Descent module of "Soyuz" space
vehicle 40 years
in service of space exploration N.M.Ivanov, V.G.Sobolevskiy Central Research Institute of Mechanical Engineering 4, The paper is devoted to the 40th Anniversary of development
and operation start of "Soyuz" space vehicle's (SV) descent module (DM)
developed in the It is stressed that descent vehicles of segmented-conical configuration,
Russian "Soyuz" SV's DM being one of their
outstanding representatives, are the most promising and needed descent vehicles
at least for the nearest future. Russian
descent module of "Soyuz" spacecraft has obtained the world-wide
recognition and been operating successfully over 40 years. According to Federal
Space Programme of Russian Federation it is planned to modernise and use it in
the nearest future (since there are no "eligible" vehicles, they are
to be developed as a component of promising space transportation system). Development efforts on the descent module for "Soyuz" space
vehicle begun in "Energia" RSC in 1960 under the direction of Chief Designer
S.P. Korolev. Basing on chosen concept, the
works on generating the design objectives for "Soyuz" descent module
started at the beginning of 1960-ies under the direction of A.G. Reshetin. Main directions of the works included investigations
on choice of lift-to-drag ratio and DM optimal configuration, selection and
development of means and algorithms for controlling the descent, comparative
analysis and choice of landing facilities. The most important result of these development
efforts lies in fact that "Soyuz" descent module possesses the
dynamical stability: after non-oriented re-entry (even with the angle of attack
|a|
> 90°)
the vehicle always turns into a position with mean value of the angle of attack
a
>
|aб|.
At the same time it is noted that in this case the flight with negative
lift-to-drag ratio takes place. Naturally, during the years of operation the "Soyuz" descent module was
modified several times, but modifications were concerned mainly with DM service
schemes, not with its configuration. As a result, many versions of the basic
module were created and have been operating, including descent modules
"Soyuz-T" and "Soyuz-TM". The segmental-conical
configurations of descent vehicles like the outstanding descent module of
"Soyuz" space vehicle are the most promising vehicles, at least in the nearest
future. It is confirmed by the following facts: -
particular success of "Soyuz" vehicle
during almost 40 years in numerous national and international space programmes; -
unique performance and flight
characteristics of "Soyuz" descent module that ensure successful realization of
the goal tasks and the crew safety; -
available
application of descent modules of "Soyuz" type for international (European,
chiefly) projects, including future lunar missions. |
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