Vostok Kaluga Museum Credit - © Mark Wade Media Gallery

8K72 Luna launch vehicle, third stage modified with larger forward cylindrical section to accomodate Vostok-sized spacecraft. Used only for launch of first few prototype Vostoks.

Manufacturer: Korolev. Launches: 4. Failures: 1. Success Rate: 75.00%. First Launch Date: 1960-05-15. Last Launch Date: 1960-12-01. Launch data is: complete. LEO Payload: 4,550 kg (10,030 lb). to: 200 km Orbit. at: 65.00 degrees. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). Associated Spacecraft: Vostok 1K. Liftoff Thrust: 3,873.740 kN (870,851 lbf). Total Mass: 281,375 kg (620,325 lb). Core Diameter: 2.99 m (9.80 ft). Total Length: 30.84 m (101.18 ft).

• Stage Number: 0. 4 x Stage: Vostok 8K72-0. Gross Mass: 43,300 kg (95,400 lb). Empty Mass: 3,710 kg (8,170 lb). Thrust (vac): 970.000 kN (218,060 lbf). Isp: 312 sec. Burn time: 120 sec. Isp(sl): 254 sec. Diameter: 2.68 m (8.79 ft). Span: 2.68 m (8.79 ft). Length: 19.00 m (62.00 ft). Propellants: Lox/Kerosene. No Engines: 1. Engine: RD-107-8D74. Status: Out of production.

• Stage Number: 1. 1 x Stage: Vostok 8K72-1. Gross Mass: 100,400 kg (221,300 lb). Empty Mass: 6,800 kg (14,900 lb). Thrust (vac): 912.000 kN (205,025 lbf). Isp: 315 sec. Burn time: 310 sec. Isp(sl): 246 sec. Diameter: 2.99 m (9.80 ft). Span: 2.99 m (9.80 ft). Length: 28.00 m (91.00 ft). Propellants: Lox/Kerosene. No Engines: 1. Engine: RD-108-8D75. Status: Out of production.

• Stage Number: 2. 1 x Stage: Vostok 8K72-2. Gross Mass: 7,775 kg (17,140 lb). Empty Mass: 1,440 kg (3,170 lb). Thrust (vac): 49.420 kN (11,110 lbf). Isp: 316 sec. Burn time: 390 sec. Isp(sl): 0 sec. Diameter: 2.56 m (8.39 ft). Span: 2.56 m (8.39 ft). Length: 2.84 m (9.31 ft). Propellants: Lox/Kerosene. No Engines: 1. Engine: RD-0105. Status: Out of production.

1956 June - Launch Vehicle: Vostok 8K72.

• First studies by Korolev OKB of manned spacecraft Nation: USSR. Program: Vostok. Class: Manned. Type: Spacecraft. Spacecraft: Vostok. First studies by Korolev and Feoktistov of manned spacecraft. The first stage would be suborbital ballistic flights (like the US Mercury-Redstone flights) from Kapustin Yar using IRBM's. First flights not planned until 1964 - 1967. References: 85.

• Work begun on Vostok spacecraft and third stage Nation: USSR. Program: Vostok. Class: Manned. Type: Spacecraft. Spacecraft: Vostok. References: 26.

• Korabl-Sputnik 1 Nation: USSR. Program: Vostok. Payload: Vostok 1KP. Mass: 2,500 kg (5,500 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spacecraft. Spacecraft: Vostok. Agency: RVSN. Perigee: 284 km (176 mi). Apogee: 514 km (319 mi). Inclination: 65.00 deg. Period: 92.50 min. COSPAR: 1960-Epsilon-1. USAF Sat Cat: 34. Duration: 1,979.00 days. Decay Date: 1962-09-05. The Soviet Union launched a Vostok 1KP prototype manned spacecraft (without heat shield; not recoverable) into near-earth orbit. Called Sputnik IV by the Western press. On May 19, at 15:52 Moscow time, the spacecraft was commanded to retrofire. However the guidance system had oriented the spacecraft incorrectly and the TDU engine instead put the spacecraft into a higher orbit. Soviet scientists said that conditions in the cabin, which had separated from the remainder of the spacecraft, were normal.
  Officially: Development and checking of the main systems of the space ship satellite, which ensure its safe flight and control in flight, return to Earth and conditions needed for a man in flight.References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 175.

• Korabl-Sputnik Nation: USSR. Program: Vostok. Payload: Vostok 1K s/n 1. Class: Manned. Type: Spacecraft. Spacecraft: Vostok. Agency: RVSN. COSPAR: F600728A. Decay Date: 1960-07-23. First attempted flight of the Vostok 1K manned spacecraft prototype. Dogs Chaika and Lisichka perished in the explosion of the rocket. References: 5, 175.

• Korabl-Sputnik 2 Nation: USSR. Program: Vostok. Payload: Vostok 1K s/n 2. Mass: 1,440 kg (3,170 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spacecraft. Spacecraft: Vostok. Agency: RVSN. Perigee: 281 km (174 mi). Apogee: 340 km (210 mi). Inclination: 64.60 deg. Period: 90.70 min. COSPAR: 1960-Lambda-1. USAF Sat Cat: 55. Duration: 1.09 days. Decay Date: 1960-08-20. The Soviet Union launched its second unmanned test of the Vostok spacecraft, the Korabl Sputnik II, or Sputnik V. The spacecraft carried two dogs, Strelka and Belka, in addition to a gray rabbit, rats, mice, flies, plants, fungi, microscopic water plants, and seeds. Electrodes attached to the dogs and linked with the spacecraft communications system, which included a television camera, enabled Soviet scientists to check the animals' hearts, blood pressure, breathing, and actions during the trip. After the spacecraft reentered and landed safely the next day, the animals and biological specimens were reported to be in good condition.
  Officially: Development of systems ensuring man's life functions and safety in flight and his return to Earth.References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 175.

• Korabl-Sputnik 3 Nation: USSR. Program: Vostok. Payload: Vostok 1K s/n 3. Mass: 4,563 kg (10,059 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spacecraft. Spacecraft: Vostok. Agency: RVSN. Perigee: 123 km (76 mi). Apogee: 269 km (167 mi). Inclination: 65.00 deg. Period: 88.40 min. COSPAR: 1960-Rho-1. USAF Sat Cat: 65. Duration: 0.99 days. Decay Date: 1960-12-02. The Soviet Union launched its third spaceship satellite, Korabl Sputnik III, or Sputnik VI. The spacecraft, similar to those launched on May 15 and August 19, carried the dogs Pcheka and Mushka in addition to other animals, insects, and plants. Deorbited December 2, 1960 7:15 GMT. Burned up on reentry due to steep entry angle (retrofire engine did not shut off on schedule and burned to fuel depletion).
  Officially: Medical and biological research under space flight conditions.
  Officially: Medical and biological research under space flight conditions.References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 16, 175.

• McDowell, Jonathan, Jonathan's Space Home Page, Harvard University, 1997-present. Jonathan McDowell's complete on-line listing of all objects orbited and over 20,000 rocket launches Accessed at: http://www.planet4589.org/jsr.html.

• Semenov, Yu. P., S P Korolev Space Corporation Energia, RKK Energia, 1994. ISBN: 1896522815. Dual English/Russian language picture book of the history of the Energia Corporation. Many unique photos and drawings of Korolev's rockets and spacecraft. Republished by Apogee books in 2000. More at amazon.com...

• Clark, P S, Journal of the British Interplanetary Society, "Soviet Spacecraft Masses for Earth Orbital Programmes", 1985, Volume 38, page 19.