# 1968 in spaceflight

"none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]]
The United States National Space Science Data Center catalogued 157 spacecraft placed into orbit by launches, which occurred in 1968. The first crewed Apollo missions occurred in 1968. It was also the year in which Earth lifeforms first left low Earth orbit, during the successful Zond 5 mission to the Moon and the Zond 6 lunar mission which crashed upon return, and the year that humans first left low Earth orbit, during the successful Apollo 8 mission to the Moon.

## Deep space lunar missions

| Date (UTC) | Spacecraft | Event | Remarks |
| 10 January | Surveyor 7 | Lunar landing | in the debris from Tycho crater |
| 31 January | Lunar Orbiter 5 | Lunar impact | |
| 10 April | Luna 14 | Lunar orbit insertion | |
| 18 September | Zond 5 | Flyby of the Moon; first return to Earth after flight to Moon; first Earth life forms to travel around the Moon (two Russian tortoises) | Closest approach: 1,950 kilometres (1,210 mi) |
| 14 November | Zond 6 | Flyby of the Moon, with turtles, flies, and bacteria | Closest approach: 2,420 kilometres (1,500 mi) |
| 24 December | Apollo 8 | Lunar orbit insertion; first humans to travel around the Moon | |
| 25 December | Apollo 8 | Leaves lunar orbit | Completed 10 orbits |

## Orbital launches

* ← Jan
* Feb
* Mar
* Apr
* May
* Jun
* Jul
* Aug
* Sep
* Oct
* Nov
* Dec →
    Key
    USA
    Soviet Union

### January

January launches :
| Date and time (UTC) | Rocket | Rocket | Flight number | Launch site | Launch site | LSP | LSP |
| Date and time (UTC) | | Payload | Operator | Orbit | Function | Decay (UTC) | Outcome |
| Remarks ||||||
| 7 January 06:30 | Atlas-SLV3 Centaur-D | Atlas-SLV3 Centaur-D | AC-15 | Cape Canaveral SLC-36A | Cape Canaveral SLC-36A | | |
| 7 January 06:30 | | Surveyor 7 | NASA | Selenocentric | Lunar lander | 10 January (on Moon) | Successful |
| 11 January 16:16 | Delta E1 | Delta E1 | D-56 | Vandenberg SLC-2E | Vandenberg SLC-2E | | |
| 11 January 16:16 | | Explorer 36 (GEOS-B) | NASA | Low Earth | Research | In orbit | Successful |
| 16 January 12:00 | Voskhod | Voskhod | | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | | |
| 16 January 12:00 | | Kosmos 199 (Zenit-2 #58) | GRU | Low Earth Orbit | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |
| 17 January 10:12 | Thor SLV-2A Agena-D | Thor SLV-2A Agena-D | | Vandenberg SLC-2W | Vandenberg SLC-2W | | |
| 17 January 10:12 | | OPS 1965 Multigroup 3&Setter 1B-2 | USAF | Low Earth | ELINT | In orbit | Successful |
| 18 January 19:04 | Titan IIIB Agena-D | Titan IIIB Agena-D | | Vandenberg SLC-4W | Vandenberg SLC-4W | | |
| 18 January 19:04 | | OPS 5028 KH-8 4311 | USAF | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |
| 19 January 22:00 | Kosmos-3M | Kosmos-3M | | Plesetsk Site 132/2 | Plesetsk Site 132/2 | | |
| 19 January 22:00 | | Kosmos 200 (Tselina O #2) | | Low Earth Orbit | SIGINT | In orbit | Successful |
| 22 January 22:48:09 | Saturn IB (C-1B) | Saturn IB (C-1B) | | Cape Canaveral LC-37B | Cape Canaveral LC-37B | NASA | NASA |
| 22 January 22:48:09 | | Apollo 5 | NASA | LEO | Test Lunar Module | 12 February 1968 09:59 | successful |
| Minor malfunction of LM descent stage engine, otherwise successful ||||||
| 24 January 22:26 | Thorad-SLV2G Agena-D | Thorad-SLV2G Agena-D | | Vandenberg SLC-1E | Vandenberg SLC-1E | | |
| 24 January 22:26 | | OPS 5028 KH-4A 1045 | CIA | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |
| 24 January 22:26 | | Tivoli 1 | USAF | Low Earth | ELINT | In orbit | Successful |

### February

February launches :
| Date and time (UTC) | Rocket | Rocket | Flight number | Launch site | Launch site | LSP | LSP |
| Date and time (UTC) | | Payload | Operator | Orbit | Function | Decay (UTC) | Outcome |
| Remarks ||||||
| 6 February 08:00 | Voskhod | Voskhod | | Baikonur Site 31/6 | Baikonur Site 31/6 | | |
| 6 February 08:00 | | Kosmos 201 (Zenit-4 #38) | GRU | Low Earth Orbit | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |
| 7 February 10:43 | Molniya-M / Blok L | Molniya-M / Blok L | | Baikonur Site 1/5 | Baikonur Site 1/5 | | |
| 7 February 10:43 | | (Ye-6LS No 112) | | Selenocentric | Lunar Orbiter | 7 February | Failure |
| 20 February 10:03 | Kosmos-2 | Kosmos-2 | | Kapustin Yar Site 86/1 | Kapustin Yar Site 86/1 | | |
| 20 February 10:03 | | Kosmos 202 (DS-U2-V #4) | | Low Earth Orbit | Ionospheric research | 24 March | Successful |
| 20 February 16:00 | Kosmos-3M | Kosmos-3M | | Plesetsk Site 132/2 | Plesetsk Site 132/2 | | |
| 20 February 16:00 | | Kosmos 203 (Sfera #1) | | Low Earth Orbit | Geodesy | In orbit | Successful |

