Vostok-2 (rocket)

The Vostok-2 (Russian: Восток meaning "East"), GRAU index 8A92 was an expendable carrier rocket used by the Soviet Union between 1962 and 1967. Forty five were launched, of which five failed.[1] It was derived from the earlier Vostok-K, with uprated engines. It was a member of the Vostok family of rockets.

Vostok-2
Vostok-2 rocket
FunctionCarrier rocket
ManufacturerOKB-1
Country of originUSSR
Size
StagesTwo
Capacity
Payload to LEO
Mass4,730 kilograms (10,430 lb)
Associated rockets
FamilyR-7
DerivativesVostok-2M
Launch history
StatusRetired
Launch sitesBaikonur Site 1/5 & 31/6
Plesetsk Site 41/1
Total launches45
Success(es)40
Failure(s)5
First flight1 June 1962
Last flight12 May 1967
Notable payloadsZenit
Boosters
No. boosters4
Engines1 RD-107-8D74K
Thrust995.3 kilonewtons (223,800 lbf)
Burn time118 seconds
FuelRP-1/LOX
First stage
Engines1 RD-108-8D75K
Thrust940 kilonewtons (210,000 lbf)
Burn time301 seconds
FuelRP-1/LOX
Second stage
Engines1 RD-0109
Thrust54.5 kN
Burn time365 seconds
FuelRP-1/LOX

The Vostok-2 made its maiden flight on 1 June 1962, from Site 1/5 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. One of the booster engines failed 1.8 seconds after launch, and the rocket came down 300 metres (980 ft) away from the pad. The resulting explosion damaged the launch complex, and necessitated delays to several other launches that had been scheduled from that complex, including Vostok 3 and Vostok 4.[1] Thirteen months later, on 10 July 1963, an almost identical failure occurred. The other three failures were caused by a second stage malfunction, a second stage guidance problem, and a problem with the first stage.

The Vostok-2 was used exclusively to launch Zenit-2 reconnaissance satellites. Launches occurred from sites 1/5 and 31/6 at Baikonur, and Site 41/1 at Plesetsk. In 1967, it was retired in favour of the Voskhod.

References

  1. Wade, Mark. "Soyuz". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 2010-01-17. Retrieved 2009-04-15.
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