Sputnik 9Vostok-K Strategic Missile Troops Launch Status Success Thu ยท Mar 9th, 1961 1:29 AM EST Location 1/5 Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan 468 rockets have launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan. Rocket Vostok Length: 30.84 meters Diameter: 2.99 meters First Launch: May 15, 1960 The Vostok-K was an expendable carrier rocket used by the Soviet Union for thirteen launches between 1960 and 1964, six of which were manned. The Vostok-K made its maiden flight on 22 December 1960, three weeks after the retirement of the Vostok-L. The third stage engine failed 425 seconds after launch, and the payload, a Korabl-Sputnik spacecraft, failed to reach orbit. The spacecraft was recovered after landing, and the two dogs aboard the spacecraft survived the flight. On 12 April 1961, a Vostok-K rocket was used to launch Vostok 1, the first manned spaceflight, which made Yuri Gagarin the first human to fly in space. The Vostok rocket has been launched a total of 9 times with 8 successful and 1 failed launches. Agency Strategic Missile Troops Abbreviation: RVSN RF Country: RUS View Rocket Launch Schedule