Vostok-K


On 12 April 1961, a Vostok-K rocket was used to launch Vostok 1, the first manned spaceflight, which made Yuri Gagarin the first human to fly in space.


Quick Facts About the Vostok-K rocket:

- Type: carrier rocket.

- Origin : Soviet Union.

- In service : 4 October 1957 – 15 May 1958.

- Mass : 281,375 kg (620,325 lb)..

- Length : 30.84 m (101.18 ft).

- Diameter : 2.99 m (9.80 ft).

- Payload to Leo: 4,730 kg(10,430 lb).

- Propellant : RP-1/LOX.

- Engines: Boosters: 4 1 RD-107-8D74-1959 with thrust of 970 kN (220,000 lbf), First stage: 1 RD-108-8D75-1959 with thrust of 912 kN (205,000 lbf), Second stage: 1 RD-0109 with thrust of 54.5 kN.



The Vostok-K, GRAU index 8K72K was an expendable carrier rocket used by the Soviet Union for thirteen launches between 1960 and 1964, six of which were manned. It was derived from the earlier Vostok-L; however, it featured uprated engines to improve performance, and enlarge its payload capacity. It was a member of the Vostok family of rockets.

On 12 April 1961, a Vostok-K rocket was used to launch Vostok 1, the first manned spaceflight, which made Yuri Gagarin the first human to fly in space. All six manned missions of the Vostok programme were launched using Vostok-K rockets. The first two Zenit reconnaissance satellites were also launched with the Vostok-K, but it was soon replaced in that capacity with the uprated 8A92 booster. After the conclusion of the Vostok program, there were two remaining 8K72Ks left; these were used to launch four Elektron scientific satellites on 30 January and 10 July 1964.


Credit/References and for further info please see:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vostok-K

Vostok-K image
Photo Credit : NASA, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons



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