Cosmonautics of Russia and the USSR

The main articles are:

• Russian economy
• Russia

Directions of development

Russian National Orbital Service Station (ROSS)

Main article: Russian National Orbital Service Station (ROSS)

"Sphere" - a program of multi-satellite systems

Main article: Sphere Space program of multi-satellite systems

Lunar program

Main article: Lunar program of Russia

Chronicle of events

2024

In Russia, the implementation of three projects for the creation of new ultralight class launch vehicles began at the same time

In August 2024, Russia launched the simultaneous implementation of three projects to create new ultralight-class launch vehicles (SLKs). These developments are aimed at launching small spacecraft into low Earth orbit with a total weight of up to 500 kg. Read more here

Serial production of Angara launch vehicles began

August 12, 2024 production association "Flight" (branch of the State Space Research and Production Center named after M.V. Khrunichev; part of the state corporation Roscosmos) announced the start of mass production of Angara missiles. The carrier is created with the prospect of launching manned ships. He will have to become the main means of launching the modules of the Russian orbital station. Read more here

The State Duma adopted in the third reading a law on public-private partnership in cosmonautics

The State Duma on July 9, 2024 approved in the second and third readings a bill regulating the application of concession agreements and agreements on public-private partnership (PPP) in the field of space activities.

The new changes relate to the laws "On concession agreements" and "On public-private partnership, municipal-private partnership in the Russian Federation." The law introduces the concept of "space object," which makes it possible to more clearly identify space infrastructure objects that can be transferred to concessionaires or private partners within the framework of PPP. The exception is dual and military facilities that remain in federal ownership.

Adopted a law on PPP in astronautics

State corporation Roscosmos is granted the authority to conclude concession agreements and PPP agreements on behalf of the Russian Federation. Roscosmos will also act as a grantor and public partner under such agreements, subject to the relevant decision of the Government of the Russian Federation on the implementation of the project. This opens up new opportunities for joint projects of the state and private business in the field of space.

Maxim Topilin, Chairman of the Committee on Economic Policy, noted that the adoption of the law ensures the creation of a full-fledged orbital group of spacecraft capable of solving the problems of operational monitoring of the Arctic zone. He stressed the importance of the new PPP mechanism, which will allow implementing large-scale investment projects in space exploration and will increase the role of the state and private business in the development of space technologies.

The bill is aimed at attracting investments in the development of the Russian space industry and increasing the share of Russian private companies in the global space market. This is expected to not only accelerate the development of technologies, but also provide high-quality communication and Internet services throughout Russia, including remote and hard-to-reach regions such as the Arctic zone.^[1]

Adoption of a law on attracting private investors to astronautics in the first reading

On May 28, 2024, the State Duma of the Russian Federation adopted a bill that creates favorable conditions for investing commercial structures in the space sphere. The adopted document legalizes the conclusion of concession agreements and public-private partnership agreements (PPPs), giving private companies the right to use space infrastructure facilities of federal property on a reimbursable basis.

Space infrastructure facilities of federal property can be transferred to legal entities acting as concessionaires under concession agreements or private partners under PPP agreements, the text of the approved bill says.

The State Duma of the Russian Federation adopted a bill that creates favorable conditions for investing commercial structures in the space sphere

As noted in the explanatory note, the legislative initiative is designed to stimulate the involvement of Russian private business in the deployment of orbital satellite constellations to meet the needs of the socio-economic sphere, scientific research, as well as for the development of the Arctic region. In 2024, the Russian orbital group includes only 229 spacecraft, which is a modest indicator by the standards of leading space powers.

Earlier, the head Roskosmos Iouri Borisov announced ambitious plans for a large-scale increase in the domestic satellite constellation - an increase in its number by 15 times by 2036. This goal is expected to be achieved through the active involvement of private enterprises and the establishment of conveyor production of spacecraft. In addition to providing access state to infrastructure, the bill opens up opportunities for the transfer of advanced technologies in favor of commercial structures.

According to Borisov, the close interaction of state institutions and the business community should become a powerful driver of progress in domestic cosmonautics, allowing Russia to strengthen its position in a number of leading space powers on the world stage.^[2]

Successful launch of the Angara-A5 heavy missile

On April 11, 2024, the Angara-A5 heavy-class launch vehicle (RN) was launched from the Vostochny cosmodrome in the Amur Region, which launched the Orion upper stage with a small vehicle into orbit. Over the past 10 years, this is the third launch of this launch vehicle - the previous two were from the Plesetsk cosmodrome in the Arkhangelsk region with payload models.