### March

March launches :
| Date and time (UTC) | Rocket | Rocket | Flight number | Launch site | Launch site | LSP | LSP |
| Date and time (UTC) | | Payload | Operator | Orbit | Function | Decay (UTC) | Outcome |
| Remarks ||||||
| 2 March 03:55 | Scout-A | Scout-A | | Vandenberg SLC-5 | Vandenberg SLC-5 | | |
| 2 March 03:55 | | OPS 7034 Transit-O 18 | USN | Low Earth | Navigation | In orbit | Successful |
| 2 March 18:29 | Proton K / Blok D | Proton K / Blok D | | Baikonur Site 81/23 | Baikonur Site 81/23 | MOM | MOM |
| 2 March 18:29 | | Zond 4 (L1 6) | MOM | Lunar free-return | Prototype Soyuz 7K-L1P/Zond | 9 March | Successful |
| 4 March 13:06 | Atlas-SLV3 Agena-D | Atlas-SLV3 Agena-D | | Cape Canaveral LC-13 | Cape Canaveral LC-13 | | |
| 4 March 13:06 | | OGO 5 (EGO 3) | NASA | Low Earth | Research | In orbit | Successful |
| 5 March 11:20 | Kosmos-2 | Kosmos-2 | | Plesetsk Site 133/1 | Plesetsk Site 133/1 | | |
| 5 March 11:20 | | Kosmos 204 (DS-P1-I #3) | | Low Earth Orbit | Radar calibration | 2 March 1969 | Successful |
| 5 March 12:30 | Voskhod | Voskhod | | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | | |
| 5 March 12:30 | | Kosmos 205 (Zenit-2 #59) | GRU | Low Earth Orbit | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |
| 5 March 18:28 | Scout-B | Scout-B | | Wallops LA-3 | Wallops LA-3 | | |
| 5 March 18:28 | | Explorer 37 (Solrad 9) | NASA | Low Earth | Research | 16 November 1990 | Successful |
| 6 March 11:02 | Kosmos-2 | Kosmos-2 | | Kapustin Yar Site 86/1 | Kapustin Yar Site 86/1 | | |
| 6 March 11:02 | | (DS-U1-Ya #1) | | Low Earth Orbit | Magnetosphere research | 6 March | Failure |
| 13 March 19:51 | Titan IIIB Agena-D | Titan IIIB Agena-D | | Vandenberg SLC-4W | Vandenberg SLC-4W | | |
| 13 March 19:51 | | OPS 5057 KH-8 4312 | USAF | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |
| 14 March 09:34 | Vostok-2M | Vostok-2M | | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | | |
| 14 March 09:34 | | Kosmos 206 (Meteor-1 #9) | | Low Earth Orbit | Meteorology | 22 April 1989 | Successful |
| 14 March 22:00 | Thorad-SLV2G Agena-D | Thorad-SLV2G Agena-D | | Vandenberg SLC-1E | Vandenberg SLC-1E | | |
| 14 March 22:00 | | OPS 4849 KH-4A 1046 | CIA | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |
| 14 March 22:00 | | OPS 7076 Lampan 1 / Sampan 2 | USAF | Low Earth | ELINT | In orbit | Successful |
| 16 March 12:30 | Voskhod | Voskhod | | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | | |
| 16 March 12:30 | | Kosmos 207 (Zenit-4 #39) | GRU | Low Earth Orbit | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |
| 21 March 09:50 | Voskhod | Voskhod | | Baikonur Site 1/5 | Baikonur Site 1/5 | | |
| 21 March 09:50 | | Kosmos 208 (Zenit-2M #1,Gektor #1) & Nauka-1KS 1L | GRU | Low Earth Orbit | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |
| 22 March 09:30 | Tsyklon-2A | Tsyklon-2A | | Baikonur Site 90/19 | Baikonur Site 90/19 | | |
| 22 March 09:30 | | Kosmos 209 (US-AO #4) | | Low Earth Orbit | US-A prototype | In orbit | Successful |

