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Baikonur

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Baikonur
Map of Baikonur cosmodrome.
Credit: © Mark Wade

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AKA: GIK-5;GIK-5 / NIIP-5;NIIP-5;Tyuratam. First Launch: 1957-05-15. Last Launch: 2014-07-23. Number: 2663 . Location: Tyuratam. Longitude: 63.35 deg. Latitude: 45.96 deg. Apogee: 92 km (57 mi).

The remote site was selected in order to accommodate the radio guidance system of the R-7 ICBM. This system required three radio control stations - one each 150-200 km away to either side of the launch site, and the third 300 km behind the launch site. From the existing Kapustin Yar missile test site this would require control stations in the Caspian Sea or Iran. For this reason Baikonur was selected as the R-7 test site and built at tremendous expense. Each operational R-7 launch site cost 500 million rubles. This included the expense of the down-range radar and the radio control stations, each of which had to be located in taiga or bog and required the building of new roads, power lines, and so on.

A few years later Korolev informed Khrushchev that it would be possible to build an inertially guided R-7, dispensing with the radar and radio control stations. Khrushchev was dumbfounded - why then had they built Baikonur? Nevertheless use of the site continued for test of later inertially guided missiles and mammoth facilities were built to accommodate Chelomei's Proton and Korolev's N1 space launch vehicles. Before each of these projects consideration was given to setting up another, more convenient, launch site, but evidently the advantage of the existing infrastructure at Baikonur was too great.

Aside from its test role, Baikonur served as an operational missile base on and off over the years, at first for the two R-7 pads and seven R-16 ICBM launchers.

The Baikonur cosmodrome extends for 85 km from North to South, and from 125 km from East to West, a territory as great as Moldova. Aside from dozens of launch pads it includes five tracking-control centers, 9 tracking stations, and a 1500 km rocket test range.

Leninsk (Site 10), located on the Syr Darya River along the main train line, was the main living area of the cosmodrome. Its peak population was from 120,000 to 150,000. The traditional names for the areas of the cosmodrome were named as looking north from Leninsk: 'Left flank'; 'Right flank'; and 'Center'.

The '9th Center' consisted of the town of Leninsk its living and cultural centers , Krainiy Airport, Moscow Aviation Institute's S Ordzhonikidze School, and the television center. The administrative center for the cosmodrome was in the town itself.

The 'Left Flank' is located 70 km northwest of Leninsk. It was also known as the 'Chelomei arm' since it was mainly occupied by the launch pads, assembly buildings, and housing for his design bureau. It includes the launch pads for the Tsiklon-2 and Proton rockets, and a 10,000 population living area. Project work began in 1970, with construction starting in 1972, on a second Launch Complex LC-200 for the Proton and a new MIK-KA for spacecraft integration. The first pad was completed in 1977, the second in 1978, and the MIK-KA was first used in 1981. These facilities supported the military's second and third generation Proton-launched systems.

The 'Center' or 'Korolev' area included facilities for the projects of Korolev's OKB-1. It includes the R-7/Vostok/Soyuz 'Gagarin' launch pad (the first built at the cosmodrome) and the massive N-1 moon program facilities (later converted for use in the Energia-Buran program). It is located 30 km north of Leninsk. It consists of the First and Second Centers with the Gagarin pad, MIK (spacecraft/Soyuz assembly building), hotel, guest cottages, museum, and the cottages occupied by Gagarin and Korolev (now museums). Other facilities include the N-1/Energia launch complexes, including LC-110 (two launch pads), the single TK combination pad-test stand developed for launch and static test of the Energia rocket, and the cryogenics center with 12 m diameter tanks for LOX, LH2, and gaseous N2 and He (400 atmosphere storage). The TK is 40 km from Leninsk and 5 km from LC 110.

Buran-Energia facilities at the center included the MKS, with 10,000 m2, 200 technical and 50 technological areas; the N-1/Energia assembly building MIK, which was 225-240 m long x 121-190 m wide, 30-47 m high; the Buran landing field (4500 m long x 84 m wide), located 12 km northwest of LC1; and a city for 20,000 people, built for the N-1 program and later used again for Energia-Buran.

The 'Right Flank' or 'Yangel Arm' included facilities primarily for products of Yangel's design bureau. It was located 50 km from Leninsk. It includes a second R-7 pad, used as a backup pad for manned and planetary launches. 10 km south of this is the Zenit pad. This included two launch pads, a cryogenics center, and fifty technological systems. The pad was capable of automatic launch of Zenit and was rated for the manned launches that were planned using the Zenit vehicle.

Minimum Inclination: 49.0 degrees. Maximum Inclination: 99.0 degrees.

Photo Gallery

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Baikonur Location of Baikonur Credit: © Mark Wade

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Syr Darya River Syr Darya River, south of Baikonur Credit: © Mark Wade

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Leninsk Lenin statue in main square of Leninsk Credit: © Mark Wade

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Tyuratam aborigine First inhabitants of Baikonur area - reconstruction from skeletal remains by famous Soviet 'face finder' Gerasimov. Credit: © Mark Wade

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Energia launch pad Energia launch complex Credit: © Mark Wade

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R-7 launch complex 1 Model of R-7 launch complex 1 Credit: © Mark Wade

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Baikonur airfield Baikonur airfield with Su-7 gate guardian. Credit: © Mark Wade

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Baikonur airfield Baikonur airfield control tower. Credit: © Mark Wade

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Soyuz LC-1 Credit: © Mark Wade

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Soyuz LC-1 Credit: © Mark Wade

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USSR/Russia Credit: © Mark Wade

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• Go-ahead for R-7 ICBM by designers council - . Nation: Russia. Council of Chief designers approval to proceed with development of R-7..

• Tyuratam selected for ICBM test range. - . Nation: Russia.

  Council of Ministers selects Tyuratam for ICBM test site. The first 30 construction workers arrive at Tyuratam. The town founded at the rail staion is called Zarya (Dawn). The name will be changed to Leninsk in January 1958, but Zarya will remain the call sign of Soviet ground control.

• Housing/road constructions starts at Tyuratam - . Nation: Russia.

• First surveyors arrive at Tyuratam. - . Nation: Russia.

• LC 1 launch pad excavation starts - . Nation: Russia.

• First concrete poured at pad A at Tyuratam - . Nation: Russia.

• First ground equipment installed at Tyuratam - . Nation: Russia.

• Checkout of first R-7 starts - . Nation: Russia.

• 1st R-7 rolled out to pad - . Nation: Russia.

• M1-5 (I-1) test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: MVS. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). R-7 test flight. (M1-5 (I-1)).

• R-7 launch attempt - . Nation: Russia. After third attempt in three days to launch R-7 8K71 M1-6, the rocket is pulled from the pad. It is found that a nitrogen scavenging valve was installed backwards..

• M1-7 (I-2) test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: MVS. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi). R-7 test flight. (M1-7 (I-2)).

• M1-9 (I-3) test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: MVS. Apogee: 1,350 km (830 mi). First successful ICBM flight. Problems with the curing of the nose cone material, known before launch, led to the dummy warhead disintegrating over the Kamchatka Peninsula..

• R-7 ICBM announced publicly. - . Nation: Russia. Soviet Union announces successful launch of a "super longdistance intercontinental multistage ballistic rocket ...a few days ago," according to Tass Soviet News Agency..

• M1-10 (I-4) test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: MVS. Apogee: 1,350 km (830 mi). Second successful ICBM flight..

• Sputnik 1 - . Payload: PS. Mass: 84 kg (185 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MVS. Class: Technology. Type: Navigation technology satellite. Spacecraft: Sputnik 1. Decay Date: 1958-01-03 . USAF Sat Cat: 2 . COSPAR: 1957-Alpha-2. Apogee: 945 km (587 mi). Perigee: 227 km (141 mi). Inclination: 65.00 deg. Period: 96.10 min.

  First artificial satellite; transmitted signals for 21 days. Launching of first ever artificial satellite of the Earth; physical study of the atmosphere; remained in orbit until January 4, 1958. This event began the space race by galvanizing interest and action on the part of the American public to support an active role in space research, technology, and exploration.

• Sputnik 2 - . Payload: PS-2. Mass: 508 kg (1,119 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MVS. Class: Biology. Type: Biology satellite. Spacecraft: Sputnik 2. Decay Date: 1958-04-14 . USAF Sat Cat: 3 . COSPAR: 1957-Beta-1. Apogee: 1,660 km (1,030 mi). Perigee: 212 km (131 mi). Inclination: 65.30 deg. Period: 103.70 min.

  Carried dog Laika. Study of the physical processes and conditions of life in outer space. After the surprise public impact of Sputnik 1, the satellite and launch teams were called back from vacation and in one month assembled the satellite (using equipment already developed for dog sounding rocket flights). After the launch, Soviet space officials said that the spacecraft would not return and that the dog had enough food and oxygen to live for up to 10 days. Only 45 years later was it revealed that Laika overheated, panicked and died within 5 to 7 hours of launch. What turned out to be the first space crypt remained in orbit a total of 162 days, then burned up in the atmosphere on April 14, 1958.

