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May 28, 2011 - A regularly updated listing of planned 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: [email protected]

Latest changes:
4/26: Minotaur 1/ORS 1 delayed
4/29: STS-134 launch scrubbed
5/01: STS-134 launch delayed; Adding Soyuz/Meridian; Minotaur 4/TacSat 4 delayed; Soyuz/Kanopus-V & BelKA 2 delayed; Adding Proton/ViaSat 1; Adding H-2A/GCOM W1 & Kompsat 3
5/04: Adding time for Proton/Telstar 14R; Minotaur 4/TacSat 4 delayed; Minotaur 1/ORS 1 delayed; Adding time for Soyuz/Progress 43P
5/06: Atlas 5/SBIRS GEO 1 scrubbed; STS-134 launch delayed; Minotaur 1/ORS 1 delayed; Delta 4/GPS 2F-2 delayed
5/12: Adding window for next Ariane 5; Zenit/Spektr R and Zenit/Intelsat 18 delayed; Proton/SES 3 & Kazsat 2 delayed; STS-135 delayed; Soyuz/Galileo IOV and Soyuz/Pleiades 1 delayed; Adding Long March 3B/W3C; Adding Long March 2F/Tiangong 1
5/17: Next Ariane 5 delayed
5/21: PSLV/GSAT 12 delayed; Adding Long March 3B/Chinasat 10; Ariane 5/VA203 delayed; Adding STS-135 launch date; Proton/Glonass delayed; Minotaur 4/TacSat 4 delayed; Adding date for Soyuz/VS01; First Vega launch delayed; Adding Delta 4/WGS 4
5/23: Delta 4-Heavy/NROL-15 delayed; Adding Atlas 5/MUOS 1; Adding Pegasus XL/NuSTAR; Adding Soyuz 30S; Adding Atlas 5/RBSP
5/28: Adjusting Soyuz 27S launch time; Minotaur 1/ORS 1 delayed; Adding date and time for next Dnepr

June 7  Soyuz  •  ISS 27S
Launch time: 2012 GMT (4:12 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

A Russian government Soyuz rocket will launch the manned Soyuz spacecraft to the International Space Station with members of the next Expedition crew. The capsule will remain at the station for about six months, providing an escape pod for the crew. Delayed from May 30. [May 28]
June 9  Delta 2  •  SAC-D/Aquarius
Launch window: 1420-1425 GMT (10:20-10:25 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-2W, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California

The United Launch Alliance Delta 2 rocket will launch Argentina's SAC-D satellite with the Aquarius instrument for NASA. SAC-D and Aquarius will map salt concentrations in the world's oceans. The rocket will fly in the 7320-10 vehicle configuration with three solid rocket motors and a 10-foot payload fairing. Delayed from 2009 and April. [March 23]
June  Long March 3B  •  Chinasat 10
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Xichang, China

A Chinese Long March 3B rocket will launch the Chinasat 10 communications satellite for China Satellite Communications Corp. [May 21]
June 20  Dnepr  •  Multi-payload
Launch time: 0712 GMT (3:12 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Yasny, Russia

An ISC Kosmotras Dnepr rocket will launch the Sich 2 Earth observation satellite for Ukraine, the NigeriaSat 2 and NigeriaSat X remote sensing satellites for Nigeria, the RASAT demonstration satellite for Turkey, the EduSAT spacecraft for the University of Rome, and other payloads. Delayed from December, February and April. [May 28]
June 21  Soyuz   •  Progress 43P
Launch time: 1500 GMT (11 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

A Russian government Soyuz rocket will launch the 43rd Progress cargo delivery ship to the International Space Station. [May 4]
Late June  Minotaur 1  •  ORS 1
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Pad 0B, Wallops Island, Va.

