Sputnik 3, launched May 15, 1958, was the third Soviet satellite to achieve orbit and the only one launched in 1958, the International Geophysical Year. During Stalin's reign, scientific interchange between East and West had been interrupted so this was a way to being a new era of collaboration. Sixty-seven countries participated in IGY projects.
Its launch was attempted on April 27, but 90 seconds after lift-off, strap-on boosters broke off and the whole thing crashed back to Earth about 140 miles away from the Baikonur site. The satellite had separated from the launch vehicle and was recovered nearby almost intact. After it was taken back to Baikonur Cosmodrome, an electrical short started a fire and the satellite could not be reused.
A backup booster and satellite were launched successfully on May 15. Sputnik 3 was a scientific laboratory in space with twelve instruments on board. It re-entered the atmosphere and burned up on April 6, 1960.
No comments:
Post a Comment