Timeline of First Orbital Launches by Country

To qualify for this timeline, the orbital rocket had to be designed and engineered in its entirely in the country. The rocket must also have successfully delivered a payload to orbit.

Note that all orbital launches on this timeline originated from government programs.

1957
October 4

Soviet Union

Russia took over the Soviet space program after the Soviet Union’s dissolution in 1991

1958
February 1

United States

Currently has orbital launch capability including human spaceflight

1965
November 26

France

Currently has orbital launch capabilities as a member of ESA

1970
February 11

Japan

Currently has orbital launch capability

1970
April 24

China

Currently has orbital launch capability including human spaceflight

1971
October 28

United Kingdom

Currently has orbital launch capabilities as a member of ESA

1979
December 24

ESA (an intergovernmental organization)

Currently has orbital launch capability which is available to all members. Ongoing discussion regarding the need to develop human spaceflight capability.

1980
July 18

India

Currently has orbital launch capability and is actively working on developing human spaceflight capability.

1998
September 19

Israel

Currently has orbital launch capability

1991
September 28

Ukraine

Currently has orbital launch capability

1992
January 21

Russia

Currently has orbital launch capability including human spaceflight

2009
February 2

Iran

Currently has orbital launch capability

2012
December 12

North Korea

Currently has orbital launch capability

2022
June 21

South Korea

Currently has orbital launch capability

Source: Wikipedia

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