1981 in spaceflight Launches Launches

| Date_and_time_UTC_ | Rocket | Site | Orbit | Function_ | Decay_UTC_ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 September, 21:00 UTC | Kosmos-3M | LC-132/2, Plesetsk | LEO | Radar calibration | 31 December 1982 |
| 28 September, 21:00 UTC | Kosmos-3M | LC-132/2, Plesetsk | LEO | Radar calibration | 28 February 1983 |
| 28 September, 21:00 UTC | Kosmos-3M | LC-132/2, Plesetsk | LEO | Radar calibration | 27 February 1983 |
| 29 September | Topol | LC-167, Plesetsk | Sub-orbital | Test flight | 29 September 1981 |
| 30 September, 08:00 UTC | Tsyklon-3 | LC-32/1, Plesetsk | LEO | Geodetics research | Still in orbit |
| 30 September, 23:20:00 UTC | Black Brant 8C | Esrange | Sub-orbital | l Aurora research | 30 September 1981 |
| 30 September | Black Brant VC | LC-36, White Sands | Sub-orbital | Solar research | 30 September 1981 |
| 1 October, 09:00 UTC | Soyuz-U | Baikonur | LEO | Reconnaissance | 15 October 1981 |