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For the Soviet Union, 1960 was a mixed bag of success and failure as it struggled for new achievements in space exploration. The main driving force was to be the first nation to launch a man into space. An achievement their adversary, the United States, also desperately wanted.
Vostok on Test Stand
Vostok Flight Plan
Belka and Strelka
Vostok With Third Stage
Vostok Dog Capsule
Card From Dog Capsule
Strelka With Pups
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The launch vehicle for the Luna E-1 series was a modified R7 named Vostok. The Vostok had three stages. The first and second stage were the standard R-7 which we covered in Episode 9. A 5.1 meter long by 2.4 meter diameter third stage was added to the top of the R-7. The third stage weighed 1472 kg and was capable of delivering 54.5 kiloNewtons or 12,252 lbs of thrust. This was the probes booster stage that gave it enough speed to escape Earth’s gravity.
Sputnik 3
R-7
Luna 1
Vostok
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In late March, 1958, President Eisenhower publicly announced the United States’ intention to launch a spacecraft to the Moon. He assured the nation that this was not science fiction. It was an achievable goal presented by leading scientists. The announcement came less than 2 months after the first US satellite had reached orbit. The President was committing the nation to a space race to the moon with the Soviets. If all went well the country would have a spacecraft in orbit around the moon before the summer was over.
Vanguard 1 Satellite
Vanguard 1
Pioneer 1 on the Launch Pad
Pioneers 0-2 Satellite Replica
Pioneer 3
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At approximately 12:48 a.m. EST, the first listening stations began reporting that they had received radio signals from the “Explorer” satellite. The first station to confirm the signals was the San Gabriel Valley Amateur Radio Club near Pasadena, California. However, ABMA officials were waiting for confirmation from the Goldstone radio tracking station in Earthquake Valley, California. Finally, 1 hour and 57 minutes after launch the confirmation was finally relayed to ABMA officials in the form of the simple phrase, “Goldstone has the bird!”
Explorer 1 – Jupiter C Launch
On the Pad
Pre-Launch
Explorer 1 Satellite
Van Allen
Pickering
Medaris
Explorer 1 Satellite
Pickering, Van Allen, Von Braun Holding Satellite
