Idea Vostok Scenarios based on 'Phantom Cosmonauts'

[Graham2001]

It's been so long since I've tried to write a scenario that I've forgotten how, but for anyone who is interested in adding to the list of Vostok scenarios, here are a couple, the first from a 'romantic' short story:

Lt Natalya Dmitrievna Kubasova (Codename: Sparrow)

Flight of the first Woman into space (Pre-Gagarin (Sept 60, Based on James Obergs accounts of phantom astronauts the date would be September 27, 1960. Launch time was 2203 hrs, Baikonour)), winds up in a Kansas cornfield due to a malfunction.

Source: 'Sparrows Flight' by Sam Kepfield. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006RM666C/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=mariannearkin-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B006RM666C

The second from the long list of 'Phantom Cosmonauts'.

Col. Pyotr Dolgov

Supposedly killed during a Vostok flight one month (October 1960) after the flight above, actually non-Cosmonaut killed testing the Vostok ejection system.

Source: Encyclopedia Astronautica http://www.astronautix.com/astros/dolgov.htm

Somewhere I've seen an account that claims the Nedelin disaster was another failed Vostok launch if I can find the name of the Cosmonaut I'll add it to the list.

 

[Graham2001]

Found another one that might be doable, though just how a spacecraft can go 'off course' is something I'll leave up to the scenario writer.

Maj. Alexander Mikhailov

Vostok 5B (1963), Cosmonaut launched when it is decided the planned 'first woman in space' is too well connected to be launched. Insertion into wrong orbit?

Into the Silent Sea (2013 Short Film)

https://vimeo.com/107172603

 

[Graham2001]

For anyone who is interested in following this idea up, here is a list of 'Lost Cosmonaut' launches culled from James Obergs 1988 account of the stories (linked below) I've left out the ones described as sub-orbital. This also includes the ones already mentioned.

15 May 1960 - Vostok (Same date as first Vostok Prototype launch)
27 September 1960 - Vostok (See OP)
04 or 11 October 1960 - Vostok (See OP)
04 February 1961 - Vostok or Voskhod
17 May 1961 - Voskhod (2 person crew. Circumlunar or high Earth orbit attempt...)
14 October 1961 - Voskhod (?)
24 October 1961 - Nedelin Disaster (Rumors linked this to manned launch efforts. Could a R-16 missile put a Vostok into orbit?)
?? November 1962 - Vostok or Voskhod
?? ?? 1963 - Vostok '5b' (See second post) - Crew Major A. Mikhailov (Pre - June)
10 or 19 November 1963 - Vostok or Voskhod (Second woman in orbit)
?? April 1964 - Vostok or Voskhod

James Oberg: 1988 Article on 'Lost Cosmonauts'

Later:Going through the 1975 Oberg article allowed a few of the dates to be cleared up. That article is linked to below:

James Oberg: 1975 Article on 'Lost Cosmonauts'

 

[Graham2001]

Found online a list of the Russian voice communication stations used during the Vostok/Voskhod era. Looking at them again raises the question of just which orbit the Vostok 5b was sent into.

Vjezna and Zarya voice communications ground stations

 

[Graham2001]

This is more of an announcement post. I currently have on order a novel from the lat 60s/early 70s, which has a Lost Cosmonauts inspired plotline involving a 'secret' Gemini mission to investigate a Soviet spacecraft that has become stranded in orbit.

Hopefully there are enough details to design a mission.

 

[Graham2001]

The novel has arrived. Just did a quick readthrough. Looks like there might be enough details to design a mission based on it. However it's also clear the authors had no idea just what a Voskhod looks like.

 

[Graham2001]

I've been doing a little playing around with launch calculators and I'm not sure the scenario in 'Death of a Cosmonaut', which is the novel I've got my hands on is doable, assuming the Voskhod is at the standard inclination the Russians used (around 64 degrees) there does not seem to be a way to get even the lightest Gemini into the right orbit.

Some fiddling with the numbers may need to be done.

 

[Star Voyager]

Maybe attach a Transtage or add small SRM's?

 

[Graham2001]

Maybe attach a Transtage or add small SRM's?

I'd suggest SRMs rather than a transstage.