USSR 1962 Vostok 3 & 4

Vostok 3, launched on August 11, 1962, carried cosmonaut Andrian Nikolayev for a near fours days spaceflight in order to determine the ability of the human body to function in conditions of weightlessness and test the endurance of the Vostok 3KA spacecraft over longer flights.

Vostok 3 cover with special Baku postmark, August 11, 1962.

Vostok 3 cover with special Kiev postmark, August 11, 1962.

Vostok 4 was launched a day after Vostok 3 on August 12, 1962, with cosmonaut Pavel Popovich on board - the first time that more than one manned spacecraft were in orbit at the same time.

Vostok 4 launch with special Nikolaiev postmark, August 12, 1962.

Vostok 4 launch with special Simferopol postmark, August 12, 1962.

Vostok 4 cover with special Kiev postmark, August 15, 1962.

Vostok 3 and 4 special Vinnitsa postmark, August 15, 1962.

Vostok 3 and 4 special Lvov postmark, August 15, 1962.

Vostok 3 and 4 imperforated stamps on FDC, postmarked August 15, 1962, Moscow, signed by Andrian Nikolayev and Pavel Popovich.