Only three nations - Russia, the U.S. and China - haveindependently launched astronautsinto orbit, though the pursuit of human and unmanned space exploration remainsstrong.
Swarms of rockets launch each year to sendunmanned satellites and probes ontheir way, while NASAand its partner nations continue assemble of the International SpaceStation (ISS) with Soyuz and spaceshuttle flights. Meanwhile, a host of private enterprises are working tobuild their own vehicles to expand access to space to the fare-paying public.
Below is a collection of links pointing to SPACE.com?scoverage of historic launch and mission events, as well as a year-by-yeararchive of launches from around the world:
JumpPoints:
- Year-by-Year Launch Coverage
- International Space Station Expeditions
- Space Shuttle Missions
- Private Spaceflight Features
- Human Spaceflight Special Reports
InternationalSpace Station Mission Archives
Expedition 1 | Expedition 2 | Expedition 3 | Expedition 4 | Expedition 5 | Expedition 6 | Expedition 7 | Expedition 8 | Expedition 9 | Expedition 10 | Expedition 11 | Expedition 12 | Expedition 13 | Expedition 14 | Expedition 15 | Expedition 16
Launch Coverage |
Click the links below for a year-by-year rundown of each major space launch: 2008 Launch Log2007 Launch Log 2006 Launch Log 2005 Launch Log 2004 Launch Log 2003 Launch Log 2002 Launch Log 2001 Launch Log Atlas 3 Inaugural Launch The first U.S. rocket to be powered by a Russian main engine was launched by Lockheed Martin from the Cape in May 2000. 2000 Launch Log 1999 Launch Log. |
Major ISS Construction Steps (inchronological order)
SpaceStation Begins: Russian Zarya Control Module ReachesOrbit
Zarya, the first component of the International Space Station (ISS),launched flawlessly at 1:40 a.m. (EST) on November 20, 1998, from BaikonurCosmodrome, Kazahkstan. The module unfurledits solar arrays after the successful launch.
ANew Room: ISS Finds Unity
NASA?s STS-88 shuttlemission aboard the Endeavour orbiter delivered the U.S.-built Unity node to thefree flying Zarya module in December 1998 to form thecore of the International Space Station.
ProtonLaunches Zvezda
(July, 26, 2000) ? After years of delays the Russians finally launched the Zvezdaservice module to the embryonic space station, clearing the way for NASA tobegin an ambitious construction plan.
Truss-ing Up ISS
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (Oct. 15, 2000) -- Spacewalkingastronauts waltzed through six hours of construction work at the InternationalSpace Station Sunday, whistling while they wired up a new metal truss at theorbital outpost. FullSTS-92 mission coverage.
DiscoverySpacewalkers Help Install New ISS Docking Port
CAPECANAVERAL, Fla. (Oct. 16, 2000) - Two spacewalkers and a construction craneoperator outfitted the International Space Station with a new shuttle dockingport Monday, and that's good news for NASA's next two outpost assembly crews. FullSTS-92 mission coverage.
SpaceStation Wired Up For Power
CAPECANAVERAL, Fla. (Dec. 5, 2000) - Spacewalking astronauts wired up the InternationalSpace Station's new $600 million electric tower Tuesday, routing a crucialstream of direct current from its newly sprouted solarwings to the power-hungry outpost. FullSTS-97 mission coverage.
DestinyLab Opened for Business at ISS
CAPECANAVERAL, Fla. (Feb. 11, 2001) - The $1.4 billion U.S. Destiny lab opened forbusiness at the International Space Station Sunday, cracking the hatch on a newera of scientific discovery that one day could lead to human expeditions beyondEarth orbit. FullSTS-98 mission coverage.
StationCrane Erected During Spectacular Spacewalk
CAPECANAVERAL, Fla. (April 22, 2001) -- Two spacewalking astronauts raised ahigh-tech Erector set at the International Space Station Sunday, unfurling aCanadian construction crane during an otherworldly excursion that left both inawe. FullSTS-100 mission coverage.
QuestAirlock Makes Orbital Debut as Astronauts Wrap Up Station Construction Work
CAPECANAVERAL, Fla. (July 21, 2001) -- Two Atlantis astronauts made fast work of adebut spacewalk from the International Space Station's new Quest airlockSaturday, taking time to stage a cosmic photo op after finishing up asuccessful week of construction work at the frontier outpost. FullSTS-104 mission coverage.
