# 1985 in spaceflight

The following is an outline of 1985 in spaceflight.

## Orbital launches

* ← Jan
* Feb
* Mar
* Apr
* May
* Jun
* Jul
* Aug
* Sep
* Oct
* Nov
* Dec →
| Date and time (UTC) | Rocket | Rocket | Flight number | Launch site | Launch site | LSP | LSP |
| Date and time (UTC) | | Payload (⚀ = CubeSat) | Operator | Orbit | Function | Decay (UTC) | Outcome |
| Remarks ||||||
| January ||||||||
| 7 January 19:26 | M-3SII / KM-P | M-3SII / KM-P | M-3SII-1 | Kagoshima LP-M | Kagoshima LP-M | ISAS | ISAS |
| 7 January 19:26 | | Sakigake (MS-T5) | ISAS | Heliocentric | 1P/Halley comet flyby | 8 January 1999 | Successful |
| Maiden flight of M-3SII. First Japanese deep space probe. ||||||
| 9 January 10:45 | Soyuz U | Soyuz U | | Baikonur Site 31/6 | Baikonur Site 31/6 | | |
| 9 January 10:45 | | Kosmos 1616 (Yantar-4K2 №12/Kobalt №12) | GRU | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational |
| 15 January 14:50 | Tsyklon-3 | Tsyklon-3 | | Plesetsk Site 32/1 | Plesetsk Site 32/1 | | |
| 15 January 14:50 | | Kosmos 1617 (Strela-3 №1) | VKS | Low Earth | Military communications | In orbit | Operational |
| 15 January 14:50 | | Kosmos 1618 (Strela-3 №2) | VKS | Low Earth | Military communications | In orbit | Operational |
| 15 January 14:50 | | Kosmos 1619 (Strela-3 №3) | VKS | Low Earth | Military communications | In orbit | Operational |
| 15 January 14:50 | | Kosmos 1620 (Strela-3 №4) | VKS | Low Earth | Military communications | In orbit | Operational |
| 15 January 14:50 | | Kosmos 1621 (Strela-3 №5) | VKS | Low Earth | Military communications | In orbit | Operational |
| 15 January 14:50 | | Kosmos 1622 (Strela-3 №6) | VKS | Low Earth | Military communications | In orbit | Operational |
| 16 January | Molniya-M / Blok-ML | Molniya-M / Blok-ML | | Plesetsk Site 43/4 | Plesetsk Site 43/4 | | |
| 16 January | | Molniya-3 36L | NPO PM | Molniya | Communications | In orbit | Operational |
| 16 January | Soyuz U | Soyuz U | | Baikonur Site 1/5 | Baikonur Site 1/5 | | |
| 16 January | | Kosmos 1623 (Zenit-8 №10/Oblik №10) | GRU | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational |
| 17 January | Kosmos-3M | Kosmos-3M | | Plesetsk Site 132/1 | Plesetsk Site 132/1 | | |
| 17 January | | Kosmos 1624 (Strela-2M №36) | | Low Earth | Military communications | In orbit | Operational |
| 18 January | Proton-K / Blok-DM | Proton-K / Blok-DM | | Baikonur Site 200/39 | Baikonur Site 200/39 | | |
| 18 January | | Gorizont 11 (Gorizont 21L) | | Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Operational |
| 23 January | Tsyklon-2 | Tsyklon-2 | | Baikonur LC-90 | Baikonur LC-90 | | |
| 23 January | | Kosmos 1625 (US-P №20) | | Low Earth | | In orbit | Operational |
| 24 January | Tsyklon-3 | Tsyklon-3 | | Plesetsk Site 32/2 | Plesetsk Site 32/2 | | |
| 24 January | | Kosmos 1626 (Tselina-D №47) | | Low Earth | SIGINT | In orbit | Operational |
| 24 January 19:50 | Space Shuttle Discovery / IUS | Space Shuttle Discovery / IUS | | Kennedy LC-39A | Kennedy LC-39A | United Space Alliance | United Space Alliance |
| 24 January 19:50 | | STS-51-C | NASA | Low Earth | Satellite deployment | 27 January 21:23 | Successful |
| 24 January 19:50 | | Orion 1 (USA-8/Magnum 1) | NRO | Geosynchronous | ELINT | In orbit | Successful |
| Crewed orbital flight with five astronauts ||||||
| ← Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec → February ||||||||
| 1 February 19:36 | Kosmos-3M | Kosmos-3M | | Plesetsk Site 132/2 | Plesetsk Site 132/2 | | |
| 1 February 19:36 | | Kosmos 1627 (Parus №48) | | Low Earth | Navigation | In orbit | Operational |
| 6 February | Soyuz U | Soyuz U | | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | | |
| 6 February | | Kosmos 1628 (Zenit-8 №11/Oblik №11) | GRU | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational |
| 6 February | Tsyklon-3 | Tsyklon-3 | | Plesetsk Site 32/1 | Plesetsk Site 32/1 | | |
| 6 February | | Meteor-2 12 | | Low Earth | Meteorology | In orbit | Operational |
| 8 February 06:10 | Titan 34B / Agena-D | Titan 34B / Agena-D | | Vandenberg SLC-4W | Vandenberg SLC-4W | | |
| 8 February 06:10 | | Quasar 6 (SDS 6/USA-9) | NRO | Molniya | Communications | In orbit | Successful |
| 8 February 23:22 | Ariane 3 | Ariane 3 | | Kourou ELA-1 | Kourou ELA-1 | Arianespace | Arianespace |
| 8 February 23:22 | | Arabsat-1A | Arabsat | Geosynchronous | Communications | March 1992 | Successful |
| 8 February 23:22 | | Brasilsat-A1 | Embratel | Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Successful |
| Arabsat 1A failed in March 1992 ||||||
| 21 February | Proton-K Blok-DM | Proton-K Blok-DM | | Baikonur Site 200/39 | Baikonur Site 200/39 | | |
