The first manned spacecraft. History of manned space flights. Reference. Spaceship, how it works

A spacecraft used for flights in low-Earth orbit, including under human control.

All spaceships can be divided into two classes: manned and launched in control mode from the surface of the Earth.

In the early 20s. XX century K. E. Tsiolkovsky once again predicts the future exploration of outer space by earthlings. In his work “Spaceship” there is a mention of the so-called heavenly ships, the main purpose of which is the implementation of human flights into space.
The first spacecraft of the Vostok series were created under the strict leadership of the general designer of OKB-1 (now the Energia rocket and space corporation) S.P. Korolev. The first manned spacecraft "Vostok" was able to deliver a person into outer space on April 12, 1961. This cosmonaut was Yu. A. Gagarin.

The main objectives set in the experiment were:

1) study of the impact of orbital flight conditions on a person, including his performance;

2) testing the principles of spacecraft design;

3) testing of structures and systems in real conditions.

The total mass of the ship was 4.7 tons, diameter - 2.4 m, length - 4.4 m. Among the onboard systems with which the ship was equipped, the following can be distinguished: control systems (automatic and manual modes); automatic orientation system to the Sun and manual orientation to the Earth; life supporting system; thermal control system; landing system.

Subsequently, the developments obtained during the implementation of the Vostok spacecraft program made it possible to create much more advanced ones. Today, the “armada” of spacecraft is very clearly represented by the American reusable transport spacecraft “Shuttle”, or Space Shuttle.

It is impossible not to mention the Soviet development, which is currently not in use, but could seriously compete with the American ship.

"Buran" was the name of the Soviet Union's program to create a reusable space system. Work on the Buran program began in connection with the need to create a reusable space system as a means of deterring a potential enemy in connection with the start of the American project in January 1971.

To implement the project, NPO Molniya was created. In the shortest possible time in 1984, with the support of more than a thousand enterprises from all over the Soviet Union, the first full-scale copy was created with the following technical characteristics: its length was more than 36 m with a wingspan of 24 m; launch weight - more than 100 tons with a payload weight of up to
30 t.

The Buran had a pressurized cabin in the bow compartment, which could accommodate about ten people and most of the equipment to ensure flight in orbit, descent and landing. The ship was equipped with two groups of engines at the end of the tail section and in the front of the hull for maneuvering; for the first time, a combined propulsion system was used, which included fuel tanks for oxidizer and fuel, boost thermostatting, fluid intake in zero gravity, control system equipment, etc.

The first and only flight of the Buran spacecraft was made on November 15, 1988 in an unmanned, fully automatic mode (for reference: the Shuttle still lands only using manual control). Unfortunately, the ship's flight coincided with difficult times that began in the country, and due to the end of the Cold War and the lack of sufficient funds, the Buran program was closed.

The American Space Shuttle series began in 1972, although it was preceded by a project for a reusable two-stage vehicle, each stage of which was similar to a jet.

The first stage served as an accelerator, which, after entering orbit, completed its part of the task and returned to Earth with the crew, and the second stage was an orbital ship and, after completing the program, also returned to the launch site. It was a time of an arms race, and the creation of a ship of this type was considered the main link in this race.

To launch the ship, the Americans use an accelerator and the ship's own engine, the fuel for which is located in the external fuel tank. Spent boosters are not reused after landing, with a limited number of launches. Structurally, the Shuttle series ship consists of several main elements: the Orbiter aerospace aircraft, reusable rocket boosters and a fuel tank (disposable).

The first flight of the spacecraft, due to a large number of shortcomings and design changes, took place only in 1981. In the period from April 1981 to July 1982, a series of orbital flight tests of the Columbia spacecraft were carried out in all flight modes. Unfortunately, the series of flights of the Shuttle series of ships was not without tragedies.

In 1986, during the 25th launch of the Challenger spacecraft, a fuel tank exploded due to imperfections in the design of the vehicle, as a result of which all seven crew members were killed. Only in 1988, after a number of changes were made to the flight program, the Discovery spacecraft was launched. The Challenger was replaced by a new ship, the Endeavor, which has been operating since 1992.

