Scientific Conference

Actual problems of Russian Cosmonautics

XXXV Academic Conference on Cosmonautics

(Russia, Moscow, January 25 - 28, 2011)

A.K.Medvedeva

Institution of the Russian Academy of Sciences

S.A.Vavilov Institute for History of Natural Sciences and Engineering of RAS

Russia

A.M.Peslyak

Union of Journalists of the Russian Federation

Moscow, Russia

When analyzing the work of the Academic Conference on Cosmonautics, which was held for the 35^th time in Moscow on 25-28 January 2011, a comparison is appropriate with a branched tree having a thick trunk and mighty roots. For a third of a century the Readings' framework and traditions have struck roots into the minds of many specialists and researchers of science and space-and-rocket engineering; plenary papers have formed a strong trunk of authoritative analysis and information; sessions have made up the tree's top with ever growing number of branches (nowadays the number of sessions exceeds 20). Korolev's tree underwent replanting, including literal one - it has changed several venues: M.V.Lomonosov MSU, Scientists' club, club of the Ministry of Home Affairs, artworkers' club, and even the Hall of Columns. Bauman MSTU has been the venue for the several recent Readings.

Distinguished Soviet and Russian scientists and designers made their reports on the first day of the Readings: Academicians V.P.Mishin, B.V.Raushenbakh, B.I.Katorgin, Yu.P.Semyonov, and V.Konyukhov from Youzhnoye Design Bureau (DB), M.Ya.Marov, and E.M.Galimov. The speakers described the life and activity of outstanding representatives of the branch (as a rule, on the occasion of anniversaries), mentioned the new in activities of the leading enterprises and institutions. Special hue was attached to the forum by participation of inquisitive and pragmatic young scientists, students, postgraduate students, and authoritative veterans of cosmonautics, the originators of the sphere and those who prepared and launched the first spacecrafts and rockets.

This year is notable for two anniversaries: the 50^th Anniversary of the first Man in space and the 100^th Anniversary of M.V.Keldysh. Opening the meeting, the Chairman of the Organizing committee Boris Evseevich Chertok (who turned 99 on 1 March 2011) marked a few issues. In his opinion, the situation around cosmonautics and the Earth itself has not changed significantly over the last year. "Nothing like an inhabited world has been found for millions of light years around us so far". However, we do not manage to process a huge amount of information obtained from space, and resources of cosmonautics itself remain unused because of lack of tools. In B.Chertok's opinion, to keep its status of a space power, Russia should unite with India and Kazakhstan. He repeated this idea twice. Besides, in his opinion, space is not only for peace nowadays: "A great deal of issues is classified..." In other words, we should not relax, but stay on alert. Finally, the Academician reminded that intelligence started to be used for the benefit of science, when the leaders, Korolev and Keldysh, endowed with intelligence and will, were at the head.

The welcoming speech read out on behalf of Roscosmos emphasized the authorities' concern with cosmonautics; for example, three meetings of the Government devoted to Vostochny launch site were held last year.

Academician V.P.Legostayev described engineering background for origination of manned cosmonautics era. What preceded the launch of Vostok? What were the successes and failures? What essentially new and necessary for the life of an astronaut was made? Along with such unprecedented factors as construction of a launch site from scratch within two and a half years, development of three-stage R-7 and a heat shielding system, the speaker mentioned the development of the first ever system of solar attitude control (which was tested as far back as 1959 during the lunar flyby performed by Luna-3 vehicle). The list of emergencies onboard the unmanned vehicles launched in 1960-1961 sounded dramatically (rocket explosion, high orbit reboost instead of descent). Replacement of Vostok by Vostok-2 with airlocks, and later by Soyuz, with digitization of its control systems, development of permanent stations and dramatic stories of some Salyut vehicles - this was the way ofљ technological progress, which enabled people to work on orbit for weeks and months. Building of multi-module space system Mir with 6-7 docking adapters confirmed the leadership of our country in development and implementation of near-Earth cosmonautics projects, cleared the way for Chinese manned flights, and gave an impetus to joint programs with ESA and NASA at Mir space station. V.P.Legostayev noted that 50 years had passed since the first space flight of a man, but we are still flying around the Earth. In his opinion, a space vehicle intended for distant flights should be equipped with nuclear power plants. Of course, it should not be launched from the Earth, but such a plant is to be mounted on an interorbital or interplanetary vehicle (a tug) assembled outside the Earth. Meantime, we should explore other celestial bodies using space probes.

