Portal:Spaceflight/On This Day/December
1 December[edit]
- 1960 - A Vostok-2 launches the Korabl'-Sputnik 3 spacecraft.
- 1964 - A Kosmos-2I fails to launch an unknown satellite.
- 1980 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 1224 satellite.
- 1987 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Kosmos 1898 satellite.
- 1989 - A Proton launches the Granat spacecraft.
- 1990 - An Atlas E/F launches the USA-68 satellite.
- 1992 - An Ariane 4 launches the Superbird A1 satellite.
- 1994 - An Ariane 4 fails to launch the PanAmSat-3 satellite.
- 2000 - Space Shuttle Endeavour launches on ISS assembly mission STS-97.
- 2001 - A Proton-K launches three GLONASS satellites.
- 2008 - A Long March 2D launches the Yaogan-4 satellite.
- 2011 - A Long March 3A launches the Beidou-2 IGSO5 satellite for the Chinese Beidou Navigation Satellite System.
- 2013 - A Long March 3B launches Chang'e 3, China's first lunar lander mission, and the Yutu lunar rover.
2 December[edit]
- 1970 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Kosmos 381 satellite.
- 1970 - A Proton-K launches the Kosmos 382 satellite.
- 1971 - A Kosmos-2I launches the Interkosmos-5 satellite.
- 1971 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Kosmos 461 satellite.
- 1972 - A Molniya-M launches a Molniya-1 satellite.
- 1974 - A Soyuz-U launches the manned Soyuz 16 mission.
- 1976 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Kosmos 870 satellite.
- 1976 - A Molniya-M launches a Molniya-2 satellite.
- 1986 - A Tsyklon-3 launches the Kosmos 1803 satellite.
- 1988 - Space Shuttle Atlantis launches on mission STS-27 to deploy the Lacrosse-1 satellite.
- 1990 - Space Shuttle Columbia launches on astronomy mission STS-35.
- 1990 - A Soyuz-U2 launches the manned Soyuz TM-11 mission.
- 1992 - A Molniya-M launches a Molniya-3 satellite.
- 1992 - Space Shuttle Discovery launches on mission STS-53 to deploy the USA-89 satellite.
- 1993 - Space Shuttle Endeavour launches on HST servicing mission STS-61.
- 1995 - An Atlas IIAS launches the SOHO spacecraft.
- 1997 - An Ariane 4 launches the JCSAT-5 and Equator-S satellites.
- 1997 - A Proton-K launches the Astra 1G satellite.
- 2003 - An Atlas IIAS launches a pair of NOSS satellites.
- 2008 - A Molniya-M launches the Kosmos 2446 satellite.
- 2012 - A Soyuz-STA/Fregat launches the Pleiades 1B satellite.
3 December[edit]
- 1965 - A Molniya launches the Luna 8 probe.
- 1966 - A Voskhod launches the Kosmos 134 satellite.
- 1967 - A Voskhod launches the Kosmos 194 satellite.
- 1968 - A Kosmos-2I launches the Kosmos 257 satellite.
- 1969 - A Voskhod launches the Kosmos 313 satellite.
- 1970 - A Voskhod launches the Kosmos 383 satellite.
- 1971 - A Voskhod fails to launch an unknown satellite.
- 1971 - A Tsyklon-2 launches the Kosmos 462 satellite.
- 1975 - A Voskhod launches the Kosmos 784 satellite.
- 1981 - A Tsyklon-3 launches the Kosmos 1328 satellite.
- 1982 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 1422 satellite.
- 1985 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 1705 satellite.
- 1999 - An Ariane 4 launches the Helios 1B and Clementine satellites.
- 2012 - A Zenit-3SL launches the Eutelsat 70B satellite.
- 2013 - A Falcon 9 v1.1 launches the SES-8 satellite.
4 December[edit]
- 1958 - A Luna fails to launch a Luna probe.
- 1960 - A Scout X-1 fails to launch the S-56 satellite.
- 1962 - A Thor-Agena launches a CORONA satellite.
- 1964 - An Atlas-Agena launches a KH-7 satellite.
- 1965 - A Titan II launches the manned Gemini 7 mission.
- 1968 - A Titan IIIB launches a KH-8 satellite.
- 1969 - A Thorad-Agena launches a CORONA satellite.
- 1971 - An Atlas-Agena fails to launch an AFP-827 satellite.
- 1973 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Kosmos 614 satellite.
- 1975 - A Titan IIID launches a KH-9 satellite.
- 1977 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 964 satellite.
- 1981 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 1329 satellite.
- 1984 - A Titan 34D launches the USA-6 satellite.
- 1986 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 1804 satellite.
- 1990 - A Tsyklon-2 launches the Kosmos 2107 satellite.
- 1990 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 2108 satellite.
- 1996 - A Delta II launches the Mars Pathfinder probe.
