1981 in spaceflight
Columns: 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 | 19 January, 03:37 UTC | Black Brant VB | Fort Churchill | Sub-orbital | Aeronomy research | 19 January 1981 | 20 January, 04:50 UTC | Astrobee-F | White Sands | Sub-orbital | Ultraviolet astronomy | 20 January 1981 | 20 January, 11:00 UTC | Soyuz-U (R-7 11A511U) | LC-31/6 , Baikonur | LEO | Reconnaissance | 17 February 1981 | 21 January, 00:25 UTC | Black Brant 8C | White Sands | Sub-orbital | Aeronomy research | 21 January 1981 | 21 January, 08:29 UTC | Kosmos-3M (R-14 11K65M) | LC-132/1, Plesetsk | LEO | ASAT target | Still in orbit | 21 January, 21:46 UTC | S-310 | Kagoshima | Sub-orbital | Aeronomy research | 21 January 1981 | 23 January, 11:20 UTC | Tsyklon-3 (R-36 11K68) | LC-32/1, Plesetsk | Intended: MEO | Geodetics | 23 January 1981 | 24 January, 14:18 UTC | Soyuz-U (R-7 11A511U) | LC-1/5 , Baikonur | LEO , docked to Salyut 6 | Resupply Salyut 6 | 20 March 1981, 16:58:58 UTC | 26 January, 07:20 UTC | Black Brant IVB | Fort Churchill | Sub-orbital | l Aurora research | 26 January 1981 | 27 January, 14:58 UTC | Vostok-2M (R-7 8A92M) | Plesetsk | LEO | SIGINT satellite | Still in orbit | 29 January, 04:12 UTC | Astrobee-F | Fort Churchill | Sub-orbital | Plasma research | 29 January 1981 | 29 January, 17:00 UTC | S-520 | LA-K, Kagoshima | Sub-orbital | Ionospheric /tether research | 29 January 1981 | 30 January, 16:27 UTC | Molniya-M / ML (R-7 8K78M/ML) | Plesetsk | Molniya | Comsat | Still in orbit | 2 February, 02:19 UTC | Tsyklon-2 (R-36 11K69) | LC-90, Baikonur | LEO | ASAT test | 2 February 1981 | 4 February, 01:10 UTC | Aries | LC-36, White Sands | Sub-orbital | ABM technology development | 4 February 1981 | 4 February, 05:00 UTC | Centaure | Thumba | Sub-orbital | Ionosphere research | 4 February 1981 | 4 February, 15:00 UTC | Pershing 1A | LC-16 , Cape Canaveral | Sub-orbital | Operational test flight | 4 February 1981 | 4 February, 15:33 UTC | Pershing 1A | LC-16 , Cape Canaveral | Sub-orbital | Operational test flight | 4 February 1981 | 4 February, 15:53 UTC | Pershing 1A | LC-16 , Cape Canaveral | Sub-orbital | Operational test flight | 4 February 1981 | 5 February, 11:25 UTC | Sergeant | Poker Flat | Sub-orbital | l Aurora research | 5 February 1981 | 6 February, 08:00 UTC | Kosmos-3M (R-14 11K65M) | LC-132/1, Plesetsk | LEO | Technology development | 7 July 1982 | 7 February, 20:13:45 UTC | Petrel 2 | Esrange | Sub-orbital | Aeronomy research | 7 February 1981 | 7 February, 20:30 UTC | Nike Orion | Kiruna | Sub-orbital | Aeronomy research | 7 February 1981 | 9 February | Minuteman III | LF-08, Vandenberg AFB | Sub-orbital | ICBM test | 9 February 1981 | 9 February | Minuteman III | LF-09, Vandenberg AFB | Sub-orbital | ICBM test | 9 February 1981 | 11 February, 08:30 UTC | N-II | LA-N, Tanegashima | MEO | Test carrier rocket/technology development | Still in orbit | 12 February, 05:27 UTC | Centaure 2B | Thumba | Sub-orbital | Ionosphere research | 12 February 