• M1-12 (I-5) test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: MVS. Apogee: 1,350 km (830 mi). Last test of the original R-7 8K71 test series. Suborbital launch test..

• M1-6A (I-6) test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: MVS. Apogee: 1,350 km (830 mi). R-7 test flight. (M1-6A (I-6)).

• B1-11 (I-7) test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: MVS. Apogee: 1,350 km (830 mi). R-7 test flight. (B1-11 (I-7)).

• Sputnik failure - . Payload: D-1 s/n 1. Mass: 1,327 kg (2,925 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MVS. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft: Sputnik 3. Decay Date: 1958-04-01 .

• Sputnik 3 - . Payload: D-1 s/n 2. Mass: 1,327 kg (2,925 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MVS. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft: Sputnik 3. Decay Date: 1960-04-06 . USAF Sat Cat: 8 . COSPAR: 1958-Delta-2. Apogee: 1,864 km (1,158 mi). Perigee: 217 km (134 mi). Inclination: 65.20 deg. Period: 106.00 min. Variety of scientific data. Research in the upper atmosphere and outer space.

• B1-3 (II-1) test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: MVS. Apogee: 1,350 km (830 mi). R-7 test flight. (B1-3 (II-1)).

• B1-14 (II-5)/Blok E test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: MVS. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• Luna launch delayed. - . Nation: Russia. Class: Technology. Type: Navigation technology satellite.

  Planned August launch rescheduled after failure of American lunar probe on August 17. Inability to complete final tests of the new engines and malfunctions during pre-launch preparations indicated a lot of work had to be done on the new launch vehicle before the first launch could be attempted.

• Luna failure - booster disintegrated at T+92 seconds - . Payload: E-1 s/n 1. Mass: 361 kg (795 lb). Nation: Russia. Related Persons: Glushko, Korolev. Agency: MVS. Program: Luna. Class: Moon. Type: Lunar probe. Spacecraft: Luna E-1. This was the start of an acrimonious debated between Glushko and Korolev design bureaux over the fault and fix for the problem..

• Luna failure - booster disintegrated at T+104 seconds - . Payload: E-1 s/n 2. Mass: 361 kg (795 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MVS. Program: Luna. Class: Moon. Type: Lunar probe. Spacecraft: Luna E-1.

• Luna failure - booster core shut down at T+245 seconds - . Payload: E-1 s/n 3. Mass: 361 kg (795 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MVS. Program: Luna. Class: Moon. Type: Lunar probe. Spacecraft: Luna E-1.

• III-1 - . Nation: Kazakhstan. Agency: MVS. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

• Luna 1 - . Payload: E-1 s/n 4. Mass: 361 kg (795 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MVS. Program: Luna. Class: Moon. Type: Lunar probe. Spacecraft: Luna E-1. USAF Sat Cat: 112 . COSPAR: 1959-Mu-1.

  Lunar probe; passed within 5,995 km of moon but did not hit it as planned due to a failure of the launch vehicle control system. Went into solar orbit. First manmade object to attain of escape velocity. Also known as Mechta ("Dream"), popularly called Lunik I. Because of its high velocity and its announced package of various metallic emblems with the Soviet coat of arms, it was concluded that Luna 1 was intended to impact the Moon. After reaching escape velocity, Luna 1 separated from its 1472 kg third stage. The third stage, 5.2 m long and 2.4 m in diameter, travelled along with Luna 1. On 3 January, at a distance of 113,000 km from Earth, a large (1 kg) cloud of sodium gas was released by the spacecraft. This glowing orange trail of gas, visible over the Indian Ocean with the brightness of a sixth-magnitude star, allowed astronomers to track the spacecraft. It also served as an experiment on the behavior of gas in outer space. Luna 1 passed within 5,995 km of the Moon's surface on 4 January after 34 hours of flight. It went into orbit around the Sun, between the orbits of Earth and Mars. The measurements obtained during this mission provided new data on the Earth's radiation belt and outer space, including the discovery that the Moon had no magnetic field and that a solar wind, a strong flow of ionized plasma emmanating from the Sun, streamed through interplanetary space.

• GCh No. 13 (III-2) test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: MVS. Apogee: 1,350 km (830 mi). First test flight serial production model..

• GCh No. 15 (III-3) test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: MVS. Apogee: 1,350 km (830 mi). R-7 development test flight. (GCh No. 15 (III-3)).

• GCh No. IZ-20 (III) test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: MVS. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

• GCh No. 17 (III) test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: MVS. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). R-7 development test flight. (GCh No. 17 (III)).

• GCh No. IZ-22 (III) test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: MVS. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). Landed far from aim point..

• GCh No. IZ-23 (III) test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: MVS. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). Landed far from aim point..

• Luna failure - inertial system failed at T+153 seconds - . Payload: E-1A s/n 5. Mass: 387 kg (853 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MVS. Program: Luna. Class: Moon. Type: Lunar probe. Spacecraft Bus: Luna E-1. Spacecraft: Luna E-1A.

• GCh No. IZ-24 (III) test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: MVS. Apogee: 1,350 km (830 mi). R-7 development test flight. (GCh No. IZ-24 (III)).

• GCh (III) test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: MVS. Apogee: 1,350 km (830 mi). First successful flight of series production model..

• GCh No. IZ-25 (III) test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: MVS. Apogee: 1,350 km (830 mi).

• Luna 2 - . Payload: E-1A s/n 6. Mass: 387 kg (853 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MVS. Program: Luna. Class: Moon. Type: Lunar probe. Spacecraft Bus: Luna E-1. Spacecraft: Luna E-1A. Decay Date: 1959-09-13 . USAF Sat Cat: 114 . COSPAR: 1959-Xi-1.

  First probe to impact lunar surface. Delivered a pennant to the surface of the Moon and conducted research during flight to the Moon. Impacted Moon 13 Sep 1959 at 22:02:04 UT, Latitude 29.10 N, Longitude 0.00 - Palus Putredinis, east of Mare Serenitatis near the Aristides, Archimedes, and Autolycus craters. After launch and attainment of escape velocity, Luna 2 separated from its third stage, which travelled along with it towards the Moon. On 13 September the spacecraft released a bright orange cloud of sodium gas which aided in spacecraft tracking and acted as an experiment on the behavior of gas in space. On 14 September, after 33.5 hours of flight, radio signals from Luna 2 abruptly ceased, indicating it had impacted on the Moon. Some 30 minutes after Luna 2, the third stage of its rocket also impacted the Moon. The mission confirmed that the Moon had no appreciable magnetic field, and found no evidence of radiation belts at the Moon.

• Phase 3 test flight - . Nation: Russia. Agency: MVS. Apogee: 1,350 km (830 mi). R-7 development test flight..

• Luna 3 - . Payload: E-2A s/n 1. Mass: 279 kg (615 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MVS. Program: Luna. Class: Moon. Type: Lunar probe. Spacecraft: Luna E-3. Decay Date: 1960-04-20 . USAF Sat Cat: 21 . COSPAR: 1959-Theta-1. Apogee: 499,998 km (310,683 mi). Perigee: 500 km (310 mi). Inclination: 55.00 deg. Period: 21,563.20 min.

  Luna 3 was the third spacecraft successfully launched to the Moon and the first to return images of the lunar far side. It was launched on a figure-eight trajectory which brought it over the Moon (closest approach to the Moon was 6200 km) and around the far side, which was sunlit at the time. It was stabilized while in optical view of the far side of the Moon. On October 7, 1959, the television system obtained a series of 29 photographs over 40 minutes, covering 70% of the surface, that were developed on-board the spacecraft. The photographs were scanned and 17 were radio transmitted to ground stations in facsimile form on October 18, 1959, as the spacecraft, in a barycentric orbit, returned near the Earth. The photographs were to be retransmitted at another point close to Earth but were not received. The spacecraft returned very indistinct pictures, but, through computer enhancement, a tentative atlas of the lunar farside was produced. These first views of the lunar far side showed mountainous terrain, very different from the near side, and two dark regions which were named Mare Moscovrae (Sea of Moscow) and Mare Desiderii (Sea of Dreams).

• Phase 3 test flight - . Nation: Russia. Agency: MVS. Apogee: 1,350 km (830 mi).

• Phase 3 test flight - . Nation: Russia. Agency: MVS. Apogee: 1,350 km (830 mi).

• Phase 3 test flight - . Nation: Russia. Agency: MVS. Apogee: 1,350 km (830 mi). Flight over full missile design range..

• Phase 3 test flight - . Nation: Russia. Agency: MVS. Apogee: 1,350 km (830 mi). Flight over full missile design range..

• GCh No. IZ-33 (III) test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: MVS. Apogee: 1,350 km (830 mi). Sixteenth and last launch of the third production batch..

• R-7A I-1 test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,350 km (830 mi). Failure in first test of R-7A ICBM. Despite this failed launch, Cold War pressures meant that the R-7A conditionally entered service on 31 December 1959..

• R-7A I-2/Dummy L test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). Suborbital aerodynamic test flight with R-7A 8K74 lower stages, dummy upper stages..

• R-7A I-3 test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

• R-7A I-4/Dummy L test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). Suborbital aerodynamic test flight with R-7A 8K74 lower stages, dummy upper stages..

