Encyclopedia Astronautica Index: V

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Encyclopedia Astronautica Index: V

V- - Revenge weapon (German designation series); or V, volts.

V G Stepanov - First name of Stepanov Bureau.

V N Chelomei - First name of Chelomei bureau.

V P Glushko - First name of Glushko bureau.

V(1D) - Alternate designation for S-75.

V/STOL - Vertical or short takeoff and landing aircraft

V-1 - First significant cruise missile. German engineer, Paul Schmidt, working from the design of the Lorin tube, developed and patented a pulsed ramjet engine later modified and used in the V-1 Flying Bomb. After World War II the design was copied and further developed in both the United States and Soviet Union. But in both countries it was quickly superseded by higher performing missiles using turbojets. Status: Retired 1945.

V-1000 - Russian anti-ballistic missile. First Soviet anti-ballistic missile system. Development began in 1956 and the system was tested at Sary Shagan 1960 to 1961. It was clear that enormous development work was needed to achieve an operational anti-ballistic missile system. Therefore work began on the successor A-35 system, although the Americans were led to believe that an operational system was deployed around Moscow. The System A anti-ballistic missile equipped with the V-1000 rocket made the first intercept and destruction in the world using a conventional warhead of an intermediate range ballistic missile warhead coming in at 3 km/s on 4 May 1961. The US did not demonstrate an equivalent capability until 1984. Status: Retired 1973. First Launch: 1958-10-16. Last Launch: 1962-11-01. Number: 37 . Gross mass: 8,800 kg (19,400 lb). More at: Solid

V-1000-0 - Alternate name for PRD-33.

V-1000-1 - Nitric acid/Amine propellant rocket stage Status: Retired 1973. Thrust: 103.00 kN (23,155 lbf). More at: Nitric acid/Amine

V-11A - Alternate designation for R-11A.

V-2 - Alternate name of A-4 stage.

V-2 - The V-2 ballistic missile (known to its designers as the A4) was the world's first operational liquid fuel rocket. It represented an enormous quantum leap in technology, financed by Nazi Germany in a huge development program that cost at least $ 2 billion in 1944 dollars. 6,084 V-2 missiles were built, 95% of them by 20,000 slave laborers in the last seven months of World War II at a unit price of $ 17,877. As many as 3,225 were launched in combat, primarily against Antwerp and London, and a further 1,000 to 1,750 were fired in tests and training. Despite the scale of this effort, the inaccurate missile did not change the course of the war and proved to be an enormous waste of resources. The British, Americans, and Russians launched a further 86 captured German V-2's in 1945-1952. Personnel and technology from the V-2 program formed the starting point for post-war rocketry development in America, Russia, and France. The A1, A2, A3, and A5 were steps in the development of the missile. Later versions - the A6 through A12 - were planned to take the Third Reich to the planets. Status: Retired 1952. First Launch: 1943-04-03. Last Launch: 1952-09-19. Number: 1983 . Gross mass: 12,805 kg (28,230 lb). Unfuelled mass: 4,008 kg (8,836 lb). Thrust: 264.90 kN (59,552 lbf). More at: Lox/Alcohol

V-2 Battery 444 - V-2 battery 444 was assigned to the northern group of V-2 mobile launchers and began operations on 31 August 1944, with the first successful launch on 2 September 1944. V-2 Gruppe Nord launchers were distributed along the English Channel, in a restricted zone north and south of The Hague, which included Hoek den Holland, Den Haag, and Wassenaar, all used for launches against London. On 28 January 1945 Battery 444 moved to Burgsteinfurt in the southern group of V-2 launchers, and continued operations with launches against Antwerp and Lille. First Launch: 1944-09-06. Last Launch: 1945-03-01. Number: 116 .

V-2 Battery 485 - V-2 batteries 1./485, 2./485 and 3./485 were assigned to the northern group of V-2 mobile launchers around the Hague and began operations on 3 September 1944, with the first successful launch on 8 September 1944. In late October 1944 3./485 was moved to Burgsteinfurt, and conducted operations from the southern group with launches against Antwerp and Lille. All units of battery 485 ended operations in the face of allied advances in the last days of March 1945. First Launch: 1944-09-08. Last Launch: 1945-03-28. Number: 667 .

V-2 Battery 836 - V-2 batteries 1./ 836, 2./836, and 3./836 were part of the southern group of V-2 mobile launchers based in the Ardennes forest and kept a constant barrage against Paris, Lille, and other French towns for three weeks from 10 September 1944. Focus then shifted to the Allied port facilities at Antwerp from 19 October until the end of March 1945. After retreating farther into Germany, on 8 April the battery destroyed its rockets and launching equipment and ceased to exist. First Launch: 1944-09-15. Last Launch: 1945-03-16. Number: 262 .

V-2 Battery SS Abt 500 - V-2 Battery SS Abt 500 was first assigned to the southern group of V-2 mobile launchers and began operations near Breitenfurt on 10 October 1944. Just over a month later it was moved to the northern group near the Hague. It operated from various locations there until forced cease operations and retreat before the Allied advance on 28 March 1945. First Launch: 1944-11-16. Last Launch: 1945-03-27. Number: 188 .

V-2 Gruppe Nord - The northern group of V-2 mobile launchers began operations on 31 August 1944, with the first successful launch on 2 September 1944. Batteries assigned to Gruppe Nord included 444, 1./485, 2./485, and SS Battery 500. V-2 Gruppe Nord launchers were distributed along the English Channel, in a restricted zone north and south of The Hague, which included Hoek den Holland, Den Haag, and Wassenaar, all used for launches against London; Zwolle-Hellendoorn-Enchede, used for launches by SS 500 against Antwerp; and Burgsteinfurt, used for launches against Antwerp and Lille.

V-2 Gruppe Sued - The southern group of V-2 mobile launchers saw a few initial launches by Battery 444 from the Ardennes forest against Paris beginning on 6 September, 1944. 444 moved on to Holland on the 10 September. Thereafter the batteries 1./ 836, 2./836, and 3./836 deployed and kept a constant barrage against Paris, Lille, and other French towns for three weeks. Focus then shifted to the Allied port facilities at Antwerp from 19 October until the end of the war.

V-2 VTOHL - Chinese winged orbital launch vehicle. The V-2 vertical takeoff / horizontal landing two-stage reusable space shuttle was proposed by Beijing Department 11 of the Air Ministry in 1988. The first stage would use liquid oxygen/kerosene engines, while the second would use liquid oxygen/hydrogen engines. Both stages would be winged, and first flight would be no earlier than 2015. Status: Design 1988. Gross mass: 330,000 kg (720,000 lb). Payload: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb). Thrust: 2,400.00 kN (539,500 lbf).

V-3 - German gun-launched missile. The V-3 Hochdruckpumpe (aka HDP, 'Fleissiges Lieschen'; 'Tausend Fussler') was a supergun designed by Saar Roechling during World War II. The 140 m long cannon was capable of delivering a 140 kg shell over a 165 km range. Construction began of a bunker for the cannons in September 1943 at Mimoyecques, France. The site was damaged by Allied bombing before it could be put into operation and was finally occupied by the British at the end of August 1944. Two short-length (45 m long) V-3's were built at Antwerp and Luxembourg in support of the Ardennes offensive in December 1944. These were found to be unreliable and only a few shots were fired without known effect. Status: Cancelled 1944. Payload: 140 kg (300 lb).

V-300 - Alternate designation for S-25.

V3C - Alternate name of Darter.

V-400 - Alternate designation for Dal.

V-420 - Alternate designation for Dal-M.

V-500 - Alternate designation for S-300P.

V-500 - Alternate designation for Dal-2.

V-5A - Alternate designation for R-5A.

V-5V - Alternate designation for R-5V.

V-600P - Alternate name of S-125.

V-601 - Alternate name of S-125M.

V-601 - Alternate name of Volna V-601.

V-601M - Alternate name of Volna V-601M.

V-601PD - Alternate name of S-125M1.

V-611 - Alternate name of Shkval 4K60.

V-611M - Alternate name of Shkval 4K65.

V-750 - Alternate designation for S-75.

V-750M - Alternate designation for S-75M.

V-753 - Russian surface-to-air missile. Naval version of the SA-2 Guideline. Installed on the test cruiser Dzerzhinsky 1958-1982. Not adopted for fleet use due to the missile's liquid propellants, but exploited for its unique capability, including ability to intercept targets travelling at up to 2300 kph Gross mass: 2,300 kg (5,000 lb). Payload: 130 kg (280 lb).

V-758 - Alternate designation for 22D.

V-800 - Russian surface-to-air missile. The V-800 was a naval surface-to-air missile planned for use with the M-3 naval launch system. It was to have a range of 55 km and be capable of hitting targets between 2 and 25 km altitude. However Khrushchev cancelled the cruiser for which it was developed, ending the associated surface-to-air missile development as well. Status: Operational 1961.

V-825 - Alternate designation for S-225.

V-825-0 - Rocket stage used on S-225 missile. Status: Retired 1977. Gross mass: 14,000 kg (30,000 lb).

V-825-1 - Rocket stage used on S-225 missile. Status: Retired 1977. Gross mass: 3,900 kg (8,500 lb).

V-860 - Alternate designation for S-200.

V-860P - Russian surface-to-air missile.

V-860PV - Russian surface-to-air missile. Payload: 217 kg (478 lb).

V-870 - Russian surface-to-air missile. Payload: 217 kg (478 lb).

V-880 - Russian surface-to-air missile. Payload: 217 kg (478 lb).

V-880E - Russian surface-to-air missile. Export version. Payload: 217 kg (478 lb).

V-880M - Russian surface-to-air missile. Fakel-designed missile; not widely exported until 1980s.

V-880N - Russian surface-to-air missile.

VA - Re-entry capsule (Russian abbreviations)

VAB - Vehicle Assembly Building (formerly Vertical Assembly Building)

Vagner, Ivan Viktorovich - Russian engineer cosmonaut, 2010- Status: Active 2010-on. Born: 1985-10-07.

Valga - Headquarters of an RVSN Division, 1960-on. Perhaps operated R-12 missile.

Valier, Max - German Austrian engineer and early advocate of the use of rockets for flight. Opel supported Valier's original rocket car tests as publicity. He dreamed of rocket-propelled transatlantic aircraft and later became Opel's competitor. Valier died in a careless accident in 1932, in his laboratory in Berlin, when working on a rocket combustion chamber. It exploded and a small metal fragment hit his pulmonary artery. Born: 1895-02-09. Died: 1930-05-17.

Valier-Oberth Moon Gun - German gun-launched orbital launch vehicle. In 1926 rocket pioneers Max Valier and Hermann Oberth, members of the VfR (Society for Space Travel), amused themselves by designing a gun that would rectify Verne's technical mistakes and be actually capable of firing a projectile to the moon. Status: Design 1926.

Valkov, Konstantin Anatoliyevich - Russian pilot cosmonaut 1997-2012. Graduated from Barnaul Higher Military Air School of Pilots, 1994 Russian Air Force. Cosmonaut training completed November 19, 1999. Status: Inactive; Active 1997-2012. Born: 1971-11-11.

Valley Forge - American manufacturer. Valley Forge, USA.

Van Allen, James A - American astrophysicist; his experiment carried aboard the first American satellite established the existence of radiation belts that encircled the Earth; also very active in sounding rocket experiments. Born: 1914-09-07. Died: 2006-08-09.

van den Berg, Lodewijk - Dutch-American physicist payload specialist astronaut 1983-1985. Flight record: 1 spaceflight, 7.0 days in space. Flew to orbit on STS-51B (1985).. Status: Inactive; Active 1983-1985. Born: 1932-03-24. Spaceflights: 1 . Total time in space: 7.01 days.

van Hoften, James Dougal Adrianus 'Ox' - American engineer mission specialist astronaut 1978-1986. Grew up in Burlingame, California. Flight record: 2 spaceflights, 14.1 days in space. Flew to orbit on STS-41C (1984), STS-51I.. Status: Inactive; Active 1978-1986. Born: 1944-06-11. Spaceflights: 2 . Total time in space: 14.08 days.

Van Horn, William L - American manager. Program Director for the Atlas Weapon System. Manager of Long Range Planning in the Atlas production program. Later Vice President and Program Director for the Atlas Weapon System. Born: 1931-05-24. Died: 1997-11-12.

Vance, Cyrus R - American politician, long career as a senior government official in various Democratic administrations. Born: 1917-03-27. Died: 2002-01-12.

Vandal - Alternate designation for MQM-8G.

Vandal - Alternate designation for XBQM-8F.

Vandal MQM-8G - American surface-to-air drone. Drone version.

Vandal XBQM-8F - American surface-to-air drone.

Vande Hei, Mark Thomas - American scientist mission specialist astronaut, 2009-on. Flight record: 1 spaceflight, 168.2 days in space. Flew to orbit on Soyuz MS-06 (2017).. Status: Active 2009-on. Born: 1966-11-10. Spaceflights: 1 . Total time in space: 168.22 days.

Vandenberg - Vandenberg Air Force Base is located on the Central Coast of California about 240 km northwest of Los Angeles. It is used for launches of unmanned government and commercial satellites into polar orbit and intercontinental ballistic missile test launches toward the Kwajalein Atoll. First Launch: 1958-12-16. Last Launch: 2014-08-13. Number: 1952 .

Vandenberg, Hoyt S - Immensely influential American officer, Air Force Chief of Staff in the late 1940's and 1950's during the formative period of rocketry development and the work on intercontinental ballistic missiles. Born: 1899. Died: 1954-04-02.

Vandersee, Fritz - German engineer in WW2, member of the Rocket Team in the United States thereafter. Born: 1918-06-22. Died: 1975-03-01.

Vangen, Scott Duane - American engineer payload specialist astronaut, 1993-1995. Status: Inactive; Active 1993-1995. Born: 1959-12-12.

Vanguard - American orbital launch vehicle. Vanguard was the 'civilian' vehicle developed by the US Navy to launch America's first satellite as part of the International Geophysical Year. The Army / von Braun Jupiter-C instead launched the first US satellite after Sputnik and Vanguard's public launch failure. The second stage design led to the Able upper stage for Thor/Atlas, and then to the Delta upper stage still in use in the 21st Century. The original version of Vanguard used a Grand Central final stage. Status: Retired 1959. First Launch: 1957-10-23. Last Launch: 1959-09-18. Number: 12 . Gross mass: 10,050 kg (22,150 lb). Payload: 9.00 kg (19.80 lb). Thrust: 123.90 kN (27,854 lbf).

Vanguard (1 Stage) - Test version of Vanguard launch vehicle.

Vanguard (20in Magnetometer, X-Ray, Environment) - Science satellite built by Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) for NASA, USA. Launched 1959. First Launch: 1959-09-18. Last Launch: 1959-09-18. Number: 1 . Gross mass: 23 kg (50 lb).