1981 | 12 February, 18:21 UTC | Kosmos-3M (R-14 11K65M) | LC-132/1, Plesetsk | LEO | Navigation | Still in orbit | 13 February, 11:15 UTC | Soyuz-U (R-7 11A511U) | Plesetsk | LEO | Reconnaissance satellite | 27 February 1981 | 13 February, 17:15 UTC | Black Brant 8C | LC-36, White Sands | Sub-orbital | Solar research | 13 February 1981 | 17 February, 17:15 UTC | Pershing 1A | LC-16 , Cape Canaveral | Sub-orbital | Operational test flight | 17 February 1981 | 17 February, 17:51 UTC | Pershing 1A | LC-16 , Cape Canaveral | Sub-orbital | Operational test flight | 17 February 1981 | 17 February, 19:17 UTC | Pershing 1A | LC-16 , Cape Canaveral | Sub-orbital | Operational test flight | 17 February 1981 | 18 February, 09:00 UTC | Soyuz-U (R-7 11A511U) | LC-31/6 , Baikonur | LEO | Reconnaissance | 13 March 1981 | 18 February | INTA-300 | El Arenosillo | Sub-orbital | Aeronomy research | 18 February 1981 | 18 February | Minuteman IB | LF-06, Vandenberg AFB | Sub-orbital | Test re-entry vehicle | 18 February 1981 | 19 February, 10:00 UTC | Molniya-M / 2BL (R-7 8K78M/2BL) | LC-16/2, Plesetsk | Molniya | Missile early warning | Still in orbit | 21 February, 00:30 UTC | Mu-3 S | LA-M, Kagoshima | LEO | Solar research | 11 July 1991 | 21 February, 23:23 UTC | Atlas-Centaur SLV-3D | LC-36A , Cape Canavaral | GSO | Comsat | Still in orbit | 21 February | Minuteman III | LF-26, Vandenberg AFB | Sub-orbital | ICBM test | 21 February 1981 | 25 February, 17:20 UTC | Sergeant- Hydac | Poker Flat | Sub-orbital | Test flight | 25 February 1981 | 28 February, 19:15 UTC | Titan 24B / Agena-D | SLC-4W , Vandenberg AFB | LEO | Reconnaissance | 20 June 1981 | 1 March, 09:20 UTC | OTRAG | Sabha | Sub-orbital | Test flight | 1 March 1981 | 5 March, 15:00 UTC | Soyuz-U (R-7 11A511U) | LC-41/1, Plesetsk | LEO | Reconnaissance | 4 April 1981 | 5 March, 16:48 UTC | Sergeant- Hydac | Poker Flat | Sub-orbital | Test flight | 5 March 1981 | 5 March, 18:09 UTC | Tsyklon-2 (R-36 11K69) | LC-90, Baikonur | LEO | Ocean reconnaissance | 19 July 1981 | 6 March, 11:31 UTC | Kosmos-3M (R-14 11K65M) | LC-132/2, Plesetsk | LEO | Comsat | Still in orbit | 7 March, 08:09 UTC | Taurus- Orion | Poker Flat | Sub-orbital | l Aurora research | 7 March 1981 | 7 March, 08:09 UTC | Taurus- Orion | Poker Flat | Sub-orbital | Aeronomy / Ionospheric / Plasma research | 7 March 1981 | 7 March, 08:26 UTC | Taurus- Orion | Poker Flat | Sub-orbital | l Aurora research | 7 March 1981 | 7 March, 08:38 UTC | Paiute- Tomahawk | Poker Flat | Sub-orbital | l Aurora research | 7 March 1981 | 8 March, 16:00 UTC | Nike Orion | Poker Flat | Sub-orbital | Aeronomy research | 8 March 1981 | 12 March, 04:30 UTC | Sergeant- Hydac | Poker Flat | Sub-orbital | Test flight | 12 March 1981 | 12 March, 19:00 UTC | Soyuz-U (R-7 11A511U) | LC-1/5 , Baikonur | LEO , docked to Salyut 6 | Manned orbital flight | 25 May 1981, 12:37 UTC | 13 March, 16:00 UTC | Nike Orion | Fort Churchill | Sub-orbital | Aeronomy research | 13 March 1981 | 14 March, 