2008 April 8 - 11:16 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz-FG. -
Soyuz TMA-12 Nation: Russia. Class: Manned. Type: Spacecraft. Spacecraft: Soyuz TMA. Perigee: 336 km (208 mi). Apogee: 343 km (213 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 91.30 min. COSPAR: 2008-015A. USAF Sat Cat: 32756. Duration: 10.88 days. Decay Date: 2008-04-19 08:29:00 PM. Crew: Volkov Sergey, Kononenko O D, Yi So-yeon. Launched the EO-17 long-duration crew to replace the EO-16 crew. The commander was the son of cosmonaut Aleksandr Volkov. Also aboard was Oleg Kononenko (no relation to the 1970's Buran pilot of the same name) and Korean astronaut Yi Soyeon. Soyuz TMA-12 docked at the Pirs module of the International Space Station on 2008 Apr 10 at 12:57 GMT on 10 April. Volkov and Kononenko stayed aboard as the EO-17 long duration crew. Yi returned to earth with the EO-16 crew aboard Soyuz TMA-11.
2008 April 14 - 20:12 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Atlas V. Model: Atlas V 421. LV Configuration: Atlas V 421 AV-014. -
ICO G1 Nation: USA. Mass: 6,600 kg (14,500 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: FS-1300. Perigee: 35,774 km (22,228 mi). Apogee: 35,800 km (22,200 mi). Inclination: 6.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2008-016A. USAF Sat Cat: 32763. The satellite was to provide mobile communications services for ICO Global Communications, a
successor company to Teledesic.
2008 April 16 - 17:02 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Pegasus. Model: Pegasus XL. LV Configuration: Pegasus XL F39. -
C/NOFS Nation: USA. Class: Earth. Perigee: 405 km (251 mi). Apogee: 852 km (529 mi). Inclination: 13.00 deg. Period: 97.30 min. COSPAR: 2008-017A. USAF Sat Cat: 32765. The C/NOFS (Communication/Navigation Outage Forecasting System) satellite flew the US Defence Department's Space Test Program P00-3 space weather forecasting mission. The L-1011 launch aircraft staged from Kwajalein atoll to a release point for the Pegasus booster somewhere over the Pacific at 10.5229 N 167.7562 E. The research satellite carring ionospheric instruments, including Aerospace Corporation's CORISS receiver which used GPS signals to determine electron densities in the ionosphere, and the Naval Research Laboratory's CERTO ionospheric radio beacon. The spacecraft was built by General Dynamics C4 Systems (former Spectrum Astro) and was managed by DoD-STP and the Air Force Research Lab. The objective was to provide data that would allow better forecasts of ionospheric scintillation which causes problems with communications and GPS signals. The satellite deployed six 10-meter booms after release from the final booster stage.
2008 April 18 - 22:17 GMT - Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Vehicle: Ariane 5. Model: Ariane 5ECA. LV Configuration: Ariane 5ECA V539. -
Vinasat 1 Nation: Vietnam. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: AS 2100. Perigee: 35,787 km (22,236 mi). Apogee: 35,789 km (22,238 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min. COSPAR: 2008-018A. USAF Sat Cat: 32767. First satellite launched by Vietnam. The Vietnam Post and Telecom Corporation communications satellite was equipped with C and Ku band payloads.
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Star One C2 Nation: Brazil. Payload: Spacebus 3000B3. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Spacebus 3000. Perigee: 35,785 km (22,235 mi). Apogee: 35,790 km (22,230 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2008-018B. USAF Sat Cat: 32768. Communications satellite owned by Brazilian operator Star One with C, Ku and X-band
transponders
2008 April 19 - 08:29 GMT -
2008 April 25 - 15:35 GMT - Launch Site: Xichang. Launch Vehicle: CZ. Model: CZ-3C. -
Tian Lian 1 Nation: China. Payload: DFH 76. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: DFH-4. Perigee: 35,768 km (22,225 mi). Apogee: 35,806 km (22,248 mi). Inclination: 0.40 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2008-019A. USAF Sat Cat: 32779. China's first in a series of new data relay satellites, and the first launch of the CZ-3C, a variant of the Long March with two liquid strap-ons. The satellite will relay data from Chinese manned and military satellites, beginning with the Shenzhou mission, from geostationary orbit at 77 deg E. Configuration unknown, but possibly based on the DFH-4 platform.