| 21 February | | Kosmos 1629 (US-KS №3) | | Geosynchronous | Early warning | In orbit | Operational |
| 27 February | Soyuz U | Soyuz U | | Baikonur Site 31/6 | Baikonur Site 31/6 | | |
| 27 February | | Kosmos 1630 (Yantar-4K2 №13/Kobalt №13) | GRU | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational |
| 27 February | Kosmos-3M | Kosmos-3M | | Plesetsk Site 132/1 | Plesetsk Site 132/1 | | |
| 27 February | | Kosmos 1631 (Taifun-1 №18/Vektor №18) | | Low Earth | Radar Calibration | In orbit | Operational |
| ← Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec → March ||||||||
| 1 March | Soyuz U | Soyuz U | | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | | |
| 1 March | | Kosmos 1632 (Zenit-8 №12/Oblik №12) | GRU | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational |
| 5 March | Tsyklon-3 | Tsyklon-3 | | Plesetsk Site 32/2 | Plesetsk Site 32/2 | | |
| 5 March | | Kosmos 1633 (Tselina-D №48) | | Low Earth | SIGINT | In orbit | Operational |
| 13 March 02:00 | Atlas E / OIS | Atlas E / OIS | | Vandenberg SLC-3W | Vandenberg SLC-3W | | |
| 13 March 02:00 | | Geosat | US Navy | Sun-synchronous | Earth observation | In orbit | Successful |
| Mission ended in January 1990 ||||||
| 14 March | Kosmos-3M | Kosmos-3M | | Plesetsk Site 132/2 | Plesetsk Site 132/2 | | |
| 14 March | | Kosmos 1634 (Parus №49) | | Low Earth | Navigation | In orbit | Operational |
| 21 March | Kosmos-3M | Kosmos-3M | | Plesetsk Site 132/2 | Plesetsk Site 132/2 | | |
| 21 March | | Kosmos 1635 (Strela-1M №289) | | Low Earth | Military communications | In orbit | Operational |
| 21 March | | Kosmos 1636 (Strela-1M №290) | | Low Earth | Military communications | In orbit | Operational |
| 21 March | | Kosmos 1637 (Strela-1M №291) | | Low Earth | Military communications | In orbit | Operational |
| 21 March | | Kosmos 1638 (Strela-1M №292) | | Low Earth | Military communications | In orbit | Operational |
| 21 March | | Kosmos 1639 (Strela-1M №293) | | Low Earth | Military communications | In orbit | Operational |
| 21 March | | Kosmos 1640 (Strela-1M №294) | | Low Earth | Military communications | In orbit | Operational |
| 21 March | | Kosmos 1641 (Strela-1M №295) | | Low Earth | Military communications | In orbit | Operational |
| 21 March | | Kosmos 1642 (Strela-1M №296) | | Low Earth | Military communications | In orbit | Operational |
| 22 March | Proton-K Blok-DM | Proton-K Blok-DM | | Baikonur Site 200/40 | Baikonur Site 200/40 | | |
| 22 March | | Ekran 14 (Ekran 28L) | NPO PM | Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Operational |
| 22 March 23:55:00 | Atlas G / Centaur-D1AR | Atlas G / Centaur-D1AR | AC-63 | Cape Canaveral LC-36B | Cape Canaveral LC-36B | | |
| 22 March 23:55:00 | | Intelsat VA F-10 (Intelsat 510) | Intelsat | Geosynchronous | Communications | July 1999 | Successful |
| 25 March | Soyuz U | Soyuz U | | Baikonur Site 1/5 | Baikonur Site 1/5 | | |
| 25 March | | Kosmos 1643 (Yantar-4KS1 №3/Terilen №3) | GRU | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational |
| ← Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec → April ||||||||
| 3 April | Soyuz U | Soyuz U | | Baikonur Site 31/6 | Baikonur Site 31/6 | | |
| 3 April | | Kosmos 1644 (Zenit-8 №13/Oblik №13) | GRU | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational |
| 12 April 13:59 | Space Shuttle Discovery / PAM-D | Space Shuttle Discovery / PAM-D | | Kennedy LC-39A | Kennedy LC-39A | United Space Alliance | United Space Alliance |
| 12 April 13:59 | | STS-51-D | NASA | Low Earth | Satellite deployment | 19 April 13:54 | Successful |
| 12 April 13:59 | | Anik C1 | Telesat Canada | Current: Graveyard Operational: Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Successful |
| 12 April 13:59 | | Leasat 3 (Syncom-4 3) | US Navy | Current: Graveyard Operational: Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Successful |
| Crewed orbital flight with seven astronauts including the first sitting member of the United States Congress to fly in space (Senator Jake Garn). Anik C1 was retired on 5 May 2003. Leasat 3 failed to maneuver to geosynchronous orbit and was re-captured by mission STS-51-I in August, repaired and subsequently maneuvered to geosynchronous orbit. Discovery suffered extensive brake and tyre damage upon landing at Kennedy Space Center. ||||||
| 13 April | Zenit-2 | Zenit-2 | | Baikonur Site 45 | Baikonur Site 45 | | |
| 13 April | | Kosmos (EPN 03.0694 №1) | | Low Earth | Vehicle Evaluation | In orbit | Failure |
| 16 April | Soyuz U | Soyuz U | | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | | |
| 16 April | | Kosmos 1645 (Foton №1) | | Low Earth | Microgravity | In orbit | Operational |
| 18 April | Tsyklon-2 | Tsyklon-2 | | Baikonur Site 90 | Baikonur Site 90 | | |