• R-7A I-4 test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,350 km (830 mi).

• R-7A I-5 test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,350 km (830 mi).

• Luna failure - third stage insufficient delta V - . Payload: E-3 s/n 1. Mass: 279 kg (615 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Program: Luna. Class: Moon. Type: Lunar probe. Spacecraft: Luna E-3. Decay Date: 1960-04-15 . COSPAR: F600415A. Reached an altitude of 200,000 km before plunging back to earth..

• Luna failure at lift-off - . Payload: E-3 s/n 2. Mass: 279 kg (615 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Program: Luna. Class: Moon. Type: Lunar probe. Spacecraft: Luna E-3. Decay Date: 1960-04-16 . This dramatic failure resulted in a loss of thrust, and the lateral strap-on units separated and flew over the tracking stations and living areas. The core continued on its trajectory..

• Korabl-Sputnik 1 - . Payload: Vostok 1KP. Mass: 2,500 kg (5,500 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Program: Vostok. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spacecraft. Spacecraft: Vostok. Duration: 1,979.00 days. Decay Date: 1962-09-05 . USAF Sat Cat: 34 . COSPAR: 1960-Epsilon-1. Apogee: 514 km (319 mi). Perigee: 284 km (176 mi). Inclination: 65.00 deg. Period: 92.50 min.

  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.

• UBP (Readiness) operational test launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,350 km (830 mi). R-7 readiness verification test..

• R-7A I-6 test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,350 km (830 mi).

• R-7A I-7 test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,350 km (830 mi).

• Korabl-Sputnik - . Payload: Vostok 1K s/n 1. Mass: 4,730 kg (10,420 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Program: Vostok. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spacecraft. Spacecraft: Vostok. 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..

• Korabl-Sputnik 2 - . Payload: Vostok 1K s/n 2. Mass: 1,440 kg (3,170 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Program: Vostok. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spacecraft. Spacecraft: Vostok. Duration: 1.09 days. Decay Date: 1960-08-20 . USAF Sat Cat: 55 . COSPAR: 1960-Lambda-1. Apogee: 340 km (210 mi). Perigee: 281 km (174 mi). Inclination: 64.60 deg. Period: 90.70 min.

  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.

• Mars probe 1M s/n 1 failure. - . Payload: 1M s/n 1. Mass: 640 kg (1,410 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Program: Mars. Class: Mars. Type: Mars probe. Spacecraft Bus: 1MV. Spacecraft: Mars 1M. Decay Date: 1960-10-10 .

  This was the Soviet Union's first attempt at a planetary probe. Mars probe intended to photograph Mars on a flyby trajectory. The possible cause lay in resonance vibrations of upper stages during Stage 2 burning, which led to break of contact in the command potentiometer of the gyrohorizon. As a result a pitch control malfunctioned and the launcher began to veer off the desired ascent profile. On exceeding 7 degrees of veering in pitch, the control system failed. The upper stage with the payload reached an altitude of 120 km before burning up on re-entry into the atmosphere above East Siberia.

• Mars probe 1M s/n 2 failure. - . Payload: 1M s/n 2. Mass: 640 kg (1,410 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Program: Mars. Class: Mars. Type: Mars probe. Spacecraft Bus: 1MV. Spacecraft: Mars 1M. Decay Date: 1960-10-14 . Mars probe intended to photograph Mars on a flyby trajectory. This was the Soviet Union's second attempt at a planetary probe. The upper stages and payload broke up on re-entry into the atmosphere..

• Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

  First attempted launch of R-16 ICBM results in explosion on pad, killing over 100 military, engineers, and technicians, including Strategic Rocket Forces Marshal Nedelin. The first R-16 prototype was fuelled and on the pad, awaiting launch. An electrical problem developed, leading to a hold. Marshal Nedelin, commander of the Strategic Rocket Forces, ordered the engineers and technicians to fix the problem without the long delay of defuelling and refurbishing the missile. He personally had a deck chair brought out to the pad so he could watch the work first-hand. At 18:45 local time a spurious radio signal ordered the second stage of the rocket to fire while workers swarmed around the missile in its gantry. The missile exploded, killing a good part of the Soviet Union's rocket engineering and management talent. Among the dead were Nedelin, Konoptev, Grishin, Nosov, Kontsevsky, and Lev Berlin. 74 people were killed immediately, and 48 died in the ensuing weeks from burns or contact with the toxic and corrosive propellants. The total included 38 civilian engineers and 84 officers and enlisted rocket technicians. Yangel, the rocket's designer, was spared only because he had slipped into a bunker for a cigarette when the explosion occurred.

• Korabl-Sputnik 3 - . Payload: Vostok 1K s/n 3. Mass: 4,563 kg (10,059 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Program: Vostok. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spacecraft. Spacecraft: Vostok. Duration: 0.99 days. Decay Date: 1960-12-02 . USAF Sat Cat: 65 . COSPAR: 1960-Rho-1. Apogee: 269 km (167 mi). Perigee: 123 km (76 mi). Inclination: 65.00 deg. Period: 88.40 min.

  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.

• Korabl-Sputnik - . Payload: Vostok 1K s/n 4. Mass: 4,730 kg (10,420 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Program: Vostok. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spacecraft. Spacecraft: Vostok. Decay Date: 1960-12-20 .

  Unable to reach orbital velocity, the Vostok prototype separated while the third stage was still firing. While the ejection seat failed to operate, the capsule did make a hard landing in severe winter conditons in Siberia. It was recovered after some time, and the dogs Kometa and Shutka were alive. As a result of this flight the ejection seat was developed with a heat shield designed to protect the pilot in the event of a launch vehicle failure up to shut down of the first stage. Additional Details: here....

• R-7A II-1 operational test launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,350 km (830 mi). Some sources say first launch from LC31 was not until 27 February..

• First successful R-16 launch. - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

  The missile was supposed to be launched at 18:00, but is then delayed to 24:00 due to technical problems. It is a clear night, illuminated by the moon, and the missile takes off at midnight. The first three minutes of flight are successful, but then the second stage fails to ignite. The missiles impacts 520 km downrange from the launch pad.

• Sputnik 7 - . Payload: 2MV-2 s/n 1. Mass: 6,483 kg (14,292 lb). Nation: Russia. Related Persons: Glushko, Korolev. Agency: RVSN. Program: Venera. Class: Venus. Type: Venus probe. Spacecraft Bus: 1MV. Spacecraft: Venera 1VA. Decay Date: 1961-02-26 . USAF Sat Cat: 71 . COSPAR: 1961-Beta-1. Apogee: 318 km (197 mi). Perigee: 212 km (131 mi). Inclination: 64.90 deg. Period: 89.80 min.

  The escape stage entered parking orbit but the main engine cut off just 0.8 s after ignition due to cavitation in the oxidiser pump and pump failure.. The payload attached together with escape stage remained in Earth orbit.

  The booster launched into a beautiful clear sky, and it could be followed by the naked eye for four minutes after launch. The third stage reached earth parking orbit, but the fourth stage didn't ignite. It was at first believed a radio antenna did not deploy from the interior of the stage, and it did not receive the ignition commands. Therefore the Soviet Union has successfully orbited a record eight-tonne 'Big Zero' into orbit. The State Commission meets two hours after the launch, and argues whether to make the launch public or not, and how to announce it. Glushko proposes the following language for a public announcement: 'with the objective of developing larger spacecraft, a payload was successfully orbited which provided on the first revolution the necessary telemetry'. Korolev and the others want to minimize any statement, to prevent speculation that it was a reconnaissance satellite or a failed manned launch. Kamanin's conclusion - the rocket didn't reach Venus, but it did demonstrated a new rocket that could deliver an 8 tonne thermonuclear warhead anywhere on the planet. The commission heads back to Moscow.

• Venera 1 - . Payload: 1VA s/n 2, Venera 1 (Sputnik 8, AMS). Mass: 644 kg (1,419 lb). Nation: Russia. Related Persons: Korolev. Agency: RVSN. Program: Venera. Class: Venus. Type: Venus probe. Spacecraft Bus: 1MV. Spacecraft: Venera 1VA. USAF Sat Cat: 80 . COSPAR: 1961-Gamma-1.

  Venera 1 was the first spacecraft to fly by Venus. The 6424 kg assembly was launched first into a 229 x 282 km parking orbit, then boosted toward Venus by the restartable Molniya upper stage. On 19 February, 7 days after launch, at a distance of about two million km from Earth, contact with the spacecraft was lost. On May 19 and 20, 1961, Venera 1 passed within 100,000 km of Venus and entered a heliocentric orbit. This failure resulted in only the following objectives being met: checking of methods of setting space objects on an interplanetary course; checking of extra-long-range communications with and control of the space station; more accurate calculation of the dimension of the solar system; a number of physical investigations in space. Additional Details: here....

• R-7A II-2 operational test launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,350 km (830 mi). Some sources say first launch from LC31 was not until 27 February..

• Operational missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,350 km (830 mi).

