2016 in spaceflightHighlights from spaceflight in 2016.
[ a] First 15 January Last 28 December Total 85 Successes 82 Failures 2 Partial failures 1 Catalogued 83 Maiden flights Retirements Orbital 5 Total travellers 14 EVAs 4
1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s
Several new rockets and spaceports began operations in 2016.
Overview
Russia inaugurated the far-Eastern Vostochny Cosmodrome on 28 April 2016 with a traditional Soyuz-2.1a flight,[ 1] before expanding it for the Angara rocket family in the following years. The Chinese Long March 7 flew its maiden flight from the new Wenchang Satellite Launch Center on Hainan Island on 25 June, and the maiden flight of the Long March 5 took place on 3 November. Two years after its 2014 accident , the Antares rocket returned to flight on 17 October with its upgraded 230 version featuring the Russian RD-181 engine.
After many failed attempts , SpaceX began landing its Falcon 9 first stages on autonomous spaceport drone ships , edging closer to their long-stated goal of developing reusable launch vehicles . The company indicated that the recovered engines and structures did not suffer significant damage.[ 2] One of the landed boosters, B1021 , launched in April 2016, was flown again in March 2017;[ 3] two others were converted to side boosters for the maiden flight of Falcon Heavy .[ 4]
The ExoMars mission, a collaboration between the European and Russian space agencies, was launched on 14 March and reached Mars on 19 October.[ 5] Dedicated to astrobiology investigations, this flight carried the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter , which reached Mars orbit, and the Schiaparelli EDM lander , which crashed upon landing. A subsequent flight scheduled for 2020 will carry the ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover along with four static surface instruments .[ 6]
Meanwhile, the Japanese space probe Akatsuki started its observations of Venus in May[ 7] after spending five months gradually adjusting its orbit.
Planetary exploration activities took center stage with the orbit insertion of NASA's Juno probe at Jupiter on 4 July, followed by the launch of NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission to asteroid 101955 Bennu on 8 September. Finally, on 30 September, the Rosetta probe executed a slow crash-landing on comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko .[ 8] [ 9]
Human spaceflights included the return of Scott Kelly and Mikhail Kornienko in March after a yearlong mission on the ISS , the longest-ever continuous stay by astronauts at the station. Kelly also set the record for the longest-duration stay of an American in orbit. Four ISS Expeditions numbered 47 to 50 were launched in 2016, the first one using the last Soyuz TMA-M spacecraft and the next three inaugurating the modernized Soyuz MS . Expedition 50 will continue into 2017. Several EVAs were performed to maintain the exterior of the ISS. The experimental BEAM inflatable habitat was attached to the ISS on 16 April and expanded on 28 May to begin two years of on-orbit tests. Meanwhile, China launched its new Tiangong-2 space laboratory in September, which was first visited by two astronauts for a month between 19 October and 17 November.
Orbital launches
Date and time (UTC )
Rocket
Flight number
Launch site
LSP
Payload (⚀ = CubeSat )
Operator
Orbit
Function
Decay (UTC)
Outcome
Remarks
January
15 January 16:57:04
Long March 3B /E
Xichang LC-3
CASC
Belintersat 1
Belarus
Geosynchronous
Communications
In orbit
Operational
17 January 18:42:18
Falcon 9 v1.1
F9-021
Vandenberg SLC-4E
SpaceX
Jason-3
NOAA / EUMETSAT
Low Earth
Earth observation
In orbit
Operational
Final flight of the standard Falcon 9 v1.1, future flights will use the upgraded Falcon 9 Full Thrust . Falcon 9's first stage performed a soft landing on an autonomous spaceport drone ship in the Pacific Ocean , but the failure of one landing leg to lock into position caused it to fall over and break apart.[ 10]
20 January 04:01:00
PSLV -XL
C31
Satish Dhawan SLP
ISRO
IRNSS -1E
ISRO
Geosynchronous
Navigation
In orbit
Operational
27 January 23:20:48
Ariane 5 ECA
VA228
Kourou ELA-3
Arianespace
Intelsat 29e
Intelsat
Geosynchronous
Communications
In orbit
Spacecraft failure in 2019[ 11]
29 January 22:20:09
Proton-M / Briz-M
Baikonur Site 200/39
International Launch Services
Eutelsat 9B
Eutelsat
Geosynchronous
Communications
In orbit
Operational
Carries the first laser communication node for the European Data Relay System
February
1 February 07:29:04
Long March 3C/E / YZ-1
Xichang LC-3
CASC
BeiDou M3-S
CNSA
Medium Earth
Navigation
In orbit
Operational
5 February 13:38:00
Atlas V 401
AV-057
Cape Canaveral SLC-41
United Launch Alliance
USA-266 (GPS IIF-12 )
US Air Force
Medium Earth
Navigation
In orbit
Operational
7 February 00:21:07
Soyuz-2.1b / Fregat
Plesetsk Site 43/4
RVSN RF
Kosmos 2514 (GLONASS-M 751 )
VKS
Medium Earth
Navigation
In orbit
Operational
7 February 00:30
Unha-3
Sohae
NADA
Kwangmyŏngsŏng-4 [ 12]
NADA
Low Earth
Earth observation
30 June 2023[ 13]
Successful
10 February 11:40:32
Delta IV M+ (5,2)
Vandenberg SLC-6
United Launch Alliance
USA-267 / Topaz -4[ 14]
NRO
Retrograde LEO
Reconnaissance
In orbit
Operational
NROL -45 mission. Spacecraft launched in a retrograde orbit .
16 February 17:57:40
Rokot / Briz-KM
Plesetsk Site 133/3
/ Eurockot
Sentinel-3A
ESA
Low Earth (SSO )
Earth observation
In orbit
Operational
17 February 08:45:00
H-IIA 202
F30
Tanegashima LA-Y1
MHI
Hitomi (ASTRO-H)
JAXA / NASA
Low Earth
X-ray astronomy
In orbit
Spacecraft failure
ChubuSat-2
Nagoya University
Low Earth
Radiation / Amateur radio
In orbit
Operational
ChubuSat-3
MHI
Low Earth
Remote sensing / Space debris monitor
In orbit
Operational
Horyu-4
Kyushu Institute of Technology
Low Earth
Technology demonstration
In orbit
Operational
Hitomi malfunctioned after initial checkouts, and is believed to have lost attitude control and snapped off its solar array. 28 April, JAXA has abandoned efforts to recover the spacecraft.[ 15] [ 16]
March
4 March 23:35:00
Falcon 9 Full Thrust
F9-022
Cape Canaveral SLC-40
SpaceX
SES-9
SES S.A.
Geosynchronous
Communications
In orbit
Operational
High-velocity landing test ended with a hard landing on the drone ship Of Course I Still Love You and destruction of the first stage.