| 18 April | | Kosmos 1646 (US-P №21) | GRU | Low Earth | | In orbit | Operational |
| 19 April | Soyuz U | Soyuz U | | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | | |
| 19 April | | Kosmos 1647 (Yantar-4K2 №14/Kobalt №14) | GRU | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational |
| 25 April | Soyuz U | Soyuz U | | Plesetsk Site 43/4 | Plesetsk Site 43/4 | | |
| 25 April | | Kosmos 1648 (Zenit-8 №14/Oblik №14) | GRU | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational |
| 26 April | Molniya-M / Blok-SO-L | Molniya-M / Blok-SO-L | | Baikonur Site 31/6 | Baikonur Site 31/6 | | |
| 26 April | | Interkosmos 23 (Prognoz №10) | Interkosmos/NPO Lavochkin | Molniya | Magnetosphere research | In orbit | Operational |
| 29 April 16:02 | Space Shuttle Challenger | Space Shuttle Challenger | | Kennedy LC-39A | Kennedy LC-39A | United Space Alliance | United Space Alliance |
| 29 April 16:02 | | STS-51-B | NASA | Low Earth | Microgravity research | 6 May 16:11 | Successful |
| 29 April 16:02 | | Spacelab Long Module 1 | NASA/ESRO | Low Earth (Challenger) | Microgravity research | 6 May 16:11 | Successful |
| 29 April 16:02 | | GLOMAR | | Intended: Low Earth | Getaway Special | 6 May 16:11 | Deployment failure |
| 29 April 16:02 | | NUSAT | | Low Earth | Getaway Special | 15 December | Successful |
| Crewed orbital flight with seven astronauts; GLOMAR failed to deploy from its GAS canister ||||||
| ← Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec → May ||||||||
| 8 May 01:15 | Ariane 3 | Ariane 3 | | Kourou ELA-1 | Kourou ELA-1 | Arianespace | Arianespace |
| 8 May 01:15 | | GStar 1 | GTE Spacenet | Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Successful |
| 8 May 01:15 | | Télécom 1B | France Télécom | Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Successful |
| 15 May | Soyuz U | Soyuz U | | Plesetsk Site 43/4 | Plesetsk Site 43/4 | | |
| 15 May | | Kosmos 1649 (Zenit-8 №15/Oblik №15) | GRU | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational |
| 17 May | Proton-K Blok-DM-2 | Proton-K Blok-DM-2 | | Baikonur Site 200/39 | Baikonur Site 200/39 | | |
| 17 May | | Kosmos 1650 (GLONASS №10) | NPO PM | Medium Earth | Navigation | In orbit | Operational |
| 17 May | | Kosmos 1651 (GLONASS №11) | NPO PM | Medium Earth | Navigation | In orbit | Operational |
| 17 May | | Kosmos 1652 (GLONASS-GVM №7) | | Medium Earth | Dummy satellite | In orbit | Operational |
| 22 May | Soyuz U | Soyuz U | | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | | |
| 22 May | | Kosmos 1653 (Resurs-F1 №22) | | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth Observation | In orbit | Operational |
| 23 May | Soyuz U | Soyuz U | | Baikonur Site 31/6 | Baikonur Site 31/6 | | |
| 23 May | | Kosmos 1654 (Yantar-4K2 №15/Kobalt №15) | GRU | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational |
| 29 May | Molniya-M / Blok-ML | Molniya-M / Blok-ML | | Plesetsk Site 43/4 | Plesetsk Site 43/4 | | |
| 29 May | | Molniya-3 39L | NPO PM | Molniya | Communications | In orbit | Operational |
| 30 May | Kosmos-3M | Kosmos-3M | | Plesetsk Site 132/1 | Plesetsk Site 132/1 | | |
| 30 May | | Kosmos 1655 (Tsikada №12) | NPO PM | Low Earth | Navigation | In orbit | Operational |
| 30 May | Proton-K Blok-DM-2 | Proton-K Blok-DM-2 | | Baikonur Site 200/40 | Baikonur Site 200/40 | | |
| 30 May | | Kosmos 1656 (Tselina-2 №2) | | Low Earth | SIGINT | In orbit | Operational |
| ← Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec → June ||||||||
| 6 June 06:39 | Soyuz-U2 | Soyuz-U2 | | Baikonur Site 1/5 | Baikonur Site 1/5 | | |
| 6 June 06:39 | | Soyuz T-13 | | Low Earth (Salyut 7) | Salyut 7 EO-4 | 26 September 09:51 | Successful |
| Crewed orbital flight with two cosmonauts ||||||
| 7 June | Soyuz U | Soyuz U | | Plesetsk Site 43/4 | Plesetsk Site 43/4 | | |
| 7 June | | Kosmos 1657 (Resurs-F1 №23) | | Low Earth | Earth Observation | In orbit | Operational |
| 11 June | Molniya-M / Blok-2BL | Molniya-M / Blok-2BL | | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | | |
| 11 June | | Kosmos 1658 (US-K №39) | | Molniya | Early warning | In orbit | Operational |
| 13 June | Soyuz U | Soyuz U | | Plesetsk Site 16/2 | Plesetsk Site 16/2 | | |
| 13 June | | Kosmos 1659 (Zenit-8 №16/Oblik №16) | GRU | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational |
| 14 June | Tsyklon-3 | Tsyklon-3 | | Baikonur Site 32/1 | Baikonur Site 32/1 | | |
| 14 June | | Kosmos 1660 (Geo-IK №6/Musson №6) | NPO PM | Low Earth | Geodesy | In orbit | Operational |
| 17 June 11:33 | Space Shuttle Discovery / PAM-D | Space Shuttle Discovery / PAM-D | | Kennedy LC-39A | Kennedy LC-39A | United Space Alliance | United Space Alliance |