Academician M.Ya.Marov dedicated "The Lay of Keldysh" to the 100^th Anniversary of Mstislav Vsevolodovich Keldysh, a great scientist and statesman, who while alive was called a Theorist of Cosmonautics. Keldysh was born in Riga and had 6 brothers and sisters. He was not admitted to the university but achieved exceptional successes in life and work. Keldysh became an Academician being 35 years old. Working at TsAGI, he developed a theory of aircraft protection against two threats: flutter and shimmy. After the Second World War, being appointed the Head of SRI-1, he ensured profound mathematical calculations of both the construction of new products and ballistics. "He was surrounded by a magnificent team of mathematicians and computing engineers, who promoted solution of nuclear and rocket problems with the shortest possible delay", stressed Marov. He told about friendship and business partnership between Keldysh and Korolev, about their guidance of an interagency Commission and scientific-and-technical Space Council. Keldysh competently supervised the Moon and Solar system planets exploration at the Academy of Sciences and raised a pleiad of magnificent mathematicians, ran the workshops for young scientists and, being the President of the Academy of Sciences, carried out a great deal of organizational work. "On the outside he seemed stern, but appeared quiet mild with people. He had little time to rest, but his inner life was rich... Sturdiness, social responsibility and courage distinguished the Academician", this was how Marov described the person under whose supervision he worked for 20 years. Keldysh contributed to rehabilitation of N.I.Vavilov and other scientists, recovery of genetics and cybernetics, saving of Proton rocket (the Government intended to terminate the program)... He did not change his adherence to principles, when at the third try he finally left the position of the President of the USSR Academy of Sciences...

Reports by S.K.Krikalev, the Head of Cosmonauts Training Center (on Russian system for selection and training of astronauts), and A.I.Kuzin, Deputy Director General of Khrunichev Space Center (on the concept of planetary missions and its technical background at the Center) were followed by the speech delivered by the representative of the US space department. J. von Puttkamer, veteran of rocket-and-space engineering, told how the Americans had been shocked by the first Soviet successes in space (the first satellite, the first Gagarin's flight). He told that "Yuri's achievements had immediately transformed Kennedy's self-restraint into concern" and pointed to Kennedy's Memorandum of 14 April 1961 and his appeal to the Congress with initiative concerning lunar landing. Moreover, Kennedy did not deny priority of political reasons over the scientific aims. Saturn 5 rocket, with the mass of 3000 tonnes and the height of a 36-storey building, was used for the USA space strategy implementation - Apollo program. Dr. Puttkamer noted that availability of Saturn V booster made them sure of being able to reach the Moon, Mars and even the whole Solar system, but at that time nobody knew about an identically huge rocket N-1, which was being developed in Russia by Chief Designer S.P. Korolev and his successor V.P.Mishin. After a number of circumlunar missions and several lunar landings of astronauts in 1969-1972, the program was terminated. In the speaker's opinion, "the termination was caused by the lack of political will for its prolongation. A long-term program needs national support relying not on spectacular success but on certain results in economic life of the country. Let us remember this, when we prepare Mars missions together". Plenary session was finished at that. Afterwards, 21 sessions were held that comprised presentations of scientific papers, questions and discussions.

Round table "Youth and Space Industry" involved more than 140 representatives from universities, space industry, research institutes and mass media.

