1968 in spaceflight
{{Short description|none}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Wikipedia:WikiProject Timeline of spaceflight/Converting|some}}
{{Wikipedia:WikiProject Timeline of spaceflight/Cleanup|incomplete=yes|refs=yes}}
{{Infobox Year in spaceflight
|year=1968
|image=NASA-Apollo8-Dec24-Earthrise.jpg
|caption=The crew of Apollo 8 were the first humans to witness Earthrise, photographed by William Anders on 24 December 1968
|first=7 January
|last=26 December
|total=128
|success=119
|failed=9
|partial=3
|catalogued=
|firstflight=
|firstsat=
|firstlaunch=
|firsttrav=
|orbital=3
|suborbital=
|totalcrew=
}}
{{Infobox spaceflight
| programme = Timeline of spaceflight
| previous_mission = 1967
| next_mission = 1969
}}
{{TLS-L|alignment=right|fixed=on}}
The United States National Space Science Data Center catalogued 157 spacecraft placed into orbit by launches, which occurred in 1968.{{cite web |title=Spacecraft Query Results |url=http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftSearch.do?launchDate=1968&discipline=All |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302233853/http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftSearch.do?launchDate=1968&discipline=All |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 March 2012 |work=Master Catalog Search |publisher=NASA NSSDC |access-date=30 May 2010}}
The first crewed Apollo missions occurred in 1968. It was also the year in which Earth lifeforms first left low Earth orbit, during the successful Zond 5 mission to the Moon and the Zond 6 lunar mission which crashed upon return, and the year that humans first left low Earth orbit, during the successful Apollo 8 mission to the Moon.
{{TOC limit|limit=2}}
{{clear}}
Deep space lunar missions
| class=wikitable width="100%"
!Date (UTC) !Spacecraft !Event !Remarks | |||
| 10 January | Surveyor 7 | Lunar landing | in the debris from Tycho crater |
| 31 January | Lunar Orbiter 5 | Lunar impact | |
| 10 April | Luna 14 | Lunar orbit insertion | |
| 18 September | Zond 5 | Flyby of the Moon; first return to Earth after flight to Moon; first Earth life forms to travel around the Moon (two Russian tortoises) | Closest approach: {{convert|1950|km}} |
| 14 November | Zond 6 | Flyby of the Moon, with turtles, flies, and bacteria | Closest approach: {{convert|2420|km}} |
| 24 December | Apollo 8 | Lunar orbit insertion; first humans to travel around the Moon | |
| 25 December | Apollo 8 | Leaves lunar orbit | Completed 10 orbits |
Orbital launches
{{TLS-M|1968}}
:Key
:{{flag|USA|1912}}
:{{flag|USSR|1936}}
=January=
{{TLS-H2|no-cubesat=yes|date-width=15em|caption={{sronly|January launches}}}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 7 January|time=06:30
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}} Atlas-SLV3 Centaur-D
|flight=AC-15
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Cape Canaveral SLC-36A
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USA}}Surveyor 7
|user = NASA
|orbit = Selenocentric
|function = Lunar lander
|d-date = 10 January (on Moon)
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 11 January|time=16:16
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}} Delta E1
|flight=D-56
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Vandenberg SLC-2E
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USA}}Explorer 36 (GEOS-B)
|user = NASA
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Research
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 16 January |time=12:00
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Voskhod
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Plesetsk Site 41/1
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 199 (Zenit-2 #58)
|user = GRU
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 17 January |time=10:12
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}} Thor SLV-2A Agena-D
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Vandenberg SLC-2W
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USA}}OPS 1965 Multigroup 3&Setter 1B-2
|user = USAF
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = ELINT
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 18 January |time=19:04
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}} Titan IIIB Agena-D
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Vandenberg SLC-4W
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USA}}OPS 5028 KH-8 4311
|user = USAF
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 19 January |time=22:00
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos-3M
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Plesetsk Site 132/2
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 200 (Tselina O #2)
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = SIGINT
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date =22 January
|time= 22:48:09
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}}Saturn IB (C-1B)
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Cape Canaveral LC-37B
|LSP ={{flagicon|USA}}NASA
|remarks =Minor malfunction of LM descent stage engine, otherwise successful
|payload = {{TLS-PL
|name =Apollo 5
|user =NASA
|orbit=LEO
|function = Test Lunar Module
|d-date =12 February 1968
|d-time = 09:59
|outcome =successful
|d-span =
|o-span =
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL|NoPL =2
|date = 24 January |time=22:26
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}} Thorad-SLV2G Agena-D
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Vandenberg SLC-1E
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USA}}OPS 5028 KH-4A 1045
|user = CIA
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}} {{TLS-PL
|name= {{flagicon|USA}}Tivoli 1
|user = USAF
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = ELINT
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
|}
=February=
{{TLS-H2|no-cubesat=yes|date-width=15em|caption={{sronly|February launches}}}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 6 February |time=08:00
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Voskhod
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Baikonur Site 31/6
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 201 (Zenit-4 #38)
|user = GRU
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 7 February |time=10:43
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Molniya-M / Blok L
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Baikonur Site 1/5
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}} (Ye-6LS No 112)
|orbit = Selenocentric
|function = Lunar Orbiter
|d-date = 7 February
|outcome = Failure