| 17 June 11:33 | | STS-51-G | NASA | Low Earth | Satellite deployment | 24 June 13:11 | Successful |
| 17 June 11:33 | | Morelos 1 | Morelos | Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Successful |
| 17 June 11:33 | | Arabsat-1B | Arabsat | Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Successful |
| 17 June 11:33 | | Telstar 303 | AT&T | Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Successful |
| 17 June 11:33 | | Spartan 101 | NASA | Low Earth | Astronomy | 24 June 13:11 | Successful |
| Crewed orbital flight with seven astronauts including the first Saudi Arabian space traveller and member of royalty to fly in space (Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud) Arabsat 1B retired in 1993. ||||||
| 18 June | Molniya-M / Blok-2BL | Molniya-M / Blok-2BL | | Plesetsk Site 16/2 | Plesetsk Site 16/2 | | |
| 18 June | | Kosmos 1661 (US-K №40) | | Molniya | Early warning | In orbit | Operational |
| 19 June | Kosmos-3M | Kosmos-3M | | Plesetsk Site 132/2 | Plesetsk Site 132/2 | | |
| 19 June | | Kosmos 1662 (Taifun-2 №20) | | Low Earth | Radar calibration | In orbit | Operational |
| 19 June | | 23 Romb | | Low Earth | | In orbit | Operational |
| 21 June 00:39 | Soyuz-U | Soyuz-U | | Baikonur Site 1/5 | Baikonur Site 1/5 | | |
| 21 June 00:39 | | Progress 24 | | Low Earth (Salyut 7) | Logistics | 15 July 22:33 | Successful |
| 21 June | Soyuz U | Soyuz U | | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | | |
| 21 June | | Kosmos 1663 (Resurs-F1 №24) | | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth Observation | In orbit | Operational |
| 21 June | Zenit-2 | Zenit-2 | | Baikonur Site 45 | Baikonur Site 45 | | |
| 21 June | | Kosmos (EPN 03.0694 №2) | | Low Earth | Vehicle Evaluation | In orbit | Partial Failure |
| 26 June | Soyuz U | Soyuz U | | Plesetsk Site 43/4 | Plesetsk Site 43/4 | | |
| 26 June | | Kosmos 1664 (Zenit-8 №17/Oblik №17) | GRU | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational |
| 30 June 00:44 | Atlas G / Centaur-D1AR | Atlas G / Centaur-D1AR | AC-64 | Cape Canaveral LC-36B | Cape Canaveral LC-36B | | |
| 30 June 00:44 | | Intelsat VA F-11 (Intelsat 511) | Intelsat | Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Successful |
| ← Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec → July ||||||||
| 2 July 11:23 | Ariane 1 | Ariane 1 | | Kourou ELA-1 | Kourou ELA-1 | Arianespace | Arianespace |
| 2 July 11:23 | | Giotto | ESA | Heliocentric | Flyby of Halley's Comet | In orbit | Successful |
| Closest approach of Halley's Comet (596 kilometres (370 mi)) achieved on 13 March 1986 Closest approach of 26P/Grigg-Skjellerup (200 kilometres (120 mi)) achieved on 10 July 1992 ||||||
| 3 July | Soyuz U | Soyuz U | | Plesetsk Site 16/2 | Plesetsk Site 16/2 | | |
| 3 July | | Kosmos 1665 (Zenit-8 №18/Oblik №18) | GRU | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational |
| 8 July | Tsyklon-3 | Tsyklon-3 | | Plesetsk Site 32/2 | Plesetsk Site 32/2 | | |
| 8 July | | Kosmos 1666 (Tselina-D №49) | | Low Earth | SIGINT | In orbit | Operational |
| 10 July | Soyuz U | Soyuz U | | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | | |
| 10 July | | Kosmos 1667 (Bion №7) | | Low Earth | Life Science | In orbit | Operational |
| 15 July | Soyuz U | Soyuz U | | Baikonur Site 31/6 | Baikonur Site 31/6 | | |
| 15 July | | Kosmos 1668 (Zenit-8 №19/Oblik №19) | GRU | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational |
| 17 July | Molniya-M / Blok-ML | Molniya-M / Blok-ML | | Plesetsk Site 43/4 | Plesetsk Site 43/4 | | |
| 17 July | | Molniya-3 37L | NPO PM | Molniya | Communications | In orbit | Operational |
| 19 July 13:05 | Soyuz-U | Soyuz-U | | Baikonur Site 1/5 | Baikonur Site 1/5 | | |
| 19 July 13:05 | | Kosmos 1669 (Progress) | | Low Earth (Salyut 7) | Logistics | 30 August 01:20 | Successful |
| 29 July 21:00 | Space Shuttle Challenger | Space Shuttle Challenger | | Kennedy LC-39A | Kennedy LC-39A | United Space Alliance | United Space Alliance |
| 29 July 21:00 | | STS-51-F | NASA | Low Earth | Astronomical experiments | 6 August 19:45 | Successful |
| 29 July 21:00 | | PDP | NASA | Low Earth | Plasma research | 6 August 19:45 | Successful |
| 29 July 21:00 | | Spacelab 2 (three pallets) | NASA/ESRO | Low Earth (Challenger) | Astronomy | 6 August 19:45 | Successful |
| Crewed orbital flight with seven astronauts; A main engine shut-down during ascent caused an Abort to Orbit, the first (and only) abort of the Space Shuttle program. ||||||
| ← Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec → August ||||||||
| 1 August | Tsyklon-2 | Tsyklon-2 | | Baikonur Site 90 | Baikonur Site 90 | | |
| 1 August | | Kosmos 1670 (US-A №26) | | Low Earth | Ocean Surveillance | In orbit | Operational |