Russian PirsDocking Module Reaches International Space Station
CAPECANAVERAL, Fla. (Sept. 16, 2001) -- A barrel-shaped Russian docking compartmentthat will double as an airlock successfully attached itself to theInternational Space Station on Sunday.
S-ZeroTruss Solidly Attached to ISS During Second Spacewalk of STS-110 Mission
CAPECANAVERAL, Fla. (April 13, 2002) -- The $600 million central truss segmentcarried into orbit by shuttle Atlantis became a permanent fixture of theInternational Space Station on Saturday after NASA's first pair of spacewalkinggrandfathers finished making the necessary structural connections. FullSTS-110 mission coverage.
MissionAtlantis: S1 Truss Installed at International Space Station
CAPECANAVERAL, Fla. (Oct. 12, 2002) -- The International Space Station has a freshlook thanks to the successful attachment Thursday of the $390 million S-One(S1) truss to the orbiting complex. FullSTS-112 mission coverage.
MissionAtlantis: New ISS Radiator Panel Deployed
CAPE CANAVERAL,Fla. (Oct. 14, 2002) -- A new heat-dispelling radiator panel was successfully extended at theInternational Space Station (ISS) early Monday, a good start to a busy day thatis to see the final planned spacewalk of Atlantis' STS-112 mission. FullSTS-112 mission coverage.
EndeavourSpacewalkers Wrap Up P1 Truss Outfitting
CAPE CANAVERAL,Fla. (Nov. 30, 2002) -- Trouble with the International Space Station's railroadcar forced mission managers to re-plan Saturday's final spacewalk, but NASAofficials said the astronauts were able to get everything done anyway. FullSTS-113 mission coverage.
SpacewalkersPrime New ISS Solar Arrays for Deployment
HOUSTON (Sept. 12,2006) ? The first new addition to the International SpaceStation (ISS) in more than three years is safely attached to the orbitallaboratory thanks to two spacewalking astronauts and some precision robotic armwork. FullSTS-115 mission coverage.
AstronautsUnfurl New Solar Wings at ISS
HOUSTON (Sept. 14,2006) ? The InternationalSpace Station (ISS) unfurled a new set of solarwings Thursday despite a software glitch that cast early doubt on theentire activity. FullSTS-115 mission coverage.
SpacewalkersHelp Deploy New ISS Radiator
HOUSTON (Sept. 15,2006) ? Despite a late start caused by airlock glitches, two Atlantis shuttle astronautspushed through their mission?s final spacewalk to help deploy a vital new solararray radiator among other maintenance outside the International SpaceStation (ISS). FullSTS-115 mission coverage.
SpacewalkersAdd New Piece to Space Station
HOUSTON (Dec. 12, 2006) ? The International SpaceStation (ISS) grew a bit larger Tuesday after two spacewalking astronautshelped install a new piece of the orbital laboratory?s metallic backbone. FullSTS-116 mission coverage.
AstronautsRewire ISS, Fourth Spacewalk Set
HOUSTON -- Two spacewalkersworking outside the InternationalSpace Station (ISS) shook a troublesome solar array late Saturday to helpfold it away, but ultimately ran out of time during an extendedspacewalk to finish rewiring the orbital laboratory. FullSTS-116 mission coverage.
AstronautsSuccessfully Furl ISS Solar Wing in Extra Spacewalk
HOUSTON -- A reluctant solar wing is finally furled atop the International SpaceStation (ISS) after two spacewalkingastronauts poked and prodded it with tape-covered tools. FullSTS-116 mission coverage.
Spacewalkers Prime New ISS Solar Arrays for Action
HOUSTON -- Two astronauts primed the International Space Station's (ISS) newest solar wings for full operations Sunday during an extra spacewalk by NASA's Atlantis shuttle crew. FullSTS-117 mission coverage.
Orbital Construction: Spacewalkers Add New Piece to Space Station
HOUSTON ? Two spacewalking astronauts added a new piece to the growing International Space Station (ISS) Saturday while engineers on Earth analyzed a U.S computer glitch and damage to the shuttle Endeavour. FullSTS-118 mission coverage.
Astronauts Open Space Station's New Room
HOUSTON - Astronauts the International Space Station (ISS) celebrated the grand opening of their orbital laboratory's latest addition on Saturday to christen the hub-like node dubbed Harmony. FullSTS-120 mission coverage.
Space Station Surgery: Astronauts Mend Torn Solar Wing
HOUSTON - Dangling on the end of a shaky robotic arm today, a NASA astronaut rescued a torn solar blanket and ensured the short-term future of the International Space Station (ISS). FullSTS-120 mission coverage.
