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| CONTENTS: | Vol.9 No.6 (197) '99 |
| MANNED FLIGHTS |
Flight of the Orbital Complex Mir The 27th
basic expedition on board of Mir goes on. The crewmembers
are a commander Victor Afanasyev, flight engineer Sergei
Avdeev, and Jean-Pierre Haignere, the flight engineer-2
from France. The article contains a detailed chronology
of the flight. April 16: the EVA of Avdeev and Haignere.
Mission: fixing one of the modules and launch of a small
satellite, designed at Energia (described in detail in
"EVA with a Partner" by V.Lyndin).Why Does RS-19 Keep Silent? Fund for Preservation of Mir Mir: Funds for Mir-28 are Found! |
| COSMONAUTS. ASTRONAUTS. CREWS |
| People are getting in Line to Fly on
Board of Mir S. Shamsutdinov There is already a list of people who wish to fly on board of the orbital complex Mir. The first one on the list is Peter Llewellyn, an English businessman who is expected to pay $100 million for his flight on Mir. It seems that the problem of financing Mir is solved. However, some details of Llewellyn's shadowy past add a little bit of sour taste to all the excitements surrounding this sensation.  |
| APRIL 12 |
| The Day of Cosmonautics S. Shamsutdinov  On April 12, Russian
President Boris Yeltsin personally presented awards to a
group of cosmonauts (Talgat Musabaev, Nikolay Budarin,
Yuri Baturin and Gennadiy Padalka) at the ceremony in
Kremlin. The leaders of Russian space industry were also
present. During an hour-long conversation with the
President, issues dealing with the current situation in
national cosmonautics were discussed. In particular,
representatives of space industry made several
suggestions related to accomplishing a set of space
project jointly with the Ministry of Defense in wake of
the crisis in Yugoslavia.In Honor of the Day of Cosmonautics |
| SPACE DEVICES LAUNCHES |
| Kapustin Yar is Resurrecting I. Marinin, A. Vladimirov, I. Lisov  On April 29, at
20:28:59.934 UTC, from Kapustin Yar range, Kosmos-3M
launch vehicle inserted to orbit spacecraft ABRIXAS
(Germany) and MegSat (Italy). Thus after an
eleven-year break, spacecraft launches have been resumed
and Kapustin Yar has returned its cosmodrome
status. The
article fully describes history, technical
characteristics of the launch vehicle and two spacecraft.
Pre-launch preparations and the launch itself are given
in detail. Also included in this article is history of Kapustin
Yar, its purpose, and types of spacecraft as well as
high-altitude geophysical rockets launched from this
secret Soviet range.Third Quartet of Globalstar Spacecraft
On April 15, 1999, at 03:45:59,821 UTC, from the launch pad No5 at Baikonur, Soyuz-U launch vehicle with the upper stage Ikar and four Globalstar satellites were launched. The initial parameters and specific names for the satellites are given in the article. The launch was organized by Starsem, the Russian-French joint venture, for the Globalstar consortium. Although this launch was overall successful, the details, given in the second half of the article (Three Strokes to the Globalstar/Starsem Picture), illustrate that launches do not always go perfectly smoothly. Satan Works for Space
|
| EARTH ARTIFICIAL SATELLITES |
| Space Experiment with Topaz-1 Already in the beginning of the 'space era,' it became apparent that to accomplish a specific set of tasks, spacecrafts had to be supplied with large streams of electric power. Nuclear power sources (NPS) with higher, compared to other energy sources, specific energy and mass indicators, compactness, and autonomous work, could play a special role in solving this problem. Space nuclear power engineering works in the USSR and USA started almost simultaneously in the end of 1950s and beginning of 1960s. The reason was the need to supply military satellites with powerful, compact and efficient energy sources. The mass of the chemical batteries exceeded the spacecraft's payload several times, and the size of solar batteries was just huge. It was difficult to imagine military satellites, carrying a huge solar battery with an area of hundreds of square meters, flying on low orbits. R&D conducted in the beginning of 1960s made it possible to point out the advantages of NPS over solar batteries. These advantages included better size characteristics, independence of the generated power from the relative to Sun position of the spacecraft, and capability to supply power that exceeded the nominal by a multiple of 2-2.5. At the initial stage, nuclear power sources considered were the NPS with