For 20 years, Angara-A5 itself has repeatedly received unflattering reviews about its characteristics, launch costs, difficulties with production in Omsk. But the main reason for criticism was the protracted development time, during which SpaceX's efforts made a breakthrough in the creation of reusable rockets, which made disposable rocket carriers a dead-end branch of development.

However, in the current conditions, this does not negate the importance of Angara-A5: after the upcoming cessation of production of JSCS «Proton», it will become the only Russian heavy-class missile, which will retain the ability to bring the devices to "high" orbits. And the modern launch complex on Vostochny allows you to do this with less energy losses in comparison with the subpolar Plesetsky.

Russian cosmonaut sets world record for time in space

On February 4, 2024, the commander of the cosmonaut squad Roskosmos"," special correspondent TASS for International Space Station (ISS) Oleg Kononenko broke the world record for total stay in space. More. here

2023

Putin instructed to develop a national project for the development of the space sphere

On October 26, 2023 Russia Vladimir Putin , the president met with specialists from the space industry and said that he had instructed the government to develop a national project for the development of the space sector. The document should be prepared by July 1, 2024.

Of course, the national project allows us to collect in a single fist the unique competencies of our scientific, engineering schools, the resources of the state and private business, "the president said at a meeting on the development of the rocket and space industry.

According to Putin, the new national project should be aimed at forming a powerful and sovereign domestic industry of space services, technologies and products. At the same time, it is necessary to specify the goals as much as possible and build understandable rules, as well as reduce regulatory barriers.

The Russian leader also drew attention to the fact that the new national project should be built on the basis of modern financial and organizational mechanisms, including "diversification of the source of funding, attracting extrabudgetary funds to the space sphere."

To do this, it is imperative to offer effective incentives to expand the participation of private companies in the development of the domestic space industry... In such close cooperation between the state and business, it is necessary to multiply the composition of the current Russian orbital group in an extremely short time, to ensure the creation and operation of our own multi-satellite groups, the president said.

Also, Putin, during a conversation with young scientists, expressed the opinion that the space sphere of activity "needs to clear the regulatory debris that has been created over many decades."

Putin assured that the lunar program in the country will not be closed, despite the incident with the Russian automatic interplanetary station Luna-25, which collided with a natural satellite on August 19, 2023. Lands^[3]

The government allocates 2.5 billion rubles for the development of the space industry

On October 9, 2023, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin spoke about the allocation of more than 2 billion rubles for development in the field of space technologies.

In the current [2023] year, we will additionally allocate about 4 billion rubles for priority research and design work, of which more than 2 billion rubles are for research in the interests of the space industry... First of all, we are talking about the creation of satellites for ultra-high-resolution remote sensing of the Earth, "the head of government said at a meeting with Deputy Prime Ministers, adding that by October 2023, one of the main tasks is a qualitative improvement of our orbital grouping.

Subsidies for the implementation of innovative projects, as explained, will be provided through the Ministry of Education and Science and the National Technology Initiative fund on a co-financing basis from private investors.

Given the sanctions restrictions, the early creation of domestic science-intensive solutions is required. And it is extremely important to involve our entrepreneurs in the work, - said the head of government.

The website of the Cabinet of Ministers specifies that 2.5 billion rubles were allocated for priority research and development work in the space industry in 2023. The corresponding order has already been signed by Mishustin. At the same time, it is not specified where exactly these funds will go.

In June 2023, Mishustin at a strategic session on the development of the rocket and space industry said that it was necessary to strengthen work in a number of areas, but first of all Russia needs to "accelerate the number of satellites to more than 1000." He clarified that the basis for these plans will be the Sphere project. He believes that private business needs to be involved in the development of satellite serial production capacities.^[4]

Government of the Russian Federation Order of October 5, 2023 No. 2717-r

Russia has created a reusable Korona rocket that can return large objects from orbit to Earth

Russia In created a reusable launch vehicle (RN) "Corona," which can return large objects from orbit to Earth. This is a development, State Missile Center named after Academician V.P. Makeev reported in "" in Roskosmos August 2023. More. here

What space projects are engaged in private technology companies in Russia

In mid-June 2023, Kommersant FM, citing interviewed experts, spoke about space projects that private technology companies are engaged in. The publication says that private investment in the Russian market is mainly from enthusiasts and patrons. There are few successful operating private space companies in the Russian Federation, some of them had to close.

