R-7 (rocket family)
World's first ICBM, later a prolific space launch family.
The R-7 rocket family traces its roots to the Soviet R-7 Semyorka, the first intercontinental ballistic missile ever built. Though it was not a useful weapon, it formed the basis for Soviet and later Russian spaceflight. The Soyuz rocket, a standardized version of the design, still flies today as the Soyuz-2. This family holds the record for the most orbital launches of any rocket type.
Quick Facts
- First successful test
- 21 August 1957
- Design bureau
- OKB-1
- Lead designer
- Sergei Korolev
- Propellants
- Refined kerosene (RG-1) and liquid oxygen (LOX)
- Production facility
- Progress Aviation Factory, Samara
- First human spaceflight variant
- Vostok
- First standardized multipurpose variant
- Soyuz (1966)
Facts from the source article.
Background
The R-7 was developed by OKB-1 in Kaliningrad, a Soviet design bureau led by rocket pioneer Sergei Korolev, as the world's first intercontinental ballistic missile. It was initially designed to deliver nuclear warheads to American targets and was first successfully tested on 21 August 1957. The rocket's basic design consists of a central core stage (Block A) and four strap-on boosters (Block B, V, G, and D), fueled by refined kerosene (RG-1) mixed with cryogenic liquid oxygen (LOX). Its stage numbering differs from conventional rockets: the boosters are considered the first stage, and the core stage is the second, though they ignite simultaneously at liftoff. The boosters burn for approximately two minutes before jettisoning, while the core stage continues to burn for about five minutes. The R-7 proved impractical as a weapon because its huge launch complexes were vulnerable, the ten hours needed for launch preparation hindered readiness, and its reliance on a cryogenic oxidizer prevented it from remaining on alert for more than an hour. However, due to the weight of Soviet nuclear warheads, the R-7 had significantly greater payload capacity than early U.S. ICBMs, making it suitable for space launch missions and giving the Soviet Union a substantial head start in the Space Race. An unmodified R-7 launched Sputnik 1, the world's first artificial satellite. With the addition of upper stages, the R-7 spawned numerous variants: the Vostok variant carried the first human into orbit, Yuri Gagarin; other variants such as Luna, Voshkod, and Molniya were used for lunar probes, reconnaissance satellites, and communications satellites. Later modifications were standardized around the multipurpose Soyuz design, first used in 1966. Production of the R-7 family moved to the Progress Aviation Factory in Samara in 1959, and over time complete responsibility shifted from OKB-1 in Kaliningrad to Samara. The design facilities in Samara evolved from an OKB-1 subsidiary into the independent Central Specialized Design Bureau (TsSKB) in 1974. TsSKB and the Progress factory collaborated on the design, development, and production of Soyuz rockets, and in 1996 they merged to form Rocket and Space Centre "Progress" (RKTs Progress).
Korolev Cross
When the four liquid-fueled boosters of an R-7 rocket detach from its central core, they tip over in a balanced pattern as air pushes against them. This creates a cross-shaped mark in the exhaust trails behind the vehicle. Named for the rocket's lead designer, Sergei Korolev, the effect is visible to spectators on the ground near the launch pad if the sky is free of clouds.
More in Space Launch Vehicles of the Soviet Union
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