Polyot (rocket)

Not to be confused with Polyus (spacecraft).

The Polyot (Russian: Полёт, flight) (Also known as Sputnik, GRAU index 11A59) was an interim orbital carrier rocket, built to test ASAT spacecraft. It was required as a stopgap after the cancellation of the UR-200 programme, but before the Tsyklon could enter service. Only two were ever launched, the first on 1 November 1963, and the last on 12 April 1964. Both of these flights were successful.

Polyot 11A59

Polyot rocket
Function	Interim carrier rocket
Manufacturer	OKB-1
Country of origin	Soviet Union
Size
Height	30 m (98 ft)
Diameter	2.99 m (9 ft 10 in)
Mass	277,000 kg (611,000 lb)
Stages	1
Capacity
Payload to LEO
Mass	1,400 kg (3,100 lb)
Associated rockets
Family	R-7
Launch history
Status	Retired
Launch sites	LC-31, Baikonur
Total launches	2
Success(es)	2
First flight	1 November 1963
Last flight	12 April 1964
Boosters
No. boosters	4
Powered by	4 RD-107-8D74K
Maximum thrust	995.3 kN (223,800 lbf)
Specific impulse	257 s (2.52 km/s)
Burn time	119 seconds
Propellant	RP-1/LOX
First stage
Powered by	1 RD-0108
Maximum thrust	294 kN (66,000 lbf)
Specific impulse	330 s (3.2 km/s)
Burn time	240 seconds
Propellant	RP-1/LOX

The rocket consisted of a core stage, and four boosters, which were taken from a Voskhod 11A57 rocket. It was capable of delivering a 1,400 kg payload into a 300 km by 59° Low Earth orbit.

It is a member of the R-7 family.

See also

Comparable rockets

• Tsyklon
• UR-200

Related developments

• R-7 Semyorka
• Vostok rocket
• Voskhod rocket
• Molniya rocket
• Soyuz rocket

Associated spacecraft

• ASAT

External links

• Encyclopedia Astronautica entry