Manned spaceflight- Manned space flight is a human journey into space, into Earth’s orbit and beyond, carried out using manned spacecraft. Delivery of a person into space is carried out using spaceships. Long-term... ... Wikipedia

Spaceship- Spacecraft (SV) is a technical device used to perform various tasks in outer space, as well as conduct research and other types of work on the surface of various celestial bodies. Delivery means... ... Wikipedia

Spacecraft "Voskhod-1"- Voskhod 1 three-seater spaceship. It was launched into orbit on October 12, 1964. The crew consisted of the ship's commander Vladimir Komarov, researcher Konstantin Feoktistov and doctor Boris Egorov. Voskhod 1 was created at OKB 1 (now... ... Encyclopedia of Newsmakers

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Manned spacecraft- Russian PKA Manned spacecraft space app... Wikipedia

Reusable spacecraft- First flight of NASA's space shuttle Columbia (Designation STS 1). The external fuel tank was painted white only in the first few flights. Now the tank is not painted to reduce the weight of the system. Reusable transport spacecraft... ... Wikipedia

Spaceship- a spacecraft designed for human flight (manned spacecraft). A distinctive feature of the cosmonaut is the presence of a sealed cabin with a life support system for astronauts. K.K. for flight on... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia

Spacecraft (SC)- manned spacecraft. A distinction is made between spacecraft satellites and interplanetary spacecraft. It has a sealed cabin with a life support system, on-board motion and descent control systems, a propulsion system, power supply systems, etc. Removal of spacecraft... ... Glossary of military terms

spaceship- 104 spaceship; KKr: A manned spacecraft capable of maneuvering in the atmosphere and outer space with a return to a given area and (or) descent and landing on a planet.

The initial stage of space exploration (flights on the Vostok and Voskhod spacecraft) included issues of designing spacecraft and their systems, testing ground-based flight control systems, methods for lowering ships from orbit, searching for and meeting cosmonauts on the ground.

The world's first human flight into space took place on April 12, 1961. At 6:07 a.m., the Vostok-K72K launch vehicle was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome from launch pad No. 1, which launched the Soviet spacecraft Vostok into low-Earth orbit.

The spacecraft was piloted by Yuri Gagarin (the call sign of the first cosmonaut on Earth is “Kedr”). The backup was German Titov, the reserve cosmonaut was Grigory Nelyubov. The flight lasted 1 hour 48 minutes. After completing one revolution around the Earth, the spacecraft's descent module landed on the territory of the USSR in the Saratov region.

First daily space flight was accomplished by cosmonaut German Stepanovich Titov from August 6 to August 7, 1961 on the Vostok-2 spacecraft.

First formation flight of two ships- Vostok-3 (cosmonaut Andriyan Nikolaevich Nikolaev) and Vostok-4 (cosmonaut Pavel Romanovich Popovich) took place on August 11-15, 1962.

World's first female space flight carried out by Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova from June 16 to June 19, 1963 on the Vostok-6 spacecraft.

On October 12, 1964, the first multi-seat spacecraft, Voskhod, was launched. The crew of the ship included cosmonauts Vladimir Mikhailovich Komarov, Konstantin Petrovich Feoktistov, Boris Borisovich Egorov.

The first human spacewalk in history carried out by Alexey Arkhipovich Leonov during the expedition on March 18-19, 1965 (spaceship Voskhod-2, crewed by Pavel Ivanovich Belyaev). Alexey Leonov moved away from the ship to a distance of 5 meters and spent 12 minutes 9 seconds in outer space outside the airlock.

The next stage of Russian manned cosmonautics is the creation of the multi-purpose Soyuz spacecraft, capable of performing complex maneuvers in orbit, approaching and docking with other spacecraft, and long-term orbital stations Salyut.

First flight on the new Soyuz-1 spacecraft was performed on April 23-24, 1967 by cosmonaut Vladimir Mikhailovich Komarov. At the end of the flight program, when the main parachute of the descent vehicle did not come out during descent to Earth, Vladimir Komarov died.