| 2 August | Soyuz U | Soyuz U | | Plesetsk Site 16/2 | Plesetsk Site 16/2 | | |
| 2 August | | Kosmos 1671 (Zenit-8 №20/Oblik №20) | GRU | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational |
| 3 August | Scout-G 1 | Scout-G 1 | | Vandenberg SLC-5 | Vandenberg SLC-5 | | |
| 3 August | | Transit-O 24 | US Navy | Low Earth | Navigation | In orbit | Operational |
| 3 August | | Transit-O 30 | US Navy | Low Earth | Navigation | In orbit | Operational |
| 7 August | Soyuz U | Soyuz U | | Plesetsk Site 43/4 | Plesetsk Site 43/4 | | |
| 7 August | | Kosmos 1672 (Resurs-F1 №25) | | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth observation | In orbit | Operational |
| 8 August | Soyuz U | Soyuz U | | Baikonur Site 1/5 | Baikonur Site 1/5 | | |
| 8 August | | Kosmos 1673 (Yantar-1KFT №5/Kometa №5) | GRU | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational |
| 8 August | Tsyklon-3 | Tsyklon-3 | | Plesetsk Site 32/1 | Plesetsk Site 32/1 | | |
| 8 August | | Kosmos 1674 (Tselina-D №50) | | Low Earth | SIGINT | In orbit | Operational |
| 8 August | Proton-K Blok-DM | Proton-K Blok-DM | | Baikonur Site 200/39 | Baikonur Site 200/39 | | |
| 8 August | | Raduga 16 (Gran 26L) | NPO PM | Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Operational |
| 12 August | Molniya-M / Blok-2BL | Molniya-M / Blok-2BL | | Plesetsk Site 16/2 | Plesetsk Site 16/2 | | |
| 12 August | | Kosmos 1675 (US-K №41) | | Molniya | Early warning | In orbit | Operational |
| 16 August | Soyuz U | Soyuz U | | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | | |
| 16 August | | Kosmos 1676 (Yantar-4K2 №16/Kobalt №16) | GRU | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational |
| 18 August 23:33 | M-3SII / KM-P | M-3SII / KM-P | M-3SII-2 | Kagoshima LP-M | Kagoshima LP-M | ISAS | ISAS |
| 18 August 23:33 | | Suisei (Planet A) | ISAS | Heliocentric | 1P/Halley comet flyby | 22 February 1991 | Successful |
| 22 August | Molniya-M / Blok-ML | Molniya-M / Blok-ML | | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | | |
| 22 August | | Molniya-1T 64 (Molniya-1T 74L) | NPO PM | Molniya | Communications | In orbit | Operational |
| 23 August | Tsyklon-2 | Tsyklon-2 | | Baikonur Site 90 | Baikonur Site 90 | | |
| 23 August | | Kosmos 1677 (US-A №27) | | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational |
| 27 August 10:58 | Space Shuttle Discovery / PAM-D | Space Shuttle Discovery / PAM-D | | Kennedy LC-39A | Kennedy LC-39A | United Space Alliance | United Space Alliance |
| 27 August 10:58 | | STS-51-I | NASA | Low Earth | Satellite deployment and repair | 3 September 13:15 | Successful |
| 27 August 10:58 | | Aussat A1 | Aussat Pty Ltd | Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Successful |
| 27 August 10:58 | | ASC-1 | ASC | Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Successful |
| 27 August 10:58 | | Leasat 4 (Syncom-4 4) | US Navy | Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Spacecraft failure |
| Crewed orbital flight with five astronauts Leasat 4 failed in orbit after becoming operational for a short period Retrieved Leasat 3, deployed by STS-51-D in April and repaired the malfunctioning perigee motor to allow the satellite to reach geosynchronous orbit. ||||||
| 28 August 21:20 | Titan 34D | Titan 34D | | Vandenberg SLC-4E | Vandenberg SLC-4E | | |
| 28 August 21:20 | | KH-11 7 (Crystal 7) | NRO | Intended: Sun-synchronous | Reconnaissance | 28 August | Launch Failure |
| First stage propellant feed malfunction ||||||
| 29 August | Soyuz U | Soyuz U | | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | | |
| 29 August | | Kosmos 1678 (Resurs-F1 №26) | | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth observation | In orbit | Operational |
| 29 August | Soyuz U | Soyuz U | | Baikonur Site 31/6 | Baikonur Site 31/6 | | |
| 29 August | | Kosmos 1679 (Yantar-4K2 №17/Kobalt №17) | GRU | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational |
| ← Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec → September ||||||||
| 4 September | Kosmos-3M | Kosmos-3M | | Plesetsk Site 132/1 | Plesetsk Site 132/1 | | |
| 4 September | | Kosmos 1680 (Strela-2M №27) | NPO PM | Low Earth | Military communications | In orbit | Operational |
| 6 September | Soyuz U | Soyuz U | | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | | |
| 6 September | | Kosmos 1681 (Zenit-4MKT №27/Fram №27) | GRU | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational |
| 12 September 23:26 | Ariane 3 | Ariane 3 | | Kourou ELA | Kourou ELA | Arianespace | Arianespace |
| 12 September 23:26 | | Eutelsat I F-3 (ECS-3) | Eutelsat | Intended: Geosynchronous | Communications | 12 September | Launch Failure |
