A regularly updated listing of planned orbital missions from spaceports around the globe. Dates and times are given in Greenwich Mean Time. “NET” stands for no earlier than. “TBD” means to be determined. Recent updates appear in red type. Please send any corrections, additions or updates by e-mail to: sclark@spaceflightnow.com.
See our Launch Log for a listing of completed space missions since 2004.
Latest changes:
Jan. 27: Falcon 9/CSG 2 scrubbed; Falcon 9/Starlink 4-7 delayed; Astra Rocket 3/VCLS Demo 2 delayed; Adding Falcon 9/Starlink 4-8; Adding time for Soyuz/Progress 80P; Adding date for Space Launch System/Artemis 1
Jan. 23: Updating time for Falcon 9/CSG 2; Adding time for Falcon 9/Starlink 4-7; Adding date and period for Falcon 9/NROL-87; Adding date for Electron/BlackSky 16 & 17
Jan. 17: Falcon 9/Starlink 4-6 delayed
Jan. 15: Adding date and time for Falcon 9/Starlink 4-6; Astra Rocket 3/VCLS Demo 2 delayed; Falcon 9/CSG 2 delayed; Adding date for Falcon 9/Starlink 4-7; Adding time for Antares/NG-19; Soyuz/OneWeb 13 moved forward
Jan. 11: LauncherOne/”Above the Clouds” delayed
Jan. 28Falcon 9 • CSG 2
Launch time: 2311 GMT (6:11 p.m. EST)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the second COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation, or CSG 2, radar surveillance satellite for ASI, the Italian space agency. The spacecraft was built by Thales Alenia Space. Delayed from Nov. 18 and Dec. 14. Scrubbed on Jan. 27 by poor weather. [Jan. 27]
Jan. 30Falcon 9 • Starlink 4-7
Launch time: 1939 or 2256 GMT (2:39 p.m. or 5:56 p.m. EST)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch with another batch of Starlink internet satellites. Delayed from Jan. 29. [Jan. 27]
Feb. 2Falcon 9 • NROL-87
Launch period: 1637-2138 GMT (11:37 a.m.-4:38 p.m. EST; 8:37 a.m.-1:38 p.m. PST)
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office, the U.S. government’s spy satellite agency. The mission is designated NROL-87. [Jan. 23]
FebruaryAstra Rocket 3 • VCLS Demo 2
Launch window: 1800-2100 GMT (1:00-4:00 p.m. EST)
Launch site: SLC-46, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
Launch site: SLC-46, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A commercial small satellite launch vehicle developed by Astra will launch six small experimental CubeSats developed by NASA and U.S. universities. The payloads include the CubeSat Radio Interferometry Experiment, consisting of two small satellites, the BAMA 1 CubeSat, the Ionospheric Neutron Content Analyzer, QubeSat, and a mission called R5-S1. The CubeSats were selected for launch by NASA through the agency’s Venture Class Launch Services program. Delayed from Jan. 18 and late January. [Jan. 27]
Feb. 10Soyuz • OneWeb 13
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: ELS, Sinnamary, French Guiana
Launch site: ELS, Sinnamary, French Guiana
An Arianespace Soyuz rocket, designed VS27, will launch on a mission from the Guiana Space Center in South America. The Soyuz will launch 34 satellites into orbit for OneWeb, which is developing a constellation of hundreds of satellites in low Earth orbit for low-latency broadband communications. The Soyuz-2.1b (Soyuz ST-B) rocket will use a Fregat upper stage. [Jan. 15]
Feb. 14Electron • BlackSky 16 & 17
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Launch Complex 1A, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
Launch site: Launch Complex 1A, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
A Rocket Lab Electron rocket will launch two small second-generation satellites for BlackSky’s commercial fleet of Earth observation spacecraft. Rocket Lab has nicknamed this mission “Without Mission a Beat.” Delayed from September, December, and Feb. 4. [Jan. 27]
Feb. 14/15Soyuz • Progress 80P
Launch time: 0425 GMT on 15th (11:25 p.m. EST on 14th)
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
A Russian government Soyuz rocket will launch the 80th Progress cargo delivery ship to the International Space Station. The rocket will fly in the Soyuz-2.1a configuration. [Jan. 27]
TBDSSLV • Demonstration Launch
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota, India
Launch site: Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota, India
India’s Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) will launch on its first orbital test flight. Consisting of three solid-fueled stages and a liquid-fueled upper stage, the SSLV is a new Indian launch vehicle designed to carry small satellites into low Earth orbit. Delayed from September and December 2019. Delayed from January and December 2020. Delayed from April. [March 31]
TBDSSLV • BlackSky Global
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota, India
Launch site: Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota, India
India’s Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) will launch on its first commercial mission with four Earth observation satellites for BlackSky Global, a Seattle-based company. The rideshare mission for BlackSky is being arranged by Spaceflight. Delayed from November, late 2019 and early 2020. Delayed from early 2021 and July. [March 31]
