The Vostok booster. The first rocket "Vostok"

The Second world war, apart from the fact that brought a huge number of numerous victims and destruction, led to scientific, industrial and technological revolution. The postwar division of the world demanded that the main competitors – the USSR and the USA – to develop new technologies, to develop science and production. Already in 50 years humanity went into space: 4 October 1957, the first spacecraft with concise name "Sputnik-1" spread around the planet, marked the beginning of a new era. Four years later the first astronaut into orbit was taken booster «East» Yuri Gagarin became the conqueror of space.

Prehistory

The Second world war, contrary to the aspirations of millions of people, the world has not ended. The confrontation of the West (headed by USA) and East (USSR) blocks – a first for dominance in Europe and then worldwide. Broke out the so-called «cold war" at any moment threatened to turn into a hot stage.

With the development of nuclear weapons, the question arose about the most rapid methods of delivery over great distances. The Soviet Union and the United States made a bid to develop nuclear missiles capable of a few minutes to strike at the enemy located on the other side of the Earth. However, in parallel, the parties have hatched ambitious plans for exploration of near space. The result was created rocket «East», Yuri A. Gagarin became the first cosmonaut and the Soviet Union took the lead in rocket science.

Space race

In the mid-1950s in the United States was established ballistic missile «Atlas», and in the USSR – R-7 (future “East”). The rocket was created with a great reserve of power and capacity, which allowed it to use not only for destruction but also for constructive purposes. It is no secret that the leading designer of rocket program, Sergei Pavlovich Korolev was committed to the ideas of Tsiolkovsky and dreamed of conquest and exploration of space. Opportunities R-7 allowed you to send satellites and even manned vehicles beyond the planet.

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Thanks to the ballistic R-7 and “Atlas” for the first time humanity was able to overcome the force of gravity. Meanwhile, the Russian missile, capable of delivering to the target 5-ton load, had greater reserves to improve than the American one. This, combined with the geographical location of both countries, identified different ways of creating the first manned spacecraft (GAC) “mercury” and “East”. Booster in the USSR received the same title as the PAC.

History

The Development of the ship began in OKB of S. Korolev (today RSC «Energy») in the fall of 1958. To buy time and “wipe” of the United States, the Soviet Union went on the shortest path. At the stage of designing was considered various schemes of the ships from cruise of the model, allowing to land in a given area and almost on the ground, to ballistic – in the shape of a sphere. The creation of cruise missiles with high load capacity was associated with a large amount of research, as compared with a spherical form.

The basis was taken recently are designed to deliver a nuclear warhead Intercontinental missile (Mr) R-7. After her modernization and was born “East”: a booster of the same name and manned aircraft. Feature of the ship «East» became a separate landing system for the lander and the astronaut after ejection. This system was designed for emergency evacuation of the ship in powered flight. This ensured the preservation of life, regardless of where you were fit – on a hard surface or waters.

Design of the rocket

To launch the spacecraft into orbit around the Earth on the basis of Mr R-7 was designed the first rocket “East” for civil purposes. Its flight tests unmanned variant, began on 5 may 1960 and 12 April 1961, held its first human flight into space – USSR citizen Yuri Gagarin.

Was involved in a three-stage construction scheme at all levels of liquid fuel (kerosene + liquid oxygen). The first two stages consisted of 5 blocks: one Central (the maximum diameter of 2.95 m; length 28,75 m) on each side (the diameter of 2.68 m; length is 19.8 m). The third rod was connected with the Central unit. Also on the sides of each step stood steering the camera for manoeuvring. At the head of the PKK mounted (hereinafter – artificial satellites), covered by a fairing. Side units are equipped with tail rudders.

Specifications media «East»

The Rocket had a maximum diameter of 10.3 meters in length 38,36 meters. Starting weight reached 290 tons. The estimated mass of the payload is almost three times higher than the American equivalent and equal to 4,73 tons.

Traction boosters in the void:

• Central & ndash; 941 kN;
• Side – 1 MN;
• 3 level – 54,5 kN.

Design PAC

Manned rocket «East» (Gagarin as the pilot) consisted of a lander in the form of a sphere with an outer diameter of 2.4 meters anddetachable instrument-aggregate compartment. Thermal barrier coating of the reentry vehicle had a thickness of from 30 to 180 mm. is provided In the housing of the input, parachute and technological hatches. In the descent module was of a power system, thermal control, management, life, and orientation, as well as grip control, communications, direction finding and telemetry, remote control astronaut.

The instrument-aggregate compartment housed the control system and the orientation of the motion, power supply, VHF radio telemetry, software and time device. On the surface of GAC was placed 16 cylinders for use by the attitude control system and oxygen for breathing, cold mounted radiators with louvers, Sun sensors and motors orientation. To decay it was intended retropropulsion, created under the leadership of A. M. Isayev.

Habitable module consists of:

• Housing;
• Engine brake;
• Ejection seat;
• 16 gas tanks life support systems and orientation;
• Thermal protection;
• Instrument module;
• Input, process and service hatches;
• A container with food;
• Complex antennas (tape, General radio, command radio);
• Casing of the electrical connector;
• Velcro ties;
• Automatic ignition
• Unit of electronic equipment;
• Window;
• Camera.

Project “mercury”

Shortly after the successful flight of the first artificial satellites in the American media does promote the creation of a manned spacecraft “mercury”, even called the date of his first flight. In these circumstances, it was extremely important to gain time in order to emerge victorious in the space race and simultaneously to demonstrate to the world the superiority of a political system. In the end, the launch of “Vostok” with a man on Board confused the ambitious plans of competitors.

“mercury” in the company “Mac Donnell Douglas" in 1958. April 25, 1961, the first flight of the unmanned vehicle on suborbital trajectories, and may 5 – the first manned flight of astronaut Shepard A. – also on a suborbital trajectory with a duration of 15 minutes. Only February 20, 1962, ten months after Gagarin's flight, the first orbital flight (3 turns of duration about 5 hours) astronaut John Glenn on the spaceship “Frendship-7”. For suborbital flights used booster "Redstone" and the orbital – “Atlas-D”. By the time the assets of Union was daily space flight G. S. Titov in the ship “Vostok-2”.

Features of the inhabited modules

“Vostok” – rocket to the future

In addition to five test launches of the ships of this type weremade six manned flights. In the future, on the basis of “East” created the ships in the series ‘Sunrise” in triple and double versions, as well as satellites fotoritocco «Zenith».

The Soviet Union launched the first artificial space satellite of the Earth and a spacecraft with man on Board. At first the world took the words “satellite” and “astronaut” but with time abroad, they superseded the English “satellite” and “astronaut”.

Conclusion

Space rocket «East» allowed to open for mankind a new reality – to get off the ground and reach for the stars. Despite repeated attempts to downplay the significance of the flight of the first cosmonaut Yuri Alexeyevich Gagarin on 12 April 1961, this event will never fade because it is one of the brightest milestones in the entire history of civilization.