| 12 September 23:26 | | Spacenet F3 | Spacenet | Intended: Geosynchronous | Communications | 12 September | Launch Failure |
| Third stage failed to ignite ||||||
| 17 September 12:38 | Soyuz-U2 | Soyuz-U2 | | Baikonur Site 1/5 | Baikonur Site 1/5 | | |
| 17 September 12:38 | | Soyuz T-14 | | Low Earth (Salyut 7) | Salyut 7 EP-5 | 21 November 10:31 | Successful |
| Crewed orbital flight with three cosmonauts ||||||
| 19 September | Tsyklon-2 | Tsyklon-2 | | Baikonur Site 90 | Baikonur Site 90 | | |
| 19 September | | Kosmos 1682 (US-P №22) | | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational |
| 19 September | Soyuz U | Soyuz U | | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | | |
| 19 September | | Kosmos 1683 (Zenit-8 №21/Oblik №21) | GRU | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational |
| 24 September | Molniya-M / Blok-2BL | Molniya-M / Blok-2BL | | Plesetsk Site 43/4 | Plesetsk Site 43/4 | | |
| 24 September | | Kosmos 1684 (US-K №42) | | Molniya | Early warning | In orbit | Operational |
| 26 September | Soyuz U | Soyuz U | | Baikonur Site 16/2 | Baikonur Site 16/2 | | |
| 26 September | | Kosmos 1685 (Zenit-8 №22/Oblik №22) | GRU | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational |
| 27 September 08:41 | Proton-K | Proton-K | | Baikonur Site 200/39 | Baikonur Site 200/39 | | |
| 27 September 08:41 | | Kosmos 1686 (TKS-M №1) | | Low Earth (Salyut 7) | Logistics | 7 February 1991 | Successful |
| TKS-4; remained docked with Salyut 7 through that station's re-entry ||||||
| 28 September 23:17 | Atlas G | Atlas G | | Cape Canaveral LC-36B | Cape Canaveral LC-36B | | |
| 28 September 23:17 | | Intelsat VA F-11 (Intelsat 512) | Intelsat | Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Successful |
| 30 September | Molniya-M / Blok-2BL | Molniya-M / Blok-2BL | | Plesetsk Site 16/2 | Plesetsk Site 16/2 | | |
| 30 September | | Kosmos 1687 (US-K №43) | | Molniya | Early warning | In orbit | Operational |
| ← Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec → October ||||||||
| 2 October | Kosmos-3M | Kosmos-3M | | Kapustin Yar Site 107 | Kapustin Yar Site 107 | | |
| 2 October | | Kosmos 1688 (Taifun-2 №21) | | Low Earth | Radar calibration | In orbit | Operational |
| 2 October | | O Romb | | Low Earth | | In orbit | Operational |
| 3 October | Vostok-2M | Vostok-2M | | Baikonur Site 31/6 | Baikonur Site 31/6 | | |
| 3 October | | Kosmos 1689 (Resurs-O1 №1) | NPO Planeta | Low Earth | Earth observation | In orbit | Operational |
| 3 October | Molniya-M / Blok-ML | Molniya-M / Blok-ML | | Plesetsk Site 43/4 | Plesetsk Site 43/4 | | |
| 3 October | | Molniya-3 38L | NPO PM | Molniya | Communications | In orbit | Operational |
| 3 October 15:15 | Space Shuttle Atlantis / IUS | Space Shuttle Atlantis / IUS | | Kennedy LC-39A | Kennedy LC-39A | United Space Alliance | United Space Alliance |
| 3 October 15:15 | | STS-51-J | NASA | Low Earth | Satellite deployment | 7 October 17:00 | Successful |
| 3 October 15:15 | | DSCS-III 2 (USA-11) | US Air Force | Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Successful |
| 3 October 15:15 | | DSCS-III 3 (USA-12) | US Air Force | Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Successful |
| Crewed orbital flight with five astronauts; Maiden flight of Space Shuttle Atlantis ||||||
| 9 October 02:53 | Atlas E/SGS-2 | Atlas E/SGS-2 | | Vandenberg SLC-3W | Vandenberg SLC-3W | | |
| 9 October 02:53 | | GPS-11 (USA-10) | US Air Force | Medium Earth | Navigation | In orbit | Successful |
| 9 October | Tsyklon-3 | Tsyklon-3 | | Plesetsk Site 32/1 | Plesetsk Site 32/1 | | |
| 9 October | | Kosmos 1690 (Strela-3 №7) | VKS | Low Earth | Military communications | In orbit | Operational |
| 9 October | | Kosmos 1691 (Strela-3 №8) | VKS | Low Earth | Military communications | In orbit | Operational |
| 9 October | | Kosmos 1692 (Strela-3 №9) | VKS | Low Earth | Military communications | In orbit | Operational |
| 9 October | | Kosmos 1693 (Strela-3 №10) | VKS | Low Earth | Military communications | In orbit | Operational |
| 9 October | | Kosmos 1694 (Strela-3 №11) | VKS | Low Earth | Military communications | In orbit | Operational |
| 9 October | | Kosmos 1695 (Strela-3 №12) | VKS | Low Earth | Military communications | In orbit | Operational |
| 16 October | Soyuz U | Soyuz U | | Baikonur Site 31/6 | Baikonur Site 31/6 | | |
| 16 October | | Kosmos 1696 (Zenit-8 №23/Oblik №23) | GRU | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational |
| 21 October | Long March 2C | Long March 2C | 2C-Y4 | Jiuquan LA-2B | Jiuquan LA-2B | CASC | CASC |
| 21 October | | FSW-0 7 | CAST | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational |
| 22 October | Zenit-2 | Zenit-2 | | Baikonur Site 45/1 | Baikonur Site 45/1 | | |
| 22 October | | Kosmos 1697 (EPN 03.0694 №3) | | Low Earth | Vehicle Evaluation | In orbit | Operational |
| 22 October | Molniya-M / Blok-2BL | Molniya-M / Blok-2BL | | Plesetsk Site 43/4 | Plesetsk Site 43/4 | | |
| 22 October | | Kosmos 1698 (US-K №44) | | Molniya | Early warning | In orbit | Operational |
| 23 October | Molniya-M / Blok-ML | Molniya-M / Blok-ML | | Baikonur Site 1/5 | Baikonur Site 1/5 | | |
| 23 October | | Molniya-1T 65 (Molniya-1T 73L) | NPO PM | Molniya | Communications | In orbit | Operational |
| 23 October | Kosmos-3M | Kosmos-3M | | Plesetsk Site 133/3 | Plesetsk Site 133/3 | | |
| 23 October | | Kosmos (Parus №50) | NPO PM | Low Earth | Navigation | In orbit | Failure |
| 24 October | Tsyklon-3 | Tsyklon-3 | | Plesetsk Site 32/1 | Plesetsk Site 32/1 | | |
| 24 October | | Meteor-3 1 | VNIEM | Low Earth | Meteorology | In orbit | Operational |
| 25 October | Soyuz U | Soyuz U | | Plesetsk Site 16/2 | Plesetsk Site 16/2 | | |
| 25 October | | Kosmos 1699 (Yantar-4K2 №18/Kobalt №18) | GRU | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational |
| 25 October | Proton-K / Blok-DM-2 | Proton-K / Blok-DM-2 | | Baikonur Site 200/40 | Baikonur Site 200/40 | | |
| 25 October | | Kosmos 1700 (Luch №1/Altair 11L) | NPO PM | Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Operational |
| 28 October | Molniya-M / Blok-ML | Molniya-M / Blok-ML | | Plesetsk Site 43/4 | Plesetsk Site 43/4 | | |
| 28 October | | Molniya-1T 66 (Molniya-1T 76L) | NPO PM | Molniya | Communications | In orbit | Operational |
| 30 October 17:00 | Space Shuttle Challenger | Space Shuttle Challenger | | Kennedy LC-39A | Kennedy LC-39A | United Space Alliance | United Space Alliance |
| 30 October 17:00 | | STS-61-A | NASA | Low Earth | Microgravity research | 6 November 17:44 | Successful |
| 30 October 17:00 | | Spacelab Long Module 2 | NASA | Low Earth (Challenger) | Spacelab D1 | 6 November 17:44 | Successful |
| 30 October 17:00 | | GLOMAR | DLR | Low Earth | Getaway Special | 26 December 1986 | Successful |
| Crewed orbital flight with eight astronauts Maiden flight of Spacelab Long Module #2 ||||||
| ← Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec → November ||||||||
| 9 November | Molniya-M / Blok-2BL | Molniya-M / Blok-2BL | | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | | |
| 9 November | | Kosmos 1701 (US-K №45) | NPO PM | Molniya | Early warning | In orbit | Operational |
| 13 November | Soyuz U | Soyuz U | | Plesetsk Site 16/2 | Plesetsk Site 16/2 | | |
| 13 November | | Kosmos 1702 (Zenit-8 №24/Oblik №24) | GRU | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational |
| 15 November | Proton-K / Blok-DM | Proton-K / Blok-DM | | Baikonur Site 200/39 | Baikonur Site 200/39 | | |
| 15 November | | Raduga 17 (Gran 28L) | NPO PM | Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Operational |
| 22 November | Tsyklon-3 | Tsyklon-3 | | Plesetsk Site 32/2 | Plesetsk Site 32/2 | | |
| 22 November | | Kosmos 1703 (Tselina-D №51) | Yuzhnoye | Low Earth | SIGINT | In orbit | Operational |
| 27 November 00:29 | Space Shuttle Atlantis / IUS | Space Shuttle Atlantis / IUS | | Kennedy LC-39A | Kennedy LC-39A | United Space Alliance | United Space Alliance |
| 27 November 00:29 | | STS-61-B | NASA | Low Earth | Satellite deployment | 2 December 21:33 | Successful |
| 27 November 00:29 | | Morelos 2 | Morelos | Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Successful |
| 27 November 00:29 | | Aussat A2 | Aussat Pty Ltd | Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Successful |
| 27 November 00:29 | | Satcom K2 | RCA Americom | Geosynchronous | Communications | In orbit | Successful |
| 27 November 00:29 | | OEX Target | NASA | Low Earth | | 2 March 1987 | Successful |
| 27 November 00:29 | | EASE/ACCESS | NASA | Low Earth (Atlantis) | Structure assembly experiment | 2 December 21:33 | Successful |
| Crewed orbital flight with seven astronauts including the first Mexican space traveller. ||||||
| 28 November | Kosmos-3M | Kosmos-3M | | Plesetsk Site 133/3 | Plesetsk Site 133/3 | | |
| 28 November | | Kosmos 1704 (Parus №51) | NPO PM | Low Earth | Navigation | In orbit | Operational |
| ← Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec → December ||||||||
| 3 December | Soyuz U | Soyuz U | | Plesetsk Site 16/2 | Plesetsk Site 16/2 | | |
| 3 December | | Kosmos 1705 (Zenit-8 №25/Oblik №25) | GRU | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational |
| 11 December | Soyuz U | Soyuz U | | Plesetsk Site 16/2 | Plesetsk Site 16/2 | | |
| 11 December | | Kosmos 1706 (Yantar-4K2 №19/Kobalt №19) | GRU | Low Earth | Reconnaissance | In orbit | Operational |
