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Timeline of artificial satellites and space probes

Last updated: 2025-08-02 01:18:12

Timeline of artificial satellites and space probes

This timeline of artificial satellites and space probes includes uncrewed spacecraft including technology demonstrators, observatories, lunar probes, and interplanetary probes. First satellites from each country are included. Not included are most Earth science satellites, commercial satellites or crewed missions.

Timeline

1950s

Artificial satellites and space probes in the 1950s
Year Date Origin Name Launch vehicle Status Description Mass
1957 October 4 Soviet UnionSputnik 1Sputnik-PS SuccessThe first human-made object to orbit Earth. 83.6 kg (183.9 lb)
November 3 Soviet UnionSputnik 2Sputnik-PS SuccessThe first satellite to carry a living animal, a dog named Laika. 508 kg (1,118 lb)
December 6 USVanguard 1AVanguard TV-3 FailureThe first stage engine was improperly started, causing the vehicle to fall back to the launch pad immediately after launch and explode.[1] 1.36 kg (2.99 lb)
1958 February 1 USExplorer 1Juno I SuccessThe first American satellite in space.[1] 13.91 kg (30.66 lb)
February 5 USVanguard 1BVanguard TV-3BU FailureControl failure caused vehicle breakup at T+57 seconds as vehicle exceeded an angle of attack of 45° due to a control system malfunction.[1] 1.36 kg (2.99 lb)
March 5 USExplorer 2Juno I FailureFailed to orbit. Fourth stage did not ignite.[1] 14.52 kg (31.94 lb)
March 17 USVanguard 1CVanguard TV-4 SuccessVanguard 1. Expected to de-orbit in ~2240AD, this and its upper launch stage are the oldest human-made objects in space. Also the first use of solar cells to power a satellite.[1] 1.47 kg (3.25 lb)
March 26 USExplorer 3Juno I SuccessAdded to data received by Explorer 1.[1] 14.1 kg (31.0 lb)
April 29 USVanguard 2AVanguard TV-5 FailureSecond stage shutdown sequence not completed, preventing proper 3rd stage separation and firing. Did not reach orbit.[1] 9.98 kg (21.96 lb)
May 15 Soviet UnionSputnik 3Sputnik SuccessContained 12 instruments for a wide range of upper atmosphere tests. 1,327 kg (2,926 lb)
May 28 USVanguard 2BVanguard SLV-1 FailureThe first production model of the series. Nominal flight until a guidance error was encountered on second stage burnout. Did not reach orbit.[1] 9.98 kg (21.96 lb)
June 26 USVanguard 2CVanguard SLV-2 FailurePremature second stage cutoff prevented third stage operation. Did not reach orbit.[1] 9.98 kg (21.96 lb)
July 26 USExplorer 4Juno I SuccessExpanded data set of previous Explorer missions and collected data from Argus high-altitude nuclear explosions.[1] 11.7 kg (25.8 lb)
August 17 USPioneer 0Thor-Able 1 FailureFailed to orbit. First stage engine failure caused explosion at T+77 seconds. 38 kg (84 lb)
August 24 USExplorer 5Juno I FailureOn-board instruments damaged on first stage separation. Failed to orbit.[1] 11.7 kg (25.8 lb)
September 26 USVanguard 2DVanguard SLV-3 FailureSecond stage under-performed, lacking only ~76 m/s (~250 fps) required to achieve orbit.[1] 10.6 kg (23.3 lb)
October 11 USPioneer 1Thor-Able 1 Partial successFirst spacecraft launched by NASA. Studied Earth's magnetic fields. Third stage provided insufficient thrust to reach the Moon, leaving it sub-orbital.[2] 38 kg (84 lb)
October 22 USBeacon 1Jupiter-C FailureA thin plastic sphere (12-feet in diameter) intended to study atmosphere density.[2] Payload dropped due to rotational vibrations.[1] 4.2 kg (9.2 lb)
November 8 USPioneer 2Thor-Able 1 FailureBriefly provided further data on Earth's magnetic field. Third stage provided insufficient thrust to reach the vicinity of the Moon.[2] 38 kg (83 lb)
December 6 USPioneer 3Juno II Partial successDid not reach the Moon as intended, but discovered a second radiation belt around Earth.[2] 5.9 kg (13.0 lb)
1959 January 2 Soviet UnionLuna 1Luna Partial successThe first spacecraft to reach the vicinity of the Moon, and the first spacecraft to be placed in heliocentric orbit. 361 kg (794.2 lb)
January 21 US Discoverer Zero Thor-Agena A Failure Accessory rockets ignited on pad during fueling. Part of Corona satellite development program. Upper stage consisted entirely of dummy components. 618 kg (1362.5 lb)
February 17 USVanguard 2EVanguard SLV-4 SuccessVanguard 2. Measured cloud cover. First attempted photo of Earth from a satellite; precession motion resulted in difficulty interpreting data (see first images of Earth from space).[2] 10.8 kg (23.7 lb)
February 28 US Discoverer 1 Thor-Agena A Success Reached orbit with an apogee of 605 miles and a perigee of 99 miles.[3] First spacecraft placed in polar orbit. Part of Corona satellite development program. 618 kg (1362.5 lb)
March 3 USPioneer 4Juno II SuccessPassed within 60,030 km (37,300 mi) of the Moon into a heliocentric orbit, returning excellent radiation data.[2] 6.1 kg (13.4 lb)
April 13 USVanguard 3AVanguard SLV-5 FailureFailed to orbit. Second stage hydraulics failure led to loss of control, damaged at launch. Two spheres included as payload.[2] 10.3 kg (22.7 lb)
April 13 US Discoverer 2 Thor-Agena A Success Successful orbit, first satellite to be stabilized in orbit in all 3 axes. Recovery capsule ejected early, landed near Spitzbergen and was not recovered. Part of Corona satellite development program. 784 kg (1728 lb)
June 3 US Discoverer 3 Thor-Agena A Failure Failed to reach orbit. Agena stage failed to produce thrust. Part of Corona satellite development program. Cover story was a biomedical study of 4 live mice onboard. 843 kg (1858 lb)
June 22 USVanguard 3BVanguard SLV-6 FailureFailed to orbit. Second stage exploded due to stuck helium vent valve. Intended to measure weather effects related to solar-Earth heating processes.[2] 10.3 kg (22.7 lb)
June 25 US Discoverer 4 Thor-Agena A Failure Failed to reach orbit. Agena stage failed to produce thrust. Part of Corona satellite development program. First satellite to contain full Corona optics. Also known as Corona 9001. 870 kg (1920 lb)
July 16 USExplorer S-1Juno II FailureDid not achieve orbit. Guidance system power malfunction. Destroyed by range safety officer at T+5.5s.[2] 41.5 kg (91.3 lb)
August 7 USExplorer 6Thor-Able 3 SuccessIncluded instruments to study particles and meteorology.[2] 64.4 kg (141.7 lb)
August 13 US Discoverer 5 Thor-Agena A Partial success Successfully reached 193 kilometers (120 mi) x 353 kilometers (219 mi) polar orbit. Camera failed after first orbit. Recovery capsule boosted into higher orbit and was not recovered. Also known as Corona 9002 870 kg (1920 lb)
August 14 USBeacon 2Juno II FailurePremature cutoff of first stage caused upper stage malfunction.[2] 4.5 kg (9.9 lb)
August 19 US Discoverer 6 Thor-Agena A Partial success Successfully reached 212 kilometers (132 mi) x 848 kilometers (527 mi) polar orbit. Camera failed after second orbit. Recovery capsule was not recovered. Also known as Corona 9003 870 kg (1920 lb)
September 12 Soviet UnionLuna 2Luna SuccessThe first spacecraft to reach the surface of the Moon, and the first human-made object to land on another celestial body. 390.2 kg (858.4 lb)
September 18 USVanguard 3Vanguard TV-4BU SuccessIncorporated Allegany Ballistics Laboratory X248 A2 as third stage.[1] Solar-powered sphere measured radiation belts and micrometeorite impacts.[2] 22.7 kg (50.0 lb)
October 4 Soviet UnionLuna 3Luna SuccessThe first mission to photograph the far side of the Moon. 278.5 kg (614 lb)
October 13 USExplorer 7Juno II SuccessProvided data on energetic particles, radiation, and magnetic storms. Also recorded the first micrometeorite penetration of a sensor.[2] 41.5 kg (69.4 lb)
November 7 US Discoverer 7 Thor-Agena A Partial success Successfully reached 159 kilometers (99 mi) x 847 kilometers (526 mi) polar orbit. Recovery capsule failed to separate. Also known as Corona 9004 920 kg (2030 lb)
November 20 US Discoverer 8 Thor-Agena A Partial success Successfully reached 187 kilometers (116 mi) x 1,679 kilometers (1,043 mi) polar orbit. Film broken during operation. Recovery capsule correctly separated and re-entered. Parachute failed to open and capsule was not recovered. Also known as Corona 9005. 835 kg (1841 lb)
November 26 USPioneer P-3Atlas-Able 20 FailureLunar orbiter probe; payload shroud failed at T+45 seconds, resulting in disintegration of upper stages and payload.[2] 168.7 kg (371.1 lb)

