Portal:Spaceflight/On This Day/January
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[edit] 1 January
[edit] 2 January
- 1959 - Luna 1 is launched towards the moon. It fails to hit, and becomes the first spacecraft to enter Heliocentric orbit
- 2004 - The Stardust spacecraft performs a flyby of comet 81P/Wild
[edit] 3 January
- 1999 - A Delta II rocket launches NASA's Mars Polar Lander.
- 2000 - Galileo makes its 26th flyby of Europa
[edit] 4 January
- 1959 - Vandenberg Air Force Base and the Pacific Test Range are declared operational.
- 1959 - Luna 1 becomes the first spacecraft to fly past the moon. It was intended to land, but did not due to a guidance error.
- 1963 - A Molniya 8K78 fails to launch Sputnik 25 to the moon, after an upper stage malfunction.
- 1970 - The Apollo 20 mission is cancelled.
- 2004 - The Spirit rover lands on Mars.
[edit] 5 January
- 1969 - A Molniya-M rocket launches Venera 5 to Venus.
- 1984 - A Kosmos-3M rocket launches eight Strela spacecraft.
- 1987 - A Tsyklon-3 rocket launches a Meteor weather satellite.
[edit] 6 January
- 1976 - A Kosmos-3M rocket launches a Tselina satellite.
- 1977 - A Soyuz-U rocket launches a Zenit-4MK spy satellite.
- 1977 - A Vostok rocket launches a Meteor weather satellite.
- 1978 - A Soyuz-U rocket launches a Zenit-4MKM spy satellite.
- 1981 - A Soyuz-U rocket launches a Zenit-6U spy satellite.
- 1988 - A Tsyklon-3 rocket launches a Tselina satellite.
- 2003 - A Titan II rocket launches Coriolis.
[edit] 7 January
- 1963 - A Thor-Agena launches a KH-4 satellite
- 1966 - A Vostok rocket launches a Zenit-2 satellite
- 1968 - An Atlas-Centaur launches the Surveyor 7 lunar lander
- 1976 - A Voskhod rocket launches a Zenit-4MK satellite
- 1987 - An Atlas-Centaur launches an Intelsat spacecraft
- 1982 - A Kosmos-3M launches a Strela satellite
- 1985 - A Mu-3 launches the Sagikake satellite
- 1998 - An Athena-2 launches the Lunar Prospector spacecraft
[edit] 8 January
- 1966 - A Thor-Burner launches a DMSP satellite
- 1973 - A Proton-K/D launches Luna 21.
- 1986 - A Soyuz-U rocket launches a Zenit-8 spy satellite.
- 1990 - An EVA is performed by the crew of Mir to install star tracking equipment.
- 1991 - A Delta II rocket launches a NATO communication satellite
- 1994 - Soyuz TM-18 is launched to Mir, carrying three cosmonauts to the space station
[edit] 9 January
- 1970 - A Voskhod rocket launches a Zenit-2M spy satellite.
- 1980 - A Soyuz-U launches a Zenit-6U spy satellite.
- 1981 - A Molniya-M launches a Molniya-3 communication satellite.
- 1985 - A Soyuz-U launches a Yantar-4K1 spy satellite.
- 1986 - A Kosmos-3M launches eight Strela communication satellites.
- 1985 - A Soyuz-U launches a Yantar-4K1 spy satellite.
- 1990 - The Space Shuttle Columbia launches on mission STS-32 to deploy Leasat-5 and collect the LDEF.
- 1998 - The crew of Mir perform an EVA to repair the Kvant 2 airlock.
- 2001 - A Long March 2F launches Shenzhou 2, a test mission for the Shenzhou spacecraft.
[edit] 10 January
- 1969 - A Molniya-M rocket launches Venera 6 to Venus.
- 1975 - Soyuz 17 launches, carrying two cosmonauts to Salyut 4.
- 1978 - Soyuz 27 is launched, with two cosmonauts bound for Salyut 6.
- 1978 - A Vostok rocket launches a Tselina satellite.
- 1978 - A Kosmos-3M launches eight Strela communication satellites.
- 1989 - Three GLONASS satellites are launched by a Proton-K/DM-2.
- 1995 - An Atlas IIAS launches the Intelsat 704 communication satellite.
- 1998 - A Skynet satellite is launched by a Delta II rocket.
- 2001 - An Ariane 4 rocket is launched, with the Turksat 2A satellite.
