1981 in spaceflight

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 The Timeline of Spaceflight WikiProject has identified this article as requiring cleanup and/or expansion to ensure consistency with other timeline aricles.

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Launches

[edit]

This is a list of spaceflights launched in 1981.

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.


Launch Date/Time Rocket Launch
Site		 Launch Contractor Payload Operator Orbit Mission/
Function		 Re-Entry/
Destruction		 Outcome Remarks
6 January, 12:15 GMT Soyuz-U
(R-7 11A511U)		 Plesetsk RVSN Kosmos 1237 (Zenit-6U) MOM LEO Reconnaissance 20 January 1981 Successful
9 January, 14:57 GMT Molniya-M/ML
(R-7 8K78M/ML)		 LC-41/1, Plesetsk RVSN Molniya 3-14 MOM Molniya Comsat 3 July 1999 Successful
10 January, 18:22 GMT Nike-Tomahawk Siple Station, Ellsworth Island NASA NASA Sub-orbital Ionospheric research 10 January 1981 Successful Apogee: 198 km (123 mi)
14 January, 22:00 GMT TT-500A LA-T, Tanegashima NASDA NASDA Sub-orbital Test rocket 14 January 1981 Successful Apogee: 300 km (186 mi)
16 January, 09:00 GMT Kosmos-3M
(R-14 11K65M)		 LC-132/1, Plesetsk RVSN Kosmos 1238 (Taifun-1) MO SSSR LEO Radar calibration Still in orbit Successful
16 January, 12:00 GMT Soyuz-U
(R-7 11A511U)		 Plesetsk RVSN Kosmos 1239 (Zenit-4MT) MOM LEO Reconnaissance 28 January 1981 Successful
19 January, 03:37 GMT Black Brant VB Fort Churchill NRCC NRCC Sub-orbital Aeronomy research 19 January 1981 Successful Apogee: 263 km (163 mi)
20 January, 04:50 GMT Astrobee-F White Sands NASA NASA Sub-orbital Ultraviolet astronomy 20 January 1981 Successful Apogee: 209 km (130 mi)
20 January, 11:00 GMT Soyuz-U
(R-7 11A511U)		 LC-31/6, Baikonur RVSN Kosmos 1240 (Yantar-2K) MOM LEO Reconnaissance 17 February 1981 Successful
21 January, 00:25 GMT Black Brant 8C White Sands NASA SPAR-9 NASA Sub-orbital Aeronomy research 21 January 1981 Successful Apogee: 209 km (130 mi)
21 January, 08:29 GMT Kosmos-3M
(R-14 11K65M)		 LC-132/1, Plesetsk RVSN Kosmos 1241 (DS-P1-M) MO SSSR LEO ASAT target Still in orbit Successful
21 January, 21:46 GMT S-310 Kagoshima ISAS ISAS Sub-orbital Aeronomy research 21 January 1981 Successful Apogee: 174 km (108 mi)
23 January, 11:20 GMT Tsyklon-3
(R-36 11K68)		 LC-32/1, Plesetsk RVSN Geo-IK S/N 1 MO SSSR Intended: MEO Geodetics 23 January 1981 Failure Fairing failed to separate
24 January, 14:18 GMT Soyuz-U
(R-7 11A511U)		 LC-1/5, Baikonur RVSN Progress 12 MOM LEO, docked to Salyut 6 Resupply Salyut 6 20 March 1981, 16:58:58 GMT Successful
26 January, 07:20 GMT Black Brant IVB Fort Churchill NRCC NRCC Sub-orbital Auroral research 26 January 1981 Successful Apogee: 584 km (363 mi)
27 January, 14:58 GMT Vostok-M
(R-7 8A92M)		 Plesetsk Kosmos 1242 (Tselina-D) MOM LEO SIGINT satellite Still in orbit Successful
29 January, 04:12 GMT Astrobee-F Fort Churchill NASA NASA Sub-orbital Plasma research 29 January 1981 Successful Apogee: 189 km (117 mi)
29 January, 17:00 GMT S-520 LA-K, Kagoshima ISAS TPE-2 ISAS Sub-orbital Ionospheric/tether research 29 January 1981 Successful Apogee: 323 km (201 mi)
30 January, 16:27 GMT Molniya-M/ML
