We have long been accustomed to living in the era of space exploration. However, watching today the huge reusable rockets and space orbital stations, many do not realize that the first launch of the spacecraft took place not so long ago - just 60 years ago.
Who launched the first artificial Earth satellite? - THE USSR. This question has great importance, since this event gave rise to the so-called space race between two superpowers: the USA and the USSR.
What was the name of the world's first artificial satellite of the Earth? - since such devices did not exist before, Soviet scientists considered that the name "Sputnik-1" is quite suitable for this device. The device's code designation is PS-1, which stands for "Simplest Sputnik-1".
Outwardly, the satellite had a rather uncomplicated appearance and was an aluminum sphere with a diameter of 58 cm to which two curved antennas were attached crosswise, allowing the device to spread radio emission evenly and in all directions. Inside the sphere, made of two hemispheres fastened by 36 bolts, there were 50-kilogram silver-zinc batteries, a radio transmitter, a fan, a thermostat, pressure and temperature sensors. The total weight of the device was 83.6 kg. It is noteworthy that the radio transmitter broadcast in the range of 20 MHz and 40 MHz, that is, ordinary radio amateurs could also follow it.
History of creation
The history of the first space satellite and space flights in general begins with the first ballistic missile - V-2 (Vergeltungswaffe-2). The missile was developed by the famous German designer Werner von Braun at the end of World War II. The first test launch took place in 1942, and the combat one took place in 1944; a total of 3,225 launches were carried out mainly in the UK. After the war, Wernher von Braun surrendered to the US Army, in connection with which he headed the Arms Design and Development Service in the United States. Back in 1946, a German scientist presented to the US Department of Defense a report “Preliminary design of an experimental spaceship revolving around the Earth ”, where he noted that within five years a rocket could be developed, capable of launching such a ship into orbit. However, funding for the project was not approved.
On May 13, 1946, Joseph Stalin adopted a decree on the creation of the missile industry in the USSR. Sergei Korolev was appointed chief designer of ballistic missiles. For the next 10 years, scientists have developed intercontinental ballistic missiles R-1, P2, R-3, etc.
In 1948 rocket designer Mikhail Tikhonravov made a report for the scientific community on composite rockets and the results of calculations, according to which the 1000-kilometer-long rockets under development can reach large distances and even put an artificial Earth satellite into orbit. However, such a statement was criticized and was not taken seriously. Tikhonravov's department at NII-4 was disbanded due to irrelevant work, but later, thanks to the efforts of Mikhail Klavdievich, it was reassembled in 1950. Then Mikhail Tikhonravov already spoke directly about the mission to launch the satellite into orbit.
Satellite model
After the creation of the R-3 ballistic missile, its capabilities were presented at the presentation, according to which the rocket was capable not only of hitting targets at a distance of 3000 km, but also to put a satellite into orbit. So by 1953, scientists still managed to convince the top management that the launch of an orbiting satellite is possible. And the leaders of the armed forces had an understanding of the prospects for the development and launch of an artificial earth satellite (AES). For this reason, in 1954, a resolution was adopted to create a separate group at NII-4 with Mikhail Klavdievich, which would be engaged in satellite design and mission planning. In the same year, Tikhonravov's group presented a program for space exploration, from launching an artificial satellite to landing on the moon.
In 1955, a Politburo delegation headed by NS Khrushchev visited the Leningrad Metal Plant, where the construction of a two-stage R-7 rocket was completed. The impression of the delegation resulted in the signing of a decree on the creation and launch of a satellite into Earth orbit in the next two years. The design of the satellite began in November 1956, and in September 1957 the "Simplest Sputnik-1" was successfully tested on a vibration stand and in a heat chamber.
Unambiguously to the question "who invented Sputnik-1?" - it is impossible to answer. The development of the first satellite of the Earth took place under the leadership of Mikhail Tikhonravov, and the creation of the launch vehicle and the launch of the satellite into orbit - under the leadership of Sergei Korolev. However, a considerable number of scientists and researchers worked on both projects.