The Air Force Minotaur 1 rocket will launch the Operationally Responsive Space 1, or ORS 1, satellite. ORS 1 will support the military's intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance needs by hosting an innovative sensor system. Delayed from Dec. 10, January, April 6, May 20, May 30, June 10, June 13 and June 18. [May 28]
Early July  Ariane 5  •  ASTRA 1N & BSAT 3c
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: ELA-3, Kourou, French Guiana

Arianespace will use an Ariane 5 ECA rocket, designated VA203, to launch the ASTRA 1N and BSAT 3c communications satellites. ASTRA 1N will provide digital and HD television services to Germany, France and Spain for SES ASTRA. BSAT 3c will broadcast direct-to-home television signals to Japan for B-SAT Corp. and SKY Perfect JSAT Corp. Delayed from June 29. [May 21]
July 8  Shuttle Atlantis   •  ULF 7
Launch time: 1540 GMT (11:40 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida

STS-135 will be the 37th U.S. mission to the International Space Station. The flight will carry the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module with supplies for the International Space Station. Atlantis will also launch a robotic satellite refueling experiment and return a failed ammonia pump module to Earth. Delayed from June 28. [May 21]
July 10  Proton  •  SES 3 & Kazsat 2
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

An International Launch Services Proton rocket with a Breeze M upper stage will deploy the SES 3 and Kazsat 2 communications satellites. SES 3 will provide communications services for the United States and the Caribbean for SES World Skies. Kazsat 2 will relay television signals across Kazakhstan. Delayed from March 31, April 25 and June 10. [May 12]
July 14  Delta 4  •  GPS 2F-2
Launch window: 0651-0710 GMT (2:51-3:10 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-37B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida

The United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket will deploy the Air Force's second Block 2F navigation satellite for the Global Positioning System. The rocket will fly in the Medium+ (4,2) configuration with two solid rocket boosters. Delayed from June 23. [May 6]
July  Soyuz  •  Globalstar
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

An Arianespace Soyuz rocket will launch six second-generation Globalstar mobile communications satellites. The Soyuz rocket will use a Fregat upper stage. Arianespace will oversee the commercial launch. Delayed from February, April and May. [April 14]
July  PSLV   •  GSAT 12
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota, India

India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) will launch the GSAT 12 communications satellite for the Indian Space Research Organization. The mission is codenamed PSLV C17. Delayed from June. [May 21]
July 18  Zenit 3F  •  Spektr R
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

A Zenit rocket will launch the Spektr R radio astronomy observatory. The rocket will use a Fregat upper stage to boost the telescope into a highly elliptical orbit above Earth. Spektr R will work in conjunction with ground telescopes to study a variety of astronomical objects. Delayed from summer 2010 and May and June 2011. [May 12]
Summer  Proton  •  ViaSat 1
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

An International Launch Services Proton rocket with a Breeze M upper stage will deploy the ViaSat 1 satellite to provide high-speed Ka-band Internet services over the United States. [May 1]
Aug. 5  Atlas 5  •  Juno
Launch window: 1539-1709 GMT (11:39 a.m.-1:09 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida

The United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket will launch NASA's Juno spacecraft to Jupiter. Built by Lockheed Martin, Juno will investigate the giant planet's formation, evolution and structure from an elliptical orbit. The rocket will fly in the 551 vehicle configuration with a five-meter fairing, five solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. [April 18]
August  Zenit 3SLB  •  Intelsat 18
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

The Land Launch Zenit 3SLB rocket will carry into orbit the Intelsat 18 communications satellite. Intelsat 18 will provide Ku-band and C-band services to the Asia-Pacific region. Delayed from 1st Quarter and June. [May 12]
TBD  Soyuz  •  Kanopus-V & BelKA 2
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

A Soyuz rocket and Fregat upper stage will launch the Kanopus-Vulkan remote sensing satellite for the Russian government, the BelKA 2 Earth observation spacecraft for Belarus and several other secondary payloads. Delayed from May. [May 1]
Aug. 25  Proton  •  Glonass
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

A Russian government Proton rocket and Block DM upper stage will launch three Glonass M navigation satellites for the Russian space agency. Delayed from July. [May 21]
Aug. 30  Soyuz   •  Progress 44P
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

A Russian government Soyuz rocket will launch the 44th Progress cargo delivery ship to the International Space Station. [Dec. 16]
3rd Quarter  Long March 2F  •  Tiangong 1
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Jiuquan, China

A Chinese Long March 2F rocket will launch Tiangong mini-space station laboratory module designed for docking tests and manned visits. [May 12]
September  Long March 3B  •  W3C
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Xichang, China

