Vostok-2

8A92

Mission Profile

The Vostok-2 (8A92) was a three-stage Soviet launch vehicle in the R-7 family, an improved variant of the Vostok with upgraded engines and guidance for more reliable satellite and spacecraft delivery. Standing 38.4 m tall with a 3 m core diameter and a liftoff mass of 287 tonnes, it generated 3,990 kN of liftoff thrust and could deliver 4,730 kg to low Earth orbit. First flying in June 1962, the Vostok-2 became the workhorse of the Soviet military satellite programme, launching hundreds of Zenit reconnaissance and Meteor weather satellites over a long operational career.