The complete(ish) history of rockets! Recreating the entire space race in KSP!

[Mulbin]

Will update properly later... I have completed the first flight of the PGM-19 Jupiter (not to be confused with the Jupiter C) and will get on adding the dates as soon as I get a chance.

But for now, here is a small update in the form of a new forum banner!

[OUScooby]

Love the retro images BTW. Looking forward to more.

[Mulbin]

Added in the dates as requested, will get the PGM-19 Jupiter up this evening. Looking forward to the next stages - Russian R7 is up next (will be building a new version for this - my usual one is a bit small for the scale), then early atlas, r12... and then Sputnik! (again with the new R7).

[Gojira]

Mulbin, are you still doing this?

[Mulbin]

Mulbin, are you still doing this?

Yep, I keep forgetting to post up the PGM 19 Jupiter! Taking a little while to sort the R7 rocket out but nearly done, then should start moving a bit faster again!

[Mulbin]

Date - March 1st 1957

Craft - Jupiter PGM-19

Launch Site - KSC

Mission - Suborbital - Missile Test

Outcome - Failure, Rocket disintegrated at 14km

Mission Notes

As with the Thor, the Jupiter's initial launches were failures.

[GusTurbo]

Yep, I keep forgetting to post up the PGM 19 Jupiter! Taking a little while to sort the R7 rocket out but nearly done, then should start moving a bit faster again!

I feel you on that. My Soyuz lifters have been maybe the most challenging designs for me.

[Mulbin]

Date - May 15th 1957

Craft - R7 Semyorka

Launch Site - ???

Mission - Suborbital - Missile Test

Outcome - Failure, early separation.

Mission Notes

The worlds first ICBM and the longest serving launch vehicle in history.

[Whirligig Girl]

Can't wait to see more.

[Fox62]

This looks awesome.

[mellojoe]

I absolutely love the black and white imaging. Lends a unique and authentic vibe to the whole project. bravo

[Mulbin]

Date - June 11th 1957

Time - 19:37

Craft - Atlas SM-65A

Launch Site - ???

Mission - Suborbital - Missile Test

Outcome - Failure, Detonated by range safety.

Mission Notes

America's answer to the R7 - the first US ICBM. The Atlas was plagued with launch failures during its early life.

This is the early single stage, two engine variant.

[Mulbin]

Date - May 31st 1957

Time - 18:08

Craft - Jupiter PGM 19

Launch Site - KSC

Mission - Suborbital - Missile Test

Outcome - Success.

Mission Notes

The third PGM-19 launched, this was the first to be successful.

[Mulbin]

Date - June 22nd 1957

Time - ???

Craft - R12 Dvina

Launch Site - ???

Mission - Suborbital - Missile Test

Outcome - Success.

Mission Notes

The missile that caused the Cuban missile crisis! The Dvina was a medium range missile which eventually evolved into the Kosmos space booster.

[Mulbin]

Date - August 21st 1957

Time - ???

Craft - R7 Semyorka

Launch Site - ???

Mission - Suborbital - Missile Test

Outcome - Success.

Mission Notes

The third R7 launched, this was the first to be successful.

[Mulbin]

Date - September 20th 1957

Time - ???

Craft - Thor PGM-17

Launch Site - KSC

Mission - Suborbital - Missile Test

Outcome - Success.

Mission Notes

After four failed launches, this was the first successful Thor launch.

Edited August 20, 2013 by Mulbin

[Mulbin]

Apologies, posted the Atlas in the wrong order! List on the original post is correct though.

This is an interesting point coming up as the next launch will be Sputnik 1!

[astropapi1]

Can't wait to see your attempt at a stock shuttle.

[Mulbin]

Can't wait to see your attempt at a stock shuttle.

That's a looooooooong way away. Just calculated I probably have another 30 key launches to cover before I even get a Kerbal in space!

[Mulbin]

Date - October 4th 1957

Time - 19:28:34

Craft - Sputnik 8K71PS

Payload - Sputnik 1

Launch Site - ???

Mission - Low Kerbin Orbit - Satellite deployment

Outcome - Success.

Mission Notes

It seems the KSSR has won the race for the first object in orbit. The following film has been broadcast across the union!

[Scorpi15]

Oh noes! Then the US Vanguard must work! It must! It... must?

[Mulbin]

Date - October 23rd 1957

Time - 19:22:54

Craft - Vanguard TV-2

Launch Site - KSC

Mission - Suborbital - Launch Vehicle Test

Outcome - Success.

Mission Notes

TV-0 and TV-1 had launched using Viking rockets, TV-2 was the first flight of the Vanguard Rocket. The test flight was successful but only tested the first stage, using a "battleship" dummy second and third stage.

[Mulbin]

Date - November 3rd 1957

Time - 02:30:42

Craft - Sputnik 8K71PS

Payload - Sputnik 2 (Laika)

Launch Site - ???

Mission - Low Kerbin Orbit - Biological Test

Outcome - Partial Success - Partial Spacecraft Failure

Mission Notes

Sputnik 2 carried "Laika", a stray dog. Although Laika was not intended to survive the mission she overheated and died relatively early due to the satellite failing to separate from the center rocket stage. Sputnik 2 completed its orbits still attached to the rocket.

[Mulbin]

Date - December 6th 1957

Time - 16:44:35

Craft - Vanguard TV-3

Payload - 6.5in Satellite 1

Launch Site - KSC

Mission - Medium Kerbin Orbit - Geodesy

Outcome - Failure, destroyed on pad

Mission Notes

Vanguard TV-3 was the first US attempt to launch a satellite. After just 2 seconds the engine failed causing the rocket to fall back to the pad and explode.

This earned the US satellite the nickname "Kaputnik"

[GDJ]

Impressive thread! I really like the photo and video effects used to replicate historical footage. Very well done.

I'm subscribing to this thread just because it's so damn cool!