9 March 05:20:07
Ariane 5 ECA
VA229
Kourou ELA-3
Arianespace
Eutelsat 65 West A
Eutelsat
Geosynchronous
Communications
In orbit
Operational
10 March 10:31:00
PSLV -XL
C32
Satish Dhawan SLP
ISRO
IRNSS -1F
ISRO
Geosynchronous
Navigation
In orbit
Operational
13 March 18:56:00
Soyuz-2.1b
Baikonur Site 31/6
Roscosmos
Resurs-P No.3
Roscosmos
Low Earth (SSO )
Earth observation
17 October 2023[ 17]
Partial spacecraft failure[ 18]
The launch succeeded on its second attempt after a rare pad abort the day before.
14 March 09:31:42[ 6]
Proton-M / Briz-M
Baikonur Site 200/39
Khrunichev
/ ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter
ESA
Areocentric orbit
Mars orbiter
In orbit
Operational
Schiaparelli EDM lander
ESA
TMI to Martian Surface
Mars lander
19 October 2016
Landing failure
18 March 21:26:38
Soyuz-FG
Baikonur Site 1/5
Roscosmos
Soyuz TMA-20M
Roscosmos
Low Earth (ISS )
Expedition 47 /48
7 September 2016 01:13
Successful
Crewed flight with three cosmonauts. Final flight of the Soyuz TMA-M variant
23 March 03:05:52
Atlas V 401
AV-064
Cape Canaveral SLC-41
United Launch Alliance
Cygnus CRS OA-6 S.S. Rick Husband
Orbital ATK / NASA
Low Earth (ISS )
ISS logistics
22 June 2016 13:29
Successful
Diwata-1
DOST / TU
Low Earth
Earth observation
6 April 2020[ 20]
Successful
⚀ Flock-2e ' × 20
Planet Labs
Low Earth
Earth observation
First: 3 October 2017[ 21] Last: 10 November 2018[ 22]
Successful
⚀ Lemur-2 × 9
Spire Global
Low Earth
Earth observation
First: 27 February 2017[ 23] Last: 7 April 2017[ 24]
8 successful, 1 failed to deploy
Anomaly in the mixture ratio control valve assembly, causing the Atlas V booster engine to cut off five seconds early, resulting in a longer-than-usual Centaur orbital insertion burn.[ 19] Cubesats deployed from the ISS and the Cygnus spacecraft at a later date.
24 March 09:42:00
Soyuz-2.1a
Plesetsk Site 43/4
RVSN RF
Kosmos 2515 (Bars-M 2L)
VKS
Low Earth (SSO )
Reconnaissance
In orbit
Operational
29 March 20:11:04
Long March 3A
Xichang LC-2
CASC
BeiDou IGSO-6
CNSA
IGSO
Navigation
In orbit
Operational
31 March 16:23:57
Soyuz-2.1a
Baikonur Site 31/6
Roscosmos
Progress MS-02 / 63P
Roscosmos
Low Earth (ISS )
ISS logistics
14 October 2016 13:39
Successful
⚀ Tomsk-TPU-120
Tomsk Polytechnic University
Low Earth
Technology demonstration
20 October 2019[ 26]
Successful
Tomsk-TPU-120 is a CubeSat deployed into orbit from ISS by Russian astronauts spacewalk on 17 August 2017.[ 25]
April
5 April 17:38:04
Long March 2D
Jiuquan LA-4/SLS-2
CASC
Shijian 10
CAS
Low Earth
Microgravity Science
18 April 2016 08:30
Successful
8 April 20:43:31
Falcon 9 Full Thrust
F9-023
Cape Canaveral SLC-40
SpaceX
SpaceX CRS-8
NASA
Low Earth (ISS )
ISS logistics
11 May 2016 18:31
Successful
BEAM
Bigelow Aerospace / NASA
Low Earth (ISS )
Technology demonstration / ISS Assembly
In orbit
Operational
First stage landed successfully on drone ship Of Course I Still Love You for the first time, the second successful landing overall
25 April 21:02:13
Soyuz-STA / Fregat
Kourou ELS
Arianespace
Sentinel-1B
ESA
Low Earth (SSO )
Earth observation
In orbit
Spacecraft failure[ 27]
MICROSCOPE
CNES
Low Earth (SSO )
Astrophysics
In orbit
Operational
⚀ AAUSAT-4
Aalborg
Low Earth (SSO )
AIS ship tracking
8 September 2023[ 28]
Successful
⚀ e-st@r-II
Polytechnic University of Turin
Low Earth (SSO )
Technology demonstration
9 May 2024[ 29]
Successful
⚀ OUFTI-1
Liège
Low Earth (SSO )
Technology demonstration
14 March 2024[ 30]
Successful
28 April 02:01:21
Soyuz-2.1a / Volga
Vostochny Site 1S
Roscosmos
Mikhailo Lomonosov
MSU
Low Earth (SSO )
Gamma-ray astronomy
16 December 2023[ 31]
Satellite malfunction
Aist-2D
SSAU
Low Earth (SSO )
Technology demonstration
15 April 2024[ 32]
Successful
⚀ SamSat 218
SSAU
Low Earth (SSO )
Technology demonstration
4 March 2022[ 33]
Spacecraft failure
First orbital flight from Vostochny Cosmodrome.
28 April 07:20:00
PSLV -XL
C33
Satish Dhawan FLP
ISRO
IRNSS -1G
ISRO
Geosynchronous
Navigation
In orbit
Operational
May
6 May 05:21:00
Falcon 9 Full Thrust
F9-024
Cape Canaveral SLC-40
SpaceX
JCSAT-14
JSAT
Geosynchronous
Communications
In orbit
Operational
First stage landed on Of Course I Still Love You drone ship, the third successful landing and the first landing with a payload to geostationary transfer orbit.
15 May 02:43
Long March 2D
Jiuquan LA-4/SLS-2
CASC
Yaogan 30
CNSA
Low Earth (SSO )
Reconnaissance
In orbit
Operational
24 May 08:48:43
Soyuz-STB / Fregat
Kourou ELS
Arianespace
Galileo FOC 10
ESA
Medium Earth
Navigation
In orbit
Operational
Galileo FOC 11
ESA
Medium Earth
Navigation
In orbit
Operational
27 May 21:39:00
Falcon 9 Full Thrust
F9-025
Cape Canaveral SLC-40
SpaceX
Thaicom 8
Thaicom
Geosynchronous
Communications
In orbit
Operational
First stage landed on Of Course I Still Love You drone ship, the fourth successful landing and the second landing with a payload to geostationary transfer orbit.