Launch history
In February 1955, the top management approved the creation of the Research test site No. 5 (later Baikonur), which was supposed to be located in the Kazakhstan desert. The tests of the first ballistic missiles of the R-7 type were carried out at the test site, but according to the results of five test launches, it became clear that the massive warhead of the ballistic missile could not withstand the temperature load and required improvement, which would take about six months. For this reason, S.P.Korolev requested from NS Khrushchev two rockets for the experimental launch of PS-1. At the end of September 1957, the R-7 rocket arrived at Baikonur with a lightweight head part and a transition under the satellite. Excess equipment was removed, as a result of which the mass of the rocket was reduced by 7 tons.
On October 2, S.P. Korolev signed an order on flight tests of the satellite and sent a notice of readiness to Moscow. And although no answers came from Moscow, Sergei Korolev decided to withdraw the Sputnik (R-7) launch vehicle from PS-1 to the launch position.
The reason why the leadership demanded that the satellite be put into orbit during this period is that the so-called International Geophysical Year was held from July 1, 1957 to December 31, 1958. According to him, during the specified period, 67 countries jointly and under a single program carried out geophysical research and observations.
The launch date of the first artificial satellite is October 4, 1957. In addition, on the same day, the opening of the VIII International Astronautical Congress took place in Spain, Barcelona. The leaders of the USSR space program were not disclosed to the public due to the secrecy of the work being carried out; Academician Leonid Ivanovich Sedov reported to the Congress about the sensational launch of the satellite. Therefore, the world community has long considered the Soviet physicist and mathematician Sedov the “father of Sputnik”.
Flight history
At 22:28:34 Moscow time, a rocket with a satellite was launched from the first site of NIIP No. 5 (Baikonur). After 295 seconds, the central block of the rocket and the satellite were launched into an elliptical orbit of the Earth (apogee - 947 km, perigee - 288 km). After another 20 seconds, PS-1 separated from the rocket and gave a signal. These were repetitive beep! Beep! ”, Which were caught at the range for 2 minutes, until“ Sputnik-1 ”disappeared over the horizon. On the first orbit of the spacecraft around the Earth, the Telegraph Agency of the Soviet Union (TASS) broadcast a message about the successful launch of the world's first satellite.
After receiving signals from PS-1, detailed data began to arrive about the vehicle, which, as it turned out, was close to not reaching the first space velocity and not going into orbit. The reason for this was an unexpected failure of the fuel supply control system, due to which one of the engines was delayed. A split second separated from failure.
However, PS-1 nevertheless successfully reached an elliptical orbit, along which it moved for 92 days, while completing 1440 revolutions around the planet. The device's radio transmitters worked for the first two weeks. What caused the death of the first satellite of the Earth? - Having lost speed against atmospheric friction, Sputnik-1 began to decline and completely burned up in the dense layers of the atmosphere. It is noteworthy that many could observe a certain shiny object moving across the sky at that time. But without special optics, the satellite's shiny body could not be seen, and in fact this object was the second stage of the rocket, which also rotated in orbit, along with the satellite.
Flight value
The first launch of an artificial Earth satellite in the USSR produced an unprecedented rise in pride in their country and a strong blow to the prestige of the United States. An excerpt from the United Press publication: “90 percent of the talk about artificial earth satellites was in the United States. As it turned out, 100 percent of the case fell on Russia ... ”. And despite misconceptions about the technical backwardness of the USSR, it was the Soviet apparatus that became the first satellite of the Earth, moreover, its signal could be monitored by any radio amateur. The flight of the first Earth satellite marked the beginning of the space age and launched the space race between the Soviet Union and the United States.
Just 4 months later, on February 1, 1958, the United States launched its Explorer-1 satellite, which was assembled by a team of scientist Wernher von Braun. And although it was several times lighter than PS-1 and contained 4.5 kg of scientific equipment, it was still the second and no longer influenced the public so much.
Scientific results of PS-1 flight
The launch of this PS-1 pursued several goals:
- Testing the technical ability of the device, as well as checking the calculations adopted for the successful launch of the satellite;
- Study of the ionosphere. Before the launch of the spacecraft, radio waves sent from Earth were reflected from the ionosphere, making it impossible to study it. Now scientists have been able to begin exploring the ionosphere through the interaction of radio waves emitted by a satellite from space and traveling through the atmosphere to the Earth's surface.
