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Aviation History
1957
1957 - 1524.PDF
614 A NEW REALM OF FLIGHT . . . A blackboard exposition by Dr. Blagonravov, head of the Russian delegation to the I.G.Y. Conference in Washington. Particular Points of View /"^OUNTLESS statements of fact, propaganda and opinion were ^-' made during the week following the launching of the Russian satellite. Among those which, deserve to be put on record were the following: — The Earth satellite was first heard by amateur radio operators in the city of Khabarovsk in the Soviet Far East. At 01.55 on October 5 the signal was heard by a ham operator in Magadan, Siberia.—Moscow Radio, October 6. It should be noted that the solution of the problem of launch- ing multi-stage ballistic intercontinental rockets by Soviet scientists formed a preparatory stage for the creation of the artificial satellite. . . . Possessing artificial satellites, astronomers, radio-;physicists, astro-physicists, geophysicists and other scientists will be able to study all cosmic radiations in their pure unadulterated state. The more we know about these radiations, the greater will be our insight into the phenomena which occur in the Universe. The artificial satellites will help us to establish the special distribution of Earth's magnetic field, which is extremely im- portant for unravelling the mystery of the origin of the Earth's magnetism. On the other hand they will provide data about the structure and the basic regularities of .the ionosphere . . . The data concerning the temperature, pressure, density and composition of the air will be of great importance for meteorology and for designers of ionosgheric aircraft and in other problems. The entire surface of the Earth could be filmed from the satel- lites. This will make it possible to create a precise map of the Earth and to determine the equatorial radius and flattening of the Earth at the Poles. Of great interest will be the experiments with plants and animals under conditions of loss of gravity which is of great importance for the development of space travel.— N. A. Varuarov, chairman of the astronautics section of the U.S.S.R. Central Aero Club, Moscow, October 6. The study of the movement of the first satellite, its period of existence, the conditions under which it approaches the Earth on a spiral, will make it possible to obtain more precise data for the launching of future artificial satellites, to build and equip them with a series of very interesting instruments which will record data about Earth atmosphere, data on the condition of matter in cosmic space, and will thus pave the way to a future flight to the Moon. ... It can now be confidently asserted that within a few years a flight to the Moon, with instruments alone in the beginning, of course, will be just as realistic as the launch- ing of the first artificial satellite.—K. P. Stanynkovich, Doctor of Physics and Mathematics, Moscow, October 5. The signals are ordinary continuous-wave telegraph signals of D.3 seconds duration. . . . During the I.G.Y. the Soviet Union is to launch several more bigger satellites fitted with various instruments. The present satellite is not going to return to Earth. . . . Scientists are now planning a satellite which will return to Earth. The launching of an Earth satellite is the first stage, or stepping stone, to reach- ing the Moon. The next stage will probably be the creation of a man-made satellite of the Moon. Such a satellite will have to be fitted with a light engine to propel it in space where there is no air to more and more remote orbits and finally to the orbit of the Moon. One solution of the problem would be an engine operating on solar energy.—Boris Beletsky, Moscow Radio, October 5. At present, regular satellite observations are being conducted in the U.S.S.R. by 66 optical observation stations and 26 D.O.S.A.A.F. society clubs lavishly supplied with radio equip- ment. Moreover, observations are being conducted by thousands of individual radio amateurs. The scientific stations are con- ducting their observations with the help of radiolocators and direction finders as well as by optical methods and with the help of photography. . . . As reported earlier, the satellite is a sphere with a diameter of 58 cm and weighing 83.6 kg. Its hermetically sealed casing is made of aluminium alloys. Its surface is polished and specially treated. The casing contains all the satellite's equipment together ,...-•••. ••••'• ' FLIGHT, 18 October m7 with a source of power for it. Before the launching, the satellte is filled with gaseous nitrogen. Antennae in die form of four metal rods 2.4-2.9 metres lo ig are attached to the outer surface of the satellite's casing. Wh-n the satellite is sent to its orbit, the antennae rods are folded against the rocket's body. When the satellite leaves the rocket, tae antennae open out on their swivels. . . . It should be noted that the relatively great weight of the Soviet satellite has made it possible to equip it with powerful radio transmitters ensuring reception of the satellite's signals at a great distance. . . . The signals sent by the satellite's transmitter are in the form of telegraphic messages. . . . To register the processes taking place in the satellite, it has been equipped with sensitive elements changing the frequency of telegraphic messages and the ratios between the length of these messages and pauses with changes in some elements in the satellite such as temperature, etc. The satellite's signals are registered for subsequent decoding and analysis. . . . The artificial Earth satellite is the first step towards the con- quest of cosmic space. To proceed to manned cosmic flights it is necessary to study the effects of cosmic flight on living organisms. Such studies should be conducted, in the first in- stance, on animals. The Soviet Union has already sent up rockets carrying animals and will send up a satellite with animals as passengers for a detailed observation of their behaviour and the course of physiological processes.—Article, "The Soviei- made Earth Satellite," in "Pravda," October 9. The launching of the artificial Earth satellite is a victory for Soviet man who, with Bolshevik boldness and clearness of pur- pose, determination and energy, knows how to march forward. This is a victory for collective labour, the one and only system which is capable of creating real wonders in the world—Leading article titled "The Great Victory in the Peaceful Competition with Capitalism" in "Pravda," October 9. What is the ultimate aim of creating satellites? Apart from the objectives already reported—research into physical, astronomi- cal and geophysical problems—the ultimate aim is to create near the Earth a space station from which space-ships could be launched in the future. Before, however, creating such a huge ship or satellite populated by human beings and carrying the necessary equipment for launching space-ships to other planets, one has first to study in great detail the hazards of empty space, namely the dangers from meteorites and cosmic radiation to the satellites and the living species they carry. Apparently the first satellite will be followed by more, larger in size and carrying the more complex equipment and instru- ments to study the problems which have already been mentioned on many occasions. The next stage will apparently be the launching of satellites carrying animals for the study of their behaviour on the orbit; and, finally, the last stage would probably be a manned satellite. From a manned satellite it will be much easier and simpler to dispatch rockets to other planets, since a space-ship attached to a satellite will have a speed of about 8 km/ sec and will require only an additional 3-4 km/sec to overcome the field of gravity and to fly to the Moon, Mars, Venus or other planets. Everything will depend on the technical aspects of this project, the accomplishment of which is not so far off.—Prof. Y. A. Pobedonostsev, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Moscow, October 8. I think it is absolutely stupendous, about die biggest thing that has happened in scientific history. Absolutely staggering.— Prof. A. C. B. Lovell, Professor of Radio Astronomy, Manchester University, October 6. From a military standpoint it confronts us with a new and terrifying danger.—Senator Russell, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Washington, October 6. Frankly, it's enough to scare hell out of me. If they can do that, they can drop ICBMs on us.—Unidentified official con- cerned with Project Vanguard, October 6. The achievement is impressive.—"The Times" leading article October 7. The satellite is a hunk of iron almost anybody could launch.— Rear Admiral Rawson Bennett, U.S. Chief of Naval Research, October 6. We congratulate Soviet scientists upon putting a satellite into orbit.—President Eisenhower, Washington, October 9. We have proposed that a technical committe be set up to work out an inspection system which will assure the use of outer space for exclusively peaceful and scientific purposes.— Mr. Cabot Lodge (U.S.A.), political committee of the United Nations General Assembly, October 10. In addition to "beep-beep," the satellite is now emitting signals which sound like "hm-hm" and "psst-psst."—Reports from a number of U.S. scientists, October 10.
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