May 9, 2008 - 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: justin@spaceflightnow.com

Latest changes:
04/17: Delta 2/GLAST delayed
04/18: Adding date for next Ariane
04/21: Adding AV-number, launch time and link to windows chart for Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter
04/23: Pegasus/IBEX delayed; Adding date and time for PSLV/Cartosat
04/24: Land Launch/AMOS 3 scrubbed
04/25: Adding ISS Progress 29P launch time; Sea Launch/Galaxy 18 delayed; New date for Land Launch/AMOS 3
04/28: Kosmos 3M/ORBCOMM delayed
05/01: New dates for Atlas/DMSP and Atlas/WGS 2; Updating shuttle STS-124 launch time; Shuttle STS-125, STS-126 and STS-119 delayed; Adding time for next Ariane
05/06: New dates for Delta 4-Heavy/NROL-26 and Delta 4/GOES-O
05/09: New dates for Delta 2/GLAST; Pegasus/IBEX, Delta 2/STSS and Atlas/LRO

May 14  Soyuz  •  Progress 29P
Launch time: 2022 GMT (4:22 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

A Russian government Soyuz rocket will launch the 29th Progress cargo delivery ship to the International Space Station. [April 25]
May 23  Ariane 5  •   Skynet 5C & Turksat 3A
Launch time: 2150 GMT (5:50 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: ELA-3, Kourou, French Guiana

Arianespace Flight 183 will use an Ariane 5 rocket with an ECA cryogenic upper stage to launch the British Skynet 5C military communications satellite and the Turkish Turksat 3A communications spacecraft. [May 1]
Late May  Sea Launch  •  Galaxy 18
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Odyssey platform, Pacific Ocean (154° West, 0° North)

The Sea Launch Zenit 3SL rocket will carry into orbit the Galaxy 18 communications satellite for Intelsat. The Loral-built spacecraft will replace the Galaxy 10R satellite and be used for telecommunication services across North America. Delayed from May 13. [April 25]
May 31  Shuttle Discovery   •  ISS 1J
Launch time: 2102 GMT (5:02 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida

STS-124 will be the 26th U.S. mission to the International Space Station. This flight by the space shuttle Discovery will deliver and install the massive Kibo science laboratory module and and robotic arm system to the space station for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. The STS-124 mission is the second of three flights that will launch components to complete the Japanese contribution to the station. Delayed from April 24 and May 25. [May 1]
June 3  Delta 2  •  GLAST
Launch window: 1545-1740 GMT (11:45 a.m.-1:40 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-17B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida

The United Launch Alliance Delta 2-Heavy rocket will launch NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope observatory into orbit. The rocket will fly in the 7920-Heavy vehicle configuration. Delayed from Oct. 7, Dec. 14, Jan. 31 and Feb. 5. Moved up from May 29. Delayed from May 16 due to second stage stacking problem. [May 9]
June  Kosmos 3M  •  ORBCOMM
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Kapustin Yar, Russia

A Russian Kosmos 3M rocket will launch six replacement ORBCOMM data communications satellites for the U.S.-based ORBCOMM Inc. Delayed from May 22. [April 28]
June 15  Delta 2  •  Jason 2
Launch time: 0847 GMT (4:47 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-2W, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

The United Launch Alliance Delta 2 rocket will launch the Jason 2 spacecraft to measure sea surface height. This The Ocean Surface Topography Mission is a joint U.S. and European project. [Feb. 28]
June 29  Atlas 5  •  DMSP F18
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: SLC-3E, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

The United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket (AV-017) will launch the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program 18 spacecraft for the U.S. Air Force. Built by Lockheed Martin, this polar-orbiting weather satellite will be used by the military for global weather forecasting. The rocket will fly in the 401 vehicle configuration with a four-meter fairing, no strap-on solid rocket booster and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. Delayed from April. Moved up from July 2. [May 1]
June 30  Delta 2  •  GPS 2R-20 (M7)
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: SLC-17, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida

The United Launch Alliance Delta 2 rocket will launch the seventh modernized NAVSTAR Global Positioning System Block 2R military navigation satellite. The launch will be run by the U.S. Air Force. The rocket will fly in the 7925 vehicle configuration. [March 16]
July  PSLV  •  Chandrayaan 1
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota, India

India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) will send the Chandrayaan 1 spacecraft to the moon. It will be country's first lunar orbiter. The mission carries a slate of instruments provided by scientists from India, Bulgaria, the European Space Agency and NASA. Delayed from April. [Feb. 25]
July 29/30  Kosmos 3M  •  SAR-Lupe 5
Launch time: 0312 GMT on 30th (11:12 p.m. EDT on July 29th)
Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russia

A Russian Kosmos 3M rocket will launch the SAR-Lupe 5 spacecraft into Earth orbit. The craft is the fifth in a series of five German radar reconnaissance satellites. [April 2]
Summer  Sea Launch  •  EchoStar 11
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Odyssey platform, Pacific Ocean (154° West, 0° North)

The Sea Launch Zenit 3SL rocket will carry into orbit the EchoStar 11 direct-to-home television broadcast satellite. The Loral-built spacecraft will provide services for DISH Network subscribers. [March 18]
Aug. 4  Atlas 5  •  WGS SV 2
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida

The United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket (AV-016) will launch the second 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 421 vehicle configuration with a four-meter fairing, two solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. Delayed from Aug. 2. [May 1]
Aug. 12  Soyuz  •  Progress 30P
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

A Russian government Soyuz rocket will launch the 30th Progress cargo delivery ship to the International Space Station. [April 1]
Aug. 22  Delta 2  •  GeoEye 1
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: SLC-2W, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

The United Launch Alliance Delta 2 rocket will launch the GeoEye 1 commercial Earth-imaging spacecraft into a Sun-synchronous orbit for the GeoEye company. ULA will conduct this commercial launch for Boeing. Delayed from 2007 and April 16. [Jan. 17]
3rd Quarter  Sea Launch  •  Galaxy 19
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Odyssey platform, Pacific Ocean (154° West, 0° North)

The Sea Launch Zenit 3SL rocket will carry into orbit the Galaxy 19 communications satellite for Intelsat. The Loral-built spacecraft will replace the Galaxy 25 satellite and be used for telecommunication services across North America. [March 18]
Sept. 9  Delta 4-H  •  NROL-26
Launch time: 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 2005 and 2006. Delayed from Jan. 25, April, May 9 and July 25. [May 6]
Sept. 10  Soyuz  •  Progress 31P
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

A Russian government Soyuz rocket will launch the 31st Progress cargo delivery ship to the International Space Station. [April 1]
Sept. 11  Delta 2  •  GPS 2R-21 (M8)
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: SLC-17, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida

The United Launch Alliance Delta 2 rocket will launch the eighth modernized NAVSTAR Global Positioning System Block 2R military navigation satellite. The launch will be run by the U.S. Air Force. The rocket will fly in the 7925 vehicle configuration. [March 16]
Sept. 13  Pegasus  •  IBEX
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Kwajalein Atoll in Marshall Islands

The air-launched Orbital Sciences Pegasus rocket will launch NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer. IBEX will study the interaction between the solar wind and the interstellar medium. Delayed from July 15 and Aug. 9. [May 9]
Sept. 14  Minotaur  •  TacSat 3
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, Wallops Island, Virginia

The Orbital Sciences Minotaur rocket will launch the Air Force Research Laboratory's TacSat 3 advanced technology research spacecraft. The four-stage rocket uses U.S. government-supplied Minuteman 2 motors and Pegasus rocket stages. Delayed from December, March 15, June 25 and Aug. 14. [March 18]
Fall  H-2A  •  GOSAT
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Tanegashima, Japan

The Japanese H-2A rocket will launch the Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite (GOSAT) environmental spacecraft for JAXA. [Feb. 29]
TBD  Shuttle Atlantis   •  HST Servicing
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida

STS-125 will be the fifth and final space shuttle mission launched to service and upgrade the orbiting Hubble Space Telescope. Shuttle Atlantis will launch two new science instruments, along with stabilizing gyroscopes, batteries and thermal blankets to refurbish the observatory and extend its useful life another five years. The astronauts plan to conduct five spacewalks during the service call. Attempts to repair two other instruments are planned as well. Delayed from Aug. 7 and Aug. 28. [May 1]
Oct. 12  Soyuz  •  ISS 17S
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

A Russian government Soyuz rocket will launch the manned Soyuz TMA-13 spacecraft to the International Space Station with members of the Expedition 18 crew. The capsule will remain at the station for about six months, providing an escape pod for the crew. [Jan. 4]
TBD  Shuttle Endeavour   •  ISS ULF2
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida

STS-126 will be the 27th U.S. mission to the International Space Station. The flight will deliver equipment and supplies with a reusable Multi-Purpose Logistics Module. Delayed from Sept. 18 and Oct. 16. [May 1]
Nov. 13  Delta 2  •  STSS Demo
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: SLC-17A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida

The United Launch Alliance Delta 2 rocket will launch the Space Tracking and Surveillance System (SSTS) technology demonstration mission for the Missile Defense Agency. NASA will oversee the launch. The rocket will fly in the 7920 vehicle configuration. Delayed from Nov. 25, 2007, April and July 16. [May 9]
Nov. 24  Atlas 5  •  LRO
Launch time: 0844 GMT (3:44 a.m. EST)
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida

The United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket (AV-020) will launch NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter to the moon and a lunar impactor secondary payload called the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite. 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. See launch windows chart here. Delayed from Oct. 28. [May 9]
Nov. 26  Soyuz  •  Progress 32P
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

A Russian government Soyuz rocket will launch the 32nd Progress cargo delivery ship to the International Space Station. [April 1]
TBD  Atlas 5  •  AEHF 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 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. [Jan. 4]
Dec. 12  Delta 4  •  GOES O
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: SLC-37B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida

The United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket will launch the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite O, or GOES O, for NASA and NOAA. The weather satellite will orbit 22,300 miles above the planet to monitor conditions across the U.S. The rocket will fly in the Medium+ (4,2) configuration with two solid rocket boosters. Delayed from April, June 12, July 20, August and Nov. 5. [May 6]
Dec. 15  Taurus XL  •  OCO
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Area 576-E, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

The Orbital Sciences Taurus XL rocket will launch NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory. The Orbital Sciences-built satellite will measure atmospheric carbon dioxide. [Jan. 9]
TBD  Atlas 5  •  SDO
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida

The United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket will launch NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory. SDO will be the first mission for the space agency's Living With a Star Program. 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. [Jan. 4]
TBD  Delta 2  •  STSS-ATRR
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: SLC-2W, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

The United Launch Alliance Delta 2 rocket will launch the Space Tracking and Surveillance System Advanced Technology Risk Reduction (STSS-ATRR) research and development mission for the Missile Defense Agency. The mission previously called Block 2010 Spacecraft Risk Reduction. NASA will oversee the launch. The rocket will fly in the 7920 vehicle configuration. Delayed from December 2006, March 15, May 31, Aug. 23, Nov. 8, 2007, Jan. 25, Feb. 21 and April 17. [March 3]
Early 2009  Atlas 5  •  GPS 2F-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 Block 2F military navigation satellite for the Global Positioning System. 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. [Jan. 9]
TBD  Delta 4  •  WGS SV 3
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: SLC-37B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida

The United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket will launch the third 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. [Jan. 4]
TBD  Shuttle Discovery   •  ISS 15A
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida

STS-119 will be the 28th U.S. mission to the International Space Station. The flight will deliver the Starboard 6 truss segment, giving the station its fourth and final set of power-generating solar wings. Delayed from Nov. 6 and Dec. 4. [May 1]



Launch Log
See our Launch Log for a listing of completed space missions in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.


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