TBDPSLV • RISAT 1A
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota, India
Launch site: Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota, India
India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), designated PSLV-C52, will launch the Indian RISAT 1A radar Earth observation satellite. [March 12]
FebruaryFalcon 9 • Starlink 4-8
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Cape Canaveral, Florida
Launch site: Cape Canaveral, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch with another batch of Starlink internet satellites. [Jan. 27]
Feb. 19Antares • NG-17
Launch time: 1739 GMT (12:39 p.m. EST)
Launch site: Pad 0A, Wallops Island, Virginia
Launch site: Pad 0A, Wallops Island, Virginia
A Northrop Grumman Antares rocket will launch the 18th Cygnus cargo freighter on the 17th operational cargo delivery flight to the International Space Station. The mission is known as NG-17. The rocket will fly in the Antares 230+ configuration, with two RD-181 first stage engines and a Castor 30XL second stage. [Jan. 10]
March 1Atlas 5 • GOES-T
Launch time: 2138-2338 GMT (4:38-6:38 p.m. EST)
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket will launch GOES-T, the third next-generation geostationary weather satellite for NASA and NOAA. GOES-T will orbit 22,300 miles above the equator to monitor weather conditions across the United States. The rocket will fly in the 541 vehicle configuration with a five-meter fairing, four solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. Delayed from Dec. 7, Jan. 8, and Feb. 16. [Nov. 29]
Early 2022Falcon Heavy • USSF 44
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket will launch the USSF 44 mission for the U.S. Space Force. The mission is expected to deploy two spacecraft payloads directly into geosynchronous orbit, one of which is the military’s TETRA 1 microsatellite. Delayed from late 2020, 2nd quarter of 2021, July 2021, and October 2021 by payload issues. [Oct. 6]
Early 2022Starship • Orbital Test Flight
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Starbase, Boca Chica Beach, Texas
Launch site: Starbase, Boca Chica Beach, Texas
A SpaceX Super Heavy and Starship launch vehicle will launch on its first orbital test flight. The mission will attempt to travel around the world for nearly one full orbit, resulting in a re-entry and splashdown of the Starship near Hawaii. [Nov. 17]
NET MarchFalcon 9 • WorldView Legion 1 & 2
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the first two WorldView Legion Earth observation satellites for Maxar Technologies. Maxar plans to deploy six commercial WorldView Legion high-resolution remote sensing satellites into a mix of sun-synchronous and mid-inclination orbits on two SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets. Delayed from January and September 2021. [Aug. 23]
NET March 19Electron • CAPSTONE
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Launch Complex 1A, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
Launch site: Launch Complex 1A, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
A Rocket Lab Electron rocket will launch on its second mission from a new launch pad at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at Wallops Island, Virginia. The Electron rocket will carry NASA’s Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment, or CAPSTONE, mission to the moon. CAPSTONE will fly to the moon on Rocket Lab’s Photon space tug, entering a unique halo-like lunar orbit to test deep space navigation and communications in the same orbit to be used by NASA’s Gateway mini-space station. Moved from Launch Complex 2 in Virginia to Launch Complex 1A in New Zealand. Delayed from 2021 due to COVID-related issues. [Oct. 19]
NET March 20Space Launch System • Artemis 1
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: LC-39B, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
Launch site: LC-39B, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
NASA’s Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket will launch on its first test flight with an uncrewed Orion spacecraft. The mission, known as Artemis 1, will place the Orion spacecraft into orbit around the moon before the capsule returns to Earth for splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Ten small CubeSat rideshare payloads will also launch on the Artemis 1 mission. Delayed from February. [Jan. 27]
Late MarchSoyuz • Galileo 29 & 30
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: ELS, Sinnamary, French Guiana
Launch site: ELS, Sinnamary, French Guiana
An Arianespace Soyuz rocket, designed VS28, will launch on a mission from the Guiana Space Center in South America. The Soyuz will carry two Galileo full operational capability satellites for Europe’s Galileo navigation constellation. The Soyuz-2.1b (Soyuz ST-B) rocket will use a Fregat upper stage. [Dec. 14]