(R-7 8K78M/ML)		 Plesetsk RVSN Molniya 1-49 MOM Molniya Comsat Still in orbit Successful
2 February, 02:19 GMT Tsyklon-2
(R-36 11K69)		 LC-90, Baikonur RVSN Kosmos 1243 (IS-A) MO SSSR LEO ASAT test 2 February 1981 Failure Intended to destroy Kosmos 1241, passed within 50 m (164 ft) of target, failed to explode.
4 February, 01:10 GMT Aries LC-36, White Sands US Air Force US Air Force Sub-orbital ABM technology development 4 February 1981 Successful Apogee: 387 km (240 mi)
5 February, 11:25 GMT Seargent Poker Flat US Air Force FWIF IV US Air Force Sub-orbital Auroral research 5 February 1981 Successful Apogee: 130 km (81 mi)
6 February, 08:00 GMT Kosmos-3M
(R-14 11K65M)		 LC-132/1, Plesetsk RVSN Interkosmos-21 Interkosmos LEO Technology development 7 July 1982 Successful Deactivated 2 June 1982
7 February, 20:30 GMT Nike-Orion Kiruna SSC OXYGEN SSC Sub-orbital Aeronomy research 7 February 1981 Successful Apogee: 120 km (75 mi)
7 February Petrel 2 Kiruna SERC SERC Sub-orbital Aeronomy research 7 February 1981 Successful Apogee: 140 km (87 mi)
9 February Minuteman III LF-09, Vandenberg AFB US Air Force GT-80GM US Air Force Sub-orbital ICBM test 9 February 1981 Successful Apogee: 1,300 km (808 mi)
9 February Minuteman III LF-08, Vandenberg AFB US Air Force GT-79GM US Air Force Sub-orbital ICBM test 9 February 1981 Successful Apogee: 1,300 km (808 mi)
11 February, 08:30 GMT N-II LA-N, Tanegashima NASDA Kiku 3 (ETS-4) NASDA MEO Test carrier rocket/technology development Still in orbit Successful Maiden flight of N-II
12 February, 18:21 GMT Kosmos-3M
(R-14 11K65M)		 LC-132/1, Plesetsk RVSN Kosmos 1244 (Parus) MO SSSR LEO Navigation Still in orbit Successful
13 February, 11:15 GMT Soyuz-U
(R-7 11A511U)		 Plesetsk RVSN Kosmos 1245 (Zenit-6U) MOM LEO Reconnaissance satellite 27 February 1981 Successful
13 February, 17:15 GMT Black Brant 8C LC-36, White Sands NASA NASA Sub-orbital Solar research 13 February 1981 Successful Apogee: 265 km (165 mi)
18 February, 09:00 GMT Soyuz-U
(R-7 11A511U)		 LC-31/6, Baikonur RVSN Kosmos 1246 (Yantar-1KFT) MOM LEO Reconnaissance 13 March 1981 Successful
18 February INTA-300 El Arenosillo INTA INTA Sub-orbital Aeronomy research 18 February 1981 Successful Apogee: 285 km (177 mi)
18 February Minuteman IB LF-06, Vandenberg AFB US Air Force ABRES IRS-1 US Air Force Sub-orbital Test re-entry vehicle 18 February 1981 Successful Apogee: 1,300 km (808 mi)
19 February, 10:00 GMT Molniya-M/2BL
(R-7 8K78M/2BL)		 LC-16/2, Plesetsk RVSN Kosmos 1247 (Oko) MOM Molniya Missile early warning Still in orbit Successful so far First launch from LC-16/2
21 February, 00:30 GMT Mu-3S LA-M, Kagoshima ISAS Hinotori (ASTRO-A) ISAS LEO Solar research 11 July 1991 Successful
21 February, 23:23 GMT Atlas-Centaur SLV-3D LC-36A, Cape Canavaral Comstar 4 (Parallax 1/Esiafi 1) LMGT (1981-2001)
SSC Parallax (2001-2002)
Tongasat (2002—)		 GSO Comsat Still in orbit Successful Renamed Parallax 1 in 2001 and Esiafi 1 in 2002
21 February Minuteman III LF-26, Vandenberg AFB US Air Force GT-81GM US Air Force Sub-orbital ICBM test 21 February 1981 Successful Apogee: 1,300 km (808 mi)
25 February, 17:20 GMT Seargent-Hydac Poker Flat US Air Force HAVE SLED US Air Force Sub-orbital Test flight 25 February 1981 Successful Apogee: 400 km (249 mi)
