Vostok-2M
Soviet R-7 family rocket for Sun-synchronous orbits, last Vostok variant.
The Vostok-2M (8A92M) was an expendable carrier rocket of the R-7 family, developed as a specialized version of the Vostok-2 for placing lighter payloads into higher Sun-synchronous orbits. It was the last Vostok variant, flying from 1964 to 1991. Ninety-three were launched, with one failure and one destroyed before launch. The only launch failure occurred on 1 February 1969 due to an upper stage problem. On 18 March 1980, a Vostok-2M exploded during fueling at Plesetsk Site 43/4, killing 48 people, after a hydrogen peroxide filter soldered with lead caused a runaway reaction. The rocket was retired in 1991 in favor of the Soyuz-U and U2; its final flight on 29 August carried the IRS-1B satellite for India.
Quick Facts
- Function
- Small-lift launch vehicle
- Manufacturer
- OKB-1
- Country-origin
- Soviet Union
- Stages
- 3
- Family
- R-7
- Sites
- Baikonur, Site 31/6; Plesetsk, Sites 41/1, 16/2, 43/3 & 43/4
- Launches
- 93
- Success
- 92
Facts from the source article.
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