- 1998 - Space Shuttle Endeavour launches on ISS assembly mission STS-88.
- 1999 - A Pegasus-XL launches eight Orbcomm satellites.
5 December[edit]
- 1963 - A Thor-Ablestar launches the Transit VBN-2 satellite.
- 1966 - An Atlas-Agena launches a KH-7 satellite.
- 1967 - A Scout B launches the OV3-6 satellite.
- 1967 - A Titan IIIB launches a KH-8 satellite.
- 1968 - A Delta E launches the HEOS-1 satellite.
- 1971 - A Diamant-B fails to launch the Polaire satellite.
- 1978 - A Kosmos-3M launches eight Strela satellites.
- 1979 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Kosmos 1146 satellite.
- 1980 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Kosmos 1225 satellite.
- 1986 - An Atlas-Centaur launches the USA-20 satellite.
- 1995 - A Titan IV launches the USA-116 satellite.
- 2000 - A Start-1 launches the EROS A satellite.
- 2001 - Space Shuttle Endeavour launches on ISS resupply mission STS-108 with the Raffaello MPLM.
- 2002 - An Atlas IIA launches the TDRS-10 satellite.
- 2003 - The Strela makes its maiden flight, launching the Gruzomaket satellite.
- 2010 - A Proton-M fails to launch 3 GLONASS-M navigation satellites.
6 December[edit]
- 1957 - The first US satellite launch attempt fails when the Vanguard rocket used explodes on its launch pad.
- 1958 - A Juno II launches the Pioneer 3 probe.
- 1965 - A Scout X-4 launches the FR-1 satellite.
- 1971 - A Voskhod launches the Kosmos 463 satellite.
- 1975 - A Scout F-1 fails to launch two DAD satellites.
- 1980 - An Atlas-Centaur launches the Intelsat 502 satellite.
- 1995 - An Ariane 4 launches the Insat 2C and Telecom 2C satellites.
- 1998 - An Ariane 4 launches the Satmex 5 satellite.
- 1998 - A Pegasus-XL launches the SWAS satellite.
- 2000 - An Atlas IIAS launches the USA-155 satellite.
- 2009 - The first Delta IV-M+(5,4) launches the USA-211 satellite.
- 2013 - An Atlas V launches the USA-247 reconnaissance satellite and 12 cubesats.
7 December[edit]
- 1960 - A Thor-Agena launches the Discoverer 18 satellite.
- 1966 - An Atlas-Agena launches the ATS-1 satellite.
- 1968 - An Atlas-Centaur launches the OAO-2 satellite.
- 1972 - The last Saturn V launches Apollo 17, the last manned Apollo mission to the Moon.
- 1976 - A Long March 2C launches an FSW satellite.
- 1976 - A Kosmos-3M launches eight Strela satellite.
- 1978 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 1059 satellite.
- 1979 - A Delta 3914 fails to launch the Satcom 3 satellite.
- 1983 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 1512 satellite.
- 1987 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 1899 satellite.
- 1991 - An Atlas II launches the Eutelsat 2F3 satellite.
- 2001 - A Delta II launches the Jason-1 and TIMED satellites.
8 December[edit]
- 1977 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Kosmos 965 satellite.
- 1977 - An Atlas E/F launches three NOSS satellites.
- 1978 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 1060 satellite.
- 1982 - A Molniya-M fails to launch the Kosmos 1423 satellite.
- 1983 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Kosmos 1513 satellite.
- 1988 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 1983 satellite.
- 1990 - A Proton-K launches three GLONASS satellites.
- 1993 - A Delta II launches the USA-98 satellite.
- 1997 - A Long March 2C launches two Iridium satellites.
- 1997 - An Atlas IIAS launches the Galaxy 8i satellite.
- 2006 - A Long March 3A launches the FY-2D satellite.
- 2006 - An Ariane 5 launches the WildBlue 1 and AMC-18 satellites.
- 2010 - Dragon C1, the prototype Dragon spacecraft, is launched on a test flight by a Falcon 9 v1.0 rocket along with 8 cubesats.
- 2012 - A Proton-M launches the Yamal-402 satellite, placing it in a lower than planned but salvageable orbit.
- 2013 - A Proton-M launches the Inmarsat-5 F1 satellite.
9 December[edit]
- 1964 - A Kosmos-2I launches the Kosmos 51 satellite.
- 1965 - A Thor-Agena launches a CORONA satellite.
- 1967 - A Thorad-Agena launches a CORONA satellite.
- 1976 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 879 satellite.
- 1976 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Kosmos 880 satellite.
- 1980 - An Atlas E/F fails to launch three NOSS satellites.
- 1992 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 2223 satellite.
- 1997 - A Tsyklon-2 launches the Kosmos 2347 satellite.
- 2007 - A Proton-M launches the Kosmos 2434 satellite.
- 2007 - A Delta II launches the COSMO-2 satellite.
