June 5 GSLV Mk.3 • GSAT 19
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota, India
India’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mk. 3 (GSLV Mk.3) will launch on its first orbital test flight with the GSAT 19E experimental communications satellite. Delayed from December, Jan. 18, Jan. 20, March, April and May.
June 14Soyuz • Progress 67P
Launch time: 0920 GMT (5:20 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
A Russian government Soyuz rocket will launch the 67th Progress cargo delivery ship to the International Space Station.
June 15Falcon 9 • BulgariaSat 1
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the BulgariaSat 1 communications satellite. BulgariaSat 1 will provide direct-to-home television broadcast and data communications services over southeast Europe for Bulsatcom. The payload will be the first geostationary communications satellite owned by a Bulgarian company. The Falcon 9 rocket’s first stage will be a re-flown booster.
TBDLong March 2D • HXMT
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Jiuquan, China
A Chinese Long March 2D rocket will launch the Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope. The HXMT mission will conduct an all-sky survey with a suite of instruments designed to image the universe in the highest-energy X-rays, and study the formation and behavior of black holes and active galactic nuclei.
JuneLong March 5 • Shijian 18
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Wenchang, China
A Chinese Long March 5 rocket will launch the Shijian 18 communications satellite. Shijian 18 is the first spacecraft based on the new DFH-5 communications satellite platform, a heavier, higher-power next-generation design.
JunePSLV • Cartosat 2E
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota, India
India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, flying on the PSLV-C38 mission, will launch India’s Cartosat 2E high-resolution Earth observation satellite and a collection of smaller secondary payloads from international customers. Delayed from April 15 and May 25.
June 25Falcon 9 • Iridium Next 11-20
Launch time: 2024:59 GMT (4:24:59 p.m. EDT; 1:24:59 p.m. PDT)
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch 10 satellites for the Iridium next mobile communications fleet. Delayed from October, December and April. Moved forward from June 29.
June 28Ariane 5 • Inmarsat S-band/Hellas-Sat 3 & GSAT 17
Launch window: Approx. 2145-2230 GMT (5:45-6:30 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: ELA-3, Kourou, French Guiana
Arianespace will use an Ariane 5 ECA rocket, designated VA238, to launch the Inmarsat S-band/Hellas-Sat 3 and GSAT 17 communications satellites. The Inmarsat S-band/Hellas-Sat 3 “condosat” spacecraft will support the European Aviation Network, delivering high-capacity WiFi connectivity to airline passengers throughout Europe, on behalf of Inmarsat of London and provide direct television broadcast services over Europe and Africa for the Greek operator Hellas-Sat. GSAT 17 will support national communications services over India for the Indian Space Research Organization.
NET July 1Falcon 9 • Intelsat 35e
Launch time: Approx. 2330 GMT (7:30 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Intelsat 35e communications satellite. The high-throughput Intelsat 35e satellite is part of Intelsat’s “Epic” fleet, providing broadband, video and mobile communications services over eastern North America, the Caribbean, South America, Europe and Africa. Delayed from April.
July 14Soyuz • Kanopus-V-IK
Launch time: 0636 GMT (2:36 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
A Russian government Soyuz rocket will launch Kanopus-V-IK infrared Earth observation satellite for Roscosmos. Several other payloads, including Russia’s Zond solar research satellite and multiple small spacecraft from U.S. companies, will also be aboard the launch. The rocket will fly in the Soyuz-2.1a configuration with a Fregat upper stage. Delayed from Dec. 22 and Jan. 28.
July 15Minotaur 4 • ORS 5
Launch time: Approx. 0500 GMT (1 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-46, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
An Orbital ATK Minotaur 4 rocket will launch the ORS 5 mission for the U.S. military’s Operationally Responsive Space program. ORS 5, also known as SensorSat, is designed to scan for other satellites and debris to aid the U.S. military’s tracking of objects in geosynchronous orbit, replacing capability previously provided by the SBSS mission. The Minotaur 4 rocket will fly with an Orion 38 fifth stage motor to give the launcher extra capability to place the ORS 5 payload into an equatorial orbit.
