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ROCKETS, MISSILES, & LAUNCH VEHICLES
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Sputnik launch vehicle


Sputnik 1 launch vehicle. Image: TASS via Sovfoto
Sputnik 1 launch vehicle.
Image: TASS via Sovfoto
The world's first launch vehicle to reach Earth orbit. It was developed from the Soviet R-7 ballistic missile (see "R" series of Russian missiles) and comprised a central core of four RD-107 rockets, clustered around which were four tapered booster stages each containing four RD-108 rockets. All the engines used liquid oxygen and kerosene. During ascent, the boosters were jettisoned, leaving the core to place the Sputnik satellite in orbit.


Related categories

   • ROCKETS, MISSILES, AND LAUNCH VEHICLES
   • RUSSIAN LAUNCH VEHICLES


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