The complete database of

Soviet & Russian Spacecraft

Explore the legacy of the Soviet Union and Russia in space exploration with iconic spacecraft designs and historic missions.

Soviet / Russian Space Programs

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Soviet / Russian Spacecraft
Database

USSR and Russian spacecraft represent a rich legacy of pioneering achievements in space exploration. Beginning with the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957, the Soviet Union marked the dawn of the Space Age, demonstrating unparalleled capabilities in satellite technology, crewed spaceflight, and planetary exploration. Iconic missions such as Yuri Gagarin’s historic flight aboard Vostok 1 and the Luna and Venera probes to the Moon and Venus, respectively, cemented the USSR’s status as a space exploration powerhouse.

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Russia inherited this legacy and continued to make significant contributions to space exploration, including the development of the Soyuz spacecraft, which has remained a reliable workhorse for crewed missions to this day.

Crewed Spacecraft from the USSR/Russia

Beginning with the iconic launch of Yuri Gagarin aboard the Vostok 1 spacecraft in 1961, the Soviet Union propelled humanity into a new era of space exploration. The Soyuz spacecraft, introduced in the 1960s, has since become the workhorse of crewed spaceflight, ferrying cosmonauts to and from space stations such as Mir and the International Space Station (ISS).

Vostok Spacecraft

Explore the historic Vostok spacecraft, the first to carry a human into space and learn about its design, missions, and enduring legacy.

Voskhod Spacecraft

Explore the groundbreaking Soviet Voskhod spacecraft, which achieved the first multi-crewed spaceflight and spacewalk.

Soyuz Spacecraft

Explore the legendary Soyuz spacecraft, a cornerstone of human spaceflight, ferrying astronauts to and from space stations like the ISS.

Orel Spacecraft

Explore the cutting-edge Orel spacecraft, Russia’s next-generation crewed vehicle for space exploration and learn about its design and missions.

TKS Spacecraft

Discover the TKS spacecraft, a versatile vehicle pivotal in Soviet/Russian space exploration, and learn about its missions and design.

Interplanetary Spacecraft from the USSR/Russia

Interplanetary spacecraft from the USSR and Russia have been at the forefront of planetary exploration, marking significant milestones in our understanding of the solar system. Notable examples include the Venera series, which landed probes on the surface of Venus, the Mars exploration program, the Phobos program, and the Luna series of missions – responsible for paving the way for lunar exploration.

Lunokhod 1 (Soviet Lunar Rover)

Explore Lunokhod 1, the Soviet Union’s pioneering lunar rover that explored the Moon’s surface and conducted scientific experiments.

Lunokhod 2 (Soviet Lunar Rover)

Explore Lunokhod 2, the Soviet Union’s groundbreaking lunar rover that explored the Moon’s surface and conducted scientific experiments.

Lunik 9 Lunar Lander

Discover the historic Luna 9 spacecraft, the first to achieve a soft landing on the Moon. Learn about its design and mission objectives.

Lunik 2 Lunar Lander

Lunik 2, also known as Luna 2, was the first human-made object to reach the Moon’s surface in 1959. Learn about its design and objectives.

Lunik 1 Lunar Lander

Learn about Lunik 1, the first spacecraft to reach the vicinity of the Moon in 1959. Discover its design and mission objectives.

Spacecraft Propulsion from the USSR/Russia

Spacecraft propulsion technology from the USSR and Russia has been characterized by innovation and versatility, encompassing various propulsion systems to meet the diverse needs of space missions. Early spacecraft utilized chemical propulsion systems, such as liquid and solid rocket engines, for launching satellites into orbit and conducting interplanetary missions.

Start-1 Rocket

Discover the Start-1 rocket, a compact and reliable launch vehicle designed for deploying small satellites into low Earth orbit.

Soyuz Rocket Family

Discover the legendary Soyuz rocket family, a cornerstone of human space exploration for over 50 years., and learn about its missions.

Proton Rocket Family

Explore the history and significance of the Proton rocket family, a cornerstone of space exploration with a legacy of successful launches.

Vulkan Rocket Launcher

Explore the ambitious Vulkan rocket launcher, a proposed Soviet space shuttle program intended to revolutionize space transportation.

Angara Rocket Family

Discover the Angara rocket family, Russia’s latest advancement in space launch technology. Learn about its versatile design and objectives.

Orbital and cargo Spacecraft from the USSR/Russia

USSR and Russian cargo spacecraft have played a crucial role in resupplying space stations, conducting scientific research, and supporting human spaceflight missions. These spacecraft, such as the earlier Progress and TKS, have evolved over time, adapting to advancements in technology and changing mission requirements.

Progress Spacecraft

Explore the Progress spacecraft, Russia’s reliable cargo lifeline to the International Space Station, and learn about its missions and design.

TKS Spacecraft

Discover the TKS spacecraft, a versatile vehicle pivotal in Soviet/Russian space exploration, and learn about its missions and design.

Sputnik 1

Explore Sputnik 1, the world’s first artificial satellite that ignited the space age. Learn about its historic mission, design, and impact.

Sputnik 2

Explore Sputnik 2, the historic spacecraft that carried the first living creature into space, and learn about its mission and design.

Salyut 1

Learn about Salyut 1, the first space station in history, launched by the Soviet Union in 1971. Explore its design and mission objectives.

Experimental, exploratory, and military Spacecraft from the USSR/Russia

The USSR and later Russia have a rich history of developing experimental, exploratory, and military spacecraft, showcasing their prowess in space technology and exploration. Experimentation in space began with early satellite launches like Sputnik 1 in 1957, marking the dawn of the Space Age. The Vostok program saw the first human spaceflight by Yuri Gagarin in 1961, followed by various missions exploring Earth’s orbit and beyond.