| 12 December | Tsyklon-3 | Tsyklon-3 | | Plesetsk Site 32/1 | Plesetsk Site 32/1 | | |
| 12 December | | Kosmos 1707 (Tselina-D №52) | Yuzhnoye | Low Earth | SIGINT | In orbit | Operational |
| 13 December | Scout-G 1 | Scout-G 1 | | Wallops LA-3 | Wallops LA-3 | | |
| 13 December | | ITV 1 (USA-13) | USAF | Low Earth | ASAT Target | In orbit | Operational |
| 13 December | | ITV 2 (USA-14) | USAF | Low Earth | ASAT Target | In orbit | Operational |
| 13 December | Soyuz U | Soyuz U | | Plesetsk Site 43/4 | Plesetsk Site 43/4 | | |
| 13 December | | Kosmos 1708 (Resurs-F1 №) | | Low Earth (SSO) | Earth observation | In orbit | Operational |
| 19 December | Kosmos-3M | Kosmos-3M | | Plesetsk Site 132/1 | Plesetsk Site 132/1 | | |
| 19 December | | Kosmos 1709 (Parus №52) | NPO PM | Low Earth | Navigation | In orbit | Operational |
| 24 December | Molniya-M / Blok-ML | Molniya-M / Blok-ML | | Plesetsk Site 43/4 | Plesetsk Site 43/4 | | |
| 24 December | | Molniya-3 40L | NPO PM | Molniya | Communications | In orbit | Operational |
| 24 December | Proton-K / Blok-DM-2 | Proton-K / Blok-DM-2 | | Baikonur Site 200/39 | Baikonur Site 200/39 | | |
| 24 December | | Kosmos 1710 (GLONASS №12) | NPO PM | Medium Earth | Navigation | In orbit | Operational |
| 24 December | | Kosmos 1711 (GLONASS №13) | NPO PM | Medium Earth | Navigation | In orbit | Operational |
| 24 December | | Kosmos 1712 (GLONASS-GVM №8) | | Medium Earth | Dummy Satellite | In orbit | Operational |
| 26 December | Tsyklon-3 | Tsyklon-3 | | Plesetsk Site 32/1 | Plesetsk Site 32/1 | | |
| 26 December | | Meteor-2 13 | VNIEM | Low Earth | Meteorology | In orbit | Operational |
| 27 December | Soyuz U | Soyuz U | | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | Plesetsk Site 41/1 | | |
| 27 December | | Kosmos 1713 (Efir №2) | | Low Earth | Cosmic radiation | In orbit | Operational |
| 28 December | Zenit-2 | Zenit-2 | | Baikonur Site 45 | Baikonur Site 45 | | |
| 28 December | | Kosmos 1714 (Tselina-2 №3) | Yuzhnoye | Low Earth | SIGINT | In orbit | Partial Failure |
| ← Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec → ||||||||
* ← Jan
* Feb
* Mar
* Apr
* May
* Jun
* Jul
* Aug
* Sep
* Oct
* Nov
* Dec →

## Suborbital flights

| Date and time (UTC) | Rocket | Rocket | Flight number | Launch site | Launch site | LSP | LSP |
| Date and time (UTC) | | Payload (⚀ = CubeSat) | Operator | Orbit | Function | Decay (UTC) | Outcome |
| Remarks ||||||
| 13 September | ASM-135 ASAT | ASM-135 ASAT | | Celestial Eagle, Vandenberg | Celestial Eagle, Vandenberg | US Air Force | US Air Force |
| 13 September | | | US Air Force | Suborbital | Anti-satellite weapon | 13 September | Successful |
| Successful intercept and destruction of Solwind P78-1. ||||||

## Deep Space Rendezvous

| Date (GMT) | Spacecraft | Event |
| 11 June | Vega 1 | delivered lander and balloon on Venus |
| 15 June | Vega 2 | delivered lander and balloon on Venus |
| 11 September | ISEE-3/ICE | Flyby of 21P/Giacobini-Zinner |

## EVAs

| Start Date/Time | Duration | End Time | Spacecraft | Crew | Remarks |
| 16 April | 3 hours 6 minutes | | STS-51-D Discovery | Jeffrey A. Hoffman S. David Griggs | Installed an improvised switch-pulling tool, called the Flyswatter, on the RMS robotic arm. The Flyswatter was used in an effort to push the sequencer start lever on the Leasat-3 in the proper position for deployment. This attempted repair was the first unplanned spacewalk in NASA history. |
| 2 August 07:15 | 5 hours | 12:15 | Salyut 7 EO-4 | Vladimir Dzhanibekov Viktor Savinykh | Installed a third pair of solar arrays on exterior of Salyut 7. |
| 31 August | 7 hours 20 minutes | | STS-51-I Discovery | William Fisher James van Hoften | Van Hoften rode the RMS to capture the Leasat 3 satellite and pulled it into payload bay. Fisher and Van Hoften secured and started repairs on the satellite in the payload bay. The retrieval was complicated by a malfunction of the RMS that made operation of the arm more complicated. |
| 1 September | 4 hours 26 minutes | | STS-51-I Discovery | William Fisher James van Hoften | Completed repairs on the Leasat 3 satellite. Then Van Hoften, riding the RMS, heaved the satellite out of the payload bay, imparting the required spin needed to fire the perigee motor. |
| 29 November | 5 hours 32 minutes | | STS-61-B Atlantis | Jerry L. Ross Sherwood C. Spring | Practiced construction techniques in the payload bay and assembled and disassembled the two experimental EASE/ACCESS structures. |
| 1 December | 6 hours 41 minutes | | STS-61-B Atlantis | Jerry L. Ross Sherwood C. Spring | Conducted supplementary experiments on the EASE and ACCESS structures, including a test of the RMS to aid in the construction experiments. |