16:55 UTC | Tsyklon-2 (R-36 11K69) | LC-90, Baikonur | LEO | ASAT test | 14 March 1981 | 15 March | Minuteman IB | LF-03, Vandenberg AFB | Sub-orbital | Test re-entry vehicle | 15 March 1981 | 16 March, 19:24 UTC | Titan III C | LC-40 , Cape Canaveral | GEO . Moved to Graveyard orbit after retirement | Missile early warning | Still in orbit | 17 March, 08:40 UTC | Soyuz-U (R-7 11A511U) | LC-31 , Baikonur | LEO | Reconnaissance | 31 March 1981 | 18 March, 04:40 UTC | Proton-K / DM | LC-200/40 , Baikonur | GEO . Moved to Graveyard orbit after retirement | Comsat | Still in orbit | 20 March, 23:45 UTC | Tsyklon-2 (R-36 11K69) | LC-90, Baikonur | LEO | Ocean reconnaissance | 22 May 1982 | 22 March, 14:58 UTC | Soyuz-U (R-7 11A511U) | LC-31/6 , Baikonur | LEO , docked to Salyut 6 | Manned orbital flight | 30 March 1981 | 24 March, 03:00 UTC | Black Brant 8C | LC-36, White Sands | Sub-orbital | Ultraviolet astronomy | 24 March 1981 | 24 March, 03:31 UTC | Molniya-M | LC-41/1, Plesetsk Cosmodrome | Molniya | Comsat | 19 October 1992 | 25 March, 08:05 UTC | Taurus-Tomahawk | Poker Flat | Sub-orbital | Plasma research | 25 March 1981 | 28 March, 01:54 UTC | Black Brant VB | Fort Churchill | Sub-orbital | Ionosphere research | 28 March 1981 | 28 March, 01:54 UTC | Black Brant IVB | Fort Churchill | Sub-orbital | Ionosphere research | 28 March 1981 | 28 March, 09:30 UTC | Soyuz-U | LC-31/6 , Baikonur | Intended: LEO | Reconnaissance satellite | 28 March 1981 | 30 March, 05:52 UTC | Nike Orion | Poker Flat | Sub-orbital | Aeronomy research | 30 March 1981 | 31 March, 09:40 UTC | Molniya-M | LC-41/1, Plesetsk | Molniya | Missile defence | Still in orbit | 1 April, 09:04:35 UTC | Taurus-Tomahawk | Poker Flat | Sub-orbital | Plasma research | 1 April 1981 | 1 April, 09:10 UTC | Trident C-4 | USSSimon Bolivar , ETR | Sub-orbital | Operational test flight | 1 April 1981 | 1 April | Minuteman III | LF-04, Vandenberg AFB | Sub-orbital | Operational test flight | 1 April 1981 | 2 April | Taurus-Orion | Wallops Island | Sub-orbital | Plasma research | 2 April 1981 | 3 April, 06:20:55 UTC | Nike Orion | Poker Flat | Sub-orbital | Aeronomy | 3 April 1981 | 3 April | Taurus-Orion | Wallops Island | Sub-orbital | Plasma research | 3 April 1981 | 4 April | Minuteman IB | LF-06, Vandenberg AFB | Sub-orbital | Re-entry test | 4 April 1981 | 7 April, 10:51 UTC | Soyuz-U | Plesetsk | LEO | Reconnaissance | 21 April 1981 | 7 April, 14:00 UTC | Pershing 1A | LC-16 , Cape Canaveral | Sub-orbital | Operational test flight | 7 April 1981 | 7 April, 14:19 UTC | Pershing 1A | LC-16 , Cape Canaveral | Sub-orbital | Operational test flight | 7 April 1981 | 7 April, 14:40 UTC | Pershing 1A | LC-16 , Cape Canaveral | Sub-orbital | Operational test flight | 7 April 1981 | 9 April, 12:00 UTC | Kosmos-3M | LC-132/1, Plesetsk | LEO | Radar calibration | Still in orbit | 12 April, 12:00:03 UTC | Space Shuttle Columbia | LC-39A , Kennedy | LEO | Manned orbital flight | 14 April 1981, 18:20:57 UTC | 12 April, 