The first part of the Round table was dedicated to involvement of young specialists in space industry. HR Director of RSC Energia M.V.Komarov made a presentation on "Youth policy of RSC Energia. Human resources attraction" and told about conditions for unassisted scientific and research activities of young scientists under the supervision of leading specialists of the Corporation. Presentation by the Head of HR and social welfare of RSRIEM A.G.Schedrina on involvement of young specialists raised questions from the students, who were interested in entering the professional sphere almost immediately. Salary rate, housing for young specialists, medical insurance and, foremost, availability of projects that enable to implement knowledge and skills obtained at the university were discussed. Head of Aerospace Department of Reutov Branch of Bauman MSTU R.P.Simonyanz shared the experience in running a branch department of Bauman MSTU under the university-industry pattern. Early involvement of students in engineering projects (like the Department does at the primary enterprise SPA Mashinostroeniye) promotes the influx of young, creative and active, skillful and competent personnel to the industry. Involvement of youth in innovative development of enterprises of high-tech branches was the main topic of the paper delivered by Director General of Vympel Public Corporation V.F.Fateev. He suggested that the project of space observations should be implemented in partnership with the universities and should include a possibility to jointly use the productive resources of the enterprise. A.Sergeev from the Centre of Innovative Educational Technology of Lomonosov MSU presented a project of an educational game "Mars 2041".

The second part of the Round table dealt with engineering developments designed by the students at the university sites. Assistant of the Department of Space Vehicles and Launch Vehicles of Bauman MSTU A.S.Popov suggested that young specialists should be involved in space industry via educational projects of ultra-small technology satellites. On the basis of corresponding international projects he demonstrated the benefit from participation of students in low-budget educational projects of technology pico- and nanosatellite development. Head of SSASU Centre for space flights control (Krasnoyarsk) I.N.Kartsan reported on the project of microsatellite Yubileyny 2 and particularly commented on the specifics of Yubileyny 2 control at SSASU Centre. Among the most interesting projects presented at the Round table there were the projects by Bauman MSTU's students: student microsattelite Baumanets 2 with Russian and French payload (by V.V.Muravyev, Assistant of Space Vehicles and Launch Vehicles department), technological space experiment Parus-MGTU (by D.A.Rachkin, Bauman MSTU student). The second part of the Round table was closed by V.M.Vlasyuk, Chairman of the Russian Association of Cosmonautics, who reported on establishment of an inter-agency committee dealing with student projects in space engineering. Summarizing the Round table session, its Chairman S.K.Krikalev (Head of Cosmonauts Training Center, Hero of the Soviet Union, Hero of the Russian Federation, USSR Astronaut) stated that the most urgent issues concerning development of innovative space technology are directly associated with the personnel of space industry. To efficiently develop advanced rocket-and-space industry and provide conditions for implementation of promising space activities, it is absolutely necessary to establish a new HR system which would attract the talented, creative and qualified young specialists to cosmonautics. The youth is waiting for the Federal Space Agency and space industry to take steps towards the young specialists. The review of the 35^th Academic Readings on Cosmonautics (like the 34^th ones) comprises five units.

The first unit consists of three sessions:

-        Aircrafts. Design and construction,

-        Automatic space vehicles for planetary and astrophysical research. Design, construction, tests and calculation,

-        Objects of ground infrastructure of rocket systems.

The second unit:

-        Development of cosmonautics and basic problems of gas dynamics, combustion and heat transfer,

-        Founders of aerospace propulsion engineering, theory and construction of aircraft propulsion,

-        Space power engineering and space electric propulsion - current problems of development, quality assurance and high technology,

-        Combined power plants for hypersonic and aerospace vehicles.

The third unit:

-        Applied celestial mechanics and motion control,

-        Design ballistics of satellite systems and space flight control,

-        Systems of space vehicles and complexes control,

-        Space navigation and robotics.

-        The fourth unit:

-        High technology in rocket-and-space engineering,

-        Production of rocket-and-space constructions.

The fifth unit:

-        Economics of space activity,

-        Cosmonautics and sustainable development of society,

-        Aerospace education and problems of youth,

-        Space biology and medicine,

-        Cosmonautics and culture.

There were also the traditional sessions:

-        Research of scientific work of the pioneers of space exploration,

-        History of rocket-and-space engineering.

The representatives of the leading enterprises of rocket-and-space branch and the leading Russian universities delivered their papers at the Readings ensuring traditionally high level and topicality of the discussed issues:

-        Rocket and Space Corporation Energia (Korolev, Moscow Region);

-        Central Scientific and Research Institute of Machinery (Korolev, Moscow Region);

-        M.V.Khrunichev State Scientific Production Space Center (Moscow);

-        SRI for Parachutes;

-        SRI for Applied Mechanics and Electrodynamics;

-        FSUE Arsenal Design Bureau (St.Petersburg);

-        Samara Aerospace University (Samara);

-        N.E.Bauman Moscow State Technical University (Moscow);

-        Moscow Aviation Institute (Moscow);

-        A.N.Tupolev Kazan State Technical University - KAI (Kazan).

