NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Failure

2MV-2 n°1 (Venera 2)

Launch Time
Wed Sep 12, 1962 00:59 UTC

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.

Rocket

Molniya
RVSN USSR
Status: Retired
Liftoff Thrust: 4,378 kN
Payload to LEO: 6,000 kg
Payload to GTO: 2,200 kg
Stages: 4
Strap-ons: 4
Rocket Height: 44.23 m
Fairing Diameter: 2.58 m
Fairing Height: 6.74 m

Mission Details

2MV-2 n°1 (Venera 2)

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.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 890.0 kg
Heliocentric Orbit

Location

Site 1/5, Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

Stats

1962

52nd orbital launch attempt

Molniya

7th mission
3rd mission of 1962
6th failed mission