58 years ago, June 14, 1963, at 11:58 am Baikonur’s cosmodrome, the carrier rocket “East 8k72K” was launched with the Pilotous spacecraft “East-5”. On his board – Soviet cosmonaut Valery Bykovsky. The device was led into orbit with parameters: orbit’s inclination – 64.96 degrees; circulation period – 88,272 minutes; The minimum distance from the surface of the Earth (in Periguee) is 174.7 km; The maximum distance from the surface of the Earth (in Apogoe) – 222.1 km.
Simultaneously with the East-5, the East-6 spacecraft, which piloted the first woman-cosmonaut Valentine Tereshkova was piloted in the world orbit. Implementation of the program of group space flights of the East ships allowed scientists and specialists to solve the tasks of a clear and coordinated work of cosmodrome services, joint management of two piloted spacecraft, ensuring the relationship between them outside the earth’s atmosphere and many others that arose at the initial stages of the development of rocket and space technology .
In flight it was planned to conduct studies of the influence of a long-term space flight to the human body, as well as testing of ship systems. It was originally planned to spend an eight-day flight, but due to the abnormal work of the life support system, the flight had to stop the fifth day.
Flight of the cosmonaut Valeria Bykovsky until today remains the longest single flight – 4 days and 23 hours. Upon returning home, he was waiting for the honorary title of the Hero of the USSR.