Science
ACTUAL PROBLEMS OF AVIATION AND AEROSPACE SYSTEMS
Kazan Daytona Beach


Scientific Conference

Actual problems of Russia Astronautics

XXXIII Academic Conference on Astronautics

(Russia, Moscow, January 26 - 30, 2009)

A.K.Medvedeva

Institute for history of natural sciences and technology of RAS

 

The XXXIIIrd Academic Conference on Astronautics dedicated to the memory of Academician S.P.Korolev and other outstanding domestic scientists - the pioneers of space exploration, took place on 26-30 January 2009. They were conducted at N.E.Bauman Moscow State Technical University which is a recognized education center that educates the personnel for our space industry. Efficient scientific and organizational support for the Conference was granted by the scientific and educational complex "Special Mechanical Engineering". This faculty consists of 12 departments on space and rocket specialties.

Russian space society was represented by 1700 participants from 150 organizations. The papers were presented by more that 950 scientists and specialists, 454 of them delivered the papers publicly at plenary meetings and sessions.

The Conference' geography is rather broad. There were participants from Moscow, Moscow region (Korolev, Khimky, Zvezdniy, Yubileyniy, Reutov, Zhukovskiy, Kaliningrad), St. Petersburg, Krasnoyarsk, Novosibirsk, Kazan, Samara, Omsk, Perm', Saratov, Rostov-na-Donu, Kaluga, Gagarin (Smolensk region), Kiev, Dnepropetrovsk (Ukraine), Volgograd, Kirovograd, Samarkand (Uzbekistan), Kuviliya (Portugal), Italy, France, PRC, Vietnam, etc.

The papers were actively discussed by the scientists and specialists from many organizations: S.P.Korolev RSC "Energiya", V.P.Glushko SPA "Energomash", M.V.Khrunichev SSSPC, S.A.Lavochkin SPA, CSRIME "TsNIIMash", SPA "Mashinostroenie", N.A.Pilyugin SPA AP, V.I.Kuznetsov SRI PM, SPA of Applied Mechanics, CIAM, CIAH ("TsAGI"), M.V.Keldysh Research Center, I.V.Kurchatov Russian Scientific Center, EDB "Fakel", A.Lyulka STC, Agat, "Composit" Ltd., "NPO Molniya" Ltd., SPA "Taifun", SRI SS, SPA "Saturn", FTsDT "Soyuz", SDB "Yuzhnoe", Tupolev Ltd., 4th CSRI of DM, RSRI of Electromechanics, M.L.Mil' Helicopter Plant Ltd., M.V.Keldysh Institute on Applied Mathematics of RAS, A.A.Dorodnitsin Computation Center of RAS, S.I.Vavilov Institute on natural science and engineering history of RAS, Institute on Theoretical and Applied Mechanics of Siberian Branch of RAS, Institute on Machine Science of RAS, Mechanics Institute of RAS, Mechanics Institute of MSU, Institute on Chemical Physics of RAS, Institute on System Programming of RAS, ITES of RAS, Bauman MSTU, MSU, MEPhI, MAI, N.E.Zhukovskiy VVIA, Peter the Great Military Academy of RFSP, Higher School of Economics, University of Russian Educational Academy, St. Petersburg State University, Volgograd State University, St. Petersburg State Technological Institute, S.P.Korolev Samara State Aerospace University, Kirovograd National Technical University, A.N.Tupolev Kazan State Technical University (Aviation Institute), Samara Aerospace University, Beira Interior University (Portugal), Institute of Thermal Physics of SB RAS, ITAME SB RAS (Novosibirsk), PhTI RAS (St. Petersburg), BSTU (St. Petersbutg), K.E.Tsiolkovskiy Russian Academy of Astronautics, Astronautics Federation of Russia, Council of Veterans of Space Forces, Archives of RAS, Russian State Archives of NTD, K.E.Tsiolkovskiy GMIK, Polytechnic Museum.