First joint flight of three ships: Soyuz-6, Soyuz-7 and Soyuz-8 took place from October 11 to October 18, 1969. The crews of the ships included cosmonauts Georgy Stepanovich Shonin, Valery Nikolaevich Kubasov, Anatoly Vasilyevich Filipchenko, Vladislav Nikolaevich Volkov, Viktor Vasilyevich Gorbatko, Vladimir Alexandrovich Shatalov, Alexey Stanislavovich Eliseev.

From 1 to 19 June 1969 first long-duration autonomous space flight carried out by Andriyan Nikolaevich Nikolaev and Vitaly Ivanovich Sevastyanov on the Soyuz-9 spacecraft.

First long-term work in space orbit on the Soyuz-11 spacecraft was carried out from June 6 to June 30, 1971 by cosmonauts Georgy Timofeevich Dobrovolsky, Vladislav Nikolaevich Volkov, Viktor Ivanovich Patsaev. When returning to Earth, the descent module depressurized and the ship's crew died.

January 11, 1975 began first expedition to the Salyut-4 space station(crew: Alexey Aleksandrovich Gubarev, Georgy Mikhailovich Grechko, Soyuz-17 spacecraft), which ended on February 9, 1975.

First international space flight- July 15-21, 1975. In orbit, the Soyuz-19 spacecraft, piloted by Alexei Leonov and Valery Kubasov, was docked with the American Apollo spacecraft, piloted by astronauts T. Staffor, D. Slayton, V. Brand. Mutual transitions of cosmonauts and astronauts, joint and autonomous scientific and technical research were carried out. According to Alexei Leonov, then, in the 1970s, the two superpowers managed to prove that cooperation in solving such a global problem as space exploration was possible.

The first expedition to the Salyut-5 station carried out on the Soyuz-21 spacecraft by Boris Valentinovich Volynov and Vitaly Mikhailovich Zholobov. The expedition lasted from July 6 to August 24, 1976.

The first expedition to the Salyut-6 station took place from December 10, 1977 to March 16, 1978 (96 days, crew - Yuri Viktorovich Romanenko, Georgy Mikhailovich Grechko, spacecraft Soyuz-26 (launch) and Soyuz-27 (landing).

From March 2 to March 10, 1978, the first international crew visited Salyut-6 - cosmonaut Alexey Aleksandrovich Gubarev and Vladimir Remek, a citizen of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic. In total, nine international space expeditions visited Salyut-6.

The first expedition to the Salyut-7 orbital station took place from June 24 to July 2, 1982. Vladimir Aleksandrovich Dzhanibekov, Alexander Sergeevich Ivanchenkov, and French citizen Jean-Loup Chrestien worked at the station at that time. In total, 10 expeditions worked on Salyut-7 at different times.

The Salyuts were replaced by the third generation of near-Earth laboratories - the Mir station, which was the base unit for the construction of a multi-purpose permanent manned complex with specialized orbital modules of scientific and national economic importance. Subsequently, the Kvant, Kvant-2, Kristall, and Spectrum modules were docked to the station and began operating. The construction of the permanently inhabited orbital complex was fully completed on April 26, 1996, when the fifth and final retrofitting module, Priroda, with sophisticated scientific equipment, which made it possible to carry out comprehensive studies of land, ocean and atmosphere, was docked to Mir.

Orbital complex "Mir" was in operation until June 2000 - 14.5 years instead of the five envisaged. During this time, 28 space expeditions were carried out on it, a total of 139 Russian and foreign space researchers visited the complex, 11.5 tons of scientific equipment of 240 items from 27 countries were deployed.

During space expeditions, new methods were developed for assembling large-sized structures in space using thermodynamic compounds from materials with a shape memory effect - future elements of the new International Space Station; the nature of noctilucent clouds, aerosol layers in the atmosphere and mesosphere was studied, interstellar gas was studied, scientific information was obtained on the relationship of physical processes occurring in the Universe and near-Earth space, as well as many other experiments in space medicine, biotechnology, astro- and geophysics, materials science and others.

The Russian space complex has set world records for duration of orbital flight, duration of stay in space, and spacewalks.

Thus, doctor-researcher Valery Polyakov spent 437 days and 18 hours in space as part of three space expeditions in a row.

