To the 65-th Anniversary of the Central Scientific Research Institute of Machine Building

 

Scientific research Centre of Russian Cosmonautics

G.G.Raikunov

TsNIIMash

Russia

The year of 2011 was declared a Year of Cosmonautics in Russia and in the whole World. Celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the first space flight of a Man, our compatriot Yuri Gagarin, we should also remember other important events in the history of the rocket-and-space industry and the national scientific-and-engineering potential [1-6].

The 65^th Anniversary of the Central Scientific-Research Institute of Machine Building (TsNIIMash) (Korolev, Moscow Region) is among the important dates celebrated in 2011. The leading research institute of the rocket-and-space industry developed alongside of Russian cosmonautics, often leaving behind its colleagues and competitors all over the world (see color pages I-IV). The history of TsNIIMash is inseparably linked with such outstanding Russian scientists and engineers as S.P.Korolev and his companions.

NII-88 and S.P.Korolev

Two remarkable events of the 20^th century, which opened the era of space exploration, went down in the history of scientific-and-technical development of Mankind; they are the launch of the first artificial Earth satellite into orbit (4 October 1957) and the first flight of a manned spacecraft along the satellite orbit (12 April 1961). These historical events are associated with Sergey Pavlovich Korolev, an outstanding scientist and rocket designer, the founder of applied cosmonautics, twice the Hero of Socialist Labour (1956, 1961), Lenin Prize winner (1957), Academician of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, who worked in NII-88 in 1946-1956.

On May 13, 1946, the USSR Council of Ministers passed a Resolution on the development of missile weapons and establishment of research and experimental programs in this sphere (see p.II). The Resolution actually initiated the formation of the national missile-and-rocket building industry. According to the Resolution of the USSR Council of Ministers and the Order of the Ministry of Armaments, d/d May 16, 1946, the State Research Institute of Missile Weaponry (NII-88, since 1967 - TsNIIMash) was established in Kaliningrad, Moscow Region (since 1997 - the city of Korolev). Nowadays NII-88 is a Federal State Unitary Enterprise "Central Research Institute of Machine Building".

On August 26, 1946, the institute's structure was established; it consisted of Research Sector, Special Design Bureau (SKB-88), Experimental Plant No. 88 and Test Station. The Guided Long-Range Missiles Design Department No. 3 was a part of Special Design Bureau. S.P. Korolev was appointed the chief designer of the department (since August 30, 1946 - the Head of department).

Rockets

Department No. 3 (later OKB-1) of SKB-88 was at first the part of NII-88, which was headed by S.P.Korolev, who had already been experienced in designing prototypes of pre-war missiles and learnt the essence of design, building and operation of German missile weapons.

To rapidly solve the scientific-and-engineering problems emerging in the course of development of rocket complexes, S.P.Korolev initiated the establishment of the Council of Chief Designers. S.P.Korolev, V.P.Barmin, V.P.Glushko, V.I.Kuznetsov, N.A.Pilyugin, and M.S.Ryazansky were the members of the Council.

The following significant scientific-and-design developments were performed by this department of NII-88:

1). The first guided long-range ballistic missile R-1. It was developed under S.P.Korolev's supervision on the basis of German V-2 missile (1946-1948). R-1 missile with the mass of 13.4 t had the range of 270 km and an non-detachable warhead with the mass of 1.1 t. R-1's engine RD-100 was developed in V.P.Glushko's design bureau. Liquid oxygen and alcohol were used as a propellant. 13 research institutes and design bureaus together with 35 plants took part in R-1 missile development. The first R-1 launch was performed on September 17, 1948. It failed. Due to the failure of the control system, the missile deviated from the track almost by 50º. The first successful launch was the third one, which was performed on October 10, 1948. In 1950, after flight-and-engineering tests, R-1 missile with its ground support system was adopted for service.

Along with the development of combat ballistic missiles, S.P.Korolev initiated the program of scientific research of the upper atmosphere in cooperation with the institutions of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR. Geophysical rockets R-1A, R-1B, R-1V, R-1E, etc. were built on the basis of R-1 missile. They enabled comprehensive studies of the atmosphere up to the altitude of 100 km. On April 21, 1949, the first geophysical rocket R-1A launched two reusable containers with scientific equipment to the altitude of 110 km.

