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Many early rockets had tiny payloads. The Atlas ICBM could be used as a stage-and-a-half orbital launcher, which was the first US satellite, payload being 68 kg
by Gravityloss 8y ago
Many early rockets had tiny payloads. The Atlas ICBM could be used as a stage-and-a-half orbital launcher, which was the first US satellite, payload being 68 kg (the whole rocket was in orbit, just without the booster engines): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SCORE_(satellite) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SCORE_(satellite)
- Retric 8y agoThat’s an outgrowth of using ICBM’s to get stuff into orbit. In 1961 Gagarin‘s flight was followed by Alan Shepard also in 1961 and they each required much larger payloads. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vostok_(spacecraft)#Vostok_3KA https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vostok_(spacecraft)#Vostok_3...
- Gravityloss 8y agoAlan Shepard didn't go to orbit though.
- Retric 8y agoSure, 1962 Glenn is probably a better comparison.