The delivered papers covered a wide range of important applied issues associated with design and construction of aerospace engineering items, some aspects of implementation of manned flights and operation of oxygen-hydrogen propulsion systems:

The session "Automatic space vehicles for planetary and astrophysical research. Design, construction, tests and calculation" was of special importance due to the fact that 2010 was the year of the 110^th Anniversary of Semen Alexeevich Lavochkin, an outstanding designer and founder of the enterprise. The session included papers on basic and applied space research, development and use of automatic space vehicles. New promising projects were submitted, and attention was paid to specific proposals concerning the improvement of quality of newly developed vehicles, design features of space vehicles, problems of ballistic support, implementation of interplanetary missions. The submitted papers contained the results of elaborated and thorough studies dealing with space exploration at the present stage.

The session "Objects of ground infrastructure of rocket systems" was attended by the representatives of 11 enterprises, scientific and research institutes and universities of Moscow, Korolev, Yubileyny, Obninsk, Chelyabinsk, Dnepropetrovsk, and Kazan; among them there were the leading specialists and designers of space engineering enterprises "TsNIIMASH", FSUE "Tsenky", branches of FSUE "Tsenky" RSI of launch systems, Motor DB, DBTChM, Yuzhnoye DB, scientists from BSTU, K.E.Tsiolkovsky MATI, MARI, SUSU, OmSTU; students, postgraduate students and professors of "Launch rocket complexes" department of N.E.Bauman MSTU. Traditional scientific areas of research in the field of ground complexes and launching equipment for rocket-and-space hardware were discussed at the session.

Papers submitted at the second session dealt with the history of rocket propulsion engineering. Upgrade of liquid-propellant engines of the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd stages of Vostok launch vehicle, which provided the priority of the USSR in space exploration (the first satellite and astronaut), was considered. High scientific qualification of postgraduate students in rocket propulsion engineering should be emphasized.

Participants of the session "Development of cosmonautics and basic problems of gas dynamics, combustion and heat transfer" discussed the results of physical and numerical experiments. The papers demonstrated new interpretation of previously obtained results and new data obtained with numerical simulation and analytical solution of important applied problems in physical gas dynamics, convective and radiative heat transfer, possible manipulation of combustion and state of matter, ablation from the flying vehicle's surfaces, and icing of the vehicles. Attempts are made to understand and interpret previously obtained data, in situ observation data, and bench test data.

At the session "Combined power plants for hypersonic and aerospace vehicles" some aspects of a hypersonic flight were considered. Some of the obtained data were confirmed by the tests of upper and sustainer stages of CIAM at the test bench of ITAM SB RAS (Novosibirsk). Optimal concepts of combined power units for a one-stage aerospace plane, two-stage aerospace systems with different types of accelerator aircrafts, and hypersonic passenger aircrafts were proposed.

At the Symposium dedicated to the 120^th Anniversary of B.S.Stechkin (held within the framework of the 35^th Readings) a paper "Academician Boris Sergeevich Stechkin - founder of the theory of jet engines" on the Academician's life and work was presented.

Session "Space power engineering and space electric propulsion - current problems of development, quality assurance and high technology" dealt with scientific and technological problems and research of practical importance:

-        use of electric propulsion as sustainer systems for space missions;

-        development of new promising types of power plants and propulsion systems;

-        optimization of performance characteristics of power plants and propulsion systems;

-        energy transfer in space and metrological assurance during the tests.

At the session "Applied celestial mechanics and motion control" a memorial meeting dedicated to the 90^th Anniversary of Dmitry Yevgenyevich Okhotsimsky, an Academician and outstanding scientist, was held. The delivered papers told the audience about Dmitry Yevgenyevich as a person, companion and chief.

M.V.Keldysh Institute of Applied Mechanics of RAS published a collection of papers dedicated to the 90^th anniversary of Academician D.Ye.Okhotsimsky and compiled by Academician T.M.Eneev, Professor M.Yu.Ovchinnikov, and Candidate of physical and mathematical sciences A.R.Golikov.

