1981 in spaceflight Launches Launches

| Date_and_time_UTC_ | Rocket | Site | Orbit | Function_ | Decay_UTC_ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 August, 09:56 UTC | Delta 3913 | SLC-2W , Vandenberg AFB | HEO | Magnetosphere research | Still in orbit |
| 4 August, 00:13 UTC | Molniya-M | Plesetsk | Molniya | Missile detection | Still in orbit |
| 4 August, 08:28 UTC | Tsyklon-2 | LC-90, Baikonur | LEO | ELINT | 16 October 1982 |
| 6 August, 08:16:00 UTC | Atlas-Centaur SLV-3D | LC-36A , Cape Canaveral | GEO | Comsat | Still in orbit |
| 6 August, 11:49 UTC | Kosmos-3M | LC-132/2, Plesetsk | LEO | Comsat | Still in orbit |
| 7 August, 13:35 UTC | Vostok-2M | LC-43/3, Plesetsk | LEO | Ionosphere research | Still in orbit |
| 9 August | Nike Orion | Wallops Island | Sub-orbital | Plasma research | 9 August 1981 |
| 9 August | Taurus-Orion | Wallops Island | Sub-orbital | Plasma research | 9 August 1981 |
| 10 August, 20:03 UTC | N-II | LA-N, Tanegashima | GSO | Weather satellite | Still in orbit |