29 May 08:44:35
Soyuz-2.1b / Fregat
Plesetsk Site 43/4
RVSN RF
Kosmos 2516 (GLONASS-M 753 )
VKS
Medium Earth
Navigation
In orbit
Spacecraft failure
Kosmos 2516 experienced a depressurization event in November 2020, which permanently disabled the satellite after four years in operation. It was replaced by GLONASS-K 705 .[ 34]
30 May 03:17:04
Long March 4B
Taiyuan LC-9
CASC
Ziyuan III-02
CNSA
Low Earth (SSO )
Earth observation
In orbit
Operational
ÑuSat -1/-2 (Aleph-1 constellation)[ 35]
Satellogic
Low Earth (SSO )
Earth observation
In orbit
Operational
June
4 June 14:00:13
Rokot / Briz-KM
Plesetsk Site 133/3
RVSN RF
Kosmos 2517 (Geo-IK-2 No.12)
VKS
Low Earth
Geodesy
In orbit
Operational
9 June 07:10:00
Proton-M / Briz-M
Baikonur Site 81/24
International Launch Services
Intelsat 31 / DLA-2
Intelsat / DirecTV
Geosynchronous
Communications
In orbit
Operational
11 June 17:51:00
Delta IV Heavy
Cape Canaveral SLC-37B
United Launch Alliance
USA-268 (Orion 9)
NRO
Geosynchronous
Reconnaissance
In orbit
Operational
NROL-37 mission.
12 June 15:30:04
Long March 3C/E
Xichang LC-3
CASC
BeiDou G7
CNSA
Geosynchronous
Navigation
In orbit
Operational
15 June 14:29:00
Falcon 9 Full Thrust
F9-026
Cape Canaveral SLC-40
SpaceX
Eutelsat 117 West B
Eutelsat
Geosynchronous
Communications
In orbit
Operational
ABS-2A
ABS
Geosynchronous
Communications
In orbit
Operational
Satellites were successfully delivered to orbit, first stage landing on drone ship failed.
18 June 21:38:39
Ariane 5 ECA
VA230
Kourou ELA-3
Arianespace
EchoStar 18
EchoStar
Geosynchronous
Communications
In orbit
Operational
BRIsat
BRI
Geosynchronous
Communications
In orbit
Operational
22 June 03:56:00
PSLV-XL
C34
Satish Dhawan SLP
ISRO
Cartosat-2C
ISRO
Low Earth (SSO )
Earth observation
In orbit
Operational
BIROS
DLR
Low Earth (SSO )
Earth observation
In orbit
Operational
GHGSat-D (Claire )
GHGSat
Low Earth (SSO )
Earth observation
In orbit
Operational
LAPAN-A3
LAPAN
Low Earth (SSO )
Earth observation
In orbit
Operational
M3MSat
CSA
Low Earth (SSO )
Communications
In orbit
Operational
SkySat-C 1
Terra Bella
Low Earth (SSO )
Earth observation
In orbit
Operational
⚀ BeeSat 4
TU Berlin
Low Earth (SSO )
Technology demonstration
In orbit
Operational
⚀ Flock-2p × 12
Planet Labs
Low Earth (SSO )
Earth observation
First: 20 October 2022 Last: 28 March 2023[ 36]
Successful
⚀ SathyabamaSat
Sathyabama University
Low Earth (SSO )
Earth observation
In orbit
Operational
⚀ Swayam
College of Engineering, Pune
Low Earth (SSO )
Technology demonstration
In orbit
Operational
24 June 14:30:00
Atlas V 551
AV-063
Cape Canaveral SLC-41
United Launch Alliance
MUOS-5
US Navy
GSO
Communications
In orbit
Operational in off-nominal but usable orbit[ 37]
25 June 12:00:07
Long March 7 / YZ-1A
Y1
Wenchang LC-2
CASC
Next-generation crew capsule scale model
CMSA
Low Earth
Technology demonstration Flight test
26 June 2016 07:41
Successful
⚀ Star of Aoxiang
NPU
Low Earth
Technology demonstration
29 September 2016
Successful
Aolong-1
CALT
Low Earth
Technology demonstration
27 August 2016
Successful
Tiange-1
Low Earth
Technology demonstration
27 August 2016
Successful
Tiange-2
Low Earth
Technology demonstration
24 August 2016
Successful
Maiden flight of the Long March 7 rocket and the first launch from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center .[ 38]
29 June 03:21:04
Long March 4B
Jiuquan LA-4/SLS-2
CASC
Shijian 16-02
CNSA
Low Earth
Technology demonstration
In orbit
Operational
July
7 July 01:36:40
Soyuz-FG
Baikonur Site 1/5
Roscosmos
Soyuz MS-01
Roscosmos
Low Earth (ISS )
Expedition 48 /49
30 October 2016 03:58
Successful
Crewed flight with three cosmonauts. Maiden flight of the modernized Soyuz MS spacecraft variant.
16 July 21:41:45
Soyuz-U
Baikonur Site 31/6
Roscosmos
Progress MS-03 / 64P
Roscosmos
Low Earth (ISS )
ISS logistics
1 February 2017 18:24
Successful
18 July 04:45:29
Falcon 9 Full Thrust
F9-027
Cape Canaveral SLC-40
SpaceX
SpaceX CRS-9
NASA
Low Earth (ISS )
ISS logistics
26 August 15:47
Successful
Delivering the IDA-2 segment of the NASA Docking System . Second successful return to launch site and vertical landing of a first stage, demonstrated as part of a controlled descent test .
28 July 12:37:00
Atlas V 421
AV-065
Cape Canaveral SLC-41
United Launch Alliance
USA-269 (Quasar NROL-61 )
NRO
Geosynchronous [ 39]
Communications
In orbit
Operational
August
5 August 16:22:04
Long March 3B
Xichang LC-3
CASC
Tiantong-1 01
CAST
Geosynchronous
Communications
In orbit
Operational
9 August 22:55:25
Long March 4C
Taiyuan LC-9
CASC
Gaofen-3
CAST
Low Earth (SSO )
Earth observation
In orbit
Operational
14 August 05:26:00
Falcon 9 Full Thrust
F9-028
Cape Canaveral SLC-40
SpaceX
JCSAT-16
JSAT
Geosynchronous
Communications
In orbit
Operational
15 August 17:40:04
Long March 2D
Jiuquan LA-4/SLS-2
CASC
Quantum Experiments At Space Scale (QUESS)[ 40]
CAS
Low Earth (SSO )
Technology demonstration
In orbit
Operational
Lixing-1
CAS
Low Earth (SSO )
Technology demonstration
19 August 2016[ 41]
Spacecraft failure
⚀ 3 Cat 2
UPC
Low Earth (SSO )
Technology demonstration
18 December 2023[ 42]
Successful
19 August 04:52:00
Delta IV M+ (4,2)
Cape Canaveral SLC-37B
United Launch Alliance
AFSPC 6 / USA-270 / GSSAP #3
US Air Force
Geosynchronous
Space surveillance
In orbit
Operational
AFSPC 6 / USA-271 / GSSAP #4
US Air Force
Geosynchronous
Space surveillance
In orbit
Operational
24 August 22:16:01
Ariane 5 ECA
VA232
Kourou ELA-3
Arianespace
Intelsat 33e
Intelsat
Geosynchronous
Communications
In orbit
Operational[ 43]
Intelsat 36
Intelsat
Geosynchronous
Communications
In orbit
Operational
31 August 18:50:00
Long March 4C
Taiyuan LC-9
CASC
Gaofen-10
CAST
Low Earth (SSO )
Earth observation
31 August 2016
Launch failure
September
3 September 07:00–09:00 (scheduled)[ 45]
Falcon 9 Full Thrust
Cape Canaveral SLC-40
SpaceX
AMOS-6
Spacecom
Planned: Geosynchronous
Communications
N/A
Destroyed prior to launch[ 44]
Launch pad explosion destroyed both the rocket and the satellite two days prior to scheduled launch, on 13:07, 1 September 2016 (UTC) (2016-09-01T13:07Z ) .[ 44]
8 September 11:20:00
GSLV Mk II
F05
Satish Dhawan SLP
ISRO
INSAT-3DR
ISRO
Geosynchronous
Meteorology
In orbit
Operational
8 September 23:05:00
Atlas V 411
AV-067
Cape Canaveral SLC-41
United Launch Alliance
OSIRIS-REx
NASA
Heliocentric
Asteroid sample return
In orbit
Operational
Reached asteroid Bennu in December 2018. Scheduled to return to Earth in September 2023.