March 31Falcon 9 • Axiom Mission 1
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Crew Dragon spacecraft on its sixth flight with astronauts. The commercial mission, managed by Axiom Space, will be commanded by former NASA astronaut Michael López-Alegría. Paying passengers Larry Connor, Mark Pathy, and Eytan Stibbe will also be on-board for the 10-day mission to the International Space Station. The Crew Dragon will return to a splashdown at sea. Delayed from Feb. 21. [Jan. 23]
2nd QuarterFalcon Heavy • USSF 52
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket will launch the USSF 52 mission for the U.S. Space Force. The mission will launch an unspecified military payload on this mission. Delayed from October. [Oct. 6]
AprilAtlas 5 • USSF 12
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket will launch the USSF 12 mission with Wide Field Of View, or WFOV, experimental missile warning satellite for the U.S. Space Force. WFOV hosts a new type of infrared staring sensor in geosynchronous orbit to detect the heat from missile launch plumes. The USSF 12 mission will include additional rideshare payloads. [Dec. 14]
AprilAriane 5 • MEASAT 3d & GSAT 24
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: ELA-3, Kourou, French Guiana
Launch site: ELA-3, Kourou, French Guiana
Arianespace will use an Ariane 5 ECA rocket, designated VA257, to launch the MEASAT 3d and GSAT 24 communications satellites. Built by Airbus Defense and Space for MEASAT, a Malaysian operator, MEASAT 3d is a multi-mission communications satellite outfitted with C-band, Ku-band, and Ka-band payloads for direct-to-home TV broadcasting and internet services over Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. GSAT 24 is a direct-to-home TV broadcasting satellite for the Indian Space Research Organization. [Dec. 14]
April 15Falcon 9 • Crew 4
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Crew Dragon spacecraft on its seventh flight with astronauts. NASA astronauts Kjell Lindgren and Robert Hines, and European Space Agency astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti will launch on the Crew Dragon spacecraft to begin a six-month expedition on the International Space Station. A fourth crew member will be named later. The Crew Dragon will return to a splashdown at sea. [Aug. 15]
AprilVega C • LARES 2
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: ZLV, Kourou, French Guiana
Launch site: ZLV, Kourou, French Guiana
An Arianespace Vega C rocket will launch the LARES 2 satellite for ASI, the Italian space agency. The spherical LARES 2 satellite is covered in laser mirrors to enable precise tracking from the ground, enabling research into geoodynamics and general relativity. This will mark the inaugural flight of Europe’s new Vega C rocket, featuring a more powerful first stage motor, an enlarged second stage, an improved liquid-fueled upper stage, and a new payload fairing design. Delayed from mid-2020 by coronavirus impacts. Delayed from December and early 2021. [Nov. 17]
MayAtlas 5 • CST-100 Starliner Orbital Flight Test 2
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-082, will launch Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft on second unpiloted test flight to the International Space Station. This mission was added after Boeing’s decision to refly the Starliner’s Orbital Flight Test before proceeding with the Crew Flight Test. The rocket will fly in a vehicle configuration with two solid rocket boosters and a dual-engine Centaur upper stage. Delayed from 3rd Quarter. Delayed from Jan. 4. Moved forward from March 29, April 2, and May. Delayed from July 30 and Aug. 3. Delayed from late 2021. [Dec. 14]
Mid-2022Vulcan Centaur • Peregrine
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur rocket will launch on its inaugural flight with the Peregrine commercial lunar lander for Astrobotic. The Peregrine robotic lander will carry multiple experiments, scientific instruments, and tech demo payloads for NASA and other customers. The Vulcan Centaur rocket will fly in the VC2S configuration with two GEM-63XL solid rocket boosters, a short-length payload fairing, and two RL10 engines on the Centaur upper stage. [Oct. 6]
TBDAtlas 5 • CST-100 Starliner Crew Flight Test
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket will launch Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft on its first mission with astronauts, known as the Crew Test Flight, to the International Space Station. The capsule will dock with the space station, then return to Earth to landing in the Western United States. NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Mike Fincke, along with an unidentified third crew member, will fly on the mission. The rocket will fly in a vehicle configuration with two solid rocket boosters and a dual-engine Centaur upper stage. Delayed from August and 1st Quarter of 2020. Delayed from mid-2020 after Boeing decision to refly the Orbital Flight Test. Delayed from early 2021, June 2021, and late 2021. [Aug. 15]