Cosmonaut Sergei Avdeev set an outstanding record for the total duration of stay in space - a total of 742 days in space over three flights.

In total, during Mir's operation in manned mode, cosmonauts and astronauts made over 75 spacewalks - a total of about 15 days spent outside.

The Mir space complex was replaced in orbit by the International Space Station (ISS), in the construction of which 16 countries participated. When creating the new space complex, Russian achievements in the field of manned space flight were widely used. The operation of the ISS is designed for 15 years.

The first long-term expedition to the ISS began on October 31, 2000. Currently, the 13th international expedition is operating on the International Space Station. The crew commander is Russian cosmonaut Pavel Vinogradov, the flight engineer is NASA astronaut Jeffrey Williams. The first Brazilian cosmonaut, Marcos Pontes, arrived to the ISS with the crew of Expedition 13. After completing the week-long program, he returned to Earth along with the crew of the 12th ISS Expedition: Russian Valery Tokarev and American William MacArthur, who had been working at the station since October 2005.

Manned spaceflight- Manned space flight is a human journey into space, into Earth’s orbit and beyond, carried out using manned spacecraft. Delivery of a person into space is carried out using spaceships. Long-term... ... Wikipedia

Spaceship- Spacecraft (SV) is a technical device used to perform various tasks in outer space, as well as conduct research and other types of work on the surface of various celestial bodies. Delivery means... ... Wikipedia

Spacecraft "Voskhod-1"- Voskhod 1 three-seater spaceship. It was launched into orbit on October 12, 1964. The crew consisted of the ship's commander Vladimir Komarov, researcher Konstantin Feoktistov and doctor Boris Egorov. Voskhod 1 was created at OKB 1 (now... ... Encyclopedia of Newsmakers

Manned space flight- The request “Orbital space flight” is redirected here. A separate article is needed on this topic. Manned space flight is a human journey into space, into Earth's orbit and beyond, carried out with the help of ... Wikipedia

Manned spacecraft- Russian PKA Manned spacecraft space app... Wikipedia

Reusable spacecraft- First flight of NASA's space shuttle Columbia (Designation STS 1). The external fuel tank was painted white only in the first few flights. Now the tank is not painted to reduce the weight of the system. Reusable transport spacecraft... ... Wikipedia

Spaceship- a spacecraft designed for human flight (manned spacecraft). A distinctive feature of the cosmonaut is the presence of a sealed cabin with a life support system for astronauts. K.K. for flight on... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia

Spacecraft (SC)- manned spacecraft. A distinction is made between spacecraft satellites and interplanetary spacecraft. It has a sealed cabin with a life support system, on-board motion and descent control systems, a propulsion system, power supply systems, etc. Removal of spacecraft... ... Glossary of military terms

spaceship- 104 spaceship; KKr: A manned spacecraft capable of maneuvering in the atmosphere and outer space with a return to a given area and (or) descent and landing on a planet.

“The first spaceship launches from the Earth at a speed of 0.68 s...” This is how the text of the problem begins in a physics textbook for 11th grade students, designed to help consolidate in their minds the basic principles of relativistic mechanics. So: “The first spacecraft launches from the surface of the earth at a speed of 0.68 s. The second vehicle starts moving from the first in the same direction with a speed V2 = 0.86 s. It is necessary to calculate the speed of the second vessel relative to planet Earth.”

Those who want to test their knowledge can practice solving this problem. You can also take part in solving the test together with schoolchildren: “The first spaceship launches from the surface of the earth at a speed of 0.7 s. (c is the designation for the speed of light). The second device starts moving from the first in the same direction. Its speed is 0.8 s. The speed of the second vessel relative to planet Earth should be calculated.”

Those who consider themselves knowledgeable on this issue have the opportunity to make a choice - four answer options are offered: 1) 0; 2) 0.2 s; 3) 0.96 s; 4) 1.54 s.

The authors of this lesson put forward an important didactic goal to familiarize students with the physical and philosophical meaning of Einstein’s postulates, the essence and properties of the relativistic concept of time and space, etc. The educational goal of the lesson is to develop a dialectical-materialistic worldview in boys and girls.