2). R-2 ballistic missile (1950). The work on ballistic missiles continued, which resulted in R-2 missile in 1950. The missile's warhead with the mass of 1.5 t was detachable to improve the firing accuracy. Missile range was 590 km, launch mass - 20.3 t.

R-2 missile served as the basis for the geophysical rocket R-2A, which enabled the atmosphere sensing up to the altitude of 210 km.

3). Operative-tactical nonvolatile-propellant missile R-11 (1953) and its land-based (R-11M, 1955) and sea-based (R-11FM, 1955) versions. In 1953, the first operative-tactical nonvolatile-propellant (nitric acid and hydrocarbon) missile R-11 with the range of 270 km was developed. Launch mass - 5.5 t, warhead mass - 0.67 t. The missile was equipped with the engine of 8 ton-force thrust and propellant-pressurized feed system developed by A.M.Isaev. The first launch of R-11 was performed on April 18, 1953. It was adopted for service in 1955.

R-11FM missile served as the basis for R-11M and R-11FM missiles. The first launch of R-11M was performed on December 30, 1955. It was adopted for service in 1958.

R-11FM was designed to be launched by submarines. The first R-11FM launch from a rocking sea test bench was performed in May, 1955, and on September 16, 1955 it was launched by a submarine. R-11FM pioneered in sea-based missiles. It was adopted for service by the USSR Navy. Works on the sea-based missiles continued in a newly established design bureau, headed by V.P.Makeev, S.P.Korolev's companion. The first launch from the bosom of the sea was performed on December 23, 1958.

4). The first strategic missile R-5 (1953) and its modified version R-5M with a nuclear warhead (1955). OKB-1 of NII-8 proceeded with the work on long-range ballistic missiles. The dedicated research and experiments resulted in the first strategic missile R-5. The first R-5 launch was performed on March 15, 1953. The missile had the range of 1200 km and was equipped with an engine with the near-earth thrust of 43.8 ton-force, which burnt liquid oxygen and alcohol.

Modified version R-5M was developed in 1955 and launched for the first time on January 21, 1955. The missile was adopted for service in 1956.

5). Geophysical rockets for the USSR Academy of Sciences (R-1A, R-1B, R-1V, R-1E, R-2A, R-5A, R-5B, R-5R, etc.). Alongside with R-5 and R-5M missiles, geophysical rockets R-5A, R‑5B, R-5V and R-5R were built, which allowed of further research of upper atmosphere to enable the development of promising missiles. On February 21, 1958, R-5A rocket launched scientific equipment with the mass of 1520 kg to a record-breaking altitude of 473 km.

R-7 missile

Two-stage intercontinental ballistic missile R-7 is a remarkable achievement of the national missile-and-rocket building industry. R-7 launch mass was 280 t. Unlike its predecessor, R-7 was designed to be launched by a stationary launch facility. Being launched from the USSR territory, it could deliver a nuclear warhead to almost every region of the Earth.

On May 20, 1954 the Soviet government passed a Resolution on the development of R-7 intercontinental ballistic missile. The leading role in development, production and tests of R-7 was entrusted to OKB NII-88 (Chief Designer S.P.Korolev).

On July 9, 1954, by the Decision of the USSR Ministry of Defense Industry, S.P.Korolev was appointed Deputy Director of NII-88 for experimental, design, scientific and research work providing the development of R-7.

A sketch design of R-7 was finished in July 1954. Two-stage missile of a cluster configuration was developed for the first time ever. The structure, layout, dimension, mass of the missile and power of engines were absolutely different from preceding domestic and foreign developments. With the range of 8000 km and a warhead mass of 5.4 t, it carried a thermonuclear payload of 3.5 t.

R-7 missile consisted of four identical strap-on propulsion modules and a core stage. Fuel tanks of all the modules were load bearing. All the engines started on the Earth. Side engines were shut down when the stages separated, and the core stage kept on powering the flight. Each module was equipped with four-chamber rocket engines with 80-90 ton-force thrust, which used liquid oxygen and kerosene. The engines were produced by V.P.Glushko's design bureau.

The missile flight was control by a combined control system, designed by NII-85 (M.S.Ryazansky, P.L.Pilyugin). Control radio system required radio control stations deployed hundreds of km away from the launch position, so flight tests of the missile were performed in a lonesome region near Tyuratam station in Kazakhstan.

