1981 in spaceflight Launches Launches

| Date_and_time_UTC_ | Rocket | Site | Orbit | Function_ | Decay_UTC_ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 October, 09:15 UTC | Soyuz-U | Baikonur | LEO | Reconnaissance | 29 October 1981 |
| 16 October | Nike Tomahawk | White Sands | Sub-orbital | Aeronomy | 16 October 1981 |
| 17 October, 05:59 UTC | Molniya-M | LC-41/1, Plesetsk | Molniya | Comsat | 9 January 1997 |
| 17 October | Astrobee-F | White Sands | Sub-orbital | X-Ray astronomy | 17 October 1981 |
| 21 October | Pershing 1A | McGregor Range , Fort Bliss | Sub-orbital | Test flight | 21 October 1981 |
| 25 October, 19:01:00 UTC | Nike Tomahawk | Andøya | Sub-orbital | l Aurora research | 25 October 1981 |
| 30 October, 06:04 UTC | Proton-K / D-1 | LC-200/40 , Baikonur | Heliocentric | Venus flyby | Still in orbit |
| 30 October, 06:04 UTC | Proton-K / D-1 | LC-200/40 , Baikonur | Heliocentric | Venus lander | 1 March 1982 |