zolfaghar ballistic missiles with active warheads (3 of 13). | |||||||
15 January[262][263] | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | IRGC | Suborbital | Missile test | 15 January | Successful | ||
Rapid launch of thirteen Dezful/Zolfaghar ballistic missiles with active warheads (4 of 13). | |||||||
15 January[262][263] | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | IRGC | Suborbital | Missile test | 15 January | Successful | ||
Rapid launch of thirteen Dezful/Zolfaghar ballistic missiles with active warheads (5 of 13). | |||||||
15 January[262][263] | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() | IRGC | Suborbital | Missile test | 15 January | Successful | ||
Rapid launch of thirteen Dezful/Zolfaghar ballistic missiles with active warheads (6 of 13). | |||||||
15 January[262][263] | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
![]() |