Friday, May 3, 1996

Venera 1A

  1961-002A


The third Soviet planetary probe was 1VA No. 1, similar to the Mars probes but intended for Venus. It would have been named AMS Venera if successful, but although the 8K78 reached orbit for the first time and the BOZ unit (an ullage motor system on the adapter platform) was switched on, the Blok-L fourth stage of the launch vehicle failed to ignite due to an electrical power failure. The combined 1VA and Blok-L remained attached in low orbit, and was referred to by the Soviet press as a `heavy satellite' (Tyazhyoliy Sputnik). The Western press labelled the assembly Sputnik 7. The Blok-L engine was built by the Isaev bureau. 


1VA No. 1 
 

DateTimeEventOrbit  

1961 Feb 4  0118:03 Launch by 8K78  KB 
 0123  Blok-A sep 
 0123  Blok-I burn 
 0127  Blok-I sep  212 x 318 x 65.0 
 0218  BOZ ignition 
 0219  Blok-L failed to ignite 
 0219  BOZ sep? 

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