- 2002 - Mars Odyssey completes aerobraking, finalising its orbit around Mars.
- 2007 - A PSLV launches four satellites, including SRE-1, India's first recoverable spacecraft.
[edit] 11 January
- 1964 - A Thor-Agena launches an aray of technology development spacecraft.
- 1965 - A Vostok rocket launches a Zenit spy satellite.
- 1967 - A Delta-E launches the Intelsat 2 F-2 communication satellite.
- 1968 - A drop test of parachutes intended for use on the Apollo spacecraft ends in failure.
- 1968 - Explorer 36 is launched by a Delta-E.
- 1973 - A Voskhod rocket launches a Zenit-4M spy satellite.
- 1979 - A Soyuz-U launches a Zenit-2M spy satellite.
- 1980 - A Molniya-M launches a Molniya-1 communication satellite.
- 1984 - A Soyuz-U launches a Zenit-6U spy satellite.
- 1984 - A Parus navigation satellite os launched bu a Kosmos-3M rocket.
- 1990 - The crew of Mir perform an EVA to conduct materials experiments.
- 1996 - Space Shuttle Endeavour launches on mission STS-73.
- 2004 - Estrela do Sul 1 is launched atop a Sea Launch Zenit-3SL rocket.
- 2007 - China tests an Anti-satellite weapon, destroying the Feng Yun 1C satellite.
[edit] 12 January
- 1955 - Constructioon of the Baikonur Cosmodrome is authorised.
- 1959 - McDonnell is awarded a contract to build twelve Mercury spacecraft.
- 1969 - A Voskhod rocket launches a Zenit-2 spy satellite.
- 1971 - A Voskhod rocket launches a Zenit-4M spy satellite.
- 1972 - A Voskhod rocket launches a Zenit-4M spy satellite.
- 1982 - A Soyuz-U launches a Zenit-4MT spy satellite.
- 1983 - A Parus navigation satellite launches atop a Kosmos-3M rocket.
- 1986 - Space Shuttle Columbia launches on mission STS-61-C, the last flight before the Challenger disaster, to deploy the Satcom K1 comsat.
- 1989 - A Soyuz-U rocket launches a Resurs satellite.
- 1993 - A Tsikada satellite is launched by a Kosmos-3M rocket.
- 1996 - An Ariane 4 launches the Panamsat-3R and Measat-1 comsats.
- 1997 - Space Shuttle Atlantis launches on mission STS-81 to Mir.
- 2005 - A Delta II launches with the Deep Impact asteroid probe.
[edit] 13 January
- 1962 - A Thor-Agena launches the Discoverer 37 spy satellite
- 1969 - The first manned launch scrub in the history of the Soviet space programme occurs, when Soyuz 4 is delayed due to bad weather.
- 1978 - A Soyuz-U launches a Zenit-2M spy satellite
- 1979 - A Soyuz-U launches a Zenit-2MKM spy satellite
- 1984 - A Soyuz-U launches a Yantar-4K1 spy satellite
- 1993 - A Molniya-M launches a Molniya-1 comsat
- 1983 - The Space Shuttle Endeavour launches on mission STS-54 to deploy a TDRS satellite.
- 2003 - A Delta II rocket launches the ICESat and CHIPSat spacecraft.
[edit] 14 January
- 1966 - Sergey Korolyov, the head of the Soviet space programme, dies, aged 59.
- 1967 - A Thor-Agena launches with a KH-4A spy satellite
- 1969 - Soyuz 4 launches, carrying cosmonaut Vladimir Shatalov
- 1970 - A Titan IIIB launches a KH-8 spy satellite
- 1971 - A Kosmos-2I rocket launches a DS-P1-I radar target satellite
- 1980 - A Kosmos-3M rocket launches a Parus navigation spacecraft
- 1982 - A Kosmos-3M rocket launches a Parus navigation spacecraft
- 1983 - A Tsyklon-3 rocket launches a Tselina SIGINT spacecraft
- 1991 - Progress M-6 is launched aboard a Soyuz-U2 rocket, to resupply Mir
- 1994 - Soyuz TM-17 lands, with the Mir EO-14 crew aboard.
- 1996 - A Delta II rocket launches Koreasat 2
- 1998 - The crew of Mir perform an EVA to inspect the space station.
- 2002 - The crew of the ISS begin an EVA to move a crane from PMA-1 to Pirs.