1960s

Artificial satellites and space probes in the 1960s
Year Launch date Origin Name Launch vehicle Target Status Description
1960 March 11 USPioneer 5 Thor-AbleSun SuccessSolar monitor. Measured magnetic field phenomena, solar flare particles, and ionization in the interplanetary region[4]
May 15 Soviet UnionKorabl-Sputnik 1 Vostok-LEarth SuccessFirst test flight of the Soviet Vostok programme, and the first Vostok spacecraft
April 1 USTIROS-1 Thor-AbleEarth SuccessTIROS-1 (or TIROS-A) was the first successful low-Earth orbital weather satellite, and the first of a series of Television Infrared Observation Satellites.
August 19 Soviet UnionKorabl-Sputnik 2 Vostok-LEarth SuccessFirst spaceflight to send animals into orbit and return them safely back to Earth
November 3 USExplorer 8 Juno IIEarth Partial successBattery power failed early, And data had to be processed by hand. In spite of this, new information about the ionosphere has been discovered
1961 February 12 Soviet UnionVenera 1 Molniya 8K78Venus Partial successFirst interplanetary flight, contact lost en route, before it performed the first flyby at another planet.
April 27 USExplorer 11 Juno IIEarth Partial successWas the first space-borne gamma-ray telescope. Limited Battery Power restricted the data collection to the ascension stage.
August 16 US Explorer 12 (EPE-A) Thor-Delta A Earth Partial success The spacecraft functioned well until 6 December 1961, when it ceased transmitting data apparently as a result of failures in the power system.
August 23 USRanger 1 Atlas-AgenaMoon FailureRocket malfunction left the spacecraft stranded in low Earth orbit.[5]
November 18 USRanger 2 Atlas-AgenaMoon FailureBooster rocket malfunction trapped spacecraft in low Earth orbit.[6]
1962 January 26 USRanger 3 Atlas-AgenaMoon FailureNASA's first attempt to land a spacecraft on the Moon. A series of malfunctions sent spacecraft hurtling past the Moon.[7]
April 23 USRanger 4 Atlas-AgenaMoon Partial failureWas the first U.S. spacecraft to reach another celestial body. Failure in the onboard computer prevented it from carrying out its scientific objectives. First spacecraft to impact the far side of the Moon.[8][9]
April 26 UKAriel 1 Thor-DeltaEarth SuccessFirst British satellite in space (on American rocket)
July 10 USTelstar 1 Thor-DeltaEarth SuccessCommunication satellite
July 22 USMariner 1 Atlas-AgenaVenus FailureSoftware related guidance system failure, range safety officer ordered destroyed after 294.5 seconds after launch.
August 27 USMariner 2 Atlas-AgenaVenus SuccessFirst spacecraft to visit another planet
September 29 CanadaAlouette 1 Thor-AgenaEarth SuccessFirst Canadian satellite (on American rocket), first satellite not constructed by the US or USSR
October 2 US Explorer 14 (EPE-B) Thor-Delta A Earth Success NASA spacecraft instrumented to measure cosmic-ray particles, trapped particles, solar wind protons, and magnetospheric and interplanetary magnetic fields.
October 18 USRanger 5 Atlas-AgenaMoon FailureMalfunction in the spacecraft's batteries caused them to drain after 8 hours, leaving it inoperable.[10]
1963 February 14 US Syncom 1 Delta B Earth FailureFailed to reach desired orbit - went silent seconds after apogee kick motor ignited.
July 26 US Syncom 2 Delta B Earth SuccessFirst successful television broadcast through a geosynchronous satellite.
First pair - October 17 USVela 1A and Vela 1B Atlas-AgenaEarth SuccessSeries of satellites to monitor compliance to the 1963 Partial Test Ban Treaty
1964 February 2 USRanger 6 Atlas-AgenaMoon SuccessLunar impactor. Successful impact but power failure resulted in no pictures.
March 27 UKAriel 2 Scout X-3Earth SuccessFirst Radio Astronomy Satellite (on American rocket)
July 31 USRanger 7 Atlas-AgenaMoon SuccessLunar impactor. Returned pictures until impact.
November 28 USMariner 4 Atlas-AgenaMars SuccessFirst deep space photographs of another planet and first flyby of Mars
December 15 ItalySan Marco 1 Scout X-4Earth SuccessFirst Italian satellite (on American rocket)
1965 February 2 USRanger 8 Atlas-AgenaMoon SuccessLunar impactor. Returned pictures until impact.
February 20 USRanger 9 Atlas-AgenaMoon SuccessLunar impactor. Live TV broadcast until impact.
April 6 USIntelsat I Delta DEarth SuccessFirst commercial communications satellite in orbit. Was operated off and on until 1990.
November 26 FranceAsterix Diamant AEarth SuccessFirst French satellite. First orbital launch outside U.S. and Soviet Union.
November 29 CanadaAlouette 2 Thor-AgenaEarth SuccessResearch satellite designed to explore Earth's ionosphere
December 16 USPioneer 6 Delta ESun SuccessA series of solar-orbiting, spin-stabilized, solar-cell and battery-powered satellites designed to obtain measurements on a continuing basis of interplanetary phenomena from widely separated points in space.[11]