At the second and third meetings the papers were presented on topical subjects of mathematics, mechanics and their applications covering the dynamics of artificial space vehicles, control of their motion, attitude control and stabilization systems... The majority of works were notable for their high scientific level and solved important practical problems. The works on center-of-mass motion and optimal control of space vehicles at different effects of evolution and disturbing factors were submitted. Theoretical and applied solutions were proposed for different problem statements. Each problem is directly associated with new projects of satellites and their systems that are being developed now.

The session "Design ballistics of satellite systems and space flight control" was attended by the guests from the leading space enterprises: RSC Energia, MPEI DB, MAI (State Technical University), Military Academy of Air-and-Space Defense (Tver), VPK NPO Mashinostroyeniya, M.V.Keldysh Institute for Applied Mathematics of RAS, TsSKB-Progress (Samara), M.V.Keldysh Research Center, S.P. Korolev Samara State Aerospace University, RSRIEM, O.Gonchar Dnepropetrovsk National University (Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine) and other organizations closely connected with development and practical use of rocket-and-space and satellite systems. Besides, the meetings were attended by the leading Professors, postgraduate students and students of Bauman MSTU, who actively participate in scientific work at SM-3 Department. The following problems and issues were discussed:

-        current features of space flights control systems development;

-        some features of Yu.A.Gagarin's flight;

-        current state and urgent issues of optimization of orbital satellite constellations;

-        optimal and suboptimal trajectories of maneuvers of spacecrafts with different thrust-to-weight ratio;

-        procedures for optimization of planning of operation of Earth remote sensing space systems;

-        promising procedures of solution of boundary problems of carrier rockets' jettisonable parts delivery with terminal guidance to the impact area;

-        preliminary analysis of ballistic characteristics of an emergency rescue system in case of carrier rocket explosion;

-        concept for counteracting the emergencies at ISS;

-        temporal change of composition and structure of the system intended for planning the activities of the crews of manned space complexes.

V.D.Blagov's paper "Some features of Yu.A.Gagarin's flight" was devoted to one of the most significant events of Russian cosmonautics. It should be noted that the speaker not only witnessed the first space flight of a man, but also took direct part in organization and implementation of Yu.A.Gagarin's flight.

The session "Systems of space vehicles and complexes control" considered the issues of construction, calculation and design of automatic and automated control of different items of rocket-and-space hardware and promising trends of development and creation of intelligence systems of control of such objects. Much attention was paid to information processing in control systems and improvement of their functioning accuracy, to the use of advanced procedures of calculation and design, simulation and ground tryout of these systems. The specialists from the neighboring countries took part in the session work: V.A.Andronov (M.K.Yangel Yuzhnoye DB, Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine) and P.P.Belonozhko (Institute of Engineering Mechanics, Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine). The greatest interest was aroused by applied works.

Papers of "Space navigation and robotics" session were devoted to the topical issues of the systems of navigation, attitude control, stabilization and their elements, and further development of theoretical aspects in the mentioned areas. The audience was especially interested in the paper "Solid-state wave gyroscope for special-purpose space vehicles", which dealt with development of environment-resistant precision gyroscopic orientation devices for long-term space vehicles. The paper was submitted by "Inertial Technology of "Technocomplex" together with "VPK NPO Mashinostroeniya". The paper on application of a cascade hexapod to "Millimetron" space telescope (Astrospace Center of P.N.Plekhanov Physical Institute) appeared to be timely and promising as well. The paper considered pointing of a space telescope with high accuracy (up to 0.3-0.1 seconds of arc) given a nonrigid dumbbell construction of a spacecraft. Instrumental uncertainty of strapdown inertial unit intended for measurements of parameters of translational and rotational movement of booster stages and modules of carrier rockets (FSUE SPC Academician Pilyugin Center) was also considered. The obtained results are of significant scientific and practical importance. Young scientists and postgraduate students from Bauman MSTU and MPEI presented their papers dealing with theoretical research and practical implementation of micromechanical gyroscopes of different types.

The session "High technology in rocket-and-space engineering" was aimed at discussion of urgent problems of development and operation of space hardware.