Flight tests and training of military personnel for intercontinental missiles operation were performed at a dedicated research test site NIIP-5 of the Ministry of Defense (future Baikonur), which was established in this region according to the Decision of the USSR government.

Ground firing tests of rocket packages and assembled missiles were performed at the test bench of NII-88 second branch, built specially for R-7 testing. Flight tests of R-7 started in May 1957. The first three launches were off-nominal. On August 21, 1957, the warhead launched for the fourth time hit the target. R-7's important role in Space exploration is well-known.

Space launch vehicles

On August 27, 1957. TASS released information on an intercontinental ballistic missile (IBM) tested in the USSR.

It is known that S.P.Korolev spoke to D.F.Ustinov on possible works on development of an artificial Earth satellite (AES) as far back as May 27, 1954, and M.K.Tikhonravov prepared a position paper "On an artificial Earth satellite". On January 30, 1956, the USSR Council of Ministers passed a Resolution on development of AES and its launch with a launch vehicle, produced on the basis of R-7 IBM. OKB-1 of NII-88 became a leading executive organization.

The world's first AES was launched to the Earth orbit by R-7 launch vehicle on October 4, 1957. This event marked the beginning of a new era in the history of civilization - the Cosmonautics Era.

The works initiated in OKB-1 of NII-88 under S.P.Korolev's supervision enabled to provide a real triumph and confirm the advantages of the Soviet system in science, education, engineering and socio-political structure (with implementation of R-7 IBM, the first AES, the first manned space flight with a man onboard).

Simultaneously, the results of the first AES launches enabled to initiate the development of space stations for exploration of the Moon, Venus and Mars.

The tasks associated with lunar exploration and interplanetary missions required the launch vehicle to be equipped with the third stage to increase its power-and-mass characteristics. Beside the third stage, an upper stage was required to provide the escape velocity (more than 11 km/s) for the interplanetary stations.

Space probes were intended for lunar missions. They were to be launched by a three-stage rocket (R-7+ rocket module E) and a four-stage rocket (R-7+rocket module+booster L).

The first Soviet liquid-propellant engine, which started during the flight and burnt liquid oxygen and hydrocarbon fuel, was mounted on module E and had a thrust of 5.6 ton-force. The engine was developed by S.P.Korolev's and S.A.Kosberg's design bureaus (DB).

Module I served as the third stage of a four-stage launch vehicle. The module was equipped with a four-chamber engine RD-0107 with a thrust of 30 ton-force, which burnt liquid oxygen and hydrocarbon fuel. The engine was developed by S.A.Kosberg's DB.

Module L was intended for spacecraft boost from the satellite orbit and transition to the flight path towards the planets. The first launch of the module was performed under zero gravity conditions. Module L was equipped with the first in the world closed-loop engine with 7 ton-force thrust, which burnt liquid oxygen and hydrocarbon fuel. The engine was developed by S.P.Korolev's DB.

The first successful launch of the space probe was performed on January 2, 1959.

The flights to Mars and Venus were supposed to be performed by space probes 1M (to Mars) and 1BA (to Venus), and later by MB probe. They were launched by a four-stage launch vehicle (R-7 + module I + module L). Works on these space probes began in 1960.

The first launch of the four-stage space system with 1M-type space probe onboard intended for the flight to Mars was performed on 10 October 1960.

The accumulated experience enabled preparation of spacecraft launch with a man onboard, which marked further progress of this new era of civilization - the era of cosmonautics.

Vostok spacecraft with the cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin onboard was launched at 09:70 a.m. (Moscow time) on April 12, 1961. A 4725-kg spacecraft was put into orbit with a perigee of 181 km, apogee 327 km and inclination 65њ by a three-stage launch vehicle (R-7 + module E) named "Vostok". "Vostok"spacecraft consisted of a spherical landing module, 2.3 m in diameter, weighing 2.46 m, and an instrument module, 2.5 m in diameter, 2.265 m, with a retro-engine, which was developed by L.M.Isaev's DB.

After a 108-minute flight around the Earth, Yu.A.Gagarin successfully landed.

TsNIIMash and space branch

S.P.Korolev died on January 14, 1966, but traditions of the scientific-and-design school set up by Sergey Pavlovich at OKB-1 were kept and developed at NII-88 (since 1967 - TsNIIMash) and other enterprises and work groups of aerospace branch.

