Development of scientific potential of Lavochkin Association

(to the 70-th Anniversary of Lavochkin Association)

G.M.Polischuk

Lavochkin Scientific-Production Association

24, Leningradskoe sУhosse, Khimki, нп, 141400, Russia

 

Lavochkin Association is one of Russia's leading enterprises of rocket space industry.

Being established in 1937 as a fighting aircraft company, Lavochkin Association (LA) then became involved in development of guided surface-to-air missiles and the intercontinental cruise missile.

Since 1965 Lavochkin Association is a prime industry enterprise in the development of automated spacecraft for fundamental scientific research of planets, the Moon and stars of other systems and galaxies.

Scientific research & development school, founded by Semyon A. Lavochkin, the company General Designer, Corresponding Member of Academy of Sciences of the USSR, based on the best aviation scientific and technological traditions of research & development and technological decision making, allowed the company successfully meeting of the challenge on spacecraft development for the Moon exploration and later for solar system planets as early as during the first year after change to space direction.

Our enterprise, as early as in 1946, one of the first ones in our country, built up a system of specialized laboratories forming ground testing base. Liquid jet accelerators by V. Glushko, then ramjet engines by M. Bondaruk were used for "La-7" aircraft by Lavochkin. Theoretical and experimental studies were done on swept wing development. At the end of fifties of last century a supersonic interceptor "250" ("Anakonda") was developed which, in experts' opinion, left the technology of that time far behind.

At that time the company actively introduced new methods of mathematical modeling and calculus mathematics. Mathematical calculations anticipated experimental works.

Development of scientific potential allowed developing of aunique cruise missile "Burya". For the first time in aircraft construction titanium material and its alloys were used, technology of titanium welding was elaborated and applied in manufacturing, for the first time a star -tracking guidance system was used.

Founded research & development scientific school was further expanded in the field of development of automated spacecraft by Georgy N. Babakin, General Designer, Corresponding Member of Academy of Sciences of the USSR. Scientific and technical potential of the enterprise allowed effectively and in shortest possible time proceed with lunar program. In 1966 automated station "Luna-9" performed soft landing on the Moon, transmitted lunar surface panorama of high quality to the Earth, determined mechanical properties of lunar soil. "Luna-16, -20, -24", delivered lunar soil samples to Earth. Many months' operating of mobile laboratories "Lunokhod-1 and -2" made an outstanding contribution to studies of the Moon and Earth-Moon system.

Successful research of Venus was conducted. In 1967 descent vehicle "Venera-4" station for the first time in the world performed parachute descent in the planet atmosphere and transmitted data on temperature, pressure, density and chemical composition of its gas environment to Earth. Then a new series of spacecraft of new generation, of "Venera-8" type, was developed that transmitted panoramic images of the planet to Earth, performed soil sampling and made its analysis.

During that period automated spacecraft "Mars-3, -5" were launched which transmitted unique data on Red planet and its atmosphere to Earth.

A new impulse to development of research & design school was conveyed by Viyacheslav M. Kovtunenko, appointed Chief Designer of Lavochkin Association in 1977 (later on Corresponding Member of Academy of Sciences of the USSR and Russian Academy of Sciences). The main features of this school were as follows:

-              High culture of research & development activities, providing minimization of mass-and-dimensional properties, bold usage of advanced scientific and technical ideas;

-              Elaboration and introduction of ideas passing ahead of time;

-              Thorough ground testing of system with high level of real operating conditions simulating and etc.

At that time unique space astrophysical observatories "Asron" and "Granat" were developed. For the first time in the world stations "Vega-1, -2" transmitted images of Comet Halley nucleus to Earth and delivered balloons floating in Venus atmosphere.

In 1988 interplanetary stations "Phobos-1, -2" were launched. One of them for the first time in the world performed search for small solar system body - Phobos, moon of Mars, in automatic mode of operation, and approached it in autonomous flight.

In nineties a space system for high-periodic optic-electronic observation of Earth surface (Arkon-1") was developed in-house and unified "Fregat" upper stage was designed with propulsion system providing repeated engine burns (up to 20 burns), which injected more than ten different satellites into Earth orbit, including "Claster-2", "Mars-Express", "Venera-Express" and etc.

Presently development of geostationary hydro meteorological space complex "Electro" of new generation and orbital astrophysical observatory "Spektr-R" are under completion. Development activities on "Phobos Sample Return" project are in progress to deliver Phobos soil samples to Earth and on other unmanned missions for fundamental scientific research.

At all times, development of scientific potential of the enterprise was and currently is given proper attention of Directors of Lavochkin Association.

Lavochkin Association is faced with complicated scientific and technical problems on development of automated space complexes of new generation for fundamental planetary and astrophysical studies. A program of these activities has been elaborated for a long-term period.

 

 

Georgy Maximovich Polischuk, Doctor of technical sciences, professor; General Designer, General Director of FGUP <Lavochkin Association>. Sphere of scientific interests: designing of automatic space complexes, systemic analysis.