NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

Korabl-Sputnik 2

Launch Time
Fri Aug 19, 1960 08:44 UTC

Launched 2 more dogs, Belka and Strelka, plus several mice, rats, and plants into orbit and recovered them safely. These were the first living beings recovered from orbit.

Rocket

Vostok
RVSN USSR
Status: Retired
Liftoff Thrust: 4,570 kN
Payload to LEO: 4,730 kg
Payload to GTO: 0 kg
Stages: 3
Strap-ons: 4
Rocket Height: 38.36 m
Fairing Diameter: 2.58 m
Fairing Height: 6.74 m

Mission Details

Korabl-Sputnik 2

Seemingly unfazed by the dramatic failure of the first attempt, the Soviets put 2 more dogs named Belka and Strelka, plus 40 mice, 2 rats, and several plants into the Vostok spacecraft. This launch went perfectly, and the capsule was recovered safely. One of the dogs suffered from seizures during the fourth orbit, but both were recovered safely and in good health.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 4,600.0 kg
Low Earth Orbit

Location

Site 1/5, Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

Stats

1960

21st orbital launch attempt

Vostok

12th mission
5th mission of 1960
4th successful mission
1st consecutive successful mission