NII-88 greatly contributed to the formation of aerospace branch and its remarkable achievements. It were the works initiated at OKB-1 NII-88 that enabled to start flight tests of R-4 in May 1957, to provide successful launch of the first in the world Soviet artificial Earth satellite on October 4, 1957, to put an cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin into orbit.

NII-88 (Central Research Institute of Machine Building, TsNIIMash) was an ancestor of a large number of rocket-and-space enterprises, which defined and still define the image of Russian cosmonautics. The following organizations split off the institute: Experimental Design Bureau 1 (OKB-1) (today - S.P.Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation "Energiya"), Affiliated Branch 2 (Federal State Enterprise "Rocket-and-Space Industry Science-and-Test Center"), Affiliated Branch 1 (NII-944 branch), Experimental Design Bureau 2 (FSUE A.M.Isaev KBKhimmash), complex No.5 (Scientific Production Association of Instrumentation), Capital Construction Authority (Stroyinvest Open Corporation), complex No.7 (FSUE "Agat"), Department No.3 (Compozit Open Corporation).

TsNIIMash became a source of management personnel for the enterprises and missile-and-rocket building industry as a whole. Such outstanding specialists of rocket-and-space industry as G.N.Babakin, V.S.Budnick, A.M.Isaev, V.M.Kovtunenko, D.I.Kozlov, V.P.Makeev, V.P.Mishin, M.F.Reshetnev, D.D.Sevruk, I.T.Skripnichenko, B.E.Chertok, and M.K.Yangel worked together with S.P.Korolev.

The Institute was headed by Yu.A.Mozzhorin for almost 30 years. He turned TsNIIMash into a unique authoritative multidisciplinary research centre. For about 10 years the Institute was headed by V.F.Utkin, a full member of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences, ex-chief designer of "Yuzhnoe" DB. L.R.Gonor, K.N.Rudnev, M.K.Yangel, A.S.Spiridonov, G.A.Tyulin and N.A.Anfimov also headed the Institute in due time. G.G.Raikunov has been Director General since January 17, 2008 (see p. II, III).

The team of TSNIIMash is proud that the first Russian long-range missiles were created within the walls of the Institute, and the development of many strategic ballistic and cruise missiles, launch vehicles and spacecrafts was initiated here. All of the developed items resulted from the hard work and the intellect of Institute staff. To implement a joint test project "Soyuz-Apollo", the National Mission Control Centre (MCC) was established on the basis of TSNIIMash coordinative computer centre. Later it became the main MCC of all Russian spacecrafts, manned orbital stations and interplanetary space probes. At present MCC provides flight control of the Russian segment of the International Space Station (ISS); it works on applied projects and programs of international collaboration. The Information and Analytical Centre for Position, Navigation and Timing Support is working on the basis of our Institute; it provides execution of key works to maintain our national GLONASS navigation satellite system.

The main tasks of TsNIIMash are the following:

scientific, applied and system research of the prospects of rocket engineering (RE) and industry (RSI); draft projects of state and federal space programs and programs of defense-industry sector development in its RSI aspect, which define state policy of Russia in the sphere of space activity;

theoretical and experimental research of gas dynamics, heat transfer and strength of launch vehicles and spacecrafts;

control of the flight of manned spacecrafts and stations, space probes;

substantiation of prospects and scientific-engineering maintenance of development of RE and means of position, navigation and timing support;

scientific-methodological support and coordination of works on assurance of quality, reliability and safety of RE products;

standardization, unification and certification of RE;

development of supercomputer technology; development, certification and implementation of application software packages for mathematical and simulation modeling to provide development of new RE items and RSI progress.

Solving problems for the industry, the Institute took part in development of almost all the rockets and launch vehicles, manned spacecrafts and space probes.

Comprehensive scientific studies, experimental tryout of RE products and system approach to the problems are important features of TsNIIMash's activity. The Institute is proud of its unique test facilities (see p.IV), many of which having parameters surpassing those of foreign analogues.

Today the Central Research Institute of Machine Building is a leading scientific centre which forms the scientific-and-technical policy in RE, being an independent state expert and provider of scientific-and-technical maintenance of state regulation of space activity according to the Constitution of the Russian Federation and the Federal Law on Space Activities. TsNIIMash drafts Federal Space programs of Russia and other strategic and program documents in the field of space activity. The system project concerning Vostochny launch site, executed under the supervision of TsNIIMash, was submitted to Roscosmos in 2008. The work on determination of the image of new generation of manned space means is in progress.