But readers of the article who are familiar with the history of domestic space flights will agree that tasks in which the expression “first spacecraft” is mentioned can play a more significant educational role. If desired, the teacher could use these tasks to reveal both the cognitive and patriotic aspects of the issue.

The first spacecraft in space, the successes of Russian space science in general - what is known about this?

On the importance of space research

Space research has contributed valuable data to science, which has made it possible to understand the essence of new natural phenomena and put them at the service of people. Using artificial satellites, scientists were able to determine the exact shape of planet Earth, and by studying the orbit, it became possible to trace areas of magnetic anomalies in Siberia. Using rockets and satellites, they were able to discover and explore the radiation belts around the Earth. With their help, it became possible to solve many other complex problems.

The first spacecraft to visit the Moon

The Moon is the celestial body with which the most spectacular and impressive successes of space science are associated.

The flight to the Moon for the first time in history was carried out on January 2, 1959 by the Luna-1 automatic station. The first artificial launch was a significant breakthrough in space exploration. But the main goal of the project was not achieved. It consisted of a flight from Earth to the Moon. The launch of the satellite made it possible to obtain valuable scientific and practical information regarding flights to other cosmic bodies. During the flight of Luna-1, the second was developed (for the first time!) In addition, it became possible to obtain data on the radiation belt of the globe, and other valuable information was obtained. The world press assigned the name “Dream” to the Luna-1 spacecraft.

The Luna-2 AMS repeated its predecessor almost completely. The instruments and equipment used made it possible to monitor interplanetary space, as well as correct the information received by Luna-1. The launch (September 12, 1959) was also carried out using the 8K72 launch vehicle.

On September 14, Luna 2 reached the surface of the Earth’s natural satellite. The first ever flight from our planet to the Moon was made. On board the AMS there were three symbolic pennants with the inscription: “USSR, September 1959.” A metal ball was placed in the middle, which, when it hit the surface of a celestial body, scattered into dozens of small pennants.

Tasks assigned to the automatic station:

• reaching the surface of the Moon;
• development of the second escape velocity;
• overcoming the gravity of planet Earth;
• delivery of USSR pennants to the lunar surface.

All of them were completed.

"East"

It was the very first spacecraft in the world to be launched into Earth orbit. Academician M.K. Tikhonravov, under the leadership of the famous designer S.P. Korolev, developments were carried out for many years, starting in the spring of 1957. In April 1958, the approximate parameters of the future ship, as well as its general performance, became known. It was assumed that the first spacecraft would weigh about 5 tons and that upon re-entry it would require additional thermal protection weighing about 1.5. In addition, provision was made for pilot ejection.

The creation of the experimental apparatus ended in April 1960. Its testing began in the summer.

The first Vostok spacecraft (photo below) consisted of two elements: the instrument compartment and the descent module, connected to each other.

The vessel was equipped with manual and automatic control, orientation to the Sun and Earth. In addition, there was landing, temperature control and power supply. The board was designed for the flight of one pilot in a spacesuit. The ship had two portholes.

The first spacecraft went into space in 1961, on April 12. Now this date is celebrated as Cosmonautics Day. On this day Yu.A. Gagarin launched the world's first spacecraft into orbit. They made a revolution around the Earth.

The main task performed by the first spacecraft with a person on board was to study the well-being and performance of an astronaut outside of our planet. With the successful flight of Gagarin: our compatriot, the first person to see the Earth from space, the development of science was brought to a new level.

A real flight to immortality

“The first spacecraft with a man on board was launched into Earth orbit on April 12, 1961. The first pilot-cosmonaut of the Vostok satellite was a citizen of the USSR, pilot, Major Yu. A. Gagarin.”

The words from the memorable TASS message remained forever in history, on one of its most significant and striking pages. After decades, space flights will turn into a common, everyday occurrence, but the flight made by a man from a small town in Russia - Gzhatsk - will forever remain in the minds of many generations as a great human feat.

Space Race

In those years, there was an unspoken competition between the Soviet Union and the United States for the right to play a leading role in the conquest of space. The leader of the competition was the Soviet Union. The United States lacked powerful launch vehicles.