### April

April launches :
| Date and time (UTC) | Rocket | Rocket | Flight number | Launch site | Launch site | LSP | LSP |
| Date and time (UTC) | | Payload | Operator | Orbit | Function | Decay (UTC) | Outcome |
| Remarks ||||||
| 3 April 11:00 | Voskhod | Voskhod | | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | | |
| 3 April 11:00 | | Kosmos 210 (Zenit-2 #60) | GRU | Low Earth Orbit | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |
| 4 April 12:00:02 | Saturn V (C-5) | Saturn V (C-5) | | LC-39A, Kennedy | LC-39A, Kennedy | NASA | NASA |
| 4 April 12:00:02 | | Apollo 6 | NASA | Low Earth (achieved) TLI to direct return abort (planned) | Test CSM heat shield at Lunar return speeds. Test S-IVB re-ignition in LEO. | 4 April 1968 21:57:26 | Partial failure |
| Experienced Pogo oscillation during S-IC first stage ascent. S-IVB failed restart test. ||||||
| 6 April 09:59 | Atlas F OV1 | Atlas F OV1 | | Vandenberg LC-576A2 | Vandenberg LC-576A2 | | |
| 6 April 09:59 | | OV1 13 | USAF | Low Earth | Radiation belt research | In orbit | Successful |
| 6 April 09:59 | | OV1 14 | USAF | Low Earth | Radiation belt research | In orbit | Successful |
| 7 April 10:09 | Molniya-M / Blok L | Molniya-M / Blok L | | Baikonur Site 1/5 | Baikonur Site 1/5 | | |
| 7 April 10:09 | | Luna 14 | | Selenocentric | Lunar Orbiter | In orbit | Successful |
| 9 April 11:26 | Kosmos-2 | Kosmos-2 | | Plesetsk Site 133/1 | Plesetsk Site 133/1 | | |
| 9 April 11:26 | | Kosmos 211 (DS-P1-Yu #12) | | Low Earth Orbit | Radar calibration | In orbit | Successful |
| 14 April 10:00 | Soyuz | Soyuz | | Baikonur Site 31/6 | Baikonur Site 31/6 | | |
| 14 April 10:00 | | Kosmos 212 (Soyuz Test #5) | | Low Earth Orbit | Test spacecraft | In orbit | Successful |
| 15 April 09:34 | Soyuz | Soyuz | | Baikonur Site 1/5 | Baikonur Site 1/5 | | |
| 15 April 09:34 | | Kosmos 213 (Soyuz Test #6) | | Low Earth Orbit | Test spacecraft | In orbit | Successful |
| 17 April 17:00 | Titan IIIB Agena-D | Titan IIIB Agena-D | | Vandenberg SLC-4W | Vandenberg SLC-4W | | |
| 17 April 17:00 | | OPS 5105 KH-8 4313 | USAF | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |
| 18 April 10:30 | Voskhod | Voskhod | | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | | |
| 18 April 10:30 | | Kosmos 214 (Zenit-4 #40) | GRU | Low Earth Orbit | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |
| 18 April 22:29 | Kosmos-2 | Kosmos-2 | | Kapustin Yar Site 86/1 | Kapustin Yar Site 86/1 | | |
| 18 April 22:29 | | Kosmos 215 (DS-U1-A #1) | | Low Earth Orbit | Aeronomy | 30 June | Successful |
| 20 April 10:30 | Voskhod | Voskhod | | Baikonur Site 31/6 | Baikonur Site 31/6 | | |
| 20 April 10:30 | | Kosmos 216 (Zenit-2 #61) | GRU | Low Earth Orbit | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |
| 21 April 04:20 | Molniya-M / Blok ML | Molniya-M / Blok ML | | Baikonur Site 1/5 | Baikonur Site 1/5 | | |
| 21 April 04:20 | | Molniya-1 08 | | Molniya orbit | Communications | In orbit | Successful |
| 22 April 23:01 | Proton K / Blok D | Proton K / Blok D | | Pad 81/23, Baikonur | Pad 81/23, Baikonur | MOM | MOM |
| 22 April 23:01 | | Zond (L1 7) | MOM | Lunar Free-return | Prototype Soyuz 7K-L1P/Zond | 22 April | Failure |
| 24 April 16:00 | Tsyklon-2A | Tsyklon-2A | | Baikonur Site 90/19 | Baikonur Site 90/19 | | |
| 24 April 16:00 | | Kosmos 217 (I2M #1) | | Low Earth Orbit | ASAT target | 26 April | Partial failure |
| The satellite did not separate from the upper stage and was placed into lower than planned orbit ||||||
| 25 April 00:45 | R-36-O | R-36-O | | Baikonur Site 162/36 | Baikonur Site 162/36 | | |
| 25 April 00:45 | | Kosmos 218 (OGCh #17) | RVSN | Low Earth Orbit | FOBS test | 25 April | Successful |
| 26 April 04:42 | Kosmos-2 | Kosmos-2 | | Kapustin Yar Site 86/1 | Kapustin Yar Site 86/1 | | |
| 26 April 04:42 | | Kosmos 219 (DS-U2-D #2) | | Low Earth Orbit | Magnetosphere research | 2 March 1969 | Successful |

### May

May launches :
| Date and time (UTC) | Rocket | Rocket | Flight number | Launch site | Launch site | LSP | LSP |
| Date and time (UTC) | | Payload | Operator | Orbit | Function | Decay (UTC) | Outcome |
| Remarks ||||||
| 1 May 21:31 | Thorad-SLV2G Agena-D | Thorad-SLV2G Agena-D | | Vandenberg SLC-3W | Vandenberg SLC-3W | | |
| 1 May 21:31 | | OPS 1413 KH-4B 1103 | | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |
| 7 May 13:57 | Kosmos 3M | Kosmos 3M | | Plesetsk Site 132/2 | Plesetsk Site 132/2 | | |
| 7 May 13:57 | | Kosmos 220 (Zaliv #2) | | Low Earth Orbit | Navigation | In orbit | Successful |
| 17 May 02:06 | Scout B | Scout B | | Vandenberg SLC-5 | Vandenberg SLC-5 | | |
| 17 May 02:06 | | ESRO 2B (Iris 2) | ESRO | Low Earth Orbit | Research | In orbit | Successful |
| 18 May 08:23 | Thorad-SLV2G Agena-D | Thorad-SLV2G Agena-D | | Vandenberg SLC-2E | Vandenberg SLC-2E | | |
| 18 May 08:23 | | Nimbus B | NASA/NOAA | Low Earth | Meteorology | 18 May | Failure |
| 18 May 08:23 | | SECOR 10 | US Army | Low Earth | Geodesy | 18 May | Failure |
| 23 May 04:38 | Thor LV-2F Burner 2 | Thor LV-2F Burner 2 | | Vandenberg SLC-10W | Vandenberg SLC-10W | | |
| 23 May 04:38 | | OPS 7869 DMSP-4B F1 | USAF | Low Earth | Meteorology | In orbit | Successful |
| 24 May 07:04 | Kosmos-2 | Kosmos-2 | | Kapustin Yar Site 86/1 | Kapustin Yar Site 86/1 | | |
| 24 May 07:04 | | Kosmos 221 (DS-P1-Yu #13) | | Low Earth Orbit | Radar calibration | In orbit | Successful |
| 30 May 20:29 | Kosmos-2 | Kosmos-2 | | Plesetsk Site 133/1 | Plesetsk Site 133/1 | | |
| 30 May 20:29 | | Kosmos 222 (DS-P1-Yu #14) | | Low Earth Orbit | Radar calibration | In orbit | Successful |