13 September 14:38:00
Shavit-2
Palmachim
Israel Aerospace Industries
Ofeq 11
Israel Defense Forces
Low Earth
Reconnaissance
In orbit
Satellite malfunction[ 46]
15 September 14:04:12
Long March 2F /G
T2
Jiuquan LA-4/SLS-1
CNSA
Tiangong-2
CMSA
Low Earth
Space station
19 July 2019[ 47] 13:06
Successful
BanXing 2
SAST
Low Earth
Technology demonstration
15 July 2019[ 48]
Successful
Second Chinese space laboratory, BanXing 2 deployed 22 October
16 September 01:43:35
Vega
Kourou ELV
Arianespace
PeruSat -1
Peruvian Armed Forces
Low Earth (SSO )
Reconnaissance
In orbit
Operational
SkySat × 4
Terra Bella
Low Earth (SSO )
Earth observation
In orbit
Operational
26 September 03:42:00
PSLV -G
C35
Satish Dhawan FLP
ISRO
ScatSat-1
ISRO
Low Earth (SSO )
Meteorology
In orbit
Successful[ 49]
Alsat-1B
Algerian Space Agency
Low Earth (SSO )
Earth observation
In orbit
Operational
Alsat-2B
Algerian Space Agency
Low Earth (SSO )
Earth observation
In orbit
Operational
Blacksky Pathfinder-1
BlackSky Global
Low Earth (SSO )
Earth observation
In orbit
Operational
Pratham
IIT Bombay
Low Earth (SSO )
Technology demonstration
In orbit
Operational
PISat
PES University
Low Earth (SSO )
Earth observation
In orbit
Operational
⚀ Alsat-1N
Algerian Space Agency
Low Earth (SSO )
Earth observation
In orbit
Operational
⚀ CanX-7
UTIAS Space Flight Laboratory
Low Earth (SSO )
Technology demonstration
21 April 2022[ 50]
Successful
Final launch of the original Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-G configuration with S9 solid rocket motors.
October
5 October 20:30
Ariane 5 ECA
VA231
Kourou ELA-3
Arianespace
NBN-Co 1B / Sky Muster II
NBN
Geosynchronous
Communications
In orbit
Operational
GSAT-18
ISRO
Geosynchronous
Communications
In orbit
Operational
16 October 23:30
Long March 2F
Y11
Jiuquan LA-4 / SLS-1
CASC
Shenzhou 11
CMSA
Low Earth
Docking with Tiangong-2
18 November 2016 06:15
Successful
Crewed flight with two astronauts[ 51]
17 October 23:45
Antares 230
MARS Pad 0A
Orbital ATK
Cygnus CRS OA-5
NASA
Low Earth (ISS )
ISS logistics
27 November 2016 23:36
Successful
⚀ Lemur-2 × 4
Spire Global
Low Earth
Earth observation
In orbit
Operational
CubeSats were deployed from the ISS and Cygnus spacecraft at a later date.
19 October 08:05
Soyuz-FG
Baikonur Site 31/6
Roscosmos
Soyuz MS-02
Roscosmos
Low Earth (ISS )
Expedition 49 /50
10 April 2017 11:20
Successful
Crewed flight with three cosmonauts
November
2 November 06:20:00
H-IIA 202
F31
Tanegashima LA-Y1
MHI
Himawari 9
JMA
Geosynchronous
Meteorology
In orbit
Operational
3 November 12:42
Long March 5
Wenchang LC-1
CASC
Shijian 17
CNSA
Geosynchronous
Technology demonstration / Space rendezvous
In orbit
Operational
Maiden flight of the Long March 5 rocket. Chinese state media claims Shijian-17 is a test of electric propulsion, though this is disputed by outside analysts tracking the satellite's unusual space rendezvous movements.[ 52] [ 53]
9 November 23:42[ 54]
Long March 11
Jiuquan LS-95A
CASC
XPNAV 1 [ 55]
CAS
Low Earth (SSO )
X-ray pulsar-based navigation
In orbit
Operational
⚀ Xiaoxiang 1 [ 56]
Changsha Gaoxinqu Tianyi Research Institute
Low Earth (SSO )
Technology demonstration
In orbit
Operational
⚀ Lishui 1-01
Zhejiang LiTong Electronic Technology Co.
Low Earth (SSO )
Earth observation
In orbit
Operational
⚀ Pina-2 × 2
Low Earth (SSO )
Technology demonstration
In orbit
Operational
11 November 18:30
Atlas V 401
AV-062
Vandenberg SLC-3E
United Launch Alliance
WorldView-4
DigitalGlobe
Low Earth (SSO )
Earth observation
30 November 2021 05:20[ 58]
Spacecraft failure
⚀ CELTEE 1
M42 Technologies
Low Earth (SSO )
Calibration
In orbit
Operational
⚀ Prometheus-2 × 2
LANL
Low Earth (SSO )
Technology demonstration
In orbit
Operational
⚀ AeroCube 8 × 2
Aerospace
Low Earth (SSO )
Technology demonstration
In orbit
Operational
⚀ OptiCube 4
NASA Orbital Debris Program Office
Low Earth (SSO )
Calibration
In orbit
Operational
⚀ RAVAN
JHU/APL
Low Earth (SSO )
Technology demonstration / Earth observation
In orbit
Operational
CubeSats deployed after WorldView-4 separation as part of NRO -sponsored ENTERPRISE mission. WorldView-4 experienced a failure in one of its control moment gyroscopes in January 2019, making the spacecraft unrecoverable.[ 57]
11 November 23:14
Long March 2D
Jiuquan LA-4/SLS-2
CASC
Yunhai-1
SAST
Low Earth
Earth observation
In orbit
Operational
17 November 13:06:48
Ariane 5 ES
VA233
Kourou ELA-3
Arianespace
Galileo FOC 7
ESA
Medium Earth
Navigation
In orbit
Operational
Galileo FOC 12
ESA
Medium Earth
Navigation
In orbit
Operational
Galileo FOC 13
ESA
Medium Earth
Navigation
In orbit
Operational
Galileo FOC 14
ESA
Medium Earth
Navigation
In orbit
Operational
First Galileo launch with Ariane 5 (8th overall), carrying Antonianna , Lisa , Kimberley , and Tijmen .
