Russian Federal Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS)

Vostok

Capsule

Vostok
RetiredHuman Rated

Overview

/01

The Vostok-3KA consisted of a spherical descent module, which housed the cosmonaut, instruments and escape system, and a conical instrument module, which contained propellant and the engine system. On reentry, the cosmonaut would eject from the craft at about 7,000 m (23,000 ft) and descend via parachute, while the capsule would land separately. The reason for this was that the Vostok descent module made an extremely rough landing that could have left a cosmonaut seriously injured.

Agency

Russian Federal Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS)

Type

Capsule

Maiden Flight

May 15, 1960

Crew Capacity

1

Flight Life

Longest flight was 4 days.

Specifications

/02

Human spaceflight in LEO.

4.55

Height (m)

2.43

Diameter (m)

4725

Payload Capacity (kg)

Return Capacity (kg)

Mission Record

/03
13

Total Launches

11

Successful

2

Failed

13

Spacecraft Flown

Landing Record

11

Attempted Landings

10

Successful Landings

1

Failed Landings

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