1966 January 31 Soviet UnionLuna 9 Molniya MMoon SuccessFirst spacecraft to achieve a soft landing on the Moon, or any planetary body other than Earth, and to transmit photographic data to Earth from the surface of another planetary body.
February 17 FranceDiapason Diamant AEarth SuccessEarth measurement by doppler radio measure
June 2 USSurveyor 1 Atlas-CentaurMoon SuccessFirst US soft landing; Surveyor program performed various tests in support of forthcoming crewed landings.[12]
July 1 USExplorer 33 Delta E1Earth Partial successWas intended to orbit the Moon but instead orbited the Earth. Explored solar winds, interplanetary plasma, and solar X-rays.
August 10 USLunar Orbiter 1 Atlas SLV-3 Agena-DMoon SuccessFirst US spacecraft to orbit the Moon. Designed to photograph smooth areas of the lunar surface for selecting landing sites.
August 17 USPioneer 7 Delta E1Sun SuccessA series of solar-orbiting, spin-stabilized, solar-cell and battery-powered satellites designed to obtain measurements on a continuing basis of interplanetary phenomena from widely separated points in space.[11]
September 20 USSurveyor 2 Atlas LV-3C Centaur-DMoon FailureLunar Lander. A failure in one of its three thrusters caused it to lose control and crash into the Moon.[13]
November 6 USLunar Orbiter 2 Atlas SLV-3 Agena-DMoon SuccessDesigned to photograph smooth areas of the lunar surface to identify landing sites.
1967 January 11 USIntelsat II F-2 Delta EEarth SuccessOperated for 2 years as a communications satellite. Was deactivated in 1969.
February 8 FranceDiadème 1 Diamant AEarth SuccessOrbit slightly too low, considered a partial failure by the booster team. Earth measurement by doppler radio and laser ranging from the ground.
February 15 FranceDiadème 2 Diamant AEarth SuccessEarth measurement by doppler radio and laser ranging from the ground.
April 17 USSurveyor 3 Atlas LV-3C Centaur-DMoon SuccessSecond successful lunar surface lander. Conducted experiments to see how the lunar surface would fare against the weight of an Apollo lunar module.[14]
May 5 UK Ariel 3 Scout A Earth Success First entirely British built satellite
July 14 US Surveyor 4 Atlas LV-3C Centaur-D Moon Failure Despite a perfect flight to the Moon, communications was lost 2.5 minutes prior to landing. NASA concluded the spacecraft may have exploded.[15]
September 8 US Surveyor 5 Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D Moon Success Lunar lander. First spacecraft to do a soil analysis of any world. Returned more than 20,000 photos.[16]
November 7 US Surveyor 6 Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D Moon Success Lunar lander. First spacecraft to be launched from the surface of the Moon. It lifted itself to a height of about 3 meters.[17]
November 29 AustraliaWRESAT SpartaEarthSuccessFirst Australian satellite (on American rocket) launched from Woomera, Australia. Third nation to launch a satellite from its own soil.
December 13 US Pioneer 8 Delta E1 Sun Success A series of solar-orbiting, spin-stabilized, solar-cell and battery-powered satellites designed to obtain measurements on a continuing basis of interplanetary phenomena from widely separated points in space.[11]
1968 January 7 US Surveyor 7 Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D Moon Success Lunar lander. Only spacecraft in the series to land in the lunar highland region and had the most extensive set of instruments.[18]
November 8 US Pioneer 9 Delta E1 Sun Success A series of solar-orbiting, spin-stabilized, solar-cell and battery-powered satellites designed to obtain measurements on a continuing basis of interplanetary phenomena from widely separated points in space.[11]
1969 January 30 CanadaISIS 1 Delta E1EarthSuccessInternational Satellites for Ionospheric Studies (ISIS)
February 25 US Mariner 6 Atlas SLV-3D Agena-D1A Mars Success Mars probe attempting to study the surface and atmosphere of Mars during close flybys to establish a basis for further investigations.[19]
March 27 US Mariner 7 Atlas SLV-3D Agena-D1A Mars Success Mars probe attempting to study the surface and atmosphere of Mars during close flybys to establish a basis for further investigations.[20]
November 8 West Germany Azur / (GRS A) (German Research Satellite) Scout B S169C Earth Success The scientific mission was to: scan the energy spectra of inner zone protons and electrons; measure the fluxes of electrons of energy greater than 40 keV that are parallel, anti-parallel, and perpendicular to the magnetic lines of force over the auroral zone, and measure associated optical emission; and record solar protons on alert.[21]