17 November 20:20:14
Soyuz-FG
Baikonur Site 1/5
Roscosmos
Soyuz MS-03
Roscosmos
Low Earth (ISS )
Expedition 50 /51 /52
2 June 2017
Successful
Crewed flight with three cosmonauts. Peggy Whitson 's mission was prolonged over Expedition 52 until September 2017.
19 November 23:42:00
Atlas V 541
AV-069
Cape Canaveral SLC-41
United Launch Alliance
GOES-R (GOES-16)
NASA / NOAA
Geosynchronous
Meteorology
In orbit
Operational
22 November 15:24:04
Long March 3C/E
Xichang LC-2
CASC
Tianlian I -04
CNSA
Geosynchronous
Communications
In orbit
Operational
December
1 December 14:52
Soyuz-U
Baikonur Site 1/5
Roscosmos
Progress MS-04 / 65P
Roscosmos
Planned: Low Earth (ISS )
ISS logistics
1 December
Launch failure
5 December 13:51:44
Vega
Kourou ELV
Arianespace
Göktürk-1
Turkish Armed Forces
Low Earth (SSO )
Reconnaissance
In orbit
Operational
7 December 04:54
PSLV -XL
C36
Satish Dhawan FLP
ISRO
Resourcesat-2A
ISRO
Low Earth (SSO )
Remote sensing
In orbit
Operational
7 December 23:53
Delta IV M+ (5,4)
Cape Canaveral SLC-37B
United Launch Alliance
USA-272 / WGS-8
US Air Force
Geosynchronous
Communications
In orbit
Operational
9 December 13:26:47
H-IIB
F6
Tanegashima LA-Y2
MHI
HTV-6
JAXA
Low Earth (ISS )
ISS logistics
5 February 2017 15:06
Successful
⚀ EGG
UTokyo
Low Earth
Technology demonstration / Re-entry Demonstration
15 May 2017[ 64]
Successful
⚀ TuPOD
GAUSS Srl
Low Earth
TubeSat Deployment / Amateur radio
8 September 2017[ 65]
Successful
⚀ / AOBA-VELOX 3
NTU / Kyutech
Low Earth
Technology demonstration
1 November 2018[ 66]
Successful
⚀ STARS C
Kagawa University
Low Earth
Technology demonstration
3 March 2018[ 67]
Successful
⚀ FREEDOM
Nakashimada Engineering Works / Tohoku University
Low Earth
Technology demonstration
5 February 2017[ 68]
Successful
⚀ ITF-2
University of Tsukuba
Low Earth
Technology demonstration
3 January 2019[ 69]
Successful
⚀ Waseda-SAT 3
Waseda University
Low Earth
Technology demonstration
6 October 2018[ 70]
Successful
OSNSAT
Open Space Network
Low Earth
Technology demonstration
11 January 2018[ 71]
Successful
Tancredo-1
Escola Municipal Presidente Tancredo de Almeida Neves/INPE
Low Earth
Technology demonstration
18 October 2017[ 72]
Successful
⚀ TechEdSat 5
SJSU /UI
Low Earth
Technology demonstration
29 July 2017[ 73]
Successful
⚀ Lemur-2 × 4
Spire Global
Low Earth
AIS
First: 15 April 2018[ 74] Last: 5 December 2018[ 75]
Successful
CubeSats to be deployed at a later date. Tancredo-1 and OSNSAT are carried inside TuPOD and to be deployed from it. STARS-C was deployed on 19 December 2016. ITF-2, WASEDA-SAT3, FREEDOM, EGG, AOBA-Velox III, and TuPOD were deployed on 16 January 2017.[ 59] Tancredo-1 and OSNSAT were released from TuPOD on 19 January 2017.[ 60] Lemur-2 and TechEdSat-5 were deployed on 6–7 March 2017.[ 61] [ 62] [ 63]
10 December 16:11:00
Long March 3B
Xichang LC-3
CASC
Fengyun 4A
CMA
Geosynchronous
Meteorology
In orbit
Operational
15 December 13:37:21
Pegasus-XL
Stargazer , Cape Canaveral
Orbital ATK
CYGNSS × 8
NASA
Low Earth
Meteorology
In orbit
Operational
18 December 19:13
Atlas V 431
AV-071
Cape Canaveral SLC-41
United Launch Alliance
EchoStar 19
HughesNet
Geosynchronous
Communications
In orbit
Operational
20 December 11:00
Epsilon
Epsilon-2[ 76]
Uchinoura
JAXA
Arase (ERG)
JAXA
Medium Earth (elliptical)
Magnetospherics
In orbit
Operational
21 December 19:22
Long March 2D
Jiuquan LA-4/SLS-2
CASC
TanSat [ 77]
CAS
Low Earth (SSO )
Earth observation
In orbit
Operational
Spark × 2
CAS
Low Earth (SSO )
Earth observation
In orbit
Operational
21 December 20:30
Ariane 5 ECA
VA234
Kourou ELA-3
Arianespace
Star One D1
Star One
Geosynchronous
Communications
In orbit
Operational
JCSAT-15
JSAT
Geosynchronous
Communications
In orbit
Operational
28 December 03:23:56
Long March 2D
Taiyuan
CASC
SuperView / Gaojing-1 01
Beijing Space View Technology
Low Earth (SSO )
Earth observation
In orbit
Partial launch failure; Operational
SuperView / Gaojing-1 02
Beijing Space View Technology
Low Earth (SSO )
Earth observation
In orbit
Partial launch failure; Operational
⚀ Bayi Kepu 1
China Association for Science and Technology
Low Earth (SSO )
Technology demonstration
18 February 2017[ 79]
Partial launch failure; Successful
Launch vehicle problem deployed satellites in a lower than planned orbit. SuperView satellites raising their own orbits, but CubeSats cannot so may have short lifespan.[ 78]
Suborbital flights
Date and time (UTC )
Rocket
Flight number
Launch site
LSP
Payload (⚀ = CubeSat )
Operator
Orbit
Function
Decay (UTC)
Outcome
Remarks
15 January 03:00:00
S-310
Uchinoura
JAXA
TPU / Tohoku University / Tokai University / KU / JAXA
Suborbital
Ionospheric research
15 January
Successful
Apogee: 161 kilometres (100 mi)[ 80]
22 January
New Shepard
Corn Ranch
Blue Origin
New Shepard crew capsule
Blue Origin
Suborbital
Test flight
22 January
Successful
Apogee: 101.7 kilometres (63.2 mi)[ 81]
23 January 08:30
VSB-30
Esrange
EuroLaunch
/ TEXUS -53
DLR / ESA
Suborbital
Microgravity
23 January
Successful
Apogee: 252 kilometres (157 mi)
28 January
SRALT ?
