- Sputnik 3
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Sputnik 3 
Operator Soviet Union Major contractors Korolev Design Bureau Mission type Earth Science Satellite of Earth Orbits ~10,000 Launch date May 15, 1958 at 07:12:00 UTC Launch vehicle Sputnik 8A91 Mission duration 692 days Orbital decay April 6, 1960 COSPAR ID 1958-004B Homepage NASA NSSDC Master Catalog Mass 1,327 kg Orbital elements Semimajor axis 7418.7 km Eccentricity .110932 Inclination 65.18° Apoapsis 1,864 km Periapsis 217 km Orbital period 105.9 minutes Instruments Upper Atmosphere : Composition of the upper atmosphere Geiger counters : Charged particles Micrometeoroid detectors : Micrometeoroids Sputnik 3 (Russian: Спутник-3, Satellite 3) was a Soviet satellite launched on May 15, 1958 from Baikonur cosmodrome by a modified R-7/SS-6 ICBM. It was a research satellite to explore the upper atmosphere and the near space, and carried a large array of instruments for geophysical research.
In July 1956, the Soviet Union's OKB-1 drafted a project to design and build the first Earth satellite, designated ISZ (Artificial Earth Satellite). ISZ, known to its designers as "Object D."[1] Design of Object D had begun in January 1956 with intent to launch it during the International Geophysical Year.[2] Object D was planned to be the first satellite launched by the Soviet Union but ended up being the third following delays due to problems developing the extensive scientific experiments and their telemetry system.[3] The new R-7 intercontinental ballistic missile also known by its GURVO designation 8K71.[4] was ready to launch before Object D was finished. Worried at the prospect of America launching a satellite before he did, Sergei Korolev substituted the relatively simple "Prosteyshiy Sputnik-1" meaning "Simple Satellite 1," or "PS-1," which was labeled "Sputnik 1" by the Soviet Government, as the first satellite to be launched, instead. The Sputnik 2 (PS-2) was also ready earlier and launched earlier than Object D. Like its American counterpart, Vanguard, Object D had succeeded in making it into orbit during the IGY.[5]
Sputnik 3 was launched by a modified R-7 Semyorka missile developed for satellite launches, the Sputnik (rocket) 8K91.[6] Following a launch failure on 27 April 1958,[7] a development of Object D[1] finally reached orbit having been launched at 07:00:35 on 15 May 1958, the Soviet Government designated it "Sputnik-3." Sputnik 3 was an automatic scientific laboratory spacecraft. It was conically shaped and was 3.57 m long and 1.73 m wide at its base. It weighed 1,327 kg. The scientific instrumentation (twelve instruments) provided data on pressure and composition of the upper atmosphere, concentration of charged particles, photons in cosmic rays, heavy nuclei in cosmic rays, magnetic and electrostatic fields, and meteoric particles. While The Earth's outer radiation belts were detected during the flight; its Tral-D tape recorder failed, so it was unable to map the Van Allen radiation belt.[8] The Soviets, without full evidence were "hog-tied."[9] The spacecraft remained in orbit until April 6, 1960, when the orbit degraded from drag in the upper atmosphere to the point where the satellite reentered the atmosphere, disintegrating before impact.[10]
Sputnik III was the only Soviet satellite launched in 1958. Like its American counterpart, Vanguard, Sputnik III had succeeded in making it into orbit during the IGY.[5]
Contents
Footnotes
- ^ a b Siddiqi, Asif A.. Sputnik and the Soviet Space Challenge, Gainesville, Florida. The University of Florida Press, 2003, p. 176. ISBN 0-8130-2627-X
- ^ Siddiqi, Asif A.. Sputnik and the Soviet Space Challenge, Gainesville, Florida. The University of Florida Press, 2003, p. 149. ISBN 0-8130-2627-X
- ^ Harford, James.. Korolev how one man masterminded the Soviet drive to beat America to the Moon, New York. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1997, p. 126. ISBN 0-471-14853-9
- ^ Zaloga, Stephen J.. The Kremlin's Nuclear Sword, Washington. The Smithsonian Institution Press, 2002, p. 232. ISBN 1-58834-007-4
- ^ a b Green, Constance McLaughlin, and Lomax, Milton.. Vanguard a History, Washington D.C., National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 1970, p. 219. NASA SP-4202
- ^ Siddiqi, Asif A.. Sputnik and the Soviet Space Challenge, Gainesville, Florida. The University of Florida Press, 2003, p. 175. ISBN 0-8130-2627-X
- ^ "Sputnik 3". http://www.astronautix.com/craft/sputnik3.htm. Retrieved 2010-05-26.
- ^ Siddiqi, Asif A.. Sputnik and the Soviet Space Challenge, Gainesville, Florida. The University of Florida Press, 2003, p. 175-176. ISBN 0-8130-2627-X
- ^ Harford, James.. Korolev how one man masterminded the Soviet drive to beat America to the Moon, New York. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1997, p. 136. ISBN 0-471-14853-9
- ^ "Sputnik 3 - Scientific Laboratory". Robert Christy. http://www.zarya.info/Diaries/Sputnik/Sputnik3.php. Retrieved 2011-06-30.
See also
- modified R-7/SS-6 ICBM
- List of unmanned spacecraft by program
External links
- Sputnik: 50 Years Ago
- NSSDC Master Catalog: Spacecraft Sputnik 3
- Sputnik 3 - Encyclopedia Astronautica
- Sputnik 3 Diary
References
- Harford, James.. Korolev, New York. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., , ISBN 0-471-14853-9.
- Siddiqi, Asif A., Sputnik and the Soviet Space Challenge, Gainesville, FL. The University of Florida Press, ISBN 0-8130-2627-X.
- Zaloga, Stephen J.. The Kremlin's Nuclear Sword, Washington. The Smithsonian Institution Press, ISBN 1-58834-007-4.
← 1957 · Orbital launches in 1958 · 1959 → Explorer 1 | Vanguard 6.5in Satellite 2 | Explorer 2 | Vanguard 1 | Explorer 3 | ISZ D-1 No.1 | Vanguard 20in X-ray 1 | Sputnik 3 | Vanguard 20in Lyman-Alpha 1 | Vanguard 20in Lyman-Alpha 2 | Pilot-1 | Explorer 4 | Pilot-2 | Pioneer | Pilot-3 | Explorer 5 | Pilot-4 | Pilot-5 | Pilot-6 | Luna E-1 No.1 | Vanguard 20in Cloud Cover 1 | Pioneer 1 | Luna E-1 No.2 | Beacon | Pioneer 2 | Luna E-1 No.3 | Pioneer 3 | SCOREPayloads are separated by bullets ( · ), launches by pipes ( | ). Manned flights are indicated in bold text. Uncatalogued launch failures are listed in italics. Payloads deployed from other spacecraft are denoted in brackets. Categories:- 1958 in spaceflight
- 1958 in the Soviet Union
- Soviet Earth satellites
- Artificial satellites formerly orbiting Earth
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