Vanguard (mod.) - Version of Vanguard launch vehicle. First Launch: 1959-09-18. Last Launch: 1959-09-18. Number: 1 .

Vanguard 1 - American technology satellite. An engineering test satellite. Based on orbital position data derived from its transmissions, the shape of the earth was refined. Status: Operational 1957. First Launch: 1957-12-06. Last Launch: 1958-04-29. Number: 4 . Gross mass: 1.00 kg (2.20 lb).

Vanguard 13in Magnetometer - Science satellite built by Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) for NASA, USA. Launched 1959. First Launch: 1959-04-14. Last Launch: 1959-04-14. Number: 1 . Gross mass: 10 kg (22 lb).

Vanguard 2 - American earth magnetosphere satellite. The actual operational satellite that was to be launched by the Vanguard launcher. Status: Operational 1958. First Launch: 1958-05-28. Last Launch: 1959-02-17. Number: 4 . Gross mass: 10 kg (22 lb).

Vanguard 20in Cloud Cover - Science satellite built by Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) for NASA, USA. Launched 1958 - 1959. First Launch: 1958-09-26. Last Launch: 1959-02-17. Number: 2 . Gross mass: 10 kg (22 lb).

Vanguard 20in Lyman-Alpha - Science satellite built by Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) for NASA, USA. Launched 1958. First Launch: 1958-05-28. Last Launch: 1958-06-26. Number: 2 . Gross mass: 10 kg (22 lb).

Vanguard 20in Radiation Balance - Science satellite built by Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) for NASA, USA. Launched 1959. First Launch: 1959-06-22. Last Launch: 1959-06-22. Number: 1 . Gross mass: 10 kg (22 lb).

Vanguard 20in X-Ray - Science satellite built by Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) for NASA, USA. Launched 1958. First Launch: 1958-04-29. Last Launch: 1958-04-29. Number: 1 . Gross mass: 10 kg (22 lb).

Vanguard 3 - Alternate designation for GCRC.

Vanguard 3 - American earth magnetosphere satellite. Radiation, micrometeoroid data. Status: Operational 1959. First Launch: 1959-04-14. Last Launch: 1959-09-18. Number: 4 .

Vanguard 6.5in - Science satellite built by Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) for NASA, USA. Launched 1957 - 1958. First Launch: 1957-12-06. Last Launch: 1958-03-17. Number: 3 . Gross mass: 2.00 kg (4.40 lb).

Vanguard Spacecraft - American manufacturer of spacecraft. Vanguard Spacecraft, USA.

Vanguard Sub-Satellite - Alternate name of Vanguard-Balloon (Vanguard Sub-Satellite).

Vanguard X-248 - American orbital launch vehicle. Version of Vanguard with X-248 upper stage. Gross mass: 10,000 kg (22,000 lb). Payload: 20 kg (44 lb). Thrust: 120.00 kN (26,970 lbf).

Vanguard-1 - LOx/Kerosene propellant rocket stage. . Status: Retired 1959. Gross mass: 7,661 kg (16,889 lb). Unfuelled mass: 811 kg (1,787 lb). Thrust: 134.79 kN (30,302 lbf). More at: Lox/Kerosene

Vanguard-Balloon - Science satellite built by Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) for NASA, USA. Launched 1959. First Launch: 1959-04-14. Last Launch: 1959-04-14. Number: 1 .

Vantage - American UAV.

Varagian - Alternate name for Soyuz TMA-20.

Variant B - Russian submarine-launched ballistic missile. Version with clustered Nylon-B propellant motors. Gross mass: 22,500 kg (49,600 lb). Payload: 1,200 kg (2,600 lb).

Variant S - Russian submarine-launched ballistic missile. Version with clustered Nylon-S propellant motors. Gross mass: 26,000 kg (57,000 lb). Payload: 850 kg (1,870 lb).

Varlamov, Valentin Stepanovich - Russian pilot cosmonaut, 1960-1961. Left team after fracturing a vertebra in a diving accident in July 1960. Worked in the Soviet space program as a flight instructor for new cosmonauts within the TsPK. Status: Deceased; Active 1960-1961. Born: 1934-08-15. Died: 1980-10-02.

Vasilyev, Anatoli Alekeseyevich - Russian officer. Commander of GURVO 1964-1967. Chaired the Scientific-Technical Committee of the Strategic Missile Forces 1967-1969. Born: 1921-11-28. Died: 1973-11-12.

Vasyutin, Vladimir Vladimirovich - Russian pilot cosmonaut 1976-1986. Flight record: 1 spaceflight, 64.9 days in space. Flew to orbit on Soyuz T-14 (1985).. Status: Deceased; Active 1976-1986. Born: 1952-03-08. Died: 2002-07-20. Spaceflights: 1 . Total time in space: 64.91 days.

VAT - Abbreviation for Vehicle acceptance team

VB-10 - Alternate name of Roc VB-10.

VB-11 - Alternate name of Roc VB-11.

VB-12 - Alternate name of Roc VB-12.

VB-13 - Alternate name of Tarzon ASM-A-1.

VB-2 - Alternate name of Azon VB-2.

VB-4 - Alternate name of Razon VB-4.

VB-5 - ATSC US Army Air Force WWII free fall bomb with guidance system and fins; light contrast seeker, 1000 lb..

VB-6 - Alternate name of Felix VB-6.

VB-7 - ATSC US Army Air Force WWII free fall bomb with guidance system and fins; TV guided.

VB-8 - ATSC US Army Air Force WWII free fall bomb with guidance system and fins; VB-7 version.

VBK Raduga - Reentry capsule used for return experimental materials from the Mir space station. Mounted in the docking port of the Progress M resupply spacecraft, which released the capsule for recovery after deorbiting.

VBK-Raduga - Reentry capsule which allowed returning materials from the space station Mir. They were launched and finally deorbited together with Progress-M cargo craft.

VCL - Earth Observation, Lidar satellite built by Orbital Sciences Corporation (OSC) for NASA. Used the LEOStar bus. Gross mass: 420 kg (920 lb).

VCO - Alternate name of Planet C (VCO, Akatsuki).

VDS - Alternate name of Viking-DS (VDS).

VDU 1, 2 - Thruster module satellite operated by, Russia. Launched 1992-1998. First Launch: 1992-08-15. Last Launch: 1998-03-14. Number: 2 . Gross mass: 700 kg (1,540 lb).

VE - Series of Experimental Vehicles (VE's), each named after precious stones, leading to the MSBS/SSBS solid propellant missiles that made up the French nuclear deterrent. Status: Retired 1965.

VE10 Aigle - The Aigle's simple mission was to allow test of the telemetry equipment that would be used on later instrumented warheads. The first version of the Aigle was a simple fin-stabilized solid rocket propelled by a Stromboli SEPR 737 loaded with 984 kg of 'Plastolite' propellant. Status: Retired 1961. First Launch: 1960-12-17. Last Launch: 1961-03-21. Number: 4 . Gross mass: 2,300 kg (5,000 lb). Payload: 360 kg (790 lb).

VE10A Aigle - The VE10A used an improved, lightened version of the Stromboli booster. Status: Retired 1964. First Launch: 1963-03-05. Last Launch: 1964-11-02. Number: 2 . Gross mass: 2,300 kg (5,000 lb).

VE10A Aigle-1 - Alternate name for SEPR 737.

VE110 - Alternate designation for Agate.

VE121 - Alternate designation for Emeraude VE121.

VE210 - Alternate designation for Rubis.

VE231 - Alternate designation for Saphir VE231.

VE9 - First test rocket in the series leading to French IRBM's. The VE 9 instrumented warhead was boosted twice in 1960 and 1961 by a SEPR 732, motor, 55 cm in diameter. his had been developed as the booster for the SE.4400 Surface-to-Air Missile and was the most powerful French solid propellant motor available at that time. Payload: 360 kg (790 lb).

Veach, Charles Lacy - American engineer mission specialist astronaut 1984-1995. Grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii. Died of cancer. Flight record: 2 spaceflights, 18.2 days in space. Flew to orbit on STS-39 (1991), STS-52.. Status: Deceased; Active 1984-1995. Born: 1944-09-18. Died: 1995-10-03. Spaceflights: 2 . Total time in space: 18.18 days.

vectorcardiograph - An instrument for taking a graphic record of the magnitude and direction of the electrical potentials of the heart.

VEEGA - Venus-Earth-Earth Gravity Assist (Galileo flight path)

Vega - Alternate designation for V-880E.

Vega - Alternate designation for V-860PV.

Vega - Primarily Italian all-solid propellant launch vehicle. After years of furious debate, a $173 million development program began, 52% funded by Italy and 34% by France. As of the first firing of the P80 first stage motor at the end of 2006, first flight had slipped into 2008 from a 2007 original planned date. Status: Active. First Launch: 2012-02-13. Last Launch: 2018-11-21. Number: 13 . Gross mass: 137,000 kg (302,000 lb). Payload: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Thrust: 3,040.00 kN (683,410 lbf).

Vega - Alternate designation for V-870.

Vega 5VK - Russian Venus probe. The Vega 5VK spacecraft was designed for a mission combining a flyby of the planet Venus followed by an encounter with Halley's Comet. Venus flyby, Comet Halley flyby satellite, Russia. Launched 1984. Status: Operational 1984. First Launch: 1984-12-15. Last Launch: 1984-12-21. Number: 2 . Gross mass: 4,000 kg (8,800 lb).

Vega 5VS - Russian Venus probe. Cancelled 1985. Unflown series of Venus probes (which also served as the basis for the Granat satellite). Original plans called for two versions, 5VS and 5VP, both weighing 4850 kg. Status: Cancelled 1985. Gross mass: 4,850 kg (10,690 lb).

Vega engine - Sud solid rocket engine. Belier III first stage. Status: Retired 1973. Number: 1 . Gross mass: 300 kg (660 lb). Unfuelled mass: 100 kg (220 lb). Thrust: 20.00 kN (4,496 lbf). More at: Solid

Vega SAM - French surface-to-air missile, tested at Hammaguir in early 1961 but not put into production. Status: Retired 1961. Gross mass: 648 kg (1,428 lb).

Vega Statoreacteur - French surface-to-air missile, ramjet sustainer with Stromboli booster. Status: Retired 1961. First Launch: 1961-01-01. Last Launch: 1961-01-01. Number: 1 . Gross mass: 1,700 kg (3,700 lb).

Vega Statoreacteur-1 - Alternate name for SEPR 734-1.

Vega-C - Italian orbital launch vehicle variant.

Vega-M - Alternate designation for V-880.

Vega-Má - Alternate designation for V-880.

Vega-MÆ - Alternate name of V-880.

Vega-Mi - Alternate name of V-880.

Vega-Mß - Alternate designation for V-880.

Vehicle Evaluation Payload - Alternate designation for VEP technology satellite.

vehicle-launched - Category of missiles.

Vehra - French air-launched rocketplane. Dassault design for an air-launched experimental reusable launch vehicle. It would be launched from Novespace's Airbus 300 zero-G aircraft. The lifting-body design was loosely based on Dassault's work on the NASA-led X-38 Crew Rescue Vehicle program. VEHRA weighed 6.5 t metric tons and carried 19.5 metric tons of kerosene and oxygen propellant. One Russian 400.5 kN-thrust NK-39 engine would power the vehicle, which would be capable of reaching Mach 14. The 11.5 meter long vehicle also contained a small 1.5 x 1.5 x 5 meter payload bay for an expendable upper stage+250 kg satellite. Like THEMIS, VEHRA would explore hypersonic flight and the operational and cost aspects of reusability. Status: Study 2000. Gross mass: 27,000 kg (59,000 lb). Payload: 250 kg (550 lb). Thrust: 400.00 kN (89,920 lbf).

Veiculo Lancador de Microsatelites - Alternate designation for VLM.

Veiculo Lancador de Satelites - Alternate designation for VLS.

Vektor - Code name for Taifun-1 military target satellite.

Vektor-T - Alternate name of Sfera-53 (TEKh-44, Vektor-T).

Vela - American nuclear detection surveillance satellite. The Vela (meaning "watchman" in Spanish) series of spacecraft were designed to monitor world-wide compliance with the 1963 nuclear test ban treaty. Nuclear Detection satellite built by TRW for USAF, USA. Launched 1963 - 1965. Status: Operational 1963. First Launch: 1963-10-17. Last Launch: 1965-07-20. Number: 6 . Gross mass: 225 kg (496 lb).

Vela 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 - Nuclear Detection satellite built by TRW for USAF, USA. Launched 1967 - 1970. First Launch: 1967-04-28. Last Launch: 1970-04-08. Number: 3 .

Vela engine - WRE solid rocket engine. Aero High second stage. Status: Retired 1972. Gross mass: 118 kg (260 lb). More at: Solid

Velcro - A fastener for quick attachment (and subsequent detachment) of an object to another object, or to a surface. It has two parts, a pad consisting of velvety, loopy pile made of Teflon, and a pad consisting of little hooks resembling a cocklebur, made of polyester. Attachment by pressing the two pads together, detachment by pulling them apart.

VELOX 1 - Technology satellite for Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore; to have deployed the Velox P3 subsatellite. Launched 2014. Cubesat 3U bus. First Launch: 2014-06-30. Last Launch: 2014-06-30. Number: 1 . Gross mass: 4.00 kg (8.80 lb).

VELOX 1-NSAT - Alternate name of VELOX 1 (VELOX 1-NSAT).

VELOX 1-PSAT - Alternate name of VELOX P3 (VELOX 1-PSAT).

VELOX 2 - Technology satellite for Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore. Launched 2015. Cubesat 6U bus. First Launch: 2015-12-16. Last Launch: 2015-12-16. Number: 1 . Gross mass: 13 kg (28 lb).

VELOX C1 - Technology satellite for Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore. Launched 2015. First Launch: 2015-12-16. Last Launch: 2015-12-16. Number: 1 . Gross mass: 123 kg (271 lb).

VELOX P1, 2 - Technology satellite for Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore. Launched 2013. Cubesat 1U bus. First Launch: 2013-11-21. Last Launch: 2013-11-21. Number: 1 . Gross mass: 1.00 kg (2.20 lb).

VELOX P3 - Technology satellite for Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore. Launched 2014. First Launch: 2014-06-30. Last Launch: 2014-06-30. Number: 1 . Gross mass: 0 kg (0 lb).

VENµS - Earth observation satellite built by IAI, Rafael for IAI, CNES. Used TECSAR Bus.

Venera - Russian series of spacecraft that explored the planet Venus. Venera spacecraft made the first soft landings on the surface of Venus and returned the first images from the surface.

Venera 1V - Russian Venus probe. Venus probe with the announced mission of direct atmospheric studies. Venus lander, Russia. Launched 1967. Status: Operational 1967. First Launch: 1967-06-12. Last Launch: 1967-06-17. Number: 2 . Gross mass: 1,105 kg (2,436 lb).