• Test mission - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• Korabl-Sputnik 4 - . Payload: Vostok 3KA s/n 1. Mass: 4,700 kg (10,300 lb). Nation: Russia. Related Persons: Mozzhorin, Yazdovskiy. Agency: RVSN. Program: Vostok. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spacecraft. Flight: Vostok 1. Spacecraft: Vostok. Duration: 0.0700 days. Decay Date: 1961-03-09 . USAF Sat Cat: 91 . COSPAR: 1961-Theta-1. Apogee: 239 km (148 mi). Perigee: 173 km (107 mi). Inclination: 64.90 deg. Period: 88.60 min.

  Carried dog Chernushka, mannequin Ivan Ivanovich, and other biological specimens. Ivanovich was ejected from the capsule and recovered by parachute, and Chernsuhka was successfully recovered with the capsule on March 9, 1961 8:10 GMT.
  Officially: Development of the design of the space ship satellite and of the systems on board, which ensure necessary conditions for man's flight. Additional Details: here....

• Korabl-Sputnik 5 - . Payload: Vostok 3KA s/n 2. Mass: 4,695 kg (10,350 lb). Nation: Russia. Related Persons: Bykovsky, Gagarin, Goreglyad, Kamanin, Karpov, Keldysh, Kirillov, Korolev, Nelyubov, Nikolayev, Popovich, Titov, Voskresenskiy, Yazdovskiy. Agency: RVSN. Program: Vostok. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spacecraft. Flight: Vostok 1. Spacecraft: Vostok. Duration: 0.0600 days. Decay Date: 1961-03-25 . USAF Sat Cat: 95 . COSPAR: 1961-Iota-1. Apogee: 175 km (108 mi). Perigee: 175 km (108 mi). Inclination: 64.90 deg. Period: 88.00 min.

  Carried dog Zvezdochka and mannequin Ivan Ivanovich. Ivanovich was again ejected from the capsule and recovered by parachute, and Zvezdochka was successfully recovered with the capsule on March 25, 1961 7:40 GMT.
  Officially: Development of the design of the space ship satellite and of the systems on board, designed to ensure man's life functions during flight in outer space and return to Earth. Additional Details: here....

• First full range R-16 flight. - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi). The R-16 carried a warhead to the impact zone in the Kamchatka Peninsula, only 400 m off target in range, and only 50 m to the right..

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,160 km (720 mi). The R-9 launch went normally, from the launch pad adjacent to that from which Yuri Gagarin would be launched three days later, in view of the cosmonauts..

• Vostok 1 - . Call Sign: Kedr (Cedar ). Crew: Gagarin. Backup Crew: Nelyubov, Titov. Payload: Vostok 3KA s/n 3. Mass: 4,725 kg (10,416 lb). Nation: Russia. Related Persons: Karpov, Keldysh, Korolev, Moskalenko, Rudnev. Agency: RVSN. Program: Vostok. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spacecraft. Flight: Vostok 1. Spacecraft: Vostok. Duration: 0.0750 days. Decay Date: 1961-04-12 . USAF Sat Cat: 103 . COSPAR: 1961-Mu-1. Apogee: 315 km (195 mi). Perigee: 169 km (105 mi). Inclination: 65.00 deg. Period: 89.30 min.

  First manned spaceflight, one orbit of the earth. 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. The combination to unlock the controls 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 re-entry, before the wires burned through. The Sharik, as it was designed to do, then naturally reached aerodynamic equilibrium with the heat shield positioned correctly.

  Gagarin ejected after re-entry 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. Additional Details: here....

• R-7A II-3 test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi). Failure occurred only two days after Yuri Gagarin's flight..

• Test mission - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• Test mission - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,160 km (720 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• Test mission - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• Test mission - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• Test mission - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• Test mission - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• R-7A II-4 test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,350 km (830 mi).

• Test mission - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• R-7A II-5 test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,350 km (830 mi).

• R-7A II-6 test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,350 km (830 mi). Two launches from one launch complex in the same day..

• Test mission - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,160 km (720 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,160 km (720 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• Vostok 2 - . Call Sign: Oryel (Eagle ). Crew: Titov. Backup Crew: Nelyubov, Nikolayev. Payload: Vostok 3KA s/n 4. Mass: 4,730 kg (10,420 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Program: Vostok. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spacecraft. Flight: Vostok 2. Spacecraft: Vostok. Duration: 1.00 days. Decay Date: 1961-08-07 . USAF Sat Cat: 168 . COSPAR: 1961-Tau-1. Apogee: 221 km (137 mi). Perigee: 172 km (106 mi). Inclination: 64.80 deg. Period: 88.40 min.

  Second manned orbital flight. The Soviet Union successfully launched Vostok II into orbit with Gherman S. Titov as pilot. The spacecraft carried life-support equipment, radio and television for monitoring the condition of the cosmonaut, tape recorder, telemetry system, biological experiments, and automatic and manual control equipment. Flight objectives: Investigation of the effects on the human organism of a prolonged flight in orbit and subsequent return to the surface of the Earth; investigation of man's ability to work during a prolonged period of weightlessness. Titov took manual control of spacecraft but suffered from space sickness. He was equipped with a professional quality Konvas movie camera, with which ten minutes of film of the earth were taken through the porthole. Both television and film images were taken of the interior of the spacecraft. Like Gagarin, Titov experienced problems with separation of the service module after retrofire. Titov was never to fly again, after being assigned to the Spiral spaceplane, which turned out to be a dead-end project. A biography of him by Martin Caidin ('I Am Eagle') made him somewhat more accessible than Gagarin to the West.

• Test mission - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• Test mission - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• New ICBM tests announced. - . Nation: Russia. U.S.S.R. announced that it would launch a series of "more powerful and improved rockets. (Article in Red Star timed to coincide with first firing of new rocket series in the Pacific.).

• Test mission - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• Test mission - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• Test mission - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• Test mission - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• R-7A II-7 test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,350 km (830 mi). R-7A readiness verification test..

• Test mission - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,160 km (720 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,160 km (720 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• Test mission - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• Test mission - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,160 km (720 mi).

• Test mission - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• Test mission - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• Test mission - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• K (OT) test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• Operational test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,350 km (830 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• Test mission - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• Zenit-2 11F61 s/n 1 - . Payload: Zenit-2 11F61 s/n 1. Mass: 4,610 kg (10,160 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Vostok. Spacecraft: Zenit-2 satellite. Decay Date: 1961-12-11 .

  First attempted launch of Zenit photo-reconnaisance satellite. According to Kamanin, there was a problem with the third stage, and the capsule landed between Novosibirsk and Yakutsk, but could not be located. There was no information on the nature of the problem. Korolev stayed at Tyuratam, preparing for the next launch attempt.

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• State trials launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,160 km (720 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,160 km (720 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,160 km (720 mi).

• Cosmos 4 - . Payload: Zenit-2 11F61 s/n 2. Mass: 4,610 kg (10,160 lb). Nation: Russia. Related Persons: Nikolayev, Popovich. Agency: RVSN. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Flight: Vostok 3, Vostok 4. Spacecraft Bus: Vostok. Spacecraft: Zenit-2 satellite. Duration: 3.00 days. Decay Date: 1962-04-29 . USAF Sat Cat: 287 . COSPAR: 1962-Xi-1. Apogee: 317 km (196 mi). Perigee: 285 km (177 mi). Inclination: 65.00 deg. Period: 90.50 min.

  Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite. Program partially completed. Failure of primary spacecraft orientation system. It was to spend four days in space, to be followed by another mission during 5-10 May. This meant that Vostok 3/4 could not be launched before 20-30 May. The cosmonaut prime crew returned from their in-suit parachute training at Fedosiya.

• State trials launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• Zenit-2 11F61 s/n 3 - . Payload: Zenit-2 11F61 s/n 3. Mass: 4,610 kg (10,160 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Vostok. Spacecraft: Zenit-2 satellite. Decay Date: 1962-06-01 .

  Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite. Third attempted launch of Zenit photo-reconnaissance satellite. It blew up 300 m from the pad, and did enough damage to put the launch complex out of operation for a month. Therefore the Vostok 3/4 launches could not take place until the end of July at the earliest.

• State trials launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,160 km (720 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,160 km (720 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,160 km (720 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,160 km (720 mi).

• Operational test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,350 km (830 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• State trials launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,160 km (720 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,160 km (720 mi).

• Cosmos 7 - . Payload: Zenit-2 11F61 s/n 4. Mass: 4,610 kg (10,160 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Vostok. Spacecraft: Zenit-2 satellite. Duration: 4.00 days. Decay Date: 1962-08-01 . USAF Sat Cat: 346 . COSPAR: 1962-A-Iota-1. Apogee: 356 km (221 mi). Perigee: 197 km (122 mi). Inclination: 64.90 deg. Period: 90.00 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite. Also performed radiation measurements..

