Development of the first national intercontinental ballistic missile

R-7 (8K71) the first intercontinental ballistic missile

R-7 missile was developed as part of N-3 cross-sectoral «research on prospects for long-range missiles development to identify their main structural and tactical flight performance» (1951) by the design and development units, scientific and research units and trial production of NII-88 under the guidance of Chief Designer S.P.Korolev in cooperation with design bureaus, research institutes and industrial enterprises of a number of ministries and authorities.

The first successful launch took place on 21 August, 1957. The missile entered operational service in 1960.

Launch vehicles for earth-orbiting satellites, manned spacecraft, unmanned interplanetary stations exploring the Moon, Venus and Mars were developed on the basis of R-7 intercontinental ballistic missile. These launch vehicles became the most reliable ones in the national history having put more than 3000 satellites into orbit.

R-7 intercontinental ballistic missile

«Soyuz» launch vehicle model identical in design on test bench 1