The paper delivered by the management of Khrunichev SSSPC dealt with different aspects of implementation of design-and-technology features for design and creation of a manned љspace system of new generation. It was noted that Khrunichev SSSPC had accumulated experience and design, technology and production groundwork for development, manufacturing and operation of space means for the benefit of near-Earth space exploration, Moon and Mars missions. Analysis of possible scenarios of space exploration using the manned means and allowing for the development trends in science and technology, limitations in space programs funding, processes of international integration, enabled to reveal a preferable scenario that provides: steady extension of near-Earth space exploration limits, sequential implementation of lunar and Mars exploration programs. The space means and technology for Mars program are to be worked out during the lunar program. Besides, establishment of unified means of a transport space system, orbit manned complexes and means of planetary infrastructure is provided. Preliminary proposals on the structure, engineering outlook, main characteristics and sequence of creation of space means for the benefit of lunar and Mars program implementation were elaborated. A number of papers were dedicated to certain aspects of increase of reliability and environmental safety of rocket-and-space hardware operation:

-       rocket engines, with special stress on application of environmentally safe fuels (oxygen-hydrocarbon, oxygen-liquefied natural gas);

-       reed engines of direct current;

-       power systems of spacecrafts in a wide range of dimensions on the basis of frameless centrifugal solar arrays;

-       remote Earth sensing.

Implementation of the abovementioned proposals will enable to use the experience accumulated by Academicians S.P.Korolev, M.V.Keldysh, V.N.Chelomey and other outstanding Russian scientists in creation and operation of highly reliable space systems, providing efficient space exploration for the benefit of defense and national economy. Implementation of automated systems for production support was considered by a number of speakers. Some papers mentioned the issues of the history of national cosmonautics. The speakers noted that application of experience accumulated by Academician S.P.Korolev and other prominent Russian scientists - pioneers of space exploration - during the tough period of the world economic crisis provides dramatic increase of efficiency of research and development works and economic effect in other branches of national economy comparable with the costs for funding all the works in near space and deep space exploration.

Session "Production of rocket-and-space constructions" traditionally considered nanomaterials and nanotechnology able to serve as the basis for promising technology used for rocket-and-space hardware manufacturing. Results concerning the constructions with variable geometry made of refractory materials aroused great interest. Control of a highly integrated electronic component base for a new generation of satellites was discussed; promising design methods and test benches for rocket-and-space hardware were considered. There has been some progress in the study of the particles heating while plasma-coating (the paper at the previous Readings described only the problem statement). Papers submitted by RSC Energia (Korolev city, Moscow Region) were called valuable from practical point of view (presented by M.V.Lobova). The papers were dedicated to design, manufacturing, assembly and first test results of new automated autoclave complex with inert medium intended for thermal coatings production.

16 papers were delivered at "Economics of space activity" session. They dealt with current economic problems of space activity. In particular, deepening of innovative processes in high technology fields, environmental and economic aspects of space activity were considered. Mathematical modeling of optimization processes in space activity is believed to be a promising area. Space debris in near-earth space remain another urgent problem. 4 students and postgraduate students from MAI and MSTU reported their works and demonstrated their high qualification in the reported papers.

Session "Cosmonautics and sustainable development of society (concepts, projects, solutions)" discussed the problems of international space law, promising trends, approaches and solutions in this important area of space activity. Some aspects of legal regulation of impending exploration of the Moon and other celestial bodies were considered. A number of papers dealt with ecology of rocket-and-space industry and cosmonautics, ecologization strategies, means of environmental risk estimation. Monitoring of territories subject to intense engineering activities was also discussed. The Earth ecology and industrial lunar exploration were covered by the students of Korolev College of Space Machinery and Technology (supervised by V.I.Frolov).