1970s

Artificial satellites and space probes in the 1970s
Year Launch date Origin Name Target Status Description
1970 February 11 JapanOhsumiEarthSuccessFirst Japanese satellite. Japan became the fourth nation after the USSR, USA and France to successfully put an artificial satellite into orbit on its own.
March 10 West Germany DIAL-WIKA Success Second German satellite. Launch by a French Diamant B from Kourou
April 24 ChinaDong Fang Hong ISuccessFirst Chinese satellite
August 7 Soviet UnionVenera 7VenusSuccessFirst successful landing of a spacecraft on another planet
September 2 UKOrbaEarthFailureSecond stage of rocket shutdown 13 seconds early
September 12 Soviet UnionLuna 16MoonSuccessLander is the first automated return of samples from the Moon
October 20Zond 8SuccessFlyby
November 10Luna 17/Lunokhod 1SuccessLander/rover is the first automated surface exploration of the Moon
December 12 USUhuruEarthSuccessFirst dedicated X-ray astronomy satellite
France PEOLE Success First French communication satellite.
1971 April 15 France Tournesol Earth Success First French satellite with active attitude control. Hydrogen measurement.
April 1 CanadaISIS 2Success
May 9 USMariner 8MarsFailureOrbiter. Lost due to launch failure.
May 10 Soviet UnionCosmos 419FailureProbe
May 19Mars 2FailureOrbiter and lander, created the first human artifact on Mars
May 28Mars 3SuccessOrbiter and lander, first successful landing on Mars
May 30 USMariner 9SuccessOrbiter, first pictures of Mars' moons (Phobos and Deimos) taken
September 2 Soviet UnionLuna 18MoonFailureLander
September 28Luna 19SuccessOrbiter
JapanShinseiEarthPartial successFirst Japanese science satellite
October 28 UKProspero X-3SuccessSatellite, first satellite launched by Britain using a British rocket
December 5 France Polaire Failure Second stage explosion
December 11 UKAriel 4Success
1972 February 17 Soviet UnionLuna 20MoonSuccessLander
March 3 USPioneer 10JupiterSuccessFirst spacecraft to encounter Jupiter
March 27 Soviet UnionVenera 8VenusSuccessLander
August 21 US/ UKCopernicus – Orbiting Astronomical Observatory-3EarthSuccess
1973 January 8/11 Soviet UnionLuna 21/Lunokhod 2MoonSuccessLander/rover
April 6 USPioneer 11Jupiter/SaturnSuccessFirst spacecraft to encounter Saturn
May 21 France Castor/Pollux Earth Failure Reached orbit but the fairing failed to deploy, failing the launch
June 10 USExplorer 49SunSuccessSolar probe
July 21 Soviet UnionMars 4MarsFailureOrbiter
July 25Mars 5SuccessOrbiter
August 5Mars 6FailureOrbiter and lander
August 9Mars 7FailureOrbiter and lander
November 3 USMariner 10Venus/MercurySuccessIt passed by and photographed Mercury, also was the first dual planet probe
1974 May 29 Soviet UnionLuna 22MoonSuccessOrbiter
August 30 Netherlands/ US Astronomische Nederlandse Satelliet (ANS) EarthSuccess Discovered X-ray bursts, first Dutch satellite (with US contributions)[22]
October 15 UKAriel 5SuccessX-ray satellite
October 28 Soviet UnionLuna 23MoonFailureProbe
December 10 West GermanyHelios 1SunSuccessSolar probe
1975 February 6 France Starlette Earth Success Laser reflector for Earth-based measurement
April 19 IndiaAryabhataSuccessLaunched by USSR, the first Indian satellite
May 17 France Castor/Pollux Success Second launch. Castor tested a new accelerometer, Pollux tested hydrazine based thrusters
June 8 Soviet UnionVenera 9VenusSuccessReturns the first pictures of the surface of Venus
June 14Venera 10SuccessOrbiter and lander
August 20 USViking 1MarsSuccessOrbiter and lander; lands on Mars 1976
September 9Viking 2SuccessOrbiter and lander; lands on Mars 1976
September 27 France Aura Earth Success Far-ultraviolet measurement of the Sun. Last launch of the Diamant rocket.
1976 January 15 West GermanyHelios 2SunSuccessSolar probe
January 17 Canada/ US/ EuropeCommunications Technology SatelliteEarthSuccessPrototype for testing direct broadcast satellite television on the Ku band
July 9 IndonesiaPalapa A1SuccessLaunched by US, The First Indonesian GEO Satellite for domestic Communication
August 9 Soviet UnionLuna 24MoonSuccessLander
1977 August 12 USHEAO-1EarthSuccessX-ray satellite
August 20Voyager 2JupiterSuccessSent back images of Jupiter and its system
September 5Voyager 1Success
September 18 Soviet UnionKosmos 954EarthSuccessReconnaissance satellites
1978 May 20 USPioneer Venus 1VenusSuccessOrbiter
August 8Pioneer Venus 2SuccessAtmospheric probe
September 9 Soviet UnionVenera 11VenusSuccessFlyby and lander
September 14Venera 12Success
October 24 CzechoslovakiaMagion 1EarthSuccessFirst satellite for Czechoslovakia
November 13 USHEAO-2SuccessFirst X-ray photographs of astronomical objects
1979 February 21 JapanHakuchoEarthSuccessX-ray satellite
June 2 UKAriel 6SuccessCosmic-ray and X-ray satellite
June 7 IndiaBhaskara-1SuccessLaunched by ISRO (First successfully launched Indian low orbit Earth Observation Satellite)
August 10Rohini Technology PayloadFailureLaunched by ISRO. Purpose was to monitor flight performance of SLV but a faulty valve caused vehicle to crash into the Bay of Bengal 317 seconds after launch.

1980s

Artificial satellites and space probes in the 1980s
Year Origin Name Target Status Description
1980 USSolar Maximum MissionSunFailureSolar Maximum Mission solar probe succeeded after being repaired in Earth orbit
1981 IndiaBhaskara-2EarthSuccessBhaskara-2 satellite; launched on Russian Kosmos-3M rocket for ISRO
Soviet UnionVenera 13VenusSuccessVenera 13 launched, it returned the first colour pictures of the surface of Venus
Soviet UnionVenera 14VenusSuccessVenera 14 flyby and lander
BulgariaBulgaria 1300EarthSuccessBulgaria 1300, polar research mission, was Bulgaria's first artificial satellite; launched by the Soviet Union
1983 Soviet UnionVenera 15VenusSuccessVenera 15 orbiter
Soviet UnionVenera 16VenusSuccessVenera 16 orbiter
EuropeEXOSATEarthSuccessLaunch of the EXOSAT X-ray satellite
JapanTenmaEarthSuccessLaunch of the Tenma X-ray satellite (ASTRO-B)
US / Netherlands / UKIRASEarthSuccessLaunch of the IRAS satellite
1984 Soviet UnionVega 1Venus/Halley's CometSuccessVega 1 flyby, atmospheric probe and lander
Soviet UnionVega 2Venus/Halley's CometSuccessVega 2 flyby, atmospheric probe and lander
1985 JapanSakigakeHalley's CometSuccessSakigake flyby, Japan's first interplanetary spacecraft
JapanSuiseiHalley's CometSuccessSuisei flyby
MexicoMorelos IEarthSuccessMorelos I, the first Mexican satellite
1986 EuropeGiottoHalley's CometSuccessGiotto flyby
USVoyager 2UranusSuccessVoyager 2 sent back images of Uranus and its system
1987 JapanGingaEarthSuccessLaunch of the Ginga X-ray satellite (ASTRO-C)
1988 Soviet UnionPhobos 1MarsFailurePhobos 1 orbiter and lander
Soviet UnionPhobos 2MarsFailurePhobos 2 flyby and lander
IsraelOfeq 1EarthSuccessOfeq 1 first Israeli satellite, first satellite to be launched in retrograde orbit
1989 USMagellanVenusSuccessMagellan orbiter launched which mapped 99 percent of the surface of Venus (300 m resolution)
US / West GermanyGalileoVenus/Earth/Moon/Gaspra/Ida/JupiterSuccessGalileo flyby, orbiter and atmospheric probe
USVoyager 2NeptuneSuccessVoyager 2 sent back images of Neptune and its system
EuropeHipparcosEarthSuccessLaunch of the Hipparcos satellite
USCOBEEarthSuccessLaunch of the COBE satellite
Soviet UnionGranatEarthSuccessLaunch of the Granat gamma-ray and X-ray satellite