The opening speech was made by the Chairman of the Organizing Committee Academician B.Ye.Chertok who is a pioneer of Russian Astronautics and S.P.Korolev's companion. He spoke about the background of domestic space and rocket engineering that was established in the Soviet Union more than 60 years ago, in 1946, at direct participation of B.Ye.Chertok. In his speech he noted the following: "Despite the hardest losses of domestic science resulted from the destructive reforms, our Conference have become a significant All-Russian scientific event attracting the scientists and specialists from Academic and branch Institutes, Design Bureaus, Scientific and Production Associations, and Universities. After the Great State, the Soviet Union, was broken up, the leading branches of domestic high technology industry (mechanical engineering, aviation, radio electronics, chemistry, power engineering) that provide the defensive and economic powers suffered the hardest economic and technological losses and were critically endangered. Allowing for the current situation it is pleasant to note that Russian rocket and space society has not lost their optimism and hope not to surrender their leading positions in the world Astronautics".

The Conference started with the Plenary Meeting where the paper was delivered on "Space activities in Russia. Current state and prospects" (by A.N.Perminov, V.A.Davydov, Yu.N.Makarov - Federal Space Agency, and G.G.Raykunov - FSUE "TsNIIMash"). The paper clearly states the most critical guidelines of development for the space and rocket industry in current crisis conditions. The space activities and its prospects are based on the developed high technology potential of the space and rocket industry (S&RI). It is demonstrated that strategic goals of space activities, objectives and foreground directions for S&RI development oriented to leading economic positions of Russia in the 21st century, are built into the Concept of long-term development of Russia to the year of 2020. The main goal of the state policy in the space and rocket area is to form an economically stable, competitive and diversified space and rocket industry, to provide a guaranteed access and required representation of Russia in outer space. Seven main foreground directions of state policy in this sphere are defined:

1.      Development of space complexes and systems of new generation.

2.      Accomplishment and further development of GLONASS system.

3.      Development of orbital constellation of spacecrafts.

4.      Russian expansion into the world space market.

5.      Organizational and structural transformation in space and rocket industry.

6.      Modernization of ground space infrastructure and technological level of space and rocket industry.

7.      Formation of staff reserves for innovative development of space and rocket industry.

General Director and General Designer of FSUE "NPP VNIIEM" Academician of RAKTs L.A.Makridenko and Chief Designer of space meteorological complexes Academician of AEN RF Yu.V.Trifonov submitted their paper "To the 45th Anniversary of launch of the first domestic meteorological artificial satellite and to the 40th Anniversary of quick meteorological space system "Meteor"". They trace the history of development and launches of the first meteorological satellites up to now. The meteorological satellites provide us with absolutely new information on the processes in atmosphere and on the Earth surface. Moreover, regular operation of quick "Meteor" satellites contributed to hydrometeorology (Goscomgidromet) and economy branches: it helped to accumulate the experience of practical implementation of the satellite data, to work out and improve the methods for their ground adjustment and interpretation, and to train the staff for the satellite hydrometeorology. Nowadays a space complex "Meteor-3M" is developed at "NPP VNIIEM" for hydro-meteorological and oceanographic support with a space vehicle "Meteor-M" #1 which starts the series of promising space vehicles (SV) for quick acquisition of information for the weather forecast, ozone layer and radiation control in circum-terrestrial space. SV "Meteor-M"-1 is also responsible for the monitoring of sea surface including the lighting of ice conditions for shipping support in polar regions.

The principal event at the XXXIIIrd Conference was certainly B.Ye.Chertok's report "Astronautics in the 21st century". "Astronautics' development in the XXIst century will be provided not only by its own previous scientific and technological groundwork's but also by the progress in many areas of science, technology, economy and world policy. Forecast of its development should be attributed to the field of futurology, i.e. the concept of future human civilization. The future of Astronautics should be predicted together with analysis of national and state social and political strategy". The paper covers and analyses the following issues:

-         countries and Astronautics;

-         geostationary orbit (GSO);

-         Moon exploration;

-         star wars;

-         groundbreaking discoveries in space exploration;

-         fantastic forecast.