- 2009 - A Long March 2D launches the Yaogan 7 satellite.
- 2013 - A Chang Zheng 4B fails to launch the CBERS-3 satellite.
10 December[edit]
- 1964 - A Titan IIIA launches on a Transtage test flight.
- 1965 - A Vostok-2 launches the Kosmos 99 satellite.
- 1968 - A Voskhod launches the Kosmos 258 satellite.
- 1970 - A Voskhod launches the Kosmos 384 satellite.
- 1971 - A Voskhod launches the Kosmos 464 satellite.
- 1974 - A Titan IIIE launches the Helios-1 spacecraft.
- 1977 - A Soyuz-U launches the manned Soyuz 26 mission.
- 1980 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Kosmos 1226 satellite.
- 1986 - A Tsyklon-3 launches the Kosmos 1805 satellite.
- 1987 - A Proton-K launches a Raduga satellite.
- 1988 - A Proton-K launches an Ekran satellite.
- 1990 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Kosmos 2112 satellite.
- 1998 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Nadezhda-5 and Astrid-2 satellites.
- 1999 - An Ariane 5 launches the XMM-Newton spacecraft.
- 2001 - A Zenit-2 launches a Meteor satellite.
- 2003 - A Proton-K launches three GLONASS satellites.
- 2006 - Space Shuttle Discovery launches on ISS assembly mission STS-116.
- 2007 - An Atlas V launches the USA-198 satellite.
- 2008 - A Proton-M launches the Ciel-2 satellite.
11 December[edit]
- 1961 - A Vostok-K fails to launch an unknown satellite.
- 1964 - An Atlas-Centaur launches a Boilerplate Surveyor spacecraft.
- 1966 - An Atlas D launches the OV1-9 and 10 satellite.
- 1969 - A Kosmos-2I launches the Kosmos 314 satellite.
- 1970 - A Delta N launches the NOAA-1 satellite.
- 1971 - A Scout B-1 launches the Ariel 4 satellite.
- 1972 - A Delta 0900 launches the Nimbus 5 satellite.
- 1975 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Interkosmos-14 satellite.
- 1977 - An Atlas-Agena launches the OPS-4258 satellite.
- 1978 - An Atlas E/F launches the GPS-4 satellite.
- 1985 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 1706 satellite.
- 1988 - An Ariane 4 launches the Skynet 4B and Astra 1A satellites.
- 1989 - A Delta II launches the GPS II-5 satellite.
- 1996 - A Tsyklon-2 launches the Kosmos 2335 satellite.
- 1998 - A Delta II launches the Mars Climate Orbiter.
- 1999 - A VLS-1 fails to launch the SACI-2 satellite.
- 2002 - An Ariane 5 fails to launch the Hot Bird 7 and Stentor satellite.
- 2006 - A Proton-M launches the Measat 3 satellite.
- 2011 - A Proton-M launches the Luch-5A and Amos-5 satellites.
- 2012 - An Atlas V launches USA-240, the second flight of the first Boeing X-37B.
12 December[edit]
- 1961 - A Thor-Agena launches the Discoverer 36 satellite.
- 1966 - A Kosmos-2I launches the Kosmos 135 satellite.
- 1968 - A Thorad-Agena launches a CORONA satellite.
- 1970 - A Scout B launches the Uhuru spacecraft.
- 1970 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Kosmos 385 satellite.
- 1970 - A Diamant-B launches the Peole satellite.
- 1972 - A Molniya-M launches a Molniya-2 satellite.
- 1975 - A Tsyklon-2 launches the Kosmos 785 satellite.
- 1977 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 966 satellite.
- 1979 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 1147 satellite.
- 1984 - An Atlas E/F launches the NOAA-9 satellite.
- 1985 - A Tsyklon-3 launches the Kosmos 1707 satellite.
- 1986 - A Molniya-M launches the Kosmos 1806 satellite.
- 1987 - A Tsyklon-2 launches the Kosmos 1900 satellite.
- 1999 - A Titan 23G launches the USA-147 satellite.
- 2011 - An H-IIA launches the IGS Radar 3 satellite.
- 2012 - North Korea conducts its first orbital launch when a Unha-3 launches the second Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 satellite.
13 December[edit]
- 1962 - A Thor-Agena launches the NRL Composite 2 satellite.
- 1962 - A Delta B launches the Relay 1 satellite.
- 1963 - A Kosmos-2I launches the Kosmos 23 satellite.
- 1964 - A Thor-Ablestar launches the NNS O-2 satellite.
- 1967 - A Delta E launches the Pioneer 8 probe.
- 1973 - A Titan IIIC launches two DSCS satellites.
- 1973 - A Kosmos-2I launches the Kosmos 615 satellite.
- 1974 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 697 satellite.
- 1975 - A Delta 3914 launches the Satcom 1 satellite.
- 1977 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Kosmos 967 satellite.
