VKA-23 1960

Ultimate 1960 Myasishchyev OKB-23 design in first spaceplane competition. Elegant-looking rounded design, very similar to Japan's HOPE design of forty years later. In 1959 Myasishchyev bureau absorbed Tsybin OKB, with its competing spaceplane design being built in close collaboration with Korolev. Combined Myasishchyev/Tsybin OKB space work and staff further transfered to Chelomei in 1960, which ended collaboration with Korolev. Further developoment of the design undertaken completely within the Chelomei OKB. References: 81 , 83 , 192 .

Competing manned projects. Korolev OKB-1 proposed Vostok ballistic capsule as quickest way to put a man in space while meeting Zenit project's reconnsat requirements. Under project VKA-23 (Vodushno Kosmicheskiye Apparat) Myasishchev OKB-23 proposed two designs, a faceted craft with a single tail, and a dual tail contoured version. Tsybin OKB-256 proposed seven man winged craft with variable wing dihedral. Contracts awarded to all three OKB's to proceed with construction of protoypes. R-7 booster to be used for suborbital launches. More details