dynamic (steam and gas turbine) and generator-free (thermoelectric and thermoemission) systems of conversion of the reactor heat to electric power. The navy intelligence satellites (RORSAT) with the radio-locators were equipped with the systems of this type. From Kosmos-367 (1970) to Kosmos-1900 (1987), there were 31 spacecrafts launched with Buk (Beech) nuclear power reactors. The next step in the development of nuclear power engineering was creation of Topaz, nuclear power source with a thermo emission-converting reactor. This reactor enabled engineers to increase the electric power as well as operation period of the on-board energy sources. Assembling space NPS with reactor and power generator combined was a much more complicated task than just the development of system with separate reactor and power generator. First in the world's history launch of the thermo emission nuclear power reactor took place in February 1987. It was for the first time in the world, that the USSR took steps towards practical employment of NPS on a large-scale. As a result, the MinSredMach developed an extensive work program. Particular attention was devoted to the perspective nuclear power reactor circuit with the thermo emission heat-to-power converter, high efficiency, and other unique characteristics. By 1974-1975, at NPO Krasnaya Zvezda, with the direct involvement of G.M.  Gryaznov, V.I. Serbin, E.E Jabotinsky, I.P.
Bogush, N.A. Vantsevich, M.S. Bolberg, Y.L. Trukhanov and
other leading specialists, a major, in terms of its
scientific, design, and technological purposes, Topaz-1
project started.From 1974, at TsNPO Kometa, NPO Krasnaya Zvezda, and KB Arsenal, the flight test of experimental spacecraft began. The test had two main objectives: * to demonstrate work efficiency of energy source under the space flight conditions * to upgrade and transform the experimental version into the practical one, and confirm the 'aptness of the nuclear power sources for practical appliance' The successful outcome of the test depended on whether a set of engineering issues, specific to the use of nuclear power reactor on spacecraft, would be worked out. These issues included providing a shield from a high level radiation of the reactor, its internal structure and high temperatures; nuclear and radiation safety provision, warm up of the reactor before the launch, and thermal shield for the liquid, metal coolant after insertion to orbit. For security reasons, during preparation and launch of nuclear powered spacecrafts, the entire infrastructure of the test range system was redesigned. By the end of 1977, Arsenal, together with Kometa and Krasnaya Zvezda, came up with the fundamental ideas on the technical aspects of spacecrafts. Several promising systems with significant energy utilization were installed on spacecrafts in order to use the surplus power of Topaz-1. Installed on board of experimental spacecraft was an electro-reactive engine plant, developed by KB Fakel. For the first time in practice, this plant included engines not only for the orbit correction, but also for the pitch stabilization of the spacecraft. The spacecraft was equipped with the special plasma system Epicure (developed by TsNIIMach), which supplied additional energy load up to 2kW for nuclear power sources. Spacecraft had a whole set of prospective devices and equipment, including high precision and engine-free system of orientation and stabilization (solar sensor, magnetic moment compensator, and multi-channel flywheels). All of these were developed by engineers from the NPO Almaz. Another team of engineers from the TsNPO Kometa, with the direct involvement of V. Kalabin, Y. Valov, B. Poletaev, L. Fedorov, R. Kuzmin, A. Mashkantsev, Y. Fedorov, A. Kireev, G. Locev, B. Tarantsev developed the payload of the spacecraft. For the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, special studies of Earth magnetic field were conducted from spacecraft. The radiation level on board was monitored by a system of neutron and gamma flux measurement. 