Space Shuttle MissionCoverage
MissionEndeavour: STS-123
Cmmanded by astronaut Dominic Gorie, Atlantis's STS-123 crew launched March 11, 2008 on a record-long 16-day mission to the International Space Station to deliver a Japan-built room and Canadian robot to the orbiting lab.
DirectLink to Story Archive
MissionAtlantis: STS-122
Led by astronaut Stephen Frick, Atlantis's STS-122 crew launched Feb. 7. 2008 to deliver the European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory to the International Space Station during a 13-day mission.
DirectLink to Story Archive
MissionDiscovery: STS-120
Commanded by veteran spaceflyer Pamela Melroy, the seven-astronaut STS-120 crew delivered the Harmony connecting node to the International Space Station, moved old solar power segment and repaired a torn solar array during a 15-day mission.
DirectLink to Story Archive
MissionEndeavour: STS-118
Commanded by veteran astronaut Scott Kelly, the Endeavour orbiter's 13-day STS-118 mission delivered more than two tons of cargo and a new starboard truss segment to the International Space Station in August 2007. Educator-astronaut Barbara Morgan, backup for Teacher in Space Christa McAuliffe, was among the crew.
DirectLink to Story Archive
MissionAtlantis: STS-117
NASAlaunched the space shuttle Atlantis on an extended 14-day mission to theInternational Space Station on June 8. 2007. Atlantis's seven-astronaut crew delivered new starboard solar wings and retract an older solar arrayextending from the outpost's mast-like Port 6 truss.
DirectLink to Story Archive
MissionDiscovery: STS-116
NASAclosed out 2006 with the shuttle Discovery?s 13-day mission to deliverthe Port 5 truss segment to the International Space Station, rewirethe outpost?s power grid and retractone of two solar arrays extending from its mast-like Port6 truss during a flight that featured four spacewalks and a one-astronautstation crew rotation.
DirectLink to Story Archive
MissionAtlantis: STS-115
The six-astronaut crew of Atlantis? STS-115 mission jump-startedconstruction of the International Space Station by installing two new portsidesolar arrays during three spacewalks conducted on the 12-day spaceflight.
DirectLink to Story Archive
MissionDiscovery: STS-121
This 13-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS)featured three spacewalks to complete NASA?s Return to Flight tests of newshuttle flight safety improvements and procedures. The mission also returnedthe ISS to a three-person crew complement and resuppliedthe orbital laboratory.
DirectLink to Story Archive
MissionDiscovery: STS-114
NASA?s firstshuttle mission since the 2003Columbia accident tested new shuttle inspection and flight safetytechniques, and also resupplied and maintained theInternational Space Station during a 14-day flight.
FixingNASA: SPACE.com?s Return to Flight Special Report
MissionColumbia: STS-107
A marathon 16-day science mission ended in tragedy when Columbiabroke apart during re-entry, killing all seven astronauts. Our archives of thismission and the subsequent investigation is divided into two sections:
Pre-Launch and Mission Archive | Landingand Investigation Coverage | Return to Flight Coverage
MissionEndeavour: STS-113
The P-1 trusswas installed during this space station assembly mission that included threespacewalks.
Direct Link to Story Archive
MissionAtlantis: STS-112
The S-Onetruss was installed during this space station assembly mission that includedthree spacewalks.
Direct Link to Story Archive
MissionEndeavour: STS-111
TheExpedition Five crew replaced the Expedition Four crew during this spacestation re-supply mission.
DirectLink to Story Archive
MissionAtlantis: STS-110
The S-Zero truss and the Mobile Transporter were installed during this spacestation assembly mission.
DirectLink to Story Archive
MissionColumbia: STS-109
A fourthHubble Space Telescope servicing mission featured five back-to-back spacewalks.
Direct Link to Story Archive
MissionEndeavour: STS-108
TheExpedition Three and Expedition Four crews exchanged places with the help ofshuttle Endeavour.
DirectLink to Story Archive
MissionDiscovery: STS-105
TheExpedition Two and Expedition Three crews exchanged places with the help ofshuttle Discovery.
DirectLink to Story Archive
MissionAtlantis: STS-104
TheU.S.-built docking module dubbed Quest was delivered and installed at spacestation Alpha.
DirectLink to Story Archive
MissionEndeavour: STS-100
Canada'smajor contribution to the International Space Station program ? a robotic arm ?was carried into orbit, as was the Raffaello supplymodule.
