December 21 in Space History

40 events

1. 1961 65 years ago launch failure

   DS-1 No. 2 — launch

   Category: Launches and Flight Tests

   Mission: DS-1 No. 2

   Kosmos 63S1 launched on the DS-1 No. 2 flight from GTsP-4, Kapustin Yar, Volgograd, Rossiya, pad Mayak-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. 1963 63 years ago launch

   Tiros 8 — launch

   Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

   Mission: Tiros 8

   • Space transportation

   Thor Delta B launched on the Tiros 8 flight from Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida, pad LC17B. 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. 1963 63 years ago launch

   CORONA 75/9062 — launch

   Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

   Mission: CORONA 75/9062

   • Space transportation

   Thor SLV-2A Agena D launched on the CORONA 75/9062 flight from Vandenberg AFB, California, pad 75-1-2. 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)

4. 1964 62 years ago launch

   Explorer 26 — launch

   Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

   Mission: Explorer 26

   • Space transportation

   Thor Delta C launched on the Explorer 26 flight from Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida, pad LC17A. 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. 1964 62 years ago launch

   QUILL — launch

   Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

   Mission: QUILL

   • Space transportation

   Thor SLV-2A Agena D launched on the QUILL flight from Vandenberg AFB, California, pad 75-1-1. 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. 1965 61 years ago launch

   Kosmos-101 — launch

   Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

   Mission: Kosmos-101

   • Space transportation

   Kosmos 63S1 launched on the Kosmos-101 flight from GTsP-4, Kapustin Yar, Volgograd, Rossiya, pad LC86/1. 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)

7. 1965 61 years ago launch

   OV2-3/LES 3/LES 4 — launch

   Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

   Mission: OV2-3/LES 3/LES 4

   • Space transportation

   Titan IIIC launched on the OV2-3/LES 3/LES 4 flight from Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida, pad LC41. 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. 1966 60 years ago launch

   Luna-13 — launch

   Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

   Mission: Luna-13

   • Space transportation

   Luna 13 (E-6M series) was an uncrewed space mission of the Luna program by Soviet Union.

   • 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)
   • Wikipedia — Luna 13 (opens in a new tab) — Adapted from Wikipedia contributors; selected sentences retained and edited for length, reference markers and pronunciation glosses. CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ Article and edit history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luna_13 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
   • Timeline of Space Exploration Missions 1957 to 2031 (opens in a new tab)
   • NASA — Luna 13 (opens in a new tab)
   • NASA NSSDCA — Luna 13 (opens in a new tab)

9. 1966 60 years ago launch

   Kosmos-137 — launch

   Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

   Mission: Kosmos-137

   • Space transportation

   Kosmos 63S1 launched on the Kosmos-137 flight from GTsP-4, Kapustin Yar, Volgograd, Rossiya, pad LC86/1. 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)

10. 1968 58 years ago launch

    Apollo 8 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Apollo 8

    • Space transportation

    Apollo 8 (December 21–27, 1968) was the first crewed spacecraft to leave Earth's gravitational sphere of influence, and the first human spaceflight to reach the Moon.

    • 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)
    • Wikipedia — Apollo 8 (opens in a new tab) — Adapted from Wikipedia contributors; selected sentences retained and edited for length, reference markers and pronunciation glosses. CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ Article and edit history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_8 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
    • Timeline of Space Exploration Missions 1957 to 2031 (opens in a new tab)
    • NASA — Apollo 8 (opens in a new tab)
    • NASA NSSDCA — Apollo 8 (opens in a new tab)

11. 1972 54 years ago launch

    Kosmos-539 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Kosmos-539

    • Space transportation

    Kosmos 11K65M launched on the Kosmos-539 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)

12. 1972 54 years ago launch

    KH-8A — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: KH-8A

    • Space transportation

    Titan 24B launched on the KH-8A flight from South Vandenberg AFB, California, pad SLC4W. 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. 1973 53 years ago launch

    Kosmos-625 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Kosmos-625

    • Space transportation

    Voskhod 11A57 launched on the Kosmos-625 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)

14. 1974 52 years ago launch

    Molniya-2 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Molniya-2

    • Space transportation

    Molniya 8K78M launched on the Molniya-2 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)

15. 1977 49 years ago launch

    Kosmos-970 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Kosmos-970

    • Space transportation

    Tsiklon-2 launched on the Kosmos-970 flight from NIIP-5, Baykonur, Kazakstan, pad LC90. 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. 1983 43 years ago launch

    Molniya-3 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Molniya-3

    • Space transportation

    Molniya 8K78M (ML) launched on the Molniya-3 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)

17. 1984 42 years ago launch

    Vega-2 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Vega-2

    • Space transportation

    Vega 2 (along with Vega 1) was a Soviet space probe part of the Vega program to explore Halley's Comet and Venus.