- 2005 - The Cassini probe flys-by Titan, as the Huygens probe lands on its surface.
- 2008 - MESSENGER conducts its first flyby of Mercury.
[edit] 15 January
- 1965 - A Thor-Agena launches a KH-4A spy satellite.
- 1969 - Soyuz 5 launches on a mission to rendezvous and dock with Soyuz 4
- 1970 - A Delta-M launches Intelsat 3-F6.
- 1970 - A Kosmos-2I launches a DS-P1-Yu experimental target satellite.
- 1976 - A Titan IIIE launches the Helios 2 spacecraft to investigate the Sun.
- 1985 - A Tsyklon-3 launches two Strela comsats, and four boilerplate mockups.
- 1986 - A Soyuz-U launches a Yantar-4K1 spy satellite.
- 1986 - A Soyuz-U launches a Zenit-8 spy satellite.
- 1988 - A Tsyklon-3 launches six Strela comsats.
- 1991 - An Ariane 4 launches the Italsat 1 and Eutelsat II F2 comsats
- 1995 - An Mu-3S-II rocket fails to launch the Express 1 satellite.
- 1996 - The crew of STS-72 perform an EVA to test techniques for ISS assembly
- 2003 - The crew of the ISS perform an EVA to deploy a radiator panel.
- 2004 - The Spirit rover begins its exploration of Mars
- 2006 - Samples taken by the Stardust spacecraft return to Earth.
- 2008 - A Sea Launch Zenit-3SL launches Thuraya 3.
[edit] 16 January
- 1963 - A Thor-Agena launches a Ferret SIGINT satellite
- 1968 - A Zenit-2 spy satellite is launched by a Voskhod rocket, but fails to separate from the upper stage of the rocket.
- 1969 - Cosmonauts Yevgeny Khrunov and Aleksei Yeliseyev perform an EVA to transfer from Soyuz 5 to Soyuz 4, the first crew transfer between two spacecraft in orbit.
- 1970 - A Kosmos-2I launches a DS-MO experimental spacecraft
- 1978 - Soyuz 26 lands after a mission to Salyut 6
- 1979 - A Kosmos-3M launches a Parus navigation satellite
- 1981 - A Kosmos-3M launches with a Taifun-1 radar calibration spacecraft aboard
- 1981 - A Soyuz-U launches a Zenit-4MT spy satellite
- 1982 - A Delta 3910 launches RCA Satcom 4
- 1985 - A Molniya-M launches a Molniya-3 comsat.
- 1985 - A Soyuz-U launches a Zenit-8 spy satellite
- 1986 - A Kosmos-3M launches a Parus navigation satellite
- 1987 - A Soyuz-U2 launches Progress 27 to Mir
- 1996 - A Kosmos-3M launches a Parus navigation satellite
- 2002 - A Titan IVB launches a Milstar spacecraft.
- 2003 - The Space Shuttle Columbia launches on mission STS-107. Debris falling from the external tank during launch damaged the orbiter's heat shield, causing it to break up during re-entry on 1 February, with the loss of all seven crew.
[edit] 17 January
- 1968 - The Thor-Agena retires from service, its final launch orbiting a Ferret spy satellite.
- 1969 - 3 cosmonauts return to Earth aboard Soyuz 4, two of whom were launched aboard Soyuz 5, moving to Soyuz 4 as part of the first crew transfer between two spacecraft in orbit.
- 1974 - A Kosmos-3M launches a Tsyklon navigation satellite.
- 1975 - A Voskhod rocket launches a Zenit-2M spy satellite.
- 1976 - A Delta 2914 launches the CTS-1 communication satellite.
- 1978 - A Kosmos-3M launches a Parus navigation satellite.
- 1985 - A Kosmos-3M launches a Strela communication satellite.
- 1986 - A Tsyklon-3 launches a Teleina-D spy satellite.
- 1986 - A Proton-K/DM launches a Raduga communication satellite.
- 1990 - A Soyuz-U launches a Zenit-8 spy satellite.
- 1991 - A Soyuz-U launches a Zenit-8 spy satellite.
- 1993 - The crew of STS-54 perform an EVA to test and develop new spacewalk techniques.
- 1996 - The crew of STS-72 perform an EVA to test and develop new spacewalk techniques.
- 1997 - A Delta II fails to launch the GPS-IIR-1 spacecraft, exploding 13 seconds after launch due to a booster problem.
[edit] 18 January
- 1967 - A Titan IIIC launches eight IDCSP communication satellites.