The paper appeared to be sensational and provoked a hot discussion (presented  paper text is published in the Proceedings of the XXXIIIrd Academic Conference on Astronautics, Moscow, January 2009, and uploaded to www.ihst.ru/~akm/).

At the plenary meetings of the Conference four centenaries were specially mentioned of the outstanding people, the founders of Soviet Astronautics.

The paper "Founder of the Soviet "on ground". To the centenary of General Designer of space and rocket launch complexes Academician V.P.Barmin" was delivered by the General Director and General Designer of V.P.Barmin KBOM, correspondent member of RAS I.V.Barmin. The paper states the main stages of life and creative work of Academician V.P.Barmin. "Mikhail Sergeevich Ryazanskiy - Chief Designer of space radio electronic systems, founder and the first director of RI-885. To the 100th Anniversary". Delivered by the principal scientific associate of FSUE "RNII KP" K.V.Cherevkov. "Chief Designer of Russian spaceplane. To the 100th Anniversary of G.Ye.Lozino-Lozinskiy". Reported by Deputy General Director on science and innovations of "NPO Molniya" Public Corporation M.I.Osin. "Semen Mikhailovich Alexeev - founder of scientific production enterprise "Zvezda". To the 100th Anniversary". Delivered by General Director - Chief Designer of SPA "Zvezda" S.S.Pozdnyakov.

45 sessions were held at the Conference in the framework of 20 sections.

Section 2, 12, 18 considered the applied research in development of new samples of space and rocket engineering and their ground service. The reports at the sections deal with analysis of current state of Russian Astronautics and the structure of program being run. It is shown that in crisis conditions the Astronautics should not stay in subsidized area of residual financing but should initiate technological and personnel renewal.

The complex reports and debates formed the elements of renewal of near-Earth and near-Moon transport structure, development of multipurpose orbital space port, power and informational center, prototype of manned moon base in a single organizational scheme allowing for the economic capabilities and time limits dictated by the world competition.

A program of Moon research mobile base was discussed that was submitted by MAI and MSTU and essentially differs from the programs of Russian and American associations in cost minimization, short implementation period, new ballistic construction on the basis of launches of a limited number of existing carrier rockets. The Program sets the problems of quality technological renewal of space and ground industry (hydrogen fuel, solar power engineering, laser and plasma engineering), tries to form a conceptual step of Russian Astronautics simultaneously with solution of personnel, social and political problems.

The distinguishing feature of section 12 was an address to the cultural heritage of the founder of domestic launch constructions for fighting and space rocket complexes, General Designer and Academician of USSR Academy of Sciences and Russian Academy of Sciences V.P.Barmin whose 100th Anniversary will be celebrated in March 2009. His contribution to development of unique launching site for strategic missiles and carrier rockets for the space vehicles was considered in the opening speech of the Chairman of the 12th section, correspondent member of RAS I.V.Barmin and also in a number of papers submitted by ROSCOSMOS departments: FSUE KBOM, FSUE DB "Vympel", "TsNIIMash". The following scientific directions in research of ground complexes and launch equipment for space and rocket engineering were covered in the papers of section 12:

-         development and application of automated, resource saving and information techniques in launch constructions;

-         research of gas-dynamic, acoustic, dynamic and thermal processes in launch equipment during preparation and launch of space and rocket systems;

-         development of approaches for evaluation of the operating conditions for the technological equipment of launch and service complexes, development of simulation and optimal control of launch equipment operation.

Section 18 considered the papers on basic and applied space research, aspects of development and operation of automated space vehicles. New promising projects were submitted and much attention was given to improvement of the designed vehicles, design features of spacecrafts, problems of ballistic support and interplanetary travels. The delivered reports contained the results of well-grounded and profound basic researches aimed at space exploration in current conditions.

