1981 in spaceflight Launches Launches

| Date_and_time_UTC_ | Rocket | Site | Orbit | Function_ | Decay_UTC_ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 March, 16:00 UTC | Nike Orion | Poker Flat | Sub-orbital | Aeronomy research | 8 March 1981 |
| 12 March, 04:30 UTC | Sergeant- Hydac | Poker Flat | Sub-orbital | Test flight | 12 March 1981 |
| 12 March, 19:00 UTC | Soyuz-U (R-7 11A511U) | LC-1/5 , Baikonur | LEO , docked to Salyut 6 | Manned orbital flight | 25 May 1981, 12:37 UTC |
| 13 March, 16:00 UTC | Nike Orion | Fort Churchill | Sub-orbital | Aeronomy research | 13 March 1981 |
| 14 March, 16:55 UTC | Tsyklon-2 (R-36 11K69) | LC-90, Baikonur | LEO | ASAT test | 14 March 1981 |
| 15 March | Minuteman IB | LF-03, Vandenberg AFB | Sub-orbital | Test re-entry vehicle | 15 March 1981 |