Among them is the project of the Sputnik company, which is part of the Sitronics concern, the main shareholder of which is AFK Sistema. The company operates three of its own satellites in orbit. In April and May 2023, Satellites broadcast SSTV from the OrbyKraft-Zorky satellite, during the test broadcast, 60 amateur radio operators received the signal.

Also among the successful projects is that SR Space and the T1 holding conducted a test launch of the rocket, it flew more than 18 km. By June 2023, companies plan that the suborbital apparatus will rise to an altitude of more than 100 km, beyond the upper limit of the atmosphere until the end of 2023. The goal of the project is to send a signal to the ground, which will be received by unmanned aerial vehicles.

Space startup Dauria Aerospace went bankrupt in 2018 amid a lawsuit with Roscosmos. The company delivered two satellites, but communications were lost after putting them into orbit. The state-owned company tried to recover a penalty of about 300 million rubles from its partners.

Entrepreneur Pavel Pushkin in 2021 closed his company CosmoCourse"," which was going to develop space tourism in. Russia According to Pushkin, government orders dominated the Russian market, mainly from. Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation Everyone hoped that private companies would arise in the Russian Federation, which would make some commercial devices that would load some Russian missiles. But such players did not appear due to a lack of support.

Vitaly Egorov, popularizer of science in Russia, author of the Green Cat Open Space blog, told the publication that either the Russian Federation transfers intellectual property created in previous projects to the private sector, as is the case in China and the United States. Or it does not require intellectual property in the direction of production at the expense of the state, as is the case in Russia for June 2023. In this context, Russian civil space navigation was uncompetitive even before 2014. A better understanding of this market by the Russian authorities and companies can make it more attractive to private investors, the expert is sure.^[5]

Holding "T1" and SR Space organize the first private launch of a rocket into space in Russia

T1 Holding and SR Space will carry out the first private launch of a rocket into space in Russia. The companies signed a cooperation agreement in the field of information and aerospace technologies. The T1 announced this on June 15, 2023. Read more here.

Putin: Russia will spend 251 billion rubles on the development of the space industry

2023 Russia will allocate more than 251 billion rubles for the development of the space industry. This was announced on April 12, 2023 by the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin during a meeting with the head. Roskosmos Yury Borisov

This year we have a little more, in my opinion, even planned budget allocations for space activities: last year [2022] about 224 with a small billion rubles, and this year - more than 251, - said the Russian leader, adding that revenue from activities in this area is growing.

The President also noted that everyone is interested in the plans of the Russian Federation "in this exceptional industry," and asked Borisov to report on them.

We need to create sovereign space systems and a new generation component base, design a Russian orbital station, which is designed to become an outpost of our country, serve the study and exploration of space. Experts know that the new station will be directed, among other things, to solve the problems facing our country in the broadest sense of the word, Putin said.

Another area on which Russian cosmonautics should focus is interplanetary missions, the president said. According to the head of state, it should start with the resumption of the lunar program.

Earlier, Putin approved the development of technologies necessary for the Russian lunar program. According to the head of state, one of the goals of the new station is to prepare Russia's plans for the moon for implementation.

Borisov, in a video message about Cosmonautics Day in 2023, announced the need to more actively introduce modern technologies into the Russian space industry and multiply the production of spacecraft "in the interests of state customers, our entrepreneurs and ordinary citizens."^[6]

Attacks on Russian satellites have become more frequent in order to drown out or replace the signal

In mid-March 2023, it became known that attacks were regularly carried out on the Russian satellite group from a certain border territory. Moreover, the number of such incidents is growing.

About the problem, as reported by the newspaper "Kommersant," said the general director of the FSUE "Space Communication" Alexey Volin. We are talking about targeted interference created in order to drown out the useful satellite signal. In addition, cases of distribution of fake data packets are recorded.