Sections 7, 3, 2 and 15 dealt with basic research and developments in domestic space and rocket engineering in the field of gas dynamics, plasma dynamics and their application for propulsion of carrier rockets and space vehicles. A number of reviews were presented covering the current state and problems of gas dynamics of flying vehicles in the planets' atmospheres and control of flows around them. In the series of works conducted at ICPh RAS new results are presented on research of combustion and detonation processes for homogenous and heterogeneous fuel mixtures aimed at development of promising air-feed jet engines for modern flying vehicles. The results were reported of researches of physical and chemical processes that are being conducted at MPhTI and "TsAGI" for disperse gas-drop and super-cooled flows around the bodies. These results aim at examination of icing of a flying vehicle and can also be used for development of visualizing means and contact-less diagnostics of flows. A number of interrelated works carried out in "TsAGI", ITAM SB RAS, ICPh RAS and NIMI dealt with combustion of metal fuels. There were also papers that covered gas dynamic aspects of safety during the storage and utilization of hydrogen.

Exceedingly timely and significant results were also reported that covered development of new methods and calculation models for expansion of numerical experiments both in gas dynamics and when conducting the works on new space programs. These issues were covered in papers by the repre-sentatives of Mechanics Institute of MSU, FVMK MSU, IKI RAS, IPM RAS, "TsAGI", CIAM.

This group of sections presented the results of continuing researches of physical and chemical processes in the flows containing fine-dispersed dust particles. New research results were given on the model of cluster formation, nucleation speed and phase transitions for certain substances. These issues were discussed in association with organization of efficient utilization of energy resources and environmental safety at different operation modes of a flying vehicle engines. The considered area reflects a typical feature of joining the efforts and results of basic and applied researches aimed at solution of gas dynamics, combustion and heat transfer problems associated with operation and improvement of already designed space vehicles and development of new ones, and consequent strengthening of communications between design departments, academic and educational institutes. The latest researches of development of combined power units with application of air-feed jet engines (hypersonic ramjet engine) indicate that the latter can become the most probable type of power units for promising hypersonic flying vehicles.

Particular interest was raised by the problem vividly presented in papers of section 15 that concerns development and design of a new type of engines for aviation and aerospace systems, i.e. high-frequency valve-less pulsating detonating engines. The theoretical elaborations reported at the XXXIst, XXXIInd and XXXIIIrd Conference at section 15 substantiated the application areas and advantages of such engines. They were proved to have simpler construction, to be lighter and cheaper in production and operation and to consume less fuel comparing with existing engines that are used nowadays in aviation and aerospace engineering. According to the opinion of participants of section 15, development of detonating engines of original domestic layout is a foreground task of national importance. But due to current conditions of chaotic industry management and absence of control in expenditures of tangible assets it is impossible to solve this problem in the foreseeable future only with uncoordinated efforts of separate departments. All the intellectual, industrial and financial means should be united under management of an authoritative and competent aircraft building corporation which should be managed by the government. The section's chairmen believe that this mission can be entrusted to "NPO Saturn" Ltd. (in condition of proper funding). The popular tendency to solve the problem at the level of separate researches of a number of organizations will not accelerate but impede the development of a new engine of periodic combustion. Besides, the delivered papers and reviews of foreign researches demonstrate that it is quite feasible to develop a new type of engines (pulsating detonating engines) for aviation and rocket engineering.

Problem of applied research on space navigation and motion control was considered at the sections 5, 13 and 17. The first meeting of section 5 was devoted to "Scientific work of Academician D.Ye.Okhotsimskiy" who was a permanent chairman of the section from its very establishment. Scientific associates from IPM, MSU and other Russian scientific and educational departments participated in the session. Vivid and interesting reports presented not only theoretical and applied achievements of Academician E.Ye.Okhotsimskiy and his creative life but also their development in many scientific schools in different fields of knowledge in space flight dynamics, motion control, satellite position control systems and other spheres of applied celestial mechanics. The projects were comprehensively described from the history of domestic Astronautics together with their participants - our scientists and specialists. The reviews submitted at the first session once again demonstrated the appropriateness of such an approach in a general topic of the section, when historical papers on Astronautics development in our country are associated with the problems solved by the scientists.