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• State trials launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• Vostok 3 - . Call Sign: Sokol (Falcon ). Crew: Nikolayev. Backup Crew: Bykovsky, Volynov. Payload: Vostok 3KA s/n 5. Mass: 4,722 kg (10,410 lb). Nation: Russia. Related Persons: Barmin, Gagarin, Khrushchev, Kirillov, Kozlov, Frol, Popovich, Smirnov, Ustinov. Agency: RVSN. Program: Vostok. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spacecraft. Flight: Vostok 3. Spacecraft: Vostok. Duration: 3.93 days. Decay Date: 1962-08-15 . USAF Sat Cat: 363 . COSPAR: 1962-A-Mu-1. Apogee: 218 km (135 mi). Perigee: 166 km (103 mi). Inclination: 65.00 deg. Period: 88.30 min.

  Joint flight with Vostok 4. The first such flight, where Vostok capsules were launched one day apart, coming within a few kilometers of each other at the orbital insertion of the second spacecraft. The flight was supposed to occur in March, but following various delays, one of the two Vostok pads was damaged in the explosion of the booster of the third Zenit-2 reconnsat in May. Repairs were not completed until August. Vostok 3 studied man's ability to function under conditions of weightlessness; conducted scientific observations; furthered improvement of space ship systems, communications, guidance and landing. Immediately at orbital insertion of Vostok 4, the spacecraft were less than 5 km apart. Popovich made radio contact with Cosmonaut Nikolayev. Nikolayev reported shortly thereafter that he had sighted Vostok 4. Since the Vostok had no maneuvering capability, they could not rendezvous or dock, and quickly drifted apart. The launches did allow Korolev to offer something new and different, and gave the launch and ground control crews practice in launching and handling more than one manned spacecraft at a time. The cosmonaut took colour motion pictures of the earth and the cabin interior. Additional Details: here....

• Vostok 4 - . Call Sign: Berkut (Golden Eagle ). Crew: Popovich. Backup Crew: Komarov, Volynov. Payload: Vostok 3KA s/n 6. Mass: 4,728 kg (10,423 lb). Nation: Russia. Related Persons: Nikolayev. Agency: RVSN. Program: Vostok. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spacecraft. Flight: Vostok 4. Spacecraft: Vostok. Duration: 2.96 days. Decay Date: 1962-08-15 . USAF Sat Cat: 365 . COSPAR: 1962-A-Nu-1. Apogee: 211 km (131 mi). Perigee: 159 km (98 mi). Inclination: 65.00 deg. Period: 88.20 min.

  Joint flight with Vostok 3. Acquisition of experimental data on the possibility of establishing a direct link between two space ships; coordination of astronauts' operations; study of the effects of identical spaceflight conditions on the human organism. The launch of Popovich proceeds exactly on schedule, the spacecraft launching with 0.5 seconds of the planned time, entering orbit just a few kilometers away from Nikolayev in Vostok 3. Popovich had problems with his life support system, resulting in the cabin temperature dropping to 10 degrees Centigrade and the humidity to 35%. The cosmonaut still managed to conduct experiments, including taking colour motion pictures of the terminator between night and day and the cabin interior.

  Despite the conditions, Popovich felt able to go for the full four days scheduled. But before the mission, Popovich had been briefed to tell ground control that he was 'observing thunderstorms' if he felt the motion sickness that had plagued Titov and needed to return on the next opportunity. Unfortunately he actually did report seeing thunderstorms over the Gulf of Mexico, and ground control took this as a request for an early return. He was ordered down a day early, landing within a few mintutes of Nikolayev. Only on the ground was it discovered that he was willing to go the full duration, and that ground control had thought he had given the code.

• Sputnik 19 - . Payload: 2MV-1 s/n 1. Mass: 890 kg (1,960 lb). Nation: Russia. Related Persons: Kuznetsova, Ponomaryova, Solovyova, Tereshkova, Yerkina. Agency: RVSN. Program: Venera, Vostok. Class: Venus. Type: Venus probe. Spacecraft Bus: 2MV. Spacecraft: Mars 2MV-1. Decay Date: 1962-08-28 . USAF Sat Cat: 371 . COSPAR: 1962-A-Pi-1. Apogee: 252 km (156 mi). Perigee: 173 km (107 mi). Inclination: 64.90 deg. Period: 88.70 min.

  Attempt to launch a probe towards Mars. The launch went well, but the fourth stage motor burnt for only 45s of the planned 240s. The stage remained in Earth orbit. However Kamanin notes that it was good that the launch of the basic vehicle was a success - it gave the visiting female cosmonauts confidence in the rocket they will have to ride.

• Sputnik 20 - . Payload: 2MV-1 s/n 2. Mass: 6,500 kg (14,300 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Program: Venera. Class: Venus. Type: Venus probe. Spacecraft Bus: 2MV. Spacecraft: Mars 2MV-1. Decay Date: 1962-09-06 . USAF Sat Cat: 381 . COSPAR: 1962-A-Tau-1. Apogee: 246 km (152 mi). Perigee: 185 km (114 mi). Inclination: 64.70 deg. Period: 88.80 min.

• Sputnik 21 - . Payload: 2MV-2 s/n 1. Mass: 6,500 kg (14,300 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Program: Venera. Class: Venus. Type: Venus probe. Spacecraft Bus: 2MV. Spacecraft: Mars 2MV-2. Decay Date: 1962-09-14 . USAF Sat Cat: 389 . COSPAR: 1962-A-Phi-1. Apogee: 218 km (135 mi). Perigee: 179 km (111 mi). Inclination: 64.90 deg. Period: 88.40 min. The escape stage entered parking orbit but the main engine cut off just 0.8 s after ignition due to cavitation in the oxidiser pump and pump failure..

• State trials launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• Cosmos 9 - . Payload: Zenit-2 11F61 s/n 7. Mass: 4,700 kg (10,300 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Vostok. Spacecraft: Zenit-2 satellite. Duration: 4.00 days. Decay Date: 1962-10-01 . USAF Sat Cat: 422 . COSPAR: 1962-A-Omega-1. Apogee: 981 km (609 mi). Perigee: 829 km (515 mi). Inclination: 67.60 deg. Period: 103.10 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite. Also performed radiation measurements..

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• State trials launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• State trials launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• Cosmos 10 - . Payload: Zenit-2 11F61 s/n 5. Mass: 4,700 kg (10,300 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Vostok. Spacecraft: Zenit-2 satellite. Duration: 4.00 days. Decay Date: 1962-10-21 . USAF Sat Cat: 437 . COSPAR: 1962-B-Zeta-1. Apogee: 376 km (233 mi). Perigee: 178 km (110 mi). Inclination: 64.90 deg. Period: 90.00 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite. Also performed radiation measurements..

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• Sputnik 22 - . Payload: 2MV-4 s/n 3. Mass: 6,500 kg (14,300 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Program: Mars. Class: Mars. Type: Mars probe. Spacecraft Bus: 2MV. Spacecraft: Mars 2MV-4. Decay Date: 1962-10-29 . USAF Sat Cat: 443 . COSPAR: 1962-B-Iota-1. Apogee: 260 km (160 mi). Perigee: 202 km (125 mi). Inclination: 65.10 deg. Period: 89.10 min.

  Mars probe intended to photograph Mars on a flyby trajectory. The spacecraft broke into many pieces, some of which apparently remained in Earth orbit for a few days. This occurred during the Cuban missile crisis and was picked up by U.S. military radar installations, who originally feared it might by the start of a Soviet nuclear attack.

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

  In a test of nuclear fratricide and ABM effectiveness, an R-5M (some sources say an R-12) launched a live thermonuclear warhead toward Semipalitinsk/Sary Shagan which was detonated at an altitude of 150 km. Two R-9 ICBM's were launched minutes earlier, timed to pass through the zone of the explosion. Both missiles guided to the planned impact zone without apparent ill-effect. This high altitude test was designed to test electromagnetic pulse effects on electronics, especially ABM system radars and incoming 'friendly' ICBM's.

• LKI - . Nation: Kazakhstan. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• Mars 1 - . Payload: 2MV-4 s/n 4 / Sputnik 23. Mass: 894 kg (1,970 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Program: Mars. Class: Mars. Type: Mars probe. Spacecraft Bus: 2MV. Spacecraft: Mars 2MV-4. USAF Sat Cat: 450 . COSPAR: 1962-B-Nu-3.

  Mars probe intended to photograph Mars on a flyby trajectory. Launched from Sputnik 23 in a 157 x 238 km, 65 degree parking orbit. Sixty-one radio transmissions were held in which a large amount of data was collected. On March 21, 1963, when the spacecraft was at a distance of 106 million km communications ceased, possibly due to a malfunction in the spacecraft orientation system. Mars 1 closest approach to Mars occurred on June 19, 1963 at a distance of approximately 193,000 km, after which the spacecraft entered a heliocentric orbit. Announced mission: Prolonged exploration of outer space during flight to the planet Mars; establishment of inter-planetary radio communications; photgraphing of the planet Mars and subsquent radio-transmission to Earth of the photographs of the surface of Mars thus obtained.

• Operational test launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• Sputnik 24 - . Payload: 2MV-3 s/n 1. Mass: 890 kg (1,960 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Program: Mars. Class: Venus. Type: Venus probe. Spacecraft Bus: 2MV. Spacecraft: Mars 2MV-3. Decay Date: 1962-11-05 . USAF Sat Cat: 451 . COSPAR: 1962-B-Xi-1. Apogee: 170 km (100 mi). Perigee: 170 km (100 mi). Inclination: 64.80 deg. Period: 87.90 min.