### June

June launches :
| Date and time (UTC) | Rocket | Rocket | Flight number | Launch site | Launch site | LSP | LSP |
| Date and time (UTC) | | Payload | Operator | Orbit | Function | Decay (UTC) | Outcome |
| Remarks ||||||
| 1 June 10:50 | Voskhod | Voskhod | | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | | |
| 1 June 10:50 | | Kosmos 223 (Zenit-2 #62) | GRU | Low Earth Orbit | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |
| 4 June 06:45 | Voskhod | Voskhod | | Baikonur Site 31/6 | Baikonur Site 31/6 | | |
| 4 June 06:45 | | Kosmos 224 (Zenit-4 #41) | GRU | Low Earth Orbit | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |
| 4 June 18:45 | Kosmos-3M | Kosmos-3M | | Plesetsk Site 132/2 | Plesetsk Site 132/2 | | |
| 4 June 18:45 | | Sfera #2 | | Low Earth Orbit | Geodesy | 4 June | Failure |
| 5 June 17:33 | Titan IIIB Agena-D | Titan IIIB Agena-D | | Vandenberg SLC-4W | Vandenberg SLC-4W | | |
| 5 June 17:33 | | OPS 5138 KH-8 4314 | USAF | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |
| 11 June 21:29 | Kosmos-2 | Kosmos-2 | | Kapustin Yar Site 86/1 | Kapustin Yar Site 86/1 | | |
| 11 June 21:29 | | Kosmos 225 (DS-U1-Ya #2) | | Low Earth Orbit | Magnetosphere research | In orbit | Successful |
| 12 June 13:14 | Vostok-2M | Vostok-2M | | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | | |
| 12 June 13:14 | | Kosmos 226 (Meteor-1 #10) | | Low Earth Orbit | Meteorology | In orbit | Successful |
| 13 June 14:03:00 | Titan IIIC | Titan IIIC | | Cape Canaveral Air Force Station LC-41 | Cape Canaveral Air Force Station LC-41 | USAF | USAF |
| 13 June 14:03:00 | | OPS 9341 IDCSP 20 | USAF | Sub-GSO | Military communications | In orbit | Success |
| 13 June 14:03:00 | | OPS 9342 IDCSP 21 | USAF | Sub-GSO | Military communications | In orbit | Success |
| 13 June 14:03:00 | | OPS 9343 IDCSP 22 | USAF | Sub-GSO | Military communications | In orbit | Success |
| 13 June 14:03:00 | | OPS 9344 IDCSP 23 | USAF | Sub-GSO | Military communications | In orbit | Success |
| 13 June 14:03:00 | | OPS 9345 IDCSP 24 | USAF | Sub-GSO | Military communications | In orbit | Success |
| 13 June 14:03:00 | | OPS 9346 IDCSP 25 | USAF | Sub-GSO | Military communications | In orbit | Success |
| 13 June 14:03:00 | | OPS 9347 IDCSP 26 | USAF | Sub-GSO | Military communications | In orbit | Success |
| 13 June 14:03:00 | | OPS 9348 IDCSP 27 | USAF | Sub-GSO | Military communications | In orbit | Success |
| 15 June 12:25 | Kosmos-3 | Kosmos-3 | | Plesetsk Site 41/15 | Plesetsk Site 41/15 | | |
| 15 June 12:25 | | (Strela-2 #4) | | Low Earth Orbit | Military communications | 15 June | Failure |
| 18 June 06:15 | Voskhod | Voskhod | | Baikonur Site 31/6 | Baikonur Site 31/6 | | |
| 18 June 06:15 | | Kosmos 227 (Zenit-4 #42) | GRU | Low Earth Orbit | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |
| 20 June 21:46 | Thorad-SLV2G Agena-D | Thorad-SLV2G Agena-D | | Vandenberg SLC-1E | Vandenberg SLC-1E | | |
| 20 June 21:46 | | OPS 5343 KH-4A 1047 | | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |
| 20 June 21:46 | | OPS 5259 Tripos 3/Sousea 2 | USAF | Low Earth | ELINT | In orbit | Successful |
| 21 June 12:00 | Voskhod | Voskhod | | Baikonur Site 31/6 | Baikonur Site 31/6 | | |
| 21 June 12:00 | | Kosmos 228 (Zenit-2M #2,Gektor #2&Nauka-1KS 2L) | GRU | Low Earth Orbit | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |
| 26 June 11:00 | Voskhod | Voskhod | | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | | |
| 26 June 11:00 | | Kosmos 229 (Zenit-4 #43) | GRU | Low Earth Orbit | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |

### July

July launches :
| Date and time (UTC) | Rocket | Rocket | Flight number | Launch site | Launch site | LSP | LSP |
| Date and time (UTC) | | Payload | Operator | Orbit | Function | Decay (UTC) | Outcome |
| Remarks ||||||
| 4 July 17:26 | Delta J | Delta J | D-57 | Vandenberg SLC-2E | Vandenberg SLC-2E | | |
| 4 July 17:26 | | Explorer 38 (RAE A) | NASA | Low Earth | Research | In orbit | Successful |
| 5 July 06:59 | Kosmos-2 | Kosmos-2 | | Kapustin Yar Site 86/1 | Kapustin Yar Site 86/1 | | |
| 5 July 06:59 | | Kosmos 230 (DS-U3-S #2) | | Low Earth Orbit | Solar research | 2 November | Successful |
| 5 July 15:25 | Molniya-M / Blok ML | Molniya-M / Blok ML | | Baikonur Site 1/5 | Baikonur Site 1/5 | | |
| 5 July 15:25 | | Molniya-1 09 | | Molniya | Communications | In orbit | Successful |
| 10 July 19:49 | Voskhod | Voskhod | | Baikonur Site 31/6 | Baikonur Site 31/6 | | |
| 10 July 19:49 | | Kosmos 231 (Zenit-2 #63) | GRU | Low Earth Orbit | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |
| 11 July 19:30 | Atlas F OV1 | Atlas F OV1 | | Vandenberg LC576A2 | Vandenberg LC576A2 | | |
| 11 July 19:30 | | OV1 15 (SPADES) | USAF | Low Earth | Technology Demonstration | In orbit | Successful |
| 11 July 19:30 | | OV1 16 (LOADS 1) | USAF | Low Earth | Technology Demonstration | In orbit | Successful |
| 16 July 13:10 | Voskhod | Voskhod | | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | | |
| 16 July 13:10 | | Kosmos 232 (Zenit-4 #44) | GRU | Low Earth Orbit | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |
| 18 July 19:59 | Kosmos-2 | Kosmos-2 | | Plesetsk Site 133/1 | Plesetsk Site 133/1 | | |
| 18 July 19:59 | | Kosmos 233 (DS-P1-Yu #15) | | Low Earth Orbit | Radar calibration | In orbit | Successful |
| 30 July 07:00 | Voskhod | Voskhod | | Baikonur Site 31/6 | Baikonur Site 31/6 | | |
| 30 July 07:00 | | Kosmos 234 (Zenit-4 #45) | GRU | Low Earth Orbit | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |

### August

August launches :
| Date and time (UTC) | Rocket | Rocket | Flight number | Launch site | Launch site | LSP | LSP |
| Date and time (UTC) | | Payload | Operator | Orbit | Function | Decay (UTC) | Outcome |
| Remarks ||||||
| 6 August 11:08 | Atlas-SLV3 Agena-D | Atlas-SLV3 Agena-D | | Cape Canaveral LC-13 | Cape Canaveral LC-13 | | |
| 6 August 11:08 | | OPS 2222 Canyon 1 | USAF | Low Earth | SIGINT | In orbit | Successful |
| 6 August 16:30 | Titan IIIB Agena-D | Titan IIIB Agena-D | | Vandenberg SLC-4W | Vandenberg SLC-4W | | |
| 6 August 16:30 | | OPS 5187 KH-8 4315 | USAF | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |
| 7 August 21:36 | Thorad-SLV2G Agena-D | Thorad-SLV2G Agena-D | | Vandenberg SLC-3W | Vandenberg SLC-3W | | |
| 7 August 21:36 | | OPS 5955 KH-4B 1104 | | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |
| 8 August 20:12 | Scout B | Scout B | | Vandenberg SLC-5 | Vandenberg SLC-5 | | |
| 8 August 20:12 | | Explorer 39 (AD C) | NASA | Low Earth | Research | 22 June 1981 | Successful |
| 8 August 20:12 | | Explorer 40 (Injun 5) | NASA | Low Earth | Research | In orbit | Successful |
| 9 August 07:00 | Voskhod | Voskhod | | Baikonur Site 31/6 | Baikonur Site 31/6 | | |
| 9 August 07:00 | | Kosmos 235 (Zenit-2 #64) | GRU | Low Earth Orbit | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |
| 10 August 22:33 | Atlas-SLV3 Centaur-D | Atlas-SLV3 Centaur-D | AC-17 | Cape Canaveral SLC-36A | Cape Canaveral SLC-36A | | |
| 10 August 22:33 | | ATS-4 | NASA | Geosynchronous (planned) Low Earth orbit (achieved) | Communications/Meteorology | 17 October | Partial failure |
| Centaur failed to restart, payload inserted into lower than planned orbit ||||||
| 16 August 11:24 | Delta N | Delta N | D-58 | Vandenberg SLC-2E | Vandenberg SLC-2E | | |
| 16 August 11:24 | | ESSA-7 | ESSA | Low Earth | Meteorology | In orbit | Successful |
| 16 August 20:57 | Atlas SLV-3 Burner-2 | Atlas SLV-3 Burner-2 | | Vandenberg SLC-3E | Vandenberg SLC-3E | | |
| 16 August 20:57 | | Orbiscal 1 | USAF | Low Earth | Technology Demonstration | 16 August | Failure |
| 16 August 20:57 | | OV5 8 (ERS 19) | USAF | Low Earth | Technology Demonstration | 16 August | Failure |
| 16 August 20:57 | | Gridsphere 1 | USAF | Low Earth | Technology Demonstration | 16 August | Failure |
| 16 August 20:57 | | Gridsphere 2 | USAF | Low Earth | Technology Demonstration | 16 August | Failure |
| 16 August 20:57 | | MylarBalloon | USAF | Low Earth | Technology Demonstration | 16 August | Failure |
| 16 August 20:57 | | Rigidsphere | USAF | Low Earth | Technology Demonstration | 16 August | Failure |
| 16 August 20:57 | | LCS 3 | MIT Lincoln Laboratory | Low Earth | Calibration | 16 August | Failure |
| 16 August 20:57 | | LIDOS | USAF | Low Earth | Geodesy | 16 August | Failure |
| 16 August 20:57 | | SECOR 11 | US Army | Low Earth | Geodesy | 16 August | Failure |
| 16 August 20:57 | | SECOR 12 | US Army | Low Earth | Geodesy | 16 August | Failure |
| 16 August 20:57 | | Radcat | | Low Earth | Calibration | 16 August | Failure |
| 16 August 20:57 | | RM 18 & UVR | USAF | Low Earth | Technology Demonstration | 16 August | Failure |
| Payload fairing failed to separate ||||||
| 27 August 11:29 | Kosmos-3 | Kosmos-3 | | Baikonur Site 41/15 | Baikonur Site 41/15 | | |
| 27 August 11:29 | | Kosmos 236 (Strela-2 #5) | | Low Earth Orbit | Military communications | In orbit | Successful |
| 27 August 12:29 | Voskhod | Voskhod | | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | | |
| 27 August 12:29 | | Kosmos 237 (Zenit-4 #46) | GRU | Low Earth Orbit | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |
| 28 August 10:04 | Soyuz | Soyuz | | Baikonur Site 31/6 | Baikonur Site 31/6 | | |
| 28 August 10:04 | | Kosmos 238 (Soyuz Test #7) | | Low Earth Orbit | Test spacecraft | 1 September 09:03 | Successful |