Venera 1VA - Russian Venus probe. The 1VA probe, the first spacecraft sent towards Venus, consisted of a cylindrical body topped by a dome, totaling 2 meters in height. Status: Operational 1961. First Launch: 1961-02-04. Last Launch: 1961-02-12. Number: 2 . Gross mass: 644 kg (1,419 lb).

Venera 2V - Russian Venus probe. Spacecraft was very similar to Venera 4 / 1V (V-67) although the descent module was of a stronger design. Venus lander, Russia. Launched 1969. Status: Operational 1969. First Launch: 1969-01-05. Last Launch: 1969-01-10. Number: 2 . Gross mass: 1,128 kg (2,486 lb).

Venera 3MV-1 - Russian Venus probe. Status: Operational 1964. First Launch: 1964-02-19. Last Launch: 1964-04-02. Number: 3 . Gross mass: 890 kg (1,960 lb).

Venera 3MV-1A - Russian Venus probe. Status: Operational 1963. First Launch: 1963-11-11. Last Launch: 1964-02-19. Number: 2 . Gross mass: 890 kg (1,960 lb).

Venera 3MV-3 - Russian Venus probe. Venera 3. The mission of this spacecraft was to land on the Venusian surface. Venus flyby and lander, Russia. Launched 1965. Status: Operational 1965. First Launch: 1965-11-16. Last Launch: 1965-11-16. Number: 1 . Gross mass: 958 kg (2,112 lb).

Venera 3MV-4 - Russian Venus probe. Carried a TV system and scientific instruments. Mars flyby (Z. 2), Lunar flyby (Z. 3), Venus flyby (V. 2, K. 96) satellite, Russia. Launched 1964 - 1965. Status: Operational 1965. First Launch: 1965-11-12. Last Launch: 1965-11-23. Number: 2 . Gross mass: 960 kg (2,110 lb).

Venera 3V-70 - Russian Venus probe. Venus lander intended to study the Venusian atmosphere and other phenomena of the planet. Venus lander, Russia. Launched 1970. Status: Operational 1970. First Launch: 1970-08-17. Last Launch: 1970-08-22. Number: 2 . Gross mass: 1,180 kg (2,600 lb).

Venera 3V-72 - Russian Venus probe. Venus atmospheric probe; instrumentation included temperature, pressure, and light sensors as well as radio transmitters. Venus lander, Russia. Launched 1972. Status: Operational 1972. First Launch: 1972-03-27. Last Launch: 1972-03-31. Number: 2 . Gross mass: 1,180 kg (2,600 lb).

Venera 4V-1 - Russian Venus probe. Venus orbiter and lander, Russia. Launched 1975 - 1978. Status: Operational 1975. First Launch: 1975-06-08. Last Launch: 1981-11-04. Number: 6 . Gross mass: 5,030 kg (11,080 lb).

Venera 4V-2 - Russian Venus probe. Venera radar mappers which used an 8 cm band side-looking radar to study the surface properties of Venus. Venus radar lander, Russia. Launched 1983. Status: Operational 1983. First Launch: 1983-06-02. Last Launch: 1983-06-07. Number: 2 . Gross mass: 4,000 kg (8,800 lb).

VeneSat - Venezuela's first satellite, a Chinese-built DFH-4 communications satellite with C-band and Ku-band transponders.

VENESAT 1 - Communication satellite built by CAST for Ministry of Science and Technology of Venezuela, Venezuela. Launched 2008. Used the DFH-4 Bus bus. First Launch: 2008-10-29. Last Launch: 2008-10-29. Number: 1 . Gross mass: 5,049 kg (11,131 lb).

Venezuela - Venezuela

Venta 1 - Technology satellite for Ventspils University, Latvia. Launched 2017. First Launch: 2017-05-25. Last Launch: 2017-05-25. Number: 1 . Gross mass: 8.00 kg (17.60 lb).

Venturestar - American SSTO winged orbital launch vehicle. Production reusable single-stage-to-orbit launch vehicle using technology developed in X-33 test bed. Status: Cancelled 1999. Gross mass: 991,000 kg (2,184,000 lb). Payload: 26,800 kg (59,000 lb). Thrust: 13,390.00 kN (3,010,190 lbf). More at: Lox/LH2

Venus - Alternate name of VENµS (Venus).

Venus - Category of spacecraft.

Venus engine - Sud solid rocket engine. Centaure 2C first stage. Status: Retired 1981. Gross mass: 200 kg (440 lb). Unfuelled mass: 66 kg (145 lb). Thrust: 44.00 kN (9,891 lbf). More at: Solid

Venus Express - European Venus probe. European Union probe to Venus, with the primary mission of studying the atmosphere and space environment of the planet. Status: Operational 2005. First Launch: 2005-11-09. Last Launch: 2005-11-09. Number: 1 .

VEP - Japanese technology satellite. Monitored H-2 launch vehicle performance. National name MYOJO. Technology satellite for NASDA, Japan. Launched 1994. Status: Operational 1994. First Launch: 1994-02-03. Last Launch: 2001-08-29. Number: 2 . Gross mass: 2,391 kg (5,271 lb).

VEP 2 - Technology satellite for NASDA, Japan. Launched 2001. First Launch: 2001-08-29. Last Launch: 2001-08-29. Number: 1 .

VEP 3 - Technology satellite operated by NASDA, Japan. Launched 2002. First Launch: 2002-02-04. Last Launch: 2002-02-04. Number: 1 . Gross mass: 33 kg (72 lb).

VERAS - French manned spaceplane. Study 1968. A Mach 10 spaceplane demonstrator proposed by Nord Aviation in 1968. Status: Study 1968.

Vergeltungswaffen-1 - Alternate designation for V-1.

Vergeltungswaffen-2 - Alternate designation for V-2.

Verhknaya Salda - Alternate name for Nizhniy Tagil.

Vermont Lunar Cubesat - Technology satellite built by Vermont Technical College (VTC); Pumpkin (bus). Launched 2013. Tested navigation components to be used in a follow up 3U ion drive CubeSat to the Moon. Successful. First university satellite from New England. Cubesat 1U bus. First Launch: 2013-11-20. Last Launch: 2013-11-20. Number: 1 . Gross mass: 1.00 kg (2.20 lb).

Verne, Jules - French writer, one of the founders of the literary genre of science fiction. He described in his novels the possibility of space flight, technically accurate to the extent possible. Born: 1828. Died: 1905-01-01.

Vernon - Test rocket launch location. First Launch: 1951-04-01. Last Launch: 1951-04-01. Number: 1 .

Vernov, Sergei Nikolayevich - Russian scientist. Director of NII-Yash of Moscow State University 1960-1982. Specialized in science experiments. Born: 1910-07-11. Died: 1982-09-26.

Vero P2 - LRBA solid rocket engine. Veronique P2 first stage. Status: Retired 1951. Gross mass: 500 kg (1,100 lb). More at: Solid

Vero P6 - LRBA solid rocket engine. Veronique P6 first stage. Status: Retired 1952. Gross mass: 500 kg (1,100 lb). Thrust: 20.00 kN (4,496 lbf). More at: Solid

Veronique - After the cancellation of the 'Super V-2' project, the German team at Vernon pursued development of a tenth-scale version, the Project 4213 Veronique (VERnon et electrONIQUE). The 4 metric ton thrust motor, using nitric acid and kerosene, beat the 'pure French' project 4211 Eole design and paved the way leading to the Ariane space booster. Status: Retired 1975. First Launch: 1952-05-20. Last Launch: 1965-02-12. Number: 54 . Gross mass: 1,300 kg (2,800 lb). Unfuelled mass: 278 kg (612 lb). Thrust: 40.00 kN (8,992 lbf). More at: Nitric acid/Turpentine

Veronique 61 - French sounding rocket. Development of an improved version of Veronique, with a 50% increase in thrust, began in 1961. The much larger vehicle could reach 315 km with the standard Veronique 60 kg payload. Status: Retired 1967. First Launch: 1964-06-08. Last Launch: 1967-02-24. Number: 6 . Gross mass: 1,932 kg (4,259 lb). Payload: 60 kg (132 lb). Thrust: 60.00 kN (13,488 lbf).

Veronique 61 engine - LRBA Nitric acid/Turpentine rocket engine. Number: 1 . Thrust: 60.00 kN (13,488 lbf). More at: Nitric acid/Turpentine

Veronique 61 stage - Nitric acid/Turpentine propellant rocket stage. Status: Retired 1967. Gross mass: 1,900 kg (4,100 lb). Thrust: 60.00 kN (13,488 lbf). More at: Nitric acid/Turpentine

Veronique 61M - French sounding rocket. Lengthened version of Veronique 61 capable of carrying an increased payload of 100 kg. Status: Retired 1975. First Launch: 1966-03-24. Last Launch: 1975-05-31. Number: 15 . Gross mass: 2,050 kg (4,510 lb). Payload: 100 kg (220 lb). Thrust: 60.00 kN (13,488 lbf).

Veronique 61M stage - Nitric acid/Turpentine propellant rocket stage. Status: Retired 1975. Gross mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Thrust: 60.00 kN (13,488 lbf). More at: Nitric acid/Turpentine

Veronique AGI - French sounding rocket. The Veronique AGI was the rocket originally intended for the International Geophysical Year order. It followed the configuration of the Veronique NA, but had a lower empty weight, a simplified engine using single wall cooling, and used turpentine fuel instead of kerosene. This increased the specific impulse, decreased combustion instabilities, and allowed the version to reach 210 km altitude. Status: Retired 1969. First Launch: 1965-10-22. Last Launch: 1969-02-20. Number: 9 . Gross mass: 1,342 kg (2,958 lb). Payload: 60 kg (132 lb). Thrust: 40.00 kN (8,992 lbf).

Veronique AGI engine - LRBA Nitric acid/Turpentine rocket engine. Number: 1 . Thrust: 40.00 kN (8,992 lbf). More at: Nitric acid/Turpentine

Veronique AGI stage - Nitric acid/Turpentine rocket stage. 40.00 kN (8,992 lbf) thrust. Mass 1,300 kg (2,866 lb). Status: Retired 1969. Gross mass: 1,300 kg (2,800 lb). Unfuelled mass: 278 kg (612 lb). Thrust: 40.00 kN (8,992 lbf). More at: Nitric acid/Turpentine

Veronique N - French sounding rocket. 'Veronique Normal ' - Full-scale version of the original Veronique design. Gross mass: 1,100 kg (2,400 lb). Payload: 60 kg (132 lb). Thrust: 40.00 kN (8,992 lbf).

Veronique NA - French sounding rocket. Lengthened version of the Veronique N, allowing the vehicle to reach the more scientifically-interesting altitude of 135 km. It also used a modified injector for the engine to improve combustion stability. Gross mass: 1,435 kg (3,163 lb). Payload: 60 kg (132 lb). Thrust: 40.00 kN (8,992 lbf).

Veronique P2 - French sounding test vehicle. Test vehicle, powered by two powder rockets, to test the Veronique's unique wire guidance system. Status: Retired 1951. First Launch: 1951-04-01. Last Launch: 1951-04-01. Number: 1 . Gross mass: 500 kg (1,100 lb). Thrust: 20.00 kN (4,496 lbf).

Veronique P2-1 - Alternate name for Vero P2.

Veronique P6 - French sounding test vehicle. Test vehicle, powered by six powder rockets, to test the Veronique's unique wire guidance system. Status: Retired 1952. First Launch: 1952-01-25. Last Launch: 1952-01-28. Number: 2 . Gross mass: 500 kg (1,100 lb). Thrust: 20.00 kN (4,496 lbf).

Veronique P6-1 - Alternate name for Vero P6.

Veronique R - French sounding test vehicle. 'Veronique Reduce' - test vehicle for the full-size Veronique, with the burn time of the engine limited to 6.5 sec instead of the nominal 32 sec. Tested in France at the Suippes range in 1950 and 1951, then at Cardonnet in early 1952. Status: Retired 1952. First Launch: 1950-08-02. Last Launch: 1952-01-30. Number: 8 . Gross mass: 1,000 kg (2,200 lb). Thrust: 40.00 kN (8,992 lbf). More at: Solid

Veronique R-1 - LRBA solid rocket engine. Status: Retired 1952. Number: 1 . Gross mass: 500 kg (1,100 lb). Unfuelled mass: 385 kg (848 lb). Thrust: 40.00 kN (8,992 lbf). More at: Solid

Vershinin, Konstantin Andreyevich - Russian officer. Commander of Air Force 1957-1969. Born: 1900-06-03. Died: 1973-12-30.

Vertical Takeoff Horizontal Landing - Alternate designation for VTOHL 45t.

Vertical Takeoff Horizontal Landing - Alternate designation for VTOHL 9t.

Vertical Takeoff Vertical Landing - Alternate designation for VTOVL 1978.

Vertical Takeoff Vertical Landing - Alternate designation for VTOVL.

Vertikal - Alternate designation for R-5A.

Vertikal - Alternate designation for R-5V.

Vertikal' K65UP - Russian orbital launch vehicle. Soviet single stage sounding rocket, based on the R-14 IRBM. Status: Retired 1983. First Launch: 1973-01-01. Last Launch: 1983-01-01. Number: 25 . Gross mass: 90,000 kg (198,000 lb). Thrust: 1,485.00 kN (333,841 lbf).

Vertikal-4 - Alternate designation for Vertikal' K65UP.

Vesselsat - OHB LuxSpace of Luxembourg satellite to provide AIS (ship tracking) services for Orbcomm. Technology satellite for LuxSpace, Luxembourg. Launched 2011-2012. Status: Operational 2011. First Launch: 2011-10-12. Last Launch: 2012-01-09. Number: 2 . Gross mass: 29 kg (63 lb).

Vesta - French LRBA Nitric acid/Turpentine sounding rocket. In the late 1950's LRBA studied several possible configurations for a 'Super Veronique' sounding rocket, with engines of 80 to 250 kN to carry a payload of 100 kg up to 600 km altitude. In 1962 CNES ordered the Vesta configuration. Static tests in 1964 led to a modest series of launches in 1965-1969. Status: Retired 1969. First Launch: 1965-10-15. Last Launch: 1969-11-08. Number: 5 . Gross mass: 5,700 kg (12,500 lb). Payload: 500 kg (1,100 lb). Thrust: 140.00 kN (31,470 lbf).

VESTA satellite - Technology, communication satellite built by SSTL (bus); Honeywell (payload for exactEarth, Canada. Cubesat 3U bus. Gross mass: 5.00 kg (11.00 lb).