- 1968 - A Titan IIIB launches a KH-8 spy satellite.
- 1969 - Soyuz 5 lands, following a potentially fatal re-entry in which the service module failed to separate, and the braking rockets failed to ignite.
- 1979 - A Molniya-M launches a Molniya-3 communication satellite.
- 1980 - An Atlas-Centaur launches the FltSatCom-3 communication satellite.
- 1985 - A Proton-K/DM launches a Gorizont communication satellite.
- 1986 - Space Shuttle Columbia lands at Edwards Air Force Base, completing the STS-61-C mission
- 1988 - A Proton-K/DM fails to launch a Gorizont communication satellite, due to a malfunction of the rocket's third stage.
- 1989 - A Soyuz-U launches a Zenit-8 spy satellite.
- 1990 - A Kosmos-3M launches a Strela communication satellite.
- 1991 - A Tsyklon-2 launches an EORSAT spy satellite.
- 2007 - A Soyuz-U launches a Progress spacecraft to ressupply the ISS.
[edit] 19 January
- 1964 - A Thor-Agena launches two experimental AFP-43 satellites.
- 1965 - The first Thor-Burner launches a DMSP weather satellite.
- 1965 - A Titan II conducts the Gemini 2 sub-orbital test of the Gemini spacecraft.
- 1966 - An Atlas-Agena launches a KH-7 spy satellite.
- 1967 - A Vostok rocket launches a Zenit-2 spy satellite.
- 1968 - A Kosmos-3M launches a Tseleina spy satellite.
- 1974 - The first Delta 2000, in the 2313 configuration, fails to launch a Skynet spacecraft, after a second stage malfunction.
- 1983 - A Kosmos-3M launches eight Strela communication satellites.
- 1993 - The Space Shuttle Endeavour lands at the Kennedy Space Center, completing mission STS-54.
- 1993 - A Soyuz-U launches a Yantar spy satellite.
- 2006 - An Atlas V 551 launches New Horizons, the first spacecraft bound for Pluto (at the time designated a planet).
[edit] 20 January
- 1969 - A Proton-K fails to launch an unmanned Soyuz spacecraft, due to a second stage engine failure.
- 1970 - A Kosmos-2I launches a DS-U2-MY scientific satellite.
- 1971 - A Vostok-M launches a Meteor weather satellite.
- 1972 - A Titan IIID launches two spy satellites, a KH-9 and an SSF.
- 1973 - A Kosmos-3M launches a Tselina spy satellite.
- 1976 - A Kosmos-3M launches a Parus navigation satellite.
- 1977 - A Soyuz-U launches a Zenit-2M spy satellite.
- 1977 - A Kosmos-3M launches a Tsyklon navigation satellite.
- 1978 - A Soyuz-U launches the first Progress spacecraft to resupply Salyut 6.
- 1981 - A Soyuz-U launches a Yantar spy satellite.
- 1982 - A Soyuz-U launches a Zenit-6U spy satellite.
- 1983 - A Vostok-M launches a Tselina spy satellite.
- 1988 - A Soyuz-U2 launches a Progress spacecraft to resupply Mir.
- 1990 - Space Shuttle Columbia lands at the Edwards Air Force Base, completing STS-32.
- 1994 - A Proton-K/DM-2M launches the Gals communication satellite.
- 1996 - Space Shuttle Endeavour lands at the Kennedy Space Center, completing STS-72.
- 2005 - A Kosmos-3M launches a Parus navigation satellite, and a student experiment.
[edit] 21 January
- 1959 - The maiden flight of the Thor-Agena ends in failure after a problem with the first stage
- 1964 - A Delta-B launches the Relay 2 communication satellite
- 1965 - An Atlas-D fails to launch two OV1 scientific satellites
- 1970 - A Voskhod rocket launches a Zenit-4 spy satellite
- 1971 - A Voskhod rocket launches a Zenit-2M spy satellite
- 1971 - A Titan 23B launches a KH-8 spy satellite
- 1975 - A Kosmos-2I launches a DS-P1-Yu radar target satellite
- 1981 - A Kosmos-3M launches a DS-P1-M ASAT target satellite
- 1982 - A Titan 24B launches a KH-8 spy satellite
- 1987 - A Kosmos-3M launches a Strela communication satellite
- 1992 - A Soyuz-U launches a Yantar spy satellite
- 2000 - An Atlas IIA launches a DSCS communication satellite
- 2008 - A PSLV launches the Israeli TecSAR spy satellite.
