fimych Member Posts: 228 From: Boston MA, USA Registered: Jun 2015
|
posted 10-25-2015 02:39 PM
50 years of Soviet Vostok program – manned flight to space. Private issue covers with Star City cancellations on the specific dates and designer dated cachets.May 15, 1960 – first launch of the Vostok spaceship prototype – Vostok 1KP. The prototype had no life support, heating and landing systems. ![](http://i.imgur.com/wCNmzAp.jpg) July 28, 1960 – first preproduction spaceship launch – Vostok 1K №1 with 2 dogs, Lisichka and Chaika (Foxy and Seagull). The launch was unsuccessful. – the rocket exploded shortly, destroying the ship and the creatures on board. ![](http://i.imgur.com/I8Hanl7.jpg) Aug 19, 1960 – second preproduction spaceship Vostok 1K №2 with Belka and Strelka dogs. The launch was a total success, the capsule landed precisely, bringing the dogs alive to Earth. ![](http://i.imgur.com/x2Ad8IB.jpg) Dec 1, 1960 – third launch of Vostok 1K №3 with dogs Pchelka and Mushka (Bee and Fly), various biological organisms including human tissues – focusing on research of space impact on human health. The main goal was fully achieved, but during landing, the capsule was destroyed killing the dogs. ![](http://i.imgur.com/Whfo7gX.jpg) |
fimych Member Posts: 228 From: Boston MA, USA Registered: Jun 2015
|
posted 10-25-2015 02:40 PM
Dec 22, 1960 – forth Vostok 1K №4 was launched with space dogs – Kometa and Shutka (Comet and Joke). The rocket was destroyed during the launch, but the escape system worked perfectly – bringing dogs in the capsule to Earth safe and alive. ![](http://i.imgur.com/TY0SJQE.jpg) Mar 9, 1961 – full production Vostok 3KA №1 was launched. Spaceship carried dog Chernushka (Blacky) and human dummy called Ivan Ivanovich. The dummy was inhabited by guinea pigs and various bio-organisms. The capsule safely landed after one revolution. ![](http://i.imgur.com/4Xrt1o5.jpg) Mar 25, 1961 – second production ship Vostok 3KA №2 – basically this was the general rehearsal before the manned flights. Same profile as the flight before – dog Zvezdochka (Tiny Star) with human dummy + guinea pigs and other creatures. Everything went as planned. ![](http://i.imgur.com/Wn5vY1q.jpg) Apr 12, 1961 ... YURY GAGARIN ![](http://i.imgur.com/rViBcZV.jpg) |