2008 April 26 - 22:16 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz FG. LV Configuration: Soyuz-FG/Fregat. -
GIOVE B Nation: Europe. Mass: 530 kg (1,160 lb). Class: Navigation. Spacecraft: Galileo Navsat. Perigee: 23,104 km (14,356 mi). Apogee: 23,244 km (14,443 mi). Inclination: 56.00 deg. Period: 842.60 min. COSPAR: 2008-020A. USAF Sat Cat: 32781. Second European Galileo navigation system test satellite. The booster placed the Giove/Fregat stack on a suborbital trajectory. The Fregat stage then burned to enter a a 170 km parking orbit. The stage burned at least twice more before releasing the satellite into its operational orbit.
2008 April 28 - 03:53 GMT - Launch Site: Sriharikota. Launch Vehicle: PSLV. -
Cartosat 2A Nation: India. Class: Surveillance. Spacecraft: IRS. Perigee: 623 km (387 mi). Apogee: 645 km (400 mi). Inclination: 98.00 deg. Period: 97.40 min. COSPAR: 2008-021A. USAF Sat Cat: 32783. Primary payload, an imaging satellite with a spatial resolution of better than one metre and a swath of 9.6 km. Data from the satellite was to be used for detailed mapping.
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Can X-6 Nation: Canada. Class: Communications. Perigee: 615 km (382 mi). Apogee: 638 km (396 mi). Inclination: 98.00 deg. Period: 97.20 min. COSPAR: 2008-021B. USAF Sat Cat: 32784. Nanosat built by University of Toronto Institiute of Aerospace Studies and Com Dev International; carried a payload for relaying identification beacon data from shipping.
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Cute-1.7-APD-II Nation: Japan. Mass: 4.00 kg (8.80 lb). Class: Technology. Perigee: 615 km (382 mi). Apogee: 635 km (394 mi). Inclination: 98.00 deg. Period: 97.20 min. COSPAR: 2008-021C. USAF Sat Cat: 32785. Tokyo Institute of Technology nanosat.
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IMS 1 Nation: India. Mass: 60 kg (132 lb). Class: Surveillance. Perigee: 620 km (380 mi). Apogee: 638 km (396 mi). Inclination: 98.00 deg. Period: 97.30 min. COSPAR: 2008-021D. USAF Sat Cat: 32786. Indian Mini Satellite, a small imaging satellite.
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Compass 1 Nation: Germany. Class: Technology. Perigee: 614 km (381 mi). Apogee: 636 km (395 mi). Inclination: 98.00 deg. Period: 97.20 min. COSPAR: 2008-021E. USAF Sat Cat: 32787. Fachhochschule Aachen nanosat.
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AAUSat-II Nation: Denmark. Class: Astronomy. Perigee: 614 km (381 mi). Apogee: 636 km (395 mi). Inclination: 98.00 deg. Period: 97.20 min. COSPAR: 2008-021F. USAF Sat Cat: 32788. University of Aalborg nanosat; carried a gamma ray burst detector for the Danish National Space Center.
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Delfi-C3 Nation: Netherlands. Class: Technology. Perigee: 614 km (381 mi). Apogee: 636 km (395 mi). Inclination: 98.00 deg. Period: 97.20 min. COSPAR: 2008-021G. USAF Sat Cat: 32789. Technical University of Delft nanosat.
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Can X-2 Nation: Canada. Class: Communications. Perigee: 615 km (382 mi). Apogee: 635 km (394 mi). Inclination: 98.00 deg. Period: 97.20 min. COSPAR: 2008-021H. USAF Sat Cat: 32790.
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SEEDS 2 Nation: Japan. Class: Technology. Perigee: 614 km (381 mi). Apogee: 637 km (395 mi). Inclination: 98.00 deg. Period: 97.20 min. COSPAR: 2008-021J. USAF Sat Cat: 32791. Nihon University at Tokyo nanosat.
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Rubin-8-AIS Nation: India. Class: Communications. Perigee: 619 km (384 mi). Apogee: 662 km (411 mi). Inclination: 97.90 deg. Period: 97.50 min. COSPAR: 2008-021K. USAF Sat Cat: 32792. Remained attached to PSLV final stage; carried a payload for relaying identification beacon data from shipping.