- Calculation of the density of the upper layers of the atmosphere by observing the rate of deceleration of the vehicle due to friction against the atmosphere;
- Impact research outer space for equipment, as well as definitions favorable conditions for the operation of equipment in space.
Listen to the sound of the First satellite
And although there was no scientific equipment on the satellite, tracking its radio signal and analyzing its nature gave many useful results. So a group of scientists from Sweden carried out measurements of the electronic composition of the ionosphere, relying on the Faraday effect, which says about the change in the polarization of light when it passes through a magnetic field. Also, a group of Soviet scientists from Moscow State University developed a method for observing a satellite with an accurate determination of its coordinates. Observation of this elliptical orbit and the nature of its behavior made it possible to determine the density of the atmosphere in the region of orbital altitudes. The unexpectedly increased density of the atmosphere in these areas prompted scientists to create a theory of satellite deceleration, which contributed to the development of astronautics.
Video about the first satellite.
Launch of the satellite carrier rocket. The exit of mankind into space.
Launch pad: launch vehicle 8K71-PS (R-7) with Sputnik-1.
Launch of the R-7 carrier rocket from the ISZ-1. RGANTD.
Assembling "PS-1".
"The simplest satellite first". Build process.
Satellite components.
Satellite launch.
Final check of all systems.
Internal layout of the ISZ-1. RGANTD.
The head cutter and the last stage of the launch vehicle (still from the training film).
General view of the satellite.
The layout diagram of the ISZ-1. 1957 RGANTD.
A copy of the world's first artificial Earth satellite at the National Air and Space Museum, Washington.
The State Commission that supervised the preparation of the launches of the First and Second artificial earth satellites. November 3, 1957 RGANTD.
Listening to satellite signals.
Roy Welch, a radio amateur from Dallas (USA), plays the signals of the first Soviet satellite recorded by him on a tape recorder to other radio amateurs.
Postage stamp of the USSR with the image of Sputnik-1.
Postage stamp dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the launch of the 1st Earth satellite - AES in near-Earth orbit. Solar Galaxy - Date June 24, 1967.
Postage block in honor of the 25th anniversary of the launch of the world's first artificial Earth satellite. USSR 1982.
Anniversary stamp "100 years since the birth of KE Tsiolkovsky" with an overprint about the launch of the world's first satellite. USSR Post 1957.
Monument to the creators of the first Soviet artificial Earth satellite. Installed in 1958 near the Rizhskaya metro station in Moscow. Sculptor Kovner.
Inside the satellite. Layout, M 1: 1.
Metal lock key, the last remaining element from the first satellite. Blocked the connection between the batteries and the transmitter before launching the rocket. Exhibit National Museum aviation and astronautics (National Air and Space Museum), Washington. When entering orbit, another fuse was turned off and the satellite began to send a signal.
In honor of the 40th anniversary of the launch of the satellite, November 3, 1997, with space station"Mir", the cosmonauts launched manually "Sputnik 40" - a 1/3 model of the first satellite. The satellite was made by Russian and French students.
Examples of the first commemorative badges issued in honor of the launch of the Soviet satellite # 1.
Artistic labeled envelope dedicated to the launch of the satellite. USSR Post, 1957.
Postcard of the GDR, 1981-1983, from a series of 48 postcards stamped "25 years of the space age". (German Geschichte der Raumfahrt Vom Feuerpfeil zu Sputnik 1).
Commemorative medal "In honor of the launch in the USSR of the world's first artificial Earth satellite on October 4, 1957. Academy of Sciences of the USSR".
The first and fourth pages of the covers of the magazines "Radio", No. 12, 1957 and No. 1, 1958.
Launch vehicle "Sputnik". On the left, three satellites are visible, which she put into orbit of the earth.
Form of radio signals of the first satellite.
Radio amateurs are prize-winners of the Radio magazine for scientifically valuable observations of the first satellites. "Radio", 1958, No. 1.
