December 17 in Space History

28 events

1. 1962 64 years ago launch failure

   Midas 6 — launch

   Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

   Mission: Midas 6

   • Space transportation

   Atlas Agena B launched on the Midas 6 flight from Naval Missile Facility, Point Arguello, California, pad LC1-2. Launch failure.

   • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

2. 1965 61 years ago launch

   Kosmos-100 — launch

   Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

   Mission: Kosmos-100

   • Space transportation

   Vostok 8A92M (?) launched on the Kosmos-100 flight from NIIP-5, Baykonur, Kazakstan, pad LC31. Launch vehicle success.

   • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

3. 1971 55 years ago launch

   Kosmos-467 — launch

   Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

   Mission: Kosmos-467

   • Space transportation

   Kosmos 11K63 launched on the Kosmos-467 flight from 53-y Nauchno-Issledovatelskiy Ispitatelniy Poligon, pad LC133/3. Launch vehicle success.

   • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

4. 1971 55 years ago launch

   Kosmos-468 — launch

   Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

   Mission: Kosmos-468

   • Space transportation

   Kosmos 11K65M launched on the Kosmos-468 flight from 53-y Nauchno-Issledovatelskiy Ispitatelniy Poligon, pad LC132/2. Launch vehicle success.

   • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

5. 1973 53 years ago launch

   Kosmos-616 — launch

   Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

   Mission: Kosmos-616

   • Space transportation

   Soyuz 11A511M launched on the Kosmos-616 flight from 53-y Nauchno-Issledovatelskiy Ispitatelniy Poligon, pad LC41/1. Launch vehicle success.

   • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

6. 1974 52 years ago launch

   Meteor — launch

   Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

   Mission: Meteor

   • Space transportation

   Vostok 8A92M launched on the Meteor flight from 53-y Nauchno-Issledovatelskiy Ispitatelniy Poligon, pad LC43/4. Launch vehicle success.

   • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

7. 1975 51 years ago launch

   Molniya-2 — launch

   Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

   Mission: Molniya-2

   • Space transportation

   Molniya 8K78M (ML) launched on the Molniya-2 flight from 53-y Nauchno-Issledovatelskiy Ispitatelniy Poligon, pad LC43/3. Launch vehicle success.

   • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

8. 1976 50 years ago launch

   Kosmos-884 — launch

   Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

   Mission: Kosmos-884

   • Space transportation

   Soyuz-U launched on the Kosmos-884 flight from NIIP-5, Baykonur, Kazakstan, pad LC31. Launch vehicle success.

   • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

9. 1976 50 years ago launch

   Kosmos-885 — launch

   Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

   Mission: Kosmos-885

   • Space transportation

   Kosmos 11K65M launched on the Kosmos-885 flight from 53-y Nauchno-Issledovatelskiy Ispitatelniy Poligon, pad LC132/2. Launch vehicle success.

   • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

10. 1981 45 years ago launch

    RS-3/8 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: RS-3/8

    • Space transportation

    Kosmos 11K65M launched on the RS-3/8 flight from 53-y Nauchno-Issledovatelskiy Ispitatelniy Poligon, pad LC132/2. Launch vehicle success.

    • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

11. 1986 40 years ago launch

    Kosmos-1808 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Kosmos-1808

    • Space transportation

    Kosmos 11K65M launched on the Kosmos-1808 flight from 53-y Nauchno-Issledovatelskiy Ispitatelniy Poligon, pad LC132/1. Launch vehicle success.

    • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

12. 1991 35 years ago launch

    Kosmos-2174 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Kosmos-2174

    • Space transportation

    Soyuz-U launched on the Kosmos-2174 flight from GIK-5, Baykonur, Kazakstan, pad LC31. Launch vehicle success.

    • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

13. 1992 34 years ago launch

    Kosmos-2224 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Kosmos-2224

    • Space transportation

    Proton-K/DM-2 launched on the Kosmos-2224 flight from GIK-5, Baykonur, Kazakstan, pad LC200/39. Launch vehicle success.

    • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

14. 2002 24 years ago launch

    NSS 6 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: NSS 6

    • Space transportation

    Ariane 44L (44L-3) launched on the NSS 6 flight from Centre Spatial Guyanais, Kourou, Guyane Francaise, pad ELA2. Launch vehicle success.

    • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

15. 2010 16 years ago launch

    Beidou DW7 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Beidou DW7

    • Space transportation

    Chang Zheng 3A launched on the Beidou DW7 flight from Xichang Space Center (Songlin), Sichuan, China, pad LC3. Launch vehicle success.

    • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

16. 2011 15 years ago launch

    Pleiades/Elisa — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Pleiades/Elisa

    • Space transportation

    Soyuz-ST-A (Fregat) launched on the Pleiades/Elisa flight from Centre Spatial Guyanais, Kourou, Guyane Francaise, pad ELS. Launch vehicle success.

    • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

17. 2015 11 years ago launch

    Wukong — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Wukong

    • Space transportation

    Chang Zheng 2D launched on the Wukong flight from Jiuquan Space Center, Nei Monggol Zizhiqu, China, pad LC603. Launch vehicle success.

    • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

18. 2015 11 years ago launch

    Galileo FOC 8/9 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Galileo FOC 8/9

    • Space transportation

    Soyuz-ST-B (Fregat) launched on the Galileo FOC 8/9 flight from Centre Spatial Guyanais, Kourou, Guyane Francaise, pad ELS. Launch vehicle success.

    • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

19. 2017 9 years ago launch

    Soyuz MS-07 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Soyuz MS-07

    • Space transportation

    Soyuz-FG launched on the Soyuz MS-07 flight from GIK-5, Baykonur, Kazakstan, pad LC1. Launch vehicle success.

    • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

20. 2019 7 years ago launch

    JCSAT-18-Kacific-1 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: JCSAT-18-Kacific-1

    • Space transportation

    Falcon 9 (FT5) launched on the JCSAT-18-Kacific-1 flight from Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida, pad LC40. Launch vehicle success.

    • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

21. 2020 6 years ago launch

    CMS-01 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: CMS-01

    • Space transportation

    PSLV-XL launched on the CMS-01 flight from Satish Dhawan Space Ctr, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, India, pad SLP. Launch vehicle success.

    • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

22. 2022 4 years ago launch

    Starlink-68 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Starlink-68

    • Space transportation

    Falcon 9 (FT5) launched on the Starlink-68 flight from NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center, Florida, pad LC39A. Launch vehicle success.

    • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

23. 2024 2 years ago launch

    GPS III SV07 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: GPS III SV07

    • Space transportation

    Falcon 9 (FT5) launched on the GPS III SV07 flight from Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida, pad LC40. Launch vehicle success.

    • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

24. 2024 2 years ago launch

    NROL-149 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: NROL-149

    • Space transportation

    Falcon 9 (FT5) launched on the NROL-149 flight from South Base, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, pad SLC4E. Launch vehicle success.

    • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

25. 2024 2 years ago launch

    O3b mPOWER 7/8 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: O3b mPOWER 7/8

    • Space transportation

    Falcon 9 (FT5) launched on the O3b mPOWER 7/8 flight from NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center, Florida, pad LC39A. Launch vehicle success.

    • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

26. 2025 1 year ago launch

    Galileo FOC FM33/34 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Galileo FOC FM33/34

    • Space transportation

    Ariane 62 launched on the Galileo FOC FM33/34 flight from Centre Spatial Guyanais, Kourou, Guyane Francaise, pad ELA4. Launch vehicle success.

    • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

27. 2025 1 year ago launch

    Starlink-343 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Starlink-343

    • Space transportation

    Falcon 9 (FT5) launched on the Starlink-343 flight from NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center, Florida, pad LC39A. Launch vehicle success.

    • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)

28. 2025 1 year ago launch

    Starlink-344 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Starlink-344

    • Space transportation

    Falcon 9 (FT5) launched on the Starlink-344 flight from South Base, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, pad SLC4E. Launch vehicle success.

    • Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records. (CC BY 4.0)