1981 in spaceflight Launches Launches

| Date_and_time_UTC_ | Rocket | Site | Orbit | Function_ | Decay_UTC_ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 December, 01:10 UTC | Atlas-E / SVS [ disambiguation needed ] | SLC-3E , Vandenberg AFB | Intended: MEO | Prototype navigation satellite | 19 December 1981 |
| 19 December, 11:50 UTC | Soyuz-U | LC-31/6 , Baikonur | LEO | Reconnaissance | 19 January 1982 |
| 19 December, 20:00 UTC | Petrel | El Arenosillo | Sub-orbital | Aeronomy | 19 December 1981 |
| 20 December, 01:29:00 UTC | Ariane 1 | ELA-1 , CSG | GEO , then Graveyard orbit | Comsat | Still in orbit |
| 20 December, 01:29:00 UTC | Ariane 1 | ELA-1 , CSG | GTO | Flight data recorder | Still in orbit |
| 20 December, 01:29:00 UTC | Ariane 1 | ELA-1 , CSG | GTO | Flight data recorder | 21 November 1988 |
| 21 December, 18:37 UTC | Vertikal | LC-107, Kapustin Yar | Sub-orbital | Aeronomy / Ionosphere research | 21 December 1981 |
| 23 December, 13:15 UTC | Molniya-M | Baikonur | Molniya | Comsat | Still in orbit |