### September

September launches :
| Date and time (UTC) | Rocket | Rocket | Flight number | Launch site | Launch site | LSP | LSP |
| Date and time (UTC) | | Payload | Operator | Orbit | Function | Decay (UTC) | Outcome |
| Remarks ||||||
| 5 September 07:00 | Voskhod | Voskhod | | Baikonur Site 31/6 | Baikonur Site 31/6 | | |
| 5 September 07:00 | | Kosmos 239 (Zenit-4 #47) | GRU | Low Earth Orbit | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |
| 10 September 18:30 | Titan IIIB Agena-D | Titan IIIB Agena-D | | Vandenberg SLC-4W | Vandenberg SLC-4W | | |
| 10 September 18:30 | | OPS 5247 KH-8 4316 | USAF | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |
| 14 September 06:50 | Voskhod | Voskhod | | Baikonur Site 31/6 | Baikonur Site 31/6 | | |
| 14 September 06:50 | | Kosmos 240 (Zenit-2 #65) | GRU | Low Earth Orbit | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |
| 14 September 21:42 | Proton K / Blok D | Proton K / Blok D | | Pad 81/23, Baikonur | Pad 81/23, Baikonur | MOM | MOM |
| 14 September 21:42 | | Zond 5 (L1 9) | MOM | Lunar Free-return | Prototype Soyuz 7K-L1P/Zond | 21 September 16:08 | Successful |
| 16 September 12:30 | Voskhod | Voskhod | | Site 41/1, Plesetsk | Site 41/1, Plesetsk | | |
| 16 September 12:30 | | Kosmos 241 (Zenit-4 #48) | GRU | Low Earth Orbit | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |
| 18 September 21:32 | Thorad-SLV2G Agena-D | Thorad-SLV2G Agena-D | | Vandenberg SLC-1E | Vandenberg SLC-1E | | |
| 18 September 21:32 | | OPS 0165 KH-4A 1048 | | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |
| 18 September 21:32 | | OPS 8595 Vampan 1 | USAF | Low Earth | ELINT | In orbit | Successful |
| 19 September 00:09 | Delta M | Delta M | D-59 | Cape Canaveral LC-17A | Cape Canaveral LC-17A | | |
| 19 September 00:09 | | Intelsat III F1 | Intelsat | Geosynchronous | Communications | 19 September | Failure |
| 20 September 14:39 | Kosmos-2 | Kosmos-2 | | Plesetsk Site 133/1 | Plesetsk Site 133/1 | | |
| 20 September 14:39 | | Kosmos 242 (DS-P1-I #4) | | Low Earth Orbit | Radar calibration | In orbit | Successful |
| 23 September 07:39 | Voskhod | Voskhod | | Baikonur Site 1/5 | Baikonur Site 1/5 | | |
| 23 September 07:39 | | Kosmos 243 (Zenit-2M #3,Gektor #3 & Nauka-2KS 1L) | | Low Earth Orbit | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |
| 26 September 07:37 | Titan IIIC | Titan IIIC | | Cape Canaveral SLC-41 | Cape Canaveral SLC-41 | | |
| 26 September 07:37 | | LES 6 | USAF | Geosynchronous | Technology Demonstration | In orbit | Successful |
| 26 September 07:37 | | OV2 5 | USAF | Low Earth | Technology Demonstration | In orbit | Successful |
| 26 September 07:37 | | OV5 2 (ERS 21) | USAF | Low Earth | Technology Demonstration | In orbit | Successful |
| 26 September 07:37 | | OV5 4 (ERS 28) | USAF | Low Earth | Technology Demonstration | In orbit | Successful |

### October

October launches :
| Date and time (UTC) | Rocket | Rocket | Flight number | Launch site | Launch site | LSP | LSP |
| Date and time (UTC) | | Payload | Operator | Orbit | Function | Decay (UTC) | Outcome |
| Remarks ||||||
| 2 October 13:35 | R-36-O | R-36-O | | Baikonur Site 161/35 | Baikonur Site 161/35 | | |
| 2 October 13:35 | | Kosmos 244 (OGCh #20) | RVSN | Low Earth Orbit | FOBS test | 2 October | Successful |
| 3 October 12:58 | Kosmos-2 | Kosmos-2 | | Plesetsk Site 133/1 | Plesetsk Site 133/1 | | |
| 3 October 12:58 | | Kosmos 245 (DS-P1-Yu #16) | | Low Earth Orbit | Radar calibration | In orbit | Successful |
| 3 October 20:49 | Scout-B | Scout-B | | Vandenberg SLC-5 | Vandenberg SLC-5 | | |
| 3 October 20:49 | | ESRO 1A (Aurorae) | ESRO | Low Earth | Technology Demonstration | In orbit | Successful |
| 5 October 00:32 | Molniya-M / Blok ML | Molniya-M / Blok ML | | Baikonur Site 1/5 | Baikonur Site 1/5 | | |
| 5 October 00:32 | | Molniya-1 10 | | Molniya | Communications | In orbit | Successful |
| 5 October 11:16 | Thorad-SLV2G Agena-D | Thorad-SLV2G Agena-D | | Vandenberg SLC-1W | Vandenberg SLC-1W | | |
| 5 October 11:16 | | OPS 0964 Strawman 1 | USAF | Low Earth | ELINT, SIGINT | In orbit | Successful |
| 7 October 12:05 | Voskhod | Voskhod | | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | | |
| 7 October 12:05 | | Kosmos 246 (Zenit-4 #49) | GRU | Low Earth Orbit | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |
| 11 October 12:05 | Voskhod | Voskhod | | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | | |
| 11 October 12:05 | | Kosmos 247 (Zenit-2 #66) | GRU | Low Earth Orbit | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |
| 11 October 1968 15:02 | Saturn IB (C-1B) | Saturn IB (C-1B) | | LC-34, Cape Canaveral | LC-34, Cape Canaveral | NASA | NASA |
| 11 October 1968 15:02 | | Apollo 7 | NASA | LEO | Crewed orbital flight | 22 October 1968 11:11:48 | Successful |
| First crewed Apollo flight ||||||
| 19 October 04:20 | Tsyklon-2A | Tsyklon-2A | | Baikonur Site 90/19 | Baikonur Site 90/19 | | |
| 19 October 04:20 | | Kosmos 248 (I2M #2) | | Low Earth Orbit | ASAT target | In orbit | Successful |
| 20 October 04:02 | Tsyklon-2A | Tsyklon-2A | | Site 90/20, Baikonur | Site 90/20, Baikonur | | |
| 20 October 04:02 | | Kosmos 249 (I2P #1) | | Low Earth Orbit | ASAT test | In orbit | Successful |
| 23 October 04:34 | Thor LV-2F Burner 2 | Thor LV-2F Burner 2 | | Vandenberg SLC-10W | Vandenberg SLC-10W | | |
| 23 October 04:34 | | OPS 4078 DSMP-4B F2 | | Low Earth (SSO) | Meteorology | In orbit | Successful |
| 25 October 09:00 | Soyuz | Soyuz | | Baikonur Site 1/5 | Baikonur Site 1/5 | RVSN | RVSN |
| 25 October 09:00 | | Soyuz 2 | | Low Earth orbit | Docking target for Soyuz 3 | 28 October 1968 07:21 | Successful |
| Soyuz 3 failed to dock ||||||
| 26 October 08:34 | Soyuz | Soyuz | | Baikonur Site 31/6 | Baikonur Site 31/6 | RVSN | RVSN |
| 26 October 08:34 | | Soyuz 3 | | Low Earth orbit | Crewed orbital flight | 30 October 1968 07:25:03 | Partial Failure |
| Failed to dock with Soyuz 2 ||||||
| 30 October 22:00 | Kosmos-3M | Kosmos-3M | | Plesetsk Site 132/2 | Plesetsk Site 132/2 | | |
| 30 October 22:00 | | Kosmos 250 (Tselina-O #3) | | Low Earth Orbit | SIGINT | In orbit | Successful |
| 31 October 09:14 | Voskhod | Voskhod | | Baikonur Site 1/5 | Baikonur Site 1/5 | | |
| 31 October 09:14 | | Kosmos 251 (Zenit-4M #1,Rotor #1) | GRU | Low Earth Orbit | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |

### November

November launches :
| Date and time (UTC) | Rocket | Rocket | Flight number | Launch site | Launch site | LSP | LSP |
| Date and time (UTC) | | Payload | Operator | Orbit | Function | Decay (UTC) | Outcome |
| Remarks ||||||
| 1 November 00:27 | Tsyklon-2A | Tsyklon-2A | | Baikonur Site 90/20 | Baikonur Site 90/20 | | |
| 1 November 00:27 | | Kosmos 252 (I2P #2) | | Low Earth Orbit | ASAT | In orbit | Successful |
| 3 November 21:30 | Thorad-SLV2G Agena-D | Thorad-SLV2G Agena-D | | Vandenberg SLC-3W | Vandenberg SLC-3W | | |
| 3 November 21:30 | | OPS 1315 KH-4B 1105 | | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |
| 6 November 19:10 | Titan IIIB Agena-D | Titan IIIB Agena-D | | Vandenberg SLC-4W | Vandenberg SLC-4W | | |
| 6 November 19:10 | | OPS 5296 KH-8 4317 | USAF | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |
| 8 November 09:46 | Delta E1 | Delta E1 | D-60 | Cape Canaveral SLC-17B | Cape Canaveral SLC-17B | | |
| 8 November 09:46 | | Pioneer 9 | NASA | Heliocentric | Solar Orbiter | In orbit | Successful |
| 8 November 09:46 | | TTS 2 | NASA | Low Earth | Technology Demonstration | In orbit | Successful |
| 10 November 19:11 | Proton K / Blok D | Proton K / Blok D | | Baikonur Site 81/23 | Baikonur Site 81/23 | MOM | MOM |
| 10 November 19:11 | | Zond 6 (L1 12) | MOM | Lunar Free-return | Prototype Soyuz 7K-L1P/Zond | 17 November 14:10 | Successful |
| 13 November 12:00 | Voskhod | Voskhod | | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | | |
| 13 November 12:00 | | Kosmos 253 (Zenit-2 #67) | GRU | Low Earth Orbit | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |
| 16 November 11:40 | Proton K | Proton K | | Baikonur Site 81/24 | Baikonur Site 81/24 | MOM | MOM |
| 16 November 11:40 | | Proton 4 | MOM | Low Earth | Cosmic ray research | 24 July 1969 | Successful |
| 21 November 12:10 | Voskhod | Voskhod | | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | | |
| 21 November 12:10 | | Kosmos 254 (Zenit-4 #50) | GRU | Low Earth Orbit | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |
| 29 November 12:40 | Voskhod | Voskhod | | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | | |
| 29 November 12:40 | | Kosmos 255 (Zenit-2 #68) | GRU | Low Earth Orbit | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |
| 29 November 23:12 | Europa 1 | Europa 1 | F7 | Woomera Test Range LA-6A | Woomera Test Range LA-6A | | |
| 29 November 23:12 | | STV 1 | ELDO | Low Earth Orbit | Dummy Payload | 29 November | Failure |
| Third stage failure after separation ||||||
| 30 November 12:00 | Kosmos-3M | Kosmos-3M | | Plesetsk Site 132/2 | Plesetsk Site 132/2 | | |
| 30 November 12:00 | | Kosmos 256 (Sfera #3) | | Low Earth Orbit | Geodesy | In orbit | Successful |