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 20 February |time=10:03
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos-2
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kapustin Yar Site 86/1
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 202 (DS-U2-V #4)
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Ionospheric research
|d-date = 24 March
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 20 February |time=16:00
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos-3M
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Plesetsk Site 132/2
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 203 (Sfera #1)
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Geodesy
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
|}
=March=
{{TLS-H2|no-cubesat=yes|date-width=15em|caption={{sronly|March launches}}}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 2 March|time=03:55
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}} Scout-A
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Vandenberg SLC-5
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USA}}OPS 7034 Transit-O 18
|user = USN
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Navigation
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 2 March |time=18:29
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Proton K / Blok D
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Baikonur Site 81/23
|LSP = MOM
|remarks =
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Zond 4 (L1 6)
|user = MOM
|orbit = Lunar free-return
|function = Prototype Soyuz 7K-L1P/Zond
|d-date=9 March
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 4 March |time=13:06
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}} Atlas-SLV3 Agena-D
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Cape Canaveral LC-13
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USA}}OGO 5 (EGO 3)
|user = NASA
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Research
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 5 March |time=11:20
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos-2
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Plesetsk Site 133/1
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 204 (DS-P1-I #3)
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Radar calibration
|d-date = 2 March 1969
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 5 March |time=12:30
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Voskhod
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Plesetsk Site 41/1
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 205 (Zenit-2 #59)
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|user=GRU
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 5 March |time=18:28
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}} Scout-B
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Wallops LA-3
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USA}}Explorer 37 (Solrad 9)
|user = NASA
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Research
|d-date = 16 November 1990
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 6 March |time=11:02
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos-2
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kapustin Yar Site 86/1
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}(DS-U1-Ya #1)
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Magnetosphere research
|d-date = 6 March
|outcome = Failure
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 13 March |time=19:51
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}} Titan IIIB Agena-D
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Vandenberg SLC-4W
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USA}}OPS 5057 KH-8 4312
|user = USAF
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 14 March |time=09:34
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Vostok-2M
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Plesetsk Site 41/1
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 206 (Meteor-1 #9)
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Meteorology
|d-date = 22 April 1989
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL|NoPL =2
|date = 14 March |time=22:00
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}} Thorad-SLV2G Agena-D
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Vandenberg SLC-1E
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USA}}OPS 4849 KH-4A 1046
|user = CIA
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}{{TLS-PL
|name= {{flagicon|USA}}OPS 7076 Lampan 1 / Sampan 2
|user = USAF
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = ELINT
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 16 March |time=12:30
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Voskhod
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Plesetsk Site 41/1
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 207 (Zenit-4 #39)
|user = GRU
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 21 March |time=09:50
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Voskhod
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Baikonur Site 1/5
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 208 (Zenit-2M #1,Gektor #1) & Nauka-1KS 1L
|user = GRU
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 22 March |time=09:30
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Tsyklon-2A
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Baikonur Site 90/19
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 209 (US-AO #4)
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = US-A prototype
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
|}
=April=
{{TLS-H2|no-cubesat=yes|date-width=15em|caption={{sronly|April launches}}}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 3 April |time=11:00
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Voskhod
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Plesetsk Site 41/1
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 210 (Zenit-2 #60)
|user=GRU
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date =4 April
|time= 12:00:02
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}}Saturn V (C-5)
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}LC-39A, Kennedy
|LSP ={{flagicon|USA}}NASA
|remarks =Experienced Pogo oscillation during S-IC first stage ascent. S-IVB failed restart test.
|payload = {{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USA}}Apollo 6
|user =NASA
|orbit=Low Earth (achieved)
TLI to direct return abort (planned)
|function =Test CSM heat shield at Lunar return speeds. Test S-IVB re-ignition in LEO.
