Maiden flight of Osoaviakhim-1 and USSR-1 was planned on September 30, 1933 from the same Air Forces airfield in Kuntsevo (earlier, USSR-1 failed to lift off due to a "heavy load of moisture").
The military, as the hosts of the site, were the first to fly.
USSR-1 with Prokofiev, Godunov and Ernst Birnbaum on board lifted off at 8:40 Moscow Time, reached an altitude of 18,800 metres (61,700 ft) at 14:45 and landed safely around 17:00.
Their altitude record, although not recognized by FAI, was publicized worldwide.
Flight of Osoaviakhim-1, scheduled to take off later than USSR-1, was cancelled due to unexpected strong winds.

Launches in later autumn and winter was deemed impractical and dangerous, and the balloons were disassembled for winter storage.
Fedoseenko, expecting that delicate fabrics and gondola would not survive it, proposed a winter launch, and received a go-ahead for it.
They missed the first launch window in the end of December; the next streak of good weather was expected in the end of January, coincident with the 17th Congress of the Communist Party, and thus attracting the focus of communist propaganda.

January 9, 1934 Defence Commissar Kliment Voroshilov requested Stalin's approval of the winter launch, specifically noting that it would be kept secret until the altitude record was set.
On January 11 Politburo approved the launch; secrecy concerns were discarded and the flight was publicized in advance.

On January 23 the envelope was partially inflated and properly tested for leaks at a rubber factory in Khamovniki.
Gondola and ballast release hardware were also rigorously tested and declared to be in order.
On January 28 Osoaviakhim-1 and its crew arrived at the Air Forces field in Kuntsevo.
The next day was filled with publicity interviews, meetings and committees extending beyond midnight.
Maiden flight of Osoaviakhim-1 and USSR-1 was planned on September 30, 1933 from the same Air Forces airfield in Kuntsevo (earlier, USSR-1 failed to lift off due to a "heavy load of moisture"). The military, as the hosts of the site, were the first to fly. USSR-1 with Prokofiev, Godunov and Ernst Birnbaum on board lifted off at 8:40 Moscow Time, reached an altitude of 18,800 metres (61,700 ft) at 14:45 and landed safely around 17:00. Their altitude record, although not recognized by FAI, was publicized worldwide. Flight of Osoaviakhim-1, scheduled to take off later than USSR-1, was cancelled due to unexpected strong winds.
Launches in later autumn and winter was deemed impractical and dangerous, and the balloons were disassembled for winter storage. Fedoseenko, expecting that delicate fabrics and gondola would not survive it, proposed a winter launch, and received a go-ahead for it. They missed the first launch window in the end of December; the next streak of good weather was expected in the end of January, coincident with the 17th Congress of the Communist Party, and thus attracting the focus of communist propaganda.
January 9, 1934 Defence Commissar Kliment Voroshilov requested Stalin's approval of the winter launch, specifically noting that it would be kept secret until the altitude record was set. On January 11 Politburo approved the launch; secrecy concerns were discarded and the flight was publicized in advance.
On January 23 the envelope was partially inflated and properly tested for leaks at a rubber factory in Khamovniki. Gondola and ballast release hardware were also rigorously tested and declared to be in order. On January 28 Osoaviakhim-1 and its crew arrived at the Air Forces field in Kuntsevo. The next day was filled with publicity interviews, meetings and committees extending beyond midnight.
Osoaviakhim-1