C-17 , Pacific Ocean
MDA
MDA
Suborbital
ABM target
28 January
Successful
Apogee: 300 kilometres (190 mi), CTV-02+ target
28 January
Ground Based Interceptor
Vandenberg LF-23
MDA
MDA
Suborbital
ABM test
28 January
Successful
CTV-02+, successful test flight, the CE-II kill vehicle performed scripted maneuvers to demonstrate performance of alternate divert thrusters. Upon entering terminal phase, the kill vehicle initiated a planned burn sequence to evaluate the alternate divert thrusters until fuel was exhausted, intentionally precluding an intercept.
2 February 21:09
VS-30
Esrange
SSC
SPIDER/LEEWAVES
SSC
Suborbital
Technology
2 February
Successful
Apogee: 138 kilometres (86 mi)
21 February 07:34
LGM-30G Minuteman III
Vandenberg LF-09
US Air Force
US Air Force
Suborbital
Test flight
21 February
Successful
GT217GM, Apogee: ~1,300 kilometres (810 mi) ?
22 February 04:15
Black Brant IX
White Sands
NASA
CHESS-2
LASP
Suborbital
Astronomy
22 February
Successful
Apogee: 309 kilometres (192 mi)
26 February 07:01
LGM-30G Minuteman III
Vandenberg LF-10
US Air Force
US Air Force
Suborbital
Test flight
26 February
Successful
GT218GM, Apogee: ~1,300 kilometres (810 mi) ?
1 March 14:50
Terrier Malemute
Wallops Island
NASA
MUSIC
West Virginia University
Suborbital
Technology experiments
1 March
Successful
Apogee: ~185 kilometers (115 mi)[ 82]
7 March 12:05
Terrier Orion
Wallops Island
NASA
SOAREX-9
NASA Ames
Suborbital
Technology experiment
7 March
Successful
RadPC
Montana State University
Suborbital
Technology experiment
7 March
Successful
VIP
Controlled Dynamics
Suborbital
Technology experiment
7 March
Successful
Apogee: ~159 kilometers (99 mi)
7 March
K-4
Visakhapatnam
Indian Navy
Indian Navy
Suborbital
Missile test
7 March
Successful
Apogee: 500 km?
8 March
Shahab-3
Iran
IRGC
IRGC
Suborbital
Missile test
8 March
Successful
Apogee: ~150 kilometres (93 mi)
14 March
Agni-I
Integrated Test Range
IDRDL
IDRDL
Suborbital
Missile test
14 March
Successful
Apogee: ~500 kilometres (310 mi)?
14 March
UGM-133 Trident II D5
Submarine, ETR
US Navy
US Navy
Suborbital
Missile test
14 March
Successful
Follow-on Commander's Evaluation Test 52
15 March
UGM-133 Trident II D5
Submarine, ETR
US Navy
US Navy
Suborbital
Missile test
15 March
Successful
Follow-on Commander's Evaluation Test 52
16 March
UGM-133 Trident II D5
Submarine, ETR
US Navy
US Navy
Suborbital
Missile test
16 March
Successful
Follow-on Commander's Evaluation Test 52
31 March
K-4
INS Arihant
Indian Navy
Indian Navy
Suborbital
Missile test
31 March
Successful
First K-4 launch from a submarine[ 83]
2 April 15:18
New Shepard
Corn Ranch
Blue Origin
New Shepard crew capsule
Blue Origin
Suborbital
Test flight
2 April
Successful
BORE
Southwest Research Institute
Suborbital
Microgravity experiment
2 April
Successful
COLLIDE
University of Central Florida
Suborbital
Microgravity experiment
2 April
Successful
Apogee: 103.8 kilometers (64.5 mi). Third successful booster landing of the same rocket.[ 84]
19 April 06:41
UR-100NU
Yasniy
RVSN
RVSN
Suborbital
Missile test
19 April
Successful
Yu-71 Hypersonic Vehicle Test, Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)?
26 April 17:00
Tianying 3F
Hainan
CNSA
Kunpeng-1B
CSSAR
Suborbital
Environment monitoring
26 April
Successful
Apogee: 316 kilometres (196 mi)
18 May 00:45
VS-30 /Improved Orion
Woomera Test Range
DSTO
HiFire-5B
DSTO
Suborbital
Technology
18 May
Successful
Apogee: 278 kilometres (173 mi)
18 May 07:02
MRBM-T3
Kauai
MDA
MDA
Suborbital
Radar target
18 May
Successful
Medium Range Ballistic Missile Target, Aegis radar target FTX-21, apogee: 300 kilometres (190 mi)?
25 May
RIM-161 Standard Missile 3 -IB
USS Hopper , Kauai
US Navy
US Navy
Suborbital
Test flight
25 May
Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)?
26 May
RIM-161 Standard Missile 3-IB
USS Hopper , Kauai
US Navy
US Navy
Suborbital
Test flight
26 May
Successful
Apogee: 100 kilometres (62 mi)?
1 June 19:00
Black Brant IX
White Sands
NASA
EVE
CU Boulder
Suborbital
SDO calibration
1 June
Successful
Apogee: 290 kilometres (180 mi)
19 June 14:35
New Shepard
Corn Ranch
Blue Origin
New Shepard crew capsule
Blue Origin
Suborbital
Test flight
19 June
Successful
Capillary Flow Experiment
Purdue University School of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Suborbital
Microgravity experiment
19 June
Successful
EITIC
Louisiana State University
Suborbital
Microgravity experiment
19 June
Successful
MEDEA
Braunschweig University of Technology
Suborbital
Microgravity experiment
19 June
Successful
Apogee: 101 kilometers (62.8 mi). Fourth successful booster landing of the same rocket.
21 June[ 85] 23:03
Hwasong-10
Wonsan Airport
Korean People's Army Strategic Force
Korean People's Army Strategic Force
Suborbital
Missile test
21 June
Successful
Apogee: 1,400 kilometres (870 mi).
24 June 10:06
Terrier Improved Orion
Wallops Island
NASA
RockOn/RockSat-C
CU Boulder
Suborbital
Student experiments
24 June
Successful
Apogee: ~119 kilometres (74 mi)
30 June 09:43
Improved Malemute
Andøya
Andøya
MaxiDusty 1
Oslo /Andøya
Suborbital
Atmospheric Science
30 June
Successful
Apogee: 115 kilometres (71 mi)
? June
UGM-133 Trident II D5
HMS Vengeance
Royal Navy
Royal Navy
Suborbital
Missile test
? June
Launch failure
–
1 July 07:18
M51
Le Triomphant , Audierne Bay
DGA/Marine nationale
DGA/Marine nationale
Suborbital
Test flight
1 July
Successful
Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)?