The system research of space-and-rocket technology school was established in the Institute which permits to analyze the ways of technology and separate complex systems development, allowing for multiple-factor conditions and criteria. The personnel include more than 350 researchers with Candidate and Doctoral degrees and a lot of highly skilled specialists in many scientific and engineering spheres. Many of them lavishly share their knowledge and experience with the students of Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Moscow Aviation Institute, Moscow Bauman University and other Moscow higher schools, including those founded on the basis of special universities' departments.

Our Institute remains of urgent problems of Russian cosmonautics development. Recently, application of cosmonautics' results in the interests of national economy has gained special significance, so the methodology was developed in the Institute for application of aerospace means for the Earth remote sensing for exploration and forecast of mineral deposits using multiple-criteria analysis of space information. Many oil and gas deposits were struck on the licensed territories of Gazprom, Lukoil and a number of foreign mining companies.

Besides, a large number of models were proposed by TsNIIMash, providing the forecast of emergencies in case of accident emission of pollutants in the atmosphere or water, prediction of the flood territories and fire spread, simulation of dynamics of their expansion and assessment of potential risks and possible damage.

Application of cosmonautics' achievements stresses the importance and necessity of basic space research with application of space means' capabilities for the studies of the Universe and a Man, studies of basic physical laws, which determine the very possibility of human existence.

Coordinating Scientific and Technical Council on programs of scientific and applied research and experiments at the manned orbital systems is functioning on the basis of our Institute. According to the decision made by international space agencies on prolongation of ISS operation up to 2020, there is a range of challenges concerning the development and implementation of long-term exploration and experiment programs in the field of space biology and medicine, physics and material science, new space technology for the future exploration of the Solar system.

The issues of providing the quality and reliability of space items and ground-based elements of space infrastructure have gained primary importance. Our Institute has recently headed the initiative on updating Regulations of space activity, determining the procedure of design and operation of space equipment. A number of proposals were made by TsNIIMash to upgrade the system of providing quality in rocket-and-space industry.

The present space activity becomes increasingly global. Our Institute is actively developing the international scientific-and-engineering cooperation in space activity. Joint work of scientists and specialists from all over the world is performed on regular basis - primarily from the USA, China, France, Germany, Japan, etc. In 2011, according to the decision of Russian Ministry of Education and Science, the National contact point of the EU's 7^th framework program was set up within our Institute.

65 years is a long term, which is enough to claim that:

TsNIIMash has established itself not only as a scientific research organization of Roscosmos, but also as a leading scientific-engineering center determining the development of the world cosmonautics in the 21^st century. Remembering prominent achievements of our predecessors, today's TsNIIMash staff makes worthy contribution in development of fundamental basis and scientific-engineering potential in the human space activity.

 

References

 

1.          50 years ahead of one's century. International educational program. Close Corporation, Moscow, 1998, 256 p.

2.          Scientific center of astronautics and rocketry. International educational program. Close Corporation, Moscow, 2000, 438 p.

3.          Space scientific center. 2-volume monograph. Pages of history. Book 1. Editor-in-chief G.G.Raikunov, TsNIIMash, RINFO publishing house, Ryazan', 2011, 804 p.

4.          Epoch of rockets and space. Memorable dates. Palette Plus Publishing House, Public Corporation, Moscow, 2009, 368 p.

5.          G.G.Raykunov. Space activity for the development of Russia. Actual problems of aviation and aerospace systems, No.2(27), v.13, 2008, 1-17.

6.          G.G.Raykunov. Current status and outlook for VOSTOCHNY spacedrome. Actual problems of aviation and aerospace systems, No.1(32), v.16, 2011, 118-133.

 

 

Gennady Gennadyevich Raikunov, Director General of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise TsNIIMash (Korolev, Moscow Region), full member of the Russian Tsiolkovsky Academy of Cosmonautics, Doctor of Tech. Sciences, Professor, Laureate of the Prize of the Russian Government, Honoured Science worker, Honoured Mechanical Engineer of Russia, Honoured Test Pilot of Space Hardware.