  Mars probe intended to make a soft landing on Mars. Although the escape stage and payload reached orbit, the strong third stage vibrations shook a fuse loose from its mount in the main nozzle of the escape stage Block L's engine. The engine could not be ignited and remained in Earth orbit. It decayed about two months after insertion.

• State trials launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• Cosmos 12 - . Payload: Zenit-2 11F61 s/n 6. Mass: 4,700 kg (10,300 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Vostok. Spacecraft: Zenit-2 satellite. Duration: 8.00 days. Decay Date: 1962-12-30 . USAF Sat Cat: 517 . COSPAR: 1962-B-Omega-1. Apogee: 385 km (239 mi). Perigee: 202 km (125 mi). Inclination: 64.80 deg. Period: 90.40 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite. Also performed radiation measurements..

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,160 km (720 mi).

• Sputnik 25 - . Payload: E-6 s/n 1. Mass: 1,422 kg (3,134 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: Korolev bureau. Program: Luna. Class: Moon. Type: Lunar probe. Spacecraft: Luna E-6. Decay Date: 1963-01-05 . USAF Sat Cat: 522 . COSPAR: 1963-001B. Apogee: 189 km (117 mi). Perigee: 165 km (102 mi). Inclination: 64.60 deg. Period: 88.00 min.

• E-6 s/n 2 failure. - . Payload: E-6 s/n 2. Mass: 1,422 kg (3,134 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Program: Luna. Class: Moon. Type: Lunar probe. Spacecraft: Luna E-6. Decay Date: 1963-02-03 . Apparent causes were instabilities in the torque sensor circuit and the pitch-free floating gyro device. The upper stages and payload broke up on re-entry into the atmosphere over the Pacific..

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,160 km (720 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,160 km (720 mi).

• Operational test launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,160 km (720 mi).

• Design work starts on N1 launch complex. - . Nation: Russia. Program: Lunar L3.

• Cosmos 13 - . Payload: Zenit-2 11F61 s/n 9. Mass: 4,700 kg (10,300 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: Korolev bureau. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Vostok. Spacecraft: Zenit-2 satellite. Duration: 8.00 days. Decay Date: 1963-03-29 . USAF Sat Cat: 554 . COSPAR: 1963-006A. Apogee: 303 km (188 mi). Perigee: 214 km (132 mi). Inclination: 65.20 deg. Period: 89.60 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite. Also performed radiation measurements..

• Operational test launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• Luna 4 - . Payload: E-6 s/n 3. Mass: 1,422 kg (3,134 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Program: Luna. Class: Moon. Type: Lunar probe. Spacecraft: Luna E-6. Decay Date: 1963-04-03 . USAF Sat Cat: 563 . COSPAR: 1963-008A. Apogee: 182 km (113 mi). Perigee: 167 km (103 mi). Inclination: 64.70 deg. Period: 87.98 min.

  Luna 4 was the second attempted Soviet unmanned lunar soft lander probe. The spacecraft, rather than being sent on a straight trajectory toward the Moon, was placed first in an earth parking orbit. The rocket stage then reignited and put the spaccecraft on a translunar trajectory. Failure of Luna 4 to make a required midcourse correction resulted in it missing the Moon by 8336.2 km on April 6, at 4:26 a.m. Moscow time. It thereafter entered a barycentric Earth orbit. The Soviet news agency, Tass, reported that data had been received from the spacecraft throughout its flight and that radio communication would continue for a few more days.

• Combat training launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,350 km (830 mi).

• Cosmos 15 - . Payload: Zenit-2 11F61 s/n 8. Mass: 4,720 kg (10,400 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: Korolev bureau. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Vostok. Spacecraft: Zenit-2 satellite. Duration: 5.00 days. Decay Date: 1963-04-27 . USAF Sat Cat: 569 . COSPAR: 1963-011A. Apogee: 336 km (208 mi). Perigee: 194 km (120 mi). Inclination: 65.00 deg. Period: 89.80 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite. Also carried weather, radiation experiments..

• Operational test launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• Cosmos 16 - . Payload: Zenit-2 11F61 s/n 10. Mass: 4,720 kg (10,400 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: Korolev bureau. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Vostok. Spacecraft: Zenit-2 satellite. Duration: 10.00 days. Decay Date: 1963-05-08 . USAF Sat Cat: 571 . COSPAR: 1963-012A. Apogee: 379 km (235 mi). Perigee: 201 km (124 mi). Inclination: 64.70 deg. Period: 90.30 min. Program partially completed. Part of the information lost due to failure of engine block stabilization system. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite. Also performed radiation measurements..

• Combat training launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• Combat training launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,350 km (830 mi).

• Combat training launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• Combat training launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,160 km (720 mi).

• Cosmos 18 - . Payload: Zenit-2 11F61 s/n 11. Mass: 4,720 kg (10,400 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: Korolev bureau. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Vostok. Spacecraft: Zenit-2 satellite. Duration: 9.00 days. Decay Date: 1963-06-02 . USAF Sat Cat: 586 . COSPAR: 1963-018A. Apogee: 269 km (167 mi). Perigee: 212 km (131 mi). Inclination: 64.60 deg. Period: 89.30 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite. Also performed radiation measurements..

• Combat training launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• Operational test launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• Vostok 5 - . Call Sign: Yastreb (Hawk ). Crew: Bykovsky. Backup Crew: Leonov, Volynov. Payload: Vostok 3KA s/n 7. Mass: 4,720 kg (10,400 lb). Nation: Russia. Program: Vostok. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spacecraft. Flight: Vostok 5. Spacecraft: Vostok. Duration: 4.96 days. Decay Date: 1963-06-19 . USAF Sat Cat: 591 . COSPAR: 1963-020A. Apogee: 131 km (81 mi). Perigee: 130 km (80 mi). Inclination: 64.90 deg. Period: 87.10 min.

  Joint flight with Vostok 6. The Soviet Union launched Vostok 5, piloted by Lt. Col. Valery F. Bykovsky. Two days later Lt. Valentina V. Tereshkova, the first spacewoman, followed in Vostok 6. On its first orbit, Vostok 6 came within about five km of Vostok 5, the closest distance achieved during the flight, and established radio contact. Both cosmonauts landed safely on June 19. The space spectacular featured television coverage of Bykovsky that was viewed in the West as well as in Russia. Unlike earlier missions, only a black and white film camera was carried. Photometric measurements of the earth's horizon were made.

  Mission objectives were officially: further study of the effect of various space-flight factors in the human organism; extensive medico-biological experiments under conditions of prolonged flight; further elaboration and improvement of spaceship systems.

  Vostok 5 was originally planned to go for a record eight days. The launch was delayed repeatedly due to high solar activity and technical problems. Finally the spacecraft ended up in a lower than planned orbit. Combined with increased atmospheric activity due to solar levels, Vostok 5 quickly decayed temperatures in the service module reached very high levels.

  Bykovsky also experienced an unspecified problem with his waste management system (a spill?) which made conditions in the cabin 'very uncomfortable'. He was finally ordered to return after only five days in space.

  To top it all off, once again the Vostok service module failed to separate cleanly from the reentry sphere. Wild gyrations ensued until the heat of reentry burned through the non-separating retraining strap.

• Vostok 6 - . Call Sign: Chayka (Seagull ). Crew: Tereshkova. Backup Crew: Ponomaryova, Solovyova. Payload: Vostok 3KA s/n 8. Mass: 4,713 kg (10,390 lb). Nation: Russia. Related Persons: Korolev. Program: Vostok. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spacecraft. Flight: Vostok 6. Spacecraft: Vostok. Duration: 2.95 days. Decay Date: 1963-06-19 . USAF Sat Cat: 595 . COSPAR: 1963-023A. Apogee: 166 km (103 mi). Perigee: 165 km (102 mi). Inclination: 64.90 deg. Period: 87.80 min.

  Joint flight with Vostok 5. First woman in space, and the only Russian woman to go into space until Svetlana Savitskaya 19 years later. On its first orbit, Vostok 6 came within about five km of Vostok 5, the closest distance achieved during the flight, and established radio contact. Flight objectives included: Comparative analysis of the effect of various space-flight factors on the male and female organisms; medico-biological research; further elaboration and improvement of spaceship systems under conditions of joint flight. It was Korolev's idea just after Gagarin's flight to put a woman into space as yet another novelty. Khrushchev made the final crew selection. Korolev was unhappy with Tereshkova's performance in orbit and she was not permitted to take manual control of the spacecraft as had been planned.

• BD - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• Combat training launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• Operational test launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• Combat training launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• Combat training launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• Zenit-2 11F61 s/n 12 - . Payload: Zenit-2 11F61 s/n 12. Mass: 4,720 kg (10,400 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Vostok. Spacecraft: Zenit-2 satellite. Decay Date: 1963-07-10 . Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite..

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• Operational test launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• Combat training launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 757 km (470 mi).

• Military training launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• T - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 754 km (468 mi).

