1981 in spaceflight Launches Launches

| Date_and_time_UTC_ | Rocket | Site | Orbit | Function_ | Decay_UTC_ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 January, 12:15 UTC | Soyuz-U (R-7 11A511U) | Plesetsk | LEO | Reconnaissance | 20 January 1981 |
| 9 January, 14:57 UTC | Molniya-M / ML (R-7 8K78M/ML) | LC-41/1, Plesetsk | Molniya | Comsat | 3 July 1999 |
| 10 January, 18:22 UTC | Nike Tomahawk | Siple Station , Ellsworth Island | Sub-orbital | Ionospheric research | 10 January 1981 |
| 14 January, 22:00 UTC | TT-500A | LA-T, Tanegashima | Sub-orbital | Test rocket | 14 January 1981 |
| 16 January, 09:00 UTC | Kosmos-3M (R-14 11K65M) | LC-132/1, Plesetsk | LEO | Radar calibration | Still in orbit |
| 16 January, 12:00 UTC | Soyuz-U (R-7 11A511U) | Plesetsk | LEO | Reconnaissance | 28 January 1981 |