Unfortunately, recently this has acquired particular relevance, since constant attacks on the Russian satellite constellation are coming from the adjacent territory... there are attempts to replace the signal, there are attempts to drown it out, "Volin quoted Kommersant as saying.

To counter such attacks, a specialized hardware and software complex is being created in Russia: it will allow determining the presence of targeted malicious interference aimed at the satellite. The system will be based on domestic components and technologies. It is planned to complete the development of the complex by the end of 2023. It is noted that previously discovered targeted interference was not focused on civil spacecraft, but now the situation has changed.

It is also reported that at the beginning of 2023, cases of the announcement of false air alarm signals on the air of radio stations and TV channels became more frequent in Russia. Such incidents were recorded in the Moscow and Tula regions, as well as in Krasnodar, Voronezh, Kazan and other cities. Attackers find vulnerabilities in server software or specialized corporate software and use these holes to sow panic among the population. In theory, misinformation could also spread.^[7]

2022

170 satellites in orbit - 5th in the world

Caspian Space Monitoring Center is being created in Astrakhan

In April 2022 , the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia announced the creation of the Caspian Space Monitoring Center in Russia, which will train specialists in the field of geoinformation systems and geospatial research in the Caspian macro-region. It will open in Astrakhan in August 2022, according to the agency's website. Read more here.

Roscosmos will support private Russian space companies

March 9, 2022 it became known that Roskosmos"" will support private Russian space companies. They will be given access to domestic developments in the field of space, instrument making as well as the possibility of almost free delivery to orbit created by private design bureaus startups and spacecraft.

Mikhail Khailov, Deputy General Director for the Development of the Orbital Group of the Roscosmos State Corporation, received my instructions to take comprehensive measures to support our private space companies.

By the end of 2022, dozens Russia of privately made spacecraft, communications meteorological observations and remote sensing will be sent to target orbits. Lands For this, Soyuz-2 launch vehicles, withdrawn by us from the launch project, will be used. " the British satellite system OneWeb

2021

Russian cosmonauts will be able to get a preferential mortgage at 0.1% per annum

On December 8, 2021, it became known that Promsvyazbank (PSB) and Roscosmos entered into an agreement, which implies the provision of a preferential mortgage for members of the Russian cosmonaut squad. The agreement was signed after the launch of the Soyuz-2.1a rocket with the Soyuz MS-20 manned spacecraft on December 8 from Baikonur. Read more here.

Russia has set a record in its modern history for the number of accident-free space launches

In May 2021, the Soyuz-2.1b launch vehicle, which launched from, Vostochny cosmodrome successfully launched the British satellites into orbit. OneWeb In addition to the fact that it was another successful start from a new cosmodrome, the launch was remembered as follows: it allowed the country to set a new record in its modern history in the number of successful starts.

The previous one was installed in 1993, when the country completed 58 successful launches in a row. This record (as well as the new one) is far from Soviet: in 1983-1984, the USSR was able to carry out 185 successful launches in a row.

The last serious incident today was the accident of the Soyuz MS-10 manned spacecraft, which occurred in October 2018. Fortunately, the rescue system worked successfully and both crew members - Russian Alexei Ovchinin and American Tyler Hague - returned home.

Salaries of Russian cosmonauts increase by 50-70%

On April 15, 2021, it became known about the increase in the salaries of astronauts in Russia. Thus, candidates will receive an average of 300 thousand rubles, which is 70% more than a year earlier, and experienced astronauts - more than 500 thousand rubles (+ 50%). Read more here.

2020: Rogozin named the main goals for the development of cosmonautics in Russia

The main goal of the development of cosmonautics RUSSIAN FEDERATION in is the expansion of humanity in space, the use of the results of activities for the defense of the country and the growth of living standards. This was announced on December 26, 2020 TASS Information Agency of Russia from the words of the general director. Roskosmos Dmitry Rogozin

The expansion of humanity in space, as well as the use of the results of space activities to ensure the country's strategic defense, increase the quality of life of the people, develop breakthrough technologies and conduct fundamental scientific research on the origin of the Earth and the Universe, Rogozin wrote on his Twitter page in response to a user's question, what are the goals of the Russian Federation in space.

In December 2020, Deputy General Director for International Cooperation of Roscosmos Sergey Savelyev during a round table in the Federation Council said that a special role in the development of outer space is assigned to the research and extraction of mineral space resources.

