![]() Vostok-K rocket | |
Function | Carrier rocket |
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Manufacturer | OKB-1 |
Country of origin | USSR |
Size | |
Height |
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Diameter |
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Mass |
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Stages | Two |
Capacity | |
Payload toLEO | |
Mass | 4,730 kilograms (10,430 lb) |
Associated rockets | |
Family | R-7 |
Derivative work | Vostok-2 |
Launch history | |
Status | Retired |
Launch sites | Baikonur,Site 1/5 |
Total launches | 13 |
Success(es) | 11 |
Failure(s) | 2 |
First flight | 22 December 1960 |
Last flight | 10 July 1964 |
Carries passengers or cargo | Vostok |
Boosters | |
No. boosters | 4 |
Powered by | 1RD-107-8D74-1959 |
Maximum thrust | 970.86 kN |
Total thrust | 3883.4 kN |
Burn time | 118 seconds |
Propellant | RP-1/LOX |
First stage | |
Powered by | 1RD-108-8D75-1959 |
Maximum thrust | 912 kN |
Burn time | 301 seconds |
Propellant | RP-1/LOX |
Second stage | |
Powered by | 1RD-0109 |
Maximum thrust | 54.5 kN |
Burn time | 365 seconds |
Propellant | RP-1/LOX |
TheVostok-K (Russian:Восток meaning"East"),GRAU index8K72K was anexpendablecarrier rocket used by theSoviet Union for thirteen launches between 1960 and 1964, six of which werecrewed.[1] It incorporated several modifications to the core and strap-ons to man-rate them and the Blok E stage also had the improved RD-0109 engine to correct some deficiences in the RD-0105 used on earlier 8K78s.[2] It was a member of theVostok family of rockets.
The Vostok-K made its maiden flight on 22 December 1960, three weeks after the retirement of the Vostok-L. The third stage engine failed 425 seconds after launch, and the payload, aKorabl-Sputnik spacecraft, failed to reach orbit. The spacecraft was recovered after landing, and the twodogs aboard the spacecraft survived the flight.
On 12 April 1961, a Vostok-K rocket was used to launchVostok 1, the firsthuman spaceflight, makingYuri Gagarin the first human to fly in space. All six crewed missions of theVostok programme were launched using Vostok-K rockets.[1] The first twoZenit reconnaissance satellites were also launched with the Vostok-K, but it was soon replaced in that capacity with the upratedVostok-2 booster. After the conclusion of the Vostok program, there were two remaining 8K72Ks left; these were used to launch four Elektron scientific satellites on 30 January and 10 July 1964. There had been plans for additional Vostok missions after Vostok 6; had these flown, they would have used a booster based on the newer 8K74 core.[3][1]
Vostok-K was used for thirteen launches between 1960 and 1964, fromBaikonur LC-1/5.[1]
Date | Serial No. | Payload | Result |
---|---|---|---|
22.12.1960 | L1-13A | Korabl-Sputnik | Failure |
09.03.1961 | E103-14 | Korabl-Sputnik 4 | Success |
25.03.1961 | E103-15 | Korabl-Sputnik 5 | Success |
12.04.1961 | E103-16 | Vostok 1 | Success |
06.08.1961 | E103-17 | Vostok 2 | Success |
11.12.1961 | E103-21 | Kosmos | Failure |
26.04.1962 | E103-20 | Kosmos 4 | Success |
11.08.1962 | E103-23 | Vostok 3 | Success |
12.08.1962 | E103-22 | Vostok 4 | Success |
14.06.1963 | E103-24 | Vostok 5 | Success |
16.06.1963 | E103-25 | Vostok 6 | Success |
30.01.1964 | G103-18 | Elektron 1 / Elektron 2 | Success |
10.07.1964 | G103-19 | Elektron 3 / Elektron 4 | Success |