### December

December launches :
| Date and time (UTC) | Rocket | Rocket | Flight number | Launch site | Launch site | LSP | LSP |
| Date and time (UTC) | | Payload | Operator | Orbit | Function | Decay (UTC) | Outcome |
| Remarks ||||||
| 3 December 14:52 | Kosmos-2 | Kosmos-2 | | Plesetsk Site 133/1 | Plesetsk Site 133/1 | | |
| 3 December 14:52 | | Kosmos 257 (DS-P1-Yu #17) | | Low Earth Orbit | Radar calibration | 5 March 1969 | Successful |
| 4 December 19:23 | Titan IIIB Agena-D | Titan IIIB Agena-D | | Vandenberg SLC-4W | Vandenberg SLC-4W | | |
| 4 December 19:23 | | OPS 6518 KH-8 4318 | USAF | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Failure |
| 5 December 18:55 | Delta E1 | Delta E1 | D-61 | Cape Canaveral LC-17B | Cape Canaveral LC-17B | | |
| 5 December 18:55 | | HEOS 1 | ESRO | Low Earth | Research | 28 October 1975 | Successful |
| 7 December 08:40 | Atlas-SLV3 Agena-D | Atlas-SLV3 Agena-D | AC-16 | Cape Canaveral LC-36B | Cape Canaveral LC-36B | | |
| 7 December 08:40 | | OAO 2 | NASA | Low Earth | UV astronomy | In orbit | Successful |
| 10 December 08:25 | Voskhod | Voskhod | | Baikonur Site 31/6 | Baikonur Site 31/6 | | |
| 10 December 08:25 | | Kosmos 258 (Zenit-2 #69) | GRU | Low Earth Orbit | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |
| 12 December 22:22 | Thorad-SLV2G Agena-D | Thorad-SLV2G Agena-D | | Vandenberg SLC-3W | Vandenberg SLC-3W | | |
| 12 December 22:22 | | OPS 4740 KH-4A 1049 | CIA | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Successful |
| 12 December 22:22 | | OPS 7684 P-801 1 | USAF | Low Earth | ELINT | In orbit | Successful |
| 14 December 05:09 | Kosmos-2 | Kosmos-2 | | Kapustin Yar Site 86/1 | Kapustin Yar Site 86/1 | | |
| 14 December 05:09 | | Kosmos 259 (DS-U2-I #3) | | Low Earth Orbit | Ionosphere research | 5 May 1969 | Successful |
| 15 December 17:21 | Delta N | Delta N | | Vandenberg SLC-2E | Vandenberg SLC-2E | | |
| 15 December 17:21 | | ESSA-8 | ESSA | SSO | Meteorology | In orbit | Successful |
| 16 December 09:15 | Molniya-M / Blok ML | Molniya-M / Blok ML | | Site 1/5, Baikonur | Site 1/5, Baikonur | | |
| 16 December 09:15 | | Kosmos 260 (Molniya-1 Yu 15L) | | Molniya | Technology Demonstration | In orbit | Successful |
| 19 December 00:32 | Delta M | Delta M | D-63 | Cape Canaveral LC-17A | Cape Canaveral LC-17A | | |
| 19 December 00:32 | | Intelsat III F2 | Intelsat | Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Successful |
| 19 December 23:55 | Kosmos-2 | Kosmos-2 | | Plesetsk Site 133/1 | Plesetsk Site 133/1 | | |
| 19 December 23:55 | | Kosmos 261 (DS-U2-GK #1) | | Low Earth Orbit | Aeronomy, auroral research | 12 February 1969 | Successful |
| 21 December 12:51 | Saturn V (C-5) | Saturn V (C-5) | | LC-39A, Kennedy | LC-39A, Kennedy | NASA | NASA |
| 21 December 12:51 | | Apollo 8 | NASA | Selenocentric | Crewed lunar orbiter | 27 December 1968 15:51:42 | Successful |
| 21 December 12:51 | | LTA B | NASA | Selenocentric | Mass Model | In orbit | Successful |
| First crewed mission to the Moon ||||||
| 26 December 09:45 | Kosmos-2 | Kosmos-2 | | Kapustin Yar Site 86/1 | Kapustin Yar Site 86/1 | | |
| 26 December 09:45 | | Kosmos 262 (DS-U2-GF #1) | | Low Earth Orbit | Solar research | 18 July 1969 | Successful |
* ← Jan
* Feb
* Mar
* Apr
* May
* Jun
* Jul
* Aug
* Sep
* Oct
* Nov
* Dec →

## Suborbital Launches

* ← Jan
* Feb
* Mar
* Apr
* May
* Jun
* Jul
* Aug
* Sep
* Oct
* Nov
* Dec →

### January-December

| Date and time (UTC) | Rocket | Rocket | Flight number | Launch site | Launch site | LSP | LSP |
| Date and time (UTC) | | Payload | Operator | Orbit | Function | Decay (UTC) | Outcome |
| Remarks ||||||
| 28 March | Kosmos-3 | Kosmos-3 | | Baikonur Site 41/15 | Baikonur Site 41/15 | | |
| 28 March | | VKZ #2 | | Suborbital | Aeronomy, ionosphere and radiation belt research | 28 March | Successful |
| Launched on the strictly vertical trajectory. Apogee: about 4,000 km ||||||
| 20 May 22:05 | R-36-O | R-36-O | | Baikonur Site 162/36 | Baikonur Site 162/36 | RVSN | RVSN |
| 20 May 22:05 | | OGCh #18 | RVSN | Suborbital | Missile test | 20 May | Successful |
| 27 May 23:15 | R-36-O | R-36-O | | Baikonur Site 161/35 | Baikonur Site 161/35 | RVSN | RVSN |
| 27 May 23:15 | | OGCh #19 | RVSN | Suborbital | Missile test | 27 May | Successful |
| 8 August | T-7/GF-01A | T-7/GF-01A | | Jiuquan | Jiuquan | | |
| 8 August | | | CAST | Suborbital | Test flight | 8 August | Successful |
| Test of high-altitude ignition of the FG-02 solid rocket motor. Apogee: 311 km ||||||
| 20 August | T-7/GF-01A | T-7/GF-01A | | Jiuquan | Jiuquan | | |
| 20 August | | | CAST | Suborbital | Test flight | 20 August | Successful |
| Test of high-altitude ignition of the FG-02 solid rocket motor. Apogee: 311 km ||||||
* ← Jan
* Feb
* Mar
* Apr
* May
* Jun
* Jul
* Aug
* Sep
* Oct
* Nov
* Dec →