[edit] 22 January
- 1965 - A Delta-C launches the Tiros 9 weather satellite
- 1966 - A Vostok rocket launches a Zenit-2 spy satellite
- 1968 - A Saturn IB launches Apollo 5, an unmanned test of the Apollo Lunar Module
- 1969 - A Delta-C launches the OSO scientific satellite
- 1969 - A Titan IIIB launches a KH-8 spy satellite
- 1975 - A Delta 2910 launches the Landsat 2 Earth resources satellite
- 1976 - A Molniya-M launches a Molniya-1 communication satellite
- 1976 - A Kosmos-3M launches a Tselina-O spy satellite
- 1987 - A Kosmos-3M launches a Taifun-2 calibration satellite
- 1987 - A Molniya-M launches a Molniya-3 communication satellite
- 1990 - An Ariane 4 (40) launches the SPOT 2 remote sensing spacecraft, and six Oscar amateur radio satellites.
- 1992 - Space Shuttle Discovery launches on mission STS-42.
- 1997 - Space Shuttle Atlantis lands at the Kennedy Space Center after mission STS-81 to Mir.
- 1998 - A Shavit-1 fails to launch the Ofek-4 spy satellite, due to a second stage malfunction.
- 2003 - NASA recieves the last transmission from the Pioneer 10 spacecraft, the farthest man-made object from Earth.
[edit] 23 January
- 1965 - An Atlas-Agena launches a KH-7 spy satellite
- 1969 - A Voskhod rocket launches a Zenit-4M spy satellite
- 1970 - A Delta-N launches the ITOS 1 weather satellite, and an Oscar amateur radio spacecraft.
- 1972 - An Atlas-Centaur launches the Intelsat 4 F4 communication satellite
- 1975 - A Voskhod rocket launches a Zenit-4MK spy satellite
- 1980 - A Tsyklon-3 launches an Okean experimental spy satellite
- 1981 - A Tskylon-3 fails to launch a Geo-IK geodesy research satellite, due to a payload fairing malfunction.
- 1984 - An N-2 launches the Yuri-2A communication satellite
- 1985 - A Tsyklon-2 launches an EORSAT spy satellite
- 1985 - A Kosmos-3M launches a Tsikada navigation satellite
- 1990 - A Molniya-M launches a Molniya-3 communication satellite
- 1991 - The crew of Mir perform an EVA to install the strela boom.
- 1998 - Space Shuttle Endeavour launches on mission STS-89 to Mir
- 2002 - An Ariane 4 (42L) launches the INSAT-3C communication satellite
[edit] 24 January
- 1962 - A Thor Able-Star fails to launch a collection of five satellites.
- 1968 - A Thorad-Agena launches a KH-4A spy satellite.
- 1973 - A Kosmos-2I launches a DS-P1-Yu radar target satellite
- 1974 - A Voskhod rocket launches a Zenit-2M spy satellite and a Nauka scientific spacecraft.
- 1978 - A Molniya-M launches a Molniya-3 communication satellite.
- 1978 - A Soyuz-U launches a Zenit-2MKM spy satellite.
- 1980 - A Soyuz-U launches a Yantar spy satellite.
- 1981 - A Soyuz-U launches a Progress spacecraft to resupply Salyut 6.
- 1985 - A Tsyklon-3 launches a Tselina spy satellite
- 1985 - Space Shuttle Discovery launches on mission STS-51-C to deploy a Magnum spy satellite
- 1990 - A Mu-3S-II launches the Hiten and Hagoromo Lunar orbiters.
- 1990 - A Delta II 6925 launches a GPS satellite.
- 1992 - A Molniya-M launches an Oko missile defence spacecraft.
- 1993 - Soyuz TM-13 launches to Mir, with the two-man EO-13 crew aboard.
- 1994 - An Ariane 4 (44LP) fails to launch the Eutelsat II-F5 and Turksat-1A communication satellites, due to a third stage turbopump malfunction.
- 1995 - A Kosmos-3M launches a Tsikada navigation satellite
- 2001 - A Soyuz-U launches Progress M1-5, on a mission to deorbit the Mir space station.
- 2006 - An H-IIA launches the Daichi remote sensing spacecraft.
[edit] 25 January
- 1964 - A Thor-Agena launches the Echo 2 communication satellite.