• Construction begins of N1 launch complex - . Nation: Russia. Program: Lunar L3.

• T - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• Military training launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,160 km (720 mi).

• State trials launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,160 km (720 mi).

• Military training launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• State trials launch (1) - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• Operational test launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• Combat training launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,350 km (830 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• Cosmos 20 - . Payload: Zenit-2 11F61 s/n 13. Mass: 4,720 kg (10,400 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: Korolev bureau. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Vostok. Spacecraft: Zenit-2 satellite. Duration: 8.00 days. Decay Date: 1963-10-26 . USAF Sat Cat: 673 . COSPAR: 1963-040A. Apogee: 296 km (183 mi). Perigee: 201 km (124 mi). Inclination: 64.80 deg. Period: 89.40 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite..

• Operational test launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• Silo explosion kills 7 at Baikonur - . Nation: Russia.

  On 24 October 1963 an R-9 was being prepared for launch in a silo at LC-70. Unknown to the 11 man launch crew, an oxygen leak in the fuelling system had raised the oxygen partial pressure in the silo from the 21% maximum allowed to 32%. Whie the crew was descending in a lift to the 8th level of the silo, a spark from an electrical panel created a fire in the explosive atmosphere, killing seven and destroying the silo. This happened on the same day as the Nedelin disaster three years earlier, and became the cosmodrome's 'Black Day'. Forever after no launches were attempted from Baikonur on October 24.

• Polet 1; Polyot 1 - . Payload: I-2B s/n 1. Mass: 1,400 kg (3,000 lb). Nation: Russia. Related Persons: Chelomei. Agency: Korolev bureau. Class: Military. Type: Anti-satellite system. Spacecraft Bus: Kosmoplan. Spacecraft: Polyot. Decay Date: 1982-10-16 . USAF Sat Cat: 683 . COSPAR: 1963-043A. Apogee: 1,420 km (880 mi). Perigee: 331 km (205 mi). Inclination: 58.90 deg. Period: 102.40 min.

  ASAT interceptor control and propulsion test. Launched by Korolev R-7 because Chelomei's own UR-200 was not yet available. Purpose - elaboration of system providing for the extensive manoeuvring of space apparatuses. Flight was considered a great success. Micro-engine fired 350 times and main stabilizing engine fired 300 times. Orbit given is final orbit after manoeuvres.

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi). First UR-200 test flight. (LKI).

• State trials launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,160 km (720 mi).

• Cosmos 21 - . Payload: 3MV-1A s/n 1. Mass: 890 kg (1,960 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: Korolev bureau. Program: Mars. Class: Venus. Type: Venus probe. Spacecraft Bus: 3MV. Spacecraft: Venera 3MV-1A. Decay Date: 1963-11-14 . USAF Sat Cat: 687 . COSPAR: 1963-044A. Apogee: 231 km (143 mi). Perigee: 192 km (119 mi). Inclination: 64.80 deg. Period: 88.70 min. The stage with payload remained in Earth orbit as Cosmos-51 and burnt up on re-entry..

• Cosmos 22 - . Payload: Zenit-4 no. 1. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: Korolev bureau. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Vostok. Spacecraft: Zenit-4. Duration: 6.00 days. Decay Date: 1963-11-22 . USAF Sat Cat: 689 . COSPAR: 1963-045A. Apogee: 376 km (233 mi). Perigee: 193 km (119 mi). Inclination: 64.90 deg. Period: 90.20 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule.

• Operational test launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• State trials flight - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• Zenit-2 11F61 s/n 14 - . Payload: Zenit-2 11F61 s/n 14. Mass: 4,720 kg (10,400 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Vostok. Spacecraft: Zenit-2 satellite. Decay Date: 1963-11-28 . Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite..

• Kura state trials missile launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 903 km (561 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• Military training launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• Cosmos 24 - . Payload: Zenit-2 11F61 s/n 15. Mass: 4,720 kg (10,400 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: Korolev bureau. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Vostok. Spacecraft: Zenit-2 satellite. Duration: 9.00 days. Decay Date: 1963-12-28 . USAF Sat Cat: 712 . COSPAR: 1963-052A. Apogee: 391 km (242 mi). Perigee: 204 km (126 mi). Inclination: 65.00 deg. Period: 90.50 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite..

• Military training launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• State trials launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,160 km (720 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,160 km (720 mi).

• Joint flight trials launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,160 km (720 mi).

• Joint flight trials launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,160 km (720 mi).

• Joint flight trials launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,160 km (720 mi).

• Kura state trials missile launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 908 km (564 mi).

• Operational test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• Joint flight trials launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,160 km (720 mi).

• Joint flight trials launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,160 km (720 mi).

• Joint flight trials launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,160 km (720 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• Elektron 1 - . Payload: 2D s/n 1. Mass: 329 kg (725 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: Korolev bureau. Program: Elektron. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft: Elektron-A. USAF Sat Cat: 746 . COSPAR: 1964-006A. Apogee: 6,439 km (4,001 mi). Perigee: 413 km (256 mi). Inclination: 60.90 deg. Period: 161.00 min.

  Studied inner Van Allen belt. Electron I and II launched by a single carrier rocket. Electron I: simultaneous study of the Earth's inner and outer radiation belts, cosmic rays and upper atmosphere. Electron II: simultaneous study of the Earth's inner and outer radiation belts, cosmic rays and outer space.

• Elektron 2 - . Payload: 2D s/n 2. Mass: 444 kg (978 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: Korolev bureau. Program: Elektron. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft: Elektron-B. Decay Date: 1997-04-22 . USAF Sat Cat: 748 . COSPAR: 1964-006B. Apogee: 62,811 km (39,028 mi). Perigee: 5,611 km (3,486 mi). Inclination: 60.20 deg. Period: 1,356.40 min.

  Studied outer Van Allen belt. Electron I and II launched by a single carrier rocket. Electron I: simultaneous study of the Earth's inner and outer radiation belts, cosmic rays and upper atmosphere. Electron II: simultaneous study of the Earth's inner and outer radiation belts, cosmic rays and outer space.

• Military training launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• Combat training launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,160 km (720 mi).

• Operational test launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• 3MV-1A - . Payload: 3MV-1A s/n 2. Mass: 890 kg (1,960 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Program: Mars. Class: Venus. Type: Venus probe. Spacecraft Bus: 3MV. Spacecraft: Venera 3MV-1A. Decay Date: 1964-02-19 .

• 3MV-1 No. 2 SA - . Mass: 890 kg (1,960 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Program: Mars. Spacecraft Bus: 3MV. Spacecraft: Venera 3MV-1.

• Kura state trials missile launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 906 km (562 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• Venus launch delayed. - . Payload: 3MV-1. Nation: Russia. Program: Venera. Class: Venus. Type: Venus probe. Spacecraft Bus: 3MV. Spacecraft: Venera 3MV-1. Decay Date: 1964-03-01 . The launch was delayed due to malfunctions during prelaunch service..

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• Operational test launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• Luna failure - . Payload: E-6 s/n 4. Mass: 1,422 kg (3,134 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Program: Luna. Class: Moon. Type: Lunar probe. Spacecraft: Luna E-6. Decay Date: 1964-03-21 . The upper stages burnt on re-entry into the atmosphere..

• Cosmos 27 - . Payload: 3MV-1 s/n 3. Mass: 890 kg (1,960 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: Korolev bureau. Program: Venera. Class: Venus. Type: Venus probe. Spacecraft Bus: 3MV. Spacecraft: Venera 3MV-1. Decay Date: 1964-03-29 . USAF Sat Cat: 772 . COSPAR: 1964-014A. Apogee: 209 km (129 mi). Perigee: 197 km (122 mi). Inclination: 64.80 deg. Period: 88.50 min. The stage with payload remained in Earth orbit as Cosmos-27..

• Zond 1 - . Payload: 3MV-1 s/n 4. Mass: 890 kg (1,960 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: Korolev bureau. Program: Venera. Class: Venus. Type: Venus probe. Spacecraft Bus: 3MV. Spacecraft: Venera 3MV-1. USAF Sat Cat: 785 . COSPAR: 1964-016D. Failed Venus probe. Solar Orbit (Heliocentric). Elaboration of a long range space system and conduct of scientific research..

• Cosmos 28 - . Payload: Zenit-2 11F61 s/n 16. Mass: 4,720 kg (10,400 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: Korolev bureau. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Vostok. Spacecraft: Zenit-2 satellite. Duration: 8.00 days. Decay Date: 1964-04-12 . USAF Sat Cat: 779 . COSPAR: 1964-017A. Apogee: 373 km (231 mi). Perigee: 213 km (132 mi). Inclination: 65.00 deg. Period: 90.40 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite..

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 70 km (43 mi).

• Polet 2; Polyot 2 - . Payload: I-2B s/n 2. Mass: 1,400 kg (3,000 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: Korolev bureau. Class: Military. Type: Anti-satellite system. Spacecraft Bus: Kosmoplan. Spacecraft: Polyot. Decay Date: 1966-06-08 . USAF Sat Cat: 783 . COSPAR: 1964-019A. Apogee: 479 km (297 mi). Perigee: 303 km (188 mi). Inclination: 58.10 deg. Period: 92.30 min. ASAT interceptor control and propulsion test. Elaboration of systems providing for the extensive manouevring of space apparatuses..

