5thDay
Well-Known Member
I researching (and trusting) details and accounts from the 1950's and 60's USSR's space program. As my Baikonur recreation takes shape, I want to include as many interesting bits as I can. I have actually committed to learning enough spoken Russian to use that during the preflight checks and launch sequence. Probably not a shock to anyone that this is not a simple task. Rather than start a giant thread on "how to research", I would like to confine it to one specific item and based on the discussion it generates; I could start another more informative thread/sticky on research as a topic.
Did Vostok 1 (and/or later flights) feature a countdown?
I had read that Korolev felt countdowns were a silly American idea and was mulling over ways I could do a launch without that fairly basic safety practice. Given that it will only be me and my son handling the launch and any spectators will be far removed or via recorded video I considered sirens, rotating lights or anything could be done specifically to note that peculiarity of the Chief Designer. This made me wonder how events on that morning actually occured as the best I could imagine was once 9:06 was reached a button was pressed and everyone knew it was coming...
Another account however quotes Korolev directly during a countdown talking to Gargarin in substitute of the final numbers but does clearly start with 10, 9, 8, etc.
Specific book or video references are most appreciated as I am aware many of the engineers and officials since then have written accounts. I do find it interesting how many news articles (then and since) specify there was no countdown. That idea itself may be interesting to track down. If it wasn't true I would want to grasp the propaganda appeal for that account being given to the media.
Did Vostok 1 (and/or later flights) feature a countdown?
I had read that Korolev felt countdowns were a silly American idea and was mulling over ways I could do a launch without that fairly basic safety practice. Given that it will only be me and my son handling the launch and any spectators will be far removed or via recorded video I considered sirens, rotating lights or anything could be done specifically to note that peculiarity of the Chief Designer. This made me wonder how events on that morning actually occured as the best I could imagine was once 9:06 was reached a button was pressed and everyone knew it was coming...
Another account however quotes Korolev directly during a countdown talking to Gargarin in substitute of the final numbers but does clearly start with 10, 9, 8, etc.
Specific book or video references are most appreciated as I am aware many of the engineers and officials since then have written accounts. I do find it interesting how many news articles (then and since) specify there was no countdown. That idea itself may be interesting to track down. If it wasn't true I would want to grasp the propaganda appeal for that account being given to the media.