At the 2nd and 3rd meetings of section 5 the papers were submitted on current problems in mathematics, mechanics and their applications in the problems of space flight dynamics and motion control. The following issues were researched: motion of natural celestial bodies (evolution of orbits of Jupiter's and Saturn's far satellites, comet nucleus rotation); flight dynamics of artificial space vehicles; control of their motion; satellite stabilization and position control systems, etc. The majority of works being of high scientific level solve specific practical problems that rise at implementation of modern technologies.

Section 13 included the papers on current problems of ballistics of satellite systems, planning and control of space flights, and motion control for space vehicles.

Section 17 dealt with current problems of development of automatic and automated control systems for the objects of space and rocket engineering (SRE) on the basis of control theory, up-to-date information technologies and computer engineering. Construction principles were considered together with calculation and design approaches for the systems of automatic and automated control of different SRE objects and promising trends in development and design of intelligent control systems for such objects. Much attention in reports was paid to information processing in control systems, improvement of their operation precision, application of up-to-date techniques for computation and design, problems of simulation and ground tryout of such systems. Issues of flight support were discussed, particularly at planning of the work programs for international space station from different control centers together with the analysis of design and ballistic layout choice for interplanetary missions, in particular for the manned flight to Mars. Many submitted papers were aimed at development and improvement of devices, systems and their element base for application in navigating equipment.

Applied researches providing application of high technologies at production organization, production and operation of rocket and space engineering were the topic of sections 11 and 19.

All the papers submitted at section 11 covered the main current problems of development and operation of space and rocket engineering:

-         reliability and environmental safety of space and rocket engineering used for near and far space exploration in behalf of national economy and development of the whole earth civilization;

-         global informatization of aerospace industry, establishment of corporative geographically distributed information telecommunication control systems for the enterprises, implementation of interactive electronic technical manuals and technologies that provide information support of the products of space and rocket engineering at each stage of their life cycle, restructuring of business processes, development of computerized integrated industries for closer and fuller integration of Russian aerospace industry into the world economic society;

-         implementation of high-tech resources and energy saving and clean technologies in production process of aerospace devices development; how to support Russia in its attempts to enter the world market of high technologies.

The second group of papers described the achievements, features and problems of up-to-date high technologies applied at SRE production. In particular, much attention was paid to constructions made of composite materials and details made of ceramics. The promising technological approaches were represented by the reports on hydrodynamic and magnetic-impulse machining, on research of traditional mechanical treatment, in particular application of new materials for the tools. A significant part of papers were devoted to the blank production, e.g. bending, nesting and hole punching. The papers covered the innovations in methods of deposition of functional coatings, improvement of reliability of indications of rocket onboard telemetry systems. A considerable part of papers were traditionally devoted to assembly and control of large-size and low-rigid constructions, in particular reflector with diameter of 14 m, three-layer panels for the case of a flying vehicle. Besides the problems of technological support of SRE production, some current problems of cleanness of working areas, technological environment and SRE engineering systems were considered.

The humanities were represented by basic and applied researches in the following scientific fields with correspondent sections at the Conference: economics of space activities, Astronautics and stable development of society, aerospace education and problems of young people, space biology and medicine, Astronautics and culture.

The current economic problems of space activities were delivered in papers and widely discussed. We should note the following considered research results:

-         elaboration of strategy for restructuring of the sector and some enterprises and departments;

-         problems of economic safety of space activities in conditions of space market development;

-         exploration of economic aspects of development and realization of space projects of different purposes;

-         prospects of Russian market of space services and its separate elements;

-         development of integrated systems of commercial space projects realization;

-         economic forecasts for development of GLONASS, ERS (Earth Remote Sensing), "Air launch" ("Vozdushniy start") projects, etc.

-         organization and economic problems of dual purpose projects.

Traditional problems are rather interesting if their economic and social aspects of space industry functioning are considered. These problems were discussed together with newly emerged issues:

-         tools of financial market (investments, credits, insurance, capital issues, etc.) and their application in space activities;

-         economic evaluation of intangible assets and intellectual property;

-         economic analysis of foreign aerospace projects and national programs;

-         analysis of staff support of S&RI.