In his opinion, in the future, fierce competition is expected for access to those resources of celestial bodies, the development of which will require the least cost and the greatest practical return. The deputy general director of the state corporation added that taking into account significant financial and time costs, it is important to make a decision on the feasibility of mining, since the results obtained should be in demand^[8].

2019: Launch of the Spektr-RG space telescope into orbit

In 2019, the Spektr-RG space telescope was launched into orbit.

2016

1988: The first and only flight of the Energia-Buran complex

On November 15, 1988, the first and only flight of the Energia-Buran complex took place.

The development of the Energy-Buran program began in 1974, after 6 years the construction of orbital ships began. Especially for the Buran, the Yubileiny airfield was built on Baikonur, where the space vessel landed after the flight.

In the early November morning, the Energia launch vehicle launched from site 110 of the Baikonur cosmodrome and launched the ship into Earth orbit.

The flight took place in automatic mode using an on-board computer and on-board software. The ship made two orbits around the Earth. The flight lasted 205 minutes.

1987

1986: Launch of the Mir orbital station

In 1986, the MIR orbital station was launched, which was subsequently visited by many astronauts from around the world.

The base block of the orbital station was launched into orbit on February 20, 1986. Then, within 10 years, five more modules and a docking compartment were sequentially docked to it.

No other country can boast of such achievements in the exploration of outer space as in the Soviet Union. The space progress of the USSR is the largest in the whole world. Even in the 2010s, many states successfully adopted the experience of Soviet researchers, and Soviet developments are used.

1982

1975: "Soyuz - Apollo": First flight with docking with another ship

In July 1975, Alexei Leonov, as the commander of the Soyuz-19 spacecraft, made the first international space flight docking with the American Apollo spacecraft as part of the Soyuz-Apollo project.

It is significant that the first handshake of astronauts and astronauts occurred at the moment when the ships flew over the Elbe. It was thought that this would happen over Moscow, but, as Alexei Leonov told Rossiyskaya Gazeta reporters, "in the end it turned out even more symbolic and piercing. In May 1945, the Allies met on the Elbe, and in July 1975, the Russians and Americans shook hands over the Elbe. "

Successful docking Soviet cosmonauts and American astronauts washed... borscht. Leonov decided to play colleagues and put stickers "Stolichnaya," "Moskovskaya," "Pshenichnaya" on tubes with food in advance. The Americans believed, at first rested and refused, then tried and... upset that it was not vodka.

1966: Soyuz's first failed tests

Since 1966, testing and numerous unsuccessful tests of the Soyuz ship have been carried out, after which the project was closed in favor of a more improved and lighter 7K-L1 ship.

1965: Man's first entry into open space - Alexey Leonov

In 1965, the first human entry into open outer space took place - another victory in the space race with the United States.

On the morning of March 18, 1965, already on the launch pad, Sergei Korolev hugged Alexei Leonov and quietly told him: "I will not advise you much and wish, Lesha. I will only ask you about one thing: get out of the ship and enter the ship. That's all…» He did.

At 11:34 Moscow time, on the second round of the flight of the Voskhod-2 spacecraft, Alexei Leonov pushed away from the edge of the lock and smoothly moved until he was stopped by the tension of the halyard - a special cable connecting the astronaut with the ship. In 12 minutes and 9 seconds, while Leonov was in outer space, the ship traveled the distance from the Black Sea to Sakhalin.

Alexey Leonov left the Voskhod-2 spacecraft into outer space in a specially designed 100 kg spacesuit.

"When I went into outer space, I said in admiration:" But the Earth is round! "- Leonov recalled in an interview with the Moskovsky Komsomolets newspaper (issue of May 29, 2004). "Right under me was the Black Sea, like Greece, Italy, in the palm of my hand... Raised his head - I saw the Baltic. With one glance, I covered a circle with a diameter of 5 thousand km. I saw the sun - bright-bright, as if embedded in the sky, blue Earth, unblinking stars. And there was such silence that I heard my breath. "

After graduating from work on the outer skin of the ship, Leonov was supposed to return, but a critical situation arose: due to a deep vacuum, the spacesuit deformed: "My hands jumped out of my gloves and my legs out of my boots. I found myself inside a spacesuit in a "suspended state," Leonov recalled. "The forces were running out. Then I, without consulting anyone, quickly reduced the pressure in the spacesuit by half, and immediately gained mobility. According to the instructions, I had to swim forward into the lock. After several unsuccessful attempts, again, without asking the permission of the Earth, I went forward with my head - I grabbed the hatch cut with my hands and with great difficulty "pushed myself into the lock."

