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Vostok 1
Part of Vostok
Vostok Recovery
Vostok Recovery
First manned spaceflight, one orbit of the earth. Strap attaching service module failed to separate from capsule, leading to wild ride before it burned through during re-entry.

AKA: Kedr (Cedar). Launched: 1961-04-12. Returned: 1961-04-12. Number crew: 1 . Duration: 0.0750 days. Location: RKK Energia Museum, Korolev, Russia..

11 April 1961 was a 'reserve' day in the launch plan, but it was not needed. All the Chief Designers and Military Space chiefs were at the cosmodrome. Gagarin spent that day in meetings with the prominent personalities.

Three press releases were prepared, one for success, two for failures. It was only known ten minutes after burnout, 25 minutes after launch, if a stable orbit had been achieved.

The payload included life-support equipment and radio and television to relay information on the condition of the pilot. The flight was automated; Gagarin's controls were locked to prevent him from taking control of the ship. A key was available in a sealed envelope in case it became necessary to take control in an emergency. After retrofire, the service module remained attached to the Sharik reentry sphere by a wire bundle. The joined craft went through wild gyrations at the beginning of reentry, before the wires burned through. The Sharik, as it was designed to do, then naturally reached aerodynamic equilibrium with the reentry shield positioned correctly.

Gagarin ejected after reentry and descended under his own parachute, as was planned. However for many years the Soviet Union denied this, because the flight would not have been recognized for various FAI world records unless the pilot had accompanied his craft to a landing. Recovered April 12, 1961 8:05 GMT. Landed Southwest of Engels Smelovka, Saratov.


More at: Vostok 1.

Family: Manned spaceflight. People: Gagarin. Country: Russia. Spacecraft: Vostok. Launch Sites: Baikonur. Agency: RVSN.
Photo Gallery

Vostok 1Vostok 1
Credit: www.spacefacts.de


Vostok 1 CapsuleVostok 1 Capsule
Vostok 1 Capsule after landing.
Credit: RKK Energia


Vostok 1Vostok 1
Gagarin with Korolev before flight.
Credit: RKK Energia


Vostok 1 - KorolevVostok 1 - Korolev
Korolev during Vostok 1 flight.
Credit: RKK Energia


Vostok RecoveryVostok Recovery



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1961 March 7 - . LV Family: R-7. Launch Vehicle: Vostok 8K72K.
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