Scientific, technical, social, economic, organization and methodological issues discussed in the framework of Astronautics and stable society development are rather pressing problems. Their solution promotes and stimulates new trends in engineering and technological development in the sector, establishment of space legislation, efficient international cooperation, social and economic development of the country. The following problems were discussed: Astronautics and social and economic development and environmental safety, space and information technologies as a factor of social and economic development, international law and space activities, prospects of development for engineering and technological support of space exploration, Moon exploration, prevention of natural disasters.

The work of dozens of thousands of scientists, engineers, designers and technologists laid the foundation for achievements of domestic Astronautics and rocket engineering. They were educated by domestic higher schools and engineering universities. Nowadays the logic of SRE development, tough competition in the market of space services, requirements for national safety, expansion of international safety at realization of space projects demand improvement of scientific and technical level and competitive ability of the developments. This requires:

-         improvement of efficiency of professional training in conditions of current market economy;

-         formation of promising concepts of professional education for the space and rocket complex;

-         implementation of advance educational technologies;

Many authors noted the problems in staff training associated with reforms in educational system. Reforms are the most urgent problems so far. In opinion of the speakers, some decisions in the framework of reforms education modernization were made to please the international integration and WTO, harmed much the higher education and led to lowered level of specialists' qualification. One can trace the dependence of condition of universities on condition of basic industries. Standardization in education leads to destruction of the system of Russian engineering education, corruption of technologies for training of professionally mobile specialists. Quality of our engineers' and scientific employees' qualification was never and nowhere doubted and criticized. Our specialists who work abroad were never doubted either (by the way, according to different estimations 1-2 millions of our graduates work abroad and sometimes for our direct rivals). Our specialists have successfully fit the international scientific, engineering and educational space without any conventions. It was noted that Bolognese Convention recommends the European countries to keep the features of their national educational systems.

Many speakers expressed their extreme alarm that Russian educational reform is not just bureaucratized but actually leads to destruction of the concepts of domestic school for engineering education. Transition to two-level education will significantly degrade the quality of engineering education. A bachelor after four years of study will significantly yield to an engineer even in formal indicators. This is stressed by all the employers and an absolute majority of university professors.

Much attention in scientific directions of space biology and medicine was drawn to the medical and biological support of manned space missions. The main topic of the papers was the project of MARS-500. In the framework of MARS-500 it is supposed to conduct the on-ground simulation of Mars mission for the crew of 6 astronauts. The project's main goal is to conduct psychological and physiological researches in conditions of absolute isolation with simulation of all the features of the crew operation and their interaction with Mission Control Center based on Earth. MARS-500 besides the main 530 days long experiment includes a large number of satellite experiments. They include the tryout of the main experiment methods, testing of researches included in the main experiment, radio biological tests on animals. The first experiment of MARS-500 project with duration of 105 days is planned to start at 31 March 2009 in SSC RF - IMBP RAS. The papers of section 20 also dealt with the aspects of preparation of greenhouse devices which will be inside a sealed object, different techniques for cultivation of higher plants in conditions of isolated sealed object, substantiation of choice of vegetables intended for cultivation in isolation. Evaluation of psychological and physiological status of crew members was considered together with research of efficient group interaction in condition of prolonged isolation and possible prophylaxis of disadaptive changes in extreme conditions.

SRE history is rather pressing issue for the up-to-date Astronautics, as it is an objective source of description and analysis of the role of events and achievements from the past of domestic Astronautics. Besides the reports constituting the basis of the section "History of space and rocket engineering" the similar papers were submitted almost at all the sections.

The Conference in the framework of corresponding section paid attention to discussion of the research of scientific and creative work of the pioneers in space exploration. The topic of the first meeting was the 90th Anniversary of S.S.Kryukov, the leading participant of development of the first carrier rockets for space systems. The meeting started with new documentary "Tsar-Rocket" by B.Smirnov which covered the development of R-7 rocket and S.S.Kryukov's contribution. His wife R.A.Kryukova shared her memories, so did a space pilot V.V.Aksyonov, S.S.Kryukov's colleagues V.D.Vachnadze and Ye.L.Gorbenko. A.M.Peslyak's paper was devoted to the memoirs prepared for the Anniversary and to the book of S.S.Kryukov's selected works.

