Vostok (rocket family)

On March 18, 1980, a Vostok-2M rocket exploded on its launch pad at Plesetsk during a fueling operation, killing 48 people. An investigation into a similar – but avoided – accident revealed that the substitution of lead-based for tin-based solder in hydrogen peroxide filters allowed the breakdown of the H₂O₂, thus causing the resultant explosion.

Variants

The major versions of the rocket were:

• Luna 8K72 – used to launch the early Luna spacecraft
• Vostok-L 8K72 – Variant of the Luna, used to launch prototype Vostok spacecraft
• Vostok-K 8K72K – a refined version of the above. This was the version actually used for human spaceflight
• Vostok-2 8A92 – used for launching Zenit reconnaissance satellites throughout the 1960s
• Vostok-2M 8A92M – modified version for launching Meteor weather satellites into higher orbits.
• Soyuz/Vostok 11A110 – hybrid of Soyuz and Vostok rockets used as an interim for two launches

Vostok 8K72K

Source:

• First Stage — Block B, V, G, D (four strap-on boosters)
  • Gross mass: 43,300 kg
  • Empty mass: 3,710 kg
  • Thrust (vac): 4 x 99,000 kgf (971 kN) = 3.88 MN
  • Isp: 313 seconds (3.07 km/s)
  • Burn time: 118 s
  • Isp(sl): 256 seconds (2.51 km/s)
  • Diameter: 2.68 m
  • Span: 8.35 m
  • Length: 19.00 m
  • Propellants: Lox/Kerosene
  • Engines: 1 x RD-107-8D74-1959 per booster = 4
• Second Stage — Block A (core stage)
  • Gross mass: 100,400 kg
  • Empty mass: 6,800 kg
  • Thrust (vac): 912 kN
  • Isp: 315 seconds (3.09 km/s)
  • Burn time: 301 s
  • Isp(sl): 248 seconds (2.43 km/s)
  • Diameter: 2.99 m
  • Length: 28.00 m
  • Propellants: Lox/Kerosene
  • Engine: 1 x RD-108-8D75-1959
• Third Stage — Block E
  • Gross mass: 7,775 kg
  • Empty mass: 1,440 kg
  • Thrust (vac): 54.5 kN
  • Isp: 326 seconds (3.20 km/s)
  • Burn time: 365 s
  • Diameter: 2.56 m
  • Span: 2.56 m
  • Length: 2.84 m
  • Propellants: Lox/Kerosene
  • Engine: 1 x RD-0109