1978 was marked by the beginning of main assembly process and test bench manufacturing. Initially, for the flight-assembly test, it was planned to use a circular orbit (height: 300-400 km). This kind of orbit had been used during the launch of Kosmos satellites with Buk nuclear power sources. However, after the crash of Kosmos-954, it was decided to conduct the tests on a higher, so-called 'radiation-safe' orbit with a height of 800-900 km. This decision required an additional revision of the project. By April 1981, the revisions were almost completed as they were examined by the state commission and adopted to practical appliance. To insert the spacecraft to orbit and guarantee it would work, the revisions of the on-board liquid rocket engine unit, launch profile, and control system were undertaken. A removable thermo-cover to avoid freezing of the coolant in the contour of heat dissipation was also included in NPS. Despite the fact that numerous revisions were required, in 1985-1986, three experimental spacecrafts were prepared. Out of these three, one was technological, intended for ground tests, and the rest-for flight training. Most work was done by the KB Arsenal. For the launch of spacecraft, named Plasma-A, the designated launch vehicle was Tsiklon-2,  developed by the KB Yujnoe
and manufactured by the YujMach Factory (city of
Dnepropetrovsk). Plasma-A was delivered to
Baikonur for the tests and launch preparations. Topaz-1
was delivered, tested and prepared for launch separately,
before docking with the spacecraft. For security reasons,
a special plan was developed. The party responsible for
organization and realization of the probes was the State
commission headed by G. Titov.The tests started on February 2, 1987 with the launch of Plasma-A No1 (Kosmos-1818). The required period of 'active existence' exceeded the norm (45 days) three times. Plasma-A No2 (Kosmos-1876) was launched on July 10, 1987. Its power source operated almost a year. Main result of flight-assembly tests was the confirmation of the efficiency and characteristics of the power source. The electrical power of the work section of Topaz-1 was more than 5kW. Security measures undertaken, necessary for nuclear and radiation safety provision, were considered sufficient. The electrical rocket engine parameters were confirmed: the nominal value of stabilization engines' thrust on pitch and correction was more than 0.008 lbf and specific impulse was equal to 1600 seconds. Experimental orientation and stabilization devices proved to be effective. In particular, a laser angle-measuring device, tested in the USSR for the first time, was proved to be much more effective than gyro devices. Gyro vertical made it possible to better know the attitude of spacecraft. Based on the results obtained with the help of AMI device, a conclusion was drawn that the use of magnetometer and its inclusion to navigation system of spacecraft was possible. Estimation of the magnetic moment of Plasma-A and its compensation made it possible to reduce the liquid rocket engine propellant's utilization by 30%. Thus, the results of the flight tests confirmed the correctness of all technical decisions made during the creation of Plasma. They also illustrated the informational usefulness of space experiments. However, what's more important is that the test results showed that the thermo-emission nuclear power source were ready to be employed. Since Plasma-A was inserted to the radiation-free orbit, together with the nuclear power sources, it will be located in the terrestrial space for not less than 300 years. At the same time, it will be constantly approaching Earth. This guarantees the decay of the dangerous waste of the reactors until it reaches safe level as the spacecraft enters the atmosphere. Experience obtained during the development of nuclear power sources Topaz-1 and its connection to the concrete space object became the basis of consequent development of space technologies in this field. Today, this development still continues. Not long ago, on February 2, 1998, the decree No144 on the "concept of space nuclear power development in Russia" was adopted by the government of the Russian Federation. It was thought that the created plant would be used in different modernization programs of spacecrafts Us, Pier-3, and others. However, due to problems that came with perestroika and other reforms in Russia, these plans were not realized. Thus, several types of the nuclear power sources were assembled in the USSR. The most prospective among them were: * Topaz-1 (Topol) developed by the NPO Krasnaya Zvezda (described in the article) * Topaz-2 (Enisey) developed by the TsKBM (Saint Petersburg), GosNII NPO Luch, directed by the RNTs Kurchatovskiy Institute was not used in the flight-assembly tests; was sent to US for the demonstration purposes. * Topaz-100/40 is in the stage of development
* The only non-Soviet nuclear power source, SNAP-10A,
with the thermoelectric converter was launched to orbit
on April 3 1965. It operated in space for 43 days;
electrical power was equal to 500W. |