28 February, 19:15 GMT Titan 24B/Agena-D SLC-4W, Vandenberg AFB OPS 1166 (KH-8) US Air Force/NRO LEO Reconnaissance 20 June 1981 Successful
5 March, 15:00 GMT Soyuz-U
(R-7 11A511U)		 LC-41/1, Plesetsk RVSN Kosmos 1249 (Yantar-2K) MOM LEO Reconnaissance 4 April 1981 Successful
5 March, 16:48 GMT Seargent-Hydac Poker Flat US Air Force HAVE SLED US Air Force Sub-orbital Test flight 5 March 1981 Successful Apogee: 400 km (249 mi)
5 March, 18:09 GMT Tsyklon-2
(R-36 11K69)		 LC-90, Baikonur RVSN Kosmos 1249 (US-A) MO SSSR LEO Ocean reconnaissance 19 July 1981 Successful
6 March, 11:31 GMT Kosmos-3M
(R-14 11K65M)		 LC-132/2, Plesetsk RVSN Kosmos 1250 (Strela-1M) MO SSSR LEO Comsat Still in orbit Successful so far
Kosmos 1251 (Strela-1M) MO SSSR LEO Comsat Still in orbit Successful so far
Kosmos 1252 (Strela-1M) MO SSSR LEO Comsat Still in orbit Successful so far
Kosmos 1253 (Strela-1M) MO SSSR LEO Comsat Still in orbit Successful so far
Kosmos 1254 (Strela-1M) MO SSSR LEO Comsat Still in orbit Successful so far
Kosmos 1255 (Strela-1M) MO SSSR LEO Comsat Still in orbit Successful so far
Kosmos 1256 (Strela-1M) MO SSSR LEO Comsat Still in orbit Successful so far
Kosmos 1257 (Strela-1M) MO SSSR LEO Comsat Still in orbit Successful so far
7 March, 08:09 GMT Taurus-Orion Poker Flat US Air Force AURORAL E1 US Air Force Sub-orbital Auroral research 7 March 1981 Successful Apogee: 156 km (97 mi)
7 March, 08:09 GMT Taurus-Orion Poker Flat US Air Force AURORAL E3 US Air Force Sub-orbital Aeronomy/Ionospheric/Plasma research 7 March 1981 Successful Apogee: 203 km (126 mi)
7 March, 08:26 GMT Taurus-Orion Poker Flat US Air Force AURORAL E2 US Air Force Sub-orbital Auroral research 7 March 1981 Successful Apogee: 169 km (105 mi)
7 March, 08:38 GMT Paiute-Tomahawk Poker Flat US Air Force AURORAL E4 US Air Force Sub-orbital Auroral research 7 March 1981 Successful Apogee: 187 km (116 mi)
8 March, 16:00 GMT Nike-Orion Poker Flat US Air Force CWAS 1 US Air Force Sub-orbital Aeronomy research 8 March 1981 Successful Apogee: 140 km (87 mi)
12 March, 04:30 GMT Seargent-Hydac Poker Flat US Air Force HAVE SLED US Air Force Sub-orbital Test flight 12 March 1981 Successful Apogee: 400 km (249 mi)
12 March, 19:00 GMT Soyuz-U
(R-7 11A511U)		 LC-1/5, Baikonur RVSN Soyuz T-4, 2 cosmonauts MOM LEO, docked to Salyut 6 Manned orbital flight 25 May 1981, 12:37 GMT Successful Salyut 6 Expedition 6
13 March, 16:00 GMT Nike-Orion Fort Churchill NASA CWAS 2 NASA Sub-orbital Aeronomy research 13 March 1981 Successful Apogee: 140 km (87 mi)
14 March, 16:55 GMT Tsyklon-2
(R-36 11K69)		 LC-90, Baikonur RVSN Kosmos 1258 (IS-A) MO SSSR LEO ASAT test 14 March 1981 Failure Intended to destroy Kosmos 1241. Spacecraft malfunction
15 March Minuteman IB LF-03, Vandenberg AFB US Air Force ABERS TDV-4 US Air Force Sub-orbital Test re-entry vehicle 15 March 1981 Successful Apogee: 1,300 km (808 mi)
16 March, 19:24 GMT Titan IIIC LC-40, Cape Canaveral IMEWS 11 US Air Force GEO. Moved to Graveyard orbit after retirement Missile early warning Still in orbit Successful Retired on 1 January 1992
17 March, 08:40 GMT Soyuz-U