|d-date =4 April 1968
|d-time =21:57:26
|outcome= Partial failure
|d-span =
|o-span =
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL|NoPL =2
|date = 6 April|time=09:59
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}} Atlas F OV1
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Vandenberg LC-576A2
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USA}}OV1 13
|user = USAF
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Radiation belt research
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}{{TLS-PL
|name= {{flagicon|USA}}OV1 14
|user = USAF
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Radiation belt research
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 7 April |time=10:09
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Molniya-M / Blok L
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Baikonur Site 1/5
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Luna 14
|orbit = Selenocentric
|function = Lunar Orbiter
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 9 April |time=11:26
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos-2
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Plesetsk Site 133/1
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 211 (DS-P1-Yu #12)
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Radar calibration
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 14 April |time=10:00
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Soyuz
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Baikonur Site 31/6
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 212 (Soyuz Test #5)
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Test spacecraft
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 15 April |time=09:34
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Soyuz
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Baikonur Site 1/5
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 213 (Soyuz Test #6)
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Test spacecraft
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 17 April |time=17:00
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}} Titan IIIB Agena-D
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Vandenberg SLC-4W
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USA}}OPS 5105 KH-8 4313
|user = USAF
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 18 April |time=10:30
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Voskhod
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Plesetsk Site 41/1
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 214 (Zenit-4 #40)
|user = GRU
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 18 April|time=22:29
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos-2
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kapustin Yar Site 86/1
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 215 (DS-U1-A #1)
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Aeronomy
|d-date = 30 June
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 20 April|time=10:30
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Voskhod
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Baikonur Site 31/6
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 216 (Zenit-2 #61)
|user=GRU
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 21 April|time=04:20
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Molniya-M / Blok ML
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Baikonur Site 1/5
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Molniya-1 08
|orbit = Molniya orbit
|function = Communications
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 22 April |time=23:01
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Proton K / Blok D
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Pad 81/23, Baikonur
|LSP = MOM
|remarks =
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Zond (L1 7)
|user = MOM
|orbit = Lunar Free-return
|d-date=22 April
|function = Prototype Soyuz 7K-L1P/Zond
|outcome = Failure
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 24 April |time=16:00
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Tsyklon-2A
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Baikonur Site 90/19
|remarks=The satellite did not separate from the upper stage and was placed into lower than planned orbit
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 217 (I2M #1)
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = ASAT target
|d-date = 26 April
|outcome = Partial failure
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 25 April |time=00:45
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}R-36-O
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Baikonur Site 162/36
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 218 (OGCh #17)
|user=RVSN
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = FOBS test
|d-date = 25 April
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 26 April|time=04:42
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos-2
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kapustin Yar Site 86/1
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 219 (DS-U2-D #2)
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Magnetosphere research
|d-date = 2 March 1969
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
|}
=May=
{{TLS-H2|no-cubesat=yes|date-width=15em|caption={{sronly|May launches}}}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 1 May |time=21:31
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}} Thorad-SLV2G Agena-D
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Vandenberg SLC-3W
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USA}}OPS 1413 KH-4B 1103
|User= CIA
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 7 May |time=13:57
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 3M
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Plesetsk Site 132/2
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 220 (Zaliv #2)
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Navigation
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL|NoPL =1
|date = 17 May |time=02:06
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}}Scout B
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Vandenberg SLC-5
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|EU}} ESRO 2B (Iris 2)
|user = ESRO
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Research
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL|NoPL =2
|date = 18 May |time=08:23
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}} Thorad-SLV2G Agena-D
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Vandenberg SLC-2E
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USA}}Nimbus B
|user= NASA/NOAA
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Meteorology
|d-date =18 May
|outcome = Failure
}}{{TLS-PL
|name= {{flagicon|USA}}SECOR 10
|user = US Army
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Geodesy
|d-date = 18 May
|outcome = Failure
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 23 May |time=04:38
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}} Thor LV-2F Burner 2
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Vandenberg SLC-10W
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USA}}OPS 7869 DMSP-4B F1
|user=USAF
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Meteorology
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 24 May |time=07:04
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos-2
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kapustin Yar Site 86/1