Three comprehensive reports were made at the second meeting. The first and the most interesting one was delivered by N.S.Koroleva and covered the travel to the places were S.P.Korolev worked in Germany. The report was accompanied by excellent photos and vivid illustrations. The second paper was devoted to Academician N.A.Pilyugin. S.M.Vyazov told many interesting historical facts concerning the activities of N.A.Pilyugin himself and his team. The third report by Yu.V.Biryukov dealt with research of S.P.Korolev becoming a leader of space and rocket science and engineering.

The section "Astronautics and culture" presented a large set of reports devoted to the 75th Anniversary of Yu.A.Gagarin, valuable from scientific and practical point of view for researches of the insufficiently studied problem of "Astronautics and culture", recognition of its role in the history of domestic Astronautics, life and activities of distinguishing representatives of Astronautics. One of the meetings was devoted to the space museums.

Two "Round tables" were conducted in the framework of the section: "Space programs in different countries"; chairman - Doctor of Tech. sciences, Professor, space pilot V.A.Solovyev; discussion was conducted with participation of Roskosmos, NASA, ESA, NSAU, etc. Round table on "Global warming. Climatic cataclysms. Culture of the humanity"; chairman - Academician of RAS Yu.A.Izrael; discussion was held with participation of Monitoring and Forecasting Center "Antistikhiya" (Emergency Ministry), managing officials of RosGidromet, World meteorological organization (WMO), Geography Institute of RAS, Institute on atmosphere physics of RAS, Oceanology Institute of RAS, and Philosophy Institute of RAS.

The main event of the XXXIIIrd Conference on Astronautics was a Round table on "50 years of Moon exploration: the past, present and future", chairmen - Academician of RAS E.M.Galimov, Director of V.I.Vernadskiy Institute on geochemistry and analytical chemistry and President of Moscow space club S.A.Zhukov. Discussion was held with active participation of Russian Academy of Sciences, K.E.Tsiolkovskiy Russian Academy of Astronautics, M.V.Keldysh Research Center, S.P.Korolev RSC "Energiya", S.A.Lavochkin SPA, "TsNIIMash", representatives of aerospace industry, N.E.Bauman MSTU and technical universities, Moscow space club, and the veterans of space and rocket industry. The participants of the Round table passed some important recommendations.

 

Round table

50 years of Moon exploration: glance into the past, present and future

At the XXXIIIrd academic Conference on Astronautics (Korolev Conference) in N.E.Bauman MSTU a Round table on "50 years of Moon exploration" was conducted which gathered an unprecedented scientific and engineering, creative and student audience. Understanding of the crucial point in Russian Astronautics was apparent.

After the presentations, discussions and analysis of messages that were submitted to the presidium, the Round table notes:

1.

Our country has contributed much into the Moon exploration. "Luna-3" spacecraft made the first ever pictures of its reverse. Soviet unmanned station "Luna-9" for the first time ever accomplished the soft Moon landing. An extensive research program was implemented using the lunar rovers. The unmanned stations delivered the moon soil samples to the Earth and examined them. Soviet space and rocket industry conducted a huge amount of works on preparation of manned Moon missions.

2.

Today the leading space powers - USA and Europe show an increased interest in the Moon missions. China, India and Japan are unfolding their moon programs. Many space projects are being run that aim at exploration of the Moon as a celestial body, at construction of the manned bases for subsequent exploration of the Moon resources and thereby achievement of strategic priority in exploration of the near-Earth space. An issue was put on the agenda concerning the international legalization of concepts for practical exploration of near-Earth space and extraterrestrial resource utilization. Russia should take an active part in working out, signing and ratification of the Moon treaty and also in discussions on regulating of the status of "special territories" on the Moon initiated recently by UNO Space Committee.

3.