1990s

Artificial satellites and space probes in the 1990s
Year Origin Name Target Status Description
1990 US/ EuropeUlyssesSunSuccessUlysses solar flyby
JapanHitenMoonSuccessHiten probe, this was the first non-United States or USSR probe to reach the Moon
US/ EuropeHubble Space TelescopeEarthSuccessLaunch of the Hubble Space Telescope
PakistanBadr-1EarthSuccessLaunch of Badr-1 Pakistan 1st communication satellite
GermanyROSATEarthSuccessLaunch of the ROSAT X-ray satellite to conduct the first imaging X-ray sky survey
1991 JapanYohkohSunSuccessYohkoh solar probe
USCompton Gamma-Ray ObservatoryEarthSuccessLaunch of the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory satellite
1992 USMars ObserverMarsFailureMars Observer orbiter
1993 JapanASCAEarthSuccessLaunch of the ASCA (ASTRO-D) X-ray satellite
BrazilINPEEarthSuccessLaunch of the SCD-1, the oldest earth observation equipment still in operation.
1994 USClementineMoonSuccessClementine orbiter mapped the surface of the Moon (resolution 125–150 m) and allowed the first accurate relief map of the Moon to be generated
TurkeyTürksat 1BEarthSuccessTürksat 1B, First Turkish communications satellite
1995 MexicoUnamsat 1EarthFailureUnamsat 1, First UNAM built orbiter
UkraineSich-1EarthSuccessSich-1 launched, first Ukrainian-built satellite
EuropeISOEarthSuccessLaunch of the Infrared Space Observatory
Europe/ USSOHOSunSuccessSOHO solar probe
1996 USNEAR Shoemaker433 ErosSuccessNEAR Shoemaker asteroid flybys/orbiter/lander
TurkeyTürksat 1CEarthSuccessTürksat 1C, Second Turkish communications satellite
USMars Global SurveyorMarsSuccessMars Global Surveyor orbiter
USMars PathfinderMarsSuccessMars Pathfinder, the first automated surface exploration of another planet
RussiaMars 96MarsFailureMars 96 orbiter and lander
ArgentinaSAC-BEarthFailureSac-B Orbiter
1997 US/ EuropeCassini-HuygensSaturn and TitanSuccessCassini-Huygens arrived in orbit on July 1, 2004, landed on Titan January 14, 2005
ArgentinaNahuel 1AEarthSuccessNahuel 1A First Argentine satellite - geostationary communications satellites
1998 North KoreaKwangmyŏngsŏng-1EarthUn­knownClaimed launch of Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1 by North Korea though no independent source was able to verify its existence
USLunar ProspectorMoonSuccessLunar Prospector orbiter
JapanNozomiMarsFailureNozomi (Planet B) orbiter, the first Japanese spacecraft to reach another planet
USMars Climate OrbiterMarsFailureMars Climate Orbiter
Argentina / USSAC-AEarthSuccessSac-A Orbiter
1999 USMars Polar LanderMarsFailureMars Polar Lander
USDeep Space 2MarsFailureDeep Space 2 (DS2) penetrators
USChandraEarthSuccessLaunch of the Chandra X-ray Observatory
EuropeXMM-NewtonEarthSuccessLaunch of the X-Ray Multi-Mirror Mission, XMM-Newton

2000s

Artificial satellites and space probes in 2000's
Year Origin Name Target Status Description
2000 UKSNAP-1EarthSuccessSNAP-1 robotic camera enabling images to be sent to other spacecraft orbiting the Earth
ArgentinaSAC-CEarthSuccessSAC-C Orbiter
2001 TurkeyTürksat 2AEarthSuccessTürksat 2A, third Turkish communications satellite
USGenesisSunPartial successGenesis solar wind sample crash-landed on return
USWMAPEarthSuccessWilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) performs cosmological observations.
USMars OdysseyMarsSuccessMars Odyssey
EuropePROBA-1EarthSuccessPROBA-1 Small satellite to observe the Earth (first Belgian Satellite)
2003 CanadaMOSTEarthSuccessMOST the smallest space telescope in orbit.
TurkeyBİLSATEarthSuccessBİLSAT, Turkey's first earth observation satellite
2002 USCONTOURComet EnckeFailureCONTOUR launched, but lost during early trajectory insertion.
Europe/ Russia/ USINTEGRALEarthSuccessLaunch of the INTEGRAL gamma-ray satellite.
2003 EuropeSMART-1MoonSuccessSMART-1 orbiter
EuropeMars Express & Beagle 2MarsPartial successMars Express orbiter (successfully reached orbit) and failed Beagle 2 lander
USMars Exploration RoverMarsSuccessMars Exploration Rovers successful launches, Spirit successfully landed, Opportunity successfully landed
UKUK-DMCEarthSuccessUK-DMC orbiter, part of the Disaster Monitoring Constellation
JapanHayabusa25143 ItokawaSuccessHayabusa, first sample return from asteroid, returned in 2010
2004 EuropeRosettaComet 67PSuccessRosetta space probe launched (arrived on comet 67P on November 12, 2014)
USMESSENGERMercurySuccessMESSENGER orbiter launched (in Mercury orbit)
USSwiftEarthSuccessLaunch of the Swift Gamma ray burst observatory.
2005 USDeep ImpactComet Tempel 1SuccessDeep Impact
JapanSuzakuEarthPartial successLaunch of the Suzaku X-ray observatory (ASTRO-EII)
USMROMarsSuccessMars Reconnaissance Orbiter
IranSinah-1EarthSuccessSinah-1 launched, first Iranian-built satellite
EuropeVenus ExpressVenusSuccessVenus Express
2006 USNew HorizonsPlutoSuccessNew Horizons launched. On July 14, 2015, New Horizons flew within 7,750 miles (12,472 km) of Pluto.
JapanAkariEarthSuccessLaunch of the Akari infrared observatory (ASTRO-F)
France/ EuropeCOROTEarthSuccessCOROT telescope to search for extrasolar planets
2007 USPhoenixMarsSuccessPhoenix launched and successfully landed in 2008
JapanSELENEMoonSuccessSELENE orbiter and lander
USDawnVesta/CeresSuccessDawn solar powered ion engined probe to 4 Vesta and 1 Ceres.
ChinaChang'e-IMoonSuccessChang'e-I lunar orbiter
NigeriaNigComSat-1EarthPartial successNigComSat-1 launched by China, failed after 1 year
2008 TurkeyTürksat 3AEarthSuccessTürksat 3A, fourth Turkish communications satellite
USIBEXEarthSuccessThe Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX)'s mission is to study the nature of interactions between solar wind and interstellar medium at the edge of Solar System.
2009 North KoreaKwangmyŏngsŏng-2EarthFailureKwangmyŏngsŏng-2 failed to orbit, possibly due to the rocket's third stage not separating properly.
EuropePlanckL2SuccessPlanck
EuropeHerschelL2SuccessHerschel Space Observatory
IranOmidEarthSuccessOmid launched by Iranian made launcher Safir. First Iranian-launched satellite
USKeplerEarthSuccessKepler launched
EuropePROBA-2EarthSuccessPROBA-2 Small satellite to observe the Sun
IndiaRISAT-2EarthSuccessRISAT-2 developed by Israel Aerospace Industries, launched by ISRO, India
IndiaChandrayaan-1MoonSuccessChandrayaan-1 developed and launched by ISRO, India. First discovery of Lunar Water.
UKUK-DMC 2EarthSuccessUK-DMC 2 orbiter, successor to UK-DMC part of the Disaster Monitoring Constellation