8 July 13:01
Improved Malemute
Andøya
Andøya
MaxiDusty 1b
Oslo /Andøya
Suborbital
Atmospheric Science
8 July
Successful
Apogee: 117 kilometres (73 mi)
11 July
Khorramshahr
Semnan
AFIRI
AFIRI
Suborbital
Missile test
11 July
Launch failure
19 July 04:05
Terrier Improved Orion
Esrange
DLR
ROTEX-T
DLR
Suborbital
Technology
19 July
Successful
Apogee: 182 kilometres (113 mi)
27 July 18:26
Black Brant IX
White Sands
NASA
Hi-C
NASA/MSFC
Suborbital
Solar research
27 July
Spacecraft failure
Apogee: 250 kilometres (160 mi)
17 August 11:33
Terrier-Improved Malemute
Wallops Island
NASA
Rocksat-X
University of Colorado Boulder
Suborbital
Student Research
17 August
Successful
Apogee: ~153 kilometres (95 mi)
23 August[ 85] 20:29
Pukguksong-1
Sinpo Shipyard
Korean People's Army Strategic Force
Korean People's Army Strategic Force
Suborbital
Missile test
23 August
Successful
Apogee: about 550 kilometres (340 mi), according to South Korean military.
25 August
RS-24 Yars ?
Plesetsk
RVSN
RVSN
Suborbital
Missile test
25 August
Launch failure
31 August
UGM-133 Trident II D5
USS Maryland , ETR
US Navy
US Navy
Suborbital
Missile test
31 August
Successful
5 September[ 85] 03:13
Hwasong-9 (Scud-ER)
Hwangju
Korean People's Army Strategic Force
Korean People's Army Strategic Force
Suborbital
Missile test
5 September
Successful
Apogee: about 200 kilometres (120 mi).[ 86] 1 of 3.
5 September[ 85] 03:13
Hwasong-9 (Scud-ER)
Hwangju
Korean People's Army Strategic Force
Korean People's Army Strategic Force
Suborbital
Missile test
5 September
Successful
Apogee: about 200 kilometres (120 mi).[ 86] 2 of 3.
5 September[ 85] 03:13
Hwasong-9 (Scud-ER)
Hwangju
Korean People's Army Strategic Force
Korean People's Army Strategic Force
Suborbital
Missile test
5 September
Successful
Apogee: about 200 kilometres (120 mi).[ 86] 3 of 3.
5 September 09:10
LGM-30G Minuteman III
Vandenberg LF-04
US Air Force
US Air Force
Suborbital
Test flight
5 September
Successful
GT219GM, Apogee: ~1,300 kilometres (810 mi) ?
9 September
RS-12M Topol
Plesetsk
RVSN
RVSN
Suborbital
Missile test
9 September
Successful
27 September
RSM-56 Bulava
K-535 Yury Dolgorukiy , White Sea
VMF
VMF
Suborbital
Missile test
27 September
Successful
27 September
RSM-56 Bulava
K-535 Yury Dolgorukiy , White Sea
VMF
VMF
Suborbital
Missile test
27 September
Launch failure?
The second missile self destroyed "after completing the first phase of the flight", maybe intentional. It appears to be a normal practice in salvo launches. The missile probably carried mockups instead of working upper stages and warheads to save money.
5 October 15:37
New Shepard
Corn Ranch
Blue Origin
New Shepard crew capsule
Blue Origin
Suborbital
Test flight
5 October
Successful
In-flight escape test 45 seconds after launch. Booster unexpectedly survived and reached an apogee of 93.7 kilometres (58.2 mi) before completing its fifth successful landing.
12 October
R-29R Volna
K-433 Svyatoy Georgiy Pobedonosets , Sea of Okhotsk
VMF
VMF
Suborbital
Missile test
12 October
Successful
12 October
R-29RMU Sineva
K-407 Novomoskovsk , Barents Sea
VMF
VMF
Suborbital
Missile test
12 October
Successful
12 October
RS-12M Topol
Plesetsk
RVSN
RVSN
Suborbital
Missile test
12 October
Successful
25 October 08:58
UR-100NU
Yasniy
RVSN
RVSN
Suborbital
Missile test
25 October
Successful
Yu-71 Hypersonic Vehicle Test, Apogee: 1,000 kilometres (620 mi)?
22 November
Agni-I
Integrated Test Range
IDRDL
IDRDL
Suborbital
Missile test
22 November
Successful
Apogee: ~500 kilometres (310 mi)?
6 December
Shahab-3
Iran
IRGC
IRGC
Suborbital
Missile test
6 December
Successful
Apogee: ~150 kilometres (93 mi)
8 December
B-611 ?
Shuangchengzi
PLA
PLA
Suborbital
ABM target
8 December
Successful
Target
8 December
SC-19
Korla
PLA
PLA
Suborbital
ABM test
8 December
Successful
Interceptor
15 December
MRBM
FTM-27
Kauai
MDA
MDA
Suborbital
ABM target
15 December
Successful
FTM-27 target, successfully intercepted by two SM-6 missiles in low altitude
15 December 16:15
Zombie (ATACMS )
Zombie Pathfinder
White Sands
NASA
US Army
Suborbital
Test flight
15 December
Successful
Apogee: 80 kilometres (50 mi)?
26 December 05:35
Agni V
Integrated Test Range Launch Complex IV
DRDO
DRDO
Suborbital
Missile test
26 December
Successful
Apogee: ~800 kilometres (500 mi)
Deep space rendezvous
Wikinews has related news:
Date (UTC )
Spacecraft
Event
Remarks
14 January
Mars Express
Flyby of Phobos
Closest approach: 53 kilometres (33 mi).[ 87]
15 January[ 88]
Cassini
116th flyby of Titan
Closest approach: 3,817 kilometres (2,372 mi).
31 January
Cassini
117th flyby of Titan
Closest approach: 1,400 kilometres (870 mi).
16 February
Cassini
118th flyby of Titan
Closest approach: 1,018 kilometres (633 mi).
4 April
Cassini
119th flyby of Titan
Closest approach: 990 kilometres (615 mi).
6 May
Cassini
120th flyby of Titan
Closest approach: 971 kilometres (603 mi).
7 June
Cassini
121st flyby of Titan
Closest approach: 975 kilometres (606 mi).
4 July[ 89]
Juno
Orbit injection around Jupiter (jovicentric )
First solar-powered Jovian probe, second orbiter.
4 July
Mars Express
Flyby of Phobos
Closest approach: 350 kilometres (220 mi).
25 July
Cassini
122nd flyby of Titan
Closest approach: 976 kilometres (606 mi).
10 August
Cassini
123rd flyby of Titan
Closest approach: 1,599 kilometres (994 mi).
27 August
Juno
1st perijove of Jupiter
Closest approach: 2,600 kilometres (1,600 mi).[ 90]
26 September
Cassini
124th flyby of Titan
Closest approach: 1,737 kilometres (1,079 mi).
30 September
Rosetta
Landing on 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko
Probe was programmed to deactivate its thrusters and radio transmissions after landing.
