Sputnik 6

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Sputnik 6
Mission Statistics
Mission Name: Sputnik 6
Call Sign: Korabl Sputnik 3
Number of Crew Members: 2 Dogs
Launch: December 1, 1960
07:30:04 UTC
Baikonur LC1
Landing: December 2, 1960
09:12 UTC
Duration: 1 day 1 hour 42 minutes
Number of Orbits: ~18
Korabl Sputnik 3

Contents

[edit] Crew

  • None

[edit] Mission parameters

  • Mass: 4,563 kg
  • Perigee: 166 km
  • Apogee: 232 km
  • Inclination: 64.97°
  • Period: 88.47 minutes
  • NSSDC ID: 1960-017A

[edit] Mission highlights

Image of one of the dogs onboard Sputnik 6, demodulated by CIA electronic intelligence
Image of one of the dogs onboard Sputnik 6, demodulated by CIA electronic intelligence

This test flight of the Vostok spacecraft carried two dogs, Pchelka and Mushka (diminutive "bee" and "fly", respectively), as well as a television system and other scientific instruments. The flight lasted for one day. The reentry did not happen on the 17th orbit as planned. The descent module was descending on its 18th orbit when it was destroyed by a destruct charge. The test Vostok spacecraft carried explosive charges to prevent them from falling into foreign hands. The destruction of the spacecraft precluded successful recovery and killed the two animals.

[edit] See also