Vesta-1 - Nitric acid/Turpentine rocket stage. 140.00 kN (31,473 lbf) thrust. Mass 5,000 kg (11,023 lb). Status: Retired 1969. Gross mass: 5,000 kg (11,000 lb). Unfuelled mass: 780 kg (1,710 lb). Thrust: 140.00 kN (31,470 lbf). More at: Nitric acid/Turpentine

vestibular - Pertaining to the organs of the inner ear that provide a sense of equilibrium for animals and man.

Vetoshkin, Sergei Ivanovich - Russian politician. First Deputy Chairman of Military-industrial Commission 1958-1965. Directorate Chief in Ministry of Armaments. Born: 1905-09-25. Died: 1991-07-19.

VEx-5 - French test launch vehicle variant.

VEx-5c - French test launch vehicle variant.

Vexin A - SEP N2O4/UDMH rocket engine. Used on Europa launch vehicle. First flight 1964. Number: 44 . Unfuelled mass: 175 kg (385 lb). Thrust: 68.60 kN (15,422 lbf). More at: N2O4/UDMH

Vexin B - SEP N2O4/UDMH rocket engine. Out of production. Used on Diamant launch vehicle. First flight 1965. Status: Out of production. Number: 16 . Unfuelled mass: 192 kg (423 lb). Thrust: 75.40 kN (16,951 lbf). More at: N2O4/UDMH

Vexin C - SEP N2O4/UDMH rocket engine. Out of production. Used on Diamant B launch vehicle. First flight 1970. Status: Out of production. Number: 20 . Unfuelled mass: 252 kg (555 lb). Thrust: 99.10 kN (22,279 lbf). More at: N2O4/UDMH

VfR - Verein fuer Raumschiffahrt.

VHF - Abbreviation for Very High Frequency

VIAM - All-Union Institute for Aviation Materials (Russian abbreviation)

Viasat - Broadband data satellite series for North American service using the FS-1300 bus. Coverage on the first launched included 9 Canadian spot beams owned by Telesat and 63 US beams owned by ViaSat.

ViaSat 1 - Communication satellite built by Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) for ViaSat Inc., USA. Launched 2011. Used the SSL-1300 bus. First Launch: 2011-10-19. Last Launch: 2011-10-19. Number: 1 . Gross mass: 6,740 kg (14,850 lb).

ViaSat 2 - Communicationsatellite built by Boeing Satellite Systems for ViaSat Inc.. Used the BSS-702HP bus. Number: 0 . Gross mass: 6,400 kg (14,100 lb).

ViaSat 3 Americas, Asia, EMEA - Communication satellite built by Boeing Satellite Systems (bus); ViaSat Inc. (payload) for ViaSat Inc., USA. Used the BSS-702HP bus. Gross mass: 6,400 kg (14,100 lb).

Vicecomodoro Marambio Station - Alternate name for Marambio.

Victor - Victor was the first Argentine-built satellite. Measuring 340 x 340 x 450mm, Victor was an experimental vehicle, intended to evaluate in-orbit behavior of low-cost space technologies. Used the MuSat bus.

Victor - Alternate name of MuSat 1 (Victor).

Victoria - Alternate name of USP (Victoria).

Victory, John F - American manager, at NACA 1915-1960, credited with maintaining good working relationship with Congress. Born: 1893. Died: 1975-01-01.

Vidrine, David Matthew - American engineer military spaceflight engineer astronaut, 1979-1985. Status: Inactive; Active 1979-1985. Born: 1943-11-21.

Viebach, Fritz - German rocket technician in WW2, worked in the Soviet Union thereafter. One of the group that fired V-2 rockets at Kapustin Yar in 1946. Born: 1907. Died: 1961-01-01.

Viehboeck, Franz Artur - Austrian engineer cosmonaut 1989-1991. First Austrian astronaut. Flight record: 1 spaceflight, 7.9 days in space. Flew to orbit on Soyuz TM-13 (1991).. Status: Inactive; Active 1989-1991. Born: 1960-08-24. Spaceflights: 1 . Total time in space: 7.93 days.

Vietnam - Vietnam

Vietnamese AF - Vietnamese AF.

Vigilant - British anti-tank missile. Status: Operational 1963. Gross mass: 14 kg (30 lb). Payload: 5.90 kg (13.00 lb).

Vihr - Russian anti-tank missile. Gross mass: 34 kg (74 lb). Payload: 3.20 kg (7.00 lb).

Vik - Sounding rocket launch location. First Launch: 1964-08-01. Last Launch: 1965-09-03. Number: 4 .

Vikhr - Alternate name of Hermes 9K121.

Viking - American Mars lander. First successful soft landings made at two locations on the Martian surface and returned the first images from the surface. Launched 1975. Status: Operational 1974. First Launch: 1974-02-11. Last Launch: 1975-09-09. Number: 5 . Gross mass: 3,399 kg (7,493 lb).

Viking (Sweden) - Swedish earth magnetosphere satellite. Viking. Sweden's first satellite, Viking, was originally initiated as a means of providing experience in satellite system development and management. Built by SAAB (prime), Boeing (bus) for SSC, Sweden. Launched 1986. Status: Operational 1986. First Launch: 1986-02-22. Last Launch: 1986-02-22. Number: 1 . Gross mass: 538 kg (1,186 lb).

Viking 2 - SEP N2O4/UDMH rocket engine. In production. Used on Ariane 1, GSLV space launchers. First flight 1979. Status: In production. Number: 60 . Unfuelled mass: 776 kg (1,710 lb). Thrust: 693.00 kN (155,792 lbf). More at: N2O4/UDMH

Viking 2B - SEP N2O4/UDMH rocket engine. Used on Ariane 2/3. First flight 1984. Number: 532 . Unfuelled mass: 776 kg (1,710 lb). Thrust: 720.00 kN (161,860 lbf). More at: N2O4/UDMH

Viking 4 - SEP N2O4/UDMH rocket engine. Used on Ariane 1, GSLV, PSLV. First flight 1979. Number: 23 . Unfuelled mass: 850 kg (1,870 lb). Thrust: 721.00 kN (162,087 lbf). More at: N2O4/UDMH

Viking 4B - SEP N2O4/UDMH rocket engine. Used on Ariane 4. First flight 1984. Number: 133 . Unfuelled mass: 850 kg (1,870 lb). Thrust: 805.00 kN (180,971 lbf). More at: N2O4/UDMH

Viking 5C - SEP N2O4/UDMH rocket engine. Used on Ariane 42L, Ariane 44L, Ariane 44LP. First flight 1988. Number: 238 . Unfuelled mass: 776 kg (1,710 lb). Thrust: 752.00 kN (169,056 lbf). More at: N2O4/UDMH

Viking Lander - Alternate designation for Viking.

Viking Model I - Alternate designation for Viking sounding rocket.

Viking Model II - Alternate designation for Viking Type 9.

Viking sounding rocket - American sounding rocket. The Viking sounding rocket, originally code-named Neptune, was conceived in 1945 by the US Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) as having the same altitude capability as the V-2 but only one third the mass. Martin was given the contract to develop the rocket, and Reaction Motors the engine. The advanced design featured a gimbaled pump-fed engine, a fuel tank integral with the fuselage. All rockets would be static-tested and certified before launch. The first launch was on 3 May 1949. Viking was abandoned in 1954 as too expensive, but Martin's experience on the design led to the first stage of the Vanguard orbital launch vehicle and the Titan ICBM. Status: Retired 1957. First Launch: 1949-05-03. Last Launch: 1951-08-07. Number: 7 . Gross mass: 4,500 kg (9,900 lb). Payload: 230 kg (500 lb). Thrust: 93.00 kN (20,907 lbf).

Viking Type 9 - American sounding rocket. Increased-diameter version of the basic Viking. Status: Retired 1957. First Launch: 1952-06-06. Last Launch: 1957-05-01. Number: 7 . Gross mass: 6,800 kg (14,900 lb). Payload: 450 kg (990 lb). Thrust: 93.00 kN (20,907 lbf).

Viking Type 9-1 - LOx/Alcohol rocket stage. 93.00 kN (20,907 lbf) thrust. Mass 6,800 kg (14,991 lb). Status: Retired 1957. Gross mass: 6,800 kg (14,900 lb). Unfuelled mass: 1,000 kg (2,200 lb). Thrust: 93.00 kN (20,907 lbf). More at: Lox/Alcohol

Viking-1 - LOx/Alcohol rocket stage. 93.00 kN (20,907 lbf) thrust. Mass 4,500 kg (9,921 lb). Status: Retired 1957. Gross mass: 4,500 kg (9,900 lb). Unfuelled mass: 800 kg (1,760 lb). Thrust: 93.00 kN (20,907 lbf). More at: Lox/Alcohol

Viking-DS - Vehicle evaluation payload built by, USA. Gross mass: 3,497 kg (7,709 lb).

Viktorenko, Aleksandr Stepanovich - Russian pilot cosmonaut 1978-1997. 489 cumulative days in space. Call sign: Vityaz (Knight). Flight record: 4 spaceflights, 489.1 days in space. Flew to orbit on Soyuz TM-3 (1987), Soyuz TM-8, Soyuz TM-14, Soyuz TM-20.. Status: Inactive; Active 1978-1997. Born: 1947-03-29. Spaceflights: 4 . Total time in space: 489.06 days.

Villa Reynolds - Villa Reynolds Air Base. Sounding rocket launch location. First Launch: 1973-03-22. Last Launch: 1973-03-28. Number: 2 .

Vilter, Hans-Albert - German rocket technician in WW2, worked in the Soviet Union thereafter. One of the group that fired V-2 rockets at Kapustin Yar in 1946.

Vinasat - First satellite launched by Vietnam. The Vietnam Post and Telecom Corporation communications satellite was equipped with C and Ku band payloads. Used the AS 2100 bus.

VINASAT 1 - Communication satellite built by Lockheed Martin for Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) of Vietnam, Vietnam. Launched 2008. Used the A2100A bus. First Launch: 2008-04-18. Last Launch: 2008-04-18. Number: 1 . Gross mass: 2,637 kg (5,813 lb).

VINASAT 2 - Communication satellite built by Lockheed Martin for Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) of Vietnam, Vietnam. Launched 2012. Used the A2100A bus. First Launch: 2012-05-15. Last Launch: 2012-05-15. Number: 1 . Gross mass: 2,969 kg (6,545 lb).

Vinci - Snecma, Ottobrunn LOx/LH2 rocket engine. Upper Stages. In development. Advanced expander cycle cryogenic propellant rocket engine with the capability of five in-space restarts. First hot-fire tests 2005. First flight 2010. Status: In development. Thrust: 180.00 kN (40,460 lbf). More at: Lox/LH2

Vinogradov, Aleksandr Pavlovich - Russian scientist. Director of Institute of Chemical and Analytical Chemistry. Specialized in lunar sample analysis. Born: 1895-08-21. Died: 1975-01-01.

Vinogradov, Pavel Vladimirovich - Russian engineer cosmonaut 1992-on. 546 cumulative days in space. Civilian Engineer, Energia NPO. Flight record: 3 spaceflights, 546.9 days in space. Flew to orbit on Soyuz TM-26 (1997), Soyuz TMA-8, Soyuz TMA-08M.. Status: Active 1992-on. Born: 1953-08-31. Spaceflights: 3 . Total time in space: 546.94 days.

Vinzant, Allen - American Chief engineer for interfacing the Centaur upper stage with the Titan 4 launch vehicle. Born: 1931-09-01.

Violet - Technology, astronomy satellite for Cornell University, USA. Gross mass: 50 kg (110 lb).

Viper - American sounding rocket. Single stage sounding rocket developed as a follow-on to the Loki-Dart. Status: Active. First Launch: 1968-05-21. Last Launch: 1968-07-01. Number: 4 . Gross mass: 1,400 kg (3,000 lb). Thrust: 102.00 kN (22,930 lbf).

Viper 3A - American sounding rocket. The Viper 3A/10D Dart was a two stage sounding rocket vehicle consisting of a solid propellant Viper 3A rocket motor as the first stage and a non-propulsive Dart containing the payload as the second stage. Status: Active. First Launch: 1972-09-27. Last Launch: 2009-08-17. Number: 467 .

Viper 3A-1 - Alternate name for Viper-25.

Viper AGM-80 - Chrysler air-to-surface missile. Cancelled 1974. Radar-homing. US/German co-development.. Gross mass: 80 kg (176 lb).

Viper Falcon - American sounding rocket. Two stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Viper I + 1 x Falcon Status: Retired 1960. First Launch: 1960-08-13. Last Launch: 1960-08-13. Number: 2 .

Viper FGR-17 - General Dynamics man-launched surface-to-surface rocket. Gross mass: 3.73 kg (8.22 lb).

Viper/Dart V/1 - Alternate name for Viper-27.

Viper-20 - Multiple-source American solid rocket engine. Viper Viper-Dart first stage. Status: Active. Thrust: 20.00 kN (4,496 lbf). More at: Solid

Viper-25 - Aerojet solid rocket engine. Viper 3A first stage. Status: Active. Gross mass: 35 kg (77 lb). Unfuelled mass: 9.00 kg (19.80 lb). Thrust: 25.00 kN (5,620 lbf). More at: Solid

Viper-27 - Multiple-source American solid rocket engine. Status: Y. Gross mass: 100 kg (220 lb). Thrust: 27.00 kN (6,069 lbf). More at: Solid

Viper3 - Alternate designation for Viper 3A.

Viper-Arrow - 2 stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Viper II + 1 x Arrow II. Status: Retired 1961. First Launch: 1960-01-01. Last Launch: 1961-02-01. Number: 2 .

Viper-Dart - American sounding rocket. Single stage sounding rocket that delivered a 1-m diameter inflatable sphere to 90 km to measure winds aloft. Status: Active. First Launch: 1967-08-05. Last Launch: 1984-02-23. Number: 76 .

Viper-Dart-1 - Alternate name for Viper-20.

Virazh - Alternate name of Krug 9M316.

Virgin Galactic - Virgin Galactic.

Virginia - American manufacturer of spacecraft. Virginia Polytechnic, USA.

Virginia 1, 2, 3 - Technology satellite for Old Dominion Research Foundation, USA. Cubesat 1U bus. Gross mass: 1.00 kg (2.20 lb).

Virts, Terry Wayne Jr - American test pilot astronaut, 2000-2016. Flight record: 2 spaceflights, 213.5 days in space. Flew to orbit on STS-130 (2010), Soyuz TMA-15M.. Status: Inactive; Active 2000-2016. Born: 1967-12-01. Spaceflights: 2 . Total time in space: 213.45 days.

Visakhapatnam - Visakhapatnam First Launch: 2008-02-26. Last Launch: 2013-01-27. Number: 2 .

Visible astronomy satellite - Category of spacecraft.

Viso, Michel Yves - French biologist payload specialist astronaut, cosmonaut, 1985-1998. Doctorate of veterinary medicine from " l'Ecole Veterinaire de Maison-Alfort ", 1975. Worked for CNES in Paris, in coordination of spaceflight activities. Status: Inactive; Active 1985-1998. Born: 1951-06-16.

