1981 in spaceflight Launches Launches

| Date_and_time_UTC_ | Rocket | Site | Orbit | Function_ | Decay_UTC_ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 November, 01:37 UTC | Delta 3910 / PAM | LC-17A , Cape Canaveral | GSO | Comsat | Still in orbit |
| 20 November, 08:30 UTC | Kosmos-3M | LC-107/2, Kapustin Yar | LEO | Earth observation | 30 November 1991 |
| 23 November | Black Brant 8C | White Sands | Sub-orbital | Solar research | 23 November 1981 |
| 24 November | Minuteman III | LF-09, Vandenberg AFB | Sub-orbital | Operational test flight | 24 November 1981 |
| 28 November, 18:08 UTC | Kosmos-3M | LC-132/2, Plesetsk | LEO | Comsat | Still in orbit |
| 1 December, 01:38 UTC | Black Brant X | Cape Parry | Sub-orbital | Plasma research | 1 December 1981 |
| 1 December, 15:50:00 UTC | Petrel | Esrange | Sub-orbital | Aeronomy | 1 December 1981 |
| 1 December | R-39 Rif | Nonoksa | Sub-orbital | Test flight | 1 December 1981 |