At the session "Aerospace education and problems of youth", the authors of papers and students, postgraduate students, scientists, specialists in space industry, who attended the session, discussed involvement of youth into space industry, difficulties of employment of scientific and engineering personnel at aerospace enterprises. It was noted that Russia is facing an urgent problem of modernization that depends on national educational system, personnel training system and advanced training of stuff of principal branches of economy. Recently, specialized education as an efficient way of training of senior high school students for their future life in current employment situation has become widely spread particularly in large cities with developed industrial and scientific infrastructure. On the basis of permanent professional education, many speakers stressed the need for vocational guidance for students not only of high schools but also of universities to attract them to aerospace industry. Russian scientific-educational program of educational experiments at the Russian segment of ISS was also presented. The Program is aimed at the use of Russian segment for visual illustrative demonstration of physical laws and phenomena and involvement of young people in independent research under the supervision of the leading specialists. Educational projects at the Russian segment of ISS are coordinated by the 10^th Subdivision of Technical and Scientific Coordination Council "Space Education" established under the jurisdiction of FSA. Nowadays, 7 experiments of the 10^th Subdivision sector are in hand: "Kulonovsky Crystal" (Coulomb Crystal), MAI-75, MATI-75, "RadioSkaf", "Ten-Mayak", "Tros-MGTU" (Cord-MSTU), and "Physika-Obrazovaniye" (Physics-Education). It was mentioned in the papers that skilled specialists could be efficiently trained at associated network of student design bureaus deployed on the basis of enterprises and participating in real design works and batch production. 14 youth projects were presented at the second meeting of the session "Aerospace education and youth problems".

17 papers were delivered at "Space biology and medicine" session.

The submitted papers can be classified into several subjects:

-        providing microbiological safety of a person in a sealed volume in space;

-        study of biological objects and development of technology and equipment for their cultivation in conditions of a space flight;

-        study of extreme factors impacts of different nature (hypomagnetic conditions, temperature, radia-tion, radiation and chemical impact, outer space) on living organisms and their resting condition;

-        psychological research in the framework of Mars-500 Project;

-        papers dedicated to the history of cosmonautics.

All the submitted papers were timely for manned cosmonautics development, as medical and biological support of manned space missions is a foreground task of vital importance for further space exploration.

"Cosmonautics and culture" session has always attracted attention of scientific and cultural community. At present, the issues of interrelation and mutual influence of cosmonautics and culture are of vital importance in the context of development of national values. This session was included in the program of the 35^th Academic Readings on Cosmonautics. The program of the session itself was prepared by the management of the Association of Cosmonautics Museums (AAM) in the form of a conference "Beside Gagarin" dedicated to the 50^th anniversary of the first space flight of a man performed by Yuri Alexeevich Gagarin. The session was chaired by Vladimir Alexandrovich Dzhanibekov, twice the Hero of the Soviet Union, astronaut, President of AAM. Presentations and papers were delivered by direct participants of the space flight preparation, astronauts of the first corps, historians, Gagarin's friends and family, museum employees. More than 150 guests attended the session, including the representatives of AAM divisions from different regions of Russia: Kaluga, Samara, Zelenodolsk (Tatarstan), Omsk, Astrakhan, etc.

The session "Research of scientific work of the pioneers of space exploration" was held according to a good tradition of careful preservation, analysis and development of scientific heritage of the glorious team of pioneers. Paper by Deputy Director of S.A.Vekshinsky SRIVT S.B.Nesterov preceded awarding of B.Ye.Chertok with a Medal of S.A.Vekshinsky SRIVT as a token of personal recognition in cosmonautics and in the memory of joint work. Representative of the 4^th SRI of the Ministry of Defense V.V.Alexandrov delivered his paper on the work of M.K.Tikhonravov and his role in Russian cosmonautics development. The paper was devoted to the 110^th anniversary of the outstanding scientist. M.K.Tikhonravov's pioneering works on development of clustered rockets were noted. The documents that had been classified earlier were demonstrated. Representative of the 4^th SRI of the Ministry of Defense I.F.Petrovich told about the work of one of the pioneers of space era I.M.Yatsunsky. Historiography of national and world cosmonautics in the context of continuity of scientific schools' traditions was covered in the paper by L.S.Ratkin. The presentation was widely discussed. Afterwards the session was dedicated to the 80^th anniversary of L.V.Leskov - an outstanding Russian scientist, veteran of rocket-and-space engineering, Doctor of physical and mathematical sciences, Professor. Problem of the interface between the science and pseudo-science was considered; new ideas introduced by L.V.Leskov to modern philosophy were touched upon. Books by L.B.Leskov were presented during the discussion.