Soviet astronautics had already tested their work in January 1960 during tests in the Pacific Ocean. All major newspapers in the world published information that the USSR would soon launch a man into space, which would certainly leave the United States behind. All the people of the world were waiting for the first human flight with great impatience.

In April 1961, man first looked at the Earth from space. “Vostok” rushed towards the Sun, the whole planet watched this flight with radio receivers. The world was shocked and excited, everyone was closely watching the progress of the greatest experiment in the history of mankind.

Minutes that shocked the world

"Man in space!" This news interrupted the work of radio and telegraph agencies mid-sentence. “A man has been neglected by the Soviets! Yuri Gagarin in space!

It took Vostok only 108 minutes to fly around the planet. And these minutes not only testified to the speed of the spacecraft’s flight. These were the first minutes of the new space age, which is why the world was so shocked by them.

The race between the two superpowers for the title of winner in the struggle for space exploration ended in victory for the USSR. In May, the United States also launched a man into space using a ballistic trajectory. And yet, the beginning of man's exit beyond the Earth's atmosphere was laid by the Soviet people. The first spaceship "Vostok" with an astronaut on board was sent precisely by the Land of the Soviets. This fact was a source of extraordinary pride for the Soviet people. Moreover, the flight lasted longer, went much higher, and followed a much more complex trajectory. In addition, Gagarin's first spaceship (the photo shows its appearance) cannot be compared with the capsule in which the American pilot flew.

Morning of the Space Age

These 108 minutes changed the life of Yuri Gagarin, our country and the whole world forever. After the ship with a man on board left, the people of Earth began to consider this event the morning of the space age. There was no person on the planet who enjoyed such great love not only of his fellow citizens, but also of people all over the world, regardless of nationality, political and religious beliefs. His feat was the personification of all the best created by the human mind.

"Ambassador of Peace"

Having flown around the Earth on the Vostok ship, Yuri Gagarin set off on a journey around the world. Everyone wanted to see and hear the world's first cosmonaut. He was equally cordially received by prime ministers and presidents, grand dukes and kings. Gagarin was also joyfully greeted by miners and dockers, military men and scientists, students of the world's great universities and elders of abandoned villages in Africa. The first cosmonaut was equally simple, friendly and affable with everyone. He was a real “ambassador of peace”, recognized by the people.

"One big and beautiful human house"

Gagarin's diplomatic mission was very important for the country. No one could have been able to tie knots of friendship between people and nations, to unite thoughts and hearts as successfully as the first man in space did. He had an unforgettable, charming smile and amazing friendliness that united people from different countries and different beliefs. His passionate, heartfelt speeches calling for world peace were incredibly compelling.

“I saw how beautiful the Earth is,” said Gagarin. - The borders of states are indistinguishable from space. Our planet looks from space like one big and beautiful human house. All honest people of the Earth are responsible for order and peace in their home.” They believed him endlessly.

The unprecedented rise of the country

At the dawn of that unforgettable day, he was known to a limited circle of people. At noon, the whole planet learned his name. Millions flocked to him; they loved him for his kindness, youth, and beauty. For humanity, he became a harbinger of the future, a scout who returned from a dangerous search, opening new paths to knowledge.

In the eyes of many, he personified his country, was a representative of the people who at one time made a huge contribution to the victory over the Nazis, and now were the first to go into space. The name of Gagarin, who was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, became a symbol of the country’s unprecedented rise to new heights of social and economic progress.

The initial stage of space exploration

Even before the famous flight, when the first spaceship with a man on board was launched into space, Gagarin thought about the importance of space exploration for people, for which powerful ships and rockets are needed. Why are telescopes mounted and orbits calculated? Why do satellites take off and radio antennas rise? He understood very well the urgent need and importance of these matters and sought to contribute to the initial stage of human exploration of space.

The first spacecraft "Vostok": tasks

The main scientific tasks facing the Vostok ship were the following. Firstly, the study of the impact of flight conditions in orbit on the state of the human body and its performance. Secondly, testing the principles of spacecraft construction.

