NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

Proton 1

Launch Time
Fri Jul 16, 1965 11:16 UTC

First flight of a Proton rocket. First Soviet heavy rocket, and world's first heavy rocket.

Rocket

Proton
RVSN USSR
Status: Retired
Liftoff Thrust: 8,387 kN
Payload to LEO: 12,200 kg
Payload to GTO: 0 kg
Stages: 2
Strap-ons: 0
Rocket Height: 39.8 m
Fairing Diameter: 4.15 m
Fairing Height: 8.5 m

Mission Details

Proton 1

Proton 1 is a satellite of the N-4 constellation. The N-4 heavy science satellites were developed by Vladimir Chelomei's OKB-52 in the early 1960s. Baptized "Proton", they will give this name to the UR-500 launcher which will put them into orbit.

They are designed to study very high-energy particles in low Earth orbit, assess the hazard they represent, and determine the intensity and energy spectrum of electrons and gamma rays. These studies are not possible on Earth, because the charged particles are mainly absorbed by the atmosphere.

They are sized to operate in orbit for forty-five days, and are equipped with four solar panels, several batteries and a thermoregulation system. The batteries are located in small capsules placed between the central body and the external envelope of the satellite.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 8,300.0 kg
Low Earth Orbit

Location

Site 81/24, Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

Stats

1965

62nd orbital launch attempt

Proton

1st mission
1st mission of 1965
1st successful mission