JulyFalcon 9 • SES 11/EchoStar 105
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Cape Canaveral, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the SES-11/EchoStar 105 hybrid communications satellite to replace the AMC-15 and AMC-18 satellites. As SES-11, the spacecraft’s C-band capacity will provide replacement capacity for SES of Luxembourg for AMC-18. EchoStar Corp. of Englewood, Colorado, will market the Ku-Band transponder capacity, with coverage of the 50 U.S. states, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean, as EchoStar 105, replacing AMC-15. Delayed from October and November.
July 25Vega • Optsat 3000 & Venus
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: ZLV, Kourou, French Guiana
An Arianespace Vega rocket, designated VV10, will launch with the Optsat 3000 high-resolution reconnaissance satellite for the Italian military and the French-Israeli Venus environmental satellite to monitor the health of vegetation and test an experimental plasma thruster system in orbit. As a secondary payload, the launch will carry three SAMSON nanosatellites for the Israeli company Technion to conduct autonomous cluster operations in orbit.
July 28Soyuz • ISS 51S
Launch time: 1541 GMT (11:41 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
A Russian government Soyuz rocket will launch the crewed Soyuz spacecraft to the International Space Station with members of the next Expedition crew. The capsule will remain at the station for about six months, providing an escape pod for the residents. Delayed from May 29.
JulyFalcon 9 • Koreasat 5A
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Koreasat 5A communications satellite for KTsat based in South Korea. Koreasat 5A will provide direct-to-home television broadcast and other communications services over Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Guam, Indochina, and South Asia. The satellite will also support maritime communications.
JulyFalcon 9 • Formosat 5
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Formosat 5 Earth observation satellite for Taiwan’s National Space Organization (NSPO).
Mid-2017Electron • Flight 2
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
A Rocket Lab Electron rocket will launch on its second orbital test flight from a new facility on the Mahia Peninsula on New Zealand’s North Island. The commercial rocket is designed to carry small spacecraft into orbit. Several commercial CubeSats are expected to be aboard the Electron’s second mission.
NET Aug. 1Falcon 9 • SpaceX CRS 12
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Cape Canaveral, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the 14th Dragon spacecraft on the 12th operational cargo delivery mission to the International Space Station. The flight is being conducted under the Commercial Resupply Services contract with NASA. Delayed from Dec. 15, 1st Quarter, April 8 and June 1.
Aug. 3Atlas 5 • TDRS M
Launch time: 1240-1320 GMT (8:40-9:20 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-074, will launch the TDRS M communications and data relay satellite for NASA. The Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) connects mission control with the International Space Station and other orbiting satellites. 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. Moved forward from Aug. 4.
Aug. 14Atlas 5 • NROL-42
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: SLC-3E, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-072, will launch a classified spacecraft payload for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office. The rocket will fly in the 541 vehicle configuration with a five-meter fairing, four solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. Delayed from June 13.
AugustRockot • Sentinel 5p
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russia
A Eurockot Rockot vehicle will launch with the Sentinel 5 Precursor Earth observation satellite for the European Space Agency and the European Commission. Sentinel 5p carries an instrument to measure air quality, ozone, pollution and aerosols in Earth’s atmosphere. Delayed from Oct. 31, early 2017 and June.
AugustFalcon 9 • Iridium Next 21-30
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch 10 satellites for the Iridium next mobile communications fleet. Delayed from October, December and April.
Aug. 31Atlas 5 • NROL-52
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-075, will launch a classified spacecraft payload for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office. 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.
3rd QuarterFalcon Heavy • Demo Flight
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket will launch on its first demonstration flight. The heavy-lift rocket is formed of three Falcon 9 rocket cores strapped together with 27 Merlin 1D engines firing at liftoff. Delayed from 3rd Quarter of 2015 and April, September and December 2016. Delayed from 1st Quarter 2017 and 2nd Quarter 2017.