    • 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)
    • Wikipedia — Vega 2 (opens in a new tab) — Adapted from Wikipedia contributors; selected sentences retained and edited for length, reference markers and pronunciation glosses. CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ Article and edit history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vega_2 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
    • Timeline of Space Exploration Missions 1957 to 2031 (opens in a new tab)
    • NASA — Vega 2 (opens in a new tab)
    • NASA NSSDCA — Vega 2 (opens in a new tab)

18. 1987 39 years ago launch

    Soyuz TM-4 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Soyuz TM-4

    • Space transportation

    Soyuz-U2 launched on the Soyuz TM-4 flight from NIIP-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)

19. 1987 39 years ago launch

    Kosmos-1903 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Kosmos-1903

    • Space transportation

    Molniya 8K78M (2BL) launched on the Kosmos-1903 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)

20. 1990 36 years ago launch

    Kosmos-2113 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Kosmos-2113

    • Space transportation

    Soyuz-U launched on the Kosmos-2113 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)

21. 1992 34 years ago launch

    Optus B2 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Optus B2

    • Space transportation

    Chang Zheng 2E launched on the Optus B2 flight from Xichang Space Center (Songlin), Sichuan, China, pad LC2. 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)

22. 2001 25 years ago launch

    Kosmos-2383 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Kosmos-2383

    • Space transportation

    Tsiklon-2 launched on the Kosmos-2383 flight from GIK-5, Baykonur, Kazakstan, pad LC90/20. 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. 2003 23 years ago launch

    USA 175 (GPS IIR-10) — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: USA 175 (GPS IIR-10)

    • Space transportation

    Delta 7925-9.5 launched on the USA 175 (GPS IIR-10) flight from Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida, pad SLC17A. 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. 2004 22 years ago launch

    Demosat — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Demosat

    • Space transportation

    Delta 4H launched on the Demosat flight from Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida, pad SLC37B. Partial launch success/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)

25. 2005 21 years ago launch

    Progress M-55 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Progress M-55

    • Space transportation

    Soyuz-U-PVB launched on the Progress M-55 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)

26. 2005 21 years ago launch

    Gonets/Kosmos-2416 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Gonets/Kosmos-2416

    • Space transportation

    Kosmos 11K65M launched on the Gonets/Kosmos-2416 flight from 1-y Gosudarstvenniy Ispitatelniy Kosmodrom MO RF, 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)

27. 2005 21 years ago launch

    Insat 4A/MSG 2 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Insat 4A/MSG 2

    • Space transportation

    Ariane 5GS launched on the Insat 4A/MSG 2 flight from Centre Spatial Guyanais, Kourou, Guyane Francaise, pad ELA3. 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. 2007 19 years ago launch

    Rascom 1/Horizons 2 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Rascom 1/Horizons 2

    • Space transportation

    Ariane 5GS launched on the Rascom 1/Horizons 2 flight from Centre Spatial Guyanais, Kourou, Guyane Francaise, pad ELA3. 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)

29. 2011 15 years ago launch

    Soyuz TMA-03M — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Soyuz TMA-03M

    • Space transportation

    Soyuz-FG launched on the Soyuz TMA-03M 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)

30. 2015 11 years ago launch

    Progress MS-01 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Progress MS-01

    • Space transportation

    Soyuz-2-1A launched on the Progress MS-01 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)

31. 2016 10 years ago launch

    Tan Weixing — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Tan Weixing

    • Space transportation

    Chang Zheng 2D launched on the Tan Weixing 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)

32. 2016 10 years ago launch

    JCSAT-15/Star One D1 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: JCSAT-15/Star One D1

    • Space transportation

    Ariane 5ECA launched on the JCSAT-15/Star One D1 flight from Centre Spatial Guyanais, Kourou, Guyane Francaise, pad ELA3. 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)

33. 2018 8 years ago launch

    Kosmos-2533 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Kosmos-2533

    • Space transportation

    Proton-M/Briz-M (III) launched on the Kosmos-2533 flight from GIK-5, Baykonur, Kazakstan, pad LC81/24. 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)

34. 2018 8 years ago launch

    Hongyun Gongcheng — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Hongyun Gongcheng

    • Space transportation

    Chang Zheng 11 launched on the Hongyun Gongcheng flight from Jiuquan Space Center, Nei Monggol Zizhiqu, China, pad LC43/95. 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)

35. 2021 5 years ago launch

    Dragon CRS-24 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Dragon CRS-24

    • Space transportation

    Falcon 9 (FT5) launched on the Dragon CRS-24 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)

36. 2022 4 years ago launch failure

    Pleiades NEO 5/6 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests

    Mission: Pleiades NEO 5/6

    Vega C launched on the Pleiades NEO 5/6 flight from Centre Spatial Guyanais, Kourou, Guyane Francaise, pad ZLV. 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)

37. 2023 3 years ago launch

    Kosmos-2573 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Kosmos-2573

    • Space transportation

    Soyuz-2-1A launched on the Kosmos-2573 flight from 1-y Gosudarstvenniy Ispitatelniy Kosmodrom MO RF, 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)

38. 2024 2 years ago launch

    Bandwagon-2 — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Bandwagon-2

    • Space transportation

    Falcon 9 (FT5) launched on the Bandwagon-2 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)

39. 2024 2 years ago launch

    Owl the Way Up — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: Owl the Way Up

    • Space transportation

    Electron launched on the Owl the Way Up flight from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Onenui Station, Mahia Peninsula, pad LC1B. 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)

40. 2025 1 year ago launch

    The Wisdom God Guides — launch

    Category: Launches and Flight Tests › Type: Orbital launch

    Mission: The Wisdom God Guides

    • Space transportation

    Electron launched on the The Wisdom God Guides flight from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Onenui Station, Mahia Peninsula, pad LC1B. 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)