2010s

Artificial satellites and space probes in the 2010s
Year Origin Name Target Status Description
2010 JapanAkatsukiVenusPartial successAkatsuki orbiter, first Japanese spacecraft to orbit another planet (2015)
2010 JapanIKAROSVenusSuccessIKAROS, first solar-sail spacecraft
ChinaChang'e-2MoonSuccessChang'e-2 lunar orbiter/impacter
2011 TurkeyRASATEarthSuccess

Turkey's after BİLSAT, second earth observation satellite. RASAT, design and production made in Turkey is the first observation satellite.

RussiaSpektr-REarthSuccessLaunch of the Spektr-R radio telescope
USJunoJupiterSuccessJuno
RussiaFobos-GruntMarsFailureFobos-Grunt lander and sample return
NigeriaNigComSat-1EarthSuccessNigComSat-1 replacement launched by China
Taiwan / SingaporeST-2EarthSuccessST-2 replacement launched by Taiwan and Singapore
Argentina / USSAC-DEarthSuccessSAC-D Orbiter
2012 IranNavidEarthSuccessNavid Earth-watching satellite
USMSLMarsSuccessMars Science Laboratory with Curiosity rover—orbit and landed
North KoreaKwangmyŏngsŏng-3EarthSuccessKwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2, first successful North Korean orbital rocket launch after the first unit exploded shortly after launch.
PolandPW-SatEarthSuccessPW-Sat, first Polish satellite
2013 South KoreaSTSAT-2CEarthSuccessSTSAT-2C, first successful South Korean orbital rocket launch
CanadaNEOSSatEarthSuccessNEOSSat, monitoring near-Earth objects
CanadaSapphireEarthSuccessSapphire, military space surveillance
EcuadorNEE 01 PegasoEarthSuccessNEE-01 Pegaso, Ecuador's first satellite
EstoniaESTCube-1EarthSuccessESTCube-1, Estonia's first satellite
EuropePROBA-VEarthSuccessPROBA-V, small satellite to monitor the vegetation of the Earth
UKSTRaND-1EarthSuccessSTRaND-1, first smartphone-operated satellite to be launched and dubbed the world's first "phonesat"
JapanHisakiEarthSuccessHisaki planetary atmosphere observatory
CanadaCASSIOPEEarthSuccessCASSIOPE, ionosphere research and communication satellite
IndiaMOMMarsSuccessMOM is India's first interplanetary mission to Mars. First Asian nation to reach Mars.
USMAVENMarsSuccessMAVEN orbiter
PolandLemEarthSuccessLem, First Polish scientific satellite
2014 LithuaniaLitSat1/LituanicaSAT-1EarthSuccessLitSat-1 and LituanicaSAT-1, first Lithuanian satellites
TurkeyTÜRKSAT 4AEarthSuccessTÜRKSAT 4A, Turkey's fifth communication satellite.
EuropeRosetta / PhilaeComet 67PPartial successRosetta and Philae, Third comet landing at unintended site in suboptimal orientation due to failure of surface anchoring system
PolandHeweliuszEarthSuccessHeweliusz, Second Polish scientific satellite
JapanHayabusa2162173 RyuguSuccessHayabusa2, second Japanese asteroid sample return spacecraft
JapanPROCYON2000 DP107Partial failurePROCYON deep space probe
2015 USDSCOVREarth-Sun L1SuccessDSCOVR, Earth and space weather
IndiaAstrosatEarthSuccessAstrosat, Space observatory
TurkeyTÜRKSAT 4BEarthSuccessTÜRKSAT 4B, Turkey's sixth communication satellite.
2016 European Union / RussiaExoMars / SchiaparelliMarsPartial successExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, Trace Gas Orbiter in orbit; Schiaparelli lander crashed
CanadaM3MSatEarthSuccessM3MSat, maritime monitoring and communication satellite
USOSIRIS-RExEarthEn routeOSIRIS-REx, first American asteroid sample return spacecraft
2017 BrazilSGDC-1EarthSuccessSGDC-1, communication satellite
2018 USTesla RoadsterHeliocentric orbitSuccessElon Musk's Tesla Roadster, dummy payload for the February 2018 Falcon Heavy test flight and is now an artificial satellite of the Sun
ChinaQueqiaoMoonSuccessFirst relay satellite for far side of the Moon.
US France GermanyInSightMarsSuccessInSight, Mars lander for planetary information
European Union/ JapanBepiColomboMercuryEn routeBepiColombo, two orbiters to study the magnetic field, magnetosphere, and both interior and surface structure of Mercury. Final mission of the Horizon 2000+ programme
USParker Solar ProbeSunEn routeParker Solar Probe, first spacecraft to visit the outer corona of the Sun
ChinaChang'e 4MoonSuccessChang'e 4, first spacecraft to soft-land on the lunar far side.
2019 EgyptNARSSCube-2EarthSuccessNARSSCube-2, Egypt's first domestically built satellite
IsraelBeresheetMoonFailureBeresheet, first private space probe and moon lander, crashed
Russia / GermanySpektr-RGEarth-Sun L2SuccessLaunch of the Spektr-RG X-ray observatory
IndiaChandrayaan-2MoonPartial successChandrayaan-2, orbiter achieved orbit, but lander and rover module hit into the Moon's surface and crashed.
EthiopiaETRSS-1EarthSuccessETRSS-1, first Ethiopian satellite; launched on China's Long March 4B rocket.[23]

