Previous Spaceflight Launches
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Long March 3C | Tianlian 1-04
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | ChinaXichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Nov. 22, 2016, 3:24 p.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:
Tianlian 1 is a Chinese data tracking and relay communications satellite series. Tianlian 1-04 is the fourth satellite in the constellation. It provides communication coverage for the crewed Shenzhou missions, from Shenzhou 7 onwards. Functionally, it is similar to the United States Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRS).
Geostationary Transfer Orbit
Atlas V 541 | GOES-R
United Launch Alliance | United States of AmericaCape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Nov. 19, 2016, 11:42 p.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:
The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-R Series (GOES-R) is the next generation of geostationary weather satellites. The four satellites of the series will provide advanced imaging with increased spatial resolution and faster coverage for more accurate forecasts, real-time mapping of lightning activity, and improved monitoring of solar activity. GOES-R is the first satellite of the series, and it will provide continuous imagery and atmospheric measurements of Earth’s Western Hemisphere and space weather monitoring. It will be the primary tool for the detection and tracking of hurricanes and severe weather.
Geostationary Transfer Orbit
Soyuz-FG | Soyuz MS-03
Progress Rocket Space Center | RussiaBaikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan
Nov. 17, 2016, 8:20 p.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:
Soyuz MS-03 begins expedition 50 by carrying NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Novitskiy to the International Space Station. After launching from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, they will rendezvous to the station where they will remain for their 6 month stay.
Low Earth Orbit
Ariane 5 ES | Galileo L8 (FOC FM07 & FM12-FM14)
ArianeGroup | FranceGuiana Space Centre, French Guiana
Nov. 17, 2016, 1:06 p.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:
The Galileo constellation is ESA's satellite navigation system and is expected to be completed by 2020. Galileo will provide Europe with an alternative to the American GPS and Russian GLONASS constellations, but will be interoperable with both systems.
Medium Earth Orbit
Long March 2D | YunHai 1-01
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | ChinaJiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Nov. 11, 2016, 11:14 p.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:
The Yunhai-1 satellite is designed for detecting environmental elements in the atmosphere and ocean, the space environment, disaster prevention and reduction, and scientific experimentation. It is made by the Shanghai Institute of Spaceflight Technology.
Sun-Synchronous Orbit
Atlas V 401 | WorldView-4
United Launch Alliance | United States of AmericaVandenberg SFB, CA, USA
Nov. 11, 2016, 6:30 p.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:
WorldView-4 is a commercial Earth observation satellite to be launched into sun-synchronous orbit. It is operated by DigitalGlobe, which provides imagery for customers such as NASA and Google Earth/Maps. Satellite is to deliver high-quality imagery, with a resolution of up to 31 cm in panchromatic mode, and a resolution of 1.24 m in multispectral mode. To be launched along with the satellite are 7 cubesats. These are tasked with testing various technologies, from data relay and radiation study to a new ion propulsion system.
Sun-Synchronous Orbit
Long March 11 | Xiaoxiang-1, XPNAV-1 & 3 others.
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | ChinaJiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Nov. 9, 2016, 11:42 p.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:
XPNAV-1 (X-Ray Pulsar Navigation) is the first ever satellite to test the technology of spacecraft navigation by using signals from X-ray pulsars. It is launched along with the Xiaoxiang 1 cubsat and several other small satellites.
Sun-Synchronous Orbit
Long March 5 / YZ-2 | Shijian 17
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | ChinaWenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China
Nov. 3, 2016, 12:43 p.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:
This will be the maiden flight of the Long March 5, which is China's next-generation heavy-lift space launch system, comparable in performance to the European Ariane 5 and the U.S. Delta IV Heavy. The rocket is powered by RP-1 and Hydrogen, and will be able to place 25 tonnes into low earth orbit. It is carrying Shijian-17, an experimental satellite, reportedly tasked with testing ion propulsion systems for future space station keeping uses.
Geostationary Orbit
SpaceShipTwo | VSS Unity CC03
Virgin Galactic | United States of AmericaAir launch to Suborbital flight
Nov. 3, 2016, noon
H-IIA 202 | Himawari-9
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | JapanTanegashima Space Center, Japan
Nov. 2, 2016, 6:20 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:
Himawari-9 is a geostationary weather satellite operated by the Japan Meteorological Agency. It will be placed at 140 degrees East and will replace Himawari-8 in 2022. The satellite is about 3,500 kilograms and has a design life of around 15 years with operational life lasting 8 years.The main instrument aboard is a 16 channel multispectral imager to capture visible light and infrared images of the Asian-Pacific region.
Geostationary Transfer Orbit