Sept. 12Soyuz • ISS 52S
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
A Russian government Soyuz rocket will launch the crewed Soyuz spacecraft to the International Space Station with members of the next Expedition crew. The capsule will remain at the station for about six months, providing an escape pod for the residents.
Sept. 12Antares • OA-8
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Pad 0A, Wallops Island, Virginia
An Orbital ATK Antares rocket will launch the ninth Cygnus cargo freighter on the eighth operational cargo delivery flight to the International Space Station. The mission is known as OA-8. The rocket will fly in the Antares 230 configuration, with two RD-181 first stage engines and a Castor 30XL second stage. Delayed from July 6. Moved forward from Oct. 1.
Sept. 21Delta 2 • JPSS 1
Launch window: 0947:03-0948:06 GMT (5:47:03-5:48:06 a.m. EDT; 2:47:03-2:48:06 a.m. PDT)
Launch site: SLC-2W, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
A United Launch Alliance Delta 2 rocket will launch the first spacecraft in the Joint Polar Satellite System, NOAA’s next-generation series of polar-orbiting weather observatories. The rocket will fly in the 7920 configuration with nine solid rocket boosters and no third stage. Delayed from March 16. Moved forward from Sept. 23.
SeptemberMinotaur-C • SkySat
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: SLC-576E, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
An Orbital ATK Minotaur-C rocket will launch six SkySat Earth observation satellites for Google/Skybox Imaging and several CubeSat secondary payloads for university and corporate customers. The Minotaur-C is an upgraded, renamed version of the Orbital Sciences Taurus rocket. Delayed from late 2015, mid-2016, October 2016, early 2017 and May 2017.
3rd QuarterFalcon Heavy • STP-2
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket will launch the U.S. Air Force’s Space Test Program-2 mission with a cluster of military and scientific research satellites. The heavy-lift rocket is formed of three Falcon 9 rocket cores strapped together with 27 Merlin 1D engines firing at liftoff. Delayed from October 2016 and March 2017.
Oct. 11Atlas 5 • AEHF 4
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-073, will launch the fourth 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. Delayed from Dec. 15, Jan. 26, May 4, June 22 and June 29.
Oct. 12Soyuz • Progress 68P
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
A Russian government Soyuz rocket will launch the 68th Progress cargo delivery ship to the International Space Station.
OctoberFalcon 9 • Iridium Next 31-40
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch 10 satellites for the Iridium next mobile communications fleet.
NET Nov. 1Falcon 9 • SpaceX CRS 13
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Cape Canaveral, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the 15th Dragon spacecraft on the 13th operational cargo delivery mission to the International Space Station. The flight is being conducted under the Commercial Resupply Services contract with NASA. Delayed from Sept. 13.
NovemberLong March 5 • Chang’e 5
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Wenchang, China
A Chinese Long March 5 rocket will launch the Chang’e 5 mission to return samples from the moon. It is the first lunar sample return mission attempted since 1976.
Nov. 9Atlas 5 • SBIRS GEO Flight 4
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-076, will launch the U.S. military’s fourth Space Based Infrared System Geosynchronous satellite, or SBIRS GEO 4, for missile early-warning detection. The rocket will fly in the 411 vehicle configuration with a four-meter fairing, one solid rocket booster and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. Delayed from Oct. 27.
NovemberAriane 5 • Galileo 19-22
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: ELA-3, Kourou, French Guiana
Arianespace will use an Ariane 5 ES rocket to launch four Galileo full operational capability satellites for Europe’s Galileo navigation constellation. Delayed from Aug. 9.
Nov. 14Pegasus XL • ICON
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: L-1011, Kwajalein, Marshall Islands
An air-launched Orbital ATK Pegasus XL rocket will deploy NASA’s Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) satellite into orbit. ICON will study the ionosphere, a region of Earth’s upper atmosphere where terrestrial weather meets space weather. Disturbances in the ionosphere triggered by solar storms or weather activity in the lower atmosphere can cause disturbances in GPS navigation and radio transmissions. Delayed from June 15.
