Universal History Annotation << Back HOW IT WAS. FLIGHT TESTS OF THE FIRST SPACECRAFT OF THE VOSTOK SERIES AT THE BAIKONUR COSMODROME (ACCORDING TO THE RECOLLECTIONS OF VETERANS OF RUSSIAN COSMONAUTICS) V.M. Latanov, N.V. Shabelnik The article examines some aspects of the history of the creation and testing of the fi rst domestic spacecraft of the Vostok series. Based on the memoirs of veterans of Russian cosmonautics: scientists, design engineers, test engineers and other participants in the events, the authors reproduce the events of preparation for the launch of a man into space, showing the complexity of making diffi cult engineering and design decisions during the testing of spacecraft of the Vostok series at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The study is based on the principles of historicism, scientifi c objectivity using historical-comparative and narrative methods. The main materials of the study were the memoirs of veterans of Russian cosmonautics, space forces, as a special type of written historical sources. In modern conditions, memoirs are of particular importance not only in the personalization and study of the rich history of space victories of our Fatherland, but also contribute to the formation of patriotism, love for the Motherland, the desire to successfully solve new problems in ensuring the national security of Russia in the younger generation, military personnel, our compatriots. The relevance of the study lies in the analysis and generalization of experience, drawing lessons from the preparation and launch of spacecraft of the Vostok series. Today, this can undoubtedly be used in further improvement of the organization of preparation of space programs of Russia. The article is dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the fi rst cosmodrome of the planet Earth – the Baikonur Cosmodrome, founded in 1955 as NIIP-5 MO USSR (5th research test site of the USSR Ministry of Defense). A special subject of research, which is of particular interest in the year of the 70th anniversary of the cosmodrome, are the recollections of scientists, design engineers, test offi cers, veterans of Russian cosmonautics, space troops about fl ight tests of spacecraft of the Vostok series at the cosmodrome and the role of S.P. Korolev in their preparation and implementation. The article attempts to determine the stages and some features of the fl ight tests of the Vostok-1K and Vostok-3K satellite ships at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Keywords: spacecraft, spacecraft, space satellite, satellite ship, intercontinental ballistic missile, Baikonur Cosmodrome, flight tests. DOI: 10.25791/vseist.02.2025.1224 Pp. 13-25.