Voskhod programme

The Voskhod programme ( _ru. Восход, translated as "dawn", "ascent") was a Soviet human spaceflight project. Voskhod development was both a follow-on to the Vostok programme, and a recycling of components left over from that programme's cancellation following its first six flights. The two missions flown used the Voskhod spacecraft and rocket.

Design

was also added to the parachute lines to provide for a softer landing at touchdown. This was necessary because, unlike the Vostok, the Voskhod descent module landed with the crew still inside.

Flights

The Voskhod flights, with their dates of launch, were:

Unmanned

*Cosmos 47 - Unmanned test flight of the Voskhod hardware.
*Cosmos 57 - Unmanned test flight, unsuccessful.
*Cosmos 110 - Unmanned, sent two dogs, Veterok and Ugolyok, on 22-day flight, launched 22 February 1966.

Manned

Cancelled

*Voskhod 3 - 19 day mission to study long-term weightlessness
*Voskhod 4 - 20 day mission to study long-term weightlessness
*Voskhod 5 - 10 day all-female crew
*Voskhod 6 - Flight to test new EVA jet belt

Results

While the Vostok programme was dedicated more towards understanding the effects of space travel and microgravity on the human body, Voskhod's two flights were more aimed towards spectacular "firsts". Although achieving the first EVA ("spacewalk") became the main success of the programme, beating the U.S. Gemini programme to put the first multi-person crew in orbit was the objective that initially motivated the programme. Once both goals were realised, the programme was abandoned. This followed the change in Soviet leadership, which was less concerned about stunt and prestige flights, and allowed the Soviet designers to concentrate on the Soyuz programme.

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