- 1980 - A Titan 34B launches the OPS-5805 satellite.
- 1985 - A Scout G-1 launches the USA-13 and 14 satellites.
- 1985 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 1708 satellite.
14 December[edit]
- 1962 - A Thor-Agena launches a CORONA satellite.
- 1966 - A Soyuz fails to launch an unknown satellite.
- 1966 - A Titan IIIB launches a KH-8 satellite.
- 1966 - A Delta G launches the Biosatellite 1 satellite.
- 1968 - A Kosmos-2I launches the Kosmos 259 satellite.
- 1971 - A Thorad-Agena launches the NRL Composite 8 satellite.
- 1972 - A Voskhod launches the Kosmos 538 satellite.
- 1975 - A Titan IIIC launches the DSP-5 satellite.
- 1977 - A Vostok-2M launches a Meteor satellite.
- 1978 - A Titan IIIC launches two DSCS satellites.
- 1978 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 1061 satellite.
- 1982 - A Vostok-2M launches a Meteor satellite.
- 1983 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 1514 spacecraft.
- 1984 - A Molniya-M launches a Molniya-1 satellite.
- 1987 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 1901 satellite.
- 1994 - A Molniya-M launches a Molniya-1T satellite.
- 1995 - A Proton-K launches three GLONASS satellites.
- 2002 - An H-IIA launches the ADEOS-2 satellite.
- 2006 - A Delta II launches the USA-193 satellite.
- 2007 - A Soyuz-FG launches the Radarsat-2 satellite.
- 2009 - A Proton-M/DM-2 launches three GLONASS-M satellites; Kosmos 2456, 2457 and 2458.
- 2009 - A Delta II 7320-10C launches the WISE satellite.
- 2013 - China's Chang'e 3 lunar lander and the Yutu rover successfully lands at Mare Imbrium on the Moon, becoming the first operational lunar lander since 1976.
15 December[edit]
- 1960 - An Atlas-Able fails to launch the Pioneer P-31 spacecraft.
- 1964 - A Scout X-4 launches the San Marco 1 satellite.
- 1965 - A Titan II launches the manned Gemini 6A mission to conduct the first rendezvous between two manned spacecraft in orbit, with Gemini 7.
- 1968 - A Delta N launches the ESSA-8 satellite.
- 1970 - A Voskhod launches the Kosmos 386 satellite.
- 1971 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Kosmos 465 satellite.
- 1976 - A Proton-K launches two TKS spacecraft.
- 1976 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Kosmos 883 satellite.
- 1977 - A Delta 2914 launches the Sakura satellite.
- 1978 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Kosmos 1062 satellite.
- 1981 - An Atlas-Centaur launches the Intelsat 503 satellite.
- 1983 - A Tsyklon-3 launches the Kosmos 1515 satellite.
- 1984 - A Proton launches the Vega-1 satellite.
- 1987 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Kosmos 1902 satellite.
- 1989 - A Proton-K launches a Raduga satellite.
- 1995 - An Atlas IIA launches the Galaxy 3R satellite.
- 1997 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 2348 satellite.
- 2008 - A Long March 4B launches the Yaogan 5 satellite.
- 2009 - A Long March 4C launches the Yaogan 8 and Xi Wang 1 satellites.
- 2010 - A Soyuz-FG launches Soyuz TMA-20, carrying three of the Expedition 26 crew to the ISS.
16 December[edit]
- 1962 - A Scout X-3 launches the Explorer 16 spacecraft.
- 1965 - A Delta E launches the Pioneer 6 spacecraft.
- 1967 - A Voskhod launches the Kosmos 195 satellite.
- 1968 - A Molniya-M launches the Kosmos 260 satellite.
- 1970 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Kosmos 387 satellite.
- 1971 - A Voskhod launches the Kosmos 466 satellite.
- 1972 - A Scout D-1 launches the Aeros satellite.
- 1973 - A Delta 1900 launches the Explorer 51 spacecraft.
- 1975 - A Feng Bao 1 launches the JSSW 701-06 satellite.
- 1975 - A Voskhod launches the Kosmos 786 satellite.
- 1977 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Kosmos 968 satellite.
- 1978 - A Delta 3914 launches the Anik B satellite.
- 1979 - A Soyuz-U launches the unmanned Soyuz T-1 test flight of the Soyuz-T spacecraft.
- 1980 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 1227 satellite.
- 1982 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 1424 satellite.
- 1986 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 1807 satellite.
- 1988 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 1984 satellite.
- 1991 - An Ariane 4 launches the Inmarsat 2F3 and Telecom 2A satellites.
- 1993 - An Atlas IIAS launches the Telstar 401 satellite.
- 1994 - A Proton-K launches a Luch satellite.
- 2006 - A Minotaur launches the TacSat-2 satellite.
17 December[edit]
- 1962 - An Atlas-Agena fails to launch the Midas 6 satellite.