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 221 (DS-P1-Yu #13)
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Radar calibration
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 30 May |time=20:29
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos-2
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Plesetsk Site 133/1
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 222 (DS-P1-Yu #14)
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Radar calibration
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
|}
= June =
{{TLS-H2|no-cubesat=yes|date-width=15em|caption={{sronly|June launches}}}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 1 June |time=10:50
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Voskhod
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Plesetsk Site 41/1
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 223 (Zenit-2 #62)
|user = GRU
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 4 June |time=06:45
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Voskhod
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Baikonur Site 31/6
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 224 (Zenit-4 #41)
|user = GRU
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 4 June|time=18:45
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos-3M
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Plesetsk Site 132/2
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}} Sfera #2
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Geodesy
|d-date = 4 June
|outcome = Failure
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 5 June|time=17:33
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}} Titan IIIB Agena-D
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Vandenberg SLC-4W
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USA}}OPS 5138 KH-8 4314
|user= USAF
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 11 June|time=21:29
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos-2
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kapustin Yar Site 86/1
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 225 (DS-U1-Ya #2)
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Magnetosphere research
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 12 June|time=13:14
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Vostok-2M
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Plesetsk Site 41/1
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 226 (Meteor-1 #10)
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Meteorology
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL|NoPL=8
|date =13 June
|time= 14:03:00
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}}Titan IIIC
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Cape Canaveral Air Force Station LC-41
|LSP ={{flagicon|USA}} USAF
|remarks =
|payload = {{TLS-PL
|name ={{flagicon|USA}}OPS 9341 IDCSP 20
|user =USAF
|orbit=Sub-GSO
|function =Military communications
|d-date =
|d-time =
|outcome= Success
|d-span =
|o-span =
}} {{TLS-PL
|name ={{flagicon|USA}}OPS 9342 IDCSP 21
|user =USAF
|orbit=Sub-GSO
|function =Military communications
|d-date =
|d-time =
|outcome= Success
|d-span =
|o-span =
}} {{TLS-PL
|name ={{flagicon|USA}}OPS 9343 IDCSP 22
|user =USAF
|orbit=Sub-GSO
|function =Military communications
|d-date =
|d-time =
|outcome= Success
|d-span =
|o-span =
}} {{TLS-PL
|name ={{flagicon|USA}}OPS 9344 IDCSP 23
|user =USAF
|orbit=Sub-GSO
|function =Military communications
|d-date =
|d-time =
|outcome= Success
|d-span =
|o-span =
}} {{TLS-PL
|name ={{flagicon|USA}}OPS 9345 IDCSP 24
|user =USAF
|orbit=Sub-GSO
|function =Military communications
|d-date =
|d-time =
|outcome= Success
|d-span =
|o-span =
}} {{TLS-PL
|name ={{flagicon|USA}}OPS 9346 IDCSP 25
|user =USAF
|orbit=Sub-GSO
|function =Military communications
|d-date =
|d-time =
|outcome= Success
|d-span =
|o-span =
}} {{TLS-PL
|name ={{flagicon|USA}}OPS 9347 IDCSP 26
|user =USAF
|orbit=Sub-GSO
|function =Military communications
|d-date =
|d-time =
|outcome= Success
|d-span =
|o-span =
}} {{TLS-PL
|name ={{flagicon|USA}}OPS 9348 IDCSP 27
|user =USAF
|orbit=Sub-GSO
|function =Military communications
|d-date =
|d-time =
|outcome= Success
|d-span =
|o-span =
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 15 June|time=12:25
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos-3
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Plesetsk Site 41/15
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}} (Strela-2 #4)
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Military communications
|d-date = 15 June
|outcome = Failure
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 18 June|time=06:15
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Voskhod
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Baikonur Site 31/6
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 227 (Zenit-4 #42)
|user = GRU
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL|NoPL =2
|date = 20 June|time=21:46
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}} Thorad-SLV2G Agena-D
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Vandenberg SLC-1E
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USA}}OPS 5343 KH-4A 1047
|User= CIA
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}{{TLS-PL
|name= {{flagicon|USA}}OPS 5259 Tripos 3/Sousea 2
|user = USAF
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = ELINT
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 21 June|time=12:00
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Voskhod
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Baikonur Site 31/6
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 228 (Zenit-2M #2,Gektor #2&Nauka-1KS 2L)
|user = GRU
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 26 June|time=11:00
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Voskhod
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Plesetsk Site 41/1
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 229 (Zenit-4 #43)
|user = GRU
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
|}
=July=
{{TLS-H2|no-cubesat=yes|date-width=15em|caption={{sronly|July launches}}}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 4 July |time=17:26
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}} Delta J
|flight=D-57
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Vandenberg SLC-2E
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USA}}Explorer 38 (RAE A)
|user = NASA
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Research
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 5 July|time=06:59
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos-2
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}} Kapustin Yar Site 86/1
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 230 (DS-U3-S #2)
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Solar research
|d-date = 2 November
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 5 July|time=15:25
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Molniya-M / Blok ML
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Baikonur Site 1/5
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Molniya-1 09
|orbit = Molniya
|function = Communications
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 10 July|time=19:49
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Voskhod
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Baikonur Site 31/6
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 231 (Zenit-2 #63)