This was not the only emergency situation during the Voskhod-2 flight. At some point, the oxygen level in the spacecraft rose to a critical level. The slightest spark in the power supply system could lead to an explosion, and the ship, along with the astronauts, as Leonov said, "would go into a molecular state" in a split second. The astronauts did everything they could: remove the humidity, reduce the temperature to 10 degrees.

"For seven hours we sat in our armchairs, watched the appliances and waited for the explosion... It wasn't the best moments of our lives. They did not feel fear, there was doom and understanding, "said Alexey Leonov.

When the flight was nearing completion, the automatic descent system failed, and the crew commander Pavel Belyaev landed the ship manually. "The control of the ship was shifted by ninety degrees, we were sitting across the main axis. It's tantamount to driving a car around a race track and looking at the side window... To navigate, I had to get out of the chair, and with the engines working, it is very dangerous, - recalled Alexey Leonov. - We landed in an impassable forest, we could get out of there only on the third day... And what did you think? A red carpet at once?. "

While Belyaev and Leonov sat in the snow for two days without warm clothes, the media reported that the astronauts were doing well and resting at the regional dacha, the Moskovsky Komsomolets newspaper wrote on May 29, 2004.

"After shooting the hatch," Leonov said, "Pasha left the ship and found himself up to his neck in loose snow. I also dipped into this fresh mass... It started, the temperature dropped to 25 degrees below zero... And I had a knee-deep water suit. I had to undress naked, pour water from each leg - perhaps three liters... squeeze out the underwear and - kinky - put on yourself... Our parachute hovered at the top of the trees, we cut the parachute slings and joined them. Only on the second day did help come to us. To the helicopter we went along the taiga 9 km on skis. This was the "regional cottage '."

1964: First multi-seat spacecraft 'Sunrise', with three astronauts on board

In 1964, the first multi-seat spacecraft "Voskhod" went into orbit, with three astronauts on board. The Americans were developing a two-seater ship at the time and launched it six months after the'Sunrise' flight.

1963: First woman in space

The flight of the first female cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova took place in 1963.

1962: The world's first group flight of the ships Vostok-3 and Vostok-4, launched with a daily difference

After Gagarin's flight into orbit, space began to be mastered further, improving experiments:

• in 1962, the world's first space group flight of the Vostok-3 and Vostok-4 ships, launched with a difference of a day, took place.

1961: First human flight into space - Yuri Gagarin

Some time after the festive but tragic launch into orbit of the first animal, the spacecraft was finalized and finally approved for launching into human space. In the same period of time, the first artificial satellite of the Sun was launched in the USSR. The launch resulted in the first photos of the far side of the moon from Earth.

The flight of the single-seat Vostok-1 spacecraft with a man on board took place on April 12, 1961 from the Baikonur cosmodrome, making a complete revolution around the Earth.

The world's first cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin stayed in space for 108 minutes and returned to Earth safe and sound.

During the flight, the astronaut conducted basic tests in order to determine the feelings and sensations of a person in extraterrestrial space - eating and water, keeping records, performing simple mathematical calculations, and so on.

Previously, the influence of outer space on humans was known only in theory, according to the descriptions of the researcher Tsiolkovsky, which, in fact, Yu. Gagarin subsequently confirmed.

Even in those conditions, with 8-10 times overloads, tumbling of the ship, burning of the outer skin of the ship and melting of metal, with malfunctions of the spacecraft systems, a person was able to survive and not suffer.

Since then, we celebrate the day of the first human flight into space as Cosmonautics Day. And in honor of Yuri Gagarin, streets are named in many cities of Russia and even abroad.

1959: Marfusha Rabbit, Brave Dogs and Snowflake Return to Earth

On July 2, 1959, a one-stage geophysical ballistic missile was launched, on board of which were the rabbit Marfush and the dogs Brave and Snowflake.