2020s

Artificial satellites and space probes in the 2020s
Year Origin Name Target Status Description
2020 TurkeyTÜRKSAT 5AEarthSuccessTÜRKSAT 5A, Turkey's seventh communication satellite launched with SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket.
European UnionSolOSunEn routeSolar Orbiter is an ESA's Sun-observing satellite.[24][25][26]
USMars 2020MarsOperationalPerseverance, JPL's Mars rover. It was launched on July 30 with Atlas V rocket, and landed on February 18, 2021, together with the small Ingenuity helicopter that was deployed on April 4, 2021.
UAEHopeMarsSuccessHope satellite is the United Arab Emirates Space Agency's uncrewed space research project on Mars. It was launched with Japanese H-IIA rocket on 19 July and reached Mars on 9 February 2021.
ChinaTianwen-1MarsSuccessMission containing an orbiter, deployable and remote cameras, lander and Zhurong rover. This is China's 2nd uncrewed space research project on Mars. It was launched with Long March 5 rocket on 23 July and the orbiter, lander and rover entered Mars orbit on 10 February 2021. The rover and lander landed on 14 May with rover deployment on 22 April 2021 and dropped a remote selfie camera on Mars on 1 June 2021 and while a deployable camera made a flyby around 10 February 2021 and another deployable camera was released into Mars orbit on 31 December 2021.
ChinaChang'e 5MoonSuccessOrbiter, Returner, Ascent Stage, Lander configuration mission, China's first automated return of samples from the Moon. orbiter visited L1 and made a lunar flyby.
2021 USLucytwo main belt asteroids as well as six Jupiter trojansEn routeNASA probe that will complete a 12-year journey to nine different asteroids, visiting two main belt asteroids as well as six Jupiter trojans,[27][28] asteroids which share Jupiter's orbit around the Sun, orbiting either ahead of or behind the planet. All target encounters will be fly-by encounters.[29] It was launched on October 16, 2021, on the 401 variant of Atlas V and has yet to study a trojan asteroid.
BrazilAmazônia-1EarthSuccessAmazônia-1 is the first Earth observation satellite developed by Brazil, helped by Argentina's INVAP, who provided the main computer, attitude controls and sensors, and the training of Brazilian engineers,[8] and launched at 04:54:00 UTC (10:24:00 IST) on 28 February 2021.
USDARTa Binary 65803 Didymos asteroid systemSuccessDouble Asteroid Redirection Test, NASA's first mission to test planetary defense. Its uses involves test this technique by kinetically impacting the spacecraft to produce a small change in its orbital period. It was launched on November 24 with Falcon 9 rocket. Accompanying the mission is LICIACube cubesat, a flyby mission that recorded the impact and its aftermaths.
ItalyLICIACubea Binary 65803 Didymos asteroid systemSuccessLICIACube, Light Italian Cubesat for Imaging of Asteroids, is the first Agenzia Spaziale Italiana's interplanetary mission. Ideated, designed, integrated and operated entirely in Italy, it has been the witness of the first real-scale planetary defense test performed by Double Asteroid Redirection Test. LICIACube is the smallest human-made object that successfully performed a flyby of a Small Solar System body. It has been deployed two weeks before DART's impact.
USIXPEEarthSuccessImaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer, NASA's new X-ray observatory. It was launched on December 8 with Falcon 9 rocket.
TurkeyTÜRKSAT 5BEarthSuccessTÜRKSAT 5B, Turkey's eighth communication satellite launched with SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket.
US / European Union / CanadaJames Webb Space TelescopeEarth-Sun L2 pointSuccessJames Webb Space Telescope (JWST), NASA, ESA and CSA's joint project for a space telescope. It was launched on December 25 with Ariane 5 ECA rocket to Earth-Moon L2 point.
2022 USCAPSTONENear-rectilinear halo orbit (NRHO) of MoonOperationalCAPSTONE, Lunar orbiting CubeSat that will test and verify the calculated orbital stability planned for the Gateway space station. It was launched with Rocket Lab Electron rocket.
USVoyager 1 and Voyager 2NoneNone

In May, NASA reports that the Voyager 1 spacecraft, the farthest human-made object, is sending data that does not reflect what is happening on board with the antenna apparently remaining in its prescribed orientation to Earth.[30][31] In June, it was reported that NASA is preparing to power down the two Voyager spacecraft in the hope of using the remaining power to extend their operation to about 2030.[32]

