Sputnik 7

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Sputnik 7 was the first Soviet attempt at launching a probe to explore Venus. The probe was successfully launched on February 4, 1961 into Earth orbit with a SL-6/A-2-e launcher. The launch payload consisted of an Earth orbiting launch platform (Tyazheliy Sputnik 4) and the Venera probe. The fourth stage (a Molniya rocket) was supposed to launch the Venera probe towards a landing on Venus after one Earth orbit, but ignition failed--probably due to a faulty timer--and the spacecraft remained in Earth orbit. Because of its large size (6483 kg), the mission was originally thought by non-Soviet observers to be a failed manned mission, and later was described as a test of an Earth orbiting platform from which an interplanetary probe could be launched.

[edit] See also

• Sputnik 6
• Sputnik 8
• Soviet space program conspiracy accusations

Venera programme
1VA | Venera 1 | Sputnik 19 | Sputnik 20 | Sputnik 21 | Cosmos 21 | Venera 1964A | Venera 1964B | Cosmos 27 | Venera 2 | Venera 3 | Cosmos 96 | Venera 1965A | Venera 4 | Cosmos 167 | Venera 5 | Venera 6 | Venera 7 | Cosmos 359 | Venera 8 | Cosmos 482 | Venera 9 | Venera 10 | Venera 11 | Venera 12 | Venera 13 | Venera 14 | Venera 15 | Venera 16