The Moon possessing specific unique natural environment can be considered as a base for solution of national and all-human goals. Russian national goals are the following:

-         basic scientific research;

-         adoption of space solar energetic;

-         exploration of natural resources allowing to solve the problems of development and support of the objects of near-earth and interplanetary infrastructure;

-         solution of military and strategic problems.

The all-human problems include:

-         reduction of risks of an ecological catastrophe on the Earth using extraterrestrial power and materials; employment of the Moon as a testing ground where the humanity will learn how to live outside the Earth with subsequent settling in the Solar system;

-         development and deployment on the Moon surface of efficient protective means defending from asteroids and comets;

-         development of material and technical basis for further exploration of the Solar system.

4.

Today Russia continues the Moon exploration. Federal space Program stipulates the project "Luna-Globe" and works at the project "Luna-Grunt" (providing for development of a new Russian lunar rover).

Analysis of current state of Russian Astronautics and the structure of programs being run means its renunciation of its role of a locomotive of scientific and technological, economic and moral renovation of the country, a component of state social and political idea.

The time calls for Russian active and persistent behavior in the Moon exploration in the 21st century. Economic and political situation in Russia and the whole world dictates necessity of combination of national and international Moon exploration programs. The strategy of the state space development should be elaborated not only by Roskosmos and Space Council of RAS, but also by the social associations, the workgroups of specialists in the Moon and Solar system exploration. Such activity of professional society on comprehension of goals and objectives on exploration of the Moon and other space objects, detailed substantiation of costly projects will eventually help to make reasonable and balanced governmental decisions.

The comprehensive papers and debates formed the elements for renewal of near-earth and near-moon transport structure, for development of a multi-purpose orbital space port, power and information center, prototype of a manned lunar base in a single organizational pattern allowing for the material resources and time limits dictated by the world competition.

The Program of Moon research mobile base submitted by MAI and N.E.Bauman MSTU is absolutely different from the programs of Russian and American associations in the following: cost minimization, short implementation period, new ballistic construction on the basis of launches of a limited number of existing carrier rockets. At the same time it sets the problems of qualitative technological renewal of space and Earth industry (hydrogen fuel, solar power engineering, laser and plasma engineering). Concepts are elaborated for reusable and multipurpose space tug vehicles that redouble the geostationary payload and support the Moon program. A new step is taken in Russian Astronautics together with solution of personnel, social and political problems.

5.

Russian science and industry should be oriented towards long-term tasks, such as thermonuclear and solar power, workout of interplanetary transport space system. Solution of the abovementioned and other large-scale problems will at first require the funds of Russia and other participating countries of international cooperation. But further development of infrastructure and corresponding legal and economic conditions should involve the business community. The priority in state policy should be given to education of young specialists in space area, who will solve the practical problems of the Solar system exploration from near-earth and near-moon spaces and further to Mars.

The general feeling of participants, their enthusiasm that was raised by historical papers and future projects show their sincere interest towards examination and exploration of space, including the Moon which is the Earth natural satellite and the most likely destination of the manned mission.

The participants of Round table recommend:

To Russian Government

1.      To consider the exploration of Moon and Mars at passing of any strategic documents defining the further development of Russian space activities.

2.      To entrust Roscosmos the consideration of extensive works of Moon exploration in the framework of Federal space Program.

3.      Allowing for possible cooperation with the world leading space powers in further space exploration, to revert to participation of Russian Federation in large-scale international program of Moon exploration at equal and partner collaboration of the project participants.

4.      To celebrate 50 years of Moon exploration in the USSR.

5.      To promote establishment of "moon" workgroup oriented towards youth scientific and engineering creative work.

To Professional Society

Approve of establishment of a public workgroup on the basis of Moscow space club responsible for generalization of social, political and strategic aspects of a large-scale moon program with subsequent publication of a program document and informing the state governmental group. Moscow space club (MSC) confirmed their willingness to establish a close interaction with all the representatives of society who wants to contribute to the work of the group. Information on results of the work will be regularly updated on MSC website.

a.medvedeva@ihst.ru     http://www.ihst.ru/~akm/



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