Viste, Norman Duane - American Chief Engineer for Atlas III and V Born: 1939-09-24.

VITA - Volunteers In Technical Assistance, Inc., USA

VITASat 1 - Alternate name of GemStar 1 (VITASat 1).

Vitka, Vladimir Andreyevich - Russian engineer. First Deputy Chief Designer 1954-1961 of Glushko design bureau. Specialized in rocket engines. Born: 1901-11-19. Died: 1989-01-10.

Vitruk, Andrei Avksentyevich - Russian officer. Major General, Chief of KIK Space Tracking Network 1956-1959. Served in WW2. Assigned to 4-NII MO military space research institute in 1955. Invalided from the service in August 1962. Born: 1906. Died: 1987-01-01.

VITT - Abbreviation for Vehicle Integration Test Team

Vittori, Roberto - Italian test pilot mission specialist astronaut 1998-2016. Italian Air Force. Flight record: 3 spaceflights, 35.5 days in space. Flew to orbit on Soyuz TM-34 (2002), Soyuz TMA-6, STS-134.. Status: Inactive; Active 1998-2016.. Born: 1964-10-15. Spaceflights: 3 . Total time in space: 35.52 days.

Vityaz (Knight ) - Alternate name for Soyuz TM-20.

Vityaz (Knight ) - Alternate name for Soyuz TM-14.

Vityaz (Knight ) - Alternate name for Soyuz TM-8.

Vityaz (Knight ) - Alternate name for Soyuz TM-3.

Vityaz (Knight) - Alternate designation for Soyuz TM-8.

Vityaz (Knight) - Alternate designation for Soyuz TM-3.

Vityaz (Knight) - Alternate designation for Soyuz TM-20.

Vityaz (Knight) - Alternate designation for Soyuz TM-14.

VKA - Military Space Force, Russia.

VKA Myasishchev 1957 - Alternate name for VKA Myasishchev M-48.

VKA Myasishchev M-48 - Russian manned spaceplane. Study 1957. Myasishchev's first VKA design was a diminutive single-crew star-shaped spaceplane that could be launched by Korolev's R-7 ICBM. Status: Study 1957. Gross mass: 1,000 kg (2,200 lb).

VKA series - In 1957, in response to the USAF Dynasoar project, Soviet aviation bureaus were tasked with producing draft project designs for a manned Aero-Space Vehicle (Russian abbreviation VKA). Designs were refined through 1960, at which time the design bureaus were dissolved and incorporated into Chelomei's OKB-52. The engineering work then fed into Chelomei's Raketoplan designs. Status: Design 1960.

VKA-23 Design 1 - Russian manned spaceplane. Study 1960. Myasishchev single-pilot winged spacecraft of 1960, sized for launch to orbit by Korolev's Vostok booster. Status: Study 1960. Gross mass: 3,500 kg (7,700 lb). Unfuelled mass: 3,380 kg (7,450 lb). Payload: 700 kg (1,540 lb).

VKA-23 Design 2 - Russian manned spaceplane. Study 1957. Following the very critical review of the first M-48 spaceplane design by the expert commission, Myasishchev went back to the drawing board. Status: Study 1957. Gross mass: 3,600 kg (7,900 lb). Unfuelled mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Payload: 700 kg (1,540 lb).

VKK - Russian manned spaceplane. Study 1998. A Russian concept of the 1990's harking back to Chelomei's Raketoplan of three decades earlier. A manned aircraft would be protected during launch and re-entry by an expendable aeroshell heat shield. Status: Study 1998. Gross mass: 12,000 kg (26,000 lb). Payload: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb).

VKS - Alternate designation for MVKS.

VKS - Russian agency overseeing development of spacecraft. Military Space Force, Russia.

VKS series - In reaction to US X-30 project, government decrees of 27 January and 19 July 1986 ordered development of a Soviet equivalent. Development continued until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1990. Status: Cancelled 1990. Gross mass: 700,000 kg (1,540,000 lb). Payload: 25,000 kg (55,000 lb).

VKS-D - Russian winged orbital launch vehicle. Air launched from An-225. Release conditions: Piggy-back, 275,000 kg, 38.0 m length x 24.0 m wingspan, 900 kph at 9,500 m altitude. Effective velocity gain compared to vertical launch 270 m/s. Status: Study 1988. Gross mass: 275,000 kg (606,000 lb). Payload: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb).

VKS-DM - Russian winged orbital launch vehicle. Air launched from Gerakl / NPO Molniya-1000 heavy-lift aircraft, catamaran layout, twin-fuselage triplane. Release conditions: Suspended load, 450,000 kg, 900 kph at 9,500 m altitude. Effective velocity gain compared to vertical launch 270 m/s. Status: Study 1988. Gross mass: 450,000 kg (990,000 lb).

VKS-G - Russian winged orbital launch vehicle. Air launched from Kholod Mach 5 mother ship. This was a Mikoyan supersonic cargo aircraft, designed from Spiral 50-50 design. Combined-cycle turbo-ramjet engine. Release conditions: Piggy-back, 200,000 kg, Mach 5 at 25 to 30 km altitude. Effective velocity gain compared to vertical launch 1130 m/s. It was concluded that the extensive development would be required for the combination-cycle engines, resulting in an extended development schedule and high technical risk. The more conservative subsonic-launched MAKS was chosen instead. Status: Study 1988. Payload: 21,000 kg (46,000 lb).

VKS-O - Russian winged orbital launch vehicle. Vertical takeoff, ballistic re-entry, single-stage-to-orbit, LOx/Kerosene/LH2 tripropellant rocket engine powered, reusable launch vehicle. 550 metric ton and 770 metric ton gross lift-off mass versions considered. Status: Study 1988. Gross mass: 550,000 kg (1,210,000 lb). Payload: 8,500 kg (18,700 lb).

VKS-R - Russian winged orbital launch vehicle. Sled launched, delta winged, single-stage-to-orbit, LOx/LH2 launch vehicle. 290 metric ton and 550 metric ton versions considered. Studied in tradeoff studies leading to MAKS. Release conditions: Piggy-back, 290,000 kg, Mach 0.5, zero altitude. Effective velocity gain compared to vertical launch 100 m/s. The wheeled sled would get the vehicle up to a velocity where the wings could provide lift, allowing lower-thrust engines to be used than in a vertical-takeoff design. This saved weight, but velocity losses during lifting flight to orbit almost cancelled the advantage, resulting in the approach being unattractive in comparison to pure vertical-launch or air-launch designs. Status: Study 1988. Gross mass: 290,000 kg (630,000 lb). Payload: 4,000 kg (8,800 lb).

VKS-R Sled - LOx/Kerosene propellant rocket stage. Sled studied in tradeoff studies leading to MAKS. Release conditions: Piggy-back, 290,000 kg, Mach 0.5, zero altitude. Effective velocity gain compared to vertical launch 100 m/s. Status: Study. Gross mass: 100,000 kg (220,000 lb). Payload: 290,000 kg (630,000 lb). More at: Lox/Kerosene

VKS-RTO+ZhRD - Russian winged orbital launch vehicle. Horizontal takeoff, delta winged, single-stage-to-orbit, launch vehicle. Mixed rocket / ramjet propulsion. Status: Study 1988. Gross mass: 770,000 kg (1,690,000 lb). Payload: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb).

VKS-V - Russian winged orbital launch vehicle. Vertical takeoff, delta winged, single-stage-to-orbit, LOx/Kerosene/LH2 tripropellant rocket engine powered vehicle. 550 metric ton gross liftoff mass and 1000 metric ton versions studied. Analogous to NASA's Shuttle-2 and RKK Energia's VKS. Status: Study 1988. Gross mass: 550,000 kg (1,210,000 lb). Payload: 7,500 kg (16,500 lb).

VKS-ZhRD+GPVRD - Russian winged orbital launch vehicle. Horizontal takeoff, delta winged, single-stage-to-orbit, launch vehicle. Mixed rocket / scramjet propulsion. Status: Study 1988. Gross mass: 770,000 kg (1,690,000 lb).

VLA - Abbreviation for Very Large Array

Vladimirskiy, Sergei Mikhailovich - Russian government official. Deputy Minister of Radio-Technical Industries 1954-1979. Began career at KB-1.

VL-Asroc RUM-139 - Lockheed Martin (Loral) ship-launched surface-to-underwater missile. Fired from surface ships against submarines.. Gross mass: 639 kg (1,408 lb).

VLBA - Abbreviation for Very Long Baseline Array

VLBI - Abbreviation for Very Long Baseline Interferometry

VLF - Abbreviation for Very Low Frequency

VLM - Brazilian satellite launcher using core of VLS only. Planned for launch of microsatellites. First launch 2002 or later. Status: Development ended 1997. Gross mass: 15,900 kg (35,000 lb). Payload: 100 kg (220 lb). Thrust: 262.20 kN (58,945 lbf).

VLM-4 - Alternate name for S-30 engine.

VLS - Brazilian satellite launcher building on successful family of sounding rockets. Status: Active. Gross mass: 49,609 kg (109,369 lb). Payload: 380 kg (830 lb). Thrust: 1,048.90 kN (235,802 lbf).

VLS - - Brazilian satellite launcher building on successful family of sounding rockets.

VLS-1 - Brazilian all-solid orbital launch vehicle. Status: Active. First Launch: 1997-11-02. Last Launch: 2003-08-22. Number: 3 . Gross mass: 50,700 kg (111,700 lb). Payload: 120 kg (260 lb). Thrust: 1,172.00 kN (263,476 lbf).

VLS-R1 - Brazilian all-solid test vehicle. Single stage vehicle. Status: Retired 1989. First Launch: 1985-12-01. Last Launch: 1985-12-01. Number: 1 . Gross mass: 9,000 kg (19,800 lb). Thrust: 300.00 kN (67,440 lbf).

VLS-R2 - 2 stage vehicle consisting of 4 x VLS-R2 Strapon + 1 x VLS-R2. Status: Retired 1989. First Launch: 1989-05-18. Last Launch: 1989-05-18. Number: 1 .

VLT - Abbreviation for Very Large Telescope

VMF - Russian agency. Voenno-Morskoy Flot (Navy), Russia.

VMF RF - Russian Navy (Russian abbreviation)

VMS - Abbreviation for Vertical Motion Simulator

VMSK-4 - Russian pressure suit, operational 1970. The VMSK-4 was a partial pressure immersion suit developed for Soviet Naval Aviation pilots. Status: operational 1970.

VNII - All-Union Scientific-Research Institute (Russian abbreviation)

VNII-30 -

VNIIEM - Russian manufacturer of spacecraft. VNII Elektromekhaniki (Russian abbreviation for All-Union Scientific-Research Institute for Electro-Mechanics), Russia.

VNIIIT - All-Union Scientific-Research Institute for Current Sources (Russian abbreviation)

VNIRS-61 -

VNREDSAT - Remote sensing satellite for the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. Used the Myriade bus.

VNREDSat 1a - Earth observation satellite built by EADS Astrium for Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), Vietnam. Launched 2013. Used the AstroSat-100 / Myriade bus. First Launch: 2013-05-07. Last Launch: 2013-05-07. Number: 1 . Gross mass: 115 kg (253 lb).

VNREDSat 1b - Earth observation satellite built by SPACEBEL (prime) for Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST). Used Proba bus. Gross mass: 130 kg (280 lb).

VO 52 - Alternate name of HAMSAT (VUSat, VO 52, VUSat-OSCAR 52).

Vodopod - Alternate name of 86R.

Voenno-Kosmicheskiye Sili (Military Space Forces) - Alternate designation for VKS.

Voenno-Morskoy Flot SSSR - Alternate name for VMF.

Voenno-Vosdushniye Sili - Alternate name for VVS.

Voevoda - Alternate name of R-36M2.

Voevoda - Alternate designation for R-36M2 15A18M.

Vogt, Richard - German Chief Designer. Chief aircraft designer with Blohm and Voss during World War II. Stayed in Germany after the war. Born: 1894. Died: 1979-01-01.

Voigt - German rocket engineer in WW2; later worked in France at LRBA from 1947 in the ground support equipment group. Returned to Germany thereafter.

VOIR - Venus Orbiting Imaging Radar (superseded by VRM)

Volgograd Station - Alternate name for Kapustin Yar.

Volk, Igor Petrovich - Ukrainian test pilot cosmonaut 1977-1996. Flight record: 1 spaceflight, 11.8 days in space. Flew to orbit on Soyuz T-12 (1984).. Status: Deceased; Active 1977-1996. Born: 1937-04-12. Died: 2017-01-03. Spaceflights: 1 . Total time in space: 11.80 days.

Volkhov - Alternate designation for S-75M.

Volkhov-M - Alternate designation for V-753.

Volkov, Aleksandr Aleksandrovich - Ukrainian pilot cosmonaut 1976-1998. Father of cosmonaut Sergei Volkov. 391 cumulative days in space. Flight record: 3 spaceflights, 391.5 days in space. Flew to orbit on Soyuz T-14 (1985), Soyuz TM-7, Soyuz TM-13.. Status: Inactive; Active 1976-1998. Born: 1948-04-27. Spaceflights: 3 . Total time in space: 391.49 days.

Volkov, Sergei Aleksandrovich - Ukrainian pilot cosmonaut 1997-2017. 547 cumulative days in space. Son of cosmonaut Aleksandr Volkov. Flight record: 3 spaceflights, 547.9 days in space. Flew to orbit on Soyuz TMA-12 (2008), Soyuz TMA-02M, Soyuz TMA-18M.. Status: Inactive; Active 1997-2017. Born: 1973-04-01. Spaceflights: 3 . Total time in space: 547.93 days.

Volkov, Vladislav Nikolayevich - Russian engineer cosmonaut 1966-1971. Member of first space station crew, however perished during landing. From 1958 a civilian engineer, Korolev OKB, involved in the development of the Vostok and Voskhod spacecraft. Flight record: 2 spaceflights, 28.7 days in space. Flew to orbit on Soyuz 7 (1969), Soyuz 11.. Status: Deceased; Active 1966-1971. Born: 1935-11-23. Died: 1971-06-30. Spaceflights: 2 . Total time in space: 28.71 days.

Volna - Alternate designation for R-29R.

Volna - Russian launch vehicle based on surplus R-29RL submarine launched ballistic missiles. Suborbital and orbital versions. Payload volume 1.3 cu. M. Payload 115 kg to 3000 km or 1250 kg to 200 km altitude suborbital trajectories, or 120 (260 lb) kg to a 200 km orbit. Liftoff mass 34 metric tons. Status: Active. First Launch: 1975-01-01. Last Launch: 2018-10-11. Number: 51 . Gross mass: 35,300 kg (77,800 lb). Payload: 120 kg (260 lb). Thrust: 682.00 kN (153,319 lbf).