2008 April 28 - 05:00 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Vehicle: Zenit. Model: Zenit-3SLB. -
AMOS 3 Nation: Israel. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Amos. Perigee: 35,784 km (22,235 mi). Apogee: 35,788 km (22,237 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2008-022A. USAF Sat Cat: 32794. Communications satellite. The Block DM stage made three burns to deliver the payload into geostationary orbit.
2008 May 14 - 20:23 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz-U. -
Progress M-64 Nation: Russia. Class: Manned. Type: Logistics. Spacecraft: Progress M. Perigee: 336 km (208 mi). Apogee: 343 km (213 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 91.30 min. COSPAR: 2008-023A. USAF Sat Cat: 32847. Unmanned space station resupply mission. Docked with the International Space Station at the Zarya port on 16 May.
2008 May 21 - 09:43 GMT - Launch Site: Kiritimati. Launch Vehicle: Zenit. Model: Zenit-3SL. -
Galaxy 18 Nation: USA. Program: Galaxy. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: FS-1300. Perigee: 35,774 km (22,228 mi). Apogee: 35,799 km (22,244 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2008-024A. USAF Sat Cat: 32951. Intelsat communications satellite, located at 123° W as a replacement for Galaxy 10R. 24 C-band, and 24 Ku-band transponders serving North American customers.
2008 May 23 - 15:20 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Pad: LC133/3. Launch Vehicle: UR-100N. Model: Rokot. -
Yubileyniy Nation: Russia. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Strela-3. Perigee: 1,480 km (910 mi). Apogee: 1,508 km (937 mi). Inclination: 82.50 deg. Period: 115.80 min. COSPAR: 2008-025A. USAF Sat Cat: 32953. Test satellite with an amateur radio payload to commemorate (belatedly) the 50th anniversary of Sputnik.
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Cosmos 2437 Nation: Russia. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Strela-3. Perigee: 1,480 km (910 mi). Apogee: 1,510 km (930 mi). Inclination: 82.50 deg. Period: 115.90 min. COSPAR: 2008-025B. USAF Sat Cat: 32954. Three Gonets store/dump communications satellites lofted in a single launch.
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Cosmos 2438 Nation: Russia. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Strela-3. Perigee: 1,477 km (917 mi). Apogee: 1,508 km (937 mi). Inclination: 82.50 deg. Period: 115.80 min. COSPAR: 2008-025C. USAF Sat Cat: 32955.
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Cosmos 2439 Nation: Russia. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Strela-3. Perigee: 1,479 km (919 mi). Apogee: 1,509 km (937 mi). Inclination: 82.50 deg. Period: 115.80 min. COSPAR: 2008-025D. USAF Sat Cat: 32956.
2008 May 27 - 03:02 GMT - Launch Site: Taiyuan. Launch Vehicle: CZ. Model: CZ-4C. -
FY-3A Nation: China. Class: Earth. Type: Weather. Spacecraft: FY-3. Perigee: 826 km (513 mi). Apogee: 828 km (514 mi). Inclination: 98.80 deg. Period: 101.40 min. COSPAR: 2008-026A. USAF Sat Cat: 32958. Polar orbiting weather satellite. The FY-3 series will replace the older FY-1 polar system.
2008 May 31 - 21:02 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Pad: LC39A. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. Model: Space Shuttle. LV Configuration: Space Shuttle STS-124. -
STS-124 Nation: USA. Payload: Discovery F34 / Kibo PM / ISS-1J. Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Discovery. Perigee: 226 km (140 mi). Apogee: 226 km (140 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. COSPAR: 2008-027A. USAF Sat Cat: 32960. Duration: 13.76 days. Crew: Kelly Mark, Ham, Nyberg, Garan, Fossum, Hoshide, Chamitoff. Discovery delivered to the International Space Station the Kibo Pressurized Module, the primary element of the Japanese portion of the station. Half an earth away from jettison of external tank ET-128, a 76 m/s OMS-2 burn at 21:40 GMT put the Shuttle in its low-altitude chase lorbit. Discovery docked at the PMA-2 port of the station at 18:03 GMT on 2 June. Using the shuttle and station's robotic arms, with assistance from spacewalking astronauts, the Kibo module was attached to the station's Harmony module at 23:01 GMT on 4 June. The previously-delivered Japanese Logistics Module was transferred from Harmony to Kibo on 6 June at 20:04 GMT. The Shuttle undocked from the station on 11 June at GMT and landed on 14 June at 15:15 GMT at the Kennedy Space Center.
2008 June 14 - 15:15 GMT -
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