2MV-2 n°1 (Venera 2)

Launch Failure

Liftoff Time (GMT)

00:59:13

Wednesday September 12, 1962

Mission Details

Launch Notes

One of the Block I vernier engines explodes after engine shutdown due to a failure of a liquid oxygen valve. This causes a violent yaw and role right a separation between the Block I and Block L stages. Due to this strong yaw and roll, the liquid oxygen turbo pump on the Block L engine failed, resulting in a loss of thrust.

2MV-2 n°1 (Venera 2)

Wiki

Venera 2MV-2 n°1, also known as Sputnik 21 in the West, was a Soviet spacecraft, which was launched in 1962 as part of the Venera programme, and was intended to make a flyby of Venus. Due to a problem with the rocket which launched it, it failed to leave low Earth orbit, and reentered the atmosphere a few days later. It was the second Venera 2MV-2 spacecraft, both of which failed to leave Earth orbit.

Heliocentric Orbit

1 Payload

890 kilograms

Rocket

Retired
Molniya

Active 1960 to 1967

RKK Energiya logo

Manufacturer

RKK Energiya

Rocket

Height: 44.23m

Payload to Orbit

LEO: 6,000 kg

GTO: 2,200 kg

Liftoff Thrust

4,378 Kilonewtons

Fairing

Diameter: 2.58m

Height: 6.74m

Stages

4

Strap-ons

4

Launch Site

Site 1/5

Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

Fastest Turnaround

23 hr 32 min

Stats

Molniya


7th

Mission

3rd

Mission of 1962

RKK Energiya


43rd

Mission

14th

Mission of 1962

1962


52nd

Orbital launch attempt