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| ROCKETS. ROCKET ENGINES |
| Production of RD-180 (Rocket
Engine-180) is Delayed in America I. Cherniy RD-180, designed and produced by the Russian NPO EnergoMach,  is
intended for use on American launch vehicles. However,
the official documents haven't cleared through the US
State Department and Pentagon. This, of course, delays
the production of the RD-180. There are several reasons
behind this delay. One is associated with the official US
policy, which requires that the Pentagon satellites use
the US-made rocket engines. The other has to do with $25
mill that Lockheed Martin has to pay for the
modernization of NPO EnergoMach. The delay has negative
effects for both Russia and US.Cancellation of Proton Commercial
Launches is not in the US Interests Breeze-M Stayed on Earth Production of RD-180 (Rocket
Engine-180) is Delayed in America |
| NEWS FROM THE RUSSIAN STATE DUMA |
| Satellite Communications Systems
Discussions in Parliament Hearings A. Kopik  On April 22, the
"state and prospects of development of the satellite
communications systems in the Russian Federation"
were discussed in State Duma. The Committee on Conversion
and Science Technology was responsible for organizing the
hearings, during which an analysis of the Russian
satellite communications systems was presented. The
thesis of this analysis stated that Russia is lagging
well behind, compared to the developed countries, in this
strategically very important field. Thus, to avoid
foreign domination in the Russian communications systems
market and catch up with the rest of the world, Russia
should invest in her own, modern satellite communications
systems. Examples of such are "Gals-R-16" and
"Gals-R16-M1." Research shows that their
production would help Russia achieve several very
important goals, among them: having a multi-channel
satellite broadcast system. |
| INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION |
| Service Module is Dispatched to
Baikonur V. Mokhov  On May 6, from Energia
Space Rocket Corporation, an important component of the
Russian segment of the International Space Station,
Service Module was dispatched to Baikonur. At Energia,
module was re-equipped and passed the full cycle of
electrical tests. The tests will continue at Baikonur.
Right now, there are no obstacles, except the financial
problems, for completion of works with Service Module.
The final launch date is uncertain, although
unofficially, it's November 20. The next element of the
International Space Station should be SO-1 (Docking
Module No1). Its launch is scheduled to take place in
2000. In August 2001, first section of the Russian NEP
(Scientific Power Platform) with four solar batteries
should be delivered to the ISS with 9A.1, an American
shuttle. It will be harder to Conduct a
Scientific Experiment on the ISS |
| CONFERENCES. EXHIBITIONS |
| International Youth Science Seminar
"Space Exploration: Theory and Practice" A. Kopik  An annually held
International Youth Science Seminar "Space
Exploration: Theory and Practice" took place on
April 3-12. The event was organized by the Youth Space
Center of Bauman Moscow State Technical University
(MGTU). The participants included students from different
colleges, professors, Russian space industry
representatives as well as representatives from the UK,
Netherlands and US. The participants visited the museum
of MGTU, Rocket Engines Lab. They also took a field trip
to NPO Zvezda (producer of air and space clothes) and NPO
Mashinostroyeniye. The seminar ended with the
participants' presentations. |
| ENTERPRISES. INSTITUTIONS. ORGANIZATIONS. |
Center of Space Documentation (TsKD)
is 25 years old On April
20, a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Center
of Space Documentation took place at the conference-hall
of its successor, the Russian State Archive of Science
and Technical Documentation (RGANTD). The archive of the
center is just huge. It includes numerous audio, video,
and photo recordings as well as documents that have to do
with space. For the past 25 years, TsKD has been
collecting and archiving unique documents on history of
national cosmonautics, taking part in helping Russia bear
its status of great space power. "Ingosstrah" is going to
Insure Express-A Agreement between MChS and Russian
Space Agency |
| PEOPLE AND THEIR BIOGRAPHIES |
| Cosmonautics Veterans are Awarded On May 7, at the Russian Space Agency, leaders of space industry received personal congratulations of the Russian President, Boris Yeltsin.