|user = GRU
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL|NoPL =2
|date = 11 July|time=19:30
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}}Atlas F OV1
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Vandenberg LC576A2
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USA}} OV1 15 (SPADES)
|user = USAF
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Technology Demonstration
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}{{TLS-PL
|name= {{flagicon|USA}} OV1 16 (LOADS 1)
|user = USAF
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Technology Demonstration
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 16 July|time=13:10
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Voskhod
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Plesetsk Site 41/1
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 232 (Zenit-4 #44)
|user = GRU
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 18 July |time=19:59
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos-2
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Plesetsk Site 133/1
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 233 (DS-P1-Yu #15)
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Radar calibration
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 30 July|time=07:00
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Voskhod
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Baikonur Site 31/6
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 234 (Zenit-4 #45)
|user = GRU
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
|}
=August=
{{TLS-H2|no-cubesat=yes|date-width=15em|caption={{sronly|August launches}}}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 6 August|time=11:08
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}} Atlas-SLV3 Agena-D
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Cape Canaveral LC-13
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USA}}OPS 2222 Canyon 1
|user = USAF
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = SIGINT
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 6 August |time=16:30
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}} Titan IIIB Agena-D
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Vandenberg SLC-4W
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USA}}OPS 5187 KH-8 4315
|user = USAF
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 7 August |time=21:36
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}} Thorad-SLV2G Agena-D
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Vandenberg SLC-3W
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USA}}OPS 5955 KH-4B 1104
|User= CIA
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL|NoPL = 2
|date = 8 August |time=20:12
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}} Scout B
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Vandenberg SLC-5
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USA}}Explorer 39 (AD C)
|user = NASA
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Research
|d-date = 22 June 1981
|outcome = Successful
}}{{TLS-PL
|name= {{flagicon|USA}}Explorer 40 (Injun 5)
|user = NASA
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Research
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 9 August|time=07:00
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Voskhod
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Baikonur Site 31/6
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 235 (Zenit-2 #64)
|user = GRU
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 10 August|time=22:33
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}} Atlas-SLV3 Centaur-D
|flight=AC-17
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Cape Canaveral SLC-36A
|remarks=Centaur failed to restart, payload inserted into lower than planned orbit
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USA}}ATS-4
|user = NASA
|orbit = Geosynchronous (planned)
Low Earth orbit (achieved)
|function = Communications/Meteorology
|d-date = 17 October
|outcome = Partial failure
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 16 August|time=11:24
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}} Delta N
|flight=D-58
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Vandenberg SLC-2E
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USA}} ESSA-7
|user= ESSA
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Meteorology
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL|NoPL =12
|date = 16 August|time=20:57
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}}Atlas SLV-3 Burner-2
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Vandenberg SLC-3E
|remarks=Payload fairing failed to separate
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USA}} Orbiscal 1
|user = USAF
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Technology Demonstration
|d-date = 16 August
|d-span=12
|o-span=12
|outcome = Failure
}}{{TLS-PL
|name= {{flagicon|USA}} OV5 8 (ERS 19)
|user = USAF
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Technology Demonstration
|d-date =
|d-span=inherit
|o-span=inherit
|outcome = Failure
}}{{TLS-PL
|name= {{flagicon|USA}} Gridsphere 1
|user = USAF
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Technology Demonstration
|d-date =
|d-span=inherit
|o-span=inherit
|outcome = Failure
}}{{TLS-PL
|name= {{flagicon|USA}} Gridsphere 2
|user = USAF
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Technology Demonstration
|d-date =
|d-span=inherit
|o-span=inherit
|outcome = Failure
}}{{TLS-PL
|name= {{flagicon|USA}} MylarBalloon
|user = USAF
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Technology Demonstration
|d-date =
|d-span=inherit
|o-span=inherit
|outcome = Failure
}}{{TLS-PL
|name= {{flagicon|USA}}Rigidsphere
|user = USAF
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Technology Demonstration
|d-date =
|d-span=inherit
|o-span=inherit
|outcome = Failure
}}{{TLS-PL
|name= {{flagicon|USA}}LCS 3
|user = MIT Lincoln Laboratory
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Calibration
|d-date =
|d-span=inherit
|o-span=inherit
|outcome = Failure
}}{{TLS-PL
|name= {{flagicon|USA}}LIDOS
|user = USAF
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Geodesy
|d-date =
|d-span=inherit
|o-span=inherit
|outcome = Failure
}}{{TLS-PL
|name= {{flagicon|USA}}SECOR 11
|user = US Army
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Geodesy
|d-date =
|d-span=inherit
|o-span=inherit
|outcome = Failure
}}{{TLS-PL
|name= {{flagicon|USA}}SECOR 12
|user = US Army
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Geodesy
|d-date =
|d-span=inherit
|o-span=inherit
|outcome = Failure
}}{{TLS-PL
|name= {{flagicon|USA}}Radcat
|user =
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Calibration
|d-date =
|d-span=inherit
|o-span=inherit
|outcome = Failure
}}{{TLS-PL
|name= {{flagicon|USA}}RM 18 & UVR
|user = USAF
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Technology Demonstration
|d-date =
|d-span=inherit
|o-span=inherit
|outcome = Failure
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 27 August |time=11:29
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos-3
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Baikonur Site 41/15
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 236 (Strela-2 #5)
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Military communications
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 27 August |time=12:29
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Voskhod
