Voskhod 1

Voskhod 1 was the first spaceflight to carry more than one person into space and the first flight without space suits. The Soviet mission was specifically planned to beat the US Gemini program to this milestone. As a further propaganda coup, the spacecraft was claimed to have carried into orbit a fragment of a communard banner from the Paris Commune of 1871.

Related Topics:
Voskhod - Space suit - Soviet - US - Gemini program - Propaganda - Paris Commune - 1871

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The Voskhod spacecraft is basically a Vostok spacecraft that has had a backup, solid fuel retro rocket, added to the top of the descent module. The ejection seat was removed and three crew couches were added to the interior at a 90 degree angle to that of the Vostok crew position. There was no provision for crew escape in the event of a launch or landing emergency. A solid fuel braking rocket was also added to the parachute lines to provide for a softer landing at touchdown. This was necessary because, unlike the Vostok, the crew lands with the Voskhod descent module.

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On board were three cosmonauts: Vladimir Komarov, who piloted the craft; Konstantin Feoktistov, an engineer who had been part of the Sputnik and Vostok design teams; and Boris Yegorov, a doctor.

Related Topics:
Vladimir Komarov - Konstantin Feoktistov - Sputnik - Vostok - Boris Yegorov

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Much of the mission was devoted to biomedical research and to study of how a multi-disciplinary team could work together in space. The mission was probably cut short by political upheaval back on Earth surrounding the coup that deposed Nikita Khrushchev. The cramped conditions of the crew have also been suggested as a factor ruling out a longer duration flight.

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