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Do you participate in spacecraft development? Do you know the status of a particular mission? Please help us to keep this page up to date! (We respect confidentiality of all sources.) Contact: Anatoly Zak


Space exploration in 2016

For space missions in 2015 click here

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The world's orbital launch attempts in 2016 (as of August 3, 2023 ):

 
Country
Launch date
Time of launch
Payload
Payload type
Launch vehicle
Launch site
Launch complex
Launch pad
Status
1
China
Jan. 16
00:57 Beijing Time
Belintersat-1
Application / communication
Chang Zheng-3B
Xichang
LC-3
3
Success
2
US
Jan. 17
10:42 a.m. Pacific Time
Jason-3
Science / Oceanography
Falcon-9 v1.1
Vandenberg
SLC-4E
E
Success
3
India
Jan. 20
04:01 UTC
IRNSS-1E
Application / navigation
PSLV-C31 (XL)
Sriharikota
-
-
Success
4
Europe
Jan. 27
8:20:41 p.m. Guiana time
Intelsat-29e (EpicNG)
Application / communications
Ariane-5 ECA
3
Success
5
Jan. 30
01:20:09.03 Moscow Time
Application / communications
39
Success
6
China
Feb. 1
3:29 p.m. Beijing Time
Beidou-3 M3-S (No. 21)
Application / navigation
Chang Zheng-3C
Xichang
2
-
Success
7
US
Feb. 5
8:38 a.m. EST
GPS-2F-12 (SV-9)
Application / navigation
Atlas-5-401 (AV-057)
Cape Canaveral
SLC-41
41
Success
8
Feb. 7
03:21:07 Moscow Time
Military / navigation
4
Success
9
North Korea
Feb. 7
09:31 Korean Time
Kwangmyongsong-4
Application / remote sensing
Unha
Sohae
-
-
Success
10
US
Feb. 10
11:40:32 GMT
NROL-45/USA-267 (Topaz-4)
Military
Delta-4M+ (5,2)
Vandenberg
SLC-6
6
Success
11
Feb. 16
20:57:45 Moscow Time
Application / remote sensing
-
Success
12
Japan
Feb. 17
5:45 p.m. Japan Standard Time
Astro-H (Hitomi), ChubuSat-2 (Kinshachi-2), ChubuSat-3 (Kinshachi-3), HORYU-IV (AEGIS)
Science / astronomy
H-2A F30
Tanegashima
-
-
Success
13
US
March 4
6:35 p.m. EST
SES-9
Application / communications
Falcon-9 v1.1 (modified)
Cape Canaveral
SLC-40
-
Success
14
Europe
March 9
2:20 a.m. Guiana time
Eutelsat-65 West A
Application / communications
Ariane-5 ECA
-
Success
15
India
March 10
10:31 GMT
IRNSS-1F
Application / navigation
PSLV (XL) C32
Sriharikota
-
-
Success
16
March 13
21:56:00.333 Moscow Time
Application / remote sensing
6
Success
17
12:31:42 Moscow Time
39
Success
18
March 19
00:26:38.355 Moscow Time
Manned
5
Success
19
US
March 22
11:05 p.m. EDT
Cygnus OA-6 (CRS5)
Manned / cargo supply
Atlas-5 401 (AV-064)
Cape Canaveral
SLC-41
41
Success
20
March 24
12:42:00.241 Moscow Time
Bars-M2 (Kosmos-2515)
Military / cartography
4
Success
21
China
March 30
4:11:04 a.m. Beijing Time
Beidou-2-IGSO6 (No. 22)
Application / navigation
Chang Zheng-3A
Xichang
LC2
-
Success
22
March 31
19:23:57.351 Moscow Time
Manned / cargo supply
6
Success
23
China
April 6
01:38 Beijing Time
Shijian-10
Science / material science
Chang Zheng-2D
Jiuquan
43/603
-
Success
24
US
April 8
4:43 p.m. EDT
Dragon SpX-8
Manned / cargo supply
Falcon-9
Cape Canaveral
40
-
Success
25
April 25
06:02:13 p.m. Guiana Time
Application / remote-sensing
-
Success
26
05:01:21 Moscow Time
Lomonosov, Aist-2D, SamSat-218
Science / astrophysics
-
Success
27
India
April 28
07:20 GMT
IRNSS-1G
Application / navigation
PSLV (XL) C33
Sriharikota
-
-
Success
28
USA
May 6
01:21 a.m. EDT
JCSat-14
Application / communications
Falcon-9
Cape Canaveral
SLC-40
-
Success
29
China
May 15
02:43 GMT
Yaogan Weixin-30
Military / reconnaissance
Chang Zheng-2D
Jiuquan
43/603
-
Success
30
May 24
05:48:43 French Guiana Time
Application / navigation
-
Success
31
US
May 27
5:39 p.m. EDT
Thaicom-8
Application / communications
Falcon-9 (025)
Cape Canaveral
SLC-40
-
Success
32
May 29
11:44:35.411 Moscow Time
Military / navigation
4
Success*
33
China
May 30
11:17 Beijing Time
Ziyuan ZY-3, Ñusat-1 Fresco, Ñusat-2 Batata
Application / remote sensing
Chang Zheng-4B
Taiyuan
-
-
Success
34
June 4
17:00 Moscow Time
Military / geodesy
3
Success
35
June 8
10:10:00.019 Moscow Time
Application / communications
24
Success
36 USA June 11 1:51 p.m. EDT NROL-37 (Orion-9, Mentor-7 Military Delta-4-Heavy Cape Canaveral SLC-37B B Success
37 China June 12 23:30 Beijing Time Beidou-2-G7 (No. 23) Application / navigation Chang Zheng-3C Xichang LC-3 3 Success
38 USA June 15 10:29 a.m. EDT Eutelsat-117 West B (Satmex-9), ABS-2A Application / communications Falcon-9 (026) Cape Canaveral SLC-40 - Success
39 Europe June 18 18:38 p.m. French Guiana time EchoStar-18, BRisat Application / communications Ariane-5 ECA (VA230) Kourou ELA-3 - Success
40 India June 22 03:55 UTC Cartosat-2C, GHGSat-D, BIROS, Swayam, SathyaBamaSat, Skysat-C1, Dove (3x4), Lapan-A3, M3MSat Application / remote sensing PSLV (XL) C34
Sriharikota
-
-
Success
41 USA June 24 10:30 a.m. EDT MUOS-5 Military / communications Atlas-5 551 (AV-063)
Cape Canaveral
SLC-41
-
Failure**
42 China June 25 20:30 Beijing Time

