Sputnik (rocket)
Small carrier rocket
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Two versions of the Sputnik were built, the Sputnik-PS (GRAU index 8K71PS), which was used to launch Sputnik 1 and later Sputnik 2, and the Sputnik (8A91), which failed to launch a satellite in April 1958, and subsequently launched Sputnik 3 on 15 May 1958.
A later member of the R-7 family, the Polyot, used the same configuration as the Sputnik rocket, but was constructed from Voskhod components. Because of the similarity, the Polyot was sometimes known as the Sputnik 11A59.
Specifications
- First Stage: Block B, V, G, D (four strap-on boosters)
- Gross mass: 43 tonnes (95,000 lb)
- Empty mass: 3.4 tonnes (7,500 lb)
- Thrust (vac.): 4 × 389 kilonewtons (87,000 lbf)
- Isp (SL): 250 seconds (2.5 km/s)
- Isp (vac.): 306 seconds (3.00 km/s)
- Burn time: 120 seconds
- Diameter: 2.68 metres (8 ft 10 in)
- Width: 2.68 metres (8 ft 10 in)
- Length without nozzles: 1.92 metres (6 ft 4 in)
- Propellants: LOX / Kerosene
- Engines: 1 × RD-107-8D74PS per booster = 4
- Second Stage: Block A (core stage)
- Gross mass: 94 tonnes (207,000 lb)
- Empty mass: 7.495 tonnes (16,520 lb)
- Thrust (vac.): 970 kilonewtons (220,000 lbf)
- Isp (SL): 241 seconds (2.36 km/s)
- Isp (vac.): 308 seconds (3.02 km/s)
- Burn time: 310 seconds (5 minutes, 10 seconds)
- Diameter: 2.95 metres (9 ft 8 in)
- Width: 2.95 metres (9 ft 8 in)
- Length: 2.8 metres (9 ft 2 in)
- Propellants: LOX / Kerosene
- Engine: 1 × RD-108-8D75PS
- Total mass: 267 tonnes (589,000 lb)
- Total width: 10.303 metres (33.80 ft)
- LEO payload: 500 kilograms (1,100 lb)
- Total liftoff thrust: 3,890 kilonewtons (870,000 lbf)
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Sputnik 8A91
The Sputnik 8A91 had more powerful 8D76 and 8D77 engines installed, increasing its payload capacity, and allowing it to launch much heavier satellites than Sputnik 1 and Sputnik 2. It was launched two times, in 1958. The first launch, on 27 April, failed due to vibrations that unexpectedly occurred during the flight along the longitudinal axis of the rocket. On 15 May, it successfully launched Sputnik 3.
Sputnik specifications
- First Stage: Block B, V, G, D (four strap-on boosters), 4 × Sputnik 8A91-0
- Gross mass: 43 tonnes (95,000 lb)
- Empty mass: 3.4 tonnes (7,500 lb)
- Thrust (vac.): 4 × 389 kilonewtons (87,000 lbf)
- Isp (SL): 252 seconds (2.47 km/s)
- Isp (vac.): 310 seconds (3.0 km/s)
- Burn time: 130 seconds (2 minutes, 10 second)
- Diameter: 2.68 metres (8 ft 10 in)
- Width: 2.68 metres (8 ft 10 in)
- Length without nozzles: 1.92 metres (6 ft 4 in)
- Propellants: LOX / Kerosene
- Engines: 1 × RD-107-8D76 per booster = 4
- Second Stage: Block A (core stage), Sputnik 8A91-1
- Gross mass: 95 tonnes (209,000 lb)
- Empty mass: 7.1 tonnes (16,000 lb)
- Thrust (vac.): 804 kilonewtons (181,000 lbf)
- Isp (SL): 246 seconds (2.41 km/s)
- Isp (vac.): 315 seconds (3.09 km/s)
- Burn time: 360 seconds (6 minutes)
- Diameter: 2.95 metres (9 ft 8 in)
- Width: 2.95 metres (9 ft 8 in)
- Length: 2.8 metres (9 ft 2 in)
- Propellants: LOX / Kerosene
- Engine: 1 × RD-108-8D77
- Total mass: 269.3 tonnes (594,000 lb)
- Total width: 10.303 metres (33.80 ft)
- LEO payload: 1,327 kilograms (2,926 lb)
- Total liftoff thrust: 3,784 kilonewtons (851,000 lbf)