- 1965 - A Vostok-2M launches the Kosmos 100 satellite.
- 1971 - A Kosmos-2I launches the Kosmos 467 satellite.
- 1971 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Kosmos 468 satellite.
- 1973 - A Soyuz-M launches the Kosmos 616 satellite.
- 1974 - A Vostok-2M launches a Meteor satellite.
- 1975 - A Molniya-M launches a Molniya-2 satellite.
- 1976 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 884 satellite.
- 1976 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Kosmos 885 satellite.
- 1981 - A Kosmos-3M launches six Radio Sputnik satellites.
- 1986 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Kosmos 1808 satellite.
- 1991 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 2174 satellite.
- 1992 - A Proton-K launches the Kosmos 2224 satellite.
- 2002 - An Ariane 4 launches the NSS-6 satellite.
- 2004 - An Atlas V launches the AMC-16 satellite.
- 2010 - A Long March 3A launches the Beidou-2 IGSO2 satellite for the Chinese Beidou Navigation Satellite System.
- 2011 - A Soyuz-STA/Fregat launches the Pleiades 1A and 5 other satellites.
18 December[edit]
- 1958 - An Atlas B launches the SCORE satellite.
- 1963 - An Atlas-Agena launches a KH-7 satellite.
- 1970 - A Kosmos-2I launches the Kosmos 388 satellite.
- 1970 - A Vostok-2M launches the Kosmos 389 satellite.
- 1973 - A Soyuz launches the manned Soyuz 13 mission.
- 1974 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Kosmos 698 satellite.
- 1986 - A Tsyklon-3 launches the Kosmos 1809 satellite.
- 1991 - A Tsyklon-3 launches the Interkosmos-25 satellite.
- 1992 - A Delta II launches the GPS IIA-17 satellite.
- 1993 - An Ariane 4 launches the DBS-1 and Thaicom 1 satellites.
- 1995 - A Soyuz-U launches the Progress M-30 spacecraft to resupply Mir.
- 1996 - An Atlas IIA launches the Inmarsat 3F3 satellite.
- 1999 - An Atlas IIAS launches the Terra satellite.
- 2003 - An Atlas IIIB launches the USA-174 satellite.
- 2004 - An Ariane 5 launches the Helios IIA and ASAP satellites.
- 2006 - An H-IIA launches the ETS-8 satellite.
- 2009 - The last Ariane 5GS launches the Helios IIB satellite.
- 2012 - A Long March 2D launches the Göktürk-2 satellite for Turkey.
19 December[edit]
- 1962 - A Scout X-3 launches the Transit 5A-1 satellite.
- 1963 - A Vostok-2 launches the Kosmos 24 satellite.
- 1963 - A Scout X-4 launches the Explorer 19 spacecraft.
- 1964 - A Thor-Agena launches a CORONA satellite.
- 1966 - A Vostok-2 launches the Kosmos 136 satellite.
- 1967 - A Kosmos-2I launches the Kosmos 196 satellite.
- 1968 - A Delta M launches the Intelsat 302 satellite.
- 1968 - A Kosmos-2I launches the Kosmos 261 satellite.
- 1971 - A Molniya-M launches a Molniya-1 satellite.
- 1973 - A Kosmos-3M launches eight Strela satellites.
- 1974 - A Delta 2914 launches the Symphonie 1 satellite.
- 1975 - A Kosmos-3M fails to launch an unknown satellite.
- 1976 - A Titan IIID launches a KH-11 satellite.
- 1978 - A Vostok-2M launches the Kosmos 1063 satellite.
- 1978 - A Proton-K launches a Gorizont satellite.
- 1981 - An Atlas E/F fails to launch the GPS-7 satellite.
- 1981 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 1330 satellite.
- 1984 - A Kosmos-3MP launches the Kosmos 1614 spacecraft.
- 1985 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Kosmos 1709 satellite.
- 1991 - A Proton-K launches a Raduga satellite.
- 1998 - A Long March 2C launches two Iridium satellites.
- 2006 - A Kosmos-3M launches the SAR-Lupe 1 satellite.
- 2011 - A Long March 3B launches the Nigcomsat 1R satellite.
- 2012 - A Soyuz-FG launches Soyuz TMA-07M, carrying three of the Expedition 34 crew to the ISS.
- 2012 - An Ariane 5 ECA launches the Skynet 5D and MEXSAT-3 satellites.
- 2013 - A Soyuz-STB/Fregat launches ESA's Gaia mission.
20 December[edit]
- 1960 - A Thor-Agena launches the Discoverer 19 satellite.
- 1966 - A Lambda-4S fails to launch an unknown satellite.
- 1969 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Kosmos 315 satellite.
- 1971 - An Atlas-Centaur launches the Intelsat 403 satellite.
- 1972 - An Atlas-Agena launches an AFP-827 satellite.
- 1977 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 969 satellite.