19 October
Trace Gas Orbiter (ExoMars 2016 )
Orbit injection around Mars (areocentric )
19 October
Schiaparelli (ExoMars 2016)
Landing on Mars , Meridiani Planum
Probe entered Martian atmosphere intact, but contact was lost 50 seconds before expected landing.[ 91] NASA's MRO later identified the Schiaparelli crash site at coordinates 2°03′S 6°14′W / 2.05°S 6.24°W / -2.05; -6.24 , confirming the loss of the lander.[ 92]
19 October
Juno
2nd perijove
Period Reduction Maneuver[ 93] originally planned, but delayed due to valve issues.[ 94] The maneuver was later cancelled entirely in favor of remaining in a 53-day orbit.[ 95]
13 November
Cassini
125th flyby of Titan
Closest approach: 1,582 kilometres (983 mi).
16 November
Mars Express
Flyby of Phobos
Closest approach: 127 kilometres (79 mi).
29 November
Cassini
126th flyby of Titan
Closest approach: 3,223 kilometres (2,003 mi).
11 December
Juno
3rd perijove
Start date/time
Duration
End time
Spacecraft
Crew
Remarks
15 January 13:48
4 hours 43 minutes
18:31
Expedition 46 ISS Quest
Replaced a failed voltage regulator responsible for shutting down one of the station's eight power channels in November 2015, and routed cables in support of the installation of the International Docking Adaptor . EVA terminated two hours early due to water leakage in Kopra's helmet, but the primary task was accomplished.[ 96]
3 February 12:55
4 hours 45 minutes
17:40
Expedition 46 ISS Pirs
Deployed a commemorative flash drive, took samples of module exteriors, installed handrails for use in future EVAs, retrieved an astrobiology experiment, deployed a materials science experiment, and tested a tool for applying coatings to module exteriors.[ 97]
19 August 12:04
5 hours 58 minutes
18:02
Expedition 48 ISS Quest
The astronauts installed the International Docking Adapter (IDA) which was delivered by Dragon CRS-9 , allowing future commercial crew spacecraft to dock with the station. This first IDA was attached to Harmony 's forward port, over the existing Pressurized Mating Adapter (PMA).[ 98] [ 99] The EVA terminated after completing the primary objective, without completing the secondary objectives, due to a malfunction of the right earphone of Jeff Williams.
1 September 11:53
6 hours 48 minutes
18:41
Expedition 48 ISS Quest
The crew retracted a thermal radiator which is a backup, and then installed the first pair of several high-definition cameras to monitor the traffic around the station. Then they have performed some maintenance operations.[ 100]
Space debris events
Date/Time (UTC)
Source object
Event type
Pieces tracked
Remarks
26 March 01:42[ 101]
Hitomi
Satellite breakup
10[ 102]
JAXA lost communications with the freshly launched telescope during its early commissioning phase. Meanwhile, JspOC observed 5 then 10 pieces of debris diverging from the satellite, one of them comparably sized to the main spacecraft by radar signature.[ 103]
Hitomi itself went into a tumble and sent short intermittent communications. The tumble was caused by a failure of the inertial reference unit mistakenly reporting the spacecraft to be spinning. As the attitude control system attempted to correct the non-existent spin, the unnecessary correction itself is believed to have caused the subsuqent failures, ultimately leading to the loss of the spacecraft, 28 April. [ 104] [ 105] [ 16]
In a twist of fate, one of the secondary payloads traveling with Hitomi was ChubuSat-3 , a microsatellite dedicated to monitoring global warming effects and space debris.[ 106]
1 June 09:20 [ 107]
SL-12 R/B (#33473)
Booster breakup
20+ [ 107]
An ullage motor , part of a Russian Proton-M rocket that was launched in December 2008, exploded for unknown reasons.[ 108]
Orbital launch statistics
By country
For the purposes of this section, the yearly tally of orbital launches by country assigns each flight to the country of origin of the rocket, not to the launch services provider or the spaceport. For example, Soyuz launches by Arianespace in Kourou are counted under Russia because Soyuz-2 is a Russian rocket.
By rocket
By family
By type
By configuration
By spaceport
China
France
India
Israel
Japan
Kazakhstan
North Korea
Russia
United States
By orbit
Transatmospheric
Low Earth
Low Earth (ISS)
Low Earth (SSO)
Low Earth (retrograde)
Medium Earth
Geosychronous (transfer)
Inclined GSO
High Earth
Heliocentric
References
Bergin, Chris. "NASASpaceFlight.com" .
Clark, Stephen. "Spaceflight Now" .
Kelso, T.S. "Satellite Catalog (SATCAT)" . CelesTrak. [dead link ]
Krebs, Gunter. "Chronology of Space Launches" .
Kyle, Ed. "Space Launch Report" . Archived from the original on 5 October 2009. Retrieved 13 August 2022 .
McDowell, Jonathan. "GCAT Orbital Launch Log" .
Pietrobon, Steven. "Steven Pietrobon's Space Archive" .
Wade, Mark. "Encyclopedia Astronautica" .
Webb, Brian. "Southwest Space Archive" .
Zak, Anatoly. "Russian Space Web" .
"ISS Calendar" . Spaceflight 101 .
"NSSDCA Master Catalog" . NASA Space Science Data Coordinated Archive . NASA Goddard Space Flight Center .
"Space Calendar" . NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory .[dead link ]
"Space Information Center" . JAXA .[dead link ]
"Хроника освоения космоса" [Chronicle of space exploration]. CosmoWorld (in Russian).
"Rocket Launch Manifest" . Next Spaceflight .
Notes
^ Clockwise from top: The first ever landing of a Falcon 9 Full Thrust first stage on an autonomous spaceport drone ship , during Falcon 9 Flight 23 in April. The impact site of Schiaparelli on Meridiani Planum , viewed by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter in October. The lander's retro-rockets failed during descent, and accidentally impacted Mars at an estimated speed of 540 kilometres per hour (340 mph). Juno observes Jupiter 's southern aurora during its first science orbit in August, seven weeks after its partially successful orbital insertion around the planet. Following an engine failure in its second orbit, the spacecraft remained in a larger orbit than intended for its prime mission.Image of Tiangong-2 , China's 2nd space laboratory, undergoing ground testing. Maiden flight of Long March 5 , the first Heavy-lift launch vehicle rocket launched in Asia
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1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s
January February March April May June July August September October November December
Progress MS-04
Göktürk-1
Resourcesat-2A
WGS-8
HTV-6 / Kounotori 6 , (EGG, TuPOD, UBAKUSAT, AOBA-VELOX, STARS, FREEDOM, ITF, Waseda-SAT, OSNSAT, Tancredo-1 , TechEDSat, Lemur-2 × 4 )
Fengyun 4A
CYGNSS × 8
EchoStar 19
Arase / ERG
TanSat , Spark × 2
Star One D1 , JCSAT-15
SuperView / Gaojing-1 01, 02, Bayi Kepu 1
Launches are separated by dots ( • ), payloads by commas ( , ), multiple names for the same satellite by slashes ( / ).Crewed flights are underlined. Launch failures are marked with the † sign. Payloads deployed from other spacecraft are (enclosed in parentheses).