12:00:03 UTC | Space Shuttle Columbia | LC-39A , Kennedy | LEO , attached to Columbia | Flight recorder | 14 April 1981, 18:20:57 UTC | 15 April, 10:30 UTC | Soyuz-U | Baikonur | LEO | Reconnaissance | 29 April 1981 | 16 April, 11:30 UTC | Soyuz-U | Plesetsk | LEO | Reconnaissance | 28 April 1981 | 18 April | MR-UR-100U | LC-172, Baikonur | Sub-orbital | Operational test flight | 18 April 1981 | 21 April, 03:45 UTC | Tsyklon-2 | LC-90, Baikonur | LEO | Reconnaissance | Still in orbit | 24 April, 21:32 UTC | Titan 34B | SLC-4W , Vandenberg AFB | Molniya | Comsat | Still in orbit | 25 April, 02:01 UTC | Proton-K | LC-200/39 , Baikonur | LEO , docked to Salyut 6 | Technology demonstration | 29 July 1982 | 27 April, 23:15 UTC | Aries | LC-36, White Sands | Sub-orbital | Ultraviolet astronomy | 27 April 1981 | 28 April, 09:00 UTC | Soyuz-U | Baikonur | LEO | Reconnaissance | 12 May 1981 | 30 April, 06:00 UTC | Skylark 7 | LA-S, Esrange | Sub-orbital | Microgravity research | 30 April 1981 | 4 May, 07:55 UTC | Black Brant 8C | LC-36, White Sands | Sub-orbital | X-Ray astronomy | 4 May 1981 | 6 May, 08:00 UTC | Black Brant 8C | LC-36, White Sands | Sub-orbital | Aeronomy | 6 May 1981 | 7 May, 13:21 UTC | Kosmos-3M | LC-132/1, Plesetsk | LEO | Comsat | Still in orbit | 8 May, 05:27 UTC | Skylark 7 | LA-S, Esrange | Sub-orbital | Microgravity research | 8 May 1981 | 14 May, 17:16:38 UTC | Soyuz-U | LC-1/5 , Baikonur | LEO , docked to Salyut 6 | Manned orbital flight | 22 May 1981 | 14 May, 21:45 UTC | Vostok-2M | Plesetsk | LEO | Weather satellite | Still in orbit | 15 May, 06:07:17 UTC | Scout G-1 | SLC-5 , Vandenberg AFB | LEO ( Polar ) | Navigation | Still in orbit | 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 | May | MR-12 | Professor Zubov | Sub-orbital | Aeronomy | Within an hour of launch | 3 June, 14:00 UTC | Soyuz-U | Plesetsk | LEO | Reconnaissance | 3 July 1981 | 3 June | SSBS S3 | BL-B, Biscarosse | Sub-orbital | Operational test flight | 3 June 1981 | 4 June, 15:41 UTC | Kosmos-3M | LC-132/2, Plesetsk | LEO | Navigation | Still in orbit | 9 June, 03:33 UTC | Molniya-M | Plesetsk | Molniya | Comsat | 10 February 1998 | 12 June | DOT | Kwajalein Atoll | Sub-orbital | Test interceptor | 12 June 1981 | 12 June | Minuteman III | LF-09, Vandenberg AFB | Sub-orbital | Operational test flight | 12 June 1981 | 16 June, 07:00 UTC | Soyuz-U | Plesetsk | LEO | Reconnaissance | 29 June 1981 | 17 June, 09:30 UTC | Soyuz-U | Baikonur | LEO | Reconnaissance | 1 July 1981 | 19 June, 12:32:59 UTC | Ariane 1 | ELA-1 , CSG | GEO , then graveyard orbit | Weather satellite | Still in orbit | 19 June, 12:32:59 UTC | Ariane 1 | ELA-1 , CSG | GEO | Comsat | Still in orbit | 19 June, 12:32:59 UTC | Ariane 1 | ELA-1 , CSG | GTO | Flight data recorder | Still in orbit | 19 June, 19:37:04 UTC | Molniya-M | Plesetsk | Molniya | Missile detection | 2 September 2000 | 19 June | Poseidon | USSLewis and Clark , ETR | Sub-orbital | Operational test flight | 19 June 1981 | 23 June, 10:52:59 