Russian Space Boosters | Vostok

(Western designation SL-3).

"Vostok" Space booster is a new development of "Sputnik" space booster. Booster was designed according to the Decision of Communist Party Politburo of March 20th , 1958 with the purpose to reach Second Space Speed necessary for Space missions out of the Planet system.

"Vostok" was designed at Special Design Bureau #1. Main factory of "Vostok" production was "Progress" factory. On the cluster of initial ("Sputnik") two stages was installed third stage - block-E. Booster was developed for launching probes to the Moon, spacecrafts "Vostok" and satellites such as "Zenith", "Electron", reconnaissance and weather satellites.

First launch of the "Vostok" space booster was conducted September 23rd, 1958 and the last one August 29th, 1991. "Vostok" space booster had been changed two times to "Vostok-2" and "Vostok-2M". All together there were 163 launches of "Vostok" booster, including 15 accidents.

Specification. of "Vostok" booster.
(Moon version of the booster).

Launch weight......................................286,000 (279,100) kg
Thrust................................................................406,000 kg
Length.........................................................38,36 (33,50) m
Diameter of cluster....................................................10,3 m
Payload weight
Low Earth Orbit
With regular shroud................................................ 4,500 kg
With lunar version..................................................... 400 kg
Propellant
All stages........................................................kerosene+O₂

Stage 1......................................................... engine RD-107
Stage 2......................................................... engine RD-108
Stage 3.................................................. engine RO-7 (RO-5)