- 1978 - A Kosmos-3M fails to launch the Kosmos 1064 satellite.
- 1981 - An Ariane 1 launches the Marecs 1 satellite.
- 1984 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Kosmos 1615 satellite.
- 1989 - A Soyuz-U2 launches the Progress M-2 spacecraft to resupply Salyut 6.
- 1990 - A Proton-K launches a Raduga satellite.
- 1994 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Kosmos 2298 satellite.
- 1995 - A Tsyklon-2 launches the Kosmos 2326 satellite.
- 1996 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Kosmos 2336 satellite.
- 1996 - A Titan IV launches the USA-129 satellite.
- 1997 - A Soyuz-U launches the Progress M-37 spacecraft to resupply Mir.
- 1997 - A Delta II launches five Iridium satellites.
- 1999 - Space Shuttle Discovery launches on mission STS-103 to repair the Hubble Space Telescope.
- 2000 - An Ariane 5 launches the Astra 2D, GE-8 and LDREX satellites.
- 2000 - A Long March 3A launches a Beidou satellite.
- 2002 - A Dnepr-1 launches the LatinSat-1, LatinSat-2, SaudiSat-1S, UniSat-2 and Rubin-2 satellites.
- 2007 - A Delta II launches the GPS IIR-18 satellite.
- 2008 - An Ariane 5 launches the Hot Bird 9 and Eutelsat W2M satellites.
- 2009 - A Soyuz-FG launches the Soyuz TMA-17 mission with the Expedition 22 crew of the ISS.
- 2013 - A Long March 3B launches the Túpac Katari 1 satellite.
21 December[edit]
- 1961 - A Kosmos-2I fails to launch an unknown satellite.
- 1963 - A Delta B launches the Tiros 8 satellite.
- 1963 - A Thor-Agena launches a CORONA satellite.
- 1964 - A Delta C launches the Explorer 26 spacecraft.
- 1964 - A Thor-Agena launches the QUILL satellite.
- 1965 - A Kosmos-2I launches the Kosmos 101 satellite.
- 1965 - A Titan IIIC launches the OV2-3, LES-3 and LES-4 satellites.
- 1966 - A Molniya-M launches the Luna 13 spacecraft.
- 1966 - A Kosmos-2I launches the Kosmos 137 satellite.
- 1968 - A Saturn V launches Apollo 8, the first manned mission to orbit the Moon.
- 1972 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Kosmos 539 satellite.
- 1972 - A Titan 24B launches a KH-8A satellite.
- 1973 - A Voskhod launches the Kosmos 625 satellite.
- 1974 - A Molniya-M launches a Molniya-2 satellite.
- 1977 - A Tsyklon-2 launches the Kosmos 970 satellite.
- 1982 - An Atlas E/F launches a DMSP satellite.
- 1983 - A Molniya-M launches a Molniya-3 satellite.
- 1984 - A Proton launches the Vega 2 spacecraft.
- 1987 - A Soyuz-U2 launches the manned Soyuz TM-4 mission.
- 1987 - A Molniya-M launches the Kosmos 1903 satellite.
- 1990 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 2113 satellite.
- 1992 - A Long March 2E fails to launch the Optus B2 satellite.
- 1999 - A Taurus launches the KOMPSAT and ACRIMSAT satellites.
- 2001 - A Tsyklon-2 launches the Kosmos 2383 satellite.
- 2003 - A Delta II launches the GPS IIR-10 satellite.
- 2004 - The first Delta-IVH fails to place a Demosat into its target orbit.
- 2005 - A Soyuz-U launches the Progress M-55 spacecraft to resupply the ISS.
- 2005 - A Kosmos-3M launches Kosmos 2416 and a Gonets satellite.
- 2005 - An Ariane 5 launches the Insat 4A and MSG-2 satellites.
- 2007 - An Ariane 5 launches the Rascom-QAF 1 and Horizons-2 satellites.
- 2011 - A Soyuz-FG launches Soyuz TMA-03M, carrying three of the Expedition 30 crew to the ISS.
22 December[edit]
- 1960 - A Vostok-K fails to launch an unknown satellite.
- 1961 - An Atlas-Agena launches the Samos-5 satellite.
- 1962 - A Vostok-2 launches the Kosmos 12 satellite.
- 1965 - A Scout A launches the NNS O-6 satellite.
- 1970 - A Kosmos-3M fails to launch an unknown satellite.
- 1975 - A Molniya-M launches the Prognoz-4 satellite.
- 1975 - A Proton-K launches a Raduga satellite.
- 1978 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Kosmos 1065 satellite.
- 1984 - A Titan 34D launches the USA-7 satellite.
- 1988 - A Long March 3 launches the Chinasat-2 satellite.
- 1988 - A Molniya-M launches a Molniya-3 satellite.
- 1990 - A Tsyklon-3 launches six Strela satellites.