UTC | Atlas-F | SLC-3W , Vandenberg AFB | LEO ( SSO ) | Weather satellite | Still in orbit | 24 June, 17:47 UTC | Molniya-M | Plesetsk | Molniya | Comsat | 14 December 1991 | 25 June, 23:55 UTC | Proton-K / DM | LC-200/40 , Baikonur | GSO | Comsat | Still in orbit | 26 June | Minuteman III | LF-26, Vandenberg AFB | Sub-orbital | Operational test flight | 26 June 1981 | June | MR-12 | Professor Zubov | Sub-orbital | Aeronomy | Within an hour of launch | 1 July, 09:30 UTC | Soyuz-U | Baikonur | LEO | Reconnaissance | 15 July 1981 | 2 July, 07:10 UTC | Soyuz-U | LC-43/3, Plesetsk | LEO | Reconnaissance | 15 July 1981 | 7 July, 12:30 UTC | Soyuz-U | Plesetsk | LEO | Reconnaissance | 21 July 1981 | 10 July, 05:14 UTC | Vostok-2M | Baikonur | LEO ( SSO ) | Weather satellite | Still in orbit | 10 July, 05:14 UTC | Vostok-2M | Baikonur | LEO ( SSO ) | Microgravity research | 16 April 1990 | 11 July | Poseidon | USSGeorge C. Marshall , ETR | Sub-orbital | Operational test flight | 11 July 1981 | 15 July, 13:00 UTC | Soyuz-U | LC-31/6 , Baikonur | LEO | Reconnaissance | 14 August 1981 | 17 July, 08:00 UTC | Soyuz-U | Plesetsk | LEO | Reconnaissance | 31 July 1981 | 29 July, 11:55 UTC | Soyuz-U | Plesetsk | LEO | Reconnaissance | 12 August 1981 | 30 July, 21:38 UTC | Proton-K / DM | LC-200/39 , Baikonur | GSO | Comsat | Still in orbit | 31 July, 10:50 UTC | Aries | LC-36, White Sands | Sub-orbital | Infrared astronomy | 31 July 1981 | July | MR-12 | Professor Zubov | Sub-orbital | Aeronomy | Within an hour of launch | 1 August, 22:00 UTC | TT-500A | LA-T, Tanegashima | Sub-orbital | Test flight | 1 August 1981 | 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 | 12 August, 05:46 UTC | Kosmos-3M | LC-132/2, Plesetsk | LEO | Navigation | Still in orbit | 13 August, 02:26 UTC | Trident C-4 | USSJohn C. Calhoun , ETR | Sub-orbital | Operational test flight | 13 August 1981 | 13 August, 02:46 UTC | Trident C-4 | USSJohn C. Calhoun , ETR | Sub-orbital | Operational test flight | 13 August 1981 | 13 August, 03:32 UTC | Trident C-4 | USSJohn C. Calhoun , ETR | Sub-orbital | Operational test flight | 13 August 1981 | 13 August, 16:20 UTC | Soyuz-U | Plesetsk | LEO | Reconnaissance | 13 September 1981 | 14 August, 07:43 UTC | Black Brant X | Wallops Island | Sub-orbital | Test flight | 14 August 1981 | 18 August, 09:30 UTC | Soyuz-U | Plesetsk | LEO | Reconnaissance | 30 August 1981 | 21 August, 10:20 UTC | Soyuz-U | LC-1/5 , Baikonur | LEO | Reconnaissance | 2 October 1981 | 22 August, 01:00 UTC | Poseidon | USSNathanael Greene , ETR | Sub-orbital | Operational test flight | 22 August 1981 | 24 August, 12:00 UTC | S-310 | Kagoshima | Sub-orbital | Aeronomy and l Aurora research | 24 August 1981 | 24 August, 16:37 UTC | Tsyklon-2 | LC-90, Baikonur | LEO | Naval reconnaissance | Still in orbit | 24 August, 21:40 UTC | Tsyklon-3 | LC-32/1, Plesetsk | LEO | SIGINT | Still in orbit | 25 August | Taurus-Orion | LC-36, White Sands | Sub-orbital | Aeronomy | 25 August 1981 | 27 August, 