• Luna failure - . Payload: E-6 s/n 5. Mass: 1,422 kg (3,134 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Program: Luna. Class: Moon. Type: Lunar probe. Spacecraft: Luna E-6. Decay Date: 1964-04-20 . The upper stages broke up on re-entry into the atmosphere...

• Cosmos 29 - . Payload: Zenit-2 11F61 s/n 19. Mass: 4,720 kg (10,400 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: Korolev bureau. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Vostok. Spacecraft: Zenit-2 satellite. Duration: 7.00 days. Decay Date: 1964-05-02 . USAF Sat Cat: 791 . COSPAR: 1964-021A. Apogee: 292 km (181 mi). Perigee: 203 km (126 mi). Inclination: 65.00 deg. Period: 89.50 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite..

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• Combat training launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,160 km (720 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 689 km (428 mi).

• Cosmos 30 - . Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: Korolev bureau. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Vostok. Spacecraft: Zenit-4. Duration: 8.00 days. Decay Date: 1964-05-26 . USAF Sat Cat: 797 . COSPAR: 1964-023A. Apogee: 366 km (227 mi). Perigee: 206 km (128 mi). Inclination: 64.90 deg. Period: 90.30 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule.

• Kura state trials missile launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 870 km (540 mi).

• Operational test launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• Kura state trials missile launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 864 km (536 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 695 km (431 mi).

• Test? - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,350 km (830 mi).

• Molniya-1 s/n 2 Failure - . Payload: Molniya-1 s/n 2. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Program: Molniya. Class: Communications. Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft Bus: KAUR-2. Spacecraft: Molniya-1. Unsuccessful first attempt to launch Molniya communications satellite..

• Operational test launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• Cosmos 32 - . Payload: Zenit-2 11F61 s/n 18. Mass: 4,720 kg (10,400 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: Korolev bureau. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Vostok. Spacecraft: Zenit-2 satellite. Duration: 8.00 days. Decay Date: 1964-06-18 . USAF Sat Cat: 807 . COSPAR: 1964-029A. Apogee: 322 km (200 mi). Perigee: 205 km (127 mi). Inclination: 51.30 deg. Period: 89.80 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite..

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 694 km (431 mi).

• Cosmos 33 - . Payload: Zenit-2 11F61 s/n 20. Mass: 4,720 kg (10,400 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: Korolev bureau. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Vostok. Spacecraft: Zenit-2 satellite. Duration: 8.00 days. Decay Date: 1964-07-01 . USAF Sat Cat: 816 . COSPAR: 1964-033A. Apogee: 279 km (173 mi). Perigee: 205 km (127 mi). Inclination: 64.90 deg. Period: 89.40 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite..

• Kura state trials missile launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 874 km (543 mi).

• Kura state trials missile launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 872 km (541 mi).

• Operational test launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• Cosmos 34 - . Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: Korolev bureau. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Vostok. Spacecraft: Zenit-4. Duration: 8.00 days. Decay Date: 1964-07-09 . USAF Sat Cat: 822 . COSPAR: 1964-034A. Apogee: 342 km (212 mi). Perigee: 201 km (124 mi). Inclination: 64.90 deg. Period: 89.90 min. High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule.

• Elektron 3 - . Payload: 2D s/n 3. Mass: 350 kg (770 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: Korolev bureau. Program: Elektron. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft: Elektron-A. USAF Sat Cat: 829 . COSPAR: 1964-038A. Apogee: 6,302 km (3,915 mi). Perigee: 408 km (253 mi). Inclination: 60.90 deg. Period: 159.30 min. Studied inner Van Allen belt. Electron 3 and 4 launched by a single carrier rocket. Simultaneous study of the inner and outer radiation belts of the earth, cosmic rays and the upper atmosphere. .

• Elektron 4 - . Payload: 2D s/n 4. Mass: 444 kg (978 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: Korolev bureau. Program: Elektron. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft: Elektron-B. Decay Date: 1983-10-12 . USAF Sat Cat: 830 . COSPAR: 1964-038B. Apogee: 66,269 km (41,177 mi). Perigee: 447 km (277 mi). Inclination: 60.80 deg. Period: 1,313.80 min. Studied outer Van Allen belt. Electron 3 and 4 launched by a single carrier rocket. Simultaneous study of the inner and outer radiation belts of the earth, cosmic rays and the upper atmosphere. .

• Cosmos 35 - . Payload: Zenit-2 11F61 s/n 21. Mass: 4,720 kg (10,400 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: Korolev bureau. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Vostok. Spacecraft: Zenit-2 satellite. Duration: 8.00 days. Decay Date: 1964-07-23 . USAF Sat Cat: 833 . COSPAR: 1964-039A. Apogee: 258 km (160 mi). Perigee: 218 km (135 mi). Inclination: 51.30 deg. Period: 89.20 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite..

• Operational test launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• Test? - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,350 km (830 mi).

• Operational test launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 686 km (426 mi).

• POR state trials missile launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,493 km (927 mi).

• Operational test launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• State trials missile test - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

• Cosmos 37 - . Payload: Zenit-2 11F61 s/n 22. Mass: 4,720 kg (10,400 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: Korolev bureau. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Vostok. Spacecraft: Zenit-2 satellite. Duration: 8.00 days. Decay Date: 1964-08-22 . USAF Sat Cat: 848 . COSPAR: 1964-044A. Apogee: 240 km (140 mi). Perigee: 208 km (129 mi). Inclination: 64.90 deg. Period: 88.90 min. Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite. Program partially completed. Break in the film fof the SA-10 camera..

• Cosmos 38 - . Mass: 50 kg (110 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MO. Program: Strela. Class: Communications. Type: Military store-dump communications satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Strela. Spacecraft: Strela-1. Decay Date: 1964-11-08 . USAF Sat Cat: 853 . COSPAR: 1964-046A. Apogee: 766 km (475 mi). Perigee: 203 km (126 mi). Inclination: 56.10 deg. Period: 94.30 min.

• Cosmos 40 - . Mass: 50 kg (110 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MO. Program: Strela. Class: Communications. Type: Military store-dump communications satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Strela. Spacecraft: Strela-1. Decay Date: 1964-11-18 . USAF Sat Cat: 855 . COSPAR: 1964-046C. Apogee: 737 km (457 mi). Perigee: 206 km (128 mi). Inclination: 56.10 deg. Period: 94.10 min.

• Cosmos 39 - . Mass: 50 kg (110 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MO. Program: Strela. Class: Communications. Type: Military store-dump communications satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Strela. Spacecraft: Strela-1. Decay Date: 1964-11-17 . USAF Sat Cat: 854 . COSPAR: 1964-046B. Apogee: 792 km (492 mi). Perigee: 205 km (127 mi). Inclination: 56.10 deg. Period: 94.60 min.

• Cosmos 41 - . Payload: Molniya-1. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: Korolev bureau. Program: Molniya. Class: Communications. Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft Bus: KAUR-2. Spacecraft: Molniya-1. Decay Date: 2004-04-09 . USAF Sat Cat: 869 . COSPAR: 1964-049D. Apogee: 39,169 km (24,338 mi). Perigee: 1,023 km (635 mi). Inclination: 68.40 deg. Period: 714.50 min.

  Successful launch of first Soviet communications satellite. This is the second Molniya launch attempt. (the first was a launch failure). The failure of the antennae to deploy means the spacecraft can only be tested in a limited manner and cannot be used for the planned relay of television.

• Cosmos 44 - . Payload: Meteor no. 1. Mass: 4,730 kg (10,420 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: Korolev bureau. Class: Earth. Type: Weather satellite. Spacecraft: Meteor. USAF Sat Cat: 876 . COSPAR: 1964-053A. Apogee: 778 km (483 mi). Perigee: 599 km (372 mi). Inclination: 65.10 deg. Period: 98.50 min. Investigation of the upper atmosphere and outer space. .

• Construction start of N1 launch complex 110 east - . Nation: Russia. Program: Lunar L3.

• POR state trials missile launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,495 km (928 mi).

• Operational test launch - . Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi).

• Cosmos 45 - . Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Nation: Russia. Related Persons: Korolev. Agency: Korolev bureau. Program: Voskhod. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Flight: Voskhod 1. Spacecraft Bus: Vostok. Spacecraft: Zenit-4. Duration: 5.00 days. Decay Date: 1964-09-18 . USAF Sat Cat: 880 . COSPAR: 1964-055A. Apogee: 311 km (193 mi). Perigee: 203 km (126 mi). Inclination: 64.90 deg. Period: 89.60 min.

  High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; also carried weather experiments. The Zenit-4 launches a day ahead of schedule. The booster rocket performs perfectly as Korolev and Kamanin watch from the veranda of the IP-1 tracking station. This confirms readiness of the same launch vehicle for the Voskhod launch.