- 1966 - A Kosmos-2M launches a DS-P1 radar target satellite.
- 1967 - An R-36M-O launches on FOBS demonstration mission, placing a dummy nuclear warhead into a fractional orbit.
- 1969 - The last Tsyklon-2A fails to launch a boilerplate RORSAT spy satellite.
- 1972 - A Kosmos-2I launches a DS-P1-Yu radar target satellite.
- 1979 - A Vostok rocket launches a Meteor weather satellite.
- 1980 - A Kosmos-3M launches a Parus navigation satellite.
- 1983 - A Kosmos-3M fails to launch a Romb radar calibration satellite.
- 1990 - A Soyuz-U launches a Yantar spy satellite.
- 1992 - A Soyuz-U2 launches a Progress spacecraft to resupply Mir.
- 1979 - A Tsyklon-3 launches a Meteor weather satellite, and the Tubsat-B student spacecraft.
- 1994 - A Titan II launches the Clementine 1 Lunar orbiter and ISA satellite.
- 1995 - A number of civillians are killed when a Long March 2E rocket fails to launch the Apstar 2 communication satellite, falling on a village after being blown off course by windshear.
- 1996 - A Proton-K launches a Gorizont communication satellite.
- 2000 - An Ariane 4 (42L) launches the Galaxy 10R communication satellite.
- 2000 - A Long March 3A launches the Zhongxing-22 communication satellite.
- 2002 - The crew of the ISS perform an EVA to modify attitude control thrusters, and conduct experiments.
- 2003 - A Pegasus-XL launches the SORCE astronomy satellite.
- 2004 - The Opportunity rover lands on Mars.
[edit] 26 January
- 1957 - The maiden flight of the Thor rocket ends in failure, after the rocket exploded on the launch pad, destroying the launch tower.
- 1962 - An Atlas-Agena launches the Ranger 3 Lunar probe. An upper stage malfunction led to the spacecraft's failure to land on the Moon.
- 1967 - A Delta-E launches the ESSA-4 weather satellite.
- 1971 - An Atlas-Centaur launches the Intelsat 4 F-2 communication satellite.
- 1971 - A Kosmos-2I launches a DS-P1-Yu radar target satellite.
- 1973 - A Kosmos-3M launches a Tsyklon navigation satellite.
- 1978 - A Long March 2C launches an FSW spy satellite.
- 1978 - A Delta 2914 launches the IUE astronomy satellite.
- 1983 - A Delta 3910 launches the IRAS and PIX astronomy satellites.
- 1984 - A Soyuz-U2 launches a Zenit-6U spy satellite.
- 1984 - A Kosmos-3M launches a Taifun-1 radar calibration satellite.
- 1984 - A Soyuz-U launches a Zenit-8 spy satellite.
- 1989 - A Proton-K launches the Gorizont 17 communication satellite.
- 1989 - A Kosmos-3M launches a Strela communication satellite.
- 1990 - The crew of Mir perfrom an EVA to test space suits and examine the space station.
- 1991 - The crew of Mir perfrom an EVA to install support equipment for solar arrays.
- 1993 - A Molniya-M launches an Oko missile defence satellite.
- 2005 - The crew of the ISS perform an EVA to conduct scientific experiments.
[edit] 27 January
- 1967 - Three astronauts are killed when a fire breaks out aboard the Apollo 1 spacecraft, during a pre-launch test
- 1981 - A Vostok rocket launches a Tselina spy satellite
- 1983 - A Soyuz-U launches a Zenit-6U spy satellite
- 1985 - Space Shuttle Discovery lands at the Kennedy Space Center, completing mission STS-51-C.
- 1989 - An Ariane 2 launches Intelsat 5A F-15, a communication satellite
- 1999 - An Athena-1 launches ROCSAT-1, Taiwan's first satellite.
- 2000 - A Minotaur rocket launches a collection of satellites, including JAWSAT, OCSE, OPAL, and FalconSat-1.
[edit] 28 January
- 1966 - A Scout-A launches a Transit navigation satellite.
- 1975 - A Kosmos-2I launches a DS-P1-Yu radar target satellite.
- 1976 - A Kosmos-3M launches eight Strela communication satellites.
- 1977 - A Delta 2914 launches the NATO 3B communication satellite.
- 1986 - A Soyuz-U launches a Zenit spy satellite.
- 1986 - Space Shuttle Challenger explodes 73 seconds after launch on mission STS-51-L, seven astronauts.