As part of the test, a planned experiment was carried out to "study the influence of space flights on a living organism." Another task before the researchers was to solve the "problem of returning" crews to Earth. After a short flight outside the atmosphere, all the "passengers" safely returned to their home planet.

1957

Laika: The first living creature in space

Only a month passed before the next launch of the satellite (Sputnik-2). Inspired by the first successful experience, the designers were eager to send a living creature into space. In addition, Nikita Khrushchev, who was in power at that time, openly considered the development of outer space as a propaganda race with the Americans, adjusting the work.

The honorary hero was a dog named Laika. The mongrel made its high flight on November 3, 1957, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of Soviet power. However, there were no plans to return animal life to Earth alive and unharmed. The main task of the researchers was to test the survival of a living creature during space flight.

It was planned that the dog will live in space for 7 days. However, the cabin overheated after 6 hours, which led to the death of the animal, which the Soviet government did not spread about. From the experiment, they concluded that the fundamental possibility of finding a living creature in orbit has been proven.

The world's first satellite launch into space

It is well known that the Soviet Union was the first to launch a satellite, a living creature and a person into outer space. Cosmonautics after World War II was a race between the USSR and America.

For many years of research and design work bore fruit in 1957. On October 4, the first artificial Earth satellite, Sputnik-1, was first launched into extraterrestrial space.

The ball-shaped object transmitted a signal to Earth about a successful launch and was in orbit for 92 days. One revolution around the planet was 1 hour 36 minutes 10 seconds, which approximately corresponded to the descriptions in the works of Tsiolkovsky.

The object was launched into orbit using a R-7 rocket. This intercontinental ballistic missile was designed under the direction of Sergei Korolev. All subsequent missiles in the Soviet Union were designed based on the silhouette of the R-7. And later, the design of the Soyuz rocket, which delivers heavy cargo and tourists into orbit, resembles the image of its ancestor.

The first Earth satellite spent three months in orbit, covering a distance of 60 million kilometers. His launch and stay outside the Earth was such a significant event for earthlings that badges and even Christmas tree decorations were issued in his honor.

Thus, contrary to all the efforts of the Americans, the Soviet Union was the first to conquer outer space and test the theoretical side of space exploration in practice. Now space exploration has become a real task, not ghostly dreams.

1933: The first Soviet rocket on hybrid fuel GIRD-09

The first practical step towards translating Tsiolkovsky's project into reality is the creation of an experimental Soviet hybrid fuel rocket GIRD-09. Its performance was much weaker than that of modern rockets, but the results of an experiment conducted in 1933 were impressive at the time.

For many years, Tsiolkovsky also studied the theoretical side of finding a person in cosmic weightless space. His works listed the ways of movement in zero gravity, its impact and influence on any living organism. The inventor described exactly what the shape of the spacecraft should be.

All his descriptions will subsequently be confirmed by the first person to fly into space - Yuri Gagarin. He described his feelings exactly as those about which Konstantin Tsiolkovsky wrote in his works.

1921: Creation of the Leningrad "Gas-Dynamic Laboratory"

Soviet space exploration continued with the creation of the Leningrad "Gas Dynamic Laboratory" in 1921.

1903: Tsiolkovsky designs first rocket

The beginning of the 20th century was a significant period for the implementation of space flight. In the space industry, they began to create experimental rocket engines running on liquid fuel. With the help of such an engine, it was possible to alleviate the mass of the rocket, and the rocket had to move forward due to the energy generated. The first rocket to fly into outer space was designed in 1903. Its designer was the famous inventor Konstantin Tsiolkovsky.

XIX century: The first ideas about space exploration

The first plans to fly into the far space and their gradual implementation began in the 19th century. Then scientists came to the conclusion that at a certain stable speed, an aircraft can not only overcome gravity, but also fly out of the Earth's atmosphere. In addition, the aircraft will gain a foothold in orbit and, like the Moon, will orbit our planet^[9].

However, the engines existing at that time could not provide such a flight speed. Engines with weak power did not reach the desired speed, and strong ones emitted energy in jerks. Such an object not only could not fly as intended, but it was also impossible to control the trajectory of its movement.

When launched vertically, the aircraft rounded its motion vector and cloned back to the ground long before its intended entry into outer space. Of course, there was no question of a horizontal launch, otherwise it was possible to destroy all life within the launch radius.

Notes