A Chinese Long March 3B rocket will launch the W3C communications satellite for Eutelsat of France. W3C will support the development of digital television services for Eastern Europe, Africa and the Indian Ocean region. [May 12]
Sept. 8  Delta 2  •  GRAIL
Launch times: 1235:52 and 1314:35 GMT (8:35:52 and 9:14:35 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-17B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida

The United Launch Alliance Delta 2 rocket will launch the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission for NASA. The rocket will fly in the 7920-Heavy configuration. GRAIL includes two spacecraft in lunar orbit to study the moon's interior and thermal evolution. The project is managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. [Oct. 27]
September  Soyuz  •  Globalstar
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

An Arianespace Soyuz rocket will launch six second-generation Globalstar mobile communications satellites. The Soyuz rocket will use a Fregat upper stage. Arianespace will oversee the commercial launch. Delayed from April and July. [April 14]
September  Falcon 9  •  Dragon C2
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the second Dragon spacecraft, called Dragon C2. The mission will demonstrate proximity operations during an approach within 6 miles of the International Space Station in a test flight named COTS 2. The company is building the Dragon to fly on resupply missions to the orbiting lab. Delayed from Nov. 11, February, April 14 and July 15. [April 13]
Sept. 30  Soyuz  •  ISS 28S
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

A Russian government Soyuz rocket will launch the manned Soyuz spacecraft to the International Space Station with members of the next Expedition crew. The capsule will remain at the station for about six months, providing an escape pod for the crew. [Dec. 16]
October  Vega  •  LARES
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: ELA-1, Kourou, French Guiana

The European Vega rocket, designated VV01, will launch of its first flight with the Laser Relativity Satellite, or LARES, a small spacecraft named ALMASat, and nine CubeSat payloads. Delayed from 2010 and mid-2011. [May 21]
Oct. 8  Falcon 9  •  Dragon C3
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the third Dragon spacecraft, called Dragon C3. The mission will demonstrate rendezvous and berthing with the International Space Station in a test flight named COTS 3. The company is building the Dragon to fly on resupply missions to the orbiting lab. Delayed from June 6. [Dec. 16]
October  Minotaur 4  •  TacSat 4
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: LP-1, Kodiak Launch Complex, Alaska

The Air Force Minotaur 4 rocket will launch the experimental TacSat 4 demonstration satellite for the military's Operationally Responsive Space office. TacSat 4 will test new satellite communications systems. Delayed from September, October, November 2010, May 5 and May 14. [May 21]
Oct. 20  Soyuz  •  Galileo IOV
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Kourou, French Guiana

An Arianespace Soyuz rocket, designated VS01, will launch on its first mission from the Guiana Space Center in South America. The Soyuz will carry two Galileo in-orbit validation satellites for Europe's Galileo navigation constellation. The Soyuz 2-1b rocket will use a Fregat upper stage. Arianespace will oversee the launch. Delayed from Aug. 31. [May 21]
Oct. 25  Delta 2  •  NPP
Launch window: 0947:35-0957:35 GMT (5:47:35-5:57:35 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-2W, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California

The United Launch Alliance Delta 2 rocket will launch NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP) mission for NOAA and NASA. The rocket will fly in the 7920-10 configuration. NPP will collect data on atmospheric and sea surface temperatures, humidity, land and ocean biological activity, and cloud and aerosol properties. [Nov. 29]
Oct. 26  Soyuz   •  Progress 45P
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

A Russian government Soyuz rocket will launch the 45th Progress cargo delivery ship to the International Space Station. [Dec. 16]
November  H-2A   •  GCOM W1 & Kompsat 3
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Tanegashima Space Center, Japan

The Japanese H-2A rocket will launch the GCOM W1 and Kompsat 3 satellites. GCOM W1 is the first Global Change Observation Mission dedicated to tracking precipitation and the water cycle around the world. Kompsat 3 is a South Korean Earth observation satellite. [May 1]
Nov. 17  Delta 4  •  WGS 4
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: SLC-37B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida

The United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket will launch the fourth Wideband Global SATCOM spacecraft, formerly known as the Wideband Gapfiller Satellite. Built by Boeing, this geostationary communications spacecraft will serve U.S. military forces. The rocket will fly in the Medium+ (5,4) configuration with four solid rocket boosters. [May 21]
November  Soyuz  •  Globalstar
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

