Engineering:Vostok-L

Short description: 1960s Soviet rocket

Vostok-L (8K72)

Vostok-L rocket
Function	Small-lift launch vehicle
Manufacturer	OKB-1
Country of origin	Soviet Union
Size
Height	30.84 m (101.2 ft)
Diameter	2.6 m (8 ft 6 in)
Stages	3
Capacity
Payload to LEO	4,550 kg (10,030 lb)
Associated rockets
Family	R-7
Derivatives	Vostok-K
Launch history
Status	Retired
Launch sites	Baikonur, Site 1/5
Total launches	4
Successes	3
Failures	1
First flight	15 May 1960
Last flight	1 December 1960
Notable payloads	Korabl-Sputnik
Boosters (First stage) – Block B, V, G & D
No. boosters	4
Engines	1 × RD-107-8D74
Thrust	970 kN (220,000 lbf)
Total thrust	3,880 kN (870,000 lbf)
Burn time	120 seconds
Fuel	LOX / RP-1
Second stage (core) – Block A
Engines	1 × RD-108-8D75
Thrust	912 kN (205,000 lbf)
Burn time	310 seconds
Fuel	LOX / RP-1
Third stage
Engines	1 × RD-0105
Thrust	49.42 kN (11,110 lbf)
Burn time	390 seconds
Fuel	LOX / RP-1

Vostok‑L (Russian: Восток, lit. 'East', GRAU index: 8K72) was a rocket used by the Soviet Union to conduct several early tests of the Vostok spacecraft.

It was derived from the Luna rocket, with a slightly enlarged third stage to accommodate the larger payload. and was a member of the Vostok family of rockets.

Launches

Four launches were conducted between 15 May and 1 December 1960, from Baikonur LC-1/5, three of which successfully reached orbit.

The first flight, on 15 May 1960, carried the Korabl-Sputnik 1 spacecraft. The second launched on 28 July, however one of the booster engines exploded during launch, causing the booster to separate prematurely, 19 seconds after launch. The rocket broke up 30 seconds after liftoff, killing the two dogs that were aboard the spacecraft. The third flight successfully placed Korabl-Sputnik 2 into orbit on 19 August, whilst the fourth and final flight orbited Korabl-Sputnik 3 on 1 December.

Serial No.	Date	Payload	Result
L1-11	15 May 1960	Korabl-Sputnik 1	Success
L1-10	28 July 1960	Korabl-Sputnik (2)	Failure
L1-12	19 August 1960	Korabl-Sputnik 2	Success
L1-13	1 December 1960	Korabl-Sputnik 3	Success

The Vostok-L was replaced by an uprated version, the Vostok-K, which offered a greater payload capacity.