- 1989 - A Soyuz-U launches a Yantar-4K1 spy satellite.
- 1994 - A Soyuz-U launches a Progress spacecraft to resupply Mir.
- 2004 - Mars Express completes its orbital correction maneuvers in areocentric orbit.
- 2008 - A Proton-M launches the Ekspress AM-33 communication satellite.
[edit] 29 January
- 1964 - A Saturn I launches on the SA-5 test flight, placing a Jupiter missile nosecone into orbit.
- 1976 - A Voskhod rocket launches a Zenit spy satellite.
- 1976 - An Atlas-Centaur launches Intelsat 4A F-2, a communication satellite.
- 1982 - A Kosmos-3M launches a Taifun-2 radar calibration satellite.
- 1984 - A Long March 3 launches a prototype DFH-2 communication satellite. The rocket's third stage fails to ignite, leaving the payload stranded in low Earth orbit, but all tests are completed successfully.
- 1987 - A Kosmos-3M launches a Tsikada navigation satellite.
- 1987 - A Kosmos-3M launches a Tsikada navigation satellite.
- 1987 - A Kosmos-3M launches an Informator communication satellite.
- 1992 - A Proton-K/DM-2 launches three GLONASS navigation satellites.
- 1995 - An Atlas II launches a UHF communication satellite.
- 1998 - A Soyuz-U launches Soyuz TM-27, with three cosmonauts bound for Mir.
- 1998 - An Atlas II launches a prototype Capricorn spy satellite.
- 2003 - A Delta II launches a GPS satellite, and the XSS-10 experimental spacecraft.
- 2004 - A Soyuz-U launches a Progress spacecraft to resupply the ISS.
[edit] 30 January
- 1964 - A Vostok rocket launches two Elektron scientific satellites.
- 1964 - An Atlas-Agena launches the Ranger 6 Lunar probe.
- 1965 - A Kosmos-2I launches a DS-A1 technology development satellite.
- 1969 - A Delta-E launches the Isis 1 scientific satellite.
- 1974 - A Voskhod rocket launches a Zenit-4MK spy satellite.
- 1975 - A Molniya-M launches an Oko missile defence satellite.
- 1979 - A Soyuz-U launches a Zenit-4MKM spy satellite.
- 1979 - A Delta 2914 launches the SCATHA technology development satellite.
- 1980 - A Vostok rocket launches a Tselina spy satellite.
- 1981 - An Molniya-M launches a Molniya communication satellite.
- 1982 - A Soyuz-U launches a Yantar spy satellite.
- 1987 - A Proton-K/DM-2 fails to launch an Ekran missile defence satellite, due to the upper stage failing to ignite.
- 1988 - A Tsyklon-3 launches a Meteor weather satellite.
- 1990 - A Tsyklon-3 launches a Tselina spy satellite.
- 1992 - Space Shuttle Discovery lands, completing mission STS-42.
- 1997 - An Ariane 4 (44L) launches two communication satellites; GE-2 and Nahuel-1A.
- 2001 - A Delta II launches a GPS satellite.
- 2002 - Mars Odyssey completes its orbital corrections in areocentric orbit.
- 2007 - A Sea Launch Zenit-3SL fails to launch the NSS-8 communication satellite, exploding on the launch platform due to debris in the first stage engine's turbopump.
[edit] 31 January
- 1961 - Mercury-Redstone 2 is launched, carrying Ham, a chimpanzee, on a sub-orbital flight with an apogee of 251 kilometres.
- 1961 - An Atlas-Agena launches a Samos spy satellite.
- 1966 - Luna 9, the first spacecraft to perform a soft landing on the Moon, is launched atop a Molniya-M rocket.
- 1967 - A Scout rocket fails to launch an OV3 scientific satellite.
- 1971 - A Saturn V rocket launches Apollo 14, with three astronauts, on a mission to land on the Moon.
- 1973 - A Delta-L launches HEOS 2, a scientific spacecraft.
- 1978 - A Soyuz-U launches a Zenit-4MKM spy satellite
- 1979 - A Soyuz-U launches Kosmos 1074, an unmanned test of the Soyuz-T spacecraft.
- 1984 - A Titan 34D launches a Chalet spy satellite.
- 1998 - Space Shuttle Endeavour lands, completing mission STS-89.
- 2004 - The Opportunity rover begins its exploration of Mars.