10:30 UTC | Soyuz-U | LC-41/1, Plesetsk | LEO | Reconnaissance and remote sensing | 10 September 1981 | 28 August, 00:03 UTC | Trident C-4 | USSSimon Bolivar , ETR | Sub-orbital | Operational test flight | 28 August 1981 | 28 August, 00:04 UTC | Trident C-4 | USSSimon Bolivar , ETR | Sub-orbital | Operational test flight | 28 August 1981 | 28 August, 16:18 UTC | Kosmos-3M | LC-132/1, Plesetsk | LEO | Comsat | Still in orbit | 28 August | R-5V | Kapustin Yar | Sub-orbital | Solar research | 28 August 1981 | August | MR-12 | Professor Zubov | Sub-orbital | Aeronomy | Within an hour of launch | 3 September, 18:29 UTC | Titan III D | SLC-4E , Vandenberg AFB | LEO ( SSO ) | Reconnaissance | 23 November 1984 | 4 September, 08:00 UTC | Soyuz-U | Baikonur | LEO | Reconnaissance | 18 September 1981 | 4 September, 11:06 UTC | Kosmos-3M | LC-132/1, Plesetsk | LEO | Navigation | Still in orbit | 5 September, 01:00 UTC | S-520 | LA-K, Kagoshima | Sub-orbital | Ionosphere research | 5 September 1981 | 7 September, 09:38 UTC | S-310 | Kagoshima | Sub-orbital | Aeronomy | 7 September 1981 | 8 September | UR-100N | Baikonur | Sub-orbital | Operational test flight | 8 September 1981 | 11 September, 08:43 UTC | Molniya-M | LC-43/3, Plesetsk | Intended: Molniya Achieved: MEO | Comsat | Still in orbit | 12 September | Minuteman IB | LF-06, Vandenberg AFB | Sub-orbital | Re-entry test | 12 September 1981 | 14 September, 20:31 UTC | Tsyklon-2 | LC-90, Baikonur | LEO | SIGINT | 16 July 1982 | 15 September, 11:30 UTC | Soyuz-U | Plesetsk | LEO | Reconnaissance | 29 September 1981 | 18 September, 03:34 UTC | Kosmos-3M | LC-132/1, Plesetsk | LEO | Navigation | Still in orbit | 18 September, 09:30 UTC | Soyuz-U | Plesetsk | LEO | Reconnaissance | 1 October 1981 | 18 September, 17:59:58 UTC | Vertikal | LC-107, Kapustin Yar | Sub-orbital | Plasma research | 18 September 1981 | 19 September, 21:28:40 UTC | Feng Bao 1 | LA-2B, JSLC | LEO | Technology development | 17 August 1982 | 19 September, 21:28:40 UTC | Feng Bao 1 | LA-2B, JSLC | LEO | Technology development | 26 September 1981 | 19 September, 21:28:40 UTC | Feng Bao 1 | LA-2B, JSLC | LEO | Technology development | 6 October 1982 | 21 September, 13:10 UTC | Tsyklon-3 | LC-32/1, Plesetsk | LEO | Magnetosphere research | Still in orbit | 23 September, 08:00 UTC | Kosmos-3M | LC-132/2, Plesetsk | LEO | Radar calibration | 3 April 1989 | 24 September, 23:09 UTC | Delta 3910 / PAM | LC-17A , Cape Canaveral | GEO | Comsat | Still in orbit | 28 September, 21:00 UTC | Kosmos-3M | LC-132/2, Plesetsk | LEO | Radar calibration | 28 August 1983 | 28 September, 21:00 UTC | Kosmos-3M | LC-132/2, Plesetsk | LEO | Radar calibration | 27 February 1982 | 28 September, 21:00 UTC | Kosmos-3M | LC-132/2, Plesetsk | LEO | Radar calibration | 26 February 1982 | 28 September, 21:00 UTC | Kosmos-3M | LC-132/2, Plesetsk | LEO | Radar calibration | 5 December 1982 | 28 September, 21:00 UTC | Kosmos-3M | LC-132/2, Plesetsk | LEO | Radar calibration | 17 December 