Blue
number
are already known, red numbers are new numbers
- although most of these numbers have been long suspected.
Green
numbers are probably wrong.
| Spacecraft | Frequencies (MHz) |
| Sputnik 1 | 20, 40 |
| Sputnik 2 | 20, 40, 66, 70 |
| Sputnik 3 | 20, 66, 70 |
| Sputnik 4 | 19.996, 66, 71, 76, 182, S-band |
| Sputnik 5 | 19.995, 66, 71, 76, 83, 183, S-band |
| Sputnik 6 | 19.995, 66, 71, 76, 83, 183, S-band |
| Sputnik 7 | 20, 66, 71, 76, 2825 |
| Sputnik 8 | 20, 66, 71, 76, 922.8, 2825 |
| Sputnik 9 | 10.005, 19.995, 66, 71, 76, 83, 182, 2740, 2790 |
| Sputnik 10 | 10.005, 19.9, 66, 71, 76, 83, 183, 2800 |
| Vostok 1 | 9.019, 20.005, 66, 71, 76, 83, 134, 183, 2820 |
In addition, Luna 2 and Luna 3 are given as having transmitted on 71 and 76 MHz.
The frequencies 66, 70, 71, and 76 MHz have long been suspected as being used by these early missions. The use of 182 and 183 MHz for these low orbit missions is a bit surprising. Earlier it has been thought that this frequency band was only used for deep space flights. S-band for Sputnik-5 and -6 probably refers to the 2.7-2.8 GHz range (used for radar transponders) given for later missions. The frequency 134 MHz for Vostok is probably a misprint and should be 143 MHz - the approximate frequency for the voice transmitter on Vostok (143.625 MHz).
The most fascinating numbers are those for Sputnik-2, 66 and 70 MHz. These are the frequencies used by the "Tral" telemetry system of the R-7 missile. So, as has been long been known, the R-7 Tral system was modified for low earth orbit.
How I have waited for these numbers! Wow!