Painting by A. Sokolov "It Has Been Done!"
Satellite sounds
(0:14) Recorded in Czechoslovakia
(2:28) Recorded in Washington DC
(0:23) Recorded in Germany
The satellite transmitted signals in the form of telegraph transmissions (so-called "beeps") with a duration of about 0.3 seconds.
The radio waves were transmitted at two frequencies of 20.005 and 40.002 MHz.
The signal frequency and pause were determined by 2 sensors:
- pressure, response threshold: 0.35 atm
- temperatures, response threshold: +50 ° С and 0 ° С
The radio transmitters worked for two weeks.
Interesting Facts:
☆ On January 30, 1956, a decree was issued on launching into orbit in 1957-1958. "Object" D "" - a satellite with scientific equipment. 200-300 kg of scientific equipment was to be developed by the USSR Academy of Sciences.
On January 14, 1957, the USSR Council of Ministers approved the R-7 flight test program. And Korolev sent a memorandum to the Council of Ministers, writing that 2 missiles could be ready, in a satellite version, in April - June 1957, "and launched immediately after the first successful launches of an intercontinental missile."
In February, they walked at the training ground construction works and two missiles were already ready. Korolev, realizing that the equipment for the satellite would be made for a long time to come, sent an unexpected proposal to the government:
There are reports that in connection with the International Geophysical Year, the United States intends to launch an artificial satellite in 1958. We risk losing priority. I propose instead of a complex laboratory - object "D" to launch a simple satellite into space.
☆ After the satellite started sending signals, the analysis of the received telemetry data began. It turned out:
- One engine was "late", but not less than a second before the control time, it still went into normal mode (and the start was not automatically canceled).
- At the 16th second of the flight, the fuel supply control system stopped working, increased kerosene consumption began, the central engine turned off 1 second earlier than the estimated time. Disconnect it a little earlier and the first space speed could not be achieved.
☆ Many media outlets of that time wrote that the satellite could be observed in the sky with the naked eye, in fact, it could not be seen so easily. And the star that I saw a large number of people, was the second stage - the central block of the rocket (weighing 7.5 tons), it also went into orbit and moved until it burned out.
☆ Soviet government donated a model of Sputnik 1 to the UN, and the model is housed in the entrance hall of the UN Headquarters in New York.
☆ In honor of the 40th anniversary of the launch of the first satellite, on November 4, 1997, Sputnik-40 was manually launched from the Mir orbital station by cosmonauts (a model made by Russian and French students, on a scale of 1: 3).
☆ In 2003, they tried to sell a copy of Sputnik-1 on eBay. According to estimates of some researchers, from four to twenty models were manufactured in the Soviet Union ( exact copies), for testing, demonstrations and diplomatic gifts. Nobody can name the exact number of models, because it was classified information, nevertheless, many museums around the world claim that they have an authentic copy.
At the moment, science has stepped far forward, and scientists have been able to create a huge variety of a wide variety of machines, devices and devices. Space technology does not lag behind in this direction, and sometimes common man it is difficult to understand how one type of equipment differs from another. For example, what are the differences between a rocket and a satellite? Let's take a closer look at this topic.
Satellite is a man-made spacecraft that is launched into the orbit of the planet and has been rotating there for a fairly long time. Why would a person launch an artificial satellite into outer space? The answer is simple - to study a wide variety of natural phenomena and processes. So, some satellites are associated with the study of various galaxies, other planets Solar system and other space objects, others - with the study of the behavior of animals outside their usual habitat, others - to record changes climatic conditions on the planet, the fourth - for television broadcasting and so on. But no matter what type of artificial satellite is considered, their main function is to collect or receive any information and transmit it for further analysis.
Satellite
Rocket is an artificially created object that moves due to some kind of force. Accordingly, each such object has special engines, the most common of which is chemical. The meaning of its action lies in the fact that a special rocket fuel is oxidized in the combustion chamber, and the energy released in this process gives the rocket the ability to move. The purpose of missiles can be reduced to three main positions, the most famous of which is military affairs, that is, these mechanisms are used to deliver any strike on the opposing side. But, besides this, rockets are also used as a transport mechanism, when, for example, it is necessary to deliver some kind of cargo into outer space. And the third goal of creating this type of device is the possibility of using them to study meteorological and geophysical changes on the planet.