1982 | 28 September, 21:00 UTC | Kosmos-3M | LC-132/2, Plesetsk | LEO | Radar calibration | 16 December 1982 | 28 September, 21:00 UTC | Kosmos-3M | LC-132/2, Plesetsk | LEO | Radar calibration | 22 December 1982 | 28 September, 21:00 UTC | Kosmos-3M | LC-132/2, Plesetsk | LEO | Radar calibration | 23 December 1982 | 28 September, 21:00 UTC | Kosmos-3M | LC-132/2, Plesetsk | LEO | Radar calibration | 24 December 1982 | 28 September, 21:00 UTC | Kosmos-3M | LC-132/2, Plesetsk | LEO | Radar calibration | 18 December 1982 | 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 | 4 October | Minuteman IB | LF-03, Vandenberg AFB | Sub-orbital | Re-entry test | 4 October 1981 | 6 October, 11:27 UTC | Delta 2310 | SLC-2W , Vandenberg AFB | LEO ( SSO ) | Solar research | 5 March 1991 | 6 October, 11:27 UTC | Delta 2310 | SLC-2W , Vandenberg AFB | LEO ( SSO ) | Technology demonstration Amateur radio | 13 October 1989 | 9 October, 10:40 UTC | Soyuz-U | LC-41/1, Plesetsk | LEO | Reconnaissance | 22 October 1981 | 9 October, 16:59 UTC | Proton-K / DM | LC-200/39 , Baikonur | GSO | Comsat | Still in orbit | 13 October, 23:01 UTC | Vostok-2M | Plesetsk | LEO | SIGINT | Still in orbit | 14 October | Nike Orion | Wallops Island | Sub-orbital | Plasma research | 14 October 1981 | 15 October, 09:15 UTC | Soyuz-U | Baikonur | LEO | Reconnaissance | 29 October 1981 | 16 October | Nike Tomahawk | White Sands | Sub-orbital | Aeronomy | 16 October 1981 | 17 October, 05:59 UTC | Molniya-M | LC-41/1, Plesetsk | Molniya | Comsat | 9 January 1997 | 17 October | Astrobee-F | White Sands | Sub-orbital | X-Ray astronomy | 17 October 1981 | 21 October | Pershing 1A | McGregor Range , Fort Bliss | Sub-orbital | Test flight | 21 October 1981 | 25 October, 19:01:00 UTC | Nike Tomahawk | Andøya | Sub-orbital | l Aurora research | 25 October 1981 | 30 October, 06:04 UTC | Proton-K / D-1 | LC-200/40 , Baikonur | Heliocentric | Venus flyby | Still in orbit | 30 October, 06:04 UTC | Proton-K / D-1 | LC-200/40 , Baikonur | Heliocentric | Venus lander | 1 March 1982 | 31 October, 09:22:00 UTC | Titan III C | LC-40 , Cape Canaveral | GEO | ELINT | Still in orbit | 31 October, 22:54 UTC | Molniya-M | LC-16/2, Plesetsk | Molniya | Missile detection | Still in orbit | 3 November, 13:00 UTC | Soyuz-U | LC-41/1, Plesetsk | LEO | Reconnaissance | 4 December 1981 | 4 November, 05:31 UTC | Proton-K / D-1 | LC-200/39 , Baikonur | Heliocentric | Venus flyby | Still in orbit | 4 November, 05:31 UTC | Proton-K / D-1 | LC-200/39 , Baikonur | Heliocentric | Venus lander | 5 March 1982 | 7 November, 12:03:40 UTC | Sergeant | Poker Flat | Sub-orbital | l Aurora research | 7 November 1981 | 9 November | Taurus-Orion | LC-36, White Sands | Sub-orbital | Aeronomy | 9 November 1981 | 12 November, 15:09:59 UTC | Space Shuttle Columbia | LC-39A , Kennedy | LEO | Manned orbital flight | 14 November 1981, 21:23:11 UTC | 12 November, 15:09:59 UTC | Space Shuttle Columbia | LC-39A , Kennedy | LEO , attached to Columbia | Flight