Vostok on launch pad, Card No 07 (RaceIntoSpace 1971)

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The Race Into Space (Brooke Bond, 1971)


Card No. 07: Vostok on launch pad

12th April 1961

The multi-stage rocket that lifted Yuri Gagarin had a two-stage central core plus four tapered strap-on boosters. Total thrust of all stages was 1,323,000 pounds.

Assembled horizontally on a transporter-erector, the combined rocket and spacecraft was taken out of the preparation building to the launch pad on a railed track. At the pad, the empty launcher was lifted into a vertical position and cradled by four hinged “steady” arms.

Servicing platforms also hinged into position around the rocket ready for final checkout and fuelling with liquid oxygen and kerosene.