1957: R7 (USSR)

The R-7 Semyorka was the world's first intercontinental ballistic missile. In modified form, it launched Sputnik, the first artificial satellite, into orbit, and became the basis for the Soyuz space launcher and the Molniya, Vostok and Voskhod variants.

The R-7 was 34 m long, 3 m in diameter and weighed 280 tons. It was two-stage, powered by rocket motors using liquid oxygen (lox) and kerosene and was capable of delivering its payload at around 8800 km, with an accuracy (CEP) of around 5km. The initial launch was boosted by four strap-on liquid rocket boosters making up the first stage with a central 'sustainer' motor powering through both the first and the second stage. Each strap-on booster included two vernier thrusters and the core stage included four. The guidance system was inertial with radio control of the vernier thrusters.

The first testing of the new missile took place on 15 May 1957 from Baikonur Cosmodrome. A fire in a strap-on rocket led to an unintended crash 400 km from the site. Following another unsuccessful test the first successful long flight, of 6000 km, was made on August 21. It was announced by TASS on August 26. A modified version of the missile later placed Sputnik 1 in orbit from Baikonur on October 4 and Sputnik 2 on November 3.

Music: Marcus P. Graf

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• iaf
• 1957
• ussr
• rocket
• missile
• R7
• korolyov
• korolev
• graf

[ziduni]

the Americans were such jealous bastards!

[Silmacar]

In 1957 a portrait of Stalin on the wall? Unlikely, Khrushev had already spoken against Stalin and the cult of his personality the year before (XX congress of the CPSU). Meh.

Wonderful music, though, I agree.

[kuki5050]

@Silmacar and now rockets from R7 family carrying a Soyuz and Progress spaceships. It shouldn't be used as ICBM.

[tsns1]

Awsome vintage vid, like the piano as well.

[xGODZILLAFIREFOXx]

@Raajur Actually, almost all space achievements were made by the soviets. I would say the soviets won the space race, but the USA won the race to the moon. Without the work of nazi scientists, the US would never have gotten to the moon. (not that i like nazi's by the way). The soviet moonshot program was also very close.

[xGODZILLAFIREFOXx]

@Silmacar Yes, Kruschev employed a policy of destalinisation.

[ReCpochta]

@Raajur Кстати не смотрите это плохое видео которое показывают здесь. Заходите сюда youtube.com/user/tvroscosmos

[ReCpochta]

@Raajur Мне любому русскому или американцу хочется чтобы именно наша нация была первой. Хотя в итоге это становится не важно, в итоге побеждает человечество.

[Raajur]

@ReCpochta Sorry I will try to rephrase it. :)

Don't worry I was just joking about Americans doing it better. And I do agree, the competition between America and Russia is what made space exciting, it is what got us so far! But a lot of people have become uninterested in space exploration, which is extremely bad! Let's just hope the competition starts again, and maybe we will go further into space than anyone could imagine.

[ReCpochta]

@Raajur пожалуйста поменьше сленга, говори на классическом английском, иначе я ничего не понимаю.

[Raajur]

@ReCpochta Don't worry I was just kidding about Americans doing it better, just wanted to get your blood going. And I do agree, the competition between US and Russia is what made space exciting, and it's what got shit done! But in this time of age people have become disinterested in space exploration, which extremely sucks! Let's just hope the competition sparks up again, and maybe we'll go further into space than anyone would imagine.