Descent module prototype, Ao Long Yi Hao, Aoxiang Zhixing, Tiange Feixingqi-1, Tiange Feixingqi-2

Experimental Chang Zheng-7/YZ-1A
Wenchang
-
-
Success
43 China June 29 11:21 Beijing Time Shijian-16-02 Military / Electronic intelligence Chang Zheng-4B
Jiuquan
-
-
Success
44 Russia July 7 04:36:40.208 Moscow Time Soyuz MS-01 Manned Soyuz-FG
5
Success
45 Russia July 17 00:41:46 Moscow Time Progress MS-03 Manned / cargo supply Soyuz-U
6
Success
46 US July 18 04:45:29.318 GMT Dragon SpX-9 Manned / cargo supply Falcon-9-027
Cape Canaveral
SLC-40
-
Success
47 US July 28 8:37 a.m. EDT NROL-61 (Quasar) Military Atlas-5 421 (AV-065) Cape Canaveral SLC-41 - Success
48 China Aug. 6 00:22 Beijing Time Tiantong-1-01 (TT-1-01) Application / communications Chang Zheng-3B/G2 Xichang LC-3 - Success
49 China Aug. 10 06:55:25.077 local time GaoFen-3 Application / remote sensing Chang Zheng-4C Taiyuan LC-9 - Success
50 USA Aug. 14 09:26 a.m. EDT JCSat-16 Application / communications Falcon-9 (028) Cape Canaveral SLC-40 - Success
51 China Aug. 16 01:40:04.546 local time Mozi (Micius QUESS), 3Cat-2, LiXing-1 (LX-1) Application / communications Chang Zheng-2D Jiuquan LC43/603 - Success
52 USA Aug.19 08:52 a.m. EDT AFSPC-6: GSSAP3, GSSAP4 (USA 270) Military Delta-4-M+ (4,2) Cape Canaveral SLC-37B - Success
53 Europe Aug. 24 07:16 p.m. Guiana Time Intelsat-33e, Intelsat-36 Application / communications Ariane-5 ECA (VA-232) - Success
54 China Sept. 1 02:55 Beijing Time Gaofen-10 (?) Millitary / remote sensing Chang Zheng-4C
Taiyuan
-
- Failure (?)
55 India Sept. 8 16:50 India Standard Time Insat-3DR Application / weather forecasting GSLV-Mk2-F05
Sriharikota
-
-
Success
56 USA Sept. 8 7:05 p.m. EDT OSIRIS-Rex Planetary / asteroid sample return Atlas-5-411 (AV-067)
Cape Canaveral
SLC-41
- Success
57 Israel Sept. 13 17:37 local Time Ofeq-11 Military / reconnaissance Shavit
Palmachim
-
-
Success***
58 China Sept. 15 22:04:12 Beijing Time Tiangong-2, Banxing-2 Manned / space station
Chang Zheng-2F No. T2
Jiuquan
LC-43/921
-
Success
59
Europe
Sept. 15
10:43:35 p.m. French Guiana time
PerúSAT-1, SkySat-4, SkySat-5, SkySat-6, SkySat-7
Application / remote sensing
-
Success
60 India Sept. 26 09:12 India Standard Time SCATSAT-1, ALSAT-1N, NLS-19, PRATHAM, PISAT, ALSAT-1B, ALSAT-2B, Pathfinder-1 Application / remote sensing PSLV-C35
Sriharikota
-
- Success
61 Europe Oct. 5 5:30 p.m. French Guiana time GSAT-18, Sky Muster-2 Application / communications Ariane-5 ECA (VA-231) - Success
62
China
Oct. 17
07:30:31.409 Beijing Time
Shenzhou-11
Manned
Chang Zheng-2F/G
Jiuquan
LC-43/921
-
Success
63
USA
Oct. 17
7:45:40 p.m. EDT
Cygnus CRS OA-5
Manned / cargo supply
Wallops Island
LP-0A
-
Success
64 Russia Oct. 19 11:05:14.378 Moscow Time Soyuz MS-02 Manned Soyuz-FG 6 Success
65 Japan Nov. 2 06:20:00 GMT Himawari-9 Application / remote sensing H-2A F-31 202
Tanegashima
-
- Success
66 China Nov. 3 20:43:13.998 Beijing Time Shijian-17 and unidentified payload Application / communications Chang Zheng-5
Wenchang
LC-101
- Success
67 China Nov. 9 23:42 GMT Maichong Xing Shiyan Weixing XPNAV-1, Xiaoxing-1 (CubeSat-3U), Lishui-1-10 (CubeSat-3U), Pina-2 (CubeSat); KS-1Q/CAS-2T), Fengtai-1 (CubeSat-2U - remains attached to 4th stage) Application / navigation Chang Zheng-11
Jiuquan
-
-
Success
68 USA Nov. 11 18:30:33 GMT WorldView-4, Prometheus-A (2.1), Prometheus-B (2.2), U2U, CELTEE-1, Aerocube-8C, Aerocube-8D, RAVAN Military / reconnaissance Atlas-5 401 (AV-062)
Vandenberg
SLC-3E
E
Success
69 China Nov. 11 23:14 GMT Yunhai-1 Application / remote-sensing Chang Zheng-2D
Jiuquan
LC-43/903
-
Success
70 Europe Nov. 17 10:06:48 French Guiana Time Galileo FOC M6, Sat 15 FM07 Antonianna,
Sat 16 FM12 Lisa, Sat 17 FM13 Kimberley, Sat 18 FM14 Tijmen
Application / navigation Ariane-5 ES 3 Success
71 Russia Nov. 17 23:20:13.099 Moscow Time Soyuz MS-03 Manned Soyuz-FG 5 Success
72 USA Nov. 19 6:42 p.m. EST GOES-R (GOES-16) Application / weather-forecasting Atlas-5 (541/AV-069)
Cape Canaveral
SLC-41
-
Success
73 China Nov. 22 11:24:04 Beijing Time Tianlian-1-04 Application / Data relay Chang Zheng-3C
Xichang
-
- Success
74 Russia Dec. 1 17:51:52.474 Moscow Time Progress MS-04 Manned / cargo supply Soyuz-U 5 Failure
75 Europe Dec. 5 10:51:44 a.m. French Guiana Time Göktürk-1 Application / remote sensing Vega - Success
76 India Dec. 7 10:25 India Standard Time Resourcesat-2A Application / remote sensing PSLV (XL) C36
Sriharikota
-
-
Success
77 USA Dec. 7 6:53 p.m. EST WGS-8 Military / communications Delta-4-M+(5.4)
Cape Canaveral
SLC-37
-
Success
78 Japan Dec. 9 22:26:47 Japan Standard Time HTV-6 Manned / cargo supply H-2B Tanegashima
-
- Success
79 China Dec. 11 00:11 Beijing Time Fengyun-4A Application / weather forecasting Chang Zheng-3B
Xichang
-
-
Success
80 USA Dec. 15 8:37 a.m. EST CYGNSS-1, CYGNSS-2, CYGNSS-3, CYGNSS-4, CYGNSS-5, CYGNSS-6, CYGNSS-7, CYGNSS-8 Science / climatology Pegasus-XL
Cape Canaveral
L-1011 aircraft
- Success
81 USA Dec. 19 2:13 p.m. EST EchoStar-19 Application / communications Atlas-5 (V431/AV-071)
Cape Canaveral
SLC-41
-
Success
82 Japan Dec. 20 11:00:00 GMT ERG, Arase Science / geophysics Epsilon (Flight 2)
-
-
- Success
83 Europe Dec. 21 5:30 p.m. French Guiana Time Star One-D1, JCSAT-15 Application / communications Ariane-5 ECA (VA-234) - Success
84 China Dec. 22 03:22 Beijing Time TanSat, Spark-01, Spark-02 Science / atmospheric ressearch Chang Zheng-2D
Jiuquan
-
- Success
85 China Dec. 28 11:23 a.m. Beijing time GaoJing-1-01, GaoJing-1-02 Application / remote sensing Chang Zheng-2D
Taiyuan
-
- Failure

*Third stage underperformed during the launch; compensated by Fregat's extended firing.

**Spacecraft failed to reach its orbit as planned after nominal operation of the launch vehicle;

***Unspecified problems were reported aboard the satellite immediately after orbital insertion.

 

The 2016 space launch score card (as of August 3, 2023 ):

-***
Country
Launch vehicle
Launch vehicle
Launch-vehicle
Launch-vehicle
Launch-vehicle
Launch-vehicle
Launch-vehicle
Launch-vehicle
Launch-vehicle
Launch-vehicle
Total
Failed
1
USA
Falcon-9: 8 (1****)
Atlas-5: 8
Delta-4: 3
Delta-4 Heavy: 1
Pegasus-XL: 1
-
-
-
-
22
1****
2
China
Chang Zheng-3B: 3
Chang Zheng-3C: 3
Chang Zheng-3A: 1
Chang Zheng-2D: 6
Chang Zheng-4B: 2
Chang Zheng-7: 1
Chang Zheng-4C: 2 (1**)
Chang Zheng-2F: 2
Chang Zheng-5: 1
Chang Zheng-11: 1
22
2
3
Soyuz-FG/U: 6 (1**)
-
-
-
-
-
-
19
1
4
Europe
Ariane-5 ECA: 6
Ariane-5 ES: 1
Vega: 2
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
9
0
5
India
PSLV (XL): 6
GSLV-Mk2: 1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
7
0
6
Japan
H-2A: 2
H-2B: 1
Epsilon: 1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
4
0
7
North Korea
Unha: 1 (1**)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1
1
8
Israel
Shavit: 1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1
0
-
World:
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
85
5

*Delivered into wrong orbit;

**failed launch;

***In case of an equal number of launches, the country that reached that number first is listed at the top;

****Includes on-pad pre-launch explosion of a Falcon-9 rocket with the AMOS-6 satellite, which is not added to the total tally of orbital launch attempts.

 

Canceled missions

April: A Dnepr booster to launch a pair of Iridium NEXT satellites from Silo facility No. 370/11 in Dombarovsky. (The mission was postponed from June 2015 and later moved to a Falcon rocket.)

2015: Soyuz-2-1b/Fregat-SB rocket to launch the Arkon-2M No. 1 remote-sensing satellites for all-weather radar observations of the Earth surface from a 550-600-kilometer Sun-synchronous orbit. The launch was originally promised in 2009 (299) and later in 2012-2013. In 2010, a pair of spacecraft was scheduled for launch in 2013, however by 2012, the first Arkon-2M was expected to fly in 2015 and the second in 2016. The Arkon-2M program was canceled by November 2012 to free funds for Arktika, Resurs and Obzor projects.

2014-2015: Russia to launch a solar telescope -- Koronas-4-Monitor -- to replace a failed Koronas-Foton spacecraft. (A February 2010 proposal from Astrophysics Institute at the National Nuclear Research University.) By the end of March 2010, a project to replace Koronas-Foton was identified as Solaris by the Solar System division within Space Council of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The division recommended Lebedev Physics Institute, FIAN, as a main developer of the satellite's payload. The issue of the spacecraft bus remained open at the time, with NPO Lavochkin's yet-to-be-flown Navigator platform as one of the contenders. Unlike Koronas-Foton, the new telescope was expected to be narrowly specialized in solar observations and it was to be inserted into very high orbit to minimize the shadow from Earth and the influence of the planet's radiation belt. As of April 2010, the project was yet to be approved for the inclusion into the Russian space program or to receive any funding.

2015: Russia to launch MKA FKI No. 5 ARKA orbital solar observatory. (Canceled in March 2014, later re-configured.)


For missions in 2017 click here

This page is compiled by Anatoly Zak

Last update: August 3, 2023

All rights reserved

away

A Soyuz-2-1b rocket lifts off with the GLONASS-M-51 satellite on Feb. 7, 2016. Click to enlarge. Credit: Russian Ministry of Defense


liftoff

A Proton rocket lifts off with ExoMars-2016 spacecraft on March 14. Click to enlarge. Credit: ESA


ExoMars

A 1-to-4 scale model of the Entry, Descent and Landing Demonstrator Module from the first phase of the ExoMars project launched on March 14. Copyright © 2010 Anatoly Zak


launch

Soyuz MS-01 lifts off on July 7, 2016. Click to enlarge. Credit: Roskosmos