DirectLink to Story Archive
MissionDiscovery: STS-102
The first changing of the guard of flight crews took place at the InternationalSpace Station during this flight that also featured first use of an Italiansupply module, in this case Leonardo.
DirectLink to Story Archive
MissionAtlantis: STS-98
The $1.4 billion Destiny U.S. science laboratory was delivered to theInternational Space Station during this critical assembly mission in Earthorbit.
DirectLink to Story Archive
MissionEndeavour: STS-97
With theExpedition One crew watching from inside the International Space Station,Endeavour's five astronauts deployed a new 240-foot-wide solar array just intime for the holidays.
DirectLink to Story Archive
MissionDiscovery: STS-92
NASA's100th shuttle mission saw Discovery dock with the International Space Station duringOctober 2000 to prepare it for its first occupants.
DirectLink to Story Archive
MissionAtlantis: STS-106
NASA beganan ambitious schedule of launching nine shuttle missions during the next 12months with this September 2000 flight of Atlantis to the International SpaceStation.
DirectLink to Story Archive
Mission Atlantis: STS-101
The first crew in a year to visit the early station -- comprisingonly the Unity and Zarya modules -- deliveredsupplies and came home with ideas on making the station a nicer home.
Chronicling Private Spaceflight Missions
Bigelow's Second Orbital Module Launches Into Space
A privately-built space station prototype successfully launched into orbit Thursday from a Russian missile base, kicking off the second test flight for the U.S. firm Bigelow Aerospace.
Orbital Trek 'Beyond Wildest Dreams' for Space Tourist
American billionaire Charles Simonyi is reacquainting himself with gravity after a two-week voyage to the International Space Station (ISS); an orbital trip chock full of precious moments. DirectLink to Story Archive. Simonyi's Personal Spaceflight Chronicle
BLOG:Jeff Bezos? Blue Origin Reveals Rocket Launch Details
Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos and his Blue Origin commercial space firm havedebuted images and video of their first successful launch test.
SpecialReport: The New Space Race
The space playing field if ripe with contenders hoping to be the next big thingin private spaceflight.
Space Tourism: AMultimedia Special Report
Ride along with the ongoing efforts to bring spaceflight to the masses in thisspecial report
UPAerospace Rocket Crashes on Maiden Launch
The inaugural rocket from New Mexico?s Spaceport America crashed inthe desert today after failing in its mission to reach sub-orbital space.
The Ansari X Prize is Won
SpaceShipOne, a privately-builtsuborbital piloted vehicle, won the $10 mission AnsariX Prize on Oct. 4, 2004 after launching two successful spaceflights within twoweeks.
Now Boarding:Zero G Flights for the Public
The Zero GravityCorporation has been given the thumbs up by the Federal Aviation Administration(FAA) to conduct "weightless flights" for the general public,providing the sensation of floating in space.
New$50 Million Prize for Private Orbiting Spacecraft
While a team ofaerospace engineers takes aim this week on the $10 million AnsariX Prize competition for privately developed suborbital spaceflight, a Nevadamillionaire is planning an even loftier contest.
The FirstCrewed Civilian Space Mission
SpaceShipOne already made history on June 21, 2004with Mike Melvill being the first civilian to pilot acraft into space. It was a successful test run for the X Prize flights. SPACE.com covered the historic eventwith pictures and reports from the scene.
The Rise of Space Tourism
U.S. entrepreneur Dennis Tito made history by becoming the first touristto pay $20 million to visit the International Space Station.
Special Reports
- Anousheh Ansari: First Female Private Space Explorer Visits ISS
- NASA's Space Shuttle Fleet Celebrates 25 Years of Spaceflight
- Shenzhou Rising: Complete Coverage of China?s Second Manned Spaceflight
- Gregory Olsen: Third Space Tourist Aims for Orbit
- Making History: China?s First Human Spaceflight
- Mark Shuttleworth's Space Adventure
- First Space Tourist: Dennis Tito's Flight to Station Alpha
- Fiery Finale: Mir Falls to Earth
- Special Report: 40 Years of Human Spaceflight
- Special Report: 20 Years of the Space Shuttle
- Apollo 11: Man on the Moon
- Apollo 12: Ocean of Storms
- Apollo 13: Successful Failure
- Thirty Years Ago: Apollo 14's Explorations Continue
- A Tribute to Challenger: 15 Years Later
- Five Decades in Space
- Florida's Space Coast At 50
SPACE.com?sarchive of special reports on a variety of topics
Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com.
