Cosmos 57

Russia


Spacecraft n°:

USSR satellite n°:


Launch data:

Designation01093 / 65012A
Launch date22 Feb 1965 - 07:40:48 UT
Launch siteB-LC1
Launch vehicleVoskhod 11A57 (s/n: R15000-03)
MissionVoskhod test #2
Satellite typeVoskhod 3KD (#1)
Mass5 682 kg
Earth orbit on:
Perigee x Apogee 165 / 427 km
Inclination 64.74°
Period 90.42 min

Decay:

Decay date:  22 Feb 1965 - 09:36 UT
Lifetime: 0,08 days

Mission details:

Unsuccessful mission. Voskhod 2 test. Immediately after orbital insertion airlock and spacesuit inflated normally. Then ground controllers sent commands to spacecraft simultaneously instead of sequentially as planned. Signal accidentally set off self destruct mechanism (designed to prevent falling into enemy hands).
Blew up past Kamchatka on first orbit. No other test or backup spacecraft built with EVA port.
Decision made to go ahead with Voskhod 2 anyway, due to one year leadtime to construct replacement. Planned follow-on Voskhod missions cancelled, including Air Force version, long endurance one man flight, flights by reporters, poets, and scientists.
Officially: Investigation of the upper atmosphere and outer space.


Ref.: #1, #7, #8 - update: 30.03.04