recorder | 14 November 1981, 21:23:11 UTC | 12 November, 15:09:59 UTC | Space Shuttle Columbia | LC-39A , Kennedy | LEO , attached to Columbia | Remote sensing | 14 November 1981, 21:23:11 UTC | 13 November, 09:30 UTC | Soyuz-U | Baikonur | LEO | Reconnaissance | 27 November 1981 | 15 November, 17:50 UTC | Trident C-4 | USSBenjamin Franklin , ETR | Sub-orbital | Operational test flight | 15 November 1981 | 17 November, 15:25 UTC | Molniya-M | Plesetsk | Molniya | Comsat | 2 November 1993 | 17 November | Black Brant 8B | White Sands | Sub-orbital | X-Ray astronomy | 17 November 1981 | 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 | 3 December, 11:47 UTC | Tsyklon-3 | LC-32/1, Plesetsk | LEO | SIGINT | Still in orbit | 4 December, 09:50 UTC | Soyuz-U | Baikonur | LEO | Reconnaissance | 18 December 1981 | 6 December, 23:14:58 UTC | Black Brant IVB | Cape Parry | Sub-orbital | l Aurora research | 6 December 1981 | 7 December, 00:00:40 UTC | Terrier-Malemute | Cape Parry | Sub-orbital | Plasma research | 7 December 1981 | 7 December | Dong Feng 5 | LA-2B, JSLC | Sub-orbital | Test flight | 7 December 1981 | 8 December | Aerobee 150 | LC-35, White Sands | Sub-orbital | Magnetosphere research | 8 December 1981 | 9 December, 17:17:00 UTC | Petrel 2 | Esrange | Sub-orbital | Aeronomy | 9 December 1981 | 9 December, 21:25:35 UTC | Skylark 7 | LA-S, Esrange | Sub-orbital | Ionosphere / Plasma research | 9 December 1981 | 9 December | Minuteman III | LF-26, Vandenberg AFB | Sub-orbital | Operational test flight | 9 December 1981 | 10 December | Sonda-3 | Natal | Sub-orbital | Ionosphere research | 10 December 1981 | 13 December, 21:31:38 UTC | Black Brant IVB | Cape Parry | Sub-orbital | l Aurora research | 13 December 1981 | 13 December, 22:54:25 UTC | Black Brant X | Cape Parry | Sub-orbital | Plasma research | 13 December 1981 | 15 December, 23:35 UTC | Atlas-Centaur SLV-3D | LC-36B , Cape Canaveral | GSO | Comsat | Still in orbit | 16 December, 14:10:00 UTC | Petrel | Esrange | Sub-orbital | Aeronomy | 16 December 1981 | 17 December, 11:00 UTC | Kosmos-3M | LC-132/2, Plesetsk | LEO | Amateur radio | Still in orbit | 19 December, 01:10 UTC | Atlas-E / SVS [ disambiguation needed ] | SLC-3E , Vandenberg AFB | Intended: MEO | Prototype navigation satellite | 19 December 1981 | 19 December, 11:50 UTC | Soyuz-U | LC-31/6 , Baikonur | LEO | Reconnaissance | 19 January 1982 | 19 December, 20:00 UTC | Petrel | El Arenosillo | Sub-orbital | Aeronomy | 19 December 1981 | 20 December, 01:29:00 UTC | Ariane 1 | ELA-1 , CSG | GEO , then Graveyard orbit | Comsat | Still in orbit | 20 December, 01:29:00 UTC | Ariane 1 | ELA-1 , CSG | GTO | Flight data recorder | Still in orbit | 20 December, 01:29:00 UTC | Ariane 1 | ELA-1 , CSG | GTO | Flight data recorder | 21 November 1988 | 21 December, 18:37 UTC | Vertikal | LC-107, Kapustin Yar | Sub-orbital | Aeronomy / Ionosphere research | 21 December 1981 | 23 December, 13:15 UTC | Molniya-M | Baikonur | Molniya | Comsat | Still in orbit