Rocket So the satellite and the rocket are scientific works and the actions of many scientists, but the purpose of creating these mechanisms is different. Satellites are designed to study various processes occurring on the surface of the Earth and in outer space next to it. In turn, the rockets are designed not only to explore various natural phenomena, but also serve military affairs or deliver the necessary cargo to certain points. The satellites do not have any propulsion engine (although sometimes small engines are found to correct the orbit), and the rockets have a special device that can give them reactive force to move through space.
Conclusions site
- Satellites have only one purpose - research, while rockets have three - research, transportation and defense.
- The rockets are propelled by the energy generated by the combustion of fuel, and the satellites move by the speed that they were originally given.
On October 4, 1957, the world's first artificial satellite of the Earth was launched into near-earth orbit, opening the space era in the history of mankind.
The first artificial satellite celestial body, was launched into orbit by the R-7 carrier rocket from the 5th Research Test Site of the USSR Ministry of Defense, which later received the open name of the Baikonur Cosmodrome.
Spacecraft PS-1(the simplest satellite-1) was a ball with a diameter of 58 centimeters, weighed 83.6 kilograms, was equipped with four pin antennas 2.4 and 2.9 meters long for transmitting signals from battery-powered transmitters. 295 seconds after the launch, PS-1 and the central block of the rocket weighing 7.5 tons were launched into an elliptical orbit with an apogee height of 947 km and a perigee of 288 km. At 315 seconds after the launch, the satellite separated from the second stage of the launch vehicle, and the whole world immediately heard its call signs.
“… On October 4, 1957, the first satellite was successfully launched in the USSR. According to preliminary data, the launch vehicle told the satellite the required orbital speed of about 8000 meters per second. At present, the satellite describes elliptical trajectories around the Earth and its flight can be observed in the rays of the rising and setting Sun with the help of the simplest optical instruments (binoculars, telescopes, etc.).
According to calculations, which are now being refined by direct observations, the satellite will move at altitudes up to 900 kilometers above the Earth's surface; time of one full turnover the satellite will be 1 hour 35 minutes, the angle of inclination of the orbit to the equatorial plane is 65 °. On October 5, 1957, the satellite will pass over the Moscow region twice - at 1 hour 46 minutes. nights and at 6 o'clock. 42 minutes morning Moscow time. Messages about the subsequent movement of the first artificial satellite, launched in the USSR on October 4, will be broadcast regularly by broadcast radio stations.
The satellite has the shape of a sphere with a diameter of 58 cm and a weight of 83.6 kg. It has two radio transmitters that continuously emit radio signals with a frequency of 20.005 and 40.002 megahertz (wavelength about 15 and 7.5 meters, respectively). The power of the transmitters ensures reliable reception of radio signals by a wide range of radio amateurs. The signals are in the form of telegraph parcels with a duration of about 0.3 seconds. with a pause of the same duration. A signal of one frequency is sent while a signal of another frequency is paused ... ”.
Scientists M.V. Keldysh, M.K. Tikhonravov, N.S. Lidorenko, V.I. Lapko, B.S. Chekunov and many others.
The PS-1 satellite flew 92 days, until January 4, 1958, completing 1440 revolutions around the Earth (about 60 million kilometers), and its radio transmitters worked for two weeks after launch.
The launch of an artificial satellite of the Earth was of great importance for the knowledge of the properties of outer space and the study of the Earth as a planet of our solar system. The analysis of the received signals from the satellite gave scientists the opportunity to study the upper layers of the ionosphere, which was not possible before. In addition, information on the operating conditions of the equipment, which was most useful for further launches, was obtained, all calculations were checked, and the density of the upper atmosphere was determined by the deceleration of the satellite.
The launch of the first artificial Earth satellite received a huge worldwide response. The whole world learned about his flight. The entire world press spoke about this event.
In September 1967 International Federation astronautics proclaimed October 4 as the Day of the beginning of the space age of mankind.
