1981 in spaceflight Launches Launches

| Date_and_time_UTC_ | Rocket | Site | Orbit | Function_ | Decay_UTC_ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 May, 11:50 UTC | Soyuz-U | LC-31/6 , Baikonur | LEO | Reconnaissance | 17 June 1981 |
| 19 May, 03:49 UTC | Vostok-2M | Plesetsk | LEO | ELINT | Still in orbit |
| 21 May, 09:10 UTC | Soyuz-U | Baikonur | LEO | Reconnaissance | 4 June 1981 |
| 22 May, 07:10 UTC | Soyuz-U | Plesetsk | LEO | Reconnaissance | 4 June 1981 |
| 22 May, 22:29 UTC | Delta 3914 | LC-17A , Cape Canaveral | GSO | Weather satellite | Still in orbit |
| 23 May, 22:42 UTC | Atlas-Centaur SLV-3D | LC-36B , Cape Canaveral | GSO | Comsat | Still in orbit |
| 27 May, 04:25 UTC | Black Brant VC | LC-36, White Sands | Sub-orbital | Ultraviolet astronomy | 27 May 1981 |
| 31 May, 05:00 UTC | SLV | FLP, Sriharikota | LEO | Technology demonstration | 8 June 1981 |