History of creation

In 1957 S.P. Korolev, within the framework of the scientific design bureau, organized a special department No. 9. It provided for work on the creation of artificial satellites of our planet. The department was headed by Korolev’s associate M.K. Tikhonravym. The issues of creating a satellite piloted by a person on board were also explored here. The Korolev R-7 was considered as a launch vehicle. According to calculations, the rocket with the third degree of protection was able to launch a five-ton cargo into low Earth orbit.

Mathematicians from the Academy of Sciences took part in the calculations at an early stage of development. A warning was issued that a tenfold overload could lead to a ballistic descent from orbit.

The department investigated the conditions for carrying out this task. I had to abandon consideration of winged options. As the most acceptable method of returning a person, the possibilities of ejecting him and further descending by parachute were studied. There was no provision for separate rescue of the descent vehicle.

In the course of ongoing medical research, it has been proven that the most acceptable for the human body is the spherical shape of the descent vehicle, which allows it to withstand significant loads without serious consequences for the astronaut’s health. It was the spherical shape that was chosen for the production of the descent vehicle of the manned vessel.

The first ship to be sent was Vostok-1K. It was an automatic flight that took place in May 1960. Later, the Vostok-3KA modification was created and tested, which was completely ready for manned flights.

In addition to one failed flight, which ended in a launch vehicle failure at the very start, the program provided for the launch of six unmanned vehicles and six manned spacecraft.

The program implemented:

• carrying out a human flight into space - the first spacecraft “Vostok 1” (the photo represents an image of the ship);
• flight lasting one day: “Vostok-2”;
• conducting group flights: “Vostok-3” and “Vostok-4”;
• participation in the space flight of the first female cosmonaut: Vostok-6.

"Vostok": characteristics and design of the ship

Characteristics:

• weight - 4.73 t;
• length - 4.4 m;
• diameter - 2.43 m.

Device:

• spherical lander 2.3 m);
• orbital and conical instrument compartments (2.27 t, 2.43 m) - they are mechanically connected to each other using pyrotechnic locks and metal tapes.

Equipment

Automatic and manual control, automatic orientation to the Sun and manual orientation to the Earth.

Life support (provided for maintaining an internal atmosphere corresponding to the parameters of the Earth’s atmosphere for 10 days).

Command-logic control, power supply, thermal control, landing.

For man's work

In order to ensure human work in space, the board was equipped with the following equipment:

• autonomous and radiotelemetric devices necessary to monitor the astronaut’s condition;
• devices for radiotelephone communication with ground stations;
• command radio link;
• software-time devices;
• television system for monitoring the pilot from the ground;
• radio system for monitoring the orbit and direction finding of the vessel;
• braking propulsion system and others.

Descent module design

The descent module had two windows. One of them was located on the entrance hatch, slightly above the pilot’s head, the other, with a special orientation system, was located in the floor at his feet. Dressed in was located in an ejection seat. It was envisaged that after braking the descent vehicle at an altitude of 7 km, the astronaut should eject and land using a parachute. In addition, it was possible for the pilot to land inside the device itself. The descent vehicle had a parachute, but was not equipped with means for a soft landing. This threatened the person inside with serious bruises upon landing.

If the automatic systems failed, the astronaut could use manual control.

The Vostok spacecraft did not have any equipment for manned flights to the Moon. It was unacceptable for people to fly in them without special training.

Who piloted the Vostok ships?

Yu. A. Gagarin: the first spacecraft "Vostok - 1". The photo below is an image of the ship's layout. G. S. Titov: “Vostok-2”, A. G. Nikolaev: “Vostok-3”, P.R. Popovich: “Vostok-4”, V.F. Bykovsky: “Vostok-5”, V.V. Tereshkova: “Vostok-6”.

Conclusion

In the 108 minutes during which Vostok orbited the Earth, the life of the planet was forever changed. It is not only historians who cherish the memory of these moments. Living generations and our distant descendants will respectfully re-read the documents telling about the birth of a new era. An era that opened the way for people to the vast expanses of the Universe.

No matter how far humanity has advanced in its development, it will always remember this amazing day when man first found himself alone with the cosmos. People will always remember the immortal name of the glorious space pioneer who became an ordinary Russian person - Yuri Gagarin. All today's and tomorrow's achievements of space science can be considered steps in his wake, the result of his victory - the first and most important.