Sputnik 5 - KS2

Launch data: Designation 00055 / 1960 Lambda 1 / 60011A Launch date 19 Aug 1960 - 08:44:06 UT Launch site  B, LC1 Launch vehicle  Vostok 8K72 (#L1-12) Payload  Vostok-1K (#2) Mass (kg)  4600 Earth orbit: Perigee / Apogee  297 x 324 km Inclination  64,95° Period  90,72 min

1: air tank; 2 ejection mechanism; 3: radar; 4: batteries for heating the test tubes containing microbes; 5: battery; 6: scientific apparatus; 7: ejectable capsule; 8: Motion Sensor; 9: pressurized capsule; 10: microphone; 11: radar antenna; 12: valves; 13: video camera; 14: mirror; 15: ventilation system; 16: device used to feed the animals.

Mission details

• Unmanned Vostok test, carrying two dogs Byelka (Squirrel) and Strelka (Arrow); also other biological specimens were carried: rats, white mice, plant seeds and others.
• TV pictures showed the dogs Byelka and Strelka quite still at first; kater movements were convulsive and Byelka vomited. It was decided then to limit the first'manned' flight to a single orbit. The infra-red sensor failed and the de-orbit burn on the 18th orbit used the back-up sun-sensor.
• During the descent, after a day in orbit, the experimental animals were ejected from the main module and they were recovered close to the main descent craft. Its was the first recovery of living.

End of life

External links:

• Drewexmachina.com: Korabl-Sputnik 2: The First Animals Recovered from Orbit

Astrophilately covers:

Launch & landing cancel Minsk

Launch & landing cancel, different cancel Minsk. Credit: #403

Launch cancel Vilnius, black cancel. Credit: #402

Launch & landing cancel Vilnius

Launch cancel Vilnius, different black cancel. Credit: #403

Launch cancel Vilnius, black cancel. Credit: #403