An Arianespace Soyuz rocket will launch six second-generation Globalstar mobile communications satellites. The Soyuz rocket will use a Fregat upper stage. Arianespace will oversee the commercial launch. Delayed from June and September. [April 14]
Nov. 25  Atlas 5  •  MSL
Launch time: 1521 GMT (10:21 a.m. EST)
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida

The United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket will launch NASA's Mars Science Laboratory mission. The centerpiece of MSL is the Curiosity rover, which will assess whether Mars ever was, or is still today, an environment able to support microbial life and to determine the planet's habitability. 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. [Dec. 16]
Nov. 30  Soyuz  •  ISS 29S
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

A Russian government Soyuz rocket will launch the manned Soyuz spacecraft to the International Space Station with members of the next Expedition crew. The capsule will remain at the station for about six months, providing an escape pod for the crew. [Dec. 16]
December  Soyuz  •  Pleiades 1
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Kourou, French Guiana

An Arianespace Soyuz rocket, designated VS02, will launch on a mission from the Guiana Space Center in South America. The Soyuz will carry the Pleiades 1 optical high-resolution Earth observation satellite, four ELISA electronic intelligence satellites and the SSOT remote sensing spacecraft for Chile. The Soyuz 2 rocket will use a Fregat upper stage. Arianespace will oversee the launch. Delayed from 3rd Quarter. [May 12]
Dec. 7  Falcon 9  •  Dragon C4
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the fourth Dragon spacecraft, called Dragon C4. The mission will be the first operational cargo delivery mission to the International Space Station under the Commercial Resupply Services contract. The company is building the Dragon to fly on resupply missions to the orbiting lab. Delayed from June 6. [Dec. 16]
Dec. 14  Taurus 2  •  Cygnus 1
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Pad 0A, Wallops Island, Va.

The Orbital Sciences Taurus 2 rocket will launch the first Cygnus cargo freighter on a test flight to the International Space Station. Orbital Sciences is developing the Cygnus spacecraft to deliver supplies to the space station. Delayed from June. [Dec. 16]
Feb. 3  Pegasus XL  •  NuSTAR
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Kwajalein Atoll in Marshall Islands

The air-launched Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket will deploy NASA's Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) spacecraft. NuSTAR will study high energy X-rays in the universe. [May 23]
Early 2012  Delta 4-Heavy  •  NROL-15
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: SLC-37B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida

The United Launch Alliance Delta 4-Heavy rocket will launch a classified spy satellite cargo for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office. The largest of the Delta 4 family, the Heavy version features three Common Booster Cores mounted together to form a triple-body rocket. Delayed from December 2011. [May 23]
February  Atlas 5  •  MUOS 1
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida

The United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket will launch the first Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite for the U.S. Navy. Built by Lockheed Martin, this U.S. military spacecraft will provide narrowband tactical communications designed to significantly improve ground communications for U.S. forces on the move. The rocket will fly in the 551 vehicle configuration with a five-meter fairing, five solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. [May 23]
March 30  Soyuz  •  ISS 30S
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

A Russian government Soyuz rocket will launch the manned Soyuz spacecraft to the International Space Station with members of the next Expedition crew. The capsule will remain at the station for about six months, providing an escape pod for the crew. [May 23]
Early 2012  Atlas 5  •  AEHF 2
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida

The United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket will launch the second Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite. Built by Lockheed Martin, this U.S. military spacecraft will provide highly-secure communications. The rocket will fly in the 531 vehicle configuration with a five-meter fairing, three solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. Delayed from February 2011 due to orbit-raising delays with AEHF 1. [Dec. 29]
May 2012  Atlas 5  •  RBSP
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida

The United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket will launch the Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) mission for NASA. Built and managed by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, this mission includes two spacecraft to fly in highly elliptical orbits to study Earth's radiation belts and probe the influences of the sun. The rocket will fly in the 401 vehicle configuration with a four-meter fairing, no solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. [May 23]
Launch Log
See our Launch Log for a listing of completed space missions in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.



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