Roscosmos Press Service
E.P. Molotov
The R-7 intercontinental ballistic missile, created in 1957, became great success for the Soviet rocket and space industry. She not only launched into space and, but also served as the basis for a whole family of medium-class launch vehicles, including the Soyuz, which today deliver astronauts to the ISS. We talk about the development of the R-7 with the main research assistant offices for the creation of special ground complexes holding "Russian space systems"(RKS, part of the Roscosmos State Corporation) by Evgeny Pavlovich Molotov, a participant in the creation of ground-based receiving devices for radio control systems for R-7 missiles and others.
- Evgeny Pavlovich, you came to NII-885 (today it is RKS) in 1952. In fact, the national cosmonautics was born before your very eyes. Tell us, how did the creation of Soviet missiles begin?
- At the very end of the war, Soviet specialists were sent to Germany to study the developments of German engineers, in particular, the V-2 missile. Among them were people who later headed NII-885 - Mikhail Ryazansky and Nikolai Pilyugin. The Soviet specialists did not get the whole missiles, they were taken out by the Americans. However, fragments of the "V-2" were found, they were brought to Soviet Union.
- What happened with these fragments next?
- At first, working samples of missiles were collected from them. Their tests were carried out at the Kapustin Yar test site. Then the Soviet specialists, according to the instructions of the country's leadership, had to make a copy of the "V-2", but this time on the Soviet element base. This was the first Soviet rocket R-1. The range of its flight was 270 kilometers. After that, under the leadership of Sergei Pavlovich Korolev, the R-2 rocket was created, the flight range of which was already 600 km, and the R-5 with a range of 1200 km. The development of autonomous control systems for these missiles at our institute was directed by Nikolai Pilyugin, and radio systems - by Mikhail Ryazansky.
- What were living conditions at the Kapustin Yar training ground? Where did the people live?
- At first it was an open field, there was no infrastructure, there was no housing. Sergey Korolev decided to use a special comfortable train, which was built in Germany, to accommodate employees. When the first missile tests took place, people lived on this train. This gave a big gain in time, since it was possible to go directly to launches without waiting for the construction of infrastructure.
- Did the German specialists exported from Germany after the war take any part in the work?
Yes. Not only fragments of "V-2" were brought from Germany, but also a whole team of German specialists. Although, of course, the most valuable German developers were taken out by the Americans. Those who were brought to the Soviet Union worked, first of all, in Korolev's Podlipki. Some of them worked for our institute, but on a different territory. After the completion of work on the R-1, the question arose about the development of the R-2. It was decided to simultaneously develop two projects of this rocket - one was prepared by German specialists, the second - by Korolev. Then the commission chose best project... It turned out to be the Queen's project.
- Where did the tests of the R-7 take place?
Rocket R-7
The R-7 missile was already intercontinental, its flight range was 8 thousand km. A new test site was needed to test it. Points with radio equipment were to be located at a distance of 250 kilometers on both sides of the rocket launch. That is, the base for measurements was supposed to be 500 km. In the active phase of the rocket's flight, these points worked with it. It was necessary to find such a place in the Soviet Union where the launching position, radio stations would fit, and from where it would be possible to launch a rocket to Kamchatka, where the range for hitting the missile warheads is located. The missile launch site was found in Central Asia, near the railway station Tyura-Tam. Later this place became known as the Baikonur cosmodrome.
– When was the first successful launch of the R-7?
The first successful launch of the R-7 took place on August 21, 1957. He was successful in everything. The rocket flew right. However, the warhead, which was supposed to fall in Kamchatka, had a flaw. It collapsed during the passage of the atmosphere. To the next start head part finalized and it has already reached its goal. So on August 21, 1957, the first successful launch of the carrier, the R-7 rocket itself, took place. The Soviet Union then received the world's first intercontinental ballistic missile, tested... The R-7 launches showed that the rocket could be accelerated to the speed needed to launch the satellite if one more stage was added. There was only one decree on awarding the developers of the R-7 and the first satellite - they were awarded immediately for both the rocket and the satellite, since these two projects were closely related.
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