Volna - Alternate designation for R-29K.

Volna - Alternate designation for R-29RL.

Volna SLV - Alternate designation for Volna.

Volna V-601 - Russian surface-to-air missile. Used the improved V-601 missile with new booster and warhead. The first naval vessel equipped with the V-601 went into service in 1967. Status: Operational 1961.

Volna V-601M - Russian surface-to-air missile. Further improvement of the Neva shipboard surface-to-air missile with improved capability against sea-skimming targets. Status: Operational 1961. Gross mass: 980 kg (2,160 lb). Payload: 72 kg (158 lb).

Volna-1 - N2O4/UDMH propellant rocket stage. Status: Out of production. Gross mass: 20,000 kg (44,000 lb). Thrust: 682.00 kN (153,319 lbf). More at: N2O4/UDMH

Volna-2 - N2O4/UDMH propellant rocket stage. Status: Out of production. Gross mass: 10,000 kg (22,000 lb). More at: N2O4/UDMH

Volna-M - Alternate name of Volna V-601M.

Volna-O - Russian orbital launch vehicle variant. First Launch: 2005-06-21. Last Launch: 2005-06-21. Number: 1 .

Voloshin, Valeri Abramovich - Russian pilot cosmonaut, 1965-1969. Status: Inactive; Active 1965-1969. Born: 1942-04-24.

Volynkin, Yuvenaliy Mikhailovich - Russian officer. Director of Institute of Aviation and Space Medicine 1960-1969. Born: 1907-02-07.

Volynov, Boris Valentinovich - Russian pilot cosmonaut 1960-1990. Flight record: 2 spaceflights, 52.3 days in space. Flew to orbit on Soyuz 5 (1969), Soyuz 21.. Status: Inactive; Active 1960-1990. Born: 1934-12-18. Spaceflights: 2 . Total time in space: 52.30 days.

Vomit Comet - Modified 707 airliner used by NASA for zero-G astronaut training. It would follow a parabolic course, obtaining pseudo-zero-G at the top of the parabola, but then pulling 2G's at the bottom. Dozens of parabolas would be flown on a mission; by the tenth the first participant would usually vomit, followed by most of the others as the mission went on. Even for those unaffected the odor became very unpleasant by the 20th parabola. Attendants had to be very careful that those training in 110-kg spacesuits or on sharp-edged hardware mockups were not injured when, over and over, they would quit floating and be pulled to the deck with 2G's force.

Von Braun 1948 - German winged orbital launch vehicle. Von Braun's 1948 design for a reusable space launcher was remarkable in its tubby design. This was partly driven by the need for large parachute canisters in the base of the first and second stages, which took up one half of the diameter, with the engines arranged around the periphery. Status: Study 1948. Gross mass: 6,400,000 kg (14,100,000 lb). Payload: 25,000 kg (55,000 lb). Thrust: 119,300.00 kN (26,819,700 lbf).

Von Braun 1948-1 - Nitric acid/Hydrazine propellant rocket stage. . Status: Study 1948. Gross mass: 5,500,000 kg (12,100,000 lb). Unfuelled mass: 700,000 kg (1,540,000 lb). Thrust: 141,286.30 kN (31,762,424 lbf). More at: Nitric acid/Hydrazine

Von Braun 1948-2 - Nitric acid/Hydrazine propellant rocket stage. . Status: Study 1948. Gross mass: 770,000 kg (1,690,000 lb). Unfuelled mass: 70,000 kg (154,000 lb). Thrust: 16,271.10 kN (3,657,889 lbf). More at: Nitric acid/Hydrazine

Von Braun 1948-3 - Nitric acid/Hydrazine propellant rocket stage. . Status: Study 1948. Gross mass: 105,000 kg (231,000 lb). Unfuelled mass: 22,000 kg (48,000 lb). Thrust: 2,033.80 kN (457,216 lbf). More at: Nitric acid/Hydrazine

Von Braun 1952 - German winged orbital launch vehicle. Von Braun's 1952 design for a reusable space launcher used the same mass and performance calculations done in 1948. However the large parachute canisters were replaced by deployable drag skirts. This allowed the design to be substantially less squat and more elegant than the 1948 version -- but still fatter than the sleek paintings that appeared in print! Status: Study 1952. Gross mass: 6,400,000 kg (14,100,000 lb). Payload: 25,000 kg (55,000 lb). Thrust: 119,300.00 kN (26,819,700 lbf).

Von Braun 1952-1 - Nitric acid/Hydrazine propellant rocket stage. . Status: Study 1952. Gross mass: 5,500,000 kg (12,100,000 lb). Unfuelled mass: 700,000 kg (1,540,000 lb). Thrust: 141,286.30 kN (31,762,424 lbf). More at: Nitric acid/Hydrazine

Von Braun 1952-2 - Nitric acid/Hydrazine propellant rocket stage. . Status: Study 1952. Gross mass: 770,000 kg (1,690,000 lb). Unfuelled mass: 70,000 kg (154,000 lb). Thrust: 16,271.10 kN (3,657,889 lbf). More at: Nitric acid/Hydrazine

Von Braun 1952-3 - Nitric acid/Hydrazine propellant rocket stage. . Status: Study 1952. Gross mass: 105,000 kg (231,000 lb). Unfuelled mass: 22,000 kg (48,000 lb). Thrust: 2,033.80 kN (457,216 lbf). More at: Nitric acid/Hydrazine

Von Braun 1956 - German winged orbital launch vehicle. In 1956, for the book Exploration of Mars and the Disney television series, the 1952 design was significantly 'down-sized'. The first and second stages were simply reduced to 20% of their former size. A tiny expendable third stage replaced the manned glider. The manned glider itself became a separate payload, that could be replaced by an 'all cargo' module. Status: Study 1956. Gross mass: 1,280,000 kg (2,820,000 lb). Payload: 13,600 kg (29,900 lb). Thrust: 23,900.00 kN (5,372,900 lbf).

Von Braun 1956-1 - Nitric acid/UDMH propellant rocket stage. . Status: Study 1956. Gross mass: 1,100,000 kg (2,400,000 lb). Unfuelled mass: 140,000 kg (300,000 lb). Thrust: 28,257.80 kN (6,352,606 lbf). More at: Nitric acid/UDMH

Von Braun 1956-2 - Nitric acid/UDMH propellant rocket stage. . Status: Study 1956. Gross mass: 154,000 kg (339,000 lb). Unfuelled mass: 14,000 kg (30,000 lb). Thrust: 3,254.23 kN (731,580 lbf). More at: Nitric acid/UDMH

Von Braun 1956-3 - Nitric acid/UDMH propellant rocket stage. . Status: Study 1956. Gross mass: 12,400 kg (27,300 lb). Unfuelled mass: 2,100 kg (4,600 lb). Thrust: 406.77 kN (91,446 lbf). More at: Nitric acid/UDMH

Von Braun Cargo Ship - American manned Mars orbiter. Study 1952. Status: Study 1952. Gross mass: 3,720,000 kg (8,200,000 lb). Unfuelled mass: 414,000 kg (912,000 lb). Payload: 395,000 kg (870,000 lb). Thrust: 1,960.00 kN (440,620 lbf). More at: Nitric acid/Hydrazine

von Braun concept vehicle - In 1948, with the US Army's V-2 test project winding down, Wernher Von Braun was ensconced in isolated Fort Bliss. He had, unusually, some time on his hands. He occupied himself by writing a novel concerning an expedition to Mars, grounded on accurate engineering estimates. As an appendix to the novel he documented his calculations.

Von Braun Landing Boat - American manned Mars lander. Study 1952. The first design for a manned Mars lander based on engineering analysis. The enormous glider would have a wingspan of 153 m, and land on Mars horizontally either on skis, skids, or wheels on a prepared runway. Status: Study 1952. Gross mass: 200,000 kg (440,000 lb). Unfuelled mass: 75,000 kg (165,000 lb). Payload: 12,000 kg (26,000 lb). Thrust: 1,960.00 kN (440,620 lbf). More at: Nitric acid/Hydrazine

Von Braun Lunar Lander - American manned lunar lander. Study 1952. Von Braun's first lunar lander design was an immense spacecraft, larger in earth orbit than a Saturn V booster. Status: Study 1952. Gross mass: 3,964,000 kg (8,739,000 lb). Unfuelled mass: 64,500 kg (142,100 lb). Thrust: 1,735.00 kN (390,043 lbf). More at: Nitric acid/Hydrazine

Von Braun Mars Expedition - 1952 - American manned Mars expedition. Study 1952. Wernher von Braun made the first engineering analysis of a manned mission to Mars in 1948. Status: Study 1952. Gross mass: 37,200,000 kg (82,000,000 lb).

Von Braun Mars Expedition - 1956 - American manned Mars expedition. Study 1956. Von Braun's Mars expedition presented in the 1956 book he co-authored with Willy Ley, The Exploration of Mars, was vastly reduced in scope from the 1952 version. Status: Study 1956. Gross mass: 3,400,000 kg (7,400,000 lb).

Von Braun Mars Expedition - 1969 - American manned Mars expedition. Study 1969. Von Braun's final vision for a manned expedition to Mars was a robust plan that eliminated much of the risk of other scenarios. Two ships would fly in convoy from earth orbit to Mars and back. Status: Study 1969. Gross mass: 726,000 kg (1,600,000 lb). Unfuelled mass: 182,000 kg (401,000 lb). Thrust: 1,733.80 kN (389,774 lbf). More at: Nuclear/LH2

Von Braun Passenger Ship - American manned Mars orbiter. Study 1952. The first design for a manned Mars orbiter based on engineering analysis. 10 passengers would be housed in a 20-m-diameter sphere during the 963 day mission to Mars, in Mars orbit, and back to earth. Status: Study 1952. Gross mass: 3,720,000 kg (8,200,000 lb). Unfuelled mass: 57,500 kg (126,700 lb). Thrust: 1,960.00 kN (440,620 lbf). More at: Nitric acid/Hydrazine

Von Braun Rocketplane - German manned rocketplane. Study 1939. On 6 July 1939 Wernher von Braun proposed to the German Reich Air Ministry a "fighter with rocket drive". Status: Study 1939. Gross mass: 5,000 kg (11,000 lb).

Von Braun Station - American manned space station. Study 1945. In the first 1946 summary of his work during World War II, Wernher von Braun prophesied the construction of space stations in orbit. Status: Study 1945.

von Braun, Freiherr Magnus - German engineer in WW2, member of the Rocket Team in the United States thereafter. Born: 1919-05-10. Died: 2003-06-21.

von Braun, Wernher - German-American chief designer, leader of the 'Rocket Team'; developed the V-2, Redstone, Jupiter, and the Saturn rockets that took US to the moon. He made the idea of space travel popular in the 1950's and a reality in the 1960's. Born: 1912-03-23. Died: 1977-06-16.

Von Braun-1 - Notional Nitric acid/UDMH rocket engine. Study 1952. Used on Von Braun launch vehicle. Status: Study 1952. Thrust: 3,057.30 kN (687,308 lbf). More at: Nitric acid/UDMH

Von Braun-2 - Notional Nitric acid/UDMH rocket engine. A11, Von Braun studies 1943-1952. Status: Study 1952. Thrust: 461.50 kN (103,749 lbf). More at: Nitric acid/UDMH

Von Braun-3 - Notional Nitric acid/UDMH rocket engine. Study 1952. Used on Von Braun launch vehicle. Status: Study 1952. Thrust: 392.30 kN (88,193 lbf). More at: Nitric acid/UDMH

Von Doepp, Phillip - Russian-German expert in guided missile aero design during WW2. Fluent in Russian. Member of the German rocket team, arrived in America under Project Paperclip on 1945.11.16. Worked at Wright Field and in California aerospace. Born: 1885-05-08. Died: 1967-10-15.

von Karman, Theodore - Hungarian-American aerodynamicist, immensely influential, director of the Guggenheim Aeronautical Laboratory at Caltech from 1930, where he trained a generation of engineers in theoretical aerodynamics and fluid dynamics. Born: 1881. Died: 1963-01-01.

Von Radinger - German expert in guided missiles during World War II. Stayed in Germany after the war.

Vorkuta Sovetskiy - R-12 missile deployment area. First Launch: 1961-06-01. Last Launch: 1961-09-10. Number: 2 .

Vorobyov, Lev Vasiliyevich - Russian pilot cosmonaut, 1963-1974. Status: Deceased; Active 1963-1974. Born: 1931-02-24. Died: 2010-05-21.

Voronin, Grigoriy Ivanovich - Russian engineer. Chief Designer 1939-1985 of OKB-124. Specialized in life support systems for spacecraft. Born: 1906-12-21. Died: 1987-01-01.

Voronov, Anatoli Fyodorovich - Russian navigator cosmonaut, 1963-1979. Status: Deceased; Active 1963-1979. Born: 1930-06-11. Died: 1993-10-31.

Voronov, Nikolai Nikolayevich - Russian officer. Commander of Artillery forces 1941-1950. Later became President of Academy of Artillery Sciences. Born: 1899. Died: 1968-02-28.

Vortex - Code name for Chalet military naval signals reconnaissance satellite.

Voskhod - Russian manned spacecraft. The Voskhods were adaptations of the single place Vostok spacecraft, designed in the heat of the space race to conduct flights with up to three crew, conduct space walks, and fly manned missions of up to three weeks duration ahead of the US Gemini program. Status: Operational 1964. First Launch: 1964-10-06. Last Launch: 1966-02-22. Number: 5 . Gross mass: 5,682 kg (12,526 lb).

Voskhod 1 - First three-crew spaceflight. Altitude record (336 km). First crew to fly without spacesuits. First non-pilot crew (engineer that designed the spacecraft and a physician). Launched: 1964-10-12. Returned: 1964-10-13. Number crew: 3 . Duration: 1.01 days.

Voskhod 11A57 - Russian orbital launch vehicle. The 11A57 took the large third stage originally developed for the 8K78 interplanetary probe projects and applied it to increasing R-7 low earth orbit performance. It was primarily designed to launch the Zenit-4 reconnaissance satellite, but was also used for the Voskhod manned flights and later for a variety of other Zenit series versions. Status: Retired 1976. First Launch: 1963-11-16. Last Launch: 1976-06-29. Number: 299 . Gross mass: 298,400 kg (657,800 lb). Payload: 5,900 kg (13,000 lb). Thrust: 3,999.93 kN (899,220 lbf).