NovemberVega • ADM-Aeolus
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: ZLV, Kourou, French Guiana
An Arianespace Vega rocket, designated VV11, will launch with the ADM-Aeolus satellite for the European Space Agency. ADM-Aeolus will be the first ever satellite to deliver wind profiles on a global scale and on a daily basis.
NovemberRockot • Sentinel 3B
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russia
A Eurockot Rockot vehicle will launch with the Sentinel 3B Earth observation satellite for the European Space Agency and the European Commission. Sentinel 3B carries instruments to measure sea surface topography, sea and land surface temperature, and ocean and land color. Delayed from mid-2017.
DecemberFalcon 9 • Iridium Next 41-50
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch 10 satellites for the Iridium next mobile communications fleet.
Dec. 20Delta 4 • NROL-47
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: SLC-6, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
A United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket will launch a classified spacecraft payload for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office. The rocket will fly in the Medium+ (5,2) configuration with two solid rocket boosters. Delayed from Oct. 3 and Oct. 18.
Late 2017Epsilon • ASNARO 2
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Uchinoura Space Center, Japan
Japan’s Epsilon rocket will launch the ASNARO 2 radar Earth observation satellite, a mission developed by Japan Space Systems and NEC Corp. The project is the second for the ASNARO program, which stands for Advanced Satellite with New System ARchitecture for Observation.
Dec. 27Soyuz • ISS 53S
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
A Russian government Soyuz rocket will launch the crewed Soyuz spacecraft to the International Space Station with members of the next Expedition crew. The capsule will remain at the station for about six months, providing an escape pod for the residents. Delayed from Oct. 26.
Feb. 9Soyuz • Progress 69P
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
A Russian government Soyuz rocket will launch the 69th Progress cargo delivery ship to the International Space Station.
March 7Atlas 5 • GOES-S
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-079, will launch GOES-S, the second next-generation geostationary weather satellite for NASA and NOAA. GOES-S will orbit 22,300 miles above the equator to monitor weather conditions across the United States. The rocket will fly in the 541 vehicle configuration with a five-meter fairing, four solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage.
March 14Soyuz • ISS 54S
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
A Russian government Soyuz rocket will launch the crewed Soyuz spacecraft to the International Space Station with members of the next Expedition crew. The capsule will remain at the station for about six months, providing an escape pod for the residents.
March 20Falcon 9 • TESS
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). The TESS mission will identify planets ranging from Earth-sized to gas giants, orbiting a wide range of stellar types and orbital distances. The principal goal of the TESS mission is to detect small planets with bright host stars in the solar neighborhood, so that detailed characterizations of the planets and their atmospheres can be performed. TESS will be stationed in a high-Earth elliptical orbit.
MarchAntares • OA-9
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Pad 0A, Wallops Island, Virginia
An Orbital ATK Antares rocket will launch the 10th Cygnus cargo freighter on the ninth operational cargo delivery flight to the International Space Station. The mission is known as OA-9. The rocket will fly in the Antares 230 configuration, with two RD-181 first stage engines and a Castor 30XL second stage.
MarchFalcon 9 • Crew Dragon Demo 1
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Crew Dragon spacecraft on an uncrewed test flight to the International Space Station under the auspices of NASA’s commercial crew program. Delayed from December 2016, May 2017, July 2017, August 2017 and November 2017.
April 15Soyuz • Progress 70P
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
A Russian government Soyuz rocket will launch the 70th Progress cargo delivery ship to the International Space Station.
April 18Atlas 5 • AFSPC 11
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-081, will launch the AFSPC 11 mission for the U.S. Air Force. Delayed from Dec. 7 and March.
TBDDelta 4 • GPS 3-01
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: SLC-37B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
A United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket will launch the U.S. Air Force’s first third-generation navigation satellite for the Global Positioning System. The rocket will fly in the Medium+ (4,2) configuration with two solid rocket boosters. Delayed from May 3 and late 2017.