Key engineering solutions implemented in rocket and space system Vostok to assure crew safety during ascent (forwards 60th anniversary of the first man in space)

The paper analyzes engineering and operational solutions implemented in rocket and space system Vostok to assure crew safety during ascent in view of the need to complete the work on an extremely short notice. It reviews the results of flight tests of launch vehicles belonging to the R-7 family and the status of work to develop a crew escape system by the time when the first manned mission of Vostok spacecraft took place. It provides an analysis of emergencies and measures to assure safety during prelaunch processing and ascent phase. The paper draws comparisons between our country’s project Vostok and US project Mercury.