Voskhod 11A57-0 - LOx/Kerosene propellant rocket stage. . Status: Retired 1976. Gross mass: 43,400 kg (95,600 lb). Unfuelled mass: 3,800 kg (8,300 lb). Thrust: 995.30 kN (223,752 lbf). More at: Lox/Kerosene

Voskhod 11A57-1 - LOx/Kerosene propellant rocket stage. . Status: Retired 1976. Gross mass: 100,500 kg (221,500 lb). Unfuelled mass: 6,800 kg (14,900 lb). Thrust: 941.00 kN (211,545 lbf). More at: Lox/Kerosene

Voskhod 11A57-2 - LOx/Kerosene propellant rocket stage. . Status: Retired 1976. Gross mass: 24,300 kg (53,500 lb). Unfuelled mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Thrust: 294.00 kN (66,093 lbf). More at: Lox/Kerosene

Voskhod 2 - First space walk. Speed and altitude records. A disaster: astronaut unable to reenter airlock due to spacesuit stiffness; cabin flooded with oxygen; manual reentry, landed in mountains, crew not recovered until next day. Further Voskhod flights cancelled. Launched: 1965-03-18. Returned: 1965-03-19. Number crew: 2 . Duration: 1.08 days.

Voskhod 3 - Manned space flight deferred just 15 days before launch in May 1966. It would have been a world-record 18-day space endurance mission, tasked primarily with testing ballistic missile detection equipment. Never formally cancelled, it just faded away in Brezhnev-era stagnation… Launched: 1966 June. Number crew: 2 .

Voskhod 4 - Planned second long-duration 20 day Voskhod flight. Cancelled in spring 1966 after near-disaster with Voskhod 2 and death of Korolev. Launched: 1967 Autumn. Number crew: 2 .

Voskhod 5 - Planned all-female ten day long-duration flight. Solovyova would have conducted the first female space walk. Cancelled in spring 1966, after death of Korolev, in order to concentrate on Soyuz and Lunar landing programs. Launched: 1966 Late. Number crew: 2 .

Voskhod 6 - Planned Voskhod flight that would include EVA with test of the UPMK 'jet belt'. Cancelled in spring 1966. Launched: 1967 Early. Number crew: 2 .

Voskhod KDU - Russian manned spacecraft module. Study 1965. Auxiliary Retrorocket. Status: Study 1965. Gross mass: 143 kg (315 lb). Unfuelled mass: 56 kg (123 lb). Thrust: 117.00 kN (26,302 lbf). More at: Solid

Voskhod PO - Russian manned spacecraft module. Study 1965. Equipment section. Status: Study 1965. Gross mass: 2,300 kg (5,000 lb). Unfuelled mass: 2,025 kg (4,464 lb). Thrust: 15.83 kN (3,558 lbf). More at: Nitrous oxide/Amines

Voskhod SA - Russian manned spacecraft module. Study 1965. Reentry capsule. Status: Study 1965. Gross mass: 2,900 kg (6,300 lb).

Voskhod-1 astronaut group, 1964 - Payload specialists and physicians for Voskhod spaceflights. Date: 1964.

Voskhod-3KV - Manned spacecraft, Russia. Launched 1964 - 1966. Used Vostok / Zenit Bus. First Launch: 1964-10-06. Last Launch: 1966-02-22. Number: 3 . Gross mass: 5,320 kg (11,720 lb).

Voskresenskiy, Leonid Aleksandrovich - Russian engineer. Deputy Chief Designer 1953-1964 of Korolev design bureau. Born: 1913-07-14. Died: 1965-12-15.

Voskresensky - Russian physician cosmonaut, 1964-1964. Medical doctor. Selected as a cosmonaut in early May 1964, but the selection was never confirmed by the government commission. Status: Inactive.

Voss, James Shelton - American test pilot mission specialist astronaut 1987-2003. US Army Flight record: 5 spaceflights, 202.2 days in space. Flew to orbit on STS-44 (1991), STS-53, STS-69, STS-101, STS-102.. Status: Inactive; Active 1987-2003. Born: 1949-03-03. Spaceflights: 5 . Total time in space: 202.23 days.

Voss, Janice Elaine - American engineer mission specialist astronaut 1990-2012. Engineer. Flight record: 5 spaceflights, 49.2 days in space. Flew to orbit on STS-57 (1993), STS-63, STS-83, STS-94, STS-99.. Status: Deceased; Active 1990-2012. Born: 1956-10-08. Died: 2012-07-02. Spaceflights: 5 . Total time in space: 49.16 days.

Voss, Werner - German-American engineer in WW2, member of the German rocket team, went to America after the first group. Died at Huntsville, Alabama. Born: 1913-06-25. Died: 1993-07-01.

Vostochniy - Vostochniy, Russia's new cosmodrome, was to be constructed at the missile base of Uglegorsk, population 5135, not far from the Svobodniy Cosmodrome. The site would include a modern residential town to accommodate the tens of thousands of workers at the cosmodrome. The space center would be designed to handle the Angara rocket family.

Vostok - Alternate designation for Voskhod 11A57.

Vostok - Alternate designation for Soyuz 11A514.

Vostok - Alternate designation for Soyuz TMA-9.

Vostok - Alternate name of Soyuz TMA-11M.

Vostok - World's first manned spacecraft, it was developed into the later Voskhod, and numerous versions of recoverable unmanned satellites for reconnaissance (Zenit), materials, and biological research (Bion). These remained in service into the 21st Century. Launched 1961 - 1963. Status: Operational 1960. First Launch: 1960-05-15. Last Launch: 2014-07-18. Number: 14 . Gross mass: 4,730 kg (10,420 lb). Unfuelled mass: 4,455 kg (9,821 lb). Thrust: 15.83 kN (3,558 lbf). More at: Nitrous oxide/Amines

Vostok 1 - 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. Launched: 1961-04-12. Returned: 1961-04-12. Number crew: 1 . Duration: 0.0750 days.

Vostok 10 - Planned ten-day flight, science plus engineering tests of ion flow sensors to be used for orientation of later Soyuz spacecraft. All follow-on Vostok missions cancelled in spring 1964. Launched: 1965 April. Number crew: 1 .

Vostok 11 - Proposed Vostok flight to conduct extra-vehicular activity tests. All follow-on Vostok missions cancelled in spring 1964 and EVA moved to Voskhod 2. Launched: 1965 June. Number crew: 1 .

Vostok 11A510 - Alternate designation for Soyuz 11A510.

Vostok 12 - Proposed Vostok flight to conduct extra-vehicular activity tests. The Vostok would be modified by having the ejection seat removed and an airlock built into the spacecraft. All follow-on Vostok missions cancelled in Spring 1964. Launched: 1965 August. Number crew: 1 .

Vostok 13 - Proposed high altitude manned Vostok flight for extended scientific studies. All follow-on Vostok missions cancelled in spring 1964. Launched: 1966 April. Number crew: 1 .

Vostok 2 - Second manned orbital flight. After 17.5 orbits, the spacecraft reentered and the cosmonaut landed safely. First astronaut to experience space sickness. Day-long flight was a huge blow to America, which had not even orbited a man in space yet. Launched: 1961-08-06. Returned: 1961-08-07. Number crew: 1 . Duration: 1.05 days.

Vostok 2 - Alternate designation for Zenit-2 satellite military surveillance satellite.

Vostok 3 - Joint flight with Vostok 4; two Vostok capsules were launched one day apart, coming within a few kilometers of each other. Record flight duration. First simultaneous flight of two manned spacecraft. Launched: 1962-08-11. Returned: 1962-08-15. Number crew: 1 . Duration: 3.93 days.

Vostok 4 - Alternate designation for Zenit-4 military surveillance satellite.

Vostok 4 - Joint flight with Vostok 3. Problems with life support system, resulted in cabin temperature dropping to 10 deg C. Returned to earth a day early due to communications secret code mix-up. First Ukrainian astronaut. Launched: 1962-08-12. Returned: 1962-08-15. Number crew: 1 . Duration: 2.96 days.

Vostok 5 - Joint flight with Vostok 6. Record flight duration. Spacecraft ended up in a lower than planned orbit and quickly decayed - temperatures in the service module reached very high levels and the flight returned early. Launched: 1963-06-14. Returned: 1963-06-19. Number crew: 1 . Duration: 4.96 days.

Vostok 6 - Joint flight with Vostok 5. First woman in space. Tereshkova did not reply during several communications sessions. To this day it is not known if she was paralyzed with fear, or if there was an equipment failure. Launched: 1963-06-16. Returned: 1963-06-19. Number crew: 1 . Duration: 2.95 days.

Vostok 6A - Cancelled female cosmonaut flight. Originally Vostok 5/6 were to be dual female flights. Two capsules would be launched a day apart; each would remain aloft for three days. Changed by leadership to single female flight in March 1963. Launched: 1963 June. Number crew: 1 .

Vostok 7 - Eight day manned flight planned for the last quarter of 1963, then June 1964. All further Vostok flights cancelled in favor of multi-crew Voskhod in February 1964. Launched: 1964 June. Number crew: 1 .

Vostok 8 - Planned ten day manned flight; second high altitude flight into the lower Van Allen radiation belt for radiological-biological studies. All further Vostok flights cancelled in favor of multi-crew Voskhod in February 1964. Launched: 1964 August. Number crew: 1 .

Vostok 8A92 - Russian orbital launch vehicle. The 8A92 was a modernized version of the Vostok booster used for launch of Zenit-2 reconnaissance satellites. Status: Retired 1967. First Launch: 1962-06-01. Last Launch: 1967-05-12. Number: 45 . Gross mass: 281,375 kg (620,325 lb). Payload: 4,730 kg (10,420 lb). Thrust: 3,996.85 kN (898,528 lbf).

Vostok 8A92-0 - LOx/Kerosene propellant rocket stage. . Status: Retired 1967. Gross mass: 43,300 kg (95,400 lb). Unfuelled mass: 3,700 kg (8,100 lb). Thrust: 995.30 kN (223,752 lbf). More at: Lox/Kerosene

Vostok 8A92-1 - LOx/Kerosene propellant rocket stage. . Status: Retired 1967. Gross mass: 100,400 kg (221,300 lb). Unfuelled mass: 6,800 kg (14,900 lb). Thrust: 940.40 kN (211,410 lbf). More at: Lox/Kerosene

Vostok 8A92-2 - LOx/Kerosene propellant rocket stage. . Status: Retired 1967. Gross mass: 7,775 kg (17,140 lb). Unfuelled mass: 1,440 kg (3,170 lb). Thrust: 54.90 kN (12,342 lbf). More at: Lox/Kerosene

Vostok 8A92M - Russian orbital launch vehicle. Second generation space systems required injection of lighter but higher-altitude Meteor and other satellite payloads into sun-synchronous orbits. The 8A92M version was developed for this purpose. First use was the Meteor launch on 29 June 1977. Status: Retired 1991. First Launch: 1964-08-28. Last Launch: 1991-08-29. Number: 94 . Gross mass: 282,300 kg (622,300 lb). Payload: 3,800 kg (8,300 lb). Thrust: 3,996.85 kN (898,528 lbf).

Vostok 8A92M-0 - LOx/Kerosene propellant rocket stage. . Status: Retired 1991. Gross mass: 43,300 kg (95,400 lb). Unfuelled mass: 3,700 kg (8,100 lb). Thrust: 995.30 kN (223,752 lbf). More at: Lox/Kerosene

Vostok 8A92M-1 - LOx/Kerosene propellant rocket stage. . Status: Retired 1991. Gross mass: 101,000 kg (222,000 lb). Unfuelled mass: 6,500 kg (14,300 lb). Thrust: 940.40 kN (211,410 lbf). More at: Lox/Kerosene

Vostok 8A92M-2 - LOx/Kerosene propellant rocket stage. . Status: Retired 1991. Gross mass: 8,100 kg (17,800 lb). Unfuelled mass: 1,100 kg (2,400 lb). Thrust: 54.52 kN (12,257 lbf). More at: Lox/Kerosene

Vostok 8K72 - Russian orbital launch vehicle. 8K72 Luna launch vehicle, third stage modified with larger forward cylindrical section to accommodate Vostok-sized spacecraft. Used only for launch of first few prototype Vostoks. Status: Retired 1960. First Launch: 1960-05-15. Last Launch: 1960-12-01. Number: 4 . Gross mass: 281,375 kg (620,325 lb). Payload: 4,550 kg (10,030 lb). Thrust: 3,873.74 kN (870,851 lbf).

Vostok 8K72-0 - LOx/Kerosene propellant rocket stage. . Status: Retired 1960. Gross mass: 43,300 kg (95,400 lb). Unfuelled mass: 3,710 kg (8,170 lb). Thrust: 970.00 kN (218,060 lbf). More at: Lox/Kerosene

Vostok 8K72-1 - LOx/Kerosene propellant rocket stage. . Status: Retired 1960. Gross mass: 100,400 kg (221,300 lb). Unfuelled mass: 6,800 kg (14,900 lb). Thrust: 912.00 kN (205,025 lbf). More at: Lox/Kerosene

Vostok 8K72-2 - LOx/Kerosene propellant rocket stage. . Status: Retired 1960. Gross mass: 7,775 kg (17,140 lb). Unfuelled mass: 1,440 kg (3,170 lb). Thrust: 49.42 kN (11,110 lbf). More at: Lox/Kerosene

Vostok 8K72K - Russian orbital launch vehicle. R-7 ICBM with single-engine third stage, uprated from Luna launch vehicle and with forward fairing to accommodate Vostok/Zenit sized spacecraft. 8K72K, used for Vostok manned spacecraft launches and the first Zenit launch attempt. Status: Retired 1964. First Launch: 1960-12-22. Last Launch: 1964-07-10. Number: 13 . Gross mass: 281,375 kg (620,325 lb). Payload: 4,730 kg (10,420 lb). Thrust: 3,894.25 kN (875,462 lbf).

Vostok 8K72K-0 - LOx/Kerosene propellant rocket stage. . Status: Retired 1964. Gross mass: 43,300 kg (95,400 lb). Unfuelled mass: 3,710 kg (8,170 lb). Thrust: 970.00 kN (218,060 lbf). More at: Lox/Kerosene

Vostok 8K72K-1 - LOx/Kerosene propellant rocket stage. . Status: Retired 1964. Gross mass: 100,400 kg (221,300 lb). Unfuelled mass: 6,800 kg (14,900 lb). Thrust: 912.00 kN (205,025 lbf). More at: Lox/Kerosene

Vostok 8K72K-2 - LOx/Kerosene propellant rocket stage. . Status: Retired 1964. Gross mass: 7,775 kg (17,140 lb). Unfuelled mass: 1,440 kg (3,170 lb). Thrust: 54.52 kN (12,257 lbf). More at: Lox/Kerosene

Vostok 9 - Proposed high altitude Vostok flight for extended scientific studies to be flown in 1963-1964; All further Vostok flights cancelled in favor of multi-crew Voskhod in February 1964. Launched: 1964 August. Number crew: 1 .