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Plesetsk Site 41/1
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 237 (Zenit-4 #46)
|user = GRU
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 28 August |time=10:04
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Soyuz
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Baikonur Site 31/6
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 238 (Soyuz Test #7)
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Test spacecraft
|d-date = 1 September
|d-time=09:03
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
|}
=September=
{{TLS-H2|no-cubesat=yes|date-width=15em|caption={{sronly|September launches}}}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 5 September|time=07:00
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Voskhod
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Baikonur Site 31/6
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 239 (Zenit-4 #47)
|user = GRU
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 10 September|time=18:30
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}} Titan IIIB Agena-D
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Vandenberg SLC-4W
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USA}}OPS 5247 KH-8 4316
|user = USAF
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 14 September |time=06:50
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Voskhod
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Baikonur Site 31/6
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 240 (Zenit-2 #65)
|user = GRU
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 14 September |time=21:42
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Proton K / Blok D
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Pad 81/23, Baikonur
|LSP = MOM
|remarks =
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Zond 5 (L1 9)
|user = MOM
|orbit = Lunar Free-return
|function = Prototype Soyuz 7K-L1P/Zond
|d-date=21 September |d-time=16:08
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 16 September |time=12:30
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Voskhod
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Site 41/1, Plesetsk
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 241 (Zenit-4 #48)
|user = GRU
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL|NoPL =2
|date = 18 September|time=21:32
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}} Thorad-SLV2G Agena-D
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Vandenberg SLC-1E
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USA}}OPS 0165 KH-4A 1048
|User= CIA
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}{{TLS-PL
|name= {{flagicon|USA}}OPS 8595 Vampan 1
|user = USAF
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = ELINT
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 19 September|time=00:09
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}} Delta M
|flight=D-59
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Cape Canaveral LC-17A
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|UN}}Intelsat III F1
|user = Intelsat
|orbit = Geosynchronous
|function = Communications
|d-date = 19 September
|outcome = Failure
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 20 September|time=14:39
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos-2
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Plesetsk Site 133/1
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 242 (DS-P1-I #4)
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function =Radar calibration
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 23 September |time=07:39
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Voskhod
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}} Baikonur Site 1/5
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 243 (Zenit-2M #3,Gektor #3 & Nauka-2KS 1L)
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL|NoPL =4
|date = 26 September |time=07:37
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}} Titan IIIC
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Cape Canaveral SLC-41
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USA}}LES 6
|user = USAF
|orbit = Geosynchronous
|function = Technology Demonstration
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}{{TLS-PL
|name= {{flagicon|USA}}OV2 5
|user = USAF
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Technology Demonstration
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}{{TLS-PL
|name= {{flagicon|USA}}OV5 2 (ERS 21)
|user = USAF
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Technology Demonstration
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}{{TLS-PL
|name= {{flagicon|USA}}OV5 4 (ERS 28)
|user = USAF
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Technology Demonstration
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
|}
=October=
{{TLS-H2|no-cubesat=yes|date-width=15em|caption={{sronly|October launches}}}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 2 October |time=13:35
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}R-36-O
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Baikonur Site 161/35
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 244 (OGCh #20)
|user=RVSN
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = FOBS test
|d-date = 2 October
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 3 October|time=12:58
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos-2
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Plesetsk Site 133/1
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 245 (DS-P1-Yu #16)
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Radar calibration
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL|NoPL =1
|date = 3 October|time=20:49
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}}Scout-B
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Vandenberg SLC-5
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|EU}}ESRO 1A (Aurorae)
|user = ESRO
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Technology Demonstration
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 5 October |time=00:32
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Molniya-M / Blok ML
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Baikonur Site 1/5
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Molniya-1 10
|orbit = Molniya
|function = Communications
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 5 October |time=11:16
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}} Thorad-SLV2G Agena-D
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Vandenberg SLC-1W
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USA}}OPS 0964 Strawman 1
|user= USAF
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = ELINT, SIGINT
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 7 October|time=12:05
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Voskhod
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Plesetsk Site 41/1
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 246 (Zenit-4 #49)
|user = GRU
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 11 October|time=12:05
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Voskhod
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Plesetsk Site 41/1
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 247 (Zenit-2 #66)
|user = GRU
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 11 October 1968
|time= 15:02
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}}Saturn IB (C-1B)