- 1992 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 2225 satellite.
- 1992 - A Tsyklon-3 launches the Kosmos 2226 satellite.
- 1993 - A Molniya-M launches a Molniya-1T satellite.
- 1994 - A Titan IV launches the USA-107 satellite.
- 1997 - An Ariane 4 launches the Intelsat 804 satellite.
- 1998 - An Ariane 4 launches the PanAmSat-6B satellite.
- 1999 - An Ariane 4 launches the Galaxy-11 satellite.
- 2011 - A Long March 4B launches the Zi Yuan 1-02C satellite.
- 2015 - The first Falcon 9 v1.1 FT launches eleven Orbcomm comsats. Its first stage lands successfully at Landing Zone 1, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, becoming the first rocket stage recovered after an orbital launch.
23 December[edit]
- 1969 - A Tsyklon-2 launches the Kosmos 316 satellite.
- 1969 - A Voskhod launches the Kosmos 317 satellite.
- 1977 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Kosmos 971 satellite.
- 1978 - A Vostok-2M launches the Kosmos 1066 satellites.
- 1980 - A Kosmos-3M launches eight Strela satellites.
- 1981 - A Molniya-M launches a Molniya-1 satellite.
- 1982 - A Soyuz-U2 launches the Kosmos 1425 satellite.
- 1987 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Kosmos 1904 satellite.
- 1988 - A Tsyklon-3 launches the Kosmos 1985 satellite.
- 1997 - A Pegasus-XL launches eight Orbcomm satellites.
- 2004 - A Soyuz-U launches the Progress M-51 spacecraft to resupply the ISS.
- 2007 - A Soyuz-U launches the Progress M-62 spacecraft to resupply the ISS.
- 2008 - A Long March 3A launches the Feng Yun 2E satellite.
- 2011 - A Soyuz-2.1b/Fregat fails to launch the Meridian 5 satellite.
24 December[edit]
- 1965 - A Thor-Agena launches a CORONA satellite.
- 1974 - A Tsyklon-2 launches the Kosmos 699 satellite.
- 1979 - An Ariane 1 launches an unknown satellite.
- 1982 - A Proton-K fails to launch an unknown satellite.
- 1985 - A Molniya-M launches a Molniya-3 satellite.
- 1985 - A Proton-K launches three GLONASS satellites.
- 1996 - A Soyuz-U launches the Bion 11 satellite.
- 1997 - A Start-1 launches the EarlyBird satellite.
- 1997 - A Proton-K launches the Asiasat 3 satellite.
- 1998 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Kosmos 2361 satellite.
- 2002 - A Molniya-M launches the Kosmos 2393 satellite.
- 2004 - A Tsyklon-3 fails to launch the Sich-1M satellite.
- 2006 - A Soyuz-2.1a launches the Meridian 1 satellite.
25 December[edit]
- 1969 - A Kosmos-2I launches the Interkosmos-2 satellite.
- 1970 - A Molniya-M launches a Molniya-1 satellite.
- 1971 - A Tsyklon-2 launches the Kosmos 469 satellite.
- 1972 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Kosmos 540 satellite.
- 1973 - A Molniya-M launches a Molniya-2 satellite.
- 1975 - A Vostok-2M launches a Meteor satellite.
- 1980 - A Molniya-M launches the Prognoz-8 satellite.
- 1987 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 1905 satellite.
- 1988 - A Soyuz-U2 launches the Progress 39 spacecraft to resupply Mir.
- 1992 - A Zenit-2 launches the Kosmos 2227 satellite.
- 1992 - A Tsyklon-3 launches the Kosmos 2228 satellite.
- 2002 - A Proton-K launches three GLONASS satellites.
- 2005 - A Proton-K launches three GLONASS satellites.
- 2006 - A Proton-K launches three GLONASS satellites.
- 2007 - A Proton-M launches three GLONASS satellites.
- 2008 - A Proton-M launches three GLONASS satellites.
- 2010 - A GSLV fails to launch the GSAT-5P satellite.
- 2013 - A Rokot/Briz-KM rocket launches three Strela-3M military communication satellites.
26 December[edit]
- 1967 - A Kosmos-2I launches the Kosmos 197 satellite.
- 1968 - A Kosmos-2I launches the Kosmos 262 satellite.
- 1973 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Aureole 2 satellite.
- 1974 - A Proton-K launches the Salyut 4 space station.
- 1974 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Kosmos 700 satellite.
- 1978 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Kosmos 1067 satellite.
- 1978 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 1068 satellite.
- 1980 - A Proton-K launches an Ekran satellite.
- 1980 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 1236 satellite.
- 1985 - A Tsyklon-3 launches a Meteor satellite.
- 1986 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 1810 satellite.
- 1986 - A Molniya-M launches a Molniya-1 satellite.
- 1987 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 1906 satellite.
- 1990 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 2120 satellite.