Vostok PO - Russian manned spacecraft module. Equipment section. Gross mass: 2,270 kg (5,000 lb). Unfuelled mass: 1,995 kg (4,398 lb). Thrust: 15.83 kN (3,558 lbf). More at: Nitrous oxide/Amines

Vostok SA - Russian manned spacecraft module. Reentry capsule. Gross mass: 2,460 kg (5,420 lb).

Vostok-1K - Manned spaceflight technology satellite, Russia. Launched 1960. Used Vostok / Zenit Bus. First Launch: 1960-07-28. Last Launch: 1960-12-22. Number: 4 .

Vostok-1KP - Manned spaceflight technology satellite, Russia. Launched 1960. Used Vostok / Zenit Bus. First Launch: 1960-05-15. Last Launch: 1960-05-15. Number: 1 .

Vostok-2 - Alternate designation for Vostok-Zh manned spacecraft.

Vostok-L 8K72 - Russian orbital launch vehicle. R-7 ICBM with single-engine upper stage used for early Soviet unmanned lunar shots. Status: Retired 1960. First Launch: 1958-09-23. Last Launch: 1960-04-16. Number: 9 . Gross mass: 277,000 kg (610,000 lb). Payload: 4,000 kg (8,800 lb). Thrust: 3,956.76 kN (889,515 lbf).

Vostok-Zh - Russian manned spacecraft. Study 1961. The Vostok-Zh (or Vostok-7) maneuverable manned satellite was piloted by a single 'cosmonaut assemblyman'. Status: Study 1961. Gross mass: 4,700 kg (10,300 lb).

Votinsk - Russian manufacturer of rockets. Votinsk, Votinsk, Russia.

Votintsev, Yuri Vsevolodovich - Russian officer. First Commander of PRO/PKO forces 1967-1985. Commanded ABM and ASAT forces. Born: 1919.

Vought - American manufacturer of rockets and spacecraft. Vought, USA.

Vowe, Theo - German-American engineer in WW2, member of the German rocket team, went to America after the first group. Died at Huntsville, Alabama. Born: 1904-06-25. Died: 1989-06-07.

Voyager - Alternate name of Mea Huaka'i (Voyager).

Voyager - American outer planets probe. The twin Voyager spacecraft were designed to perform close-up observations of the atmospheres, magnetospheres, rings, and satellites of Jupiter and Saturn. Jupiter (1,2), Saturn (1,2), Uranus (2), Neptune (2) flyby satellite built by Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) for NASA, USA. Launched 1977. Status: Operational 1977. First Launch: 1977-08-20. Last Launch: 1977-09-05. Number: 2 . Gross mass: 800 kg (1,760 lb).

Voyager 1973 - American Mars lander. Cancelled 1967. The original Voyager project was an ambitious NASA project to hurl a 3 metric ton spacecraft using a Saturn IB-Centaur booster toward Mars by 1969. Status: Cancelled 1967. Gross mass: 11,700 kg (25,700 lb). Unfuelled mass: 4,900 kg (10,800 lb).

Vozbrashchaemaya ballisticheskaya kapsula - Alternate designation for Progress M VBK manned spacecraft module.

Vozdushnyy Transport - Vosdushny Transport, Russian journal.

Voznyuk, Vasili Ivanovich - Russian officer. Commander of Kapustin Yar from 1946 to 1973. Born: 1907. Died: 1976-09-12.

Vozovikov, Sergei Yuriyevich - Russian pilot cosmonaut, 1990-1993. Graduated from Higher Military Pilot School, Armavir, 1979. Cosmonaut training 1 October 1990 - 6 March 1992. Drowned during recovery training in the Black Sea. Status: Deceased; Active 1990-1993. Born: 1958-04-17. Died: 1993-07-11.

Vozvrashchaemiy apparat - Alternate designation for Zarya VA.

Vozvrashchaemiy apparat - Alternate designation for TKS VA.

Vozvrashchaemiy apparat - Russian name for LK-1 VA manned spacecraft module.

VPF - Abbreviation for Vertical Processing Facility

VPK - Military-Industrial Commission (Russian abbreviation)

VPM - Satellite for Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), USA. Cubesat 6U bus. Gross mass: 8.00 kg (17.60 lb).

VRAD - Lunar lander operated by JAXA (ex NASDA), Japan. Launched 2007. First Launch: 2007-09-14. Last Launch: 2007-09-14. Number: 1 . Gross mass: 45 kg (99 lb).

VRM - Venus Radar Mapper (now called Magellan)

VRSS 1 - Earth observation satellite built by CAST for ABAE, MPPCTII, Venezuela. Launched 2012. Used CAST2000 bus. First Launch: 2012-09-29. Last Launch: 2012-09-29. Number: 1 .

VRSS 2 - Earth observation satellite built by CAST for ABAE, MPPCTII, Venezuela. Used CAST2000 bus. Gross mass: 1,000 kg (2,200 lb).

VS SNG - Vooruzhennikh Sil SNG (Combined Forces of the Commonwealth of Independent States), Russia

VS-30 - Brazilian sounding rocket. Single stage suborbital launch vehicle. Status: Active. First Launch: 1997-04-28. Last Launch: 2018-12-09. Number: 13 . Gross mass: 1,400 kg (3,000 lb). Thrust: 102.00 kN (22,930 lbf).

VS-30/Orion - Brazilian sounding rocket. Two stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Sonda 3-1 + 1 x Orion Status: Active. First Launch: 2000-08-21. Last Launch: 2016-05-18. Number: 13 . Gross mass: 1,800 kg (3,900 lb). Thrust: 102.00 kN (22,930 lbf).

VS-40 - Brazilian sounding rocket. Two stage vehicle consisting of 1 x S-40TM + 1 x S-44 Status: Retired 1998. First Launch: 1993-04-02. Last Launch: 1998-03-21. Number: 2 . Gross mass: 6,800 kg (14,900 lb). Thrust: 190.00 kN (42,710 lbf).

VS-40M - 2 stage vehicle consisting of 1 x S-40TM + 1 x S-44M. Status: Active. First Launch: 2012-06-22. Last Launch: 2012-06-22. Number: 1 .

VSAT - Abbreviation for Very Small Aperture Terminal

VSB-30 - Brazilian two stage sounding rocket consisting of 1 x S-31 plus 1 x S-30. It replaced the British Skylark for suborbital flights from Kiruna. Status: Active. First Launch: 2004-10-23. Last Launch: 2018-05-31. Number: 24 . Gross mass: 2,657 kg (5,857 lb). Payload: 407 kg (897 lb). Thrust: 102.00 kN (22,930 lbf).

VSE - SDI Experiments satellite operated by SDIO, USA. Launched 1986. First Launch: 1986-09-05. Last Launch: 1986-09-05. Number: 1 .

VSNKh - All-Russian Council of the National Economy (Russian abbreviation)

VSOP - Alternate name of Muses B (HALCA, VSOP, Haruka).

VSOP - Code name for Haruka radio astronomy satellite.

VSOP 2 - Alternate name of Astro G (VSOP 2).

VStar - Alternate name of VRAD (SELENE VLBI Radio Satellite, VStar, Ouna).

VSUM - Satellite air dropped in Point Arguello WADZ. Used the Orbcomm bus.

VSUME - Alternate name of Orbcomm-X, -CDS 1, 2 (OXP, VSUME).

VTHL - Abbreviation for Vertical Takeoff Horizontal Landing

VTOHL 45t - American SSTO winged orbital launch vehicle. Vertical Takeoff Horizontal Landing (winged). Status: Study 1978. Gross mass: 1,158,192 kg (2,553,376 lb). Thrust: 15,369.90 kN (3,455,291 lbf). More at: Lox/LH2

VTOHL 9t - American SSTO winged orbital launch vehicle. Vertical Takeoff Horizontal Landing (winged). Status: Study 1978. Gross mass: 687,503 kg (1,515,684 lb). Thrust: 9,222.00 kN (2,073,188 lbf). More at: Lox/LH2

VTOL - Vertical takeoff and landing aircraft .

VTOVL - The concept of a reusable single-stage-to-orbit Vertical Take-Off Vertical Landing (VTOVL) launch vehicle that would reenter and return to its launch site for turnaround and relaunch was first proposed by Philip Bono in the 1960's. The appealing simplicity of the concept has been offset by the technological risk in developing it. The problem with any single-stage-to-orbit concept is that if the empty weight of the final vehicle has been underestimated it will not be able to deliver any payload to orbit, or even reach orbit. Since weight growth of up to 20% is not unknown in aerospace projects, this is a very real threat which has made both NASA and private investors reluctant to invest the billions of dollars it would take to develop a full-scale flight vehicle.

VTOVL 150t - LOx/LH2 propellant rocket stage. . Status: Study 1978. Gross mass: 4,093,761 kg (9,025,198 lb). Unfuelled mass: 419,154 kg (924,076 lb). Thrust: 63,387.80 kN (14,250,145 lbf). More at: Lox/LH2

VTOVL 1978 - American SSTO VTOVL orbital launch vehicle. Vertical Takeoff Vertical Landing. Status: Study 1978. Gross mass: 4,093,761 kg (9,025,198 lb). Thrust: 53,846.90 kN (12,105,265 lbf).

VTs - Computation Centre (Russian abbreviation)

VTVL - Abbreviation for Vertical Takeoff Vertical Landing

Vulcain - SEP, Ottobrunn LOx/LH2 rocket engine. In production. Powered the cryogenic core stage of Ariane 5. First flight 1996. Upgraded versions developed and proposed for later Ariane 5 versions. Status: In production. Number: 22 . Unfuelled mass: 1,300 kg (2,800 lb). Thrust: 1,075.00 kN (241,669 lbf). More at: Lox/LH2

Vulcain 2 - SEP, Ottobrunn LOx/LH2 rocket engine. In development. New generator cycle rocket engine for an Ariane 5 core stage upgrade. Thrust increased more than 30% from Vulcain 1. First flight 2002. Status: In development. Number: 9 . Unfuelled mass: 1,800 kg (3,900 lb). Thrust: 1,350.00 kN (303,490 lbf). More at: Lox/LH2

Vulcano - Alternate name of Sea Killer Mk.2.

Vulkan - Alternate name of P-1000.

Vulkan - Super heavy-lift version of Energia with six strap-on boosters, and in-line upper stages and payloads. The concept was put on the back burner when Energia / Buran development begun. Status: Development ended 1976. Gross mass: 3,072,000 kg (6,772,000 lb). Thrust: 49,329.10 kN (11,089,623 lbf).

Vulkan (Volcano ) - Alternate name for Soyuz TM-16.

Vulkan (Volcano ) - Alternate name for Soyuz TM-10.

Vulkan (Volcano) - Alternate designation for Soyuz TM-10.

Vulkan (Volcano) - Alternate designation for Soyuz TM-16.

Vulkan 0 - LOx/Kerosene propellant rocket stage. Original design of Energia strap-ons, for use with Vulkan booster for manned lunar expedition. Ultimately derived from R-56 of 1961. Status: Development ended 1976. Gross mass: 355,000 kg (782,000 lb). Unfuelled mass: 35,000 kg (77,000 lb). Thrust: 7,891.01 kN (1,773,970 lbf). More at: Lox/Kerosene

Vulkan 1 - LOx/LH2 propellant rocket stage. Original version of Energia core as used on Vulkan booster, with in-line upper stages and payloads. Developed 1974-1976; cancelled when Energia / Buran development begun. Status: Development ended 1976. Gross mass: 800,000 kg (1,760,000 lb). Unfuelled mass: 80,000 kg (176,000 lb). Thrust: 7,450.00 kN (1,674,820 lbf). More at: Lox/LH2

Vulkan Blok V - LOx/LH2 propellant rocket stage. Upper stage design by KB Saturn for manned lunar expedition, large geosynchronous platform launch. Status: Development ended 1976. Gross mass: 142,000 kg (313,000 lb). Unfuelled mass: 15,000 kg (33,000 lb). Thrust: 411.00 kN (92,396 lbf). More at: Lox/LH2

Vulkan-launched version - Alternate name for LZhM.

Vulkan-launched version - Alternate name for LZM.

VUSat - Microsatellite providing satellite-based Oscar Amateur Radio services to the international community of Amateur Radio Operators (HAMs). Primarily intended for HAM operators in South Asia. One of the transponders was developed by Indian amateurs.

VUSat - Alternate name of HAMSAT (VUSat, VO 52, VUSat-OSCAR 52).

VUSat-OSCAR 52 - Alternate name of HAMSAT (VUSat, VO 52, VUSat-OSCAR 52).

VVS - Russian Air Force (Russian abbreviation)

VVS 1993 - In 1993 the Russian Air Force surveyed more practical methods of achieving a manned space bomber than the cancelled VKS program. These incorporated concepts and technology developed for both the VKS and OK programs. There was no funding to further pursue the program. Status: Cancelled 1994.

Vykhod - Code name for Voskhod manned spacecraft.

Vympel - Russian manufacturer of rockets and spacecraft. Vympel Central Scientific Production Assoc., Dubna, Russia

Vypolzovo - Headquarters of an RVSN Division, 1961-present. Base for units deployed with R-16 ICBM, later 110 light ICBM (UR-100) silos. At the end of the UR-100's service life 47 of these continued in use with the MR-UR-100.

Vysota - Alternate designation for R-29D.

Vysota - Russian intercontinental ballistic suborbital launch vehicle. Two stage vehicle based on R-29D SLBM. Suborbital; 30-55 min zero G. Payload volume 0.7 cu. m. Payload 115 kg to 5200 km or 1150 kg to 200 km. Liftoff mass 33 metric tons. Status: Retired 1996. First Launch: 1969-03-01. Last Launch: 1996-07-15. Number: 36 . Gross mass: 33,300 kg (73,400 lb). Payload: 120 kg (260 lb). Thrust: 682.00 kN (153,319 lbf).

Vysota - Alternate designation for R-29.

Vysota-1 - N2O4/UDMH propellant rocket stage. Status: Retired 1996. Gross mass: 20,000 kg (44,000 lb). Thrust: 682.00 kN (153,319 lbf). More at: N2O4/UDMH

Vysota-2 - N2O4/UDMH propellant rocket stage. Status: Retired 1996. Gross mass: 10,000 kg (22,000 lb). More at: N2O4/UDMH

Vyuga - Alternate name of 81R.

Vyuga - Alternate name of 82R.

Vyuga - Alternate name of 88R.

Vzletnaya stuplen - Alternate designation for LEK VS.

Vzletnaya stuplen - Russian name (ascent module) for LK Energia VS manned spacecraft module.

VZLUsat 1 - Technology, thermospheric research satellite for VZLÚ, Czech Republic. Launched 2017. Cubesat 2U bus. First Launch: 2017-05-25. Last Launch: 2017-05-25. Number: 1 . Gross mass: 2.00 kg (4.40 lb).

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