|
| SHORT NEWS |
| From April 22, 1999,
cosmonauts S. Zaletin and A. Kalery (Mir-28) use the new
call sign "Enisey" during the training
sessions. -Sergei Shamsutdinov. April 22. Itar TASS
On April 25, 1999, at the Central Clinical Hospital in Moscow, Nina Ivanovna Koroleva, a widow of great Russian designer Sergei Korolev, passed away. Nina Ivanovna Koroleva was 79 years old. On April 28, 1999, the Russian President Boris Yeltsin presented Yuri Sheffer, a test-pilot and deputy director of Gromov Flight Research Institute, with the "Red Star" of Hero of Russian Federation for "courage and heroism, displayed in modern aviation technology testing," as it says in the President's decree dated December 7, 1998. Prior to 1992, Yuri Sheffer trained in Buran program. May 3. According to ITAR-TASS, it is likely that the launch of the Russian Service Module with Proton-K launch vehicle of the International Space Station will not be insured. Even though the insurance premium is only $125,000, neither the Russian Space Agency nor Energia Space Rocket Corporation can provide the specified amount. The estimated value of the module is $320 million. InfoArt News Agency Khrunichev Space Center is planning to demonstrate a model of the Universal Aerospace Platform F98M at the 43rd Aerospace Exhibition in Le Bourge in June 1999. In accordance with the Russian-American project RAMOS, this platform will be used in the stereoscopic observation satellite, working in infrared, visible, and ultra-violet specters. Also, Monitor spacecrafts for remote Earth exploration can be created on the basis of this platform. Khrunichev Space Center proposes to use them for the purposes of now developing European Base of Ecological Information (GES). -Yuriy Zhuravin. The Russian Space Agency decided not to use Proton-K
(39701 series) launch vehicle for launch of Express
spacecraft. Instead, Proton-K will be used for launch of
Express-A. This spacecraft was made on the basis of
"Express," but with the French transponders.
The same principle is used in making SESat. This decision
came after repeated failures of transponders of two
previous Express spacecrafts.-Yuriy Zhuravin. |
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web-master argutins@mtu-net.ru
What's specific about this
launch is that RS-20, also known as SS-18 Satan,
previously has been used strictly for the military
purposes. This type of insertion of the satellite is
being done in accordance with the project of conversion
ICBMs into light space launch vehicles. The specifics of
this project as well as the description of RS-20,
UoSAT-12, initial orbital parameters of the satellite,
detailed report on the launch, and results with
discussions are given in the full version of the article.
Soyuz
and Globalstar are Brothers.
Most
current quotas allowed one launch of "Inmarsat
3," plus 15 launches and if the latter number is
reached, four additional ones. However, the US State
Department is not giving permission for the additional
launches. Whereas it can certainly have a substantial
negative impact on the Russian cosmonautics, it also
doesn't benefit the US. After the incident with
Challenger, shuttles were prohibited from being used for
commercial purposes, and the US lost its leading
positions in artificial earth satellite launching. With
shuttles being gone, Ariane, a European-made launch
vehicle, became the leader in this segment. However, with
Proton entering the market, the balance of powers in
artificial earth satellite launching market has changed,
benefiting the Americans. Now, if additional commercial
launches are not allowed, Proton will simply be gone from
the market and the balance will be disrupted again. 
On May 6,
at 18:42:02 Moscow time, Proton-K launch vehicle with
Breeze-M upper-stage was scheduled to be launched from
Baikonur. Due to problems associated with the anomalies
detected in some of the control system units, the launch,
at first, was postponed till May 7. Later, after further
examination of the launch vehicle, it was removed from
the launch pad and returned to the service station. Next
try will take place approximately on June 9.
Dedicated
to I.T. Kleimenov's 100th Birthday