# Salyut 1

> first space station launched by the Soviet Union

**Wikidata**: [Q211761](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q211761)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salyut_1)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/salyut-1

## Summary
Salyut 1 was the first space station ever launched, deployed by the Soviet Union on April 19, 1971. It served as a crewed orbital laboratory for scientific research and marked the beginning of long-duration human spaceflight missions.

## Key Facts
- Launched on **April 19, 1971**, from **Baikonur Cosmodrome** using a **Proton-K rocket**.
- First **space station** in history, designed for extended crewed missions.
- Mass: **18.2 tonnes**, length: **15.8 meters**, diameter: **4.15 meters**.
- Orbital parameters: **apoapsis 222 km**, **periapsis 200 km**, **inclination 51.6°**, **period 88.5 minutes**.
- Decommissioned on **October 11, 1971**, after completing **2,929 orbits**.
- Part of the **Salyut programme**, succeeded by **DOS-2** (which failed) and **Salyut 2**.
- Maximum crew capacity: **3 astronauts**, with a habitable volume of **90 cubic meters**.

## FAQs
### Q: When was Salyut 1 launched?
A: Salyut 1 was launched on **April 19, 1971**, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

### Q: How long did Salyut 1 stay in orbit?
A: It remained in orbit for **175 days**, decommissioning on **October 11, 1971**, after completing **2,929 orbits**.

### Q: What was the purpose of Salyut 1?
A: It was a **space laboratory** designed for scientific research, including experiments in microgravity and long-duration human spaceflight.

### Q: How big was Salyut 1?
A: The station measured **15.8 meters in length**, had a **diameter of 4.15 meters**, and weighed **18.2 tonnes**.

### Q: What happened to Salyut 1 after its mission?
A: It was **deorbited** and burned up in Earth's atmosphere on **October 11, 1971**.

## Why It Matters
Salyut 1 was a groundbreaking achievement in space exploration, proving that humans could live and work in space for extended periods. As the first space station, it laid the foundation for future orbital habitats like **Mir** and the **International Space Station (ISS)**. Its successful deployment demonstrated the Soviet Union's leadership in space technology during the Cold War era, advancing scientific research in microgravity, astronomy, and human physiology. The mission also highlighted the challenges of long-duration spaceflight, influencing safety protocols and spacecraft design for decades to come.

## Notable For
- **First space station** ever launched, pioneering long-duration human spaceflight.
- **First crewed orbital laboratory**, enabling scientific experiments in microgravity.
- **Precursor to modern space stations**, including Mir and the ISS.
- **Short but impactful mission**, completing **2,929 orbits** in just **175 days**.
- **Part of the Salyut programme**, a series of Soviet space stations that advanced space exploration.

## Body
### Overview
Salyut 1 (Russian: **Салют-1**) was the first space station launched by the Soviet Union, marking a major milestone in space exploration. It was part of the **Salyut programme**, which aimed to establish long-term human presence in orbit.

### Launch and Specifications
- **Launch Date:** April 19, 1971
- **Launch Vehicle:** Proton-K rocket
- **Launch Site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 81/24
- **Mass:** 18.2 tonnes
- **Dimensions:** 15.8 meters (length), 4.15 meters (diameter)
- **Habitable Volume:** 90 cubic meters
- **Maximum Crew:** 3 astronauts

### Orbital Details
- **Apoapsis:** 222 km
- **Periapsis:** 200 km
- **Orbital Inclination:** 51.6°
- **Orbital Period:** 88.5 minutes
- **Orbital Eccentricity:** 0.00167

### Mission and Decommissioning
Salyut 1 was designed as a **space laboratory** for scientific research. It hosted the **Soyuz 11** crew, who spent **23 days** aboard the station, setting a new record for the longest crewed spaceflight at the time. The station was decommissioned on **October 11, 1971**, after completing **2,929 orbits**.

### Legacy
Salyut 1 paved the way for future space stations, including **Salyut 6, Salyut 7, Mir**, and the **International Space Station (ISS)**. Its success demonstrated the feasibility of long-duration human spaceflight and orbital research.

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## References

1. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1971-032A)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/displayTrajectory.action?id=1971-032A)