The facts from the history of rocket-and-space engineering are interesting for everybody, and they were more or less described in the papers submitted at other sessions. The papers delivered at the session "History of rocket-and-space engineering" contained more comprehensive information on the historical events.

The majority of papers were associated with the historical events of Russian cosmonautics and devoted to certain anniversaries. History of creation and testing of separate products made by direct participants of the events was reported, and problems that accompanied the establishment of CMC Center and its 13 scientific measurement posts were considered. It was shown that after CMC Center had been fully equipped, due to rapid development of Space Forces' responsibilities, support of missions of lunar and planetary spacecrafts, manned space vehicles, satellites intended for reconnaissance, radio observation, meteorology, alignment, and other satellites for the benefit of national security, security of science, and socio-economic development started to grow. Scientific and engineering background of the first space flight of a man (to the 50^th anniversary of Yu.A.Gagarin's flight) was thoroughly considered. The paper about "The first space projects of Academician B.N.Chelomey's DB" was of particular interest. Since 1960, DB-52 (OKB-52) has participated in development of space systems and carrier rockets for them. V.N.Chelomey developed a concept of integral systems of guided spacecrafts of defense or scientific purpose and carrier rockets for them. The following presentations were discussed: Almaz mission control; History of upper stages; Cruise missiles designed by SRIJP (to the 75^th anniversary of the first flight test of a guided cruise missile 216); First cruise missile of V.N.Chelomey's DB; History of the first Russian missiles, powders and multiple launchers; Origination of Russian rocket artillery in RI-3; On historical significance of creation and large-scale application of the Soviet multiple rocket launchers (to the 70^th anniversary of the first volleys of Katyusha in the Great Patriotic War); Russian Space Forces: backgrounds of establishment of space units. No doubt that even pure enumeration provokes interest in Russian rocketry and cosmonautics.

Viktor Ivanovich Boyko (Polytechnical Museum) in his paper "Sergey Pavlovich Korolev - a designer, a scientist and a person" told stories he had collected about S.P.Korolev characterizing him as a designer, a scientist, a manager and a citizen.

All the submitted papers were prepared using archival documents, which indicated laborious work performed by the authors and aimed at thorough search and selection of unique documents. Many papers developed previously reported subjects.

Korolev's Readings have always been notable for their high scientific level, novelty of analysis and prospects in the papers by the academicians and corresponding members of RAS, General Designers and representatives of the branch. One can only guess the new forms of the Readings that will distinguish them from a great number of events and forums. It gives an opportunity for the students to present their earliest projects, and for the veterans to meet, recollect the wonderful events and moments, and tell the audience about them. Computer graphics, animation, high quality video and other technologies will surely become a basis of presentations at such meetings, and their broadcast via Skype will involve those who live in Siberia, work at Russian Far East, study and work abroad. Sessions will include papers delivered in real time by specialists and youth from other cities. Korolev's Readings are a rare phenomenon of direct and close communication of generations - engineers, designers, researchers, and historians. They help the space activists of the 20^th century to transmit their knowledge, cultural and historical experience to the generation that will ensure cosmonautics development, Universe exploration, and high technology development beyond the Earth bounds for the benefit of humanity. This is why the Readings are a national heritage. Let these be the words concluding the analytical review of seemingly regular but also a remarkable event that took place in Moscow. And let this tree of knowledge and communication keep on growing and bearing fruit.

 

Alla Konstantinovna Medvedeva, senior scientific associate at S.I.Vavilov Institute on History of natural science and engineering; scientific secretary of RAS Committee on development of scientific heritage of the pioneers in space exploration. Area of her scientific interests: theoretical mechanics, space flight mechanics, history of Astronautics and engineering.

http://www.ihst.ru/~akm/

Alexandre Mikhailovich Peslyak, PhD (MSU). He graduated from MGIMO; he worked in different Soviet NGOs, later - in the "World Marxist Review" (Prague), then - as observer in TV news programs (Vesti, TSN, Ren-TV, Moscow Region News). Made analytics in the Center of Strategic Studies. He elaborates in world policy issues, Council of Europe activities, international youth movement in XX century. Other spectrum of attention is represented by key issues of science and technology, its history - specially in Soviet/Russian aerospace and abroad. His articles appear via RIA Novosti network and diverse Russian media.