US / South Korea Danuri (KLPO) Moon Operational South Korea's first lunar orbiter launched by SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket. Danuri will serve to create topographic map of the lunar surface to pinpoint future landing sites.
US Artemis 1 Orion MPCV CM-002 Moon Success Uncrewed test of the Orion spacecraft in lunar flyby and DRO orbit.
CuSP Heliocentric Failure Study particles and magnetic fields.
LunIR Moon Partial failure Collect its surface thermography.
NEA Scout Moon/Asteroid Failure Solar sail that will flyby a near-Earth asteroid.
Team Miles Helliocentric Failure Demonstrate low-thrust plasma propulsion in deep space.
BioSentinel Heliocentric Success Contains yeast cards that will be rehydrated in space, designed to detect, measure, and compare the effects of deep space radiation.
LunaH-Map Moon Failure Search for evidence of lunar water ice inside permanently shadowed craters using its neutron detector.
Lunar IceCube Moon Failure Its infrared spectrometer will detect water and organic compounds in the lunar surface and exosphere.
Italy ArgoMoon High Earth Orbit with Lunar Flybys Operational Image the ICPS and perform deep space Nanotechnology experiments.
Japan OMOTENASHI Moon Failure Inflatable module attempting to land semi-hard at lunar surface.
EQUULEUS Moon/Earth Moon-L2 Success Image the Earth's plasmasphere, impact craters on the Moon's far side and L2 experiments.
Hakuto-R Mission 1 Moon Failure Lunar landing technology demonstration at Atlas Crater.
USLunar FlashlightMoonFailureLunar Flashlight, Lunar orbiting CubeSat that will explore, locate, and estimate size and composition of water ice deposits on the Moon for future exploitation by robots or humans. It was launched with Hakuto-R mission Mission 1.
2023 European Union Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) Jupiter and Ganymede En route Mission to study Jupiter's three icy moons Callisto, Europa and Ganymede, eventually orbiting Ganymede as the first spacecraft to orbit a satellite of another planet.
European UnionEuclidEarth-Sun L2 pointOperationalIt is ESA's project for a space telescope to study dark matter. It was launched on July 1 with Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket to Earth-Moon L2 point.
IndiaChandrayaan-3MoonSuccessIt is India's second attempt to land on the Moon and its south pole. Successfully launched on 14 July 2023 on a LVM3 launch vehicle. Successfully landed on 23 August 2023.
RussiaLuna-25MoonFailureIt was a lander, launched on 10 August 2023 on Soyuz 2.1b rocket. Crashed on the Moon surface on 19 August 2023.[33]
IndiaAditya-L1Earth-Sun L1 pointOperationalIt is ISRO's first Sun dedicated scientific mission. It will perform observations of the Solar corona. Successfully launched on 2 September 2023 on a PSLV-XL rocket.
Japan / USXRISMEarthOperationalX-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission, X-ray space telescope developed by JAXA in partnership with NASA. Successfully launched on 6 September 2023 on a H-IIA launch vehicle.
JapanSLIMMoonSuccessLunar lander developed by JAXA carrying two lunar rovers. Successfully launched on 6 September 2023 on a H-IIA launch vehicle. Successfully landed on 19 January 2024.
USPsyche16 PsycheEn routeAsteroid orbiter developed by NASA. Successfully launched on 13 October 2023 on a Falcon Heavy launch vehicle.
2024 IndiaXPoSatEarthOperationalISRO's mission to study X-ray polarisation. Successfully launched on 1 January 2024 on a PSLV-DL launch vehicle.
USAPeregrine Mission OneMoonFailureLunar lander developed by Astrobotic Technology and selected as part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services. Successfully launched on 8 January 2024 on a Vulcan Centaur launch vehicle but landing abandoned due to excessive propellant leak.
China / European UnionEinstein ProbeEarthOperationalX-ray space telescope developed jointly by CAS and ESA. Successfully launched on 9 January 2024 on a Long March 2C launch vehicle.
USAIM-1MoonSuccessCryogenic-propelled lunar lander developed by Intuitive Machines and selected as part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services. Successfully launched on 15 February 2024 on a Falcon 9 launch vehicle and landed on its side on 22 February 2024. Accompanied by a university Cubesat lander called EagleCam to send third-party images of landing sequence back to Earth.
ChinaDRO A/BMoonSuccessYuanzheng 1S upper stage failed to deliver spacecrafts into correct orbit. The satellites were intended to test Distant retrograde orbit.[34] Tracking data appears to show China is attempting to salvage spacecraft and they appear to have succeeded in reaching their desired orbit.[35][36]
ChinaQueqiao-2MoonSuccessQueqiao-2 relay satellite for far side of the Moon with Tiandu-1 and 2 to test future lunar satellite constellation technologies.
ChinaChang'e 6MoonSuccessOrbiter, Returner, Ascent Stage, Lander, Rover configuration mission, China's first automated return of samples from the far side of the Moon. orbiter visited L2.
PakistanICUBE-QMoonOperationalPiggybacking as the first Pakistani lunar mission along with Chang'e 6.
China / FranceSpace Variable Objects MonitorEarthOperationalX-ray space telescope developed jointly by CNES and CNSA. Successfully launched on 22 June 2024 on a Long March 2C launch vehicle.
EUHera65803 DidymosEn routeEuropean component of AIDA, a NASA-ESA asteroid deflection test cooperation, aimed at studying the effects of the NEO's impact created by NASA's DART mission using 65803 Didymos's moon (Dimorphos) as a target. Successfully launched on 7 October 2024 on a Falcon 9 launch vehicle.
USAEuropa ClipperJupiter and EuropaEn routeNASA launched the Europa Clipper on 14 October 2024 on a Falcon Heavy launch vehicle, which will study the Jovian moon Europa while in orbit around Jupiter.
EUPROBA-3EarthOperationalsolar Coronagraph and Occulter dual satellites developed by ESA. Successfully launched on 5 December 2024 on a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle.
2025 USABlue Ghost M1MoonOperationalLunar landing technology demonstration at Mare Crisium. Launched on 15 January 2025 on a Falcon 9 Block 5 launch vehicle with Hakuto-R Mission 2. Landed on 2 March 2025.
Japan Hakuto-R Mission 2 Moon Failure Lunar landing technology demonstration at Mare Frigoris. Launched on 15 January 2025 on a Falcon 9 Block 5 launch vehicle with Blue Ghost M1. Carried a rover named Tenacious to lunar surface. Failed Landing.
USA IM-2 Moon Partial failure Lunar landing technology demonstration at Mare Frigoris. Launched on 27 February 2025 on a Falcon 9 Block 5 launch vehicle with Lunar Trailblazer and Brokkr-2 and landed on its side on 6 March 2025 and the mission ended sooner without conducting useful science and surface operations. Carried AstroAnt, Yaoki, Micro-Nova and MAPP LV1 rovers to lunar surface.
USA Lunar Trailblazer Moon Failure Lunar orbiter aimed to aid in the understanding of lunar water and the Moon's water cycle.[37] Launched on 27 February 2025 on a Falcon 9 Block 5 launch vehicle with Brokkr-2, Chimera-1 and IM-2.
USA Brokkr-2 2022 OB5 Failure Asteroid flyby of a near-Earth asteroid and determine if the asteroid is metallic.[38] Launched on 27 February 2025 on a Falcon 9 Block 5 launch vehicle with Lunar Trailblazer, Chimera-1 and IM-2.
USA Chimera-1 Moon Failure Failed lunar flyby Launched on 27 February 2025 on a Falcon 9 Block 5 launch vehicle with Lunar Trailblazer, Brokkr-2 and IM-2.
ChinaTianwen-2469219 Kamoʻoalewa and 311P/PANSTARRSEn routeTianwen-2 asteroid orbiter, lander and sample return. Launched on a Long March 3B launch vehicle on 29 May 2025.

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