The Vostok-K (Russian: Восток meaning "East"), GRAU index 8K72K was an expendable carrier rocket used by the Soviet Union for thirteen launches between 1960 and 1964, six of which were crewed.[1] It incorporated several modifications to the core and strap-ons to man-rate them and the Blok E stage also had the improved RD-0109 engine to correct some deficiences in the RD-0105 used on earlier 8K78s.[2] It was a member of the Vostok family of rockets.
 Vostok-K rocket | |
| Function | Carrier rocket |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | OKB-1 |
| Country of origin | USSR |
| Size | |
| Height |
|
| Diameter |
|
| Mass |
|
| Stages | Two |
| Capacity | |
| Payload to LEO | |
| Mass | 4,730 kilograms (10,430 lb) |
| Associated rockets | |
| Family | R-7 |
| Derivative work | Vostok-2 |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Retired |
| Launch sites | Baikonur, Site 1/5 |
| Total launches | 13 |
| Success(es) | 11 |
| Failure(s) | 2 |
| First flight | 22 December 1960 |
| Last flight | 10 July 1964 |
| Type of passengers/cargo | Vostok |
| Boosters | |
| No. boosters | 4 |
| Powered by | 1 RD-107-8D74-1959 |
| Maximum thrust | 970.86 kN |
| Total thrust | 3883.4 kN |
| Burn time | 118 seconds |
| Propellant | RP-1/LOX |
| First stage | |
| Powered by | 1 RD-108-8D75-1959 |
| Maximum thrust | 912 kN |
| Burn time | 301 seconds |
| Propellant | RP-1/LOX |
| Second stage | |
| Powered by | 1 RD-0109 |
| Maximum thrust | 54.5 kN |
| Burn time | 365 seconds |
| Propellant | RP-1/LOX |
The Vostok-K made its maiden flight on 22 December 1960, three weeks after the retirement of the Vostok-L. The third stage engine failed 425 seconds after launch, and the payload, a Korabl-Sputnik spacecraft, failed to reach orbit. The spacecraft was recovered after landing, and the two dogs aboard the spacecraft survived the flight.
On 12 April 1961, a Vostok-K rocket was used to launch Vostok 1, the first human spaceflight, making Yuri Gagarin the first human to fly in space. All six crewed missions of the Vostok programme were launched using Vostok-K rockets.[1] The first two Zenit reconnaissance satellites were also launched with the Vostok-K, but it was soon replaced in that capacity with the uprated Vostok-2 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. There had been plans for additional Vostok missions after Vostok 6; had these flown, they would have used a booster based on the newer 8K74 core.[3][1]
Launches
editVostok-K was used for thirteen launches between 1960 and 1964, from Baikonur LC-1/5.[1]
| Date | Serial No. | Payload | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22.12.1960 | L1-13A | Korabl-Sputnik | Failure |
| 09.03.1961 | E103-14 | Korabl-Sputnik 4 | Success |
| 25.03.1961 | E103-15 | Korabl-Sputnik 5 | Success |
| 12.04.1961 | E103-16 | Vostok 1 | Success |
| 06.08.1961 | E103-17 | Vostok 2 | Success |
| 11.12.1961 | E103-21 | Kosmos | Failure |
| 26.04.1962 | E103-20 | Kosmos 4 | Success |
| 11.08.1962 | E103-23 | Vostok 3 | Success |
| 12.08.1962 | E103-22 | Vostok 4 | Success |
| 14.06.1963 | E103-24 | Vostok 5 | Success |
| 16.06.1963 | E103-25 | Vostok 6 | Success |
| 30.01.1964 | G103-18 | Elektron 1 / Elektron 2 | Success |
| 10.07.1964 | G103-19 | Elektron 3 / Elektron 4 | Success |
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Vostok-K (8K72K)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
- ^ Wade, Mark. "Soyuz". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 2010-01-07. Retrieved 2009-04-15.
- ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "R-7". Orbital and Suborbital Launch Database. Jonathan's Space Page. Archived from the original on 2008-06-22. Retrieved 2009-04-15.