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}LC-34, Cape Canaveral
|LSP ={{flagicon|USA}}NASA
|remarks =First crewed Apollo flight
|payload = {{TLS-PL
|name ={{flagicon|USA}}Apollo 7
|user =NASA
|orbit=LEO
|function =Crewed orbital flight
|d-date =22 October 1968
|d-time =11:11:48
|outcome=Successful
|d-span =
|o-span =
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 19 October |time=04:20
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Tsyklon-2A
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Baikonur Site 90/19
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 248 (I2M #2)
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function =ASAT target
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 20 October |time=04:02
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Tsyklon-2A
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Site 90/20, Baikonur
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 249 (I2P #1)
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = ASAT test
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 23 October |time=04:34
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}} Thor LV-2F Burner 2
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Vandenberg SLC-10W
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USA}}OPS 4078 DSMP-4B F2
|orbit = Low Earth (SSO)
|function = Meteorology
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL|NoPL=1
|date =25 October
|time= 09:00
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Soyuz
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Baikonur Site 1/5
|LSP ={{flagicon|USSR}}RVSN
|remarks =Soyuz 3 failed to dock
|payload = {{TLS-PL
|name ={{flagicon|USSR}}Soyuz 2
|user =
|orbit=Low Earth orbit
|function =Docking target for Soyuz 3
|d-date =28 October 1968
|d-time =07:21
|outcome= Successful
|d-span =
|o-span =
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL|NoPL=1
|date =26 October
|time= 08:34
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Soyuz
|site ={{flagicon|USSR}}Baikonur Site 31/6
|LSP ={{flagicon|USSR}}RVSN
|remarks =Failed to dock with Soyuz 2
|payload = {{TLS-PL
|name ={{flagicon|USSR}}Soyuz 3
|user =
|orbit=Low Earth orbit
|function =Crewed orbital flight
|d-date =30 October 1968
|d-time = 07:25:03
|outcome= Partial Failure
|d-span =
|o-span =
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 30 October |time=22:00
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos-3M
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Plesetsk Site 132/2
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 250 (Tselina-O #3)
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = SIGINT
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 31 October|time=09:14
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Voskhod
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Baikonur Site 1/5
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 251 (Zenit-4M #1,Rotor #1)
|user = GRU
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
|}
=November=
{{TLS-H2|no-cubesat=yes|date-width=15em|caption={{sronly|November launches}}}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 1 November |time=00:27
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Tsyklon-2A
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Baikonur Site 90/20
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 252 (I2P #2)
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = ASAT
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 3 November|time=21:30
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}} Thorad-SLV2G Agena-D
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Vandenberg SLC-3W
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USA}}OPS 1315 KH-4B 1105
|User= CIA
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 6 November|time=19:10
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}} Titan IIIB Agena-D
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Vandenberg SLC-4W
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USA}}OPS 5296 KH-8 4317
|user = USAF
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL|NoPL =2
|date = 8 November|time=09:46
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}} Delta E1
|flight=D-60
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Cape Canaveral SLC-17B
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USA}}Pioneer 9
|user = NASA
|orbit = Heliocentric
|function = Solar Orbiter
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}{{TLS-PL
|name= {{flagicon|USA}} TTS 2
|user = NASA
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Technology Demonstration
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 10 November|time=19:11
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Proton K / Blok D
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Baikonur Site 81/23
|LSP = MOM
|remarks =
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Zond 6 (L1 12)
|user = MOM
|orbit = Lunar Free-return
|function = Prototype Soyuz 7K-L1P/Zond
|d-date=17 November |d-time=14:10
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 13 November|time=12:00
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Voskhod
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Plesetsk Site 41/1
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 253 (Zenit-2 #67)
|user = GRU
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 16 November |time=11:40
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Proton K
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Baikonur Site 81/24
|LSP = MOM
|remarks =
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Proton 4
|user = MOM
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Cosmic ray research
|d-date=24 July 1969
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 21 November|time=12:10
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Voskhod
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Plesetsk Site 41/1
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 254 (Zenit-4 #50)
|user = GRU
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 29 November|time=12:40
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Voskhod
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Plesetsk Site 41/1
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 255 (Zenit-2 #68)
|user=GRU
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 29 November|time=23:12
|rocket = {{flagicon|EU}}Europa 1
|flight=F7
|remarks=Third stage failure after separation
|site = {{flagicon|AUS}}Woomera Test Range LA-6A
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|EU}} STV 1
|user = ELDO
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Dummy Payload
|d-date = 29 November
|outcome = Failure
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 30 November|time=12:00
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos-3M
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Plesetsk Site 132/2
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 256 (Sfera #3)
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Geodesy
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
|}
= December =
{{TLS-H2|no-cubesat=yes|date-width=15em|caption={{sronly|December launches}}}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 3 December|time=14:52
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos-2
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Plesetsk Site 133/1
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 257 (DS-P1-Yu #17)
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Radar calibration