- 1994 - A Rokot launches the Radio-ROSTO satellite.
- 1994 - A Tsyklon-3 launches six Strela satellites.
- 1999 - A Tsyklon-2 launches the Kosmos 2367 satellite.
- 2004 - A Proton-K launches three GLONASS satellites.
- 2010 - A Proton-M launches the KA-SAT satellite.
- 2013 - A Proton-M launches the Ekspress AM5 satellite.
27 December[edit]
- 1965 - A Soyuz/Vostok launches the Kosmos 102 satellite.
- 1967 - A Tsyklon launches the Kosmos 198 satellite.
- 1969 - A Kosmos-3M fails to launch an unknown satellite.
- 1971 - A Soyuz-M launches the Kosmos 470 satellite.
- 1971 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Aureole-1 satellite.
- 1972 - A Soyuz-M launches the Kosmos 541 satellite.
- 1973 - A Tsyklon-2 launches the Kosmos 626 satellite.
- 1974 - A Voskhod launches the Kosmos 701 satellite.
- 1975 - A Molniya-M launches a Molniya-3 satellite.
- 1976 - A Tsyklon-2 launches the Kosmos 886 satellite.
- 1977 - A Tsyklon-3 launches the Kosmos 972 satellite.
- 1977 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 973 satellite.
- 1983 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 1516 satellite.
- 1983 - A Kosmos-3MP launches the Kosmos 1517 spacecraft.
- 1985 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 1713 satellite.
- 1987 - A Proton-K launches an Ekran satellite.
- 1989 - A Tsyklon-3 launches the Kosmos 2053 satellite.
- 1989 - A Proton-K launches the Kosmos 2054 satellite.
- 1990 - A Proton-K launches a Raduga satellite.
- 1999 - A Molniya-M launches the Kosmos 2368 satellite.
- 2000 - A Tsyklon-3 fails to launch three Gonets and three Strela satellites.
- 2003 - A Soyuz-FG launches the Amos-2 satellite.
- 2006 - A Soyuz-2.1b launches the CoRoT satellite.
28 December[edit]
- 1965 - A Kosmos-1 launches the Kosmos 103 satellite.
- 1965 - A Kosmos-2I fails to launch an unknown satellite.
- 1972 - A Vostok-2M launches the Kosmos 542 satellite.
- 1976 - A Molniya-M launches a Molniya-3 satellite.
- 1976 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Kosmos 887 satellite.
- 1978 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 1069 satellite.
- 1979 - A Proton-K launches a Gorizont satellite.
- 1979 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 1148 satellite.
- 1982 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 1426 satellite.
- 1983 - A Molniya-M launches the Kosmos 1518 satellite.
- 1985 - A Zenit-2 launches the Kosmos 1714 satellite.
- 1988 - A Molniya-M launches a Molniya-1 satellite.
- 1991 - A Long March 3 launches the Chinasat 4 satellite.
- 1994 - A Proton-K launches a Raduga satellite.
- 1995 - A Molniya-M launches the IRS-1C satellite.
- 1995 - A Long March 2E launches the Echostar 1 satellite.
- 2001 - A Tsyklon-3 launches three Gonets and three Strela satellites.
- 2003 - A Proton-K launches the Ekspress AM-22 satellite.
- 2005 - A Soyuz-FG launches the GIOVE-A satellite.
- 2011 - A Soyuz-2.1a/Fregat launches six Globalstar satellites.
- 2013 - The Soyuz-2-1v rocket performs its maiden flight, deploying Aist 1 and 2 other satellites into orbit.
29 December[edit]
- 1966 - A Thor-Agena launches the OPS-1584 satellite.
- 1971 - A Vostok-2M launches a Meteor satellite.
- 1973 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Kosmos 627 satellite.
- 1982 - A Kosmos-3M launches the Kosmos 1427 satellite.
- 1983 - A Proton-K launches three GLONASS satellites.
- 1987 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 1907 satellite.
- 1988 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 1986 satellite.
- 1992 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 2229 satellite.
- 1994 - A Soyuz-U launches the Kosmos 2305 satellite.
- 2002 - A Long March 2F launches the Shenzhou 4 spacecraft.
- 2002 - A Proton-M launches the Nimiq 2 satellite.
- 2003 - A Long March 2C launches the TC-1 satellite.
- 2005 - A Proton-M launches the AMC-23 satellite.
- 2009 - A Proton-M/Briz-M launches the DirecTV-12 satellite.
- 2010 - An Ariane 5 ECA launches the Hispasat 1E and Koreasat 6 satellites.
30 December[edit]
- 1994 - An Atlas E/F launches the NOAA-14 satellite.
- 1995 - A Delta II launches the XTE satellite.
- 1998 - A Proton-K launches three GLONASS satellites.
31 December[edit]
- 2014 - A Chang Zheng 3A launches the Fengyun 2-08 weather satellite.