(R-7 11A511U)		 LC-31, Baikonur RVSN Kosmos-1259 (Zenit 6U) MOM LEO Reconnaissance 31 March 1981 Successful
18 March, 04:40 GMT Proton-K/DM LC-200/40, Baikonur RVSN Raduga 8 MOM GEO. Moved to Graveyard orbit after retirement Comsat Still in orbit Failure Deactivated on 11 April 1981
20 March, 23:45 GMT Tsyklon-2
(R-36 11K69)		 LC-90, Baikonur RVSN Kosmos 1260 (US-P/EORSAT) MO SSSR LEO Ocean reconnaissance 22 May 1982 Successful
22 March, 14:58 GMT Soyuz-U
(R-7 11A511U)		 LC-31, Baikonur RVSN Soyuz 39, 2 cosmonauts MOM LEO, docked to Salyut 6 Manned orbital flight 30 March 1981 Successful
24 March, 03:00 GMT Black Brant 8C LC-36, White Sands NASA NASA Sub-orbital Ultraviolet astronomy 24 March 1981 Successful Apogee: 261 km (162 mi)
24 March, 03:31 GMT Molniya-M LC-41/1, Plesetsk Cosmodrome RVSN Molniya 3-15 MOM Molniya Comsat 19 October 1992 Successful
25 March, 08:05 GMT Taurus-Tomahawk Poker Flat NASA NASA Sub-orbital Plasma research 25 March 1981 Successful [[Apogee
28 March, 01:54 GMT Black Brant VB Fort Churchill NRCC FALCONS NRCC Sub-orbital Ionosphere research 28 March 1981 Successful Apogee: 327 km (203 mi)
28 March, 01:54 GMT Black Brant IVB Fort Churchill NRCC FALCONS NRCC Sub-orbital Ionosphere research 28 March 1981 Successful Apogee: 675 km (419 mi)
28 March, 09:30 GMT Soyuz-U LC-31/6, Baikonur RVSN Yantar-2K 979 MOM Intended: LEO Reconnaissance satellite 28 March 1981 Failure Carrier rocket malfunction, failed to orbit
30 March, 05:52 GMT Nike-Orion Poker Flat DNA LADY LOU Ba DNA Sub-orbital Aeronomy research 30 March 1981 Successful
31 March, 09:40 GMT Molniya-M LC-41/1, Plesetsk RVSN Kosmos-1261 (Oko) MOM Molniya Missile defence Still in orbit Successful so far
12 April, 12:00:03 GMT Space Shuttle Columbia LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center United Space Alliance STS-1, 2 astronauts NASA LEO Manned orbital flight 14 April 1981, 18:20:57 GMT Successful Maiden flight of Space Shuttle
Development Flight Instrumentation NASA LEO, attached to Columbia Record orbiter performance Successful
12 November, 15:09:59 GMT Space Shuttle Columbia LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center United Space Alliance STS-2, 2 astronauts NASA LEO Manned orbital flight 14 November 1981, 21:23:11 GMT Successful First manned spacecraft to make two orbital flights.
Development Flight Instrumentation NASA LEO, attached to Columbia Record orbiter performance Successful
OSTA-1 NASA LEO, attached to Columbia Remote sensing of Earth resources Successful Shuttle Imaging Radar-A (SIR-1)

[edit] Deep-space rendezvous

[edit] References

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Timeline of spaceflight
1950s Earlier 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959
1960s 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969
1970s 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979
1980s 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989
1990s 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
2000s 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
2010s 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Preceded by:
1980		 Timeline of spaceflight
1981		 Succeeded by:
1982