|d-date = 5 March 1969
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 4 December |time=19:23
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}} Titan IIIB Agena-D
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Vandenberg SLC-4W
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USA}}OPS 6518 KH-8 4318
|user = USAF
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Failure
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 5 December|time=18:55
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}} Delta E1
|flight=D-61
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Cape Canaveral LC-17B
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|EU}}HEOS 1
|user = ESRO
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Research
|d-date = 28 October 1975
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 7 December|time=08:40
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}} Atlas-SLV3 Agena-D
|flight=AC-16
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Cape Canaveral LC-36B
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USA}}OAO 2
|user=NASA
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = UV astronomy
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 10 December|time=08:25
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Voskhod
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Baikonur Site 31/6
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 258 (Zenit-2 #69)
|user=GRU
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL|NoPL =2
|date = 12 December|time=22:22
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}} Thorad-SLV2G Agena-D
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Vandenberg SLC-3W
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USA}}OPS 4740 KH-4A 1049
|user = CIA
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = Reconnaissance
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}{{TLS-PL
|name= {{flagicon|USA}}OPS 7684 P-801 1
|user = USAF
|orbit = Low Earth
|function = ELINT
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 14 December|time=05:09
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos-2
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kapustin Yar Site 86/1
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 259 (DS-U2-I #3)
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Ionosphere research
|d-date = 5 May 1969
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 15 December|time=17:21
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}} Delta N
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Vandenberg SLC-2E
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USA}}ESSA-8
|user = ESSA
|orbit = SSO
|function = Meteorology
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 16 December|time=09:15
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Molniya-M / Blok ML
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Site 1/5, Baikonur
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 260 (Molniya-1 Yu 15L)
|orbit = Molniya
|function = Technology Demonstration
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 19 December|time=00:32
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}} Delta M
|flight=D-63
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}Cape Canaveral LC-17A
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|UN}}Intelsat III F2
|user=Intelsat
|orbit = Geosynchronous
|function = Communications
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 19 December|time=23:55
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos-2
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Plesetsk Site 133/1
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 261 (DS-U2-GK #1)
|user =
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Aeronomy, auroral research
|d-date = 12 February 1969
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL|NoPL =2
|date =21 December
|time= 12:51
|rocket = {{flagicon|USA}}Saturn V (C-5)
|site = {{flagicon|USA}}LC-39A, Kennedy
|LSP ={{flagicon|USA}}NASA
|remarks =First crewed mission to the Moon
|payload = {{TLS-PL
|name ={{flagicon|USA}}Apollo 8
|user =NASA
|orbit=Selenocentric
|function =Crewed lunar orbiter
|d-date =27 December 1968
|d-time =15:51:42
|outcome= Successful
|d-span =
|o-span =
}}{{TLS-PL
|name= {{flagicon|USA}} LTA B
|user = NASA
|orbit = Selenocentric
|function = Mass Model
|d-date =
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL
|date = 26 December|time=09:45
|rocket = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos-2
|site = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kapustin Yar Site 86/1
|payload={{TLS-PL
|name = {{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos 262 (DS-U2-GF #1)
|orbit = Low Earth Orbit
|function = Solar research
|d-date = 18 July 1969
|outcome = Successful
}}
}}
|}
{{TLS-M|1968}}
Suborbital Launches
{{TLS-M|1968}}
=January-December=
{{TLS-H2|no-cubesat=yes}}
{{TLS-RL|NoPL=1
|date =28 March
|time =
|rocket ={{flagicon|USSR}}Kosmos-3
|flight =
|site ={{flagicon|USSR}}Baikonur Site 41/15
|LSP =
|remarks =Launched on the strictly vertical trajectory. Apogee: about 4,000 km
|empty =
|payload = {{TLS-PL
|name ={{flagicon|USSR}}VKZ #2
|cubesat =
|user =
|orbit =Suborbital
|function = Aeronomy, ionosphere and radiation belt research
|d-date =28 March
|d-time =
|outcome =Successful
|d-span =
|o-span =
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL|NoPL=1
|date =20 May
|time =22:05
|rocket ={{flagicon|USSR}}R-36-O
|flight =
|site ={{flagicon|USSR}}Baikonur Site 162/36
|LSP ={{flagicon|USSR}}RVSN
|remarks =
|empty =
|payload = {{TLS-PL
|name ={{flagicon|USSR}}OGCh #18
|cubesat =
|user =RVSN
|orbit =Suborbital
|function =Missile test
|d-date =20 May
|d-time =
|outcome =Successful
|d-span =
|o-span =
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL|NoPL=1
|date =27 May
|time =23:15
|rocket ={{flagicon|USSR}}R-36-O
|flight =
|site ={{flagicon|USSR}}Baikonur Site 161/35
|LSP ={{flagicon|USSR}}RVSN
|remarks =
|empty =
|payload = {{TLS-PL
|name ={{flagicon|USSR}}OGCh #19
|cubesat =
|user =RVSN
|orbit =Suborbital
|function =Missile test
|d-date =27 May
|d-time =
|outcome =Successful
|d-span =
|o-span =
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL|NoPL=1
|date =8 August{{Cite web |last=Wade |first=Mark |title=T-7 |url=http://astronautix.com/t/t-7.html |access-date=2024-08-15 |website=astronautix.com}}
|time =
|rocket ={{flagicon|PRC}}T-7/GF-01A
|flight =
|site ={{flagicon|PRC}}Jiuquan
|LSP =
|remarks =Test of high-altitude ignition of the FG-02 solid rocket motor. Apogee: 311 km
|empty =
|payload = {{TLS-PL
|name ={{flagicon|PRC}}
|cubesat =
|user =CAST
|orbit =Suborbital
|function =Test flight
|d-date =8 August
|d-time =
|outcome =Successful
|d-span =
|o-span =
}}
}}
{{TLS-RL|NoPL=1
|date =20 August{{Cite web |last=Wade |first=Mark |title=T-7 |url=http://astronautix.com/t/t-7.html |access-date=2024-08-15 |website=astronautix.com}}
|time =
|rocket ={{flagicon|PRC}}T-7/GF-01A
|flight =
|site ={{flagicon|PRC}}Jiuquan
|LSP =
|remarks =Test of high-altitude ignition of the FG-02 solid rocket motor. Apogee: 311 km
|empty =
|payload = {{TLS-PL
|name ={{flagicon|PRC}}
|cubesat =
|user =CAST
|orbit =Suborbital
|function =Test flight
|d-date =20 August
|d-time =
|outcome =Successful
|d-span =
|o-span =
}}
}}
|}
{{TLS-M|1968}}
Orbital launch summary
{{Expand section|date=